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Chapter 43

Offering peace

Edmure POV

Everything was going fine, at least that is what I wanted to think. The word by now has spread to every corner of the Seven Kingdoms. I didn't know how they would react, but I didn't believe we earned many friends.

Jon and Robb wanted to make a council with the lords to discuss our plans, but I didn't see any need. There are many men with opinions. Before a decision is made, it would be too late. So, I told them that we speak in private and then inform the others and listen to their suggestions.

"The Dorne has amassed their army and is positioned by the Prince's Pass," Arianne reported to me, Jon, Robb, and Brynden. "They will be ready to start raiding if the Stormlands or the Reach give them any chance."

"But we need men there, not in the south," Robb argued.

"It is fine, Robb," Jon said. "Reach and Stormlands will have no choice but to leave part of their army to defend their lands. Renly will lose some of his men, which will be done without fighting. It is a win to me."

"His majesty is right," Brynden agreed. "Among the North and Riverlands, we have sixty thousand men. Any more, and we will be hard press in feeding them."

"So, what should we do next?" Jon asked, "Tywin Lannister is holding the King's Landing. It won't fall easily."

"I would say let Stannis and Renly fight them first; then we take them. Both will be weakened no matter what side wins," Robb suggested.

"In war first thing we do is offer peace," I told them. "They will refuse it, but we still must offer it. Then, when we win, we can spread the word that we offered them a way out, and their ambition and greed throve our actions, nothing else."

"Spread the word to whom?" Arianne asked.

"To the people, the smallfolk, and the people of religion. After the war is over, many will have lost their loved ones. People will need someone to blame, someone to hate. We will give them that someone."

"You Talking about the future, uncle, but we need to do something right now," Robb said. "Many of the North are restless. Not many are truly happy to serve Jon as it is now. We need to do something that will bring everyone to our side."

"Is there any news of the Vale, uncle?" I asked Brynden.

"Lysa refuses to send anyone out of the Vale. The Royces aren't happy with her inaction. And that is not speaking of the Mountain clans wreaking havoc and whatnot."

"The Lannisters are amassing a new host. We need to stop it," Arianne added.

"Now we have something to do," I told Robb.

"I will go to the Westerlands and smash the new host," Jon proclaimed. "I want to take the Northern lords with me. I Have to prove myself to them."

"Then Robb will go to the Vale," I said.

"To the Vale?" Robb asked. "And what should I do there? I am in no position to do anything there. I can't side with either side. On one side is my aunt and on the another are men who want to help us."

"You don't need to side with anyone. You are there to help the Vale to defeat the Mountain Clans. And when you are victorious, you should visit your aunt and talk with her. If she refuses to send men to us even then, I want you to take into question her capabilities as a regent. A braver man should take her place if she is too afraid. Remind her that she started this war; if she can't take responsibility for that, she doesn't deserve to be the lady regent. Someone like Lord Yohn Royce might be more suitable. Oh, and if you see Littlefinger, kill him if you get a chance."

"You sound like it will be easy to do," Robb grumbled but agreed.

"Baelish? What about him?" Uncle Brynden asked.

"He was the one who Betrayed Ned, and I suspect he was the one who killed Lord Jon Arryn," I answered. "I should have taken care of him sooner but missed my chance. Still, if other lords surround him, do nothing. He is good at talking, and we have little proof of his misgivings. Brynden will go with you, Robb."

"And what will you do, Lord Edmure?" Jon asked.

"I will go to offer peace," I answered.

…

I didn't ride fast, my leg still was hurting, and I thought there was no need to hurry. It will be a long ride anyway. With a thousand men with me, I wasn't afraid of an attack; even if someone dared to attack me, our horses were fast, and we would escape.

"We set a camp there for tonight," I told the men. "Lord Bolton, would your men mind keeping the first watch?"

"No, we don't," His answer wasn't louder than a whisper.

"Good, and thank you."

Lord Bolton left in silence. I left him alone, but I kept an eye on him. Realistically there was no way he could betray us, but who knows what kind of opportunity he might get. I should get rid of him and the Bolton bloodline when I get a chance.

"I don't like the man," Lord Blackwood told me. "He observes everyone and everything but doesn't speak much."

"It is understandable. He lost his heir to his bastard, who then was killed by Lord Stark personally."

"He doesn't look like someone who would care about anyone else," Lord Blackwood commented. "Well, I might be wrong."

"Don't worry too much. Go and rest. You will be taking the second watch."

"Very well."

As the lords left to prepare their tents for the night, I went to see how my squire was doing. Edmund was getting the tent ready for me as I came upon him. It was a cold evening, so I told him to light a bonfire after he was done with the tent.

"What should I do afterward?" He asked me as I walked into my tent.

"Get some archery training. A hundred shots should be enough for today," I told him.

Edmund left to do his training, and I was left alone. It was risky to meet with Renly, but it must be done. He won't accept my conditions, but it will plant a seed into other lords. When they see that Renly is indecisive and not suited for war, they will start having doubts and start thinking of switching sides.

"Lord Edmure, the camp is prepared, and perimeter is set," Ser Alan reported. He was by my side since the battle with the Kingslayer. "Should we keep watch."

"No need, go rest. Lord Bolton and his men will keep the first watch."

"I don't want to sound offensive, my lord, but Lord Bolton doesn't look like someone I would trust. He creeps me out."

"You don't have to worry about him. He won't do anything," I laughed at how true his words were. "Go and rest."

"If you say so, my lord," He bows to me and leaves.

Lord Bolton did not need to betray me. Lannisters would need to offer a lot for him to side with them. No, there was nothing that Lannisters could offer to Lord Bolton for him to side with them. Still, I could never trust such a man.

…

It was an eerie morning, with mist concealing the horizon. I was tired of riding and tired of my hurting leg. Still, I couldn't let anyone see my tiredness, so I hid it behind my smile. Edmund came to my tent not long after I was already dressed.

"What is for breakfast?" I asked, taking my cane.

"Oats, my lord," He answers. "As it was yesterday and the day before yesterday."

"A man can dream, can't he?" I laughed at his dazed face. "Bring me a bowl of oats and salted bread."

"As you command," He left hurriedly.

Our party was quite big, almost a thousand men. They were all good, be it with a sword or a bow. But most importantly, they were good at riding. The other most important man beside me was Lord Bolton. I considered bringing Lady Mormont or the Greatjoy but quickly threw that idea away.

"Lord Bolton," Speaking of the devil, "How are you this morning?"

"Fine as I can be," He answered in his silent voice.

"Would you be kind enough to eat with me?" I asked, even if I knew he wouldn't refuse.

"It would be my honor, Lord Edmure."

"Good, good," I replied and sat next to him. "You are not married and don't have any heirs."

He looked into my eyes, hearing my comment. I didn't flinch or react as his pale blue eyes looked at my bright blue eyes. He might have thought that I insulted him but dismissed it. Even if I offended him, he knew that he couldn't confront me about it.

"I am not married and don't have an heir," He told me.

"I didn't mean any offense. There are many fair maidens in the Reach that I could set up you with," I explained. "You only need to ask."

"You too kind, Lord Edmure."

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. He won't be able to even think of betrayal with me at his side. I will see through it, and he knew it too.

…

Bitterbridge was close, as I could see the smoke from thousands of bonfires. Once we got close enough, we were intercepted by twenty men. The knight leading them had a bluebird as his crest. I didn't recognize it. Probably some landed knight at best.

"Who goes there?" The knight asked.

"Lord Edmure Tully, envoy of the King of the Seven Kingdoms Jaehaerys Targaryen, third of his name," I replied.

"I know only of one King, King Renly. He is one and only King of the Seven Kingdoms," He told me with pride.

"Good for him," I responded. "Now, will you escort us to your king?"

"Do you think I will lead a thousand men to my King, men of the enemy?"

"I will take twenty men with me. The rest will stay there, where your men can watch them. How about it?"

"Fine," He agreed.

Afterward, the knight introduced himself as Colen of Greenpools. He led us through the camp of King Renly, and I had to wonder what the hell was going on.

Why were there siege engines lined up by the road? It is not like they are sieging anyone now. There is a reason they are built just before a siege. Only fools would drag such a deadweight with themselves. In the open field, they are worthless.

With thousands upon thousands of tents and pavilions covering the landscape, it is not a surprise that many people are bustling around. And I had wondered why my spies infiltrated the camp so quickly and effortlessly.

The tourney was the last straw. Now I know that Renly knew nothing about warfare. It was acceptable to boost his men's morale, but with tourney comes gambling. There will be losers, and they will start blaming each other for losing their gold. Some houses might disagree on who is to blame for any injuries.

"Wait there," Ser Colen said to me. "I will inform the King."

I nodded in agreement. Once I looked at the tourney melee, I saw four men were fighting. It was easy to notice Tyrell's boy with his silver armor and rainbow cloak. Was that blue knight from Tarth? It was probably Brienne, if my memory served correctly. I have to give it to her, fighting two knights by herself and winning. She was not only strong but skillful too.

Once she defeated ser Loras Tyrell and Renly accepted her wish to be made one of his guards, did ser Colen came to Renly and informed him of us. Many looked at us, and I could feel some unfriendly eyes on me.

"Lord Edmure Tully," Renly greets me.

"Lord Renly Baratheon," I greet him back, already hearing exclamations from various lords.

"It is King of the Seven Kingdoms to you, Tully," Some knight of Renly's guard snarled at me.

"It is Lord Tully to you, dog," I replied to him. "You said he is the King of the Seven Kingdoms, yet I see only two."

"Have you come this long way to insult me, Lord Tully," Renly laughs. He was good at hiding behind the smile. "If so, I think you wasted your time."

"I came to offer peace between you and King Jaehaerys Targaryen," I told him. "The King is ready to accept everyone who so desires to serve him, no matter of their past or their allegiance. I have spoken my piece, have a nice day."

I turned around and left, not even waiting for a response. All I had to do was plant a seed. Not asking anything in return, not even trying to sound polite, I showed them that we don't need them. Not many will be grateful, but once they start getting frustrated under Renly's command, they will start thinking that maybe they should turn to someone else.

"That was all?" Lord Bolton asked once we left the camp. "We were lucky no one tried to capture us."

"No, we were unlucky that no one even tried to do so," I replied. "It would have been easier that way."

Lord Bolton looked at me with eyes filled with confusion. I didn't want to be near Renly when Stannis showed up. I could probably kill anyone, but I have no idea how to fight a shadow.

It was better to wait for now. If Stannis doesn't show up, Renly will have to make a move sooner or later. He will have two choices attack the Lannisters or us. If he tries to fight us, I will ensure that the Reach falls. If he attacks the Lannisters, I will let them fight.