NOVEL NEXT Chapter 36: The Betrayer’s Shadow
Chapter 36: The Betrayer's Shadow
The looming threat of Walder Frey's treachery cast a pall over the Riverlands. Though Ivar Sunblode and his council worked tirelessly to prepare for Tywin Lannister's next move, the possibility of betrayal from within weighed heavily on their minds. Frey controlled the most vital crossing in the Riverlands, and any disruption in the Twins' allegiance could spell disaster for the Accord.
Ivar knew that the time for subtlety was coming to an end.
The Council's Debate
In the war room at Sunblode Isle, Ivar gathered his closest advisors to discuss their options. The map of the Riverlands, now worn and marked with countless battles, lay between them.
"We can't keep ignoring Frey's duplicity," Timothy Sunrise said, leaning back in his chair. "Every day we wait is another day he's whispering in Tywin's ear."
Duncan Greenfield frowned. "If we confront him without proof, it could backfire. The other lords will see it as paranoia, and Frey will use it to paint us as aggressors."
Roland Emberhill, ever pragmatic, added, "We've been holding the Accord together with sheer determination. If Frey defects, it could cause a chain reaction among the weaker houses."
Lysa Blackthorne, her sharp gaze fixed on Ivar, said, "We need a plan that addresses both outcomes: keeping Frey in line, or neutralizing him if he turns."
Ivar nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Then we prepare for both. Lysa, I want you to strengthen your network within the Twins. Find out exactly what Frey is planning and who he's talking to. Timothy, ready a strike team in case we need to act quickly. Roland, begin fortifying the crossings near the Twins. If Frey betrays us, we'll cut him off before he can deliver the bridge to Tywin."
"And if it comes to war with Frey?" Duncan asked, his voice hesitant.
Ivar's gaze was cold. "Then we show the Riverlands what happens to traitors."
The Twins' Whispering Halls
Lysa's mission to infiltrate the Twins required careful planning. Disguised as a traveling merchant, she and two trusted agents approached the fortress under the pretense of delivering goods to Frey's court.
The atmosphere within the Twins was tense. Frey's children and grandchildren filled the halls, their squabbling and gossip creating a cacophony of mistrust. It wasn't long before Lysa's sharp ears caught snippets of conversations that confirmed her suspicions.
"The old man's been meeting with someone from King's Landing," one servant whispered to another. "Late at night, in the tower."
"I heard it's a raven from Tywin himself," the second servant replied. "He's offering gold. Lots of it."
Later that night, Lysa slipped through the castle's labyrinthine passages, her steps silent as a shadow. Reaching the tower mentioned by the servants, she found a locked door. Using her tools, she picked the lock with practiced ease and slipped inside.
On the desk, she found a stack of letters bearing the seal of House Lannister. One letter, still open, detailed an offer from Tywin: gold, soldiers, and assurances of Frey's continued autonomy in exchange for betraying the Accord.
Lysa's lips curled into a grim smile. "Got you," she whispered, slipping the letters into her cloak before vanishing into the night.
Confrontation at Riverrun
Armed with Lysa's evidence, Ivar summoned the Riverland lords to Riverrun for an emergency council. Walder Frey arrived with a small retinue, his demeanor smug and self-assured.
In the great hall, Ivar stood at the head of the table, the letters laid out before him. The other lords watched in tense silence as Frey entered.
"Lord Frey," Ivar said, his tone cold. "We have much to discuss."
Frey raised an eyebrow, his thin lips curling into a smirk. "Oh? And what urgent matter requires my attention this time?"
Without a word, Ivar gestured to Lysa, who stepped forward and held up one of the letters. "This," she said, her voice cutting through the room like a blade. "Correspondence between you and Tywin Lannister. Proof of your treachery."
The hall erupted into whispers and gasps as the lords leaned forward to read the damning evidence.
Frey's smirk faltered, his face turning pale. "This… this is slander! Lies forged to discredit me!"
"Enough," Ivar said, his voice rising above the din. "The proof is here for all to see. You've been conspiring with Tywin to undermine the Accord. Explain yourself, Frey. Now."
Frey hesitated, his eyes darting between the angry faces of the other lords. "I acted only to ensure the safety of my house," he said finally. "This war has brought nothing but ruin to the Riverlands. I sought a way to protect my family."
"And you thought betrayal was the answer?" Tytos Blackwood demanded, his voice filled with fury. "You would sell us all to the Lannisters for your own gain?"
"Enough," Ivar repeated, his tone cold and final. "Lord Frey, your actions have endangered the entire Riverlands. As such, you will relinquish control of the Twins to the Accord. Your family will remain under house arrest until this war is over."
"You can't do this!" Frey shouted, his voice shaking. "The Twins are mine!"
"They were," Ivar said, his gaze unwavering. "Now they belong to the Riverlands."
A Dangerous Precedent
The removal of Walder Frey sent shockwaves through the Riverlands. While many lords praised Ivar's decisive action, others whispered of his growing power and willingness to challenge even the most established houses.
Back at Sunblode Isle, Ivar met with his council to discuss the fallout.
"This was a bold move," Duncan said. "Frey's betrayal was clear, but some of the lords are uneasy. They see this as a dangerous precedent."
"They fear they'll be next if they step out of line," Roland said.
"Good," Timothy said, grinning. "Let them fear. It'll keep them in check."
Ivar shook his head. "Fear isn't a stable foundation for an alliance. We need to rebuild trust, not just enforce loyalty through strength. Lysa, reach out to the smaller houses. Let them know that Frey's punishment was a necessity, not a power grab."
Lysa nodded. "I'll handle it. But the whispers won't stop, no matter what we do."
"Then we give them something else to talk about," Ivar said. "It's time to turn our attention back to Tywin."
Tywin's Response
Meanwhile, at Casterly Rock, Tywin Lannister received news of Frey's removal with a mixture of frustration and grudging respect. Seated in his solar, he read the report in silence before handing it to his brother Kevan.
"Sunblode grows bolder," Tywin said. "He's consolidating power faster than I anticipated."
"And Frey?" Kevan asked.
"Useless," Tywin replied. "He's served his purpose. But this… this changes the game. Prepare the forces. It's time to remind the Riverlands why they fear the lion."
This is my PayPal account
@abdelkabirsouatra
Enny help will be welcomed 🤗
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/5BM457G6Z775W