The heavy iron gate closed behind him, completely isolating the inner city from the outside world.
Brynden Tully's face remained unreadable, while the knights were filled with indignation at his affront to Riverrun.
Robin Legge's face was ashen. He looked back at the tightly closed door, as if he could see through the wood and stone to his kinsman inside, consumed by madness and grief.
In the temporary command hall of Willow Wood City, Brynden and Robin entered. Arthur waved for everyone to withdraw.
He wasn't sitting in the main seat but stood before a map, toying with a map piece in his hand, his tone calm, a slight smile on his face: "It seems Lord Roger Lygg still refuses to negotiate."
Robin's voice was weary: "He refuses to surrender."
"He wants to fight to the death."
Brynden looked at Arthur, his eyes sharp: "There are already remains of women and servants in the city. His supplies are cut off, and the morale of the defenders has collapsed."
"You only need to continue the siege. In a few days, that door will open by itself, and he will come out to negotiate with you."
"I demand, in the name of Riverrun, that you wait and resolve this peacefully."
Arthur didn't respond immediately. He placed the map piece back on the sand table; it landed precisely on the main tower of the inner keep.
Then, he accurately pulled a parchment scroll from a stack of papers on the table and handed it over: "Perhaps it won't take a few days."
Brynden took the letter and unrolled it in confusion, Robin also leaned in.
The handwriting on the letter was scrawled and urgent, the ink even somewhat blurred, as if written with a mixture of sweat or tears.
The content was simple: the city had reached the point of cannibalism, and some soldiers in the inner keep had jointly requested that if a fire signal was lit at night, they would be willing to open the gate from the inside, only asking for their lives to be spared. The date on it was already long ago.
Robin's fingers tightened on the parchment, the paper making a fragile sound. He looked up, his lips moved, but he couldn't utter a single word. This young man could have achieved victory long ago, but he had continuously given the other party opportunities to negotiate.
Arthur's gaze swept over his face, finally resting on Brynden, and he slowly said: "I received this letter many days ago."
"I didn't attack immediately because I wanted to negotiate with Lord Roger Lygg honorably, not a surrender, but a negotiation that would be dignified and in accordance with noble customs for the Legge Family."
"And to wait for my liege lord and the envoys sent by Riverrun to handle this matter justly."
His voice was very soft, yet it was like a heavy hammer striking Robin Legge's heart. Regardless, this young man, for the sake of victory in the war, had acted impeccably in every aspect except for launching an action that was indistinguishable from a sneak attack.
A hint of regret finally appeared in Arthur's tone.
"But he refused my goodwill."
"His vassal's army is gathering, and this must be ended, otherwise the war will be forced to continue indefinitely."
"My main forces have been recalled by me. I cannot wait here indefinitely. Tonight, I will end all of this."
Brynden Tully stared at Arthur for a long time, then spoke, his voice deep and powerful: "I will not interfere with tonight's operation."
"But Riverrun has one demand."
Arthur looked at him.
"Do not harm Roger Lygg's life."
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