Chapter 102: Cruel punishment

A/N: Hey guys,

Here's today's first chapter.

For every two new pàtreons, I will upload one more chapter the next day.

Thanks for your support.

You can read up to 25 advanced chapters on my pàtreon.

https://www.pàtreon.com/Gnanaa

Enjoy.

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Those who surrendered came to Edward's side, and Edward allowed them to take their families with them to the back. Edward could see nearly two thousand Smallfolk still standing there. It seemed that their sons had forsaken them, or their loyalty to the three lords was deeper than their love to their families.

Any way Edward did not care as he found that it was a good way to show everyone that he would not forgive those who betrayed him. Edward ordered the attack, and at once, the arrow rain started descending on those left on the enemy's side.

After this round of attack, Edward ordered his men to catch whoever they could alive as possible. He sent the men from Griffen's Roost first so that the casualties would be from them mostly.

The battle ended quickly, and Edward's men captured nearly one thousand and three hundred men. Only Lord Fell's son died from the group. It was finally the time to show his cruelty to everyone present, whether a soldier or a lord.

Edward let his men descend to the flat areas in the Reach's direction. He then ordered the men to dig a deep ditch by the side of the road. Edward was planning to do the same as general Haku Ki from china. He would bury those remaining soldiers who opposed him with their families alive in the ditch.

Nearly two and a half thousand people would die just like that. That was his kind of madness and cruelty. The soldiers, who would hear about that, would fear him more in the future. Everyone could hear them scream from miles away, but Edward did not care. He had given those men a chance to save themselves and their families, but they did not take it. They only had themselves to blame. Look at the soldiers who repented and joined his side. He would only use them as cannon fodder. They would have at least a chance to live while their families lived.

As for the lords, Edward planned to crucify their families. He planned to do the same as what happened to the slaves in front of Meeren. Edward would let them bleed, even the children. He wanted to let the lords watch as their families died and screamed before beheading them, as well. Every man or lord who saw this scene could not control themself anymore and emptied their stomach with fear covering their faces. Stannis was the same as he did not expect his brother to pull such a dishonorable act. Robert did not actually care, although the sight was somewhat disturbing to him. They could not look at Edward anymore. They watched all that in fear and could not utter a single word as they were afraid they would be the Next.

"I would not do such a thing to an enemy. We would attack the Reach next. I would never do such a thing because they did not swear an oath to follow me. Let this be a warning and a reminder from me. Those who treated me sincerely would receive the rewards they deserve, but those who betrayed an oath to me would face what is worse than death." Said Edward with a hoarse voice. It was also a little too much to him. He just ordered the death of hundreds of children with their parents. But he was resolute in his choice and did not waver for a second.

This place would get the name of 'The tomb of the thousands.' valley for the later generation to witness Edward's cruelty and the start of a great kingdom. Many lords would warn their sons to never go against Edward or his descendent because of this.

Edward did something like that to spread the fear in the hearts of his enemies and allies together. If the lords who made an oath to him broke it and tried to rebel against him, they should expect something like that. The lords would remember this matter before they ever thought of betraying him. And with Edward controlling most of Stormsland by making his men lords, he would have enough soldiers if those lords decided to rebel against him. That was why Edward dared to pull such an act because he did not fear that Stormsland's lords would gang against him anymore.

And with the benefits he gave them long ago, the lords should know his personality by now. They should have learned which side they should choose. By getting on Edward's good side, they would enjoy many benefits that would help them manage their territory and make them wealthy enough to rank on Westeros's wealthy Houses. But if they chose Edward's bad side and decided to betray him and support another one, Edward would eliminate them, and their families and their heads would work as decoration on a battlefield.

Edward decided to build a tower in this valley and hang the three lords' heads and their families' that betrayed him on the top. This act would work as a reminder to everyone.

After waiting for two days after this accident to let everyone's emotions calm down, Edward called everyone to the war meeting. He planned to use this chance to launch a massive attack on The Reach. He did not want them to prepare and call their bannermen. If Edward let The Reach gather its forces, he would be doomed. The Reach was the only kingdom that could gather up to one hundred thousand men in no time due to its wealth and huge population. The Tyrells, Hightowers, Tarly, and Redwynes alone could gather an army with the same numbers as Stormsland's whole army. That was why Edward planned to take them by surprise before they could call their bannermen and start recruiting men.

When the lords and everyone entered the tent, Edward could still see the signs of fear in front of him. It was basically written on their faces. The lords did not dare to look at Edward in the eyes. Edward could only sigh after seeing this. What he did had its merits and demerits. At the moment, No lord would dare have the thought of betraying Edward, but at the same time, they would be very cautious in dealing with Edward and hide their real thoughts from him. They were afraid to follow their fellow lords and see their heads and their families' hang there as well.

Edward looked at every lord and decided to lighten the mode a little. If all they felt towards him were fear without respect, He would lose the foundation he wanted to build for his kingdom.