LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 51: The Battle at the Red Fork
Chapter 51: The Battle at the Red Fork
The dawn mist lingered over the Red Fork as Tywin Lannister's army approached. The golden banners of House Lannister fluttered in the crisp morning air, a stark contrast to the bloodshed they promised. The rumble of siege engines and the heavy tread of boots reverberated through the valley, heralding the lion's advance.
For Ivar Sunblode, the moment of reckoning had arrived. His trap was set, the bait laid carefully through weeks of false intelligence and strategic misdirection. If Tywin took the bait, the Riverlands might yet have a chance to turn the tide of the war. If he didn't, Riverrun's fragile unity could shatter under the weight of the lion's fury.
From his vantage point on a nearby hill, Ivar watched as the Lannister vanguard entered the valley. The terrain was perfect for an ambush—narrow, with steep cliffs on either side and dense woods at its edges. The Red Fork's currents shimmered like molten silver under the sun, a natural barrier that funneled the enemy forces into predictable paths.
Roland Emberhill stood beside him, his armor gleaming faintly in the light. His face was grim, his jaw tight as he scanned the advancing army. "They've brought everything," he said, his voice low. "Siege engines, cavalry, archers… this isn't just a strike force. Tywin's committing fully."
"That's what we wanted," Ivar replied, though his tone betrayed the weight of the risk they were taking. "If we can hold them here, we have a chance to cripple their army."
Roland's gaze shifted to the fortified crossing below, where his archers were positioned along the ridges. "My men are ready, but if Tywin breaks through, they won't last long."
"He won't break through," Ivar said firmly. "We've accounted for every possibility. Timothy and his enhanced soldiers are in position, and Lysa's spies have reported no signs that Tywin suspects a trap."
"And if they're wrong?" Roland asked.
"They're not," Ivar replied, though the doubt gnawed at the edges of his resolve.
On the far side of the valley, Tywin's army came to a halt. His commanders gathered around him, their expressions varying from confident to cautious.
Ser Addam Marbrand gestured toward the fortified crossing. "The Riverlands have reinforced their defenses here. Breaking through won't be easy."
"It doesn't need to be easy," Tywin said coldly. "It needs to be decisive. The Riverlands are fractured, their lords divided by fear and ambition. A single, crushing victory will send them scattering."
Kevan Lannister, standing at his brother's side, studied the crossing through narrowed eyes. "It's strange, though. The defenses are strong, but their numbers are thin. Why commit so heavily to a single location?"
"Because they're desperate," Tywin replied. "Sunblode knows he can't fight us in open battle, so he's concentrated his forces here to slow us down. Once we break through, Riverrun will be ours."
With a nod from Tywin, the order was given. The Lannister siege engines began their assault, hurling massive stones at the fortifications along the Red Fork.
From their concealed positions in the woods, Timothy Sunrise and his enhanced soldiers watched the chaos unfold. Timothy crouched behind a fallen tree, his daggers glinting faintly in the dappled sunlight.
"Here they come," he muttered, his grin sharp. "Let's see how the lion likes being hunted."
Beside him, Serah tightened her grip on her bow, her expression tense but resolute. "Do we wait for their main force to cross?"
Timothy nodded. "Let them commit fully. The more they send, the harder they fall."
The first wave of Lannister infantry surged forward, shields raised as they advanced under the cover of their siege engines. Arrows rained down from Roland's archers, striking with deadly precision, but the Lannister soldiers pressed on, their discipline unshaken.
At the crossing, the Riverlands' defenders braced themselves for impact. Spears clashed against shields as the two forces collided, the sound of battle echoing through the valley.
Roland, stationed on the ridge, barked orders to his archers. "Focus on their officers! Break their chain of command!"
Ivar watched from his vantage point, his heart pounding as he tracked the movement of the enemy forces. The Lannister vanguard was fully engaged, their attention fixed on the crossing. It was time.
"Signal Timothy," Ivar said to a nearby messenger.
The messenger raised a horn to his lips and blew a single, sharp note. In the woods, Timothy heard the signal and grinned. "Showtime," he said, gesturing for his team to move.
The enhanced soldiers emerged from their hiding places like ghosts, their movements swift and silent. They struck the Lannister rear lines with devastating precision, cutting down supply carriers and siege crews before they could react.
The sudden attack threw the Lannister forces into disarray. Officers shouted conflicting orders, their formations breaking as panic spread through the ranks.
Tywin watched the chaos unfold from his position on the far side of the valley. His jaw tightened, but his expression remained composed.
"They've set a trap," Kevan said, his tone edged with frustration.
"I see that," Tywin replied, his voice calm. "Pull the cavalry back and reinforce the rear. We'll regroup and crush their ambush."
But before Tywin's orders could take full effect, Roland's archers unleashed a second volley, targeting the Lannister cavalry as they attempted to reposition. The horses reared and bucked under the onslaught, adding to the confusion.
Timothy fought with ruthless efficiency, his daggers flashing as he moved through the enemy lines. Beside him, Serah loosed arrow after arrow, her face a mask of concentration.
"They're falling apart," Serah said between shots.
"Good," Timothy replied. "But we're not done yet. Keep the pressure on."
At the crossing, Ivar signaled for his reserves to join the fray. A fresh wave of Riverlands soldiers charged into the battle, their war cries echoing through the valley.
The combined assault proved too much for the Lannister forces. One by one, their lines began to crumble, and the retreat turned into a rout.
By the time the dust settled, the valley was littered with the dead and dying. The Red Fork's waters ran red with blood, a grim testament to the day's events.
Ivar stood among his soldiers, his armor streaked with dirt and blood. He surveyed the battlefield, his expression a mix of relief and exhaustion.
"We held," Roland said, his voice hoarse.
"For now," Ivar replied. "But Tywin's not done. This was just the beginning."
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