House Frey, though vassals of House Tully, had always been unruly. The Blackfish knew this well; the late Freys had made House Frey infamous, but their strength was indeed top-notch, especially since House Harroway had long since fallen.
"What is this?" The Blackfish rubbed his eyes. The twin towers' banners of The Twins were gone. Flying highest on the castle walls were quartered banners with a gold field, followed by the banners of Seaguard, and the banners of Runestone.
A host of cavalry also charged out from a side gate of the castle, mostly knights in blue and purple cloaks, wearing plate armor, all looking invigorated. They were the taxi soldiers of Seaguard.
"Ser Brynden," Lord Jason Mallister greeted him. He looked well, having profited substantially in fact.
"Lord Jason." The Blackfish was greatly surprised. "You were supposed to be relieving Riverrun, why are you attacking The Twins?"
"It's a long story, but under His Highness's leadership, we have severely defeated the Kingslayer, saved The Three Rivers, and slaughtered the Freys," Lord Jason said proudly. When you win, it's like this; the morale of the army is joyous. "His Highness, Ser Barristan, and Lord Yohn first crossed the Green Fork, then headed north to meet us. We first utterly defeated the Kingslayer in the Whispering Woods, cutting off the Kingslayer's sword hand, then attacked three encampments, relieving Riverrun... After that, we continued north, force-marching to launch a night attack on The Twins, imprisoning the Freys."
"This..." The Blackfish had not anticipated such a rapid turn of events. They had received the latest news from captured Lannister prisoners that the Kingslayer had routed Edmure, divided his forces to besiege the city, and Riverrun was in grave danger. Yohn had gone off alone; that woman Lysa would ultimately face more accusations from the Lords of the Vale.
Besieging the Kingslayer, night attacking to save The Three Rivers, night attacking to slaughter the Freys. The Blackfish's head was spinning. Each battle sounded like a divine feat, yet they had won so beautifully. The Kingslayer was a world-renowned warrior, the Lannister soldiers were an elite force, and The Twins was an exceptionally strong castle. The Blackfish had originally planned to aid Riverrun with the northern soldiers, but he hadn't expected someone had already utterly defeated the Lannisters and Freys.
"Your Highness, do you pledge allegiance to Gendry?" The Blackfish asked.
"You've heard of him, Lord Gendry the liberator, King Robert's legitimate heir. Lord Hoster has already sworn fealty to him," Lord Jason said proudly.
The Blackfish understood that The Three Rivers had apparently made their choice; with such help, the Riverlands could only kneel. But the northerners, they were another matter.
"Is slaughtering the Freys truly my brother's command?" The Blackfish asked.
"Yes," Lord Jason nodded. "Lord Hoster confirmed the Freys are traitors."
The Blackfish now understood. His brother Hoster would never have such audacity; it seemed to be an act to impress the new lord. But this young knight, capable of such decisive bravery, truly made a name for himself.
"Young Lord Jon should have informed you of the King's will. Is Young Lord Robb prepared to swear fealty?" Lord Jason whispered.
The Blackfish shook his head bitterly. "He is still young, probably still preparing."
The castle gates opened again. Gold Cloak guards appeared first, carrying gold-based, quartered banners with a galloping black warhammer and a crowned stag, roaring Three Dragons, a charging Wolf Pack, and liberated slaves. Then, accompanied by Ser Barristan, a tall giant-horned knight in a golden cloak and black scale plate armor rode forward.
The Blackfish felt this banner and the giant-horned helmet were somewhat magical, like a hodgepodge, unlike the life-and-death struggle between dragon and stag many years ago.
"Ser Barristan, Lord Gendry." The Blackfish dismounted and bowed. He naturally recognized the two knights before him: one, the most legendary White Knight, the other, a handsome and sturdy wild deer, like a storm descended. One with white hair, the other like the rising sun. "Thank you for coming to Riverrun's aid."
"Riverrun has sworn fealty to the heir, Lord Gendry. We will naturally rescue it," Ser Barristan said.
"What is your purpose? To cross the river, Ser Brynden?" Gendry asked.
"My Lords, Jon arrived first at White Harbor with the will and letters, which delayed Robb for a while. Now only the vanguard has reached this place. Robb indeed intends to cross the river," The Blackfish said.
"Forgive my bluntness, but has Young Lord Robb already sworn fealty? And you, my Lord?" Lord Jason asked directly.
"Enough, I should go back," The Blackfish said earnestly. "If Robb still wishes to cross the river, he should come in person and state his intentions."
"Give him this." Gendry took out a badge and handed it to The Blackfish. Then he took out a letter and gave it to The Blackfish. "Of course, you can read this letter from Lord Hoster first."
The Blackfish unfolded the letter and gasped. It spoke of severing ties with Lady Lysa, the fealty of The Three Rivers, and declaring the Freys traitors. If it weren't in Hoster's own hand, The Blackfish would surely have thought he was dreaming.
"This is a serious matter. You must be careful and discreet regarding Lady Lysa's situation."
"I understand." The Blackfish nodded, suppressing the tumultuous waves in his heart.
The Blackfish rode off, heading towards the Northern vanguard. He had left the Vale, intending to fight for Riverrun and House Tully.
"They're too slow in deploying their troops," Anguy said, looking at The Blackfish's retreating figure and pouting.
"There's no help for it. The northern soldiers are mostly common folk, and Jon went back first to announce the contents of the letter, which caused further delay," the White Knight said. "Going south is a war of immense attrition."
"Robb also struggles to control his subordinates." Ser Barristan watched The Blackfish's departing figure. Robb seemed to be roughly the same age as Gendry, but managing the most volatile and unruly northerners was also very difficult.
Gendry nodded. The North had its own unique circumstances. If not for saving his father, Robb's army should have been farming, preparing for winter.
This army assembled by Stark was neither the standing army of the Free Cities nor a paid guard. Most of them were common folk: tenant farmers, peasants, fishermen, shepherds, innkeepers' sons, merchants, and tanners, plus a few mercenary knights, Free Riders, and wandering warriors eager for plunder. When their Lords issued a call, they came to serve... but not always.
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