Gendry rose and said, the crimson firelight reflecting on his handsome face, just like his ambition, his eyes clear blue like the boundless sea. "Because of the friendship between The late King and Lord Eddard, I will do everything in my power to rescue Lord Eddard's family."
Catelyn's face lit up with joy. Gendry's wealth and manpower both surpassed the North. If the Stormlands were willing to lend a hand, the possibility of her daughters returning would greatly increase.
After all, Catelyn knew that the North always emphasized friendship, but she also understood that in these chaotic times, gold held immense power, and the Stormlands' wealth was no less than that of the Lannister (who controlled the rich areas of Myr, Tyrosh, and the Disputed Lands, not to mention the golden shipping lanes of the Stepstones).
"Additionally, among the Westerland hostages I captured, Attendants Willem Lannister and several children from a Frey branch in the Westerlands are all relatives of the Lannister. Perhaps these half-grown children can make the false king and false queen regent in King's Landing think twice," Gendry continued. These half-grown captives weren't worth much money, so it was better to do a favor for the Stark. "A minor Lord can be sent to deliver this message back to King's Landing, but not in my personal name. But Lady Catelyn, even if the envoy is on the way, our war will not cease."
Catelyn expressed her profuse thanks, tears in her eyes. This was already a sign of goodwill from the Stormlands.
Ser Brynden comforted his niece: "Little Catelyn, that's just how war is. The gods above are toying with us."
"So be it for Lord Eddard's girls, but what about our battle strategy? I'm itching to stab the Lannister in the gut and kick them in the ass," Great Jon asked impatiently.
"Indeed, there are many crowns in the South right now," Count Jason asked. "We will eventually make our move."
"Anguy, bring out the map."
Anguy then took out a rolled leather map and unrolled it for everyone to see. The Vale was silent, the North had sent troops, and the Riverlands cities had fallen. The main task now was to forge a combined army of the Riverlands and the North.
"I understand everyone's feelings, but Tywin's large contingent of soldiers, about 20,000 strong, are mostly Tywin's elite. To completely annihilate this army, we need to deploy a force greater than that number," Gendry pointed in the direction of Harrenhal. After leaving the Riverlands, it was almost flat land.
"If we combine our armies, our numbers will be comparable to that old scoundrel Tywin's," Great Jon bellowed, his fists looking truly intimidating.
Roose also nodded, "I see that almost all of the Stormlands' banners are elite cavalry, from the Claw Peninsula, the Vale, and Across the Narrow Sea. We were originally lacking cavalry, but if the two armies combine, we will have enough strength to fight Tywin."
What the Northerners had originally worried about was insufficient military strength, not only in overall numbers but also in cavalry. The Northerners calculated their southward force to be about 18,000 infantry and 4,000-5,000 cavalry. However, Tywin's main force alone, numbering 20,000, included 7,500 cavalry.
Even if the Northerners called upon the armies of The Three Rivers's Lords, they had to consider that The Three Rivers armies were previously remnants of defeated forces.
"A losing battle cannot be fought," Gendry said. Even if victorious, a Pyrrhic victory would be meaningless. "South of the Green Fork is almost entirely flat land. Fighting a pitched battle against Tywin in such a place would result in heavy casualties, and our numbers are only comparable, making it difficult to seize the initiative."
"Lords, His Highness's words are by no means idle mercy. Summer will eventually depart, and if the Long Winter is long and harsh, the North consuming so much labor at once would be fatal," The Old Knight said.
The Northern Lords all nodded, understanding that Gendry had a deep understanding of the North. The North was too far north, the place most profoundly affected by winter.
Moreover, these Northern soldiers were almost never standing armies. When their Lords issued a call, these tenant farmers, peasants, fishermen, sheep men, innkeepers' sons, merchants, and tanners would begin to prepare for war. If all these people died, then agriculture and commerce would also languish, and even more people would die.
"Even if we commit everything, it's too late. It will take some time for all our troops to gather. Tywin, hearing the news of Gendry and us joining forces, might choose not to engage us," Robb also nodded after hearing this. He was leading the vanguard cavalry, and a large portion of the men were waiting in the swamps and beyond.
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