Chapter 446: Fair-Weather Allies

When Samwell Caesar received the news of the Northern Coalition's retreat, he could hardly believe it.

Despite the repeated failures of the enemy's attacks over the past days, they were far from a complete defeat. Why would they retreat so suddenly, and in the dead of night?

Samwell even suspected this might be a ploy by Tywin to lure his forces into a trap.

But that didn't make sense either. Once the Southern army crossed the river, King's Landing was directly ahead. What kind of "lure" involved bringing the enemy straight to your own stronghold?

And surely, Tywin understood that King's Landing was entirely unsuitable for a prolonged defense.

This retreat seemed to corner House Lannister into a dead end.

Samwell couldn't help but wonder if Tywin, sensing the dire situation, had simply fled back to the Westerlands.

If that were the case, Samwell would almost admire Tywin's decisiveness.

Whatever Tywin's motives were, Samwell wasn't overly concerned.

His priority was to bring his entire army across the Blackwater River. Once all his forces were on the northern bank, any tricks Tywin tried to pull would be futile.

This was the power of overwhelming force, capable of crushing all schemes and deceptions.

With this in mind, Samwell dismissed the news from his thoughts. He ordered his scouts to remain vigilant, then returned to his tent to sleep.

---

The next morning, his scouts confirmed the Northern Coalition's retreat. They had indeed withdrawn toward King's Landing.

Samwell gave further orders to monitor the enemy's movements but otherwise focused on resting his troops and hastening the crossing of his forces.

He had no intention of pursuing.

Some of the more ambitious nobles thought this decision too conservative. They approached Samwell, proposing to send forces to harass the retreating Northern army or even force another field battle.

Samwell rejected all these suggestions.

The closer they came to victory, the more cautious he became.

These impatient nobles were in the minority, and most others recognized that they already held an overwhelming strategic advantage. A cautious, steady approach would secure the war's outcome, making unnecessary risks redundant.

The dissenting voices were easily silenced.

While Samwell waited by the Blackwater River for his forces to complete their crossing, an unexpected yet unsurprising visitor arrived at his camp.

"Your name is Walder Frey?"

"Yes, Your Grace. I am Black Walder, the second son of Ser Stevron Frey, heir to Lord Walder Frey of the Twins."

The speaker was a short, stocky man with a thick black beard.

Lord Walder Frey, the head of the Twins, had taken eight wives in his long life and fathered over thirty children, as well as countless grandchildren.

Many of his descendants, eager to curry favor with their patriarch, had named their sons Walder and their daughters Walda.

The result was an abundance of "Walder Freys," enough to form an entire household guard.

Samwell couldn't keep track of all these Walders, but he understood why this one was here.

Clearly, House Frey was hedging its bets.

Though Samwell personally disliked the Freys for various reasons, as a ruler, he knew when to show strategic leniency.

After all, the Freys were the nominal Lords Paramount of the Riverlands.

The title had originally belonged to House Tully of Riverrun, but after Lord Hoster Tully's death, King Tommen had stripped the Tullys of their status and granted it to Lord Walder Frey as a reward for siding with the Lannisters.

Winning over the Freys would help Samwell secure the loyalty of other Riverlands nobles.

Furthermore, the Twins were one of the largest and most strategic holdings in the Riverlands, making House Frey a powerful ally—if an untrustworthy one.

Though Walder Frey had not orchestrated a "Red Wedding" in this timeline, Samwell knew the man's reputation as a cunning opportunist.

Black Walder shifted nervously under Samwell's scrutinizing gaze. Unable to bear the silence, he spoke:

"Your Grace, you must be wondering why Tywin has suddenly retreated."

Samwell smiled faintly.

"Could it be thanks to the Freys?"

"We did play a part," Black Walder said, puffing his chest slightly.

"Oh?"

Black Walder explained:

"Your Grace, you may not know this, but it was my grandfather who secretly contacted other Riverlands lords, persuading them to delay or outright refuse grain shipments to King's Landing. This created a food crisis for the Lannisters, forcing their retreat."

"The Lannisters are running out of food?" Samwell's eyes widened slightly, finally understanding Tywin's abrupt decision to withdraw.

"Yes."

Samwell studied the smug expression on Black Walder's face before replying with a knowing smile.

"But I've also heard that it was 'Blackfish' Brynden Tully raising the banner of rebellion at Riverrun that threw the Riverlands into chaos, disrupting supplies to King's Landing."

"That's true to some extent," Black Walder admitted, looking slightly embarrassed. "But without our cooperation and support, one Blackfish alone couldn't have caused so much trouble."

Samwell chuckled noncommittally.

Black Walder's claims were clearly exaggerated, but he couldn't deny that the Freys had distanced themselves from the Lannisters.

Of course, that didn't mean they could be trusted to align wholeheartedly with the Caesars.

"House Frey's contributions are noted," Samwell said politely.

"It was our duty," Black Walder replied, bowing. "My grandfather holds Your Grace in the highest regard. He only sided with Tywin out of necessity. Now that Your Grace has crossed the Blackwater, House Frey is ready to serve as your ally and help you take King's Landing."

Black Walder's open declaration of loyalty left Samwell unmoved.

Beyond his personal dislike for Walder Frey, Samwell saw through the opportunism.

Anyone could see the Lannisters' position was crumbling. House Frey's sudden defection felt like an attempt to claim undue credit for an inevitable victory.

If Samwell accepted their offer, the Freys might end up claiming the lion's share of the glory, solidifying their hold on the Riverlands.

"Your offer is appreciated," Samwell replied with a smile. "But I'm confident we can take King's Landing without putting House Frey at unnecessary risk."

In truth, Samwell preferred House Tully over the Freys.

The Tullys had greater prestige and a better reputation in the Riverlands, and with Edmure Tully set to marry Samwell's sister, the family's loyalty was assured.

In his mind, the question of who should rule the Riverlands was already settled.

Black Walder was momentarily stunned by Samwell's rejection. He hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

"Rest easy, Ser Walder," Samwell said warmly. "House Frey can sit back and watch the end of this war. Victory is assured."

Before Black Walder could argue further, Samwell summoned a servant.

"This knight is an honored guest," he instructed. "See that he is treated well."

"Yes, Your Grace."

Panicking slightly, Black Walder protested, "Your Grace, we—"

"I have military matters to attend to," Samwell interrupted with a smile. "Once the war is over, I'll host a grand feast to personally thank your grandfather for all he's done."

With that, Samwell turned and left, ignoring the flustered Frey.

(End of Chapter)