Chapter 57: Wilder's Plan
"Men have many flaws, but greed is the most dangerous," Ian commented. He finally understood why Ser Willy Ward remained penniless after more than six months in the original timeline.
If Ser Willy Ward had chosen to directly raid the remaining men at the fishing village, they could have at least seized this batch of treasure. Unfortunately, he didn't.
Ultimately, judging by how events had unfolded, no matter what plan Ser Willy Ward chose, it was bound to fail.
"That's exactly what I said back then," Ser Willy Ward interjected, showing rare agreement with Ian. "After the caravan left, we only needed to attack immediately, and the treasure they'd stored in the fishing village would have been within easy reach. But Wilder was adamant and refused to act."
"And I was proven right, wasn't I?" Wilder countered. "They're still stationed there, and no ship has come to retrieve them. This means they'll wait until the treasure is completely transferred to the fishing village before their ship arrives!"
Willy Ward seemed to disagree with Wilder's assessment, but he didn't argue further.
"So your plan is to wait for them to move all the treasure to the fishing village and then seize it all in one stroke?" Ian understood Wilder's intention from his words.
"That's about right," Ser Wilder nodded.
"All right, so what's your complete plan?" Ian asked, intending to analyze Wilder's strategy carefully.
Since he already knew the plan would fail, if he could identify the reason for Wilder's failure in advance, he might be able to turn the tide.
"First, we're keeping watch on the abandoned fishing village to ensure nothing goes wrong there."
"Are you certain they haven't discovered you?"
"Yes, because we occupy a concealed high point outside the fishing village, and the enemy's remaining forces haven't sent anyone out."
"How many men have you deployed? I mean, if you want to eliminate them, you'll need to mobilize the entire Knights' Alliance. If you do that, I'm confused—why would you need Martha to recruit knights from outside the region to help you?"
"No, Ser Lucien, I didn't call upon the Knights' Alliance this time. First, that would be too conspicuous and would easily alert them. Second," Ser Wilder paused, seeming to hesitate, but meeting Ian's penetrating gaze, he abandoned his attempt to conceal the truth.
"Second, I suspect we have a problem within our ranks. Although we've always liked to blame the Black Falcon Company for the traitor every time we gather, I know the traitor is on our side." Ser Wilder's expression darkened noticeably as he finished speaking.
The traitor is on your side? Then how did Morgan of the Black Falcons identify him? "Do you have any evidence to support this belief?" Ian asked.
"I thought you'd ask about the Black Falcon Company. You've always been so meticulous about every detail." Wilder seemed surprised by Ian's response.
"Answer the question," Ian began, but caught himself mid-sentence. He'd nearly spoken to Wilder as he would to his squires Dorian and the others. But Wilder was an old knight with considerable local influence, not his subordinate. Though the man showed him great respect, if Ian continued ordering him about, it would likely damage their alliance.
"I have other sources of information, ser. I recruited several men from the Black Falcon Company previously, and they provided me with certain intelligence," Ian explained.
"You recruited from the Black Falcons?" Ser Wilder's interest suddenly peaked. "So, do you know what's happening with them? I heard Morgan died, and there was fighting at their encampment two nights ago. Did you hear anything about that?"
Of course I know plenty. I had firsthand knowledge of Morgan's death, though only secondhand information about the Black Falcons' internal strife.
"I've heard some rumors, and it seems Ser Harrison orchestrated everything to seize the position of captain," Ian casually offered what was likely the prevailing theory, then quickly moved on.
"Let's focus on our own concerns first," Ian deftly inserted himself into Ser Wilder's Knights' Alliance. "What's your basis for believing the traitor came from within our ranks?"
As expected, after hearing Ian's question, Wilder stopped dwelling on the Black Falcon Company's affairs and began answering.
"After we separated from the Black Falcons, our operation was compromised again. At that time, Ser Willy's brother, Ser Kahn, discovered leads about them, so we organized an action. That operation involved only our own men, but it still failed."
"So, how many men have you gathered for this operation?" Ian frowned. He had serious doubts about Ser Wilder's strength. Though the Whitewalls ghost company wasn't large, they were all mounted men!
As for the lightly armed guards Ian had seen at the manor, unless they outnumbered the enemy three-to-one or even five-to-one, they'd be slaughtered. Even with such numbers, they'd still need superior tactics and favorable terrain to have any chance of victory.
"My son and I, our squires, and our household's twelve cavalry and forty foot soldiers," Wilder began his tally. "And several knights I recruited through Martha. I instructed Martha to ensure they came from reputable houses outside the Riverlands and the Crownlands."
"But you forgot to tell him not to recruit knights from overly powerful families," Ian said with a slight smile.
"Seven hells," Wilder said, somewhat embarrassed. "Ser Lucien, must you bring that up again?"
"Of course not, we're allies now," Ian said graciously.
"Martha helped me recruit reinforcements, including Ser Beric Errol, second son of Lady Sheela Errol from the Stormlands, along with six of his companions, all cavalry.
Two sworn knights and their squires from House Fossoway of New Barrel in the Reach—the green apple branch—and a sellsword knight from House Bulwer, also from the Reach, with his company of four freeriders.
And yourself, along with your two heavily armored squires." Wilder couldn't call Roll and Keith knights, but it seemed inadequate to count their combat effectiveness as mere squires. After all, none of the knights in Wilder's force were as well-equipped as they were.
"So where are the others now? I didn't see them at the manor."
"We've deployed most of them in an abandoned village north of here, closer to the fishing village."
"Is that your entire force? I'm concerned this still may not be sufficient."
(End of Chapter)
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