Game of thrones: the Sunblode rise

Chapter 43: The Winds of Vengeance

The Riverlands were quiet in the days following the siege of Riverrun, but the peace felt fragile, as if the very air carried the weight of Tywin Lannister's unspoken fury. Scouts brought troubling reports of renewed Lannister activity: fresh troops gathering at Harrenhal, mercenaries hired from Essos, and supply lines stretching from the Westerlands to the Riverlands' borders.

In Riverrun's war room, Ivar Sunblode and his council studied these developments with growing unease. They knew Tywin was preparing for another strike, one designed not to test their defenses, but to shatter them entirely.

"We can't wait for him to come to us again," Roland Emberhill said, leaning over the map of the Riverlands spread across the table. "If we do, Riverrun will be surrounded before we can react."

"And if we overextend ourselves, we leave our flanks exposed," Duncan Greenfield countered. "Tywin's too smart to miss an opportunity like that."

Lysa Blackthorne, seated near the fire, spoke up. "We need more than just swords and shields. We need to sow doubt in Tywin's ranks, turn his allies against him."

Ivar nodded thoughtfully. "Lysa's right. We've proven we can hold our ground, but holding isn't enough. We need to make Tywin bleed—economically, politically, and militarily. Timothy, I want you and your team to focus on disrupting his supply lines. Hit them hard and fast."

Timothy grinned, the firelight glinting off his daggers. "Consider it done."

"And the Tyrells?" Roland asked.

"They're sending more troops," Lysa said. "But it'll take time for them to arrive. Until then, we're on our own."

At Harrenhal, Tywin Lannister stood before his assembled commanders. The chamber, once grand, was now filled with the grim resolve of men preparing for war.

"Our last assault failed because we underestimated their resolve," Tywin began, his voice cold and steady. "That mistake will not be repeated. This time, we isolate Riverrun completely—cut off their supplies, burn their fields, and destroy any house that dares to aid them."

Ser Gregor Clegane, the Mountain, grunted in approval. "Leave the burning to me."

Tywin's gaze was steely. "You'll have your chance, Ser Gregor. But remember, chaos alone won't win this war. Discipline and precision will. Every step we take must weaken them further until they have no choice but to surrender."

Kevan Lannister, standing at his brother's side, added, "And what of the Tyrells? They've sent aid to Riverrun. If they commit fully, they could turn the tide."

Tywin's lip curled in disdain. "The Tyrells are opportunists. We remind them of the cost of defying us. For now, we focus on breaking the Riverlands. Once Riverrun falls, the rest will follow."

On a moonless night, Timothy Sunrise and his team of enhanced soldiers infiltrated a Lannister supply convoy near the Red Fork. Moving like shadows, they disabled wagons, set fire to provisions, and killed the guards with ruthless efficiency.

As the last wagon burned, Timothy turned to his team, his grin sharp. "That'll slow them down. Let's see Tywin march without his bread."

One of the soldiers, a wiry man named Corren, frowned. "You think it'll be enough? They've got more supplies coming from the west."

"Then we hit those next," Timothy said. "One step at a time, Corren. That's how you bring a lion to its knees."

While Timothy disrupted Tywin's supply lines, Lysa traveled to Maidenpool to meet with a mysterious figure—an emissary from Essos who claimed to have information that could change the course of the war.

The meeting took place in a darkened inn, the shutters drawn to keep prying eyes away. The emissary, a slender man with a sharp smile, introduced himself as Klyros, a merchant with connections to the Free Cities.

"I hear you're looking for ways to humble the lion," Klyros said, his tone smooth.

"We're looking for ways to win," Lysa replied. "What do you have to offer?"

Klyros leaned forward, his smile widening. "The Golden Company. Ten thousand seasoned fighters, loyal to gold and nothing else. They've been waiting for the right contract, and I happen to know their commander."

Lysa's eyes narrowed. "And what would this cost us?"

"Gold," Klyros said simply. "A king's ransom, to be precise. But considering the stakes, I'd say it's a bargain."

Lysa considered the offer carefully. The Golden Company could tip the scales, but their price was steep, and trusting sellswords was always a risk.

"I'll need time to discuss this with my lord," she said finally.

"Of course," Klyros replied, his smile never fading. "But don't take too long. Opportunities like this don't wait forever."

Back at Riverrun, the council debated the risks and rewards of hiring the Golden Company.

"It's too risky," Duncan said. "We don't have the gold, and even if we did, there's no guarantee they'll stay loyal."

"But their strength could turn the tide," Roland argued. "If Tywin sees us fielding an army like that, it might force him to retreat."

Ivar listened to both sides before speaking. "We'll keep the option open, but it's a last resort. For now, we focus on our own forces. If we can hold Riverrun again, we'll send a clear message that the Riverlands won't be broken."

As Tywin's forces moved closer to Riverrun, his strategy of scorched earth began to take its toll. Villages were razed, fields burned, and desperate refugees fled toward the safety of Riverrun's walls.

On the battlements, Ivar watched as a caravan of displaced families approached the castle gates. He felt the weight of their fear and desperation, and it only strengthened his resolve.

"We can't save everyone," Lysa said quietly, joining him.

"No," Ivar replied. "But we can save enough. And we can make sure Tywin pays for every life he takes."

The Riverlands braced for Tywin's assault. Soldiers trained tirelessly, and the walls of Riverrun were reinforced once more. The Tyrell reinforcements, though delayed, were expected within weeks, giving the defenders hope that they might hold out long enough for relief to arrive.

In the war room, Ivar addressed his council. "Tywin thinks he can starve us out, but we won't let him. We'll fight for every inch of this land, and we'll make him regret ever stepping into the Riverlands."

Timothy grinned. "Let's show him what happens when a lion meets a wolf with nothing to lose."

This is my PayPal account

[email protected]

@abdelkabirsouatra

Enny help will be welcomed 🤗

https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/5BM457G6Z775W