NOVEL NEXT Chapter 20: The Frey Gambit
Chapter 20: The Frey Gambit
The atmosphere on Sunblode Isle was uneasy. Ivar sat in his study , the glow of candlelight casting long shadows on the stone walls. A raven had arrived from Riverrun with troubling news : Walder Frey was making moves to undercut the Riverland Accord. His emissaries had been seen meeting with Lannister agents near Harrenhal, a sign of potential betrayal.
Lysa Blackthorne stood by the window, her sharp eyes scanning the dark sea. "The Freys were never going to play by the rules. Walder doesn't trust anyone, least of all us. He's hedging his bets."
Timothy Sunrise lounged in a chair, tossing a dagger between his hands. "Hedging? More like he's setting up a betrayal. The Lannisters don't negotiate—they dominate. If Frey's talking to them, he's looking for protection."
Ivar leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled. "He's testing the waters. Walder's smart enough to know that aligning with the Lannisters openly would paint a target on his back. But he's also greedy enough to risk everything for the promise of power."
Roland Emberhill, standing near the map table, frowned. "If Frey sides with the Lannisters, it'll fracture the Accord. We'll lose control of the Twins, and the Riverlands will fall into chaos again."
"That's what he's banking on," Lysa said, her tone cold. "Walder thrives in chaos. The more unstable the region, the more leverage he gains."
Ivar's voice cut through the discussion. "Then we deny him that chaos. If Walder Frey wants to play games, we'll show him how dangerous they can be."
Setting the Trap
The council convened in the great hall to discuss their next move. The table was strewn with letters, maps, and reports from Lysa's spies.
"We need proof," Duncan Greenfield said, his weathered face serious. "If we accuse Frey without evidence, we'll look paranoid—and worse, we'll alienate the Tullys."
"Agreed," Ivar said. "Lysa, your agents in the Twins—how close are they to Frey's inner circle?"
"Close enough," Lysa replied. "One of his household guards has been feeding us information. He claims Frey is planning a secret meeting with a Lannister envoy in two weeks' time."
"Where?" Roland asked.
"Harrenhal," Lysa said.
The room fell silent. The ruins of Harrenhal were a symbol of Westeros's fractured past, and their imposing presence made them a natural meeting point for clandestine dealings.
"We can't let that meeting happen," Timothy said. "If Frey and the Lannisters strike a deal, it'll be a dagger in the back of the Riverlands."
"We won't stop the meeting," Ivar said, his voice calm but firm. "We'll use it."
Timothy's eyebrows raised. "Use it how?"
"Let Frey think he's in control," Ivar replied. "We'll intercept the meeting, expose his dealings, and humiliate him in front of the other lords. It'll destroy his credibility and solidify our position in the Accord."
"And if the Lannisters retaliate?" Duncan asked.
"They won't," Ivar said. "Not openly. The Riverlands are still too unstable for Tywin to risk a full-scale invasion. He'll deny any involvement and let Frey take the fall."
Infiltrating the Twins
Lysa's spies moved quickly, slipping into the Twins under the cover of darkness. Disguised as merchants and laborers, they mingled with the castle's servants and guards, gathering every scrap of information they could.
One of the spies, a wiry man named Corin, delivered the breakthrough. Posing as a stablehand, he overheard a conversation between two Frey guards discussing the upcoming meeting.
"The old man's nervous," one guard said. "Keeps pacing and muttering about the Lannisters. Says this deal could change everything."
"Change everything for him, maybe," the other guard replied. "The rest of us? We'll be lucky if we don't end up in the middle of a war."
Corin relayed the information to Lysa, who immediately dispatched a raven to Sunblode Isle.
The Road to Harrenhal
Ivar and his retinue departed Sunblode Isle at dawn, traveling under the guise of merchants. Their small group included Timothy, Roland, Lysa, and ten enhanced soldiers dressed as common guards. The journey to Harrenhal was long and uneventful, but the tension among the group was palpable.
As they camped one night near the God's Eye, Timothy broke the silence. "Do you think Frey actually believes he can outsmart the Lannisters? Or is he just desperate?"
"Both," Ivar said, staring into the fire. "Desperation makes men reckless. Walder Frey is a snake, but even snakes make mistakes when cornered."
Roland frowned. "This isn't just about Frey, though. The Lannisters wouldn't send an envoy unless they saw an opportunity to destabilize the Riverlands."
"They're testing us," Ivar said. "But we'll show them that House Sunblode isn't to be trifled with."
The Meeting at Harrenhal
Harrenhal rose before them like a broken colossus, its charred towers and crumbling walls a stark reminder of the devastation left in the wake of dragons. Ivar's party approached cautiously, keeping to the shadows as they scouted the perimeter.
Lysa's agents were already in position, having secured a vantage point overlooking the castle's main hall. Inside, Walder Frey sat at a long table, his gnarled hands drumming impatiently on the wood. Across from him sat the Lannister envoy, a sharp-featured man in crimson robes.
"Lord Frey," the envoy began, his voice smooth and confident, "House Lannister recognizes your… unique position in the Riverlands. With Riverrun distracted and the smaller houses squabbling, you are poised to seize unparalleled influence."
Frey leaned forward, his beady eyes gleaming. "And what does House Lannister offer in exchange for my cooperation?"
"Gold," the envoy said. "Enough to fortify your castles, expand your armies, and ensure your rivals think twice before challenging you. All we ask in return is your support when the time comes."
"And by support, you mean treachery," Ivar muttered from his hiding spot.
Timothy grinned. "Should we make our entrance?"
"Not yet," Ivar said. "Let him hang himself a little longer."
Inside, Frey hesitated, his fingers tapping the table. "And what of House Sunblode? That upstart lord has been a thorn in my side since the Accord began."
The envoy smirked. "Leave him to us. Once our plans are in motion, he'll be dealt with."
Ivar signaled his soldiers. "Now."
The Reveal
The doors to the hall burst open as Ivar strode in, his soldiers flanking him. Walder Frey's expression shifted from shock to anger, while the Lannister envoy's face darkened.
"Lord Frey," Ivar said, his voice cold. "I didn't realize you were hosting guests. Perhaps I should have brought wine."
Frey rose from his seat, his hands trembling. "What is the meaning of this? You have no right—"
"I have every right," Ivar interrupted. "As a member of the Riverland Accord, it's my duty to ensure its members aren't conspiring with our enemies."
The envoy stood, his composure faltering. "This is an outrage! You have no authority here."
"And yet here I am," Ivar said, stepping closer. "House Lannister overreaches once again. But this time, your plans won't succeed."
He turned to Frey, his gaze icy. "You've made a grave mistake, Lord Frey. Betrayal comes with consequences."
Frey's face twisted with desperation. "You think you can threaten me? I am the Lord of the Crossing!"
"And I am Ivar Sunblode," Ivar said, his voice low and menacing. "The man who burned the Ironborn fleet and shattered their power. Do you really want to test me?"
The hall fell silent as Frey slumped back into his chair, defeated.
Aftermath
The Lannister envoy was sent back to Casterly Rock in chains, a clear message to Tywin that the Riverlands would not tolerate interference. Frey, humiliated and cornered, was forced to reaffirm his loyalty to the Accord under strict terms.
As Ivar's party rode back to Sunblode Isle, Timothy glanced at him with a grin. "That was satisfying."
"It's not over," Ivar said. "The Freys will seethe, and the Lannisters will plan. But for now, we've bought ourselves time."
"And what do we do with that time?" Roland asked.
"We build," Ivar said. "Stronger fleets, stronger armies, and stronger alliances. The Riverlands will be ready for whatever comes next."