As the rhythmic sound of hooves echoed, rows of cavalry slowly appeared, clad in uniform blue robes, their silver plate armor gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight.
Tyrion and the others were in the center, and the cavalry on both sides halted their horses with unspoken understanding.
Under the Direwolf banner were various outfits of chainmail, ringmail, and animal furs, while under the swamp marigold banner were uniform and neat blue robes and bright silver plate armor.
Though both were descendants of the First Men, they looked like a clash between barbarism and civilization.
Greene Kleber glanced at the disheveled Tyrion and Jaime, over 100 yards away… He looked across, his gaze sharpening as he spotted a figure with a pointed crown under the largest banner.
Rubbing his thumb against his forefinger for a moment, Greene lightly kicked his horse's flank, and the horse ambled forward, with Brienne, holding the Kleber banner high, following closely behind him.
Clip-clop, clip-clop. Greene gazed at Robb Stark, who also arrived with his standard-bearer. Regardless of who the true mastermind was, the skilled warrior Robb was indeed a good hand at wearing down the Lannister Army… So, from his perspective, that person was a good guy.
As they drew closer, with Tyrion and the others between them, Greene and Robb pulled their reins and halted their horses almost simultaneously.
Sheathing his sword, Jaime simply plopped down onto the ground, as if he were sunbathing in his own backyard; Tyrion, with his small hand axe tucked away, leaned against Jaime's shoulder, smiling as he observed Greene and Robb.
Greene caught a glimpse of the 'beggar' brothers, who were feigning nonchalance at the moment, out of the corner of his eye. The unshakable pride of a great house… or was it the Westeros version of 'as long as I'm not embarrassed, others will be'? It was truly unbearable to watch.
Greene gave Robb a stiff, friendly smile and even waved: "Are you Robb of the Stark?"
As Greene's words fell, Robb's brow furrowed, and his standard-bearer loudly proclaimed: "Before you stands—the King of the North and the Trident River, the King who swept through the Westerlands, King Robb of the Stark!"
Greene: "..."
Fortunately, Greene, the 'King of Competition,' had consulted Daenerys about titles before leaving the Vale. He raised his hand, signaling Brienne.
Although Brienne was stoic by nature, when faced with her duties, she became filled with courage.
Moving her thick lips, Brienne announced loudly: "Before you stands—the Earl of Crab Claw Peninsula, the Conqueror and Ruler of the Vale, the Supreme Commander of the Crab Claw Peninsula Archers and the Vale Cavalry, Greene Kleber!"
Robb: "..."
As Brienne's words fell, Greene added, "I am a good friend of Jaime Lannister and Tyrion Lannister."
Robb's gaze was icy: "Greene Kleber, you will not take the Lannister alive."
Greene spread his hands and calmly replied, "That's a possibility, but... if we fight now, you might also stay here forever, Robb Stark."
Robb said coldly, "Including you."
"Yes..." Greene readily agreed with Robb's assumption.
After a pause, he continued, "As the ruler of a large territory and the commander of an army, why would you... personally put yourself in danger, Robb Stark?"
He looked at Robb's standard-bearer with pity: "If you lose your life here, have you not considered the consequences? Or, do you not think about the vassals and warriors who follow your banner?"
Robb's eyes were bloodshot, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "The Lannister murdered my wife and my uncle! Blood debt can only be paid with blood! No matter how clever your tongue is, it cannot extinguish the fire of my hatred!"
Greene looked at the two Lannister brothers suspiciously and asked Robb, "Are you sure they are the murderers?"
Robb first calmed the raging anger in his heart before speaking: "I will conduct a fair trial. If they are not the murderers, I will guarantee their safety."
Greene shook his head with a chuckle, saying, "Robb Stark, you do not have the authority to try Jaime and Tyrion. The only one who can try them is King Joffrey Baratheon, who sits on the Iron Throne."
"You..." Robb's face darkened.
Greene's slender fingers lightly tapped the ruby hilt of lady forlorn, and he calmly said, "For the sake of Lord Ned, I can give you one choice. Either fight, or..."
He paused, then asked with a curious tone, "That pointy thing you're wearing on your head, will Lord Ned have to swear fealty to you then?"
Fire, it flared up. Robb did not notice that Greene used the 'affectionate term' Ned when referring to his father... He gnashed his teeth and roared, "Greene Kleber!"
Tyrion wanted to laugh, but he knew... Stark's swords still hung over their heads, so he chose to silently look up at the sky; Ser Jaime, however, was indifferent, smiling happily with a face covered in dust.
Robb calmed himself again. As he glared at Greene, Ser Reynald suddenly left the formation and rode his horse towards them.
Seeing this, Mondon kicked his horse's flank and immediately galloped towards Greene's position.
Ser Reynald's voice arrived first: "King Robb, I have important news to report."
Robb slowly withdrew his gaze from Greene and turned to look.
Clip-clop, clip-clop. Ser Reynald arrived quickly and whispered into Robb's ear: "Your Majesty, the scouts have detected at least two groups of cavalry gathering here. The banners are swamp marigold, dust is flying, and there are thousands of them. They will arrive in half an hour at most."
Robb frowned for a moment. He suddenly looked at Greene and said coldly, "Are you deliberately stalling for time?"
His gaze was sharp: "It seems the Lannister are not just your friends; they are also your bait."
Greene shrugged, a hint of regret in his tone: "It seems my wolf-trapping plan has been seen through by you."
Robb snorted, then looked at Jaime, who was sitting on the ground, and said, "Kingslayer, I hope you'll have good luck next time. I'll be waiting for you on the battlefield."
Then, he gave Greene a cold look before decisively turning his horse around and riding away.
...
After showering and changing into clean clothes, Tyrion stared blankly at the branch tied to the horse's tail.
After a long while, he pointed at Greene's "masterpiece" and finally spoke: "So... you used this thing to scare away the little Direwolf?"
Greene tossed the wineskin to Tyrion and said, "The thing is simple, but when the distance is well controlled, it can create the illusion of a large cavalry charge. This is the art of war."
Lord Green temporarily proclaimed himself another war artist of Westeros.
Tyrion chuckled: "Duke Mace's art of war? I'll have to consult him sometime."
After a few more jokes, Tyrion seemed to notice Bronn beside him. He pointed at the blue robe on Bronn's body and said with an exaggerated expression, "My captain of the guards, have you finally defected?"
Bronn showed his characteristic lewd smile: "Lord Tyrion, I am always your man. As for this beautiful robe..."
He bowed gracefully to Greene, then continued, "Seeing that my clothes were tattered, the generous and benevolent Earl bestowed this upon me."
Greene smiled and held out five fingers to Tyrion.
Tyrion opened the stopper of the wineskin, took a swig of wine, and grinned: "A very fair price."
Just as they were about to depart, Tyrion suddenly remembered Qyburn, whom they had left near Kneeling Stump. Bronn quickly received the task of bringing him back.
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