NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15: Tying the Knots
Chapter 15: Tying the Knots
The council at Riverrun had gone as expected, but Ivar knew it was only the first step. Words alone would not bind the Riverlands together. Trust would have to be built, enemies would need to be placated or eliminated, and alliances would have to be sealed with actions, not promises.
Riding back to Sunblode Isle, Ivar reviewed every conversation he had during the council. Every hesitation, every veiled threat, and every grudging agreement. Each was a thread in the intricate web he was weaving, and he would need to pull on all of them to make his vision a reality.
"You were quiet for most of the ride," Timothy said as they dismounted at the gates of the manor. "Thinking about the Tullys, or the Freys?"
"Both," Ivar replied, brushing the dust from his cloak. "The Tullys are practical, but they're also cautious. Hoster Tully won't act decisively unless he's forced to, which means we'll have to be the ones setting the pace."
"And the Freys?"
"They'll follow the coin," Ivar said. "But Walder Frey will look for any opportunity to undercut us. We need to keep him dependent on our trade routes while making it clear that betrayal will cost him dearly."
Timothy grinned. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"
"I have a few ideas," Ivar said, his tone cold. "But first, we need to deal with the Blackwoods and Brackens."
In the days following their return, Ivar called his council together in the great hall. A map of the Riverlands was spread across the table, marked with the sigils of its major houses.
"The Blackwoods and Brackens are at each other's throats again," Lysa Blackthorne began, tapping the map. "Skirmishes near their borders have left several villages burned and dozens dead."
"The feud weakens them both," Roland Emberhill said. "If it continues, they'll drain each other dry—and leave their lands vulnerable to opportunists."
"Vulnerable to us, you mean," Timothy said with a sly grin.
Roland shrugged. "If we don't take advantage, someone else will."
"We will take advantage," Ivar said, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. "But not by conquering them outright. Not yet. Instead, we'll position ourselves as the solution to their conflict. If they rely on us to maintain peace, they'll become dependent—and that's when we'll have control."
Lysa nodded thoughtfully. "The Blackwoods already trust us more than the Brackens. Lord Tytos respects strength, and we've shown him that. But Lord Jonos Bracken is proud, and he won't submit easily."
"Then we offer him something he can't refuse," Ivar said. "Land, trade, protection—whatever it takes to bring him into the fold."
"And if he refuses?" Duncan Greenfield asked.
"Then we deal with him," Ivar replied coldly. "One way or another."
Ivar sent Timothy to Raventree Hall to speak with Lord Tytos Blackwood, while Roland led a small delegation to Stone Hedge to meet with Lord Jonos Bracken. Each was tasked with brokering a temporary truce while subtly positioning House Sunblode as the arbiter of power in the region.
At Raventree Hall, Timothy found Tytos Blackwood in a somber mood. The ancient weirwood tree that gave the hall its name loomed over the courtyard, its pale bark and red leaves casting an eerie light on the proceedings.
"My lord," Timothy began, bowing low. "I bring greetings from Lord Sunblode, who wishes to see peace restored to these lands."
"Peace?" Tytos said, his tone bitter. "There can be no peace as long as the Brackens continue their provocations. They've burned our villages, slaughtered our people—and for what? Old grudges and petty rivalries?"
"And how many of your soldiers have died in this feud?" Timothy asked, his voice calm. "How much of your land lies fallow because of it? My lord, this conflict weakens you, but it strengthens your enemies. The Ironborn, the Freys, the Lannisters—they all stand to benefit from your distraction."
Tytos frowned, but he said nothing.
"Lord Sunblode proposes a truce," Timothy continued. "Let us mediate between you and the Brackens. Together, we can ensure that both houses prosper instead of bleed."
Tytos hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Very well. If Lord Sunblode can bring Jonos Bracken to the table, I will listen."
At Stone Hedge, Roland faced a more difficult task. Lord Jonos Bracken was as proud and stubborn as his reputation suggested, and the recent skirmishes had only hardened his resolve.
"Why should I trust Sunblode?" Jonos demanded, pacing the length of the hall. "You've supported the Blackwoods at every turn. How do I know this isn't just another ploy to undermine me?"
Roland remained calm, his hands resting on the hilt of his sword. "Because it's in our best interest to see both houses thrive. A strong Riverlands benefits everyone, and Lord Sunblode believes that strength comes from unity."
Jonos scoffed. "Unity? You sound like a Tully."
"Perhaps," Roland said. "But consider this: the Ironborn are growing bolder, and the Freys are aligning themselves with the Lannisters. Do you think they care about the Blackwood-Bracken feud? They'll sweep through both your lands if it suits their purposes."
Jonos scowled but didn't argue.
"Join us," Roland said. "Let House Sunblode mediate a truce. You don't have to like it, but it's better than letting your enemies profit from your weakness."
After a long silence, Jonos nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But if this truce falls apart, I'll hold Sunblode accountable."
The negotiations between the Blackwoods and Brackens took place on neutral ground, with Ivar presiding over the talks. The tension in the room was palpable as Tytos Blackwood and Jonos Bracken sat across from each other, their expressions guarded.
"This feud has cost both your houses dearly," Ivar began, his tone calm but firm. "Villages burned, soldiers lost, and lands left undefended. It's time to put an end to it."
Tytos crossed his arms. "I'll consider peace if the Brackens return the land they've taken."
Jonos bristled. "That land was ours to begin with. If anything, the Blackwoods owe us reparations for years of raids and theft."
Ivar raised a hand, silencing them both. "This is not about assigning blame. It's about moving forward. If both houses agree to a truce, House Sunblode will guarantee the security of your borders and provide support for rebuilding your lands."
"And if one of us breaks the truce?" Tytos asked.
"Then you'll answer to us," Ivar said, his voice cold. "And I assure you, neither of you wants that."
The room fell silent. Finally, Tytos and Jonos exchanged reluctant nods.
"Agreed," Tytos said.
"Agreed," Jonos echoed, though his tone was grudging.
As the lords departed, Timothy turned to Ivar with a grin. "You did it. For now, at least."
"For now," Ivar agreed. "But this truce is just the beginning. We've positioned ourselves as the arbiters of power in this region. The Blackwoods and Brackens may not trust each other, but they'll come to trust us—or fear us."
"And the Freys?" Timothy asked.
"We'll deal with them next," Ivar said. "One step at a time."
Later that evening, as Ivar stood on the balcony of his study, he gazed out over the village below. The fires of the forges glowed in the darkness, and the sounds of hammering and shouting carried on the night air.
Lysa entered the room quietly, a sealed letter in her hand. "A raven from Riverrun," she said. "Lord Tully has invited you to join a coalition to address the Ironborn threat. He's calling it the Riverland Accord."
Ivar took the letter and read it carefully, his expression thoughtful.
"What do you think?" Lysa asked.
"I think Hoster Tully is trying to reassert his authority," Ivar said. "But he's giving us exactly what we need. If this accord succeeds, we'll be at the center of it. And if it fails, we'll be in the perfect position to pick up the pieces."
Lysa nodded. "Shall I send a reply?"
"Yes," Ivar said, his gaze distant. "Tell him House Sunblode is ready to stand with the Riverlands. For now."