Eagle of the Valley of Ice and Fire

Chapter 180 Incident in Twin River City

In the vast blue sky, three black ravens hovered in the sky, overlooking the long bridge and city walls across the Green Fork River.

Three ravens were sent to Heart City, King's Landing and Harrenhal respectively, delivering the same accident but different messages.

On the city walls of the east and west castles of Twins City, in addition to the blue and white flags of the Crescent Falcon and the blue twin tower flags of the Frey family, there are also more white-ground flying raven flags symbolizing the Corbray family. Since the thousands of Ansu city troops led by Earl Rui entered the Twin River City, there has been no movement southward.

Jon Grafson looked through the window at the three ravens circling and chirping in the distance, doubts creeping onto his face.

Since the last time he met Count Leonor Corbray at the banquet to welcome the army, the Earl of Ansu City has been staying in the East Castle guarded by Lynn Corbray. There are nearly 6,000 people in Ansu City. The army did not move at all, but continued to rely on scout cavalry to harass the northern princes in the Riverlands, without much movement.

He was only belatedly aware of the effect of this. The reason why the army of Ansu City did this was probably to contain the armies of the northern princes of the Riverlands, so that they would not dare to go south to the Tengshi River to support Blackwood. Even Riverrun.

Until the end of the Battle of the Red Fork, when Duke Attis Arryn completely defeated the Young Wolf Lord's northern army, the nobles in the northern parts of the Riverlands bowed their knees and surrendered to the Iron Throne, in fact, to the Eyrie.

In just a few months, the power of the valley expanded to unprecedented levels, and the entire Trident River Basin was in its hands, both nominally and militarily.

The prestige of Duke Attis, at least in Jon Grafson's mind, has surpassed that of any lord in the history of the valley. No matter what the title is in any period, it cannot be surpassed by the king of the valley or the guardian of the east. Comparable to him.

Maybe his lord is really the reincarnation of the winged knight Attis Arryn when the Andals landed, and is destined to lead the valley to the highest point of glory.

He stood in front of the window, watching the ravens. Maester Bennett, who used to serve him in the West Castle, now often went to the East Castle, leaving the responsibility of managing the ravens and books in the West Castle to one of his little men. Apprentice, this little apprentice was so inefficient that it gave Jon Grafson a headache.

It seems that Earl Corbray often uses ravens to communicate with the outside world and never consults with himself. This is not a good thing for future colleagues in Twins City. Jon Grafson scratched his scalp, thinking with some annoyance that he could have been equal to Lynn Corbray when he was there, and both of them had the status of heirs.

But after Count Leonor came to the Twins City, the situation changed greatly. Although he was appointed by Duke Attis as the speaker of West Castle, he was only a knight after all. At most, he was promoted as the heir of the Grafson family. Although he has a higher status, Leonor Corbray is, after all, the Earl of Ansu City and a major noble in the valley. The original situation of co-governance of the two castles instantly changed to one centered on Earl Leonor.

He rubbed his brows and looked at the ledger in his hand. There were a lot of people from the north who wanted to cross the Long Bridge these days, but the benefits they deserved would not be less. In his opinion, the people from the north had no bargaining power.

The ink was close to the bottom of the bottle. Jon Grafson flicked the tip of his pen and shouted to the attendant outside the room: "Bring me a bottle of ink!"

The footsteps of the attendants were far away, and Jon laid his head on the back of the chair, closing his eyes and concentrating.

After some time, the footsteps of the attendant approached, and Jon Grafson opened his eyes. "Have you brought the ink bottle?" he asked.

"Sir," the attendant opened the door, "news from the East Castle, Earl Corbray invites you to the East Castle to discuss important matters."

Jon Grafson frowned, "Is it important? I remember Roose Bolton's army hasn't arrived yet." He nodded hesitantly, "Ready my horse for me."

Leonor Corbray stroked the ruby ​​​​set at the end of the hilt of the Valyrian steel sword of the "Lady of Silence". It felt like stroking the grains of fruit flesh.

He breathed deeply, hugged "Ms. Kongji" in his arms, and closed his eyes tightly. If the servants serving at the side had a sharp eye, they would definitely see moisture in the eyes of the earl.

"I deserve the ancestral sword," Leonor muttered, "This is the right I deserve." He opened his eyes and wiped the moisture from the corners of his eyes with his hands. The Valyrian steel sword of "Lady Empty Silence" was shining silver. The luster of the sword appeared clearly before his eyes.

"Some of the bandits who climbed over the city wall confessed that it was indeed Linn's arrangement," the guard under the high seat said to Count Leonor, "Duke Aylin's instructions really have their reasons."

"Without support, how could this group of bandits and robbers who have not received any formal training imitate the tactics of our Valley Knights and enter the Twin River City?" Leonor sneered, his tone full of disdain. His own elite must rely on internal personnel. Only by cooperating could they enter the Long Bridge silently. How could this group of bandits do it without a co-conspirator? It was a joke.

He put "Ms. Kongji" back into the scabbard, reluctantly placed it on the long table, picked it up again, put it down again, and finally held it tightly in his hand, not wanting to let her leave for a moment.

"Huh! ~" Leonor let out a long breath, "When Roose Bolton's Northern Army returns to the Neck, our Ansu City army should also return to the valley. Chahe has been allocated a lot of fiefdoms, and they have to digest it, so let them give it a try."

The guard couldn't help but smile. His younger brother was appreciated during the Three Rivers War and was allocated a good piece of land in the upper reaches of the Green Fork River, which was enough for his family to be proud of. He could also follow Count Leonor back home with peace of mind. Go to Heart City and serve the Corbrays diligently.

In the prison of the East Castle, the cell where old Walder Frey was once detained, Lynn Corbray curled up in a corner of the bed, digging his nails into the soft flesh of his arms, pinching out bruises, but Still didn't let go until the flesh was broken and blood flowed out of the skin.

There were bruises and scars like this all over his body, but they were not abused by anyone else, but by Lynn Corbray alone.

Lin En's eyes were ruthless and unwilling, and his muscles seemed to be always tense.

The hilt of the sword knocked on the prison door, and a hoarse voice sounded outside.

"Have a meal."

The jailer said a few words and handed over the plate with an expressionless expression.

Lin En looked at him and saw that he didn't express anything, and said, "You have to help me get out. Don't forget your identity."

The jailer seemed not to have heard, "There is still meat today, but it may not be available next time." He passed the dinner plate further back, "There are also," he looked at Lin En, the bruises on his arms were shocking. , "Don't die in your own hands."

"You were hired by me with money. You are a mercenary robber. If I reveal your identity, you will not end well!" Lin En suddenly rushed towards the prison door and suddenly grabbed the jailer's neck with both hands. He strangled him tightly, "I arranged for you to be a jailer and disguise yourself, otherwise you would have died in my hands."

The jailer's face turned red from suppressing his emotions, his hands were scratching at the air, and his feet were trembling.

"clear."

Linn stared at the words coming out of the jailer's mouth and let go.

The jailer collapsed to the ground, his face flushed, and he coughed violently.

"Ahem! Ahem!" The jailer turned to look at Linn, "We need a chance to get out."

"Then hurry up and find that opportunity for me." Lin En's tone was full of sullenness. He didn't want to lose his life because his plan was exposed, nor was he willing to give up and go to the Great Wall that could freeze people into scum. He just wanted to He wanted to escape, escape from Westeros, and go to the Eastern Continent to become a free mercenary. Damn it, with his martial arts, he could definitely become famous.

The jailer covered his neck, nodded quickly, and ran outside.

Linn slammed his hand on the prison door. The sound of "clang" echoed in the prison, and the vibration of the prison door made his palms numb.

"The night attack planned by Lynn?" Jon Grafson looked at Count Leonor Corbray in disbelief, "It doesn't make sense, why did he."

"Without internal support, it would be impossible to break into the Twins City with just this group of gangsters," Leonor said in a deep voice, stroking the "Lady Kongji" sword in his hand lovingly, "It's just that Piaf The relationship between this person and him makes me puzzled, why are you always defending this kid?"

Jon Grafson frowned tightly. No matter how slow his thinking was, he knew exactly what Leonor meant. Pia Frey was now the Countess of the Twins. Whoever could marry her would naturally be the one. The future owner of the Twins, and Lynn Corbray has a close relationship with Pia Frey.

Seeing that Jon did not answer, Leonor continued: "I have reported the situation to Harrenhal, and Duke Attis Arryn's intention is very clear. There is no chance of mercy if he is executed."

Jon Grafson was shocked, "Execution? Lynn Corbray?" He hesitated. After all, Lin had fought alongside him for a long time. Jon Grafson appreciated his ability, but... The fact that nearly all of Lei nearly died in the night attack was shocking. Neither the Iron Throne nor the Eagle's Nest City would allow such a crime to be dealt with easily. He swallowed, "I understand."

Seeing that Jon had no other opinions, Leonor took a deep breath and patted his shoulder with his hand, "Lynn Corbray is my younger brother, but he is also a vassal of Duke Attis. He has some selfish motives. "It's a common thing." He sighed, "Lynn Corbray has committed a major crime, and neither the Iron Throne nor the Eyrie will let him go. This kind of crime, I'm afraid even the Great Wall can't tolerate him!"

Jon Grafson's frown did not loosen at all, which meant that even Linn's way to the Great Wall to pay his crime was blocked by his brother, without giving him any chance of survival.

"I won't kill my relatives," Leonor let out a long breath, and he let go of his hand on Jon's shoulder. "Fortunately, we Andals don't have the tradition of the ancestors, like the Royce family, where we have to do it with our own hands. Behead the condemned criminal, but Lord Arryn was greatly influenced by Bronze Yohn in this regard."

"I will find a suitable executioner. Maybe Tully's retainers have a suitable candidate," Leonor seemed to have some kind of complaint in his tone, "I really should have brought the executioner from Heart City, but it's a pity." The earl looked at Jon Grafson and said, "Sir, please stay here for a long time and find someone for me."

Jon Grafson nodded silently.

The long bridge in Twin River City is brightly lit, and even though the night is dark, for every valley soldier stationed at the long bridge, it is as if they are standing in the middle of the day.

After learning the lessons from the Battle of the Twin Rivers and the bandit's night attack, the number of sentry posts on the Long Bridge obviously increased. The guards on the River Guard Tower also continued to watch the spacious Green Fork River with torches and lights, catching every slightest movement.

The jailer took advantage of the darkness and groped his way into the cell.

Lynn Corbray's eyes suddenly opened. The jailer took out the key from his clothes and praised Lynn while untying the chains of the cell. "I didn't expect you to be so familiar with the Twins City. The sacred tree of the East Fort." Lin indeed hides the secret passage to the prison."

Lin snorted coldly, "Why else do you think Black Walder could commit adultery with so many mistresses in Twins City?" He waved his hand, "Hurry up, don't talk nonsense."

The jailer nodded quickly, and the chains were quickly untied. Lin En quietly pushed open the prison door, turned around and asked the jailer, "Is there no one in the Godswood Forest?"

"There are only a few women praying, which can be easily avoided," the jailer replied.

Linn breathed a sigh of relief. He groped forward in the dark prison corridor, his hands pressed against the slippery walls of the corridor, listening to the chirping of insects above.

"It's right here, look." The jailer pointed to the open manhole cover above.

Linn suddenly exerted his strength, grabbed the edge of the manhole cover with both hands, and pulled his body up with force.

The sound of insects in the godswood surrounded his ears. He took a long breath and looked to the other side of the godswood with some joy. As long as he passed through the city wall again, disguised himself as a merchant, there might be a glimmer of hope.

"Lynn!"

A high-pitched female voice exploded from the side, as if a steel needle had pierced his meninges.

Pia held the skirt in both hands and ran over in small steps, "Lynn, it's you, my knight, why are you here?" Her tone was full of joy and eagerness.

"I"

Lin En looked sideways at the other side of the bushes. Some female relatives looked curiously at the covered bushes.

"Tell me, tell me quickly." Before Pia could even make a sound, Linn covered her with her hands.

"Listen, Pia, I need to go, I need to get out of here." Linn didn't want to explain, he just broke away from Pia, stood up and wanted to leave.

"No, no, you should be with me, you should be with me!" Pia touched Lin En's face with a smile, "Don't worry, I am the mistress of Twins City, I have the final say here, I will intercede with Lord Leonor and he will listen to me.”

If it were anyone else, Linn might have believed Pia's one-sided story.

Lin En forced a smile, and slowly touched Pia's waist, chest, and smooth neck with her hands.

Pia closed her eyes, enjoying her lover's caress.

Her neck was suddenly strangled, and Piya felt suffocated for a moment. She opened her eyes wide and looked at Linn who was strangling her neck in disbelief.

Lynn looked into her eyes, sadness and fear condensed in them for just a few moments.

The woman's body fell limply in Linn's arms, silently.

He placed the body in the grass, looked around and saw no one was visiting him, took a long breath, got up and ran towards the city wall.

On the other side of the bushes, Roslin covered her mouth tightly and slumped quietly in the grass. She could see the whole process of Linn strangling Pia to death.

Roslin hurriedly walked to Pia's side and touched her breath with her right hand, showing no signs of life.

She held her slightly swollen belly with her left hand and looked at Pia who was not breathing. There was a hint of joy in her fearful expression.

She exhaled slightly, adjusted her voice, and said, "Mrs. Pia!" Roslin shouted loudly.

Linn also heard the shouting in the distance, and he knew that time was running out.

Just as he was about to reach out and grab the horns at the city wall, an arrow hit his shoulder, causing blood to flow out.

Xiufu looked coldly at Lin En who fell to the ground, slowly approached, and shot another arrow.

The last thing Linn saw was the towering walls of Twin River City. The corners of his mouth slightly raised. He really thought highly of himself. How could he possibly climb to such a height?

Darkness enveloped his eyes, and strangers whispered in his ears.

(End of this chapter)