Greene had the roasted meat on the table taken away, and as the recipient… Mondon chuckled.
Greene laid the expensive map of the Riverlands flat on the empty table and lowered his head to examine it. Harrenhal was in Lannister's hands, guarded by Ser Amory Lorch (Chapter 221)… His gaze lingered on its location for a moment, then slowly moved west along the River Road. He paused, pointed his finger at the location of Riverrun, then slowly moved east along the River Road.
To find Tyrion and Jaime, he needed to spread out his soldiers as much as possible, but this was not wise, as the Riverlands was still a battlefield. Therefore, the best way was… to let Tyrion know where he was in the Riverlands… After some thought, Lord Green, being a nouveau riche, decided to throw money at the problem.
Anyone who could provide Greene with the whereabouts of Tyrion and others, or provide Tyrion with Greene's location, or act as an escort… would receive a generous bounty from Lord Green.
Being in the opposing camp of House Stark-Tully, would Greene, with such a grand display, be targeted by them and fall into danger? Unless he was hot-headed, the plains of the Riverlands could not stop the over 1,000 Valley Knights he brought.
Leaving the inn, Greene entrusted the bounty arrangements to Anguy, who used to be a Sellsword. After setting the various bounty amounts, the meticulous Lord Green, in order to quickly stir up more enthusiasm, besides the glittering gold dragons, also promised… that in the future, the Valley would shelter those who betrayed House Stark-Tully.
Then, the bounty news from Greene Kleber once again spread throughout the Riverlands at an unreasonable speed.
Two days later, the light of the rising sun shone on the breeze-swept river, and the banks of the Red Fork River were flat red earth like a road. Numerous small streams flowed into the great river, and submerged rotten branches still leaned against the bank, with birch, oak, and chestnut trees growing not far away.
Greene and his party continuously passed many small wooden houses supported by long poles, which were very simple. There was no sign of habitation, only birds flying overhead or squawking from branches on the bank.
The countless tributaries of the Trident River provided convenience for people and goods to travel through the Riverlands. When there was no war, Greene heard… that the river was full of small fishing boats, large grain ships, and merchant barges, and even colorful, extremely flashy theater boats would pass by the villages and castles along the bank.
Now, the war between House Stark-Tully and Lannister had taken everything. Greene passed through villages but saw no villagers; they were near a large house, where he saw an oak tree covered with dead women, swaying and turning in the breeze.
In the contingent, a young Valley Knight angrily said, "Slaughter, this is shameless slaughter! This is not knightly conduct!"
Nearby Valley Knights echoed, "Damn butchers, they cannot be forgiven."
The corpses emitted the smell of rotting fruit. Greene's gaze narrowed slightly when he saw a wooden sign hanging from the neck of the highest suspended corpse, which read: Harlot who slept with the Lion.
Many people also noticed the words on the wooden sign and said in disbelief, "Gods, it was done by House Stark and Tully! Poor women, what sin did they commit?"
These Valley Knights who followed Greene out of Blood Gate had not yet truly witnessed the cruelty of war, and they continuously denounced it.
Seeing Greene remain silent, a newly joined Valley Knight beside him spoke, "Lord Green, they should be innmaids."
He pointed to the charred house: "I remember this inn; I stayed here before the war began. I think these girls entertained Lannister soldiers, so they got the traitor's collar. Perhaps they brought them food and drink, or perhaps… just for a kiss and a mug of ale."
Greene nodded slightly. What he saw and heard on the road told him that the Tully Family's rule in the Riverlands was collapsing.
Duke Hoster and his heir, Edmure Tully, had passed away. Although Duke Hoster's brother, Brynden Tully, inherited the title of Duke of Riverrun, more than a decade had passed since he left the Riverlands, and he did not have the "natural" cohesion that Edmure possessed. Moreover, Ser Brynden was already over fifty years old and had no children of his own, leaving the Riverlands vassals facing the dilemma of… having to make "reasonable" choices.
To re-consolidate the Tully Family's rule in the Riverlands, Ser Brynden needed time and a stable situation, but there was also Robb Stark in the Riverlands, who claimed to be King of the North and the Trident.
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