Karl's question at the opening of the meeting instantly changed the atmosphere.
The relaxed air left behind by victory vanished, replaced by a quiet tension. One by one, everyone present straightened their posture and turned their attention toward Kesi.
Under so many gazes, Kesi subconsciously cleared his throat. His usual carefree grin faded, replaced by a rare seriousness.
"Lord," Kesi began, standing up, "about the battle last night, when you led us to raid Crow Tree City in the rain…"
He paused briefly, then continued with visible excitement in his eyes.
"Our losses were not serious. In fact, they can be described as… fortunate."
The room stirred.
"In this battle," Kesi said clearly, "we suffered only thirteen wounded brothers. No one died. No one was critically injured."
A ripple of surprise passed through the room.
"The most severely injured brother broke an arm and a leg after being pushed from the city wall during close combat. As for the remaining twelve, they suffered only light wounds after the Lannisters organized their defense."
Kesi's voice grew louder as he spoke, his enthusiasm impossible to hide.
"Lord, this was a great victory!"
"It was your wisdom and courage that made us invincible!"
The more Kesi spoke, the more animated he became, as if he had returned to the rain-soaked battlefield. His eyes shone as he looked at Karl.
When the others heard that no one had died, the heavy mood at the start of the meeting relaxed at once. Smiles appeared. Shoulders loosened.
Memories of Karl's performance in battle flooded their minds—charging through the rain like a god of war, crushing skulls with bare hands, scattering Lannister soldiers like frightened livestock.
Even Hall, who usually held his tongue, could not help himself.
"Lord Karl," he said with open admiration, "you were like a warrior sent down from the gods!"
Hoover immediately followed. "That's right! You smashed through their defenses alone! Those Lannister cats were so scared they could barely stand!"
"Ha!" Harris laughed loudly. "Just thinking about them crying for their mothers makes me laugh!"
"This was a legendary victory," another man said excitedly. "Two hundred against a thousand, and we still took a castle!"
"I can already imagine the bards singing of it," someone added eagerly.
"The Rain of Crow Tree City!"
"The Knight Who Broke the Lions!"
What should have been a serious post-war meeting quickly turned into a chorus of praise, led enthusiastically by Kesi.
Karl could only smile wryly.
He glanced toward Hoster Braewood and the Maester of Crow Tree City. Both were staring in shock, mouths slightly open, clearly unprepared for such unrestrained praise.
"Alright," Karl said, raising a hand. "That's enough."
Reluctantly, the voices quieted.
"If no brothers were lost," Karl continued, "that is indeed something to be thankful for."
He paused, then added dryly, "And if you continue praising me like this, I fear I'll replace the Seven before winter arrives."
That drew laughter.
"But now," Karl said, his tone shifting, "let's return to the real matter."
The room grew quiet again.
Karl turned to the young man seated beside him.
"Hoster," he said seriously, "I ask you to take good care of my injured brothers."
"If possible, I don't want any of them to lose their chance to ride again because of this battle."
Hoster immediately stood.
"Karl Knight," he said earnestly, "you and your men are the saviors of Crow Tree City. It would be my honor."
He bowed deeply.
"I promise that the doctors and scholars here will do everything in their power to help them recover."
"And," Hoster added solemnly, "if any of them suffer lasting injuries, I swear in the name of my father, Earl Tytos Braewood, that they will receive lifelong support from House Braewood."
Though thin and only fifteen years old, Hoster's sincerity was unmistakable.
Karl smiled and returned the bow.
"On their behalf," he said, "thank you."
Hoster quickly sat down again at Karl's gesture.
"Thank the Seven," Karl said quietly, "that no brothers were lost."
Then his smile vanished.
His expression hardened as he looked at everyone present.
"Brothers," Karl said slowly, "this raid was a success. We reclaimed lost territory, retook a castle, and destroyed most of the enemy force stationed here."
"As for this battle, I will report everything truthfully to King Robert and Lord Eddard."
Some of the men nodded, already imagining the rewards.
"But—"
Karl's voice sharpened.
"The war is not over."
The smiles froze.
"So I must pour some cold water on everyone."
Hall opened his mouth instinctively. "Lord, but we—"
Kesi immediately grabbed his face and squeezed his lips shut.
Karl shot them both a glare.
"I don't want to dampen morale," Karl said, "but victory can blind us if we are careless."
"We've won a battle," he continued, "but have we truly considered what comes next?"
As he spoke, Karl's gaze fell on Kesi.
Understanding at once, Kesi stood again.
"This morning," Kesi said hesitantly, "Lord Karl ordered me to… question the Lannister soldiers who surrendered."
He glanced at Hoster and the Maester, then continued after Karl nodded.
"According to them, the thousand men stationed in Crow Tree City were less than one-third of the Lannister force involved in this campaign."
The room went silent.
"The remaining two to three thousand troops," Kesi said, "are scattered throughout the region under the direct command of Tywin Lannister."
Murmurs broke out.
"They were meant to use Crow Tree City as a supply base," Karl said, taking over, "resting here, then spreading out to plunder the Riverlands in rotation."
He paused.
"That means this place," Karl said flatly, "was never meant to be held lightly."
"And by winning this battle," he continued, "we may have stepped directly into the lion's jaws."
The joy drained from the room.
"We are not as strong as we appear," Karl said. "Our situation is dangerous."
Eyes slowly turned toward Hoster Braewood.
Pale, the young lord swallowed.
"Karl Knight," Hoster asked carefully, "will King Robert send a large army south?"
Karl shook his head.
"That," he said, "is why I called this meeting."
"The two hundred cavalry I brought," Karl explained, "were not sent to fight."
"Retaking Crow Tree City was… an accident."
Shock rippled through the room.
"Our main force has only just left the North and is stationed near the Freys," Karl continued. "They know nothing of the full situation in the Riverlands."
"Our mission," Karl said, "was reconnaissance."
Silence.
"So," Hoster asked quietly, "are you leaving?"
Everyone looked at Karl.
He said nothing.
The Maester finally spoke.
"Karl Knight," he said earnestly, "if you leave, Crow Tree City will fall again. House Braewood cannot withstand Lannister retaliation."
Hoster nodded desperately. "Please… help us."
Karl exhaled slowly.
"I understand," he said. "But I must be responsible for the men who follow me."
"They trust me with their lives."
The room fell into heavy silence.
Then Kesi raised his hand.
"Lord Karl," he said hesitantly, "maybe… Lord Hoster should consider evacuating."
"That's impossible!" Hoster exclaimed.
The dilemma hung in the air, unresolved.
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