SWNOVELXO Chapter 56: Rallying the Riverlands
Chapter 56: Rallying the Riverlands
The Riverlands were scarred by war, but its people were not yet broken. Smoke still rose from burned-out villages, and the once-vibrant fields were littered with ash and debris. Refugees crowded the roads leading to Riverrun, their faces etched with exhaustion and fear. Yet, amidst the despair, a spark of defiance remained. It was this spark that Ivar Sunblode sought to ignite into a roaring fire.
In the days following the victory at the Tumblestone, Ivar and his council turned their attention to the Riverlands' wavering lords. Tywin's scorched-earth campaign and unrelenting pressure had sown doubt among the smaller houses, and whispers of betrayal still lingered. Ivar knew that unity was the key to survival. Without it, the Riverlands would fall, no matter how strong Riverrun's walls were.
The great hall of Riverrun was alive with activity as lords and their retainers gathered to hear Ivar speak. The air was thick with tension, the murmurs of the crowd reflecting the uncertainty that gripped the region. Ivar stood at the head of the hall, his crimson cloak a stark contrast to the muted colors of the assembled nobles.
He raised a hand, and the room fell silent. His gaze swept over the crowd, meeting the eyes of each lord in turn.
"My lords," Ivar began, his voice carrying the weight of both authority and conviction. "We stand at a crossroads. The lion marches toward us, his army intent on breaking the Riverlands. He burns our villages, slaughters our people, and sows fear wherever he goes. But I tell you now—fear is his weapon, and unity is our shield."
A murmur rippled through the crowd, some nodding in agreement while others exchanged wary glances.
"We have faced Tywin before," Ivar continued, his voice rising. "At the Red Fork, we held. At the Tumblestone, we triumphed. We have shown the lion that the Riverlands will not bow, that we are not prey to be hunted but wolves who will fight to the last breath."
Lord Edric Waynwood, a stout man with a perpetually furrowed brow, stepped forward. "Victory at the Tumblestone was a boon, but it was a single battle. Tywin's strength is vast, and his reach is long. How can we hope to stand against him when he comes for Riverrun?"
"We stand together," Ivar replied, his tone firm. "Tywin's strength lies in division. He wants us to believe that we are alone, that our cause is hopeless. But look around you. Look at the men and women who fight beside you. We are not alone. We are the Riverlands, and this is our home."
Another voice rose from the crowd—Lord Fenton Darry, his recent betrayal fresh in Ivar's mind. "Fine words, Lord Sunblode. But what of the smaller houses? What do you offer us in return for our loyalty? Tywin offers protection, wealth, power. What can you give us that he cannot?"
Ivar's gaze locked onto Darry, his expression unyielding. "I offer you something Tywin cannot: freedom. The freedom to rule your lands without fear of subjugation. The freedom to stand as lords, not as pawns in Tywin's game. If you choose Tywin, you choose servitude. If you choose the Riverlands, you choose to fight for a future that belongs to all of us."
Darry hesitated, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. The room watched in silence, the weight of the moment pressing down on everyone.
It was Lysa Blackthorne who broke the tension. She stepped forward, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd. "We've all seen what Tywin does to those who defy him. But let me tell you something: his power is not absolute. He is not invincible. We've proven that time and again. And with your support, we will prove it once more."
The murmurs grew louder, a ripple of cautious agreement spreading through the hall. Lord Waynwood nodded slowly, his expression softening. "You speak wisely, Lord Sunblode. The Riverlands will stand with you—for now."
Darry's hesitation lingered, but he finally inclined his head. "You have my loyalty, Lord Sunblode. May your plan bring us victory."
As the lords departed, Ivar remained in the great hall with his council. The weight of the moment settled over him, but he allowed himself a faint smile.
"That was well done," Roland Emberhill said, clapping a hand on Ivar's shoulder. "You've given them hope—and a reason to fight."
"For now," Ivar said. "But hope alone won't win this war. We need to give them something more—a victory they can rally behind."
Timothy Sunrise grinned. "Then let's give it to them. The lion's coming, and I say we remind him whose land he's marching through."
The following days were spent fortifying Riverrun and rallying the smaller houses. Lysa traveled to key strongholds, meeting with lords who remained on the fence. Her sharp tongue and unyielding determination brought many into the fold, though she knew some were simply hedging their bets.
In one such meeting, Lysa sat across from Lord Reynard Vance, a shrewd and cautious man whose lands bordered Tywin's most recent raids. The two spoke in his solar, the room dimly lit by the fading light of dusk.
"You ask for my support," Vance said, swirling a goblet of wine. "But what guarantees can you give me? If Riverrun falls, my house falls with it."
"And if you side with Tywin, what then?" Lysa countered, her voice sharp. "Do you think he'll spare you out of the kindness of his heart? Tywin doesn't reward loyalty—he rewards obedience. Do you want to rule your lands, or do you want to kneel before a lion?"
Vance studied her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he set the goblet down and nodded. "You make a compelling argument, Lady Blackthorne. The Vances will stand with Riverrun—for now."
"Make it for the long term, Reynard," Lysa said, her tone icy. "Because if we win, we'll remember who stood with us—and who didn't."
Back at Riverrun, Ivar walked the battlements, watching as soldiers reinforced the walls and villagers carried supplies into the keep. The tension in the air was palpable, but there was also a sense of purpose—a quiet determination that had taken root among the people.
Lysa joined him, her cloak billowing in the evening breeze. "The lords are with us—for now," she said.
"That's all we need," Ivar replied. "Once we win the next battle, their loyalty will solidify."
"And if we lose?" Lysa asked quietly.
Ivar's gaze hardened. "Then we don't lose."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting Riverrun in shadow, Ivar turned his gaze toward the south. Tywin was coming, but the Riverlands were ready.