3rd Month of 299 A.C. Riverrun
Lord Eddard Stark
The battle had been a fierce one, the Lannister and Crowlander army had fought fiercely, determined to prove a point. Ned had watched as many good men had died trying to stop the enemy from growing more powerful, and more in control. They had done well, the fight had been had and pushed, and though Jaime Lannister had come close to clashing blades with him, eventually, the man had been forced to retreat, a sight he thought he would never see. An army commanded from the south by Lord Mathis Rowan had arrived in time to aid them, for there was a risk of them being overwhelmed despite their superior numbers. It was a relief, though the Kingslayer had escaped, and Ned knew, he just knew that there would be more enemies on their tail before this war was over and done with. He could feel it in his bones, as well as in his body, there were aches and pains throughout his body but he knew he had to push forward, he could not show any weakness now. The war council was in session, and as its commander he would need to lead it without any hesitation.
Ned clears his throat and looks around the solar, taking in the expression on every man's face, seeing the tiredness in Edmure's, the hope in Lord Umber's, the desperation in Lord Domeric's and the anger in Lord Bracken and Blackwood's. He takes a breath then speaks. "We have fought two battles now, three if you count the first battle for Riverrun. We have forced the Lannisters back on two occasions, and have significantly damaged their army and their pride. But they will be back. So long as Tywin Lannister remains out in Harrenhal, they will keep sending probing forces to attack us."
There are murmurs of agreement and then Lord Blackwood speaks. "What do you suggest we do then my lord? There are enemies of Riverrun out in the Riverlands still mustering their strength to come to Baratheon aid. And whilst Lord Rowan's presence here is a boon, we all know the Tyrells will be hot on his heels."
Ned nods, seeing the sense in what Blackwood is asking. He looks at Lord Rowan then and asks. "My lord, what was the situation when you left the Reach? We had heard that there was a lot of fighting going on there, with the Tyrells struggling to peg all the gaps that had opened. Is that still the case?"
Lord Rowan's face is covered in scars, one of his eyes was taken out during a fight, and now he speaks solemnly. "It was raging when I took my men and led them here. The Tyrells are on my tail, but I do not think they will come to fight for the Baratheons."
That surprises Ned. "What do you mean by that? I would have thought that their connection to Renly Baratheon would have forced them to fight for the Baratheons." The fact that he is not fighting for the Baratheons is in itself a strange thought for Ned, but it is one he is slowly coming to accept.
Rowan smiles slightly. "The Tyrells might know Lord Renly, but they are not tied to him. They are fighting for their own interests." It is a simple statement but it makes a lot of sense.
Ned considers this statement, before turning the conversation onto matters they can control and account for. "Lord Domeric, how many men did you count as being our prisoners?"
Lord Domeric Bolton, the new Lord of the Dreadfort, after his father died some time ago, the man has just started to recover from whatever happened to him under the control of his bastard brother, and he still has the look of a haunted man on his face. His voice though is calm when he replies. "There were some seventy prisoners that were of value that were taken my lord. And they have all said the same thing." The man pauses to take a sip of water, before he continues. "They all claim that there is some great plan coming. That Lord Tywin will have us before the year is done."
Ned snorts at that, seeing it for the posturing that it clearly is. Lord Tywin's army is being whittled down to the barest of numbers, his son had to flee the battle, and the west is now burning under Robb's command. He takes a moment to gather his thoughts and then he says. "I see. And were any of these men who speak of Lord Tywin's great plan, men who could be ransomed off?" that is not something he takes pleasure in, but he knows that wars cost money and a ransom would go a long way to filling up their coffers.
Therefore, he is slightly disappointed when Lord Domeric shakes his head. "No my lord, none who would gather enough money to make it worthwhile for the war chest."
Ned nods in acceptance at this, before turning to Lord Bracken and saying. "My lord, you know more about the traitorous Riverlords than anyone else here." He holds his hand up as Bracken goes to protest. "That is not a question your loyalty my lord, it is merely a statement. So tell us, what do you think they will do next?"
Lord Bracken thinks for a moment, his face pulling into a slightly comical expression, eventually the man speaks, his words slow and thoughtful. "I believe they will gather near Harrenhal or Castle Darry. And from there they will march out, setting traps along the way. I do not think they will do what Ser Jaime did, but they will do something much more likely to draw support. They will draw on the fear of an invading army, and draw people in that way."
Ned considers this for a moment before turning to Edmure, his Goodbrother looks exhausted, and frankly Ned cannot blame him, between dealing with the war, an ailing father and a scared young family, Ned would be tired as well. He looks at his Goodbrother and asks. "Do you think you might be able to counteract that my lord?"
The man nods. "Aye. I think that should be no problem whatsoever."
