Aegor didn't know who gave Arya the idea of becoming the "Chief Female Commander of the Night's Watch," but a living person should never be trapped by a dead-end path. Since the plan to balance the North through The Gift alone was now showing cracks, it was time to activate the backup plan and bring House Bolton into the game.
In truth, a three-way balance might prove even more stable.
After a series of warnings and promises that secured the old flayer, everything else proceeded smoothly. With a promise in hand, House Bolton threw all its savings and strength behind Daenerys's campaign. This not only provided her with a loyal and capable ally but also triggered a "catfish effect" among the other Northern lords at the subsequent war council.
Many lords who had come to pledge fealty were simply going through the motions, offering minimal support. Daenerys was aware of this and had intended to tolerate it. But standing among these reluctant Houses was Roose Bolton, who spared no effort or expense. The contrast was stark. Suddenly, the Northern lords realized that the manpower, grain, and equipment provided by several Houses combined still did not match what House Bolton had contributed alone.
How was this possible?
While Bolton's ability to marshal such resources was largely due to years of secret planning and hidden stores in anticipation of rebellion, something other Houses didn't have, the size and population between the Houses weren't dramatically different. Yet these "honorable" Northern lords were outshone in loyalty by a so-called "traitor." It was humiliating.
Unable to endure the shame, each House quietly increased its contribution. Not to outdo Bolton, but at least to not fall too far behind. One offered a bit more, another added a hundred extra men. Piece by piece, Daenerys amassed more food and supplies than expected. At last, the Southern Expedition was fully prepared and ready to move.
...
Daenerys had arrived in the North with three dragons and now returned south with one fewer, but she had gained an army of over ten thousand. Besides the Unsullied, the force included over four thousand from the Gift Army and nearly six thousand from the Northern Houses, of which House Bolton alone contributed two thousand and the rest together four thousand.
Though not large in number, given that the North still had to guard against attacks from the Ironborn, the size of the force was less important than the message it sent. It was a public declaration of allegiance. Politically, it mattered far more than its battlefield strength.
With the Bolton army as the vanguard, the Southern Expedition departed from Winterfell and marched south in a long column along the Kingsroad. After several days, they reached Caitlin Bay, the last key stop before exiting the North.
There, they met with southern Northern Houses such as the Lockes of Oldcastle and the Reeds of Greywater Watch. These lords had received word in advance and were already waiting. After taking their oaths, Daenerys had essentially gathered all Northern Houses willing to change banners. Once the army was ordered to rest, she convened a war council at Aegor's request to resolve the key strategic points before entering open war.
How would this campaign be fought?
---
"Three or four months ago, just after the Battle of Long Lake, when the Night's Watch was still clearing the battlefield and chasing down fleeing wights, the southern front did not rest. Once Stannis learned that Her Grace was in the North and could not return soon, he organized the remaining defenders of King's Landing for a probing attack. After assessing the deployment of the Unsullied and the Free Company, he began preparing for a decisive engagement."
Standing at one end of the hall beside a detailed map of the Riverlands and Crownlands, Aegor began his briefing in a calm, deliberate tone.
Ordinarily, Westerosi lords would gather around a map laid on a large table to argue and plan. Today, Aegor had them sit in rows, while he stood alone, more like a Maester delivering a lecture than a commander leading a debate.
The reason was clear. Aegor already had a complete and detailed plan for the campaign. It had Daenerys's full approval. There was nothing left to discuss with a room full of self-serving nobles. This was not a negotiation. It was a declaration.
"Fortunately, the Commander appointed by Her Grace, Grey Worm, recognized Stannis's intentions early. Judging the odds unfavorable, he withdrew the army to Rosby in the north and the Long Night Industrial Park in the southwest, maintaining a pincer around King's Landing."
This, of course, was a generous framing. In truth, the siege outside King's Landing had reached a critical moment. The encirclement was not withdrawn voluntarily. Stannis had shattered it. Seeing that Daenerys's dragons would not appear, he led a sharp offensive directly against the Free Company. He broke their line and nearly turned the retreat into a rout. If not for the Unsullied moving swiftly to hold the breach, and the Golden Company on the southern bank feinting a river crossing, Stannis might have succeeded in scattering Daenerys's forces entirely.
Had the Industrial Park fallen and its vast saltpeter reserves been lost, much of Aegor's long-term strategy would have been rendered useless.
But the worst had not happened. Aegor had no intention of praising the enemy or sowing doubt now. Since they held the line, the only thing to project was strength.
"Stannis briefly reopened the route to the Riverlands and secured emergency grain for the city, easing the famine. Months of siege effort were undone in an instant. But given the size of King's Landing, Her Grace would never approve of starving out hundreds of thousands. She has no wish to win that way."
Turning away from the map, Aegor faced the seated lords.
"Now that we understand the situation, our next step is clear. March south immediately, link up with Her Grace's army outside King's Landing, and complete the siege."
He raised a hand and tapped the southeast corner of the map. On this point, there was no disagreement.
"But things are not so simple. Between us and King's Landing lies the Riverlands. To protect our rear and ensure our food supply, we must either secure the Riverlands or force at least House Tully and the main houses along the Kingsroad to declare for Her Grace."
He glanced at Daenerys in the front row.
"Her Grace has confirmed she will fly south tomorrow to Rosby to link up with the Unsullied, boost morale, and stabilize the front. Before the siege begins, I will, in the name of Daenerys Targaryen, the First of Her Name, Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, issue the official orders for the first phase of the war."
He paused. Then his voice hardened.
"Ser Wylis Manderly and Paddie, Chief Logistics Officer of the Gift Army, will remain at Caitlin Bay with the men from White Harbor and two hundred infantry from the Gift Army. You are tasked with guarding against enemy incursion from the south, and coordinating the transfer, storage, and forwarding of supplies to the front."
"Black Shell and Lord Bolton, you will lead the Queen's Guard, Dreadfort infantry, and all our cavalry. March south at full speed along the Kingsroad, cross the Trident, and seize Lord Harroway's Town. Cut the food route between the Kingsroad and the Riverlands. Do not allow a single grain to reach King's Landing. Crush any of the false king's foraging parties you encounter."
"If possible, move ahead and take Harrenhal. But remember, your priority is to sever the supply line."
"As for the rest of the commanders, you will join Lord Robb Stark and me. We will pass through the Twins, press into the Riverlands, pacify the lords of the Trident, advance on Riverrun, and compel Lord Edmure Tully to swear allegiance to Her Grace."
"Or we take the Tully seat by force."
(To be continued.)
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