NOVEL NEXT Chapter 32: Blades in the Dark
Chapter 32: Blades in the Dark
The Riverlands were restless. Ivar Sunblode's efforts to rally the smaller houses and fortify key positions had strengthened the Accord, but Tywin Lannister's shadow loomed ever larger. Whispers of a renewed offensive from the west traveled faster than ravens, and Ivar knew their respite would be short-lived.
But the battlefield wasn't the only place where war was waged. In the dark corners of the Riverlands, far from the clang of swords and the roar of siege engines, another war unfolded—a war of shadows, secrets, and whispered promises.
The Spymaster's Gambit
Lysa Blackthorne had long been Ivar's most trusted advisor when it came to matters of intelligence. Her network of spies extended across the Riverlands and beyond, each agent a thread in a web of intrigue that kept them one step ahead of their enemies.
In the dimly lit chamber beneath Riverrun, Lysa gathered her most reliable operatives. The air was thick with the smell of damp stone and burning candles, and the tension in the room was palpable.
"The Lannisters are amassing near Harrenhal," Lysa began, her voice sharp and commanding. "But Tywin's strength lies in more than just his soldiers. His supply lines, his informants, his alliances—these are his real weapons. If we want to weaken him, we strike at the foundations of his power."
One of the spies, a wiry man with a scar running down his cheek, spoke up. "We've identified several key supply routes heading toward Harrenhal. If we hit them hard enough, it'll delay any offensive they're planning."
Lysa nodded. "Good. Disrupt their shipments, but do it quietly. If Tywin realizes we're targeting his supplies, he'll tighten security. Subtlety is key."
Another spy, a woman with sharp eyes and a steady hand, added, "There's also been talk of Tywin courting new allies in the Reach. If he secures their support, it could tip the balance."
Lysa's expression darkened. "Then we remind the Reach of the cost of aligning with Tywin. I'll handle that personally."
A Warning to the Reach
Lysa's mission to the Reach was a delicate one. Disguised as a traveling merchant, she made her way to Highgarden, the seat of House Tyrell. The Tyrells, though cautious, had not yet committed to either side of the war. Their loyalty would be a valuable prize for whoever secured it.
In a quiet tavern on the outskirts of Highgarden, Lysa met with a minor Tyrell bannerman—a nervous young lord whose family had recently suffered losses in a skirmish with the Lannisters.
"Your lord grows rich from Tywin's coffers," Lysa said, her tone measured but firm. "But gold won't save Highgarden if the Riverlands fall. Tywin's victories will only make him bolder, and once he's done with us, he'll turn his gaze south."
The bannerman shifted uncomfortably. "And what would you have us do? Defy the Lannisters openly? That would be suicide."
"Not defiance—neutrality," Lysa replied. "Withdraw your support. Let Tywin fight his war without the Reach's strength to back him. And when the time comes, you'll find the Riverlands far more grateful than the Lannisters ever could be."
The bannerman hesitated, then nodded slowly. "I'll speak to my lord, but I can make no promises."
"That's all I ask," Lysa said, rising from her seat.
Ambush on the Red Fork
While Lysa worked in the shadows, Timothy Sunrise led a daring ambush on a Lannister supply convoy traveling along the Red Fork. His team of enhanced soldiers waited in the cover of the dense forest, their breaths steady as the sound of wagon wheels grew louder.
Timothy grinned as the convoy came into view, its wagons laden with grain and weapons destined for Harrenhal. "Alright, lads," he said, drawing his daggers. "Let's make this quick."
The attack was swift and brutal. The enhanced soldiers moved like ghosts, cutting down the Lannister guards with precision. Arrows whistled through the air, striking drivers and horses alike. Within moments, the convoy was in flames, its cargo scattered across the muddy road.
One of the captured guards spat at Timothy's feet. "You think this will stop us? Tywin will crush you."
Timothy crouched down, his grin widening. "Tell him to try. And while you're at it, let him know we're just getting started."
The guard's defiance faltered as Timothy rose, his voice carrying across the ruined convoy. "Burn it all. Leave nothing for Tywin to recover."
A Rift Among the Lords
Back at Riverrun, tensions among the Riverland lords reached a boiling point. Word of the ambushes and Lysa's mission to the Reach had spread, and not everyone approved of Ivar's methods.
At a council meeting, Walder Frey voiced his concerns loudly. "This constant meddling—these raids and covert operations—will only provoke Tywin further. We're playing with fire, and it's the Riverlands that will burn."
Tytos Blackwood slammed a fist on the table. "The Riverlands are already burning, thanks to Tywin! At least Lord Sunblode is taking action instead of cowering behind his walls."
"And what happens when Tywin retaliates?" Frey sneered. "When he brings the full force of his armies down on us?"
Ivar stood, his presence silencing the room. "If Tywin could crush us, he would have done it already. He's trying to break us through fear because he knows the Riverlands are stronger than he anticipated. The moment we stop fighting is the moment we lose."
The lords exchanged uneasy glances, but none dared challenge him further.
A Vision of the Future
That night, Ivar sat alone in the solar, studying the map of the Riverlands spread across the table. Each mark on the parchment represented a battle won, a village lost, or a critical stronghold yet to be taken.
Lysa entered quietly, her sharp gaze softening as she saw the weight on his shoulders. "You're carrying too much," she said, pouring a glass of wine and placing it in front of him.
"I don't have a choice," Ivar replied. "Every decision I make affects thousands of lives. If I falter…"
"You won't," Lysa said firmly. "Because you're not just fighting for yourself. You're fighting for all of us."
Ivar looked up at her, his expression weary but determined. "Do you ever wonder if it's worth it? All this sacrifice, all this bloodshed—what if we're just delaying the inevitable?"
Lysa sat across from him, her voice steady. "It's worth it because you're giving people something Tywin never could—hope. And that's something no army can take away."
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