Game of thrones: the Sunblode rise

Chapter 53: Tywin's Ruthless Advance

Tywin Lannister was not a man who tolerated failure, and the defeat at the Red Fork had wounded his pride. Yet, for all the frustration that boiled beneath his calm exterior, he was not rash. Tywin's fury was like the edge of a finely honed blade—sharp, precise, and lethal.

In the great hall of Harrenhal, Tywin convened his commanders once more. The air was tense, charged with the weight of their recent losses and the looming decisions that would shape the course of the war.

Seated at the head of the table, Tywin studied the map before him. His fingers tapped the edge of the table in a slow, deliberate rhythm, a sound that filled the silent room. Finally, he spoke, his voice cold and commanding.

"We underestimated Sunblode," he said, his gaze sweeping over the assembled men. "The ambush at the Red Fork was a calculated move, and it cost us dearly. But make no mistake—this was not a victory. It was a delay. And delays are something we can no longer afford."

Kevan Lannister, standing at his brother's side, nodded grimly. "Sunblode's forces are smaller, but his strategy is sound. He's using the terrain and his mobility to his advantage. If we want to break him, we'll need to draw him into open battle."

"Agreed," Tywin said. "But we won't fight on his terms. If he thinks he can bleed us with skirmishes and ambushes, we will show him the cost of his defiance."

Ser Addam Marbrand leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "The Riverlands are still vulnerable, my lord. Their villages, their farms—if we continue our scorched-earth campaign, it will force Sunblode to act. He can't defend Riverrun and protect his people at the same time."

Tywin nodded. "Precisely. We'll strike where it hurts most—his resources, his allies, his morale. Gregor," he said, turning to the Mountain.

Gregor Clegane's scarred face twisted into a grotesque grin. "What do you need?"

"You will lead a force into the southern Riverlands," Tywin said. "Burn their villages, destroy their crops, and kill anyone who resists. Leave nothing standing. Sunblode wants to be the champion of the Riverlands? Let him try to rule over ashes."

"And the smaller houses?" Kevan asked. "Some of them are already wavering. If we apply pressure, they might switch sides."

"Offer them terms," Tywin replied. "Land, gold, protection—whatever it takes to bring them into the fold. But make it clear that those who refuse will share the same fate as the rest of the Riverlands."

Kevan hesitated. "And if Sunblode intervenes?"

Tywin's gaze hardened. "Then we crush him. But only when we're ready."

At Riverrun, the first reports of Tywin's new strategy arrived within days. Refugees poured into the castle, their faces etched with fear and exhaustion. Villages had been razed, their inhabitants slaughtered or driven from their homes.

In the war room, Ivar and his council listened to the accounts with growing anger. The scale of Tywin's brutality was staggering, even for a man as ruthless as the Lord of Casterly Rock.

"He's trying to break us," Roland Emberhill said, his tone grim. "If we don't stop him, the Riverlands will starve before winter."

Lysa Blackthorne stood by the map, her sharp eyes scanning the markers that represented Tywin's movements. "He's targeting the southern villages first, but it's only a matter of time before he moves north. If we stretch our forces too thin trying to defend every village, we risk leaving Riverrun exposed."

"And if we don't defend the villages?" Duncan Greenfield asked. "We'll lose the support of the smaller houses. They're already wavering."

Ivar leaned over the table, his expression unreadable as he considered their options. The weight of leadership pressed heavily on him, the knowledge that every decision carried consequences for thousands of lives.

"We can't save everyone," he said finally, his voice quiet but firm. "If we try, Tywin will exploit it. But we can't let him destroy the Riverlands unchallenged."

"What do you propose?" Roland asked.

"We need to draw Tywin into a decisive battle," Ivar said. "But not on his terms. If we can force him to commit his forces to a single location, we can counter his scorched-earth campaign and deal a significant blow to his army."

"And how do we do that?" Lysa asked.

Ivar's gaze moved to the map. "We use bait. A target that Tywin can't ignore."

"The Tumblestone crossings," Duncan suggested. "They're vital for his supply lines. If he thinks we're planning to reinforce them, he might move his forces there."

Ivar nodded. "Exactly. We'll spread false intelligence through Lysa's network, suggesting that we're diverting troops to fortify the crossings. At the same time, we'll reinforce the southern villages with smaller, mobile forces. If Tywin splits his army to pursue both targets, we'll have the advantage."

"And if he sees through the deception?" Roland asked.

"Then we adapt," Ivar said, his tone resolute. "But we can't afford to wait. Every day Tywin burns the Riverlands, we lose more than just soldiers—we lose the people's faith."

Timothy Sunrise grinned from his place near the wall. "So, another trap? I like it. Let's see if Tywin can outthink us this time."

The council worked late into the night, refining their plan. Lysa dispatched her spies with orders to spread the false intelligence, while Timothy and Roland coordinated the deployment of their mobile forces.

Meanwhile, Ivar met with the lords of the smaller houses, rallying their support and assuring them that the Riverlands would stand strong.

"We've faced Tywin before, and we've prevailed," Ivar said during a meeting in Riverrun's great hall. His voice carried over the gathered lords, each of them weary but attentive. "He wants us to believe we're alone, that we're weak. But we're not. Together, we are stronger than any lion."

The lords murmured their agreement, though their expressions betrayed their lingering doubts.

As the preparations continued, Tywin's forces pressed deeper into the Riverlands. Gregor Clegane led his raids with brutal efficiency, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. Villages burned, fields were salted, and the survivors fled toward Riverrun in desperation.

But even as the Riverlands burned, Ivar's plan began to take shape. Scouts reported that Tywin was shifting his forces toward the Tumblestone, drawn by the false reports of Riverland reinforcements.

In the shadows of Riverrun's war room, Ivar stood with Lysa, Roland, and Timothy, the tension in the air palpable.

"It's working," Lysa said, her tone measured. "Tywin's moving his army. But we need to act quickly. If we wait too long, he might see through the deception."

"We'll move at first light," Ivar said. "This is our chance to strike a decisive blow. Let's make it count."

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