WILOW-Ch.352: Domeric's Target
Northern Army Camp, Near the Twins
POV of Domeric Bolton
The day before crossing the bridge.
Domeric was now sitting opposite Lord Stark in the Stark tent alone. He had two reasons for coming here.
First, to discuss the Northern host's next move, and second, to inform Lord Stark about a special matter he had requested of him.
"How is the construction of the bridge progressing, Lord Bolton? I hope everything is going as planned," said Lord Stark.
"Everything is going well. The bridge is almost finished, and I plan to cross it with my men tomorrow. One of the reasons I came here is to talk about this. I want the remaining Northern army to wait two days before crossing the bridge." He said.
"Two days? Can you explain why?" Lord Stark asked. This hadn't been part of their previous plans, and Domeric thought Lord Stark was likely having trouble understanding the reason.
"I want to give the Freys more time to realize something is wrong. For me to best fulfill my aim, everyone needs to believe I'm still operating with the Northern army. A two-day departure ahead will largely erase the tracks I've left behind. This way, even if the Freys send scouts after the Northern army, they won't realize I've separated from the main army." He explained his reasons.
"I see... Frankly, I want to reach the Trident and confront the Lannister army as soon as possible. But if a two-day delay makes things easier for you, it's acceptable. We will follow your plan in this regard, Lord Bolton." Lord Stark said.
"Thank you for your understanding, Lord Stark. But even after the Northern army crosses the bridge, it would be better if you waited for Vale's army to arrive before confronting the Lannisters. The fate of many rests on the line in this battle, Lord Stark. Instead of acting out of hatred, it would be better for us to secure our victory." He gently warned Lord Stark.
"Yes... You're right, Lord Bolton. But considering Catelyn and Sansa's situation, it's quite difficult for me to stand by and do nothing," Lord Stark said, sinking into his chair.
"We need to be more cautious, Lord Stark, especially considering Lady Catelyn and Sansa's situation. A defeat against the Lannisters could make things much worse for both of them," he said.
"I know. Thank you for reminding me, Lord Bolton," said Lord Stark.
"On another matter. I have received the information you requested regarding your personal matter. But frankly, the news isn't very good," he said.
Lord Stark paused for a moment before saying, "I still want to hear it. I need to know the truth."
Domeric let out a deep breath and began his report.
"My men, upon reviewing the records, confirmed that Lady Catelyn secretly met with Petyr Baelish at his brothel before the tournament in King's Landing. According to the records, Lady Catelyn spent the night and the time until noon the following day there, after which she returned to the Red Keep through a secret passage with the help of Petyr Baelish."
Domeric could hear Lord Stark grinding his teeth at this confirmation.
After a moment, Lord Stark said, "Is that all the information?"
"That's all that was gathered. But I ordered my men to investigate this matter more thoroughly and gather all the information they could. And now I have new information. But are you really sure you want to hear it?" he asked because the rest of the information contained things no husband would want to hear.
"Please continue, Lord Bolton," Lord Stark said, his stern expression returning.
"Apparently, Petry Baelish ordered that no one approach his office while Lady Catelyn was there, but my men still managed to gather some information from brothel workers who went near the office."
Domeric paused for a moment before continuing. "According to the information they obtained, Lady Catelyn spent the night and the following day in Petry Baelish's room, and sounds of sexual activity were coming from the room most of the time."
Domeric could see Lord Stark clenching his fists to restrain himself.
To avoid prolonging the matter further, he decided it would be best to finish his report quickly and leave Lord Stark alone. So, he continued speaking.
"Another piece of information my men gathered was that Petyr Baelish sent one of his men outside the brothel that day to get Moon Tea. But my men became suspicious because it would be strange if the brothel didn't have its own stock. So, upon further investigation, they discovered that Petyr Baelish had obtained Fake Moon Tea. Therefore, it seems highly likely that Lady Catelyn is pregnant with Petyr Baelish's child and that Petyr Baelish planned and did this knowingly." He said.
Then the tent fell silent, and for a while neither Lord Stark nor Domeric spoke.
After a long silence, Lord Stark finally broke it. "If there is nothing else to discuss, would you please leave me alone for a while, Lord Bolton?"
"Of course," said Domeric, and after rising to his feet, he took an envelope from his coat pocket and placed it on Lord Stark's desk. "Here are all the details regarding the report."
Then Domeric turned and left the tent. He had done everything he could at the moment.
The rest was entirely up to Lord Stark.
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Whispering Woods, Near the Riverrun
POV of Domeric Bolton
Present day.
Two weeks after crossing the bridge.
Domeric's army was hiding in the Whispering Woods, nearly a dozen kilometers away from the Lannister army that had no idea about their presence.
He pointed at the large lifelike map of Riverrun and its surrounding lands, as well as the Lannister troops surrounding the castle from all three sides.
"This army, as you know, is being led by Ser Devan Lannister." He said and pointed at a large tent on the Northern side of Riverrun. "He is camped here with the other Lannister commanders, surrounded by 6000 men."
He looked at skinchangers Vothora and Roghomyr, as well as the two wyvern riders standing behind them.
Since a normal Skinchanger needed to send his spirit to the animal while changing skins, they cannot do anything else during that time.
Because of that, they needed someone else who could ride the wyverns while the skinchangers controlled them and throw wildfire bombs from the wyvern's back.
"This is where you'll attack first. Fly above them at dawn and throw a hundred wildfire bombs on them."
"100 bombs?" one of the wyvern riders asked, his eyes wide open in shock.
"Yes." He said, "50 for each one of you. I want their commander center gone before the start of the real battle so that Lannister troops will be clueless and without any leadership for the rest of the battle."
"A good plan." Varko nodded, "What after that, my lord?"
"After that, you'll start bombing the rest of the tents." He said, "Create chaos in the enemy lines and give them no chance to recover."
He then turned to Mag the Mighty, the chief of the Giants, whom he had defeated once before. "Mag and his giants will lead the attack, which will be followed by the 1000 heavy infantry and 2000 pump-action crossbow men, Bolton Bolters."
"That is all the Bolton Bolters we have." Bronn pointed out.
"Yes. And I want all of them focused on the confused and disarrayed Lannister army. The giants and the heavy infantry will stop any attack from the Lannister army, while the bolters will do what they've been trained to do." He smiled.
Then he continued. "I want the Lannister men filled with bolts. Destroy their morale. Break their backs and have them surrender as quickly as possible. You'll be the one leading this attack, Varko."
"As you wish, my lord." Varko nodded.
"The Southern-West Lannister army is being led by Stafford Lannister, who is also the father of Ser Devan Lannister." He said, "This army consists of 6000 men. A good number of the horses in the Lannister army are stationed with this army. You don't need to worry about them. I'll set fire to the stables and free the horses, allowing them to run through the camp and sow chaos."
"When will we attack this army?" Bronn asked.
"Just after I start the fire." He said. "You'll be the one leading this attack, Bronn. You'll have 1000 heavy cavalry, 2000 infantry, and 1000 archers, as well as 30 direwolves. Start the attack with the direwolves and the cavalry. Sow discord among them and stop them from forming any lines. Then once you're out, send in the infantry and archers while attacking their flank with the cavalry and direwolves."
Bronn grinned, "The Lannister fucks won't know what hit them."
He nodded, "Ygritte will go with the archers." He turned to her, "I expect you to kill anyone who tries to rally the men and create a defense. Shoot down their commanders and continue shooting them down until they have no one else left."
"I will not fail," Ygritte said with a firm nod, and he smiled.
"That leaves the Southern-East Lannister army. Lord Roland Crakehall leads this one and has 3000 men." He said. "Me, Raksa, and Mocqo will attack this place with the 700 cavalry I brought with me, the 10 remaining direwolves, and the 1200 horse archers."
"We, destroy them," Mocqo said with a savage grin, and he nodded. "Yes. But don't waste all your energy here. You and your men will also be tasked with hunting any stragglers who try to run away from the battlefield."
Mocqo nodded, and he smiled.
"This is the general idea of the attack. Simple and effective," he said. "Now, I'm sure you have your own ideas. So, let's hear it."
The meeting continued for half an hour before the tent flap swung open and a soldier entered.
"My lord. We found the man you told us to search for." The guard said before an older man with black armor and a steely gaze unceremoniously shoved him aside.
"Who is in charge of this army?" the man asked.
He smiled as he told his men to lower their weapons. "It's good to meet you at last, Ser Bryndan Tully. Or should I call you Blackfish?"
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.353: Grief and Despair
Ch.354: Wyvern Rider - I
Ch.355: Wyvern Rider - II