48 The plans

Another month passed away and we finally arrived at the Riverrun with zero casualties. Though some did die for various reasons on the road. But The journey these men did was extreme, And put their test to its limit.

Though we did stop at the stony Sept for a brief amount of time. It's for few days to get the proper rest that we needed.

After arriving at Riverrun I was astonished by amounts camps with all the colors of Starks, Arryn, Tully, and all kinds of banners, and at least thirty thousand Men have gathered here outside of castle Riverrun. The army camps look awesome.

We were welcomed by the allied lords and they were happy to see us especially Lord Arryn. Well, I already sent him a few messengers. So he already knows lots of info about us. Lord Arryn, Eddard, and Lord Hoster Tully personally came to greet me. I gave them a knightly salute and they all gave me a nod. We talked some time about the progress of the Rebellion.

Then Lord Hoster Tully has given us a place to camp and food for all the five thousand men. And I was truly grateful for that And thanked him for his generosity.

I also learned that Lord Tully had also fought with some of his Rebellious bannermen. And did make some examples out of them. But most of his Southern Banner Lords are Targaryen loyalists, so he left them alone.

But lord Hoster Tully is also having a problem with one of his Northern lords as well, And he is none other than Lord Walder Fray himself. He is telling lord Hoster Tully that he is gathering his swords but he's just delaying, to see who's going to win. And the Rebels are not in a good position yet. Well, that's not my concern. Because I need some rest and a good bed to sleep in, And real bed.

And fortunately, I was invited to the castle, And Lord Arryn told me he will discuss further in the castle. So after I settled my troops and left the command to Claw and others.

I was escorted by the ser Blackfish himself. And he explained all about how awesome is his ancestral home. And technically all he told was true.

The Castle Riverrun is a formidable Castle indeed.

It is a large castle located in the central-western part of the Riverlands. It sits at the point where the Red Fork of the Trident River is joined by its major tributary, the Tumblestone River flowing out of the west. In times of danger, sluice gates can be opened to flood a channel cut to the west of the castle, turning Riverrun into an island. Its walls rise sheer from the waters and its towers command the opposite shores, making assaulting it almost impossible without huge casualties.

Riverrun is a triangular castle made of sandstone. It is located at the confluence of the Tumblestone River and the Red Fork of the Trident River.

Riverrun has been in the possession of House Tully for a thousand years, and it became the seat of rule over the region when House Tully rebelled against the ironborn occupiers of the Riverlands and allied with Aegon the Conqueror three centuries ago.

It's a damn island man. You can't cross wearing armor. Because you can't swim wearing armor, maybe I can for few minutes. But most of the soldiers can't even swim.

And if you attack the castle without wearing armor then you will become a porcupine from the arrows that will rain down on you. That why the castle was never taken by force. And that's why Ser Blackfish told me that you have to marry a Tully to get the castle. I laughed at the jokes, A little forcefully. I'm so tired right now that I could not listen to his blah blah blah. Then he started his war stories about the nine penny King.

I don't know if he's trying to impress with those stories? Maybe he thinking that young people like to hear that kind of story. Well, I would be impressed too, But I already know all those already. So after seeing that I'm not impressed with the war stories he changed the topic.

" Well, Ser Winters you left a great impression on my niece in the Harranhall. That she talked about you for a long amount of time."

Though the change of the topic caught me a little of guard. But I managed to reply " oh, is that so? I'm sorry ser Brynden but it has been nearly two years. So I don't remember much of what happened in Harranhall, Though I do remember that I asked her for a dance ."

The expression he gives me that telling that the answer I gave him did not very satisfying for him. So he told me " Well, your the only one that asked her that night. And I believe that she will be happy to see you again."

Well, how would anyone be going to ask her? if you scared them away? is what I liked to tell him, but I kept my mouth shut.

I know that what he is doing is all bullshit, And his main goal is to know my intentions about her niece.

And if John Arryn told about me and my behavior to everyone when I was in Vale then he also told people about my affairs with one of his vassals as well. And now that I'm quite famous , thus lots of people are having fare share of knowledge about me.

So in that regard, Ser Blackfish here is not wrong to worry about his family.

So by asking me all this, he wants to learn how I react. But seeing that I was not interested in Lysa, The knights' expression became a little disappointed. And that made me more confused.

Oh... I get it now. If I think about it carefully then there should have been talks about the marriage of John Arryn and Lysa Tully. So is he trying to shove her to me? And by doing so he might stop that unfair marriage. Well, this is westeros and lots of wired stuff bound to happen.

Well, maybe or maybe not.

Then we arrived at the gate, After entering the castle they gave me the bread and salt or guest-right.

A warm hot bath by the servants, And a nice room to have some good rest. I instantly fall asleep after falling into the bed. The pillows are so soft that I couldn't resist their temptation.

Then in the morning door knocking sound wakes me up And I wished I could sleep few more minutes but I still remember that I left the door open. So they don't need permission to enter. But I told them to enter anyway.

And Surprisingly it's Catelyn Tully herself that arrived And she is not looking happy and with an unhappy tone she spoke " Ser Alan Winters my Lord father and other Lords are waiting in the main Hall. If you have your rest then please fresh yourself and come with me ." Then two maids and a servant came in with water and clothes. Though I didn't actually know the reason why she is speaking to me with her cold attitude? It feels like I'm not really welcomed here. And it's the same feeling I had in the Highgarden when I spoke with Ollena Tyrell.

Then She also informed me that her lord father is discussing with other Lords in the main Hall. And I was called to the meeting to discuss something important matter about war. So I hurriedly dressed up with help from the servants.

So I thanked the overly cautious lady for informing me of all this personally. And told her to lead the way, She gave me a simple nod. Damn... it's must be very hard to act All proper all the time.

Walking around is nice, But I'm feeling a little awkward right now because I'm just thinking what is happening right now? Why is she so cold towards me? Well, it's not like she has many reasons to hostile towards me but maybe that's exactly what her real personality is. Or maybe she's pissed that her father used her as a messenger.

Though one thing is very clear that my handsome knightly charms don't actually work on everyone. Sigh..

Then I joined the main Hall and ate my breakfast with Lord Hoster Tully, Lord John Arryn, and All the lords that have come here. Then Lord Arryn announced how thankful he is. And also thanked me for my great service to Robert and helping their Rebellion.

Lord Arryn promised me that, if we somehow successfully overthrow the Targaryens then he will make me a Lord.

I thanked him for that, But I also informed him that we have to win the war first. He just laughed and patted my solder.

Then his expression became serious And informed me about the current status of their Rebellion.

I learned that a raven arrived from Storms End a month ago, with News that Robert and his assistant's knights got their ass kicked by Randyll Tarly in the Battle of Ashford. And Mace Tyrell is currently sieging Storms End.

Stannis also wrote that his castle is low on food supplies. And Sea is blocked by the Redwyne fleet.

Robert is currently on the run.

Then Lord Arryn explained about the Rebel forces. Lord Arryn only brought one-third of his forces. And one army is currently guarding The Bloody Gate lead by Lord Royce, Another is stationed at Gulltown lead by Morton.

Well, he sure put the security of his land first.

Then Eddard Stark is also brought half of his men. And another half is currently in Winterfell . And as the Stark of Winterfell , Benjen will defend The North .

I have to say it's a very nice move. Even if they don't get their victory at the trident , They will still have enough strength to defend themselves from any invasion.