LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 48: Whispers in the Shadows
Chapter 48: Whispers in the Shadows
Amidst the larger chaos of war, smaller plots brewed in the shadows. While Ivar Sunblode focused on fortifying Riverrun and preparing for Tywin Lannister's inevitable retaliation, Lysa Blackthorne worked tirelessly to maintain the fragile unity of the Riverlands. The smaller houses, though pledged to the Accord, remained skittish, their loyalty wavering under the weight of Tywin's intimidation.
Lysa knew that a single betrayal could unravel everything they had built. The rumors she had planted to deceive Tywin had also begun to take root among the lords themselves, spreading doubt and suspicion. If she didn't act quickly, the seeds of her deception could bear bitter fruit.
The first sign of trouble came in the form of a raven from House Waynwood, one of the smaller houses in the northern Riverlands. The message was terse but clear: the Waynwoods had intercepted a messenger bearing correspondence from House Lannister to one of the Accord's lords.
Lysa brought the letter to Ivar during a quiet moment in the war room.
"Read this," she said, handing him the parchment.
Ivar scanned the letter quickly, his jaw tightening as he read Tywin's words.
**"To Lord Darnel Rivers,
Your position is precarious, but I can offer you security. Surrender your forces to me, and you will retain your lands and titles. Fail to act, and you will share the fate of the other traitors who defied me.
Tywin of House Lannister."**
"This is dangerous," Ivar said, his voice low. "If Darnel is even considering this, it could fracture the Accord."
"Darnel's loyalty has always been questionable," Lysa replied, her tone sharp. "He's a pragmatist. He'll do whatever he thinks will keep him in power. If we don't act quickly, he might take Tywin's offer."
Ivar set the letter down, his fingers drumming against the table. "We need to confront him, but carefully. If we accuse him outright, it could push him into Tywin's arms."
"Let me handle it," Lysa said. "I know how to deal with men like Darnel."
Ivar hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Do whatever it takes, but don't let it escalate. We can't afford open conflict within our own ranks."
Lysa left Riverrun that same evening, traveling with a small contingent of trusted soldiers to House Rivers' keep. The journey was uneventful, the quiet countryside a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing behind closed doors.
When they arrived at the keep, Lysa was greeted by Lord Darnel Rivers himself. He was a stout man with graying hair and a perpetually nervous expression.
"Lady Blackthorne," Darnel said, his voice strained but polite. "To what do I owe the honor of your visit?"
Lysa offered a thin smile, her sharp eyes taking in every detail of the man before her. "I thought it best to speak with you directly, my lord. There are... troubling rumors circulating, and I wanted to address them before they cause unnecessary strife."
Darnel's smile faltered. "Rumors? What kind of rumors?"
Lysa stepped closer, her tone dropping to a near-whisper. "Rumors that you've been in contact with Tywin Lannister. That you're considering abandoning the Accord."
Darnel's face paled, his nervous demeanor shifting into something closer to panic. "That's absurd! I've done no such thing!"
"Then you won't mind if I ask about this," Lysa said, pulling the intercepted letter from her cloak and holding it out to him.
Darnel stared at the parchment as if it were a viper poised to strike. He licked his lips nervously before responding. "I... I received that letter, yes. But I never intended to act on it! I've been loyal to the Accord from the beginning."
"Loyalty isn't just words, my lord," Lysa said, her voice cold. "It's action. If you've done nothing wrong, then you have nothing to fear. But if I find that you've even entertained the idea of betraying us..." She let the threat hang in the air, her sharp gaze pinning him in place.
Darnel's hands trembled as he reached for the letter, but Lysa didn't let it go.
"Tywin Lannister doesn't send offers lightly," she continued. "If he's approached you, it means he sees you as a weak link. Do you want to prove him right?"
"No," Darnel said quickly, shaking his head. "No, of course not. I swear, Lady Blackthorne, I'm loyal to the Accord. I only kept the letter because... because I wanted to use it as proof of Tywin's treachery."
Lysa arched an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "Is that so?"
"Yes," Darnel insisted. "I've already instructed my men to keep an eye out for any other attempts at contact from Tywin's agents. You have my word."
"I'll hold you to that," Lysa said, her tone icy. She released the letter and stepped back, her eyes never leaving Darnel's. "For your sake, I hope your word is worth something."
That evening, Lysa met with her soldiers in a secluded part of the keep. She relayed what she had learned, her tone clipped and efficient.
"Darnel's scared," she said. "He won't act against us, not right now. But he's weak, and weak men are dangerous. We'll need to keep a close eye on him."
One of the soldiers, a wiry man named Corwin, frowned. "What if he changes his mind? We can't watch him forever."
"Then we make sure he doesn't get the chance," Lysa replied. "I'll send word to Ivar. If Darnel steps out of line again, we deal with him—permanently."
When Lysa returned to Riverrun, she found Ivar waiting for her in the war room. His expression was calm, but his eyes betrayed the tension he carried.
"How did it go?" he asked.
"Darnel's scared," Lysa said, taking a seat across from him. "He denied everything, of course, but I don't trust him. He's too weak to stand firm if Tywin pushes harder."
Ivar exhaled slowly, his fingers tapping against the table. "We can't afford to lose him, but we also can't let him undermine us. Keep your spies on him. If he shows any signs of betrayal, let me know immediately."
"I already have them in place," Lysa said. "But we need to think long-term. There are other lords like Darnel—pragmatists who will do whatever it takes to protect their own interests. If Tywin targets them, we could have a real problem."
"Then we make it clear what happens to traitors," Ivar said, his voice cold. "If anyone else is considering defection, they need to know the cost."
Lysa nodded, though her expression remained thoughtful. "Fear can be a powerful motivator, but it's not always enough. We need to show them that standing with us isn't just the safer option—it's the better one."
"That's why we have to win the next battle," Ivar said. "If we can show the Riverlands that Tywin isn't invincible, it'll solidify our position."
"And if we lose?" Lysa asked quietly.
"We won't," Ivar said, though the weight of his words lingered heavily between them.
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