After another few days of travel, the massive army of forty thousand soldiers had crossed into the Disputed Lands, positioned between the Free Cities of Tyrosh, Myr, and Lys. The army had settled into a camp deep inside the territory, situated in such a manner that even with a slow march, they could reach any of the three cities within seven to ten days. The attack was imminent and almost on the doorstep of any of the cities.
It had become very obvious that one of these three cities, Lys, Myr or Tyrosh was to be their target.
Most observers guessed it would be the city of Myr.
Lys and Tyrosh were both island cities. Unless a fleet was available to ferry the troops, it was impossible to lay siege to them. A strong navy was a prerequisite to take any of these two cities.
Even so, there was a significant difference in the geography of the two islands. Tyrosh was located just off the coast of the Disputed Lands, where the waters were shallow. The distance from the mainland to the cities was not very large. And therefore, even smaller boats could be comfortably used to travel from the mainland to the island.
On the other hand, Lys was located much deeper into the sea, and only larger ships could comfortably navigate the journey.
While a naval battalion of twelve thousand men was also en route, there were apprehensions that Lord Aeos would try to capture a city with only that force, leaving his massive cavalry and infantry useless on the shore.
Invading any of the two cities with mere twelve thousand men did not guarantee a certain victory like his forty thousand men did. Both of the cities had forces around eight thousand and since they would be in a defensive position it was a good chance that they might be able to repulse the attack from Lord Aeos if it compromised only his navy. So, most of them believed that Lord Aeos would first take Myr which was there just for him to pluck and then after strengthening his position into the sea, he would make his next move.
A few people speculated that Lord Aeos might simultaneously strike two cities. Myr and one of the islands. Though it sounded absurd to most, no one could forget that he had launched simultaneous attacks on Yunkai and Meereen. Back then, he had also been called a madman. But no one could completely outrule the possibility.
Under Sylvia's command, a massive camp had been established at the designated location.
Unlike the temporary camps set up nightly during the march, this one was expansive, designed with the soldiers' comfort in mind. The area was nearly double the usual size of the camp, and several wooden structures too had been erected. They were going to take a long halt at this location.
The army had been on the road for months, and it had been a very long, weary journey. The soldiers were tired and drained. Although the soldiers had undergone immense and gruesome training, the march had taken its toll. Quite a few had fallen ill along the way, and a few casualties had already been reported.
Therefore, a fifteen day rest had been planned for the men. The camp would remain there for two weeks, allowing the soldiers to recover from their journey, replenish their strength, rest in comfort, and return to their peak condition. Jon did not want for his men to be ushered into a conflict without a proper rest.
A massive hunting party had already been formed, led by the General of the army herself, General Sylvia. A systematic slaughter of the beasts and the animals was to take place in the nearby forest so that the army could enjoy several days of proper meals.
A massive bison had just strangled itself into one of the traps and was dangling from the sturdy ropes, and before it could even use its immense strength to try and free itself, a figure descended from the top of a tree. Even before she made contact with the ground, her spear had pierced the thick hide of the bison, puncturing its heart in a single strike.
Sylvia landed on the ground with a heavy thud as blood erupted from bison. It slithered, struggled hard and thrashed against the ropes before it finally lost its life collapsing completely on the ground.
A grin flashed on Sylvia's face as a dozen soldiers came running toward her.
"General," they called out. A couple of them, with practiced ease, immediately began preparing the bison to be carried back to camp. A carriage pulled by at least two horses would be required to transport such a heavy animal. It was a massive harvest. Compared to other squads who were trying to hunt deer and pigs, Slyvia was going all for the big animals.
"Let us move," she said, moving on with six of the soldiers following closely behind her. Everywhere in the forest, squads of soldiers were busy hunting, their coordinated efforts ensuring the army would be well fed for the trials ahead.
.
.
.
"We should be there in a couple more days," Melisandre remarked, studying the map in her hand.
Darkness had taken over, and they had set up their camp. Jon was roasting a rabbit over the fire in front of him, while the other Supreme Shadows too were preparing their dinner.
Jon was about to say something when a bird came flapping toward him. He looked up in intrigue as the bird landed in front of him. This particular variety was a rare species capable of traveling very long distances in a single flight. They were used specifically to send and receive news across the Narrow Sea, from Westeros.
He detached the parchment from the bird's leg and unfurled it. As he read the message, his lips curved into an amused smile.
"What is it?" Melisandre asked, her curiosity piqued.
"A few very interesting people are arriving in Essos," he replied.
"Who?" she questioned.
"Oberyn Martell, Arianne Martell, Varys, and Stannis Baratheon," he answered.
"Because of Rhaenys and her dragons," Melisandre guessed. It was an easy conclusion to draw. "I can understand the Martells' interest, but what are Varys and Stannis trying to accomplish?"
"It is not entirely certain," Jon replied. "But since they are traveling to Braavos, I suspect it is to hire the Faceless Men for an assassination. I do not think they are coming here to observe or make any deal with Rhaenys. Robert hates dragon spawns and this dragon spawn also has dragons."
"An assassination?" she mumbled. "I did not think Stannis would be willing to get involved in something like that. I had thought he was a man of principles."
Jon did not reply. In another world, Stannis would have been the "Prince Who Was Promised" to Melisandre, and she his most loyal follower. As for Stannis being a man of principle, Jon could not say.
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