NOVEL NEXT Chapter 37: The Lion’s Teeth
Chapter 37: The Lion's Teeth
Tywin Lannister's response was swift and calculated. The removal of Walder Frey from power had disrupted Tywin's plans, but it had also painted Ivar Sunblode as a rising threat. Tywin's patience, already stretched thin, had reached its breaking point. As the lion prepared to bare his teeth, the Riverlands braced for the storm that was sure to come.
A Dire Warning
The raven arrived at Sunblode Isle just as the council was convening. Lysa Blackthorne read the message aloud, her voice steady despite the ominous tone of the words.
**"To Lord Sunblode,
Your actions at the Twins have not gone unnoticed. You believe you can outmaneuver me, but you will soon learn the cost of your defiance. Prepare your lands, your soldiers, and your people, for the lion does not forget.
Tywin of House Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, Warden of the West."**
The room fell silent as the weight of the message settled over them.
"He's coming," Roland Emberhill said grimly. "This isn't a raid or a test. Tywin's bringing the full force of his armies."
"We've bled him before," Timothy Sunrise said, his grin sharp. "We can do it again."
Lysa frowned. "This time will be different. He's angry, and anger makes him dangerous. We need to be ready."
Ivar nodded, his expression unreadable. "Then we make ready. Lysa, I want detailed reports on Tywin's troop movements. Timothy, focus on fortifying Harrenhal. Roland, prepare our forces along the Red Fork. This time, we don't just defend—we make Tywin regret ever stepping into the Riverlands."
Fortifying the Riverlands
Over the next several weeks, the Riverlands became a hive of activity. Villages near the borders were evacuated, their inhabitants relocated to safer regions. Soldiers drilled relentlessly, their ranks bolstered by enhanced troops and fresh recruits.
At Harrenhal, Timothy supervised the construction of additional defenses. Siege engines were repaired, walls reinforced, and supplies stockpiled in preparation for a prolonged conflict.
"This place gives me the creeps," one soldier muttered as he worked on a barricade.
"Good," Timothy replied, his tone light. "If it scares you, imagine what it'll do to the Lannisters."
A Council of Allies
At Riverrun, Ivar convened a meeting of the Accord's remaining lords. With Frey's removal still fresh in their minds, the lords were cautious but unified in their resolve.
"Tywin is coming with everything he has," Ivar began, his voice calm but firm. "If we stand divided, he will crush us. But if we fight together, we can turn his strength against him."
Tytos Blackwood nodded. "The Riverlands are stronger now than they were at the start of this war. We've faced Tywin before, and we've held our ground. We can do it again."
"Assuming the smaller houses don't start running the moment they see the lion banners," a minor lord muttered.
"They won't," Ivar said. "Because they'll know they're not alone. Every house, every soldier, every village in the Riverlands will stand together, or we'll all fall."
Brynden Blackfish smirked. "The boy's right. Tywin may be ruthless, but even he can't fight an entire region united against him."
The Lion's Advance
Word soon came from Lysa's spies: Tywin's forces, numbering over 20,000, were marching east from Harrenhal. The army was led by Tywin himself, his reputation as a master tactician ensuring that every step of the advance was deliberate and precise.
At the Red Fork, Roland Emberhill's scouts reported the approach of Lannister vanguard units. The sight of golden banners fluttering in the wind sent a chill through the defenders, but Roland's presence kept morale high.
"Remember what we're fighting for," Roland told his men. "This isn't just about land or power. It's about our families, our homes, and our freedom. Tywin thinks he can break us, but we'll show him what the Riverlands are made of."
The First Clashes
The initial skirmishes along the Red Fork were brutal. Lannister cavalry clashed with Riverland defenders in a series of lightning-fast engagements, each side testing the other's strength.
Ivar, leading a mobile force of enhanced soldiers, struck at Tywin's supply lines, targeting wagons laden with food and ammunition. The attacks were precise and devastating, forcing the Lannisters to divert troops to protect their resources.
At one such raid, Ivar faced a group of Lannister knights who had been sent to guard a critical supply depot. The knights fought fiercely, but the enhanced soldiers proved their worth, their speed and strength overwhelming the enemy.
As the last knight fell, Timothy wiped blood from his daggers and turned to Ivar. "Think Tywin's starting to feel the pinch yet?"
"He will," Ivar replied, his gaze cold. "But this is just the beginning."
Tywin's Countermove
Despite the disruptions to his supply lines, Tywin pressed forward, his forces moving inexorably toward Riverrun. The lion's strategy was clear: draw Ivar and his allies into a decisive battle, where Tywin's superior numbers and discipline could crush them.
At Riverrun, Ivar and his council debated their response.
"He wants us to fight on his terms," Lysa said. "If we give him that, we lose."
"So we fight on ours," Ivar replied. "We use the terrain to our advantage. Force him into bottlenecks, harass his flanks, and deny him a clear target."
"And what about Riverrun?" Roland asked. "If Tywin lays siege, the city won't hold forever."
"It won't have to," Ivar said. "Because by the time he reaches Riverrun, his army will be too weak to fight."
A Night Raid
As Tywin's army camped near the Tumblestone, Ivar led a daring nighttime raid on the Lannister camp. The enhanced soldiers moved like shadows through the darkness, their blades flashing as they struck down sentries and set fire to supply wagons.
Amid the chaos, Ivar confronted a Lannister officer who had rallied a group of soldiers to counter the attack.
"You think this changes anything?" the officer sneered as they clashed. "Tywin will crush you."
Ivar's blade found its mark, and the officer fell. "Let him try," Ivar said, his voice cold.
The raid left the Lannister camp in disarray, delaying their advance and buying the Riverlands precious time.
The Lion's Fury
The next morning, Tywin surveyed the damage to his camp, his expression unreadable. Kevan Lannister, standing at his side, hesitated before speaking.
"They're wearing us down," Kevan said. "At this rate, we'll reach Riverrun with half our army."
Tywin's gaze was steely. "Then we adapt. Ivar Sunblode thinks he can outmaneuver me. Let's see how he fares when the lion strikes."
This is my PayPal account
@abdelkabirsouatra
Enny help will be welcomed 🤗
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/5BM457G6Z775W