The atmosphere instantly became subtly strange. Roose's eyelids twitched, but he ultimately remained silent.
"The Countess of Barrowton, the widow of the late Lord William Dustin, and the youngest daughter of Lord Roderick Ryswell of the Rills. Lady Barbra said she was just a woman, but she sent men," Robb replied seriously. Lady Barbra was rumored to be at odds with his father, and Robb didn't think much of it. War, after all, was not a woman's game.
"I see," Gendry nodded, no longer inquiring about the matter. He needed their loyalty, and even more, their unity. Some things were best left unsaid; dealing with the enemy was the main priority.
Gendry felt that Robb perhaps still had more to learn. Power, after all, was power. Beneath the veneer of power, everyone had a beast within.
Next, each noble began to state his opinion, primarily the Northern Lords. They each seized the opportunity, speaking steadily. The speeches were long, but not a pleasant experience. Cursing, reasoning, coaxing, jesting, and threatening were all common speaking techniques.
The hot-blooded Ser Marq proposed a combined assault, attacking Casterly Rock together. This was the opinion of many radicals.
Lord Jason Mallister, however, spoke of the current length of the war. They had been fighting for too long. It would be better to use Riverrun to cut off the Lannister supply lines, prevent Tywin from gaining troops and resources, strengthen their own defenses, and allow the weary armies to rest.
"I believe we should take advantage of our strong forces and march towards Harrenhal, end the war early, and then attack King's Landing," another Riverlands noble suggested.
The Riverlands and the North were the areas most damaged since the war began. The Riverlands had been plundered by the Lannisters, and the North had sent its liege Lord and some people who were imprisoned in King's Landing.
Gendry waited for them to finish speaking for a while, then spoke with a resonant voice. A leader was meant to set the overall direction, not to listen to the aimless ramblings of subordinates; it was to set the tone.
"Now, with me, the Seven Kingdoms seem to have four masters, all appearing to have claims to the iron throne," Gendry announced.
Everyone knew what he meant: Gendry, Joffrey, and the silent Stannis and Renly. The progress of negotiations between Stannis and Renly was unknown.
"My Lords, Renly is not a King, and Joffrey is not a King. Lord Stannis has not yet made a move, so we can only temporarily consider him a hypothetical enemy," Robb said. According to the King's will, Joffrey should be disinherited. And Renly, as the third son, had no right to declare himself King.
Lady Maege nodded, "Renly's claim to the throne is a bit strange; Stannis is still his older brother."
Indeed, it was an age of crumbling rites and collapsing music. The Seven Kingdoms seemed to be in chaos, returning to earlier turbulent times. The Seven Kingdoms were certainly not idle; at least three of them were at war.
"Renly has already been crowned, Storms End supports him, and I imagine the Dornish are also considering their options," Ser Marq analyzed. "However, with the combined forces of Winterfell and Riverrun, even in the Stormlands, I believe many Stormlands Lords would defect if His Highness Gendry appeared. If we can also win over House Arryn, then our advantage will be very great, which is exactly the situation King Robert faced during his rebellion."
"House Arryn, with Lysa in power, will The Eyrie support us?" Bronze Yohn couldn't help but ask.
"Lysa." Hearing that name, Catelyn felt very sad. In her heart, she was still thinking about peace, but how could she voice it?
"What if we temporarily exchange prisoners? I heard that His Highness Gendry has also captured many lords of the westerlands, and my two daughters..." Catelyn spoke softly. This was not about peace, but an exchange.
"Mother, they killed my father, your husband. I doubt the Lannisters will make peace with us or exchange hostages," Robb drew his longsword, the steel blade gleaming coldly. "We should talk to them with this."
"Lady, you are a woman, and women don't understand these matters," Great Jon said, his voice deep and resonant.
"I also believe we cannot make peace," the Blackfish said. "Exchanging prisoners is possible, but peace is not very realistic. Peace requires suitable conditions. If we make peace today, let our horses graze in the south, only to take up arms tomorrow and return to the battlefield, it is meaningless."
Seeing everyone like this, Catelyn said no more. In her heart, she already knew that peace was impossible. The expedition was originally to stop the Lannisters' plundering and killing, and to rescue Lord Eddard. But that seemed unlikely now. Peace brought her more comfort than slaughter. However, she could not continue speaking. This was the stag's domain.
Many Northern Lords began to agree, but the Lords of the Vale and the crabfeeders men remained silent, waiting for Gendry's stance. After all, the prisoners were captured by the stag, so the exchange was his decision.
"I propose we attack Casterly Rock first."
"I propose we go straight for Harrenhal."
In short, attacking the Vale, the Stormlands, or King's Landing all had logical reasons.
Attacking the Vale would unite the three Northern Kingdoms: the Hawk, the Wolf, and the Fish. Attacking the Stormlands could consolidate Baratheon's forces. Attacking King's Landing was to utterly destroy Tywin.
"My Lords," Gendry stood up and said. "I consider Lord Eddard's children my own kin, and I will never stand by and watch them trapped in King's Landing. Now is the time for us to unite and cooperate. If the war cannot achieve results, it will be meaningless."
Everyone looked at Gendry in unison, submitting to his opinion. This came from the prestige of war.
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