Aegon, Rhaenys, Jaenyx, Visenya, Orys, and Argella presided over their war council at Duskendale, in which the lords that remained loyal to them gathered. Much of the stormlords arrived to see their lord paramount alive and in good health, but Orys made clear of his displeasure at what he saw as near insubordination during his absence. He took lords such as Morrigen, Connington, Estermont, and Wylde into a private chamber and Aegon heard him scolding them in a fiery passion.
"I am your lord paramount, but you disrespected my wife and grumbled while she made sure that we still had an army to command! This is nothing but disobedience to the house that you've sworn to and had you all been bolder, I would have hung you all for mutiny!" Aegon heard Orys yell. Judging from the lack of responses, the lords were stunned into silence as they were now reminded of who was in charge and the man that killed their king. "I entrusted you all to stay faithful to my house and to our common cause, but the moment I am not around, you scheme like you've always done!"
Aegon should've been surprised at the sudden change in his brother's demeanor, but considering his time in captivity and the responsibilities on his shoulders as a lord, it was only a matter of time before Orys took his duties as a major lord seriously. And it put a smile on Aegon's face seeing how close his brother had become with Argella, the daughter of the man he killed but never disrespected.
"If I hear of one more instance of you conspiring against my wife or myself, I will do much worse to you what I've done to the Tarlys and Peakes and what I intend to do with Loren Lannister. And that is a promise! I have no doubts that my brothers and sisters would help me with their dragons, but rest assured, my hammer will be enough for me to drive home the point. Is that clear?" Orys warned.
"Yes, my lord," the lords slowly affirmed.
"Stop mumbling!" Orys was not having their half-hearted apologies. "Am I clear?"
"Yes, my lord," the lords said, louder and straighter that time.
Aegon nodded in approval. Had their father seen how Orys acted, he would have been proud. He was certainly proud of how Rhaenys dealt with the Lords Rosby, Stokeworth, Bar Emmon, Massey, and Darklyn when they came to the council after their moment of cowardice.
Aegon and Aerion watched from a distance as Rhaenys stroked Meraxes' snout and fed her bits of dead cows. "So, you've showed up after demonstrating your cravenness," Rhaenys went straight to the point. After what Orys had went through and the lords not being cooperative, she was not going to waste time with pleasantries.
"You have to understand our position—" Lord Rosby began.
Rhaenys rolled her eyes as she cut him off. "If you offer that excuse one more time, I will have Meraxes burn you where you stand. Should I repeat that, my lord?"
Jon Rosby's silence was all that she needed.
"You're all fortunate that you're dealing with me instead of my husband, my sister, and my good-brother. All of them would have let the men you struck finish what you started or personally burned you right here, but I am a more… lenient sort. I temper my husband's fire, which would see much unintended damage should he direct it at the wrong people. However, he makes me strong and that's what I have learned from the moment that our family stepped foot on this land," Rhaenys fed Meraxes a cow leg.
The lords from all around the Blackwater Bay gulped at how… calm she sounded as she continued to feed her silver-scaled creature.
"Our enemies have revealed their weaknesses. We have just entered into a pact with the Starks of Winterfell, who have just defeated the Valemen at Seaguard and have passed Oldstones. It won't be long before they reach Fairmarket," Rhaenys told them.
The lords looked at each other in astonishment, not expecting help from an unlikely source.
"As for Orys, my sister and good-brother proved that Casterly Rock is not impenetrable and were able to fly him out of there in good order. Such a move would no doubt hurt the pride of the Lannisters, wouldn't you agree?"
Aegon and Aerion watched Rhaenys as the lords remained silent, with their father looking more impressed.
"With the northmen coming southwards and the stormlords back in line, our position has improved. Considering your proximity to Dragonstone, it would be in all of your best interests should you not attempt to be unfaithful to our house again," Rhaenys smiled at Meraxes, who snorted in appreciation but made the lord uncomfortable at how she acted around such a creature they were never made to stand close to.
"Whether you stay loyal to us or not is up to you, but I would regret it if our dragons would have start consuming the flesh of people instead of animal flesh," Rhaenys pressed her forehead on Meraxes' snout, prompting her to exhale warm breath on her rider.
Lord Darklyn stepped forward. "My lady, you have our word that—"
Rhaenys held up a finger while still focused on Meraxes. "I am not interested in what you have to say now, my lord. I'm more interested in your actions, as I have come to learn that they speak louder than empty promises. Should you resume your faithful service to my house and stand by us in our common cause, then we can discuss proper rewards to your house."
"Rewards?" Lord Darklyn asked, surprised.
Rhaenys smirked. "But if you suddenly have the urge to act… contrary to our wishes, I can only hope that you make an excellent meal for our dragons."
That silenced Lord Darklyn and the others, who dipped their heads and made their way to the great hall at Duskendale.
"Your sister and wife is becoming quite the political mind," Aerion nodded with approval.
"I'm not sure if threatening lords with Meraxes is good politics," Aegon responded, but instantly regretted it.
"Come now, Egg," Aerion turned to Aegon. "What you just saw was your sister and wife promising rewards for good service along with the promise of severe punishment should they act against us. She's going to be very useful by your side as the Lady of Dragonstone."
"And soon-to-be Queen," Aegon pointed out.
Aerion patted his hand on Aegon's shoulder. "We'll get to that soon. Now let's go see your other sister and her husband."
As Aegon walked through Duskendale, he couldn't help but be… more attracted to his sister and wife the more he thought about her demonstration with Meraxes. She didn't shout like Orys, but given how she promised consequences while maintaining her easy demeanor, her calmness made her promises just as potent as Orys' loudness.
Coming to Jaenyx's and Visenya's chambers, Aegon expected that they were fucking like they would usually do whenever they had free time. However, he and their father were surprised to not see them there. Walking to the solar, they heard talking and there were more than two people from the sounds of it.
Entering the solar, Aegon was surprised to see Visenya, Kenzou Haru, Ragaemor Tarareon, and Chrass Rivers gathered around a map, which prominently showed the Red Fork.
"Where's Jae?" Aegon asked.
"Oh, he went scouting on Cloudwynd. He'll be back soon," Visenya answered.
"Why?"
"Lord Aegon, we have a plan that we think could begin to turn the tide in the riverlands," Chrass Rivers responded.
"I'm listening," Aegon and Aerion walked to the table with the map.
"Okay, so here's the situation right now," Visenya placed markers that indicated theirs and the enemy's troops. "Raventree Hall is besieged by the Lannister bannermen along with the riverlander turncoats while the Red Fork is largely within their control. The northmen are currently marching southwards and will be in striking distance with Fairmarket by the week's end. Meanwhile, a large portion of the Valemen who were defeated at Seaguard was able to retreat across the Green Fork while some turned southwards towards the Blackwood Vale."
"All right," Aegon nodded.
"However, Jae's agents in the region told him that there was a place where we could exploit our enemy's weaknesses and begin to drive them out of the riverlands," Visenya continued.
"What do you mean?" Aegon became interested.
"This place here, where the Red Fork bends," Chrass River pointed the spot on the map. "There's an encampment of enemy soldiers there. These troops serve as both the rearguard of the ones sieging Raventree Hall and the advance guard to Riverrun. And this place on the Red Fork is a vital point on the river after Riverrun since it allows the enemy to maintain their lines with Fairmarket and previously the Twins, which is more important now given the northmen."
"And you're suggesting that we attack that encampment," Aegon finished.
"It's won't be that much difficult to accomplish," Visenya reasoned. "It has no fortifications and with those troops eliminated, then we could move to retake the Red Fork, relieve Raventree Hall, and finally punish the Tullys for their betrayal. This is an opportunity that we must seize, Egg."
"But you're forgetting one important aspect of this," Aegon countered as he pointed on the map. "This place is deep behind enemy lines and they're not just going to let us march over there and take such an important choke point. Even with the stormlords now back on our side, we still don't have the strength to conduct a major attack until the northmen arrive."
"That could take too long, Egg," Visenya shook her head. "The Starks bring numbers, but while they advance, our enemies can plan their countermoves and thus stop them. We have to act now if we are going to exploit our recent successes."
"I agree," Aegon nodded. "But we would need to move thousands of men along the Red Fork to strike at the encampment. We'll be surrounded by enemies and turncoats alike."
"Maybe we don't need thousands, my lord," Chrass Rivers said. "Just a force large enough to hit the encampment and light enough to move quickly on the river."
"Wait. On the river?" Aegon did not expect that.
"We plan to use boats to row on the Red Fork towards the encampment," Visenya revealed. "We'd move faster that way and strike where they least expect it."
"But how are we going to conceal such movements?" Aegon questioned.
"We… give… bad… information… to… enemy," Kenzou Haru said slowly while using a broken form of the common tongue.
"How?" Aegon knew that this was probably another of Jaenyx's schemes.
"Jae is flying on Cloudwynd to scout out the encampment," Visenya replied. "However, once he confirms their location, he will them burn some land nearby Fairmarket and spent some time flying over that place. That will make the enemy think that we intend to consolidate our forces with the northmen at that town and thus, they would respond accordingly by sending troops to reinforce that place."
"While leaving their troops near Raventree Hall and Riverrun exposed," Aegon finally understood.
"Exactly," Visenya smiled. "Loren Lannister might suspect something, so to sway him, I and Rhaenys will fly to Fairmarket along with Tarareon cavalry and Darry men. Meanwhile, our true advance, comprising of our own men, the Harus, and the troops who came with Chrass will row along the Red Fork, concealing their movements by rowing only at night. But considering what day is coming, we expect their guard to be down."
"Their guard to be down?" Aegon questioned.
"Ah," Aerion nodded his head. "The day you are thinking to attack is the Smith's Day and there will be plenty of drinking and celebration among the troops of that encampment, making the attack easier to carry out."
"Very true, kepa," Visenya nodded back.
Aegon finally saw the strategic mind of his sister in the light again. While Rhaenys learned much over the past year, Visenya was the one who continued to come up with creative battle plans like at the Wailing Willows. Attacking troops while they were celebrating one of the Faith's most revered holy days would have been met with condemnation, but then again, the Faith wanted to wipe them out and so they couldn't care about what they thought.
"And you came up with this all by yourself?" Aegon asked his older sister.
"Well, Jae made me aware of the enemy encampment and told me that we should employ deception to decimate them, but the rest he left up to me," Visenya smiled.
By the gods, they really do complement each other, Aegon thought happily about his sister and her husband. It was a thought that he had repeatedly, but here was the result of such a strong partnership with each other. Not only were they passionate bedmates, they had a collaboration that most couples could only dream of having. Aegon was fortunate to have Rhaenys by his side, and Orys with Argella. The six of us are about to change Westeros.
"But for this to work, we have to conceal our true intentions from our own troops," Visenya stated.
"That won't be a problem, my lady," Ragaemor replied in High Valyrian. "Just ensure that everyone knows their parts, but nothing more. The bigger picture should be left for us commanders."
Aegon nodded. "Right. When shall we commence the attack?"
"We have to arrive at the encampment either in the evening of or the dawn after Smith's Day, so we have to move out within four days," Visenya explained.
"Remind me again," Aerion spoke. "Why can't we just burn that encampment with the dragons?"
"Kepa, we can do that," Visenya looked hard at their father. "However, we use our dragons too often, our enemies would assume that the only reason that we won was because of them. We have to show them and the ones sworn to us that we can win on our own. And the best way to remind them is this plan that we have formed."
"I agree to this plan," Aegon bobbed his head.
Aerion looked at the map before nodding. "As do I,"
"Good," Visenya grabbed onto the pommel of Dark Sister. "Let's show them how dragons truly fight."
Aegon flew above on Balerion as he looked upon the Red Fork. Dawn was setting upon the riverlands as the new day started, but he knew that there was no time to rest or enjoy the start of the morning. He had to be alert for what was to come.
For the past four days, the force of one thousand Blackwoods, Harus, Velaryon men who knew how to navigate the river, and Rahitheon footmen rowed under the cover of night to avoid enemy scouts. The Harus and Blackwoods naturally led in front, the former because they knew how to keep quiet on rivers besides many other places and the latter because they knew the layout well. Chrass Rives and the Blackwoods had more reason to strike at the encampment, as success on their part would mean the start of the rescue of their home.
Much of the army remained either at Duskendale or had consolidated at Harrenhal, also to keep up the pretense that they were aiming for Fairmarket. As planned, Rhaenys and Visenya flew to link up with the northmen and inform Brandon Snow of the developments.
As for Jaenyx, Aegon saw Cloudwynd flying lower to the ground but was careful not to have the blue dragon flap her wings. If there was one sound that the enemy could recognize from the ground, it was dragon wings flapping. He looked at his good-brother and saw him as calm as he usually was during battle, which continued to be a testament to his level-headedness in the most stressful circumstances. A year ago, Aegon would have been unnerved at how… detached he was, but the time he spent with Jaenyx and hearing of him and Orys coming to terms with one another made Aegon see that his good-brother had "a method to madness," although one would have been hard-pressed to call Jaenyx mad.
Orys wanted to fight, but the family and Argella told him that he was still too weak to engage in combat and he needed more rest. In the meantime, Orys could organize the army at Harrenhal for the push into the riverlands. Once the encampment was taken out, Aegon would fly back to Harrenhal, assume control of the forces assembled there, and begin the march. Afterwards, Rhaenys and Visenya would arrive with Brandon Snow, Torrhen Stark, and the northmen from Fairmarket, which would easy to take given their numbers and dragons, and link up with most of the forces at Raventree Hall. Meanwhile, Jaenyx would take enough troops to march on Riverrun and punish the Tullys for their betrayal. Riverrun will have a new lord before the year is out. But to whom shall it go to?
That was one of the issues that Aegon had in his mind. While a few houses in the riverlands such as the Darrys, the Blackwoods, and the Malisters remained faithful, many others did not and their keeps would have need for new overlords. The Twins would go to a Northern house, as stipulated in the terms with the Starks. Stone Hedge was demolished, but the castle could easily be rebuilt and the Blackwoods would be rewarded with their lands. Riverrun was trickier, as there would be no other houses besides the ones that the dragons would already reward and there had to be a limit to how much they received. Aegon decided that Riverrun would remain in their personal custody until the matter on the new overlord was settled.
Going back to the battle at hand and courtesy of the early dawn hours, Aegon saw that the first boats carrying the Haru and Blackwood men had reached the northern shore of the Red Fork, close enough to move on the enemy encampment. Looking more closely at the location, it was a collection of tents that could house five thousand men form what Aegon estimated. However, there were no natural barriers protecting the camp from attack, no sufficient fortifications around the tents, and no guards on duty. Given that Smith Day celebrations were enough to put any to drunkenness, there was no reason to doubt that it would have the same effects on soldiers, especially those who were pious and serving the wishes of the High Septon.
But what equally offended Aegon was how… lax their enemies were in this place. Even with a major holy day, they were still at war and thus could not afford to let their guard down. It was as if they assumed that the war was already won and that they could take the time to drown their worries in ale, good food, and possibly women. We were at ease before and now they will see the results of becoming complacent.
Aegon looked again at Jaenyx, who was pointing downwards. Urging Balerion to bank his wings right, he could see that the first Haru and Blackwood men and reach the outer perimeter of the camp, if they could call it that. He could make out two corpses lying on the ground dead and the nearest tent slowly catching fire.
That's the signal! Aegon and Jaenyx exchanged nods before diving downwards and separating to fly opposite arcs around the camp. Once the signal was given, that was when Balerion and Cloudwynd would make their presence known before Aegon and Jaenyx joined the troops on the ground.
"Dracarys!" Aegon yelled out to Balerion. Black flames darkened the morning rays as an arc of fire ran from the north down to the west. Pulling Balerion up, he saw Cloudwynd dive down also and releasing blue fire from the south to the west, linking with the black fire arc and thereby cutting off all escape routes for the enemy and separating them from the army surrounding Raventree Hall.
Aegon circled around Jaenyx for a second time as they adjusted their dragons towards the southern edge of the enemy camp, a small hill to be exact which still held a commanding view of the target.
Grasping Blackfyre in his hand while Flame Screecher was strapped to his back, Aegon slid off Balerion after he landed on the hill. Get in the air, Balerion. If you see more enemy troops coming, roar and then come back down to get me.
Got it, Aegon heard Balerion affirm before he flew back in the air. Jaenyx soon joined Aegon, Seablaze and his dagger drawn.
Walking together up the hill, they saw chaos break out in the enemy camp. Horns were blaring and bells were ringing, all adding the confusion of the troops who were disturbed from their festive slumber. They made out the banners of houses such as the sunbursts of the Kennings of Kayce, the ships of the Farmans of Faircastle, the peacock of the Serretts of Silverhill, and the black hooded man of the Baneforts. In addition, they could make out the banners of riverlander houses such as the Pipers, the Vances, and Smallwoods.
"Not the type of troops that I would entrust a chokepoint with," Aegon observed. He knew among the houses sworn to the King of the Rock, the Farmans, Serrets, and Baneforts were among those that contributed troops occupying the step below more capable houses such as the Crakehalls, the Marbrands, and the Reynes. As for the riverlander houses he could see, they largely presented no match for the houses such as the Brackens.
"Looks like the more able men are engaged elsewhere," Jaenyx looked the camp over.
"Still, five thousand men is a number that we cannot ignore. We break this army, the path to the Blackwood Vale and to Riverrun will be open to us. After we relieve Lord Blackwood and seize Riverrun, the rest of the region will follow," Aegon explained.
"Exactly," Jaenyx concurred.
As more screams could be heard, Aegon saw Kenzou Haru and a Blackwood man run to the hill. Kenzou ran up to Jaenyx before giving a nod to Aegon.
"Jaenyx, we've sowed confusion in the camp. All of them were too drunken to respond effectively but we're still outnumbered," Kenzou spoke in High Valyrian.
"That shouldn't be a problem," Jaenyx answered. "We cut their escape off in the north, west, and south and given that all of them are still trying to come to after a night of heavy feasting and drinking, we have a chance to break them. If the worse happens, we can call the dragons down for help."
"Understood," Kenzou nodded.
"Lord Aegon," the Blackwood man addressed him. "Lord Rivers has about two hundred men still in proper order. He requests advice, my lord."
Aegon took a look at the camp again before pointing with his hand. "Their entire right flank is engulfed in flames, so we have to roll up their left flank. Tell Lord Rivers to take his two hundred men and sweep eastwards and then wheeling around to deal with the rest of their camp."
"Yes, my lord," the Blackwood man bowed before running back into the fray.
"As for you, Kenzou, move like lightning through the center of the camp. Keep torching their tents and slash at any man still not wearing their trousers. Also, make sure that none of our men engage in looting until after the battle is done," Jaenyx ordered Kenzou.
"Will do, Jaenyx," Kenzou dipped his head before running back to the camp.
"Let's not keep them waiting any longer. Ready for the fight, Egg?" Jaenyx asked in High Valyrian. Even though Aegon was glad that his good-brother was being more considerate by speaking in the common tongue more often, he had to admit that there was something special whenever he heard something from the days of Valyria be spoken aloud.
"Always, Jae," Aegon managed in his best High Valyrian, prompting a toothy grin from his good-brother.
Striding down the hill with Blackfyre drawn, Aegon slashed at the first man that charged him, a footman wearing the Serret colors. The Valyrian steel blade cut through the gambeson and left a deep gash in his torso. He almost missed another attempting to stick him with a spear, but slid to the left while parrying the shaft with Blackfyre. Aegon finished that spearman off with a slice across his neck, lopping his head clean off.
Aegon glanced to Jaenyx, who was fighting off three men at the same time. Why does he keep doing that? He knew that Jaenyx was more than capable of handling multiple opponents at the same time just like him, but it was taxing on the body and divided one's focus at critical moments. Sighing, he walked over to Jaenyx and stabbed one of his attackers in the back, the sharp point piercing through his body and exiting through the skin on the front side. Meanwhile, Jaenyx blocked one's axe with his dagger while spinning around and cutting across both of their bellies.
Jaenyx looked at Aegon and then the one he stabbed. "I had it covered, Egg."
"I know you did," Aegon patted him on the shoulder. "Just wanted to make things easier for you."
Jaenyx chuckled. "How considerate of you. Come on."
Aegon followed Jaenyx through the camp, where he could see more chaos spreading but the enemy were beginning to organize more effectively and forming ranks. Fires were spreading to more of the tents, but the enemy began fighting back more fiercely as they grabbed onto whatever swords, axes, or pikes they could get hands on. Horns were blaring throughout the camp to lift the troops' spirits and have them get into formation. Thankfully, none of their men were looting the enemy tents as would normally happen, since every moment counted towards destroying this force.
Aegon then saw a mounted knight charge towards him and Jaenyx. Eyes widening in alarm, he scrambled into his fighting stance, held up Blackfyre, and waited for the onslaught.
With his lance down and him having superior speed due to his horse, the mounted knight saw the grounded Aegon as an easy target, a severe mistake on his part. Nimbly, he crouched to his knees, dodging the lance. Blackfyre sliced clean through the horse's legs, sending it and the rider toppling to the ground in sickening crunches of bone. Aegon continued forward, where a few other Blackwood men joined him.
"My lord," one of the Blackwood men dipped his head. "We've pushed the enemy back to their command tent, but resistance is getting more organized."
"We push on," Aegon urged. "We destroy this camp, then the path to your home will be open. We cannot stop now."
"But my lord, we are still one thousand against possibly four," another Blackwood man joined in.
"That may be true, but it's a chance we have to take," Aegon exhorted. "The Red Fork must be forced open, or we won't advance further than we have."
Aegon continued to push through the camp, slashing and stabbing along the way. Finally, he came upon the command tent, which had the Kayce banner flying above it. At least they don't leave turncoats in charge. However, there were probably at least one hundred men-at-arms in shield formation, pikes down and shields raised.
Before Aegon could decide on the next move, the enemy decided to press their attack by advancing forward, their spears just waiting to pierce their flesh. He could hear an officer yelled "Forward! Advance! Advance!", as his troops began to move, with a horn blaring to help their spirits.
Aegon prepared himself to face the shield formation, as did the other men who readied their swords and axes. But luckily, black-clothed men struck them on the sides before they could make contact and thus avoiding a difficult fight.
Aegon charged forward, using Blackfyre to slice away spears as he used his momentum to charge through an opening in the shield wall. Other Blackwood men were quick to exploit that opening and the men of the Rock dropped their shields as their formation unraveled.
Aegon stabbed at a man-at-arms, going for the place that exposed his waist, before pushing him off the blade. He then parried another's sword strike before kicking beneath him and finishing him with a downward thrust into his heart. However, enemy troops were scattering and were fleeing from the camp. Aegon called out to Balerion through their bond. Chase them down. Burn any who might make it to their friends northwards or westwards.
Understood, Balerion responded as Aegon saw his dragon fly in pursuit and unleash more of his black flames on the retreating troops.
As Aegon approached the command tent after the spearmen were taken care of, a man emerged from the tent, dressed in his best armor. But he had his helm off of his head and his sword not raised.
"Enough!" the man ordered what was left of his command, which caught their attention. He turned to Aegon. "I am Ser Norret Serret, second son of Lord Serret and commander of this camp. To whom shall I address?"
Aegon and Jaenyx stepped forward. "You'll be speaking to us, Ser Norret. I am Aegon Targaryen and this is my good-brother, Jaenyx Belaerys."
Ser Norret recognized their names. "The victor at Rook's Rest and the one who rescued Lord Baratheon from Casterly Rock."
"Word spreads quickly," Jaenyx remarked.
"Indeed it does, my lord. Now enough blood has been spilled but I know that the battle is lost. Therefore, on behalf of the troops still alive, I yield and surrender myself into your custody." Ser Norret then held out his sword to Aegon. "Please accept this as my surrender, Lord Aegon. It is better to drop it so disrespectfully on the ground."
Aegon looked to Jaenyx, who nodded his assent, before he took the blade from Ser Norret's hands. "On behalf of House Targaryen, I accept your surrender. Tell your men to gather their weapons and drop them at a place set by Chrass Rivers and arrange yourselves for the journey eastwards to the Blackwater Bay."
Ser Norret bowed his head. "Yes, my lord."
"But before you do," Jaenyx stopped him. "I have some questions to ask you."
"Of course, my lord."
By some miracle, the Blackwoods, Harus, Velaryons, and Rahitheons only lost thirty men combined with dozens more wounded. However, out of five thousand enemy troops, only one thousand were seen alive, many due to the surprise attack in the early morning and to dragonfire.
Chrass Rivers began sending scouting parties into the Blackwood Vale, anxious for reports on Raventree Hall, while the Velaryons began to transport their loot and captured supplies on boats back east on the Red Fork to also inform the army at Harrenhal that it was time to advance. The Harus and Rahitheons established a perimeter around the remains of the camp while keeping a tight leash on the prisoners, who were gradually carried off on the Velaryon riverboats.
As for Aegon, he sat in the enemy's command tent while Jaenyx asked questions to Ser Norret regarding the enemy presence in the remainder of the riverlands. As Ser Norret surrendered peacefully, he was not bound and only had to take off his armor.
"And you say that eight thousand men currently besiege Raventree Hall, from houses such as Crakehall and Marbrand besides the Brackens and siege equipment?" Jaenyx wrote down on parchment.
"Yes, my lord. But we haven't had much success storming the castle since their garrison is half the number surrounding them. It didn't help our chances that the Brackens were with us, meaning that they will never surrender," Ser Norret explained.
"Of course they wouldn't. And what about the troops southwards and westwards of Riverrun? What is their count and composition?" Jaenyx continued.
"The Tullys hold Riverrun, which is the lynchpin for the entire army sword to King Loren in the Riverlands. If the fortress falls, then the rest follows."
"As we expected," Aegon joined in. "But how many are we facing?"
"One thousand Tully men in and around Riverrun and more alongside turncoat rivermen to their west. The Reynes and Westerlings are positioned further westwards, both of whom provide fourteen thousand men."
Jaenyx nodded. "Okay. That's all we needed to know. Kenzou here will escort you to your new quarters."
Ser Norret bobbed his head while Kenzou pushed him out of the tent.
"Fifteen thousand men, give or take," Aegon thought aloud.
"That's why we must relieve the Blackwoods. Once we have their men back in the field, taking Riverrun should be a relatively straightforward process," Jaenyx pointed out.
"Agreed." Seeing Jaenyx organize the parchment containing the new information, Aegon had to ask. "You're pretty good at this, getting information I mean."
"One of the things Sensei Konno taught me," Jaenyx folded the parchments and put them inside his tunic.
"Maybe when things are more… organized, I would like for you to be our lead man in all information gathering," Aegon said.
"Am I am not doing that already?" Jaenyx snorted.
"Brandon Snow said that me and Rhaenys will be rulers with crowns, and then you and Visenya. However, there are things that I cannot do and thus will need all the help I can get," Aegon admitted.
Jaenyx grinned. "Of course, Egg."
"And may I ask a favor of you?" Aegon wanted to get it out as much as he could.
"Sure."
"When the time comes, I would like for you to place the crown on my head." That, Jaenyx did not expect. "It will unify the Valyrians under us and show them that you are not subservient to us. Plus, it's only fair that the man who gave my big sister happiness be the one to do it."
Jaenyx took a moment to look at Aegon in his eyes before clasping his shoulders. "I'd be more than happy to."
Aegon smiled widely. "And when the time for you and Vis, I shall be happy to return the favor by putting a crown on your head. But I hope that being a prince will be enough for now."
"More than enough," Jaenyx pulled him for a hug. "Thanks, Egg."
Aegon returned the hug. "You're family. The least I can do."
A Rahitheon man entered the tent. "Oh. I am sorry, my lords. I didn't mean to interrupt—"
"It's all right," Jaenyx spoke in High Valyrian. "What is it?"
"We've got scouts coming our way. They're bearing the sigil of some white sun."
White sun… House Karstark? "Take us to them," Jaenyx ordered the Rahitheon man.
Aegon and Jaenyx walked to the edge of the camp, where there was indeed a party of scouts coming. There were ten men mounted on horseback, but from their armor, their helmets, and their rough appearances, Aegon knew that they were northmen.
Leading them was a man who might have passed thirty years, with his bushy black beard and hair mixed with a little white. But Aegon quickly recognized the warrior air that came off of him, as did the air of nobility from this man. He had seen it before in Larence Karstark.
"Good to see you again, Lord Karstark," Aegon greeted.
"Likewise, Lord Aegon," Lord Karstark dismounted his horse.
"With respect, but why are you here? We'd assume you'll still be with Torrhen Stark and the main army," Jaenyx addressed him.
"After we met Ladies Rhaenys and Visenya, King Torrhen wanted to see if we could link up with your army as quickly as possible. I wanted to join the scouts because I wanted to form my own relationship with you two," Lord Karstark answered.
"Well, we're glad for your presence nonetheless," Aegon gestured him to follow them.
"So, my lords, what are your plans for Raventree Hall? I'd assume that is where you will strike next," Lord Karstark inquired.
"Come inside the tent and we'll discuss it in detail," Jaenyx responded.