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After carefully reading through the three pieces of intelligence, Clay reached a conclusion—war would break out later than originally expected. This meant both he and House Manderly would have a valuable window of time to strengthen their forces.
Before his departure, the old lord had already dispatched trade caravans across Westeros to regions where the necessary ingredients for the Decoctions of the Grasses could be sourced. To maintain discretion, the caravans would also purchase other goods to obscure their true purpose.
By the time Clay returned to White Harbor after his journey to Twins, he planned to address the issue of magic as soon as possible. Once that was settled, he would immediately begin forming his own team of Witchers.
As for the matters unfolding in King's Landing, even though he possessed extraordinary combat strength as a Witcher, he was only one man. Alone, in a city where he was unfamiliar with the terrain and people, it was impossible for him to stir up a storm.
That was precisely why he maintained the presence of the White Sea Guard in King's Landing—to keep a close watch on the timing of the war's outbreak. Once tensions in the capital escalated, such as the departure of Renly Baratheon—an unmistakable sign—then it would also serve as the signal for Clay, House Manderly, and even the entire North to raise their banners for war.
As a young nobleman, Clay had no reason—at least not one that would be acceptable to others—to avoid participating. When the time came, he would almost certainly have to lead House Manderly's forces and march south with the Northern army along the Kingsroad to join the conflict.
If he failed to make good use of this rare and precious window of preparation, he would find himself swept up in the war, caught in its currents with no means of resistance. The formation of his Witcher army, the dragons, the recruitment and arming of common soldiers—all of these were matters that required careful thought and planning.
Lifting his gaze from the parchment, Clay turned to Anty Rivers, who had remained silent throughout the entire process, sitting quietly in his chair. Frowning slightly, Clay asked:
"How many men from the White Sea Guard do we have in the Twins?"
Clearly familiar with this information, Anty Rivers responded without hesitation, his answer ready at a moment's notice.
"There are sixty-three members of the White Sea Guard stationed in the Twins under my command, all of whom await your orders, my lord."
Sixty-three? That was not a small number. These weren't mere peasants plucked from the fields, armed with rusted blades, and thrown into battle.
Ser Bartimus had once told Clay that even the lowest-ranking members of the White Sea Guard had undergone rigorous training in swordsmanship and survival skills at the Wolf's Den. Sixty-three men were equivalent to sixty-three trained fighters disguised in commoner's garb.
If used wisely, they could prove invaluable should an army surround the Twins but fail to breach its walls.
As Clay mulled over the possibilities in his mind, he posed a second question to Anty Rivers.
"These sixty-three men—if I ordered them to infiltrate House Frey's garrison, could they do it?"
Anty Rivers, well-versed in this line of work, responded far more smoothly than the captain of the guard might have. The moment he heard the question, he grasped its deeper implications. His previously relaxed brow furrowed slightly as he answered in a solemn tone:
"My lord, of the sixty-three men, twelve are already serving within House Frey's forces. Give me two months, and I can place at least twenty more into their ranks. However…"
He hesitated for a moment before continuing.
"You must understand, when war breaks out, the positioning of the garrison is not fixed. I cannot guarantee that these men will all be stationed at the gate. Furthermore, as for the hinge operators responsible for opening the gates… we only have one man in place. Without additional support, the risk is too great."
Seated in his chair, Clay slowly swirled the wine in his goblet, deep in thought.
Anty Rivers had a point—war was unpredictable, and soldiers could be assigned anywhere. Twenty men infiltrating the garrison alone would not be enough.
If they were to seize the gates from within, he needed those men positioned near the entrance when the time came. They had to be able to break through the guards and hold their ground long enough for the army outside to charge in. Otherwise, it would be nothing more than a suicide mission.
Observing his commander's contemplative silence, Anty Rivers remained uncertain about Clay's true intentions. He did not believe for a moment that someone endorsed by the senior overseers and Ser Bartimus was a reckless young lord acting on a whim.
"My lord, may I ask why you are so focused on House Frey? You are even considering… taking the Twins? Forgive my ignorance, but I fail to see any signs of conflict between White Harbor and the Twins, nor any reason for war."
Not White Harbor's forces, but the entire Northern army.
Clay corrected him silently in his mind.
Walder Frey had treated the Twins like his prized treasure, using it to extort House Stark for a hefty price. It was here that the seeds of the Red Wedding were sown.
Clay needed a Frey family that was wholly subservient, not one that retained its strength and could sever the Northern army's retreat at a moment's notice. The difference between the two was immense.
Regardless of whether he remained a Stark bannerman in the future, he had to find a way to control the Twins. If White Harbor's fleet were ever compromised and an enemy blockaded the sea, then this bridge would become a lifeline of paramount importance.
"You don't need to understand everything," Clay said, his tone calm yet firm. "Just follow my orders. Until I revoke this command, your priority is to infiltrate House Frey's forces as much as possible while ensuring the White Sea Guard remains hidden. In time, you will understand my intent."
Anty Rivers nodded. As a member of the White Sea Guard, following orders was his duty. Those who refused to do so had long since left—one way or another.
Yet Clay's orders were not finished.
He could already feel time pressing down upon him. Since he had come to the Twins, he would ensure everything was in place before he left.
"Additionally, I need you to compile a report on the military strength of all knightly holdings and minor noble estates along the eastern bank of the Twins. I want information on population distribution, any small castles or fortifications they may have, and anything else of strategic value. Once it's complete, send it to the Wolf's Den in White Harbor immediately. And be quick about it."
The task was not difficult, but what purpose would such information serve?
Anty Rivers had no immediate answer, but that did not stop him from accepting the order without hesitation.
By now, he understood one thing clearly—his commander was planning something significant in the Twins.
As a man of intelligence, he appreciated such leadership. It was far better to serve under someone with vision and ambition than a lord who drifted aimlessly through life.
And as he pieced together all of Clay's commands, he began to realize something.
Every order, when considered separately, might not seem unusual. But together, they formed a clear pattern.
This young man—the heir of White Harbor—was certain that war was coming.
As someone stationed in Twins, temporarily gathering intelligence on the Riverlands, he did not possess enough information to conclude that the Seven Kingdoms—having enjoyed peace for quite some time—were truly on the brink of war. But the commander's perspective was undoubtedly broader than his own.
Perhaps war would come. Perhaps it would not. But regardless, it was always wise to prepare in advance.
His gaze shifted to Clay's hand, resting upon the wooden desk. More precisely, to the ring on his finger—a trident adorned with a deep blood-red gemstone.
That ring was the very emblem of the White Sea Guard. It was their belief, their creed, and their vow.
No one would ever dare defy the will of that ring.
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[Chapter End's]
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