Game of Thrones: King of Harrenhal, starting with a blue hand stat panel

Chapter 92 The Wolf Marches South, Martell Shows Goodwill

The North, Winterfell.

On a cold morning, Eddard Stark, wrapped in a large bearskin, stood atop a guard tower on the outer city wall, watching the approaching army.

The tower houses Eddard, Eddard's wife, the maester, Eddard's eldest son Robb, and his bastard son Jon.

Robb is a red-haired, fair-skinned boy who is strong and lively.

Jon Snow, on the other hand, was lean, with a long face, brown hair, and gray eyes, exuding a gloomy air unique to bastards.

Many nobles in the Seven Kingdoms have illegitimate children, and these nobles are required to fulfill their obligations to support these children to a certain extent, at least ensuring their healthy growth.

However, it was extremely rare for nobles to bring their illegitimate children home and raise them together with their legitimate children.

Eddard's treatment of his bastard sons was the best he could hope for among the bastards of the Seven Kingdoms, comparable to that of Old Frey, who valued family the most.

Of course, Robert's children received the worst treatment among illegitimate children.

Some became prostitutes, some drove donkeys, and some were even murdered.

While the Seven Kingdoms are preparing for another summer, the North is a place where even in the height of summer, there is light snow.

Lord Rickard brought three hundred cavalry and three hundred infantry from the city of Kahor, their spears gleaming coldly in the pale sunlight.

The Karstark family's banner has a black night background with a white sun emblem.

A soldier walked at the front of the column, beating a drum that was bigger than himself.

"Thump thump thump!" The marching troop emitted a slow and deep rhythm.

The Karstark army consisted of tall, strong men with fierce expressions; they had thick beards and long hair.

Because they lived further north, these people made cloaks from bear, seal, and wolf skins.

In a short time, the lords of the North had already brought their sons, cavalry, and troops to Winterfell for a feast, and Lord Karstark was considered to have arrived relatively late.

"This mobilization of manpower by Winterfell is probably the fastest in its history," said the old scholar of Winterfell.

"Winterfell obeys the King's orders, but we're going to the lair of the sea monsters to fight them. We won't need too many people," Eddard Stark said after a moment's thought.

The fact that the seven kingdoms, excluding Dorne, went to attack the Iron Islands together was somewhat like using a cannon to kill a mosquito.

This time, instead of a general battle like the Battle of Trident, which involved a massive troop buildup, a more elite troop tactic was employed.

Lords only need to recruit cavalry and a small number of strong infantry trained in their territories, so the recruitment speed is still very fast.

"Tonight I will host a feast for them, and then we will head south together. The war has spread across the seas," said Eddard Stark.

"After I march south, everything here will need your care, Catelyn," Eddard said to his young and beautiful wife. "Winterfell, and the children."

"I understand, Ed," Caitlin nodded. "But on the battlefield, swords are merciless."

"Don't worry, we have the most outstanding knights from the seven kingdoms with us. We lost this war when Baron started it," Ed said confidently. Indeed, the gap was too great.

Caitlin understands that the children include Ed's illegitimate child, but she cannot refuse.

The fact that the child looked more like a Stark than her own child was what infuriated Catelyn the most.

Although their marriage was out of a sense of responsibility during a turbulent time, the two had a very good relationship.

But the shadows of a man and a woman lurked between them.

The man is Eddard's brother, Brandon Stark the Wild Wolf, the original heir to Winterfell.

The woman is Jon's mysterious mother, a woman Eddard knows from who-knows-where.

"Will the Dark Knight be going too?" Robb asked excitedly. "They say he's the most famous young knight in the Riverlands, wearing a bat-shaped helmet and clad in dark armor. He's an exceptional swordsman and killed the heir of the sea monster."

“He will go,” Ed promised. “King Robert has appointed Arthur Rivern as the vanguard of the Riverlands army; he is also your cousin. In addition to the Dark Knight, Ser Barristan the Dauntless will also be going.”

They were from the north, and apart from the Mandalay family, there was no concept of knights among northerners.

However, northerners also show respect to those who are exceptionally strong in combat.

"Arthur," Caitlin pondered the name.

When she married into the North, Arthur was just a little boy.

This boy, who grew up in the summer, is now a dangerous Mikawa Knight.

Is this really a good thing?

Caitlin pondered.

Although Caitlin's mother also came from the River House and was Lord Walter's sister.

However, after his mother's death, the two families had already parted ways due to the momentous Robert Rebellion.

"Let's go, come with me to greet Lord Rickard," Ed instructed, then led his wife, children, and retainers to meet the vassal.

. . . .

Yangji City, Old Palace, Sun Tower.

The sturdy solar tower has a golden dome and leaded glass.

Beneath the vaulted ceiling lies the throne room, a circular room with thick windows and stained glass.

The floor was paved with pale marble.

On the high platform in the throne room are two almost identical seats. One of them has the Martell family's golden spear emblem on its back, while the other has Queen Royna's sun emblem on its back.

If a prince reigns, the throne is the Golden Spear Throne. If a princess reigns, the throne is the Sun Throne.

Inside the Tower of the Sun, on the Golden Throne, Doran gripped the letter in his hand.

The raven brought news of King's Landing. Doran had anticipated the Iron Throne's great advantage, but the war was progressing at a speed that surprised him.

Baron made a series of swift and decisive moves, and after gaining a slight advantage in the early game, he quickly squandered a wave of damage in the river.

The fact that Baron's eldest and second sons died was an unacceptable loss.

"Baron's thinking is completely wrong. The entire Seven Kingdoms are united because of the King's decree. The lords and knights are preparing weapons, warhorses, and ships. Perhaps some people hate Robert, but they hate the Ironborn even more. Baron still fantasizes that someone will stand with him, but he thinks too much and acts too slowly. Now he doesn't have a single supporter," Doran sighed.

Being despised by everyone is indeed the daily life of an Iron-type.

"In other words, Baron's rebellion has actually consolidated Robert's rule," Oberyn Martell said bitterly.

Although Oberyn Martell had already accepted the whole situation, the truth still pained him.

Baron was like a clown, but his actions actually enhanced the kingdom's cohesion and the king's authority.

“Yes, Baron is doomed,” Doran said to his brother, Oberyn Martell. “He succeeded in his raid on Lannisport, but lost two sons in Seafront. His men will doubt him, will question him. Besides, the Iron Throne’s fleets are all intact. Robert has already issued recruitment orders. Robert’s brother Stannis is preparing to cross the Dorne Sea, and once he joins forces with Redwyn’s fleet, Baron will be defeated without a doubt.”

"And Arthur River, that kid is so fierce. He's ruthless like a warrior from the Riverlands. Now it's no wonder Dark Star lost, after all, he was defeated by the most promising up-and-coming talent of the Seven Kingdoms," Red Viper said, quite shocked.

As Rhaegar's brother-in-law, Oberyn Martell was very familiar with the White Knights under Rhaegar's command.

The Dawnblade is unparalleled in the world, the White Bull is old, and Sir Oswell can only be considered a brave first-rate warrior.

Unexpectedly, Oswell's descendant possesses the potential to be a genius knight.

"It's no use saying any of that now." Doran stared intently at the contents of the letter. "Robert greatly admires him."

He was also promoted to vanguard, where he would be of great use in the future. We should be considering the events surrounding Stannis's fleet; Dorn should also offer his opinion.

"No Dornish soldier is willing to cross the sea to fight for the Iron Throne," Oberyn Martell pointed out.

The Dornish lacked a large fleet, making cross-sea operations difficult for Dornish soldiers.

Of course, the most crucial factor was the cold war between Dorne and the Iron Throne, with both sides maintaining only a basic level of decorum.

"I know, but some fresh water and food will suffice. I'll also provide Stannis with a few guides to help him cross the Dornish Sea quickly," Doran added. "That's our sincerity, and I think that's enough."

"Alright." Red Viper nodded; revenge seemed a long way off once again.

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