NOVEL NEXT Chapter 40: The Gathering Storm
Chapter 40: The Gathering Storm
The Riverlands were healing, but war allowed no time for rest. Tywin Lannister's retreat from Riverrun was not a defeat but a regrouping. His forces, though battered, were formidable, and his reputation as a strategist ensured that his next move would be swift and devastating.
Ivar Sunblode and his council knew that Riverrun's victory had bought them time, but time was a double-edged sword. While the Riverlands repaired its defenses, Tywin would rebuild his strength and seek vengeance.
News from Highgarden
The first rays of dawn illuminated Sunblode Isle as a raven arrived bearing the sigil of House Tyrell. Lysa Blackthorne, having returned from her mission to Highgarden, joined Ivar and the council in the war room to share the news.
"They've agreed to an alliance," Lysa announced, her voice carrying a mix of triumph and caution. "Mace Tyrell will commit troops and supplies to our cause, but on one condition."
"What's the condition?" Roland Emberhill asked, leaning forward.
"Victory," Lysa replied simply. "The Tyrells won't risk their position unless we can prove that Tywin is vulnerable. They've pledged a small force to aid us now, but they'll only send their full strength if we win another decisive battle."
Ivar nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Then we'll give them a victory they can't ignore."
Tywin's New Strategy
Meanwhile, at Harrenhal, Tywin Lannister convened his commanders to discuss his next move. The sprawling, ruined castle served as both a strategic stronghold and a grim reminder of the cost of war.
Ser Addam Marbrand, his expression tense, laid out the latest intelligence. "Sunblode has reinforced Riverrun and rallied the smaller houses. The Tyrells are tentatively aligning with him, but their commitment is conditional. He's gained momentum."
Kevan Lannister frowned. "We've stretched our forces thin. Another direct assault could lead to disaster."
"We won't attack Riverrun directly," Tywin said, his tone icy. "We'll bleed them dry. Isolate their strongholds, cut their supply lines, and devastate their fields. Let Sunblode and his lords watch as their people starve."
"And when they're weak enough?" Marbrand asked.
"Then we deliver the killing blow," Tywin replied.
Securing the Red Fork
Back in the Riverlands, Ivar's strategy focused on shoring up their defenses while preparing for an offensive. He sent Roland to secure the Red Fork, a vital waterway that served as a lifeline for trade and supplies.
At a riverside village, Roland and his troops fortified key crossings, ensuring that Tywin's forces couldn't move unchallenged. The villagers, weary from years of war, welcomed Roland with cautious hope.
"Will it ever end, my lord?" an elderly man asked as Roland directed the construction of barricades.
"It will," Roland replied. "Because we won't stop fighting until it does."
Sabotage in the Night
As Tywin's forces moved to enact his scorched-earth strategy, Timothy Sunrise led a daring mission to disrupt their plans. A small band of enhanced soldiers infiltrated the Lannister encampment near Maidenpool under the cover of darkness.
Timothy's team moved with precision, planting explosives near the enemy's supply wagons and setting fire to their tents. The chaos that followed was a perfect storm of confusion and fear, forcing the Lannisters to abandon their position.
As they retreated into the night, Timothy turned to his team, his grin feral. "Let Tywin choke on his own ashes."
The Tyrells' Test
To secure the Tyrells' full support, Ivar planned a bold offensive against a Lannister stronghold near the border of the Reach. The castle, though modest, served as a critical staging ground for Tywin's western forces.
Lysa and Roland joined Ivar in leading the assault, their combined forces including a contingent of Tyrell soldiers sent as a gesture of goodwill.
The attack began at dawn, with Ivar's archers raining arrows down on the castle's defenders while siege engines battered the walls. Enhanced soldiers led the charge through the breached gates, their strength and speed overwhelming the enemy.
Inside the castle, Ivar confronted the Lannister commander, a grizzled knight who fought with the desperation of a man cornered. Their duel was fierce, but Ivar's superior skill and enhancements gave him the edge.
As the commander fell, Ivar turned to his troops. "The castle is ours. Secure the supplies and prepare for Tywin's retaliation."
A Shift in the War
The victory at the Lannister stronghold was the turning point Ivar needed. Word of the battle spread quickly, reaching Highgarden and beyond. The Tyrells, impressed by the Riverlands' resilience and determination, committed their full strength to the alliance.
Back at Sunblode Isle, Ivar received a raven from Mace Tyrell, pledging an additional 10,000 troops and vital supplies.
"We've done it," Lysa said, her voice tinged with relief. "The Reach is with us."
Ivar nodded, his expression resolute. "But Tywin won't let this go unanswered. We need to be ready for whatever he throws at us next."
Tywin's Fury
At Casterly Rock, Tywin Lannister read the reports of the Riverlands' latest victories with a growing sense of anger. His forces had been outmaneuvered, his supply lines disrupted, and his alliances tested.
Kevan Lannister, ever the voice of reason, approached his brother cautiously. "Sunblode is proving to be a more formidable opponent than we anticipated."
"No," Tywin said coldly. "He's proving to be an annoyance. And annoyances are dealt with swiftly."
"What's your next move?" Kevan asked.
"We strike at their heart," Tywin replied. "Riverrun may be well-defended, but no fortress is impenetrable. If we take it, the Riverlands will crumble."
Preparations for the Final Push
The Riverlands braced for Tywin's retaliation. At Riverrun, Ivar and his council worked tirelessly to prepare for the coming storm. The Tyrell reinforcements bolstered their numbers, but the weight of the war still pressed heavily on their shoulders.
In a quiet moment, Lysa found Ivar on the battlements, staring out at the darkened horizon.
"You're thinking about what's next," she said.
"Always," Ivar replied. "Tywin won't stop until he's broken us, or we've broken him."
Lysa placed a hand on his shoulder. "We've come this far because of you. No matter what happens, the Riverlands will remember your name."
Ivar turned to her, his gaze steady. "Then let's make sure it's a name worth remembering."
This is my PayPal account
@abdelkabirsouatra
Enny help will be welcomed 🤗
https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/5BM457G6Z775W