Game of thrones: the Sunblode rise

Chapter 59: The Lion’s Last Charge



Chapter 59: The Lion's Last Charge

The air around Riverrun was electric with tension. For days, Tywin Lannister's forces had battered the castle's defenses, their relentless assaults testing the resolve of the Riverlands' defenders. The siege engines groaned as they hurled stones at Riverrun's walls, and the cries of the wounded mingled with the clash of steel. Yet, despite the constant onslaught, Ivar Sunblode's forces had held strong.

Now, as the sun began to rise, the final act of the battle loomed. Tywin's army was battered but not broken, and the Lion of Casterly Rock prepared to unleash his full fury in a last, desperate charge.

From his position on the battlements, Ivar surveyed the battlefield, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. The once-green fields surrounding Riverrun were now a scarred wasteland, littered with the bodies of the fallen and the smoldering remains of siege engines. Despite the chaos, Ivar's mind was calm, calculating.

"They're preparing for a full assault," Roland Emberhill said, joining Ivar on the battlements. His face was streaked with soot, and his armor bore the marks of the previous day's fighting. "If they breach the walls…"

"They won't," Ivar said firmly. "This is Tywin's last gambit. He's thrown everything he has at us, and it's cost him dearly. His army is exhausted, his supplies are stretched thin, and his men are losing faith. All we have to do is hold."

"And if we can't?" Roland asked, his voice low.

Ivar turned to him, his expression unyielding. "Then we make them bleed for every inch. But they won't take this castle, Roland. Not today."

In Tywin's camp, the mood was grim but determined. The once-mighty army of House Lannister had been whittled down by weeks of ambushes, sabotage, and brutal fighting. Yet, despite the losses, Tywin's cold resolve remained unshaken.

"This ends today," Tywin said, addressing his commanders in the war tent. His voice was calm, his words carrying the weight of authority. "We will take Riverrun, no matter the cost. The men must understand that retreat is not an option."

Kevan Lannister nodded, though his expression was heavy. "The men are weary, Tywin. Many are questioning why we haven't withdrawn."

"Because a Lannister does not retreat," Tywin said coldly. "The Riverlands must be brought to heel, and Sunblode must be crushed. If we retreat now, we invite rebellion throughout the realm. Today, we remind them why House Lannister rules."

Ser Addam Marbrand stepped forward, his brow furrowed. "What's the plan, my lord?"

"We'll concentrate our forces on the eastern wall," Tywin replied, gesturing to the map spread across the table. "It's their weakest point, and if we breach it, the castle will fall. The infantry will lead the charge, supported by the archers. Gregor will command the vanguard."

The Mountain grinned, his massive hands gripping the hilt of his greatsword. "I'll tear those walls down myself if I have to."

"You may have to," Tywin said. "This is our last chance. Do not fail me."

As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, the Lannister army moved into position. The ground trembled beneath the weight of their advance, and the sound of their war horns echoed across the battlefield.

From the battlements of Riverrun, Ivar watched as the enemy forces assembled, their banners fluttering in the morning breeze. He could see the desperation in their movements, the way their lines wavered ever so slightly.

"They're throwing everything at us," Lysa Blackthorne said, joining Ivar on the wall. Her sharp eyes scanned the battlefield, taking in the mass of Lannister soldiers advancing toward the eastern wall.

"That's their mistake," Ivar replied. "Desperation makes men predictable."

"What's the plan?" Lysa asked.

"We hold the walls," Ivar said. "Roland's archers will target their officers, and Timothy's soldiers will disrupt their siege engines. Once their momentum is broken, we counterattack. But only when the time is right."

"And if Tywin leads the charge himself?" Lysa asked.

"Then we kill him," Ivar said simply.

The battle began with a deafening roar as the Lannister siege engines unleashed their fury. Stones crashed against Riverrun's walls, sending shards of rock and dust raining down on the defenders.

"Hold your ground!" Roland shouted, his voice carrying over the chaos. "Wait for my signal!"

The Lannister infantry advanced in tight formations, their shields raised as they pressed toward the eastern wall. Arrows rained down on them from the battlements, but they pressed on, their determination fueled by Tywin's iron will.

At the base of the wall, Gregor Clegane led the vanguard, his massive form cutting through the Riverlands' defenders like a scythe. His greatsword cleaved through shields and armor with brutal efficiency, his laughter echoing in the chaos.

"Is this all you've got?" Gregor bellowed, his voice a deep, guttural roar. "Come on! Fight me!"

On the battlements, Ivar watched the Mountain's rampage with a calm, calculating gaze. "He's drawing attention away from their main assault," he said to Roland. "Focus on the siege engines. Timothy's team should be in position by now."

In the woods near the battlefield, Timothy Sunrise and his enhanced soldiers moved with deadly precision. Using the cover of the trees, they approached the Lannister siege engines, their movements swift and silent.

Timothy gestured to his team, signaling them to attack. With a sudden burst of speed, they struck, cutting down the siege crews before they could react. Fires erupted as the soldiers doused the engines in oil and set them ablaze, the flames spreading rapidly.

"That should slow them down," Timothy said with a grin, wiping blood from his daggers.

Back at the wall, the Lannister forces began to falter. With their siege engines destroyed and their vanguard scattered, their momentum broke, and chaos spread through their ranks.

"Now!" Ivar shouted, raising his sword. "Push them back!"

The gates of Riverrun opened, and the Riverlands' defenders poured out, their war cries echoing across the battlefield. Ivar led the charge, his crimson cloak billowing behind him as he cut through the enemy lines with ruthless precision.

The clash of steel and the cries of the dying filled the air as the two armies collided. Despite their exhaustion, the Lannister forces fought fiercely, but they were no match for the Riverlands' disciplined counterattack.

As the sun reached its zenith, the Lannister army began to crumble. Tywin watched from the rear lines, his face a mask of cold fury.

"Sound the retreat," he said finally, his voice low but firm.

Kevan hesitated. "Tywin—"

"Now," Tywin said sharply. "We've lost this battle, but the war is far from over."

By nightfall, the battlefield was silent. The Lion of Casterly Rock had been forced to retreat, and the Riverlands had won a decisive victory.

In the great hall of Riverrun, Ivar stood before his assembled council, his face streaked with dirt and blood. Despite the exhaustion in his eyes, his voice was strong as he addressed the room.

"We held," he said simply. "And we'll keep holding. Tywin thought he could break us, but he underestimated the strength of the Riverlands. Today, we proved him wrong."

The room erupted in cheers, the sound reverberating through the castle. For the first time in weeks, hope burned brightly in the hearts of Riverrun's defenders.

As the cheers subsided, Lysa approached Ivar, her expression thoughtful. "Tywin won't forget this," she said. "He'll come back, and he'll be even more dangerous."

"Let him," Ivar replied, his gaze hard. "Because next time, we won't just defend. We'll take the fight to him."


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