The stream murmured on, moonlight shimmering upon its surface.
The rapid current shattered the image of the full moon, while the rustling of leaves stirred by the wind in the forest mingled with the soft snorts of warhorses, echoing in the ears.
After a long and exhausting march, the wolf cavalry finally found a place where they could rest temporarily within the Whispering Wood near Riverrun.
Grey Wind was visibly restless, pacing back and forth among the soldiers, stirring up a brief commotion as the sound of armor clashing and rubbing filled the air.
"Good boy, it's time for you to calm down for a bit," Robb said, grabbing Grey Wind by the scruff and making it stay obediently at his side.
At that moment, Ser Brynden Blackfish emerged from the forest. He had been run ragged all day—having to conceal the army's movements, he hadn't dared to rest even for a moment, his nerves constantly stretched tight.
"Jaime has no idea where we are. Not a single raven has flown back to his main camp. Every Lannister scout we encountered, I killed."
Robb trusted the Blackfish deeply now. Over the past two days, Brynden had proven himself with his own strength—this was a rare talent, and moreover, his own great-uncle.
"Tell me about Jaime's forces."
The Blackfish hesitated slightly. "They… have roughly three thousand cavalry, and about ten thousand infantry. I barely managed to establish contact with Riverrun. The troops inside are currently under the command of Lord Blackwood of Raventree, with around three to four thousand men."
Robb chuckled lightly. "Heh. Four thousand against thirteen thousand. Looks like the advantage is on their side."
The Blackfish couldn't tell whether this great-nephew of his was being arrogant or simply confident, but Robb's relaxed expression still eased the wildly pounding heart in his chest somewhat.
"There is some good news," the Blackfish said as he drew a crude map for Robb in the sand. "Because of Riverrun's unique position—situated at the angle between the Red Fork and the Tumblestone—Kingslayer had no choice but to split his forces into three camps in order to surround the castle. Their strength is very scattered."
Robb thought for a moment. "Cavalry is far more important than infantry. We need to find a way to swallow the Lannister cavalry in one bite."
The Blackfish immediately offered a plan. "All three thousand Lannister cavalry are personally led by the Kingslayer. These precious troops won't take part in the siege. Normally, they roam the battlefield area, clearing out the scattered resistance across the Riverlands.
"Sometimes Count Blackwood sends troops to harass the besieging forces around Riverrun, but every time they're chased down and wiped out by the Kingslayer's cavalry. Jaime is strong—and violent. We can disguise ourselves as Riverrun's garrison and lure him here."
Robb felt the plan was feasible, but seeing the hesitation on the Blackfish's face, he asked, "What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
The Blackfish glanced around. "But we only have three hundred men, my lord. They have three thousand cavalry. The numbers are ten to one."
"So?" Robb asked. "You think we'll lose?"
The Blackfish carefully chose his words. "I don't know. But it will definitely be a bitter fight. The Kingslayer is extremely powerful—he practically crushed the entire Riverlands by himself. You've seen the devastation along the way. Jaime's army has won two major battles in a row; their momentum is high. And we're simply too few."
Robb patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry. No matter how strong the Kingslayer is, he's still just one man."
The Blackfish really wanted to say: Aren't you just one man as well?
Robb turned his gaze to Theon. Understanding immediately, Theon raised two fingers to his mouth and let out a sharp whistle.
Wheee—!
The moment the whistle echoed through the Whispering Wood, every wolf cavalryman sprang into action. Their movements were like actors who had rehearsed countless times—chaotic yet carrying a strange, orderly beauty. Within ten seconds, every wolf rider had found his horse.
At some point, their armor had already been fully donned. Long spears or halberds were clenched in their hands, cold steel gleaming at the tips as they lined up neatly, forming a precise formation. They stood in silence, eyes fixed on their commander.
The atmosphere in the forest instantly turned grim and murderous, as if the temperature itself had dropped.
The somewhat dazed Blackfish and Ser Stevron Frey stood frozen, utterly shocked by the scene before them. What kind of force was this?
They had never seen an army like this. In such a short time—if they were facing such an enemy, they probably wouldn't even have their armor on properly before these so-called wolf cavalrymen were already cutting them down with a sword!
At last, the two of them seemed to understand why Robb was so confident.
Robb stepped before the wolf cavalry formation. "We're about to enter battle. The enemy has around three thousand men—all cavalry."
The formation did not waver in the slightest. Their eyes remained sharp and steady.
Robb took a deep breath. "This will be your first battle. The Whispering Wood—remember this place. The world will remember it too. Because here, the first battle of the first undefeated army in history—the wolf cavalry—will begin."
"No matter who the enemy is, make them understand—Winter is Coming."
The wolf cavalry formation remained perfectly still. Not a single person spoke. In the forest, only the sound of the rushing stream remained.
Yet beside them, the Blackfish and Ser Stevron Frey seemed to hear thunder and blazing fire roaring, raging winds and ice howling—an invisible force and momentum flowing through this army.
At this moment, both of them believed without reservation:
This battle would be won!
Even though the enemy outnumbered them ten to one, even though the enemy was riding the momentum of consecutive victories, even though their own forces were exhausted from long marches—
This battle would be won!
"Ser Blackfish, send a raven to Lord Blackwood at Riverrun. Tell him to immediately dispatch troops to harass the Lannister forces besieging them."
Smalljon Umber, Torrhen Karstark, Eddard Karstark, Cley Cerwyn, Theon Greyjoy, and Dacey Mormont—the eldest daughter of Lady Maege and heir to Bear Island…
Robb carefully selected over a dozen wolf cavalrymen of noble birth, intending to use them as bait to lure the enemy deeper.
Noble-born youths had far better physical qualities, giving them a higher chance of survival as bait. Robb also wanted to use this opportunity to give them a stage to prove themselves, preparing for future promotions and for drawing in the support of their families.
Robb watched them leave. "I'll be waiting for you here. Don't disappoint me."
Theon and Smalljon held a long spear bearing the banner of House Tully, leading over a dozen men as they disappeared into the night.
Robb and the remaining wolf cavalry lay in ambush behind the hills, waiting only for the enemy to enter the depression on the front side—then the wolf cavalry would unleash their deadliest charge.
After a silence as heavy as death, faint sounds drifted in from afar.
"They're here…" The Blackfish heard the tremor in his own voice.
(End of Chapter)