NOVEL NEXT Chapter 35: Threads of Deception
Chapter 35: Threads of Deception
The Riverlands had withstood Tywin Lannister's latest advance, but the strain of war weighed heavily on Ivar Sunblode and his allies. Every victory came at a cost—lives lost, alliances strained, and resources dwindling. Though Tywin's forces had been scattered, Ivar knew the lion was far from defeated.
As the war dragged on, the battlefield shifted once more. The Riverlands held firm for now, but Ivar's enemies were growing more cunning, and the cracks in the Accord were becoming harder to ignore.
A Meeting with Frey
The summons came on a cold morning. Walder Frey had requested a private audience with Ivar at the Twins. While Frey's loyalty to the Accord remained tenuous, his control of the vital crossing over the Trident made him too important to ignore.
"You're sure this is wise?" Roland Emberhill asked as Ivar prepared to leave.
"No," Ivar admitted. "But if Frey is planning something, I need to know about it before it's too late."
Timothy Sunrise smirked, his daggers flashing in the morning light. "Want me to come along? A little insurance, in case the old man gets any ideas?"
Ivar shook his head. "No. If this turns into a show of force, Frey will dig his heels in. I'll take a small escort. Keep things quiet."
The Twins
The Twins loomed on the horizon, their twin towers rising like grim sentinels over the Trident. The bridge between them was bustling with activity, carts and travelers passing under the watchful eyes of Frey's guards.
Ivar was greeted in the great hall by Walder Frey himself, the old man seated on a high-backed chair, flanked by his numerous offspring. His thin lips curled into a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Lord Sunblode," Frey said, his voice rasping. "An honor, as always. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"
"You sent for me," Ivar replied evenly.
Frey chuckled. "Ah, yes. Forgive me. So many things to keep track of these days. Please, sit. We have much to discuss."
Ivar took his seat, his expression calm but watchful.
"I've heard whispers," Frey began, leaning forward. "Whispers that the Accord isn't as strong as it appears. Lords grumbling about the cost of war, villages burned to ash, soldiers stretched thin. Tell me, my lord—how long can we keep this charade going?"
"It's not a charade," Ivar said. "It's a fight for survival. Tywin Lannister wants us to doubt each other. That's how he wins. But as long as we stand united, we can outlast him."
Frey's smile widened, his thin fingers drumming on the arm of his chair. "And if unity falters? If the lords decide they've had enough? What then?"
"Then we remind them of what's at stake," Ivar said, his tone cold. "Because the moment we break, Tywin will show no mercy."
An Uneasy Departure
As Ivar prepared to leave the Twins, one of Frey's sons approached him with a message.
"My lord," the young Frey said hesitantly. "There's something you should know. Father has been corresponding with emissaries from King's Landing. He says it's just diplomacy, but…"
Ivar's gaze hardened. "Thank you. Your loyalty won't be forgotten."
The young man bowed and hurried away, leaving Ivar to ponder the implications.
Lysa's Discovery
Back at Riverrun, Lysa Blackthorne had been quietly investigating Frey's dealings. Her network of spies had uncovered troubling evidence: Frey was indeed in contact with King's Landing, and there were rumors of a secret deal being negotiated.
"Frey's playing both sides," Lysa reported during a council meeting. "He hasn't committed to Tywin yet, but he's testing the waters."
"We should've seen this coming," Roland said, his voice tense. "Frey's loyalty is worth less than the bridge he sits on."
"What do we do?" Duncan Greenfield asked.
Ivar's expression was unreadable as he considered their options. "We can't confront him directly—not yet. If we accuse him without proof, it'll push him closer to Tywin. For now, we watch him closely and keep him tied to the Accord."
"And if he betrays us?" Timothy asked, his grin sharp.
"Then we make an example of him," Ivar said, his voice cold.
A Growing Threat
As tensions with Frey simmered, reports arrived of renewed Lannister activity near Harrenhal. Tywin's forces were regrouping, and scouts reported sightings of siege engines and heavy cavalry being moved into position.
In the war room at Sunblode Isle, Ivar and his council studied the latest intelligence.
"They're preparing for another push," Lysa said, pointing to the map. "Harrenhal is the key. If Tywin can secure it, he'll have a staging ground for a full-scale invasion."
"We can't let that happen," Roland said.
"But we can't fight him directly," Duncan countered. "Not with the forces we have."
"Then we don't fight him directly," Ivar said. "We disrupt his plans before they come to fruition. Timothy, I want your team to hit their supply lines again. Lysa, find out where those siege engines are coming from and delay them by any means necessary. Roland, prepare the defenses at Harrenhal. If Tywin wants it, we'll make him pay dearly for it."
A Raid in the Night
Timothy led his team of enhanced soldiers on a daring raid against a Lannister supply convoy traveling through the woods near Harrenhal. The attack was swift and brutal, the soldiers using their speed and precision to overwhelm the enemy.
As the last wagon burned, Timothy turned to his team. "That'll slow them down. Let's move before they send reinforcements."
One of the soldiers hesitated. "What if Tywin's already accounted for this? He's not stupid."
Timothy smirked. "Then we make sure he's not the only one who gets to plan ahead."
A Fragile Accord
Back at Riverrun, Ivar met privately with Brynden Blackfish. The seasoned warrior's sharp eyes missed nothing, and his insights were invaluable.
"Frey's a problem," Brynden said bluntly. "If he turns, it could fracture the Accord."
"I know," Ivar replied. "But if we act too soon, we risk alienating the other lords. They need to see Frey for what he is—a traitor—before we make our move."
"And what if Tywin gets to him first?" Brynden asked.
Ivar's gaze was steely. "Then we make sure Frey regrets ever doubting us."
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