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Chapter 21
Battle of Reach: Part 3
"Call the Banners"
Robb couldn't help but remember that fateful declaration of his own made not so long ago, and yet felt like a lifetime apart as he stared at the grand image of Highgarden off in the far distance even as his army made a rapid forced march away from it at the wolf's hour.
Supported by the cloudy skies preventing moonlight from reaching the lands, his troops undertook a manevoure that would either make or break his campaign.
"Are you afraid?"
Theon's dreadful question from that day haunted his heart once more, as he fought hard to stop the shaking of his hands by holding on to the reigns of his horse tightly.
His face was set in stone and betrayed no emotions, even if his soul was afraid to its very core.
The fate of the upcoming battle and its impact on all those he held dear weighing heavily on his heart.
Gazing towards the eastern direction, where leagues away his siblings- Jon and Arya in the form Nymeria alongside their reserve army of 2,000 men were awaiting additional reinforcements from their forces in the Westerlands gave him some small measure of relief.
Looking beside him, he saw so many members of the Royal Guard sitting atop their own horses confidently.
Sandor Clegane, Smalljon Umber, Dacey Mormont, Harrion Karstark, GreatJon Umber, Ser Damon Vardon, Mya Stone and many more brave companions from the 12,000 strong army that would follow him in this battle.
"Your Grace, Ser Lyn Corbray's scouts sent a rider. They linked up with a messenger sent by Lord Templeton, he has managed to destroy the 3,000 reinforcements that had marched from Goldengrove towards Highgarden and is on his way to link up with us. Ser Harrold and his men have also joined him" informed Ser Barristan quickly as he arrived by his side,
"How many men did Lord Templeton lose in this victory?" asked Robb,
"More than 400 dead and another 200 wounded; the one good news is that the battle took place extremely close to the seat of Goldengrave. Witnessing the massacre of their reinforcements made a virtually defenseless House Rowan surrender their castle to avoid a worse fate when threatened by a victorious Lord Templeton. He has left a token garrison force to hold the castle and to tend to our wounded who have been placed inside the Castle"
"That was not the objective but I can see why Lord Templeton chose this route" said Robb with a raised eyebrow,
"Aye, Your Grace. Lord Templeton and Ser Harrold will link up with us soon and bring 3,000 men to our army. It's slightly lesser than what we expected, but it's what we have" admitted Ser Barristan,
He watched as Robb went silent for several long moments before looking back at Barristan.
"Lord Tarly would have crossed Bitterbridge by now?" asked Robb seriously,
"Yes, after a brief rest and resupply for his troops. He would not waste much time in dithering when the fate of Highgarden is at stake" advised Barristan,
"How long would a rider from Bitterbridge take to reach him with an urgent message, a day or two?" asked Robb with a thin smirk developing on his face,
"A day or even less if the rider kills his horse in the attempt, if the message is urgent" said Barristan curiously,
A predatory smile arrived on Robb's face and the shaking of his hands which he had been desperately trying to conceal seized.
"Lord Templeton might just have given us the advantage we needed" said the King with renewed confidence,
The King quietly conveyed the orders he wanted to be executed, and as Barristan alongside the rest of the Royal Guard members heard the plan in detail, they felt a glimmer of hope arise within their own hearts.
"This might just work, Your Grace" said Barristan with a faint smile,
"It all depends on the enemy falling for our trap, Ser" replied the King, and hoped the deception he had planned with Jon to entrap the Tyrell's would work either way while he dealt with Randyll Tarly and his army.
Still, he was going to be outnumbered by nearly 5,000 men against a veteran like Lord Tarly. They were not impossible odds but a risky gamble.
It was Greatjon who saw the unsaid worry that troubled their King and looked at him with grim determination.
"Tarly may be a tough bastard and have more swords, but the real men are with you, Your Grace. The finest cavalry in the Seven Kingdoms and hardened infantry veterans who have never faltered against impossible odds. You have led us to victory every time, we have faith" promised Greatjon loyally, earning a firm nod from his son-Smalljon as well.
"Lord Umber's right, Your Grace. We maybe outnumbered but the quality of our battle hardened army is not something to underestimate. Neither should you doubt your own abilities" encouraged Ser Barristan also,
"You're right, I am grateful for your faith in me and our cause" said Robb modestly, earning a firm pat on the back from Greatjon with a laugh.
"We are with you, lad. No matter what! Conquer the Seven Kingdoms without dragons and we might just call you Emperor; invincible ruler of the Westerosi Empire or the Empire of Westeros" proclaimed the Greatjon with a booming laugh,
Robb's eyes widened in shock and he turned instantly towards Ser Barristan who was one of the only two people- he had even discussed this term about as mere curiosity alone. A question he had asked in passing only.
What could be a greater power than that of a King?
The veteran Kingsguard looked flustered when the King narrowed his gaze at him questioningly.
"Jon may have slipped this point as a jape with this lot whilst in their cups after our last victory. The boy can't hold his liquor just yet" confessed Ser Barristan, even as he gave an admonishing glare to the rest of Robb's Royal guard members.
Robb smacked his forehead in despair before giving an annoyed look at Greatjon- the mad giant and that loudmouth of his!
"Did you get my brother drunk on purpose, Greatjon?" asked Robb suspiciously,
"Bah, the lad needed to loosen up, Your Grace. And what a splendid idea he had, should lighten up more often" said the Greatjon defiantly, making Robb groan in exasperation.
"How many others have heard about this madness?" demanded Robb seriously, making Greatjon flush a little.
"Quite a few"
"Stop this talk at once then. Being a King is a heavy burden itself, don't give the men more crazy ideas. We are not fighting this war for my glory, but for justice and to set the realm at peace once again. The moment we forget that, then we are lost" commanded Robb icily, and turned his horse around to rejoin the march.
Ser Barristan levelled his own glare at the group and was about to deliver his own words when the Greatjon interrupted him before.
"No Stark has ever ruled the Seven Kingdoms before, Robb Stark might just become the first to do so. The Baratheon's rule was accepted due to King Robert and his family's close blood ties with the Targaryens. His Grace doesn't have that benefit and while he respects the Seven- he follows the Old Gods, the only way his rule will be accepted is through Conquest and a fearsome reputation, a legacy greater than the Dragons or the Stags" warned Greatjon grimly,
"I agree, Ser Barristan. Too many have named themselves King these days and in past history, few more may attempt to do so in the future too. The Targaryen dynasty stood on a solid foundation laid by Aegon the Conqueror with his dragons. If the Stark dynasty is to endure, then it's foundation has to be even more stronger and larger than the ones who came before" suggested Ser Damon Vardon,
"Robb has already started on that path by pledging to completely eradicate a great house like the Lannister's. Like Aegon did with House Hoare. Even if we win in Reach, there is Tywin Lannister to deal with next, followed by Stannis Baratheon, the Iron Borne to deal with possibly should they do something crazy again, the threat of Wildlings marching on the Wall and the unknown which is Dorne. That is many months if not years of campaign and brutal warfare against formidable threats" pointed Harrion Karstark grimly,
"And you think the King has the strength to endure all that and win?" asked Sandor Clegane, doubt clearly visible in his eyes.
"Yes" replied Dacey Mormont with steel in her voice,
Sandor grunted in response but didn't say anything further as Dacey Mormont looked at Ser Barristan with a faint smile.
"If we manage to survive all of that, then we would have created a history never seen before. Perhaps that fateful day when this dream is realized, we would crown our chosen monarch as Emperor- the first of Westeros, greater than any King, Prince or lordling that ever came before or after- this legacy will be the foundation on which the future of Westeros and the Stark Dynasty will be written." said Dacey sincerely,
"You truly believe in this dream of yours, My Lady?" asked Ser Barristan in surprise,
"With all my heart" assured Dacey,
"Jon may have whispered this to us as a jape, but we find good merit in that idea. Gods know the odds are severely against us, but if we hold on to that dream- it gives us hope to fight on and we have faith in Ned's eldest son" said Greatjon seriously,
Barristan couldn't help but feel history was moving in a direction which left him hopeful and terrified at the same time.
(Highgarden: Two Days Later)
Willas Tyrell sat in his solar at the longtable with an extremely concerned expression visible upon his face as he tried to understand the disturbing news he had received over the past couple of days and especially in the last few hours.
"So, our reinforcements have been massacred, Goldengrove has fallen and sent Lord Tarly and us a last message warning that we are next in the enemy's crosshairs, the scouts near our own seat have been found dead with unconfirmed reports of large movement of the enemy somewhere towards the direction from where Lord Tarly is coming with his army to relieve Highgarden. Now the question is are we really that incompetent in the defense of our own lands or the devil's luck is with Robb Stark" said Lady Olenna harshly,
"He has never lost a battle, Grandmother. I am starting to see why" said Willas with great reluctance, making the old woman scoff.
"Yes- The Young Wolf has that reputation, what are we gonna do about it?" asked Olenna frankly, and watched as the most thoughtful among all her grandsons took several long moments before answering the question.
"I think amidst this haze of truths and rumors alike, there lies a great deception and gamble" deduced Willas,
''Go on"
"Robb Stark can't take Highgarden with a frontal assault, he does not have enough men or time for such an attack- not with Lord Tarly's army approach. These rumors of his forces being so close to Highgarden maybe true but only partially. He wants us to think he's near us when he's not, just like he did with Tywin Lannister in the past" suggested Willas carefully,
"You think he's taking his real army to go after Tarly? I don't know whether to call him bold or a mad man! Tarly may be a sour lemon but he's a deadly man of war" said Olenna in disbelief,
"I agree, chances are he'll likely lose badly...but what if he wins?" asked Willas hesitantly, trepidation visible on his face.
"Then he'll have even lesser men to attack Highgarden, Randyll Tarly won't let him succeed without major losses" pointed Olenna,
"True, but he would be free to cause unthinkable damage to our economy, people and bannermen before we get any additional reinforcements from Father or Tywin Lannister to stop his onslaught. Even if we eventually win the war, do you think our bannermen will forget the fact that I stayed holed up in Highgarden whilst Robb Stark burnt their lands and castles, took their families hostage or worse?" questioned Willas frankly, making Grandmother lower her head with a sigh before looking back at him sternly after several long moments.
"You'd be a bigger fool than your oaf of a Father if you think you can take to the field! You're the Heir to Highgarden! Your Father and brothers are at War, their fates uncertain. After what happened with Jaime Lannister, I doubt Robb Stark and his men would hesitate in killing you or worse capturing you in order to make Highgarden surrender or risk your life. That would be a blow we will never recover from!" chastised Olenna with a bitter expression, making Willas grimace and return a mild glare.
"Or we can end this war here and now; I can take nearly 5,000 men right now and still leave more than a thousand to defend our home. By all accounts, Stark has less men in the field than us. Let him engage with Lord Tarly from the front, while I fall upon him from the rear and crush him once and for all. Together we can finish him" said Willas seriously,
"Or maybe that's exactly what he wants! To get you out of our stronghold!" cursed Olenna furiously,
"Have you forgotten thousands of Dornishmen are stationed near our borders, Grandmother! While Dorne has not taken sides until now in this war, we have allied ourselves with the Lannisters whom they hate. If we lose Lord Tarly's army to Robb Stark, the Reach will be practically defenseless for the foreseeable future to both Starks and the Martel's. Doran Martel may not want to engage in this war for now, but don't you think he will let go of an opportunity to weaken the Reach if he has a chance and allying with the Starks in case of their victory now serves his desire for revenge for what happened to Elia Martell and her children. It's Prince Oberyn himself leading the Dornish forces!" reminded Willas with great concern,
Olenna silently cursed and gave a heavy sigh of being reminded of that bitter fact, Dorne was the unknown threat. So far, they had done nothing to participate in this war, but a large portion of their forces were stationed near the borders with a sizeable one near the Reach led by Oberyn Martel himself.
With Reach's main armies in the field with her oaf of a son, their reserves whittled down by Robb Stark recently- Lord Tarly's army was the last hope left for their Kingdom's immediate security.
"Then send the men to aid Lord Tarly, but you stay here with the remaining garrison to defend our home" advised Olenna reluctantly, only for her grandson to remain silent for several long moments.
"Willas?"
"Grandmother, we are fully invested in our alliance with the Lannister's- but they are doomed to be stripped of their House status itself should the Starks prevail in any circumstances. The same ultimatum has been issued for all their supporters and bannermen included, our own status as Lord Paramounts of the Reach is not as solid and always contested by few of our bannermen" cautioned Willas carefully,
"You want us to plan for contingencies should the unthinkable happen despite our best efforts to destroy the Stark army in our lands?" asked Olenna calculatively,
"We must" declared Willas grimly,
(One Day Later)
Jon's face had gone deathly pale as he heard the messenger who had arrived at their makeshift camp inside a small forest close to the Ocean Road.
"Say that again, lad?" asked Maege Mormont in disbelief, the fearless She-Bear also clenching her fist bitterly.
"Our messenger team was ambushed and slaughtered by an Ironborn party near Tarbeck Hall; the others in my group gave their lives in order to buy me time to escape and bring you the news. We never managed to reach Hornvale to Lord Hunter asking him to route his forces to you my lord, or to Lord Royce about this command from the King. I am truly sorry and deserve whatever punishment you or his Grace deem fit" repeated the messenger with deep regret and shame,
Jon could not fault the man as he was barely able to stand and had a nasty headwound that was barely covered with some cloth, and deep gashes on his left arm and chest which were bleeding. It was a miracle he had managed to escape due to the sacrifice of the rest of his party and his own determination.
"This is not your fault. Get yourself looked at by the healer and take some rest" said Jon somberly,
"Thank you, m'lord. Before I...escaped, the Ironborn were jeering at us saying we were screwed, that they would bring the sea down upon everyone one of us in the Westerlands and the Reach for getting Theon Greyjoy killed"
Jon nodded before he excused the messenger and once the man was away cursed bitterly.
"Fucking squids!" swore Jon angrily, even as Ghost and Nymeria seated nearby in the tent gave fierce growls.
"If this is as accurate as we are presuming, the mad Greyjoys have opened up a front against us in the Westerlands. We don't know their force's true strength and until Lord Royce is able to drive them back to the sea, our way of retreat and supply lines are cut-off. Nor will we be getting the 4,000 much needed reinforcements from Lord Hunter" said Maege Mormont grimly, they barely had 2,000 men as reserves here and were dependent on those reinforcements to deal with any support force dispatched by Highgarden after Robb.
"We can't call Robb back, it's already too late. Our scouts are already reporting a force being mustered in Highgarden to march after him, the enemy has taken the bait" said Jon flatly,
"And we have become the Greyjoy's casualty" concurred Maege,
"If we don't stop the force about to march from Highgarden, our King and army is doomed" replied Jon sadly,
"Stop them? We don't have enough men to face them! The only thing we can do-" thundered Maege, only to pause abruptly as she realized what she was about to suggest was already present in Jon's resigned gaze.
She sat down heavily in a nearby chair and helped herself to large cup of ale before looking back at the young boy in front of her levelly.
"His Grace left you in command, aye- but what you are suggesting is a one way trip" asked Maege seriously,
"Aye, my lady" answered Jon in a somber but truthful voice,
"We can hold out for reinforcements, Lord Hunter's force is larger than a four-man messenger party, they might be able to breakthrough and reach us. Yohn Royce will also swiftly answer this threat from the Ironborn with all the strength he can throw at them" suggested Maege,
"Maybe, but if the reinforcements from Highgarden reach our King before that- then he is finished. He's already outnumbered by some 4,000 or more men against Lord Tarly; any more enemies to fight against at the same time- then he's not coming back" countered Jon fiercely,
"Jon, there can be no victory here. We can only delay the inevitable if we engage the reinforcements about to be launched by Highgarden for Lord Tarly. Are you prepared to die and take 2,000 of our soldiers to their graves in this doomed mission?" asked Maege honestly,
The young Stark sighed and sat on a chair opposite to Maege's and helped himself to a cup of ale as well.
Ghost and Nymeria arrived by his side making him smile briefly as he placed his hands upon their heads to pet them affectionately. His thoughts drifted towards all he had undergone in these past few months...
The Journey from Castle Black, reuniting with Robb, taking his own command for the first time, their victory against the Mountain, the friends he had made, the conquest of the Golden Tooth, learning the truth about his parents, the faith and love Robb had shown him by making him a Stark, and the childhood pact they had renewed with each other to Win the Universe together.
Those were some of his most cherished memories, but there were others that haunted his heart deeply.
Failures that had scarred his own soul, perhaps forever.
Unable to save Arya, failing in protecting the lives of his friends like Robin Flint, Sam and many of the men who had followed him loyally, not being able to more for Bran who was all alone as the leading Stark in the North.
And most damning of all, not being able to uphold his promise to Lord Commander Mormont in getting all the aid possible for the Night's Watch against the threat from Wildling and the Others.
Looking back only made him realize the list of failures were far greater than what he had achieved so far.
"Jon?"
Lady Maege's voice brought him back from the despair he was drowning in and made him look at the refilled cup of ale that she had generously poured for him.
"You looked as if you were lost in some distant dream" said Maege compassionately, earning a wistful smile from the boy even as stared
"Yes, too many dreams" confessed Jon in a whisper,
Maege saw a faint light in Jon's eyes as he clenched his hand around the cup firmly. The emotion visible in the boy's eyes reminded her of all the struggles he had undergone to reach this point.
"All my life I wanted those around me to treat me with some form of respect and compassion, to see me as something more than the bastard son of Eddard Stark. To be able to achieve great deeds that would engulf the shadow that always hanged over me, I have achieved some of that for sure- but unable to do something that truly mattered in changing things for the better. But this matters my lady, I feel it in my heart" said Jon earnestly, making Ghost and Nymeria lick his palms affectionately.
He smiled at the wolves before draining his cup of ale and standing up to face Maege Mormont with grim determination.
"For the sake of all of our future, Robb must stay alive and be protected at all costs. I will buy him time with my life if needed so he can accomplish our dream and safeguard the fate of our Kingdoms and people. I will speak to the men and give them the truth to decide for themselves, those who volunteer for this sacrifice will follow me and the ones who can't- I request you to take them back alongside Ghost and Nymeria to Crakehall to garrison and await further commands from the King" said Jon without hesitation,
The direwolves growled furiously and threatened to trample Jon over which made Maege chuckle a little.
"I see your point, Jon. It must be done, but you are crazy if you think I or the direwolves will abandon you in this desperate hour. Dacey would be most angry if I left you to shoulder this burden alone, same goes for the King. We will help you engage and delay the Highgarden reinforcements to buy time for our King; and that is final" said Maege fiercely, as she grabbed her Mace.
The direwolves barked in agreement and howled loudly earning similar cries from the wolfpack that still followed Nymeria across their camp.
Jon protested repeatedly but it all fell on deaf ears as Maege alongside Ghost and Nymeria remained unmoved.
He could see the grim faces of nearly 2,000 warriors staring at him as he finished explaining the situation to the Reserve force under his command. Lady Maege and the two direwolves standing beside Jon looked undeterred but the same could not be said of quite a few men.
"I have told you the full truth of the situation. You all deserve that after all you have sacrificed" said Jon frankly,
Murmurs were rife among the men and he gave them a few moments before speaking further.
"The enemy reinforcements from Highgarden are about to march soon. They will outnumber us two to one or slightly more, any warrior who makes a stand with us in order to delay them may not survive this battle" confessed Jon,
Many faces fell in despair upon hearing that bitter fact which only made Jon steel his own resolve and look at them all with as much conviction he could muster in his own heart.
"All of you have fought long and hard, marched hundreds of miles to oppose the collar of submission that the Lannisters and Tyrell's would want to put our Kingdoms under. Every drop of blood, sweat, and tears has led you to this day!
The enemy may have more swords, but not as many Braveheart veterans of several battles like you all! I ask the fearless Northmen, the unbroken Rivermen, the Valiant men of the Vale- will you cower and run against the flowery warriors of these soft lands?" challenged Jon,
He was thankful that Robb had seen it fit to leave with him hundreds of Veterans from the Battle of Whispering Wood and Riverrun, Jon had also commissioned hundreds more of those who had fought alongside him against the Mountain and at Golden Tooth; it was these veterans of the North and Riverlands who roared back in defiance making many from the Vale join in.
"They fight for a King who cowers behind his own men! They fight for a dynasty that was responsible for the murders of Lord Eddard Stark, Lord Jon Arryn and the rape of the Riverlands! They threaten to destroy the future of our own; but thanks to all of you- we have now brought vengeance to their lands, their people, their blood!"
Maege couldn't help but grin savagely as those words ignited a wave of rage and bloodthirst among the men making many of them slam their swords and spears against their shields and armor in approval.
She saw now that Jon had the attention of many warriors who were listening to his every word, with more and more slowly starting to believe in the fight that Jon wanted to take them all in.
In this moment, Jon Stark was every bit the decisive commander these men needed.
"For every moment we hold the enemy at bay, the higher our chances for our King to achieve victory in this war! For every enemy fighter we kill, reduces a sword that would be levied upon our King and brothers who have walked into hell for the sake of our future!"
"And when they do reach that dream, they will tell our story for all to know- a story of courage, sacrifice and faith"
Maege felt deep satisfaction within her heart when Longclaw was unleashed by Jon Stark and pointed it in the direction of the men making hundreds upon hundreds of warriors unleash their own weapons in the air.
"We will be remembered!"
Maege pumped her own Mace in the air and gave out a fearsome battlecry to be swiftly joined by the Direwolves and the Wolf pack, as the army started joining the war cry one man after another.
Jon's eyes hardened as he allowed himself to immerse in the energy and grim determination that engulfed their entire force.
"Split the heavens with your mighty warcries! Let it carry our message to our enemies promising a storm of Fire and Blood!" yelled Jon with all his might,
He walked forward towards the direction of Highgarden and looked every warrior in the eye.
"All those willing- let's make a stand against our enemies! One that they shall never forget!"
Author's Notes: End of Chapter.
Hope you guys liked it.
Apologies for the delay in update, lot of gambles and risk being taken with new players joining the frey and upending plans and fates!
I think I'm gonna need one or two more chapters for the Reach arc and its consequences towards the overall War for all players involved.
Review please.
Until Next Time,
Blackwolf501