Chapter 562: Escalating Tensions

The armies of the Vale encircled Seagull Town. Deep into the night, within the tents of the Rune Stone troops:

"Lord Yohn Royce."

The young Duchess of the Eyrie, though showing signs of fatigue and pallor, forced a smile.

Much of her demeanor resulted from the coercion of her lover, Petyr, who constantly instilled in her the idea of submission. Fueled by love, Lysa Tully abandoned her own thoughts, dedicating herself entirely to the promising future he painted for her.

In Petyr's vision, he would one day rule the Vale, and Lysa would marry her true love.

Even if it meant enduring the embrace of other men or even more degrading acts, she was reassured by Petyr's promises. He convinced her that her current sufferings were fleeting and that a brighter future awaited her, where she would become the true Lady of the Eyrie.

Thus, Lysa, tears glistening in her eyes, seduced Yohn Royce into her bed.

Lord Royce was far from the honorable man he presented to the world.

He once forced a handsome young man to marry his robust daughter simply because she fancied him. This also allowed Lord Royce to seize control of the young man's family assets.

Moreover, he had pursued Lady Lysa before, and they had shared intimate moments at the Eyrie.

Lord Royce had no reason to suspect anything amiss.

...

Elsewhere, under the shroud of night, the campfires of the Justiciars Alliance banished the darkness.

"Reconsider, Lord Brynden Tully," urged Littlefinger, elegantly dressed and polite as ever.

Standing beside him was 'Blackfish' Brynden Tully, his face stern.

He didn't particularly like Littlefinger, but out of basic courtesy, he gave a slight nod.

"Understood, Lord Petyr."

Unperturbed by the Blackfish's evident impatience, Littlefinger simply smiled.

"In that case," he began, "my lord."

With a polite nod, he and his attendants took their leave.

As Littlefinger disappeared into the darkness, the Blackfish watched with a growing sense of unease.

There was something in Petyr's words that he couldn't quite place.

It was clear that Brynden Tully had grown to dislike this man over the years.

Once, when Petyr was a ward at Riverrun, the Blackfish had seen him as a clever and charming boy, even treating him as a kin.

However, that same ward defiled the Tully sisters, including Lysa, and even audaciously proposed to Catelyn Tully, claiming he had taken her virginity as well.

How could a mere ward from a minor family in the Fingers dare to lay claim to both Tully sisters?

Lord Hoster Tully was understandably enraged. He banished Littlefinger from Riverrun, later securing a marriage for his daughter Lysa with Jon Arryn, the noble Lord of the Vale.

The Blackfish, at odds with his own brother at the time, escorted his niece to the Vale, pledging his loyalty to Jon Arryn and becoming a Knight of the Bloody Gate.

His affection for his niece was evident, and he naturally despised Littlefinger for his transgressions.

"Hmph," he muttered, dismissing the thoughts. Pressing his hand against the hilt of his sword, he headed into the camp.

The Vale's camp was organized by families, each distinct and separate, in stark contrast to the unified camp of the Targaryen army.

As the Knight of the Bloody Gate, the Blackfish didn't have many soldiers under his command. However, before Lannister's death, he had borrowed a few thousand men from Riverrun. This elevated his position in the Vale army, second only to Lord Yohn Royce.

But as the Blackfish entered the camp, he noticed that there was no light coming from his niece's tent.

"Where's Lysa?" he inquired, "Has she retired for the night?"

The shocking response from Lysa's handmaiden was unexpected.

"My lord, Lady Lysa has been taken by Lord Yohn Royce."

"What?!"

He remembered Lysa's tearful accounts of her ordeals with the nobles of the Vale, especially Lord Royce, during their time at the Eyrie.

His anger flared. He had nearly drawn his sword against these nobles back then. Now, in such a short time, their audacious advances were resurfacing.

"Damned scoundrel!"

The Blackfish's fury was evident as he rallied his guards, marching determinedly towards the Runestone army's camp.

Still, he maintained his restraint, bringing only a handful of guards to avoid causing internal strife.

He didn't solely rely on the maid's words, but at the moment, rescuing his niece was paramount.

The guards at the Runestone camp recognized the Blackfish, the deputy leader of the entire army, and allowed him passage. Only when he reached Lord Royce's tent did they attempt to halt him.

"Stand aside!" he ordered, shoving them away.