Loras had just left with half the Tyrell army when Jon ordered Black Walder to take the Frey troops out for a "stroll" as well.
In just a few days, the massive army beneath the Golden Tooth had dwindled by half.
Jon's strategy was steadily advancing, but many shared Loras's sentiment—this seemed utterly unreliable.
Finally, unable to hold back any longer, Rickard and Brynden sought out Jon. Accompanying them was Jeyne's father, Gawen Westerling.
Rickard spoke first. "Jon—Lord Duke, we should recall Ser Loras's troops. Daven only needs to send a raven to ask if there are reinforcements in the south to know the truth. There is really no need for us to do this."
Considering Jon had saved Harrion and resolved a massive problem for the North, Rickard tried his best to sound gentle. If it had been anyone else, he would have started cursing already. If Harrion had proposed such a strategy, Rickard probably would have whipped him.
"Yes, Jon. We understand you want to minimize casualties, but this strategy is really, really..." The word "stupid" was on the tip of Brynden's tongue, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.
After all, if not for him, the Westerlands wouldn't have a unified and strong command right now. It wouldn't matter even if Jon attacked from the south; plenty of leaderless families would have surrendered at the mere sight of his army.
Jon looked at Gawen, who had remained silent, and asked, "Does Lord Gawen feel the same way?"
Nearing fifty, Gawen bowed and said, "Lord Duke, this strategy is unlikely to succeed. If we cannot breach the Golden Tooth, we should start our attack from the south. I believe with your martial prowess and strategy, conquering the Westerlands—excluding Casterly Rock and the Golden Tooth—will not be a problem."
Jon looked at the three men before him, whose combined age was nearly two hundred years, and smiled. "My lords, I am very glad you came to speak your minds directly instead of waiting in the camp to laugh at my failure. However, please trust me. My plan is not limited to just this. I never intended to rely solely on this to make Daven move the defenders away from the Golden Tooth."
Hearing that Jon had more to his plan, the three immediately listened intently.
However, Jon didn't tell them about the ravens. To ordinary people, that would be too unbelievable.
"Ser Loras should return in two days. When he does, have him take the remaining Tyrell troops for another lap. Ser Brynden, please trouble yourself to lead the Riverlands army back to Riverrun first. This play needs to go on a little longer."
According to Jon's reconnaissance, three thousand troops had just been moved out of the Golden Tooth. However, there were still plenty of miners who could be dragged onto the walls.
He had to keep up the act until the number of soldiers in the Golden Tooth dropped below a certain threshold.
---
Inside the Golden Tooth, bright candles lit Daven's room. A noblewoman in a silk dress with a cinched waist stood before him.
If one looked closely, the silk around her hips was slightly scuffed, suggesting the dress had been worn several times.
Although the gold mines near the Golden Tooth were rich, they were assets of Casterly Rock. Not a single grain of gold from the Golden Tooth's mines would fall into the Lefford family's coffers.
This meant that despite living next to a rich gold mine, they were not wealthy.
"Three thousand?! Ser Daven, why send away half the army at once?" Lady Lefford found it hard to accept upon learning of Daven's plan.
She subconsciously took a step forward but didn't notice a wrinkle in the carpet. She nearly stumbled, but Daven, quick-eyed and fast-handed, steadied her.
"Who laid this carpet?! Drag them out and beat them to death!" Daven roared towards the door.
Lannisters had always been cold and harsh towards servants. Once, when Robert visited the Golden Tooth, he slept with a serving maid.
The maid gave birth to twins. The twins were dashed to death, and the maid was sold off.
Daven was naturally cut from the same cloth. However, Lady Lefford, whom he was supporting, blushed. Such a man gave her a greater sense of security.
After regaining her footing, Lady Lefford met Daven's gaze, unconsciously pulling her clothes tighter, as if to accentuate her curves even more.
Daven knew this would happen.
In "Tywin's" letter, Tywin had ordered Daven to get close to Lady Lefford, pointing out that the troops currently inside the Golden Tooth were mainly from House Lefford.
Only by stabilizing Alysanne Lefford could they better secure the Golden Tooth.
The reason was sound. The Lannisters were at their most difficult moment. If Jon used the gold mines as a condition to make the Leffords open the gates, they would be in danger.
Daven agreed with this completely, though he was surprised Tywin actually explained his reasoning. The Lord of Casterly Rock was known for being a man of few words; orders were orders, never explained.
Thinking of Tywin's words, Daven comforted her: "My lady, although we sent away half the army, we still have three thousand miners in training. Before long, they will become qualified soldiers. Besides, that bastard definitely won't attack the Golden Tooth. Half of his army has already moved south, and we sent out half of ours—isn't that just right? Rest assured, Lord Tywin has arranged everything. The decisive battle will be in the southern Westerlands. We have nothing to fear."
Hearing Daven's explanation, Lady Lefford nodded weakly, agreeing to explain it to the Lefford family members.
Her eyes darted around as she said, "Ser Daven, House Lefford still has some personal guards. I can hand them over to you as well. However, the children always cry at night... Could I bring them to stay closer to you?"
"My lady, rest assured. Although I moved half the troops, the remaining manpower is sufficient. You and the children should just stay comfortably in your original rooms."
In Daven's view, even if Tywin wanted him to be close to Lefford, it didn't mean that close—not in bed.
Otherwise, the Leffords would think he was bullying them too much. The head of their house had just died for Casterly Rock, and here he was bedding the widow? That might cause a mutiny in the city.
Before leaving, Lady Lefford gave Daven a deep look, her eyes seductive in the candlelight.
She absolutely adored the golden beard on Daven's chin; it looked exactly like the image of the Father in her heart.
Suddenly, footsteps were heard outside the door. The two subconsciously moved apart. It was one of Daven's personal guards.
"Ser, our scouts report that the Riverlands army has also withdrawn."
"Mm, understood." Daven nodded. "Continue monitoring."
"Yes, sir!"
Watching the soldier leave, Daven thought that if Jon continued to move troops south, he might consider asking Tywin if he needed to send more soldiers to support him.