Chapter 78 75

The Vale of Arryn. Grafton Territory. 298 AC.

Ser Luceon Templeton.

"What in the hells is Royce thinking?! He truly means to seize this little town instead of laying siege to Gulltown?!" The kinsman of Ser Symond Templeton was indignant. "We rode day and night to come to his aid, and he takes a detour to this place when time is pressing down on all of us."

Ser Luceon Templeton was a cousin to the head of House Templeton, and it was by that same head's order that he had been sent with two hundred horsemen to reinforce the commander of the second army, Ser Robar Royce. The second son of Bronze Yohn had been tasked with taking Gulltown while his cousin, Lord Axel Arryn, seized Grey Glen. Rather than carry out his liege's orders, he had chosen to plunder the Graftons' lesser holdings instead.

Riding into the castle, Luceon found only the corpses of its defenders and the spectacle of allied soldiers helping themselves to whatever caught their eye. Thank the Seven he saw no sign of violence done to the commonfolk. That much spoke well of Ser Robar.

"Damn it all. Those bastards again." The cutthroats who had crossed Essos in Lord Arryn's service were men he had already had the displeasure of meeting at the camp near Grey Glen, and the impression they had left him with was entirely unpleasant.

"Wait. We need to reach Ser Royce first," Ser Marcus said, drawing attention back to what mattered.

He had met Ser Marcus Melcolm on the road to the second army. At first they had taken each other for enemies and very nearly come to blows, but a short exchange of words had made the absurdity of the situation plain, and they had ridden on together after that. Now they made their way toward the spot where Ser Robar and his second-in-command, Ser Desmond Redfort, were overseeing the coordination of their forces.

"We found underground food stores beneath the lord's manse and beyond the walls as well. Every last crumb the townspeople had has been taken," Ser Desmond was reporting to Ser Robar as they approached. "You could say we have cleaned them out entirely."

"Good work," Royce said, not sparing the praise. "Have all the townspeople been gathered in the main square?"

"They have. Though because of your order, the one about anyone who touches a civilian being executed on the spot, we had no choice but to take the harder road."

"I know. But it had to be done." Ser Royce noticed them then and offered a greeting. "Good to see you, Ser Marcus. Ser Luceon. Any trouble on the road?"

"None. The men are tired from riding without stop, that is all." As the higher-born of the two, Ser Melcolm spoke first.

"Ser Desmond, see that our friends are given everything they need." Redfort gave a nod. "I apologize, sers, but there are matters requiring my personal attention." With that, Royce rode toward the heart of the town, while they followed Redfort into camp.

"Ser Desmond, would you answer something for us." He waited for the man's nod before continuing. "I understand that most of the provisions were left with Lord Arryn and that we will feel the shortage of food before long, but given everything, I cannot see the sense in raiding minor towns to make up for it. It is a drop in a bucket. And taking this place has cost us half a day, with another half lost to rest. If this is truly all we came for, it is the most foolish plan I have ever heard."

"You will understand soon enough," Redfort said, and left it at that.

...

Out on the main street, all the residents of the town had been gathered together. They watched every movement of the soldiers with wide, frightened eyes, slowly giving way to panic. The adults tried to comfort the children, though fear gnawed at them just as fiercely. The old folk spoke words of steadiness to those around them and kept their hands busy, even as they quietly made their peace with what might come. And then the commander of the army that had taken their town stepped forward to face them.

"There is no need to be afraid. As commander of Lord Axel Arryn's army, I give you my word that no harm will come to any of you." A single sentence, and Robar Royce threw the crowd into stunned silence, planting something like hope where only dread had lived before. "Even so, this is rebellion, and you are the people of a rebellious lord. It pains me deeply, but we have no choice other than to take your food and hold this town. You must make for Gulltown before your strength gives out. Forgive me."

"I-it is all right, my lord!" The people could not believe their fortune.

"We are grateful you spared us!" came voices, tumbling over one another, all of them thanking the kind lord.

"Then go. May the Seven grant you safe roads." Robar smiled as he said it.

When the gates were thrown open, thousands began leaving their homes behind. They moved as fast as their legs would carry them, not knowing whether this kind lord might yet change his mind. Needing someone to blame, they blamed Lord Grafton, who had raised his banner in rebellion against his liege and dragged his own vassals into it. Before long they would carry word of Ser Robar Royce's mercy far and wide, the lord who set all his captives free.

"I do not understand what he is doing. What is the point?" Ser Melcolm muttered, and Luceon could not disagree.

Think. Assume Royce is no fool and has something in mind. If we did not come here for the provisions, then why? There was nothing of real value here besides the people. The people. The townspeople he set free were the whole point all along. Though what he means to accomplish by it, I still cannot say.

"Do you understand yet?" Ser Robar slipped up beside them quietly, and seeing no answer in their faces, simply said, "Then we ride on to the next towns."

...

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