Chapter 564: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind

Clang!

Swords clashed violently.

"Die!"

Brynden Tully's voice was raspy, his face showing signs of wear and tear. Seizing an opportunity, he took down a Royce soldier with a single blow.

Thud!

He then staggered and thrust his sword into another enemy's chest, blood spattering. His gray hair now stained with the splatter.

Huff... Huff...

Sir Blackfish gasped for breath. Despite his remarkable sword skills and bravery, he was outnumbered. Soldiers around him continued to fall, making the situation increasingly dire.

Robar Royce, the second son of the Royce family, stepped forward, taking command after the death of his father and elder brother. He led the troops, surrounding the camp and seeking revenge for his father.

"Attack!"

The camp was filled with battle cries.

However, just as the situation reached its peak, a thunderous sound of galloping hooves echoed from outside the chaotic battlefield.

Roaring sounds

Cavalry charged, their hooves pounding the ground. Numerous knights from the Vale, led by Petyr Baelish, brandished their spears and charged into the fray.

It turned out that Littlefinger had secretly persuaded several noble families to turn against the Targaryens. The Targaryen army had already conquered all lands except for the North and the Vale. Resistance was futile.

While the Vale had its mountainous terrain and breathtaking views, it couldn't stop the dragons from flying overhead, even defecating on them.

The Westerlands, with terrain similar to the Vale, had already succumbed to the dragon's fire. The Lannister family was nearly eradicated, with even the golden-haired, green-eyed inhabitants of Lannisport being almost entirely wiped out.

Nobles from the Vale didn't want to lose their power but valued their lives and those of their families even more. Some showed signs of surrender but faced opposition from the pro-war nobles. Littlefinger managed to persuade these nobles to join his side.

He revealed his allegiance to the Iron Throne, claiming he had secretly joined the new king two years ago in Pentos. If they followed his lead, they'd receive the king's pardon.

First, Petyr sent his lover, Lysa Tully, to sow discord between two major leaders in the Vale: Lord Yohn Royce of Runestone and the Knight of the Bloody Gate, Brynden Tully.

Their mutual destruction would allow Littlefinger's forces to easily sweep in and seize control, proving his worth to the king.

Now, as expected, Brynden Tully and the Royce family were at each other's throats. Littlefinger led his forces into the fray, crushing both sides with ease.

"Knights of the Vale, heed my call!"

Dressed impeccably, Petyr Baelish's black cloak fluttered in the wind. His cloak was pinned by a metal mockingbird brooch, a personal modification to his family's sigil. He felt the mockingbird better represented his identity. He wore deer leather gloves.

Removing his glove and placing it on the saddle, he pointed forward and declared, "For the Iron Throne, quell this rebellion!"

The Vale knights cheered in response, then charged with vigor.

"Attack!"

Roaring sounds

Hooves pounded, horses neighed, and the cries of soldiers filled the air. Metallic sounds of blades cutting through flesh echoed. Both sides were caught off guard by this third-party intervention.

"What's going on?!"

Robar Royce, atop his steed, observed the Vale knights, led by Littlefinger, pouring into the battlefield like a tidal wave. They were indiscriminately slaughtering everyone in sight.

"It's Lord Petyr Baelish!"

A sharp-eyed guard spotted Littlefinger at the center of it all.

"Littlefinger?"

"Why can he command such a force from the Vale?"

But no one could explain to Robar how Littlefinger had silently gained the support of most nobles. The internal strife had already deteriorated with the Vale knights' involvement. The Royce soldiers were suffering heavy casualties.

"My Lord! We must flee!"

A loyal guard urged. Biting his lip, Robar gave Littlefinger one last glance and, under the protection of his guards, fled the battlefield towards his ancestral home, Runestone.

On the other side, Brynden Tully was not faring well either.

Trapped and surrounded by Runestone soldiers, he was wounded. Just when it seemed he would fall, a voice called out.

"Lord Brynden!"

Littlefinger, having once been fostered at Riverrun and treating all Tully children kindly, rushed over to support Brynden. Without the past events at Riverrun, he would've still addressed Brynden as 'uncle'.

Seeing that Littlefinger claimed to be there to rescue Sir Blackfish, the remaining Tully loyalists, though wary, lowered their weapons. After all, the Vale knights had already taken control, and any resistance would be a death wish.

"Petyr..."

Brynden, gravely injured, gasped for breath. He held onto his sword with one hand and grasped Littlefinger's hand with the other. Memories of their time in Riverrun flooded back. Now, with Littlefinger coming to his aid, Brynden felt a glimmer of warmth in his heart.