"House Frey, they are a tough nut to crack," said Lord Hoster. "This time, they are late again."
Ser Edmure had summoned his vassals to defend Riverrun.
Normally, as a vassal, Lord Frey should have led his troops to Riverrun to join the Tully army long ago, but he remained inactive, just like a repeat of the Battle of the Trident.
Lord Hoster's distrust of Frey was genuine; Frey had always been friendly with Casterly Rock. Old Walder even had a son who married Tywin Lannister's sister. It was a pity that House Tully lacked sufficient power, after all, not every family had the Lannister's foundation and Tywin's ruthlessness.
"Frey swore fealty to you. Since they have refused to obey their liege's command, then it is rebellion," Gendry said.
In fact, House Tully had already mustered a considerable force this time, because Tywin had been too cold-blooded and merciless, burning, killing, and plundering everywhere, which scared most of the Riverlands Lords into supporting House Tully, instead of being scattered like before.
"It is rebellion," Lord Hoster nodded.
The etiquette between a liege and his Lords is also situational. Old Frey's attitude was clearly a mockery and a refusal to obey, openly showing his contempt for House Tully.
"But House Frey has already gathered a considerable force, stationed at the Twins, and the Twins is also considered a strong castle," Hoster worried again.
"I naturally have a way to breach the Twins."
"That's good," Hoster nodded. "Since that's the case, let me be the villain this time. I've been a good person all my life."
"I will declare Frey a rebel."
"I will remove this thorn as a gift," Gendry was very pleased with Hoster's attitude.
The aged Hoster waved his hand, filled with both sorrow and pain, and a touch of post-disaster luck. However, at this moment, he had to give up Lysa and also act against Frey.
"It's just my incompetence. I can neither judge my own daughters accurately nor manage my own vassals, and my son doesn't seem to be up to much either." Hoster's sigh was genuine; the continuation of a family requires good heirs. And House Tully's three Children were all significant: Catelyn, Lysa, Edmure.
If Edmure had some command ability and wasn't so incompetent, most of the Riverlands Lords wouldn't be rallying around the younger Young Wolf instead of his struggling uncle. The Riverlands, where they were located, was not a natural geographical unit and had always been ravaged by multiple powerful forces, always submitting to the strong: the Storm Kingdom, the Ironborn Kingdom, the Dragon Kings.
"You, are you going to deal with the North?" Hoster couldn't help but ask.
"If Lady Catelyn and the heir Robb are a bit smarter, they will easily pass through the Twins. I don't have much ill will towards them."
"I understand," Hoster realized. The Twins blocked the Green Fork road. If the North marched south without taking the Kingsroad, they could only pass through the Twins. They would have to communicate with the master of the Twins, whether to advance or retreat, it would simply be a gift of loyalty.
"My subordinates are also monitoring the situation in King's Landing and trying their best to rescue the poor Lord Eddard."
"That's good," Hoster nodded. "I will have the maester inform Catelyn later." Even if Catelyn and the Northern army marched further south, they would need to speak with Gendry.
Because the situation changed so rapidly, Gendry's army had already relieved Riverrun. This military achievement and the hearts of the people would now lean towards the rescuers. Power is power; whoever rescues Riverrun and has the strength to defeat Lannister will be the leader.
"All these things, all these things, I promise you," Lord Hoster said. "I hope to hear the King's promise."
Count Hoster wisely cooperated with Gendry's will on two matters: the issue of Lysa Tully and the issue of House Frey of the Twins.
"I will protect House Tully and Riverrun, I promise you," Gendry promised.
"Some oaths rely on paper and pen, some oaths rely on the heart. I am old, and I believe I am facing a true King," Lord Hoster said.
"Governor of the Trident River," Lord Hoster asked again, with a hopeful glint.
"Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. winter is coming, and the situation will be even more cruel than you imagine," Gendry said to Lord Hoster. "As for Lysa Tully's matter, the position of the Riverlands, the position of Governor is not easy to secure. If Lannister wins, let alone Governor of the Trident River, Riverrun itself won't be safe."
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