Game of Thrones: The Road to Pirate King

Chapter 263 The Twins—Wald Frey

After leaving the Eyrie, Euron Greyjoy led six thousand elite Ironborn straight towards Leehe on the banks of the Green Fork. He already had a deep-seated grudge against House Frey, who ruled the city.

This feud dates back several years.

A chance encounter at the Crossroads Inn led to a conflict between the two sides after the Frey knights insulted Lisa. Euron personally killed more than ten Frey knights in the melee, and his blood stained the ground.

The Frey family harbored deep resentment and plotted to ambush Euron at sea as he escorted Princess Elia Martell to Dorne, intending to kill him at sea—their sinister intentions were obvious. In the end, those Frey members simply vanished without a trace.

At the recent tournament at Harrenhal, a knight from House Frey attempted to kill Euron by underhanded means during a jousting match, but Euron saw through his plan and retaliated by killing him.

Now, Euron has come to Lee River, the twin fortresses known as "Frey the Latecomer".

This was by no means a friendly visit; Euron was there to settle old scores and put an end to this long-standing feud.

Youlun led his army straight to Lihe City, having already made his plans.

If the cunning Marquis Walder Frey is wise enough to open the city gates and let the Northern army pass when they arrive, thus quelling his anger, then so be it. But if this old fellow continues his scheming, wavering between the Northern coalition and the royal family—

Euron stroked the hilt of his sword, a cold glint in his eyes. Then don't blame him for being ruthless, settling old and new scores all at once.

Lihe City, also known as River Crossing, is a fortress where the Frey family has been entrenched for generations, dominating the Green Fork River in the Riverlands.

This unique castle consists of two massive castles situated on opposite banks of a river, connected by a wide and sturdy stone arch bridge. The bridge is so grand that it can accommodate two four-wheeled carriages traveling side by side, while the imposing "Weihe Tower" standing in the middle of the bridge acts as a vigilant guardian, firmly protecting this vital passage.

For six centuries, River Leh had been the stronghold of House Frey's power. They amassed enormous wealth by charging exorbitant tolls for crossing the river, as anyone wishing to cross had no other option within a journey of several days. Thanks to their immense wealth and large family, House Frey commanded an army of four thousand, making them one of the most powerful and feared vassals of House Tully.

The name "Lee River Castle" comes from these two twin castles that face each other across the river, forming a defensive triangle. Both castles are equipped with towering walls, a deep moat, and heavy oak and iron gates, with a retractable wooden drawbridge always ready to connect the two banks.

As a vital transportation hub connecting the North and the Riverlands, Lihhe is the only crossing point along the Green Fork for hundreds of miles, strategically positioned on the Kingsroad from Winterfell to Riverrun, its strategic importance self-evident. House Frey spent three generations painstakingly expanding what began as a wooden fortress on both banks into the impregnable stone city it is today.

If the Northern army wants to march south and take King's Landing, Leehe is an iron lock blocking their way.

Taking a detour would not only mean spending several more weeks, but also exhausting the army on a long march and missing opportunities. Moreover, if Lihe City were ignored, and the war became stalemate, this strategically important twin castle could launch a fatal attack from the rear at any time.

Euron had always loathed such potential threats, and he was used to nipping any destabilizing factors in the bud. Moreover, he had long been disgusted by Lord Walder Frey's perpetually cold and calculating demeanor and his capricious nature.

Thus, when Euron's Iron People army, like a moving black iron curtain, carrying the salty smell of the sea breeze and a chilling killing intent, quietly arrived outside Lihe City, a storm of settling old grudges and deterring villains had already gathered over the Green Fork River.

Euron did not send any messengers to knock on the door, nor did he have any intention of negotiating. He simply led the Ironborn to choose a place to set up camp on the banks of the Green Fork River in silence and efficiency. The black tents spread out like poisonous mushrooms after the rain, and the golden sea monster flag fluttered coldly in the river wind.

Meanwhile, atop the main fortress of Lee River, old Marquis Walder Frey, surrounded by his children and grandchildren, appeared in the center of the stone bridge connecting the two cities. His cloudy yet shrewd eyes peered through the crenellations, casting a sinister gaze upon the ominous camp on the riverbank. When his gaze locked onto the menacing golden banner of the sea monster, the wrinkles on his face twisted even deeper with a deep-seated hatred.

Old Wade was always a vengeful man, and time had never erased the blood debt in his heart.

Four of his direct descendants—two sons, a grandson, and a nephew—had all perished at the hands of Euron Greyjoy. This hatred, like poison, was deeply buried in his heart, and he had never forgotten it for a moment.

Ser Stevieren Frey—eldest son and heir of Lord Ward Frey—stood atop the high battlements of Leh River, gazing anxiously at the Ironborn encampment along the Green Fork River, a landscape scarred and blackened by darkness. He turned to his father, whose face was grim beside him, and asked in a low voice, “Father, what do these sea monsters—what do they intend to do, stationed beneath our walls?”

Old Lord Walder Frey's gaze, cold as a river, swept over the fluttering golden kraken banner, and he spat out the words through clenched teeth: "Hmph, the army of those wolf cubs from the North is almost here. Euron Greyjoy is here to see for himself whether we open the gates to let Eddard Stark's army across the river, or keep them locked up north. He's forcing us to make our stance clear, to see whether we, Leh River, will join those rebels or remain loyal to the Iron Throne!"

Ser Stevieren's brow furrowed even more: "Then—Father, which side should we join? Or—"

"Shall we wait and see? But the order from King's Landing is for us to do everything in our power to stop the Northern army—"

"Intercept?" Old Frey let out a sharp sneer, glancing at his son with utter sarcasm. "We only have four thousand men in the city, while the Northern army has ten thousand! Tell me, besides this bridge and this city, what are we supposed to use to intercept them? Your brothers' and nephews' heads?"

Stevie Len was momentarily speechless after his father's retort, and hesitated before asking, "Then—are we just going to let them pass?"

"Fools!" Old Marquis Walder slammed his cane on the ground, his voice rising in anger. "Let them pass? What will the Mad King of King's Landing think of House Frey if he finds out? If—I mean, if His Majesty Aerys wins this war and settles the score, will we still be able to live peacefully as lords of the Twins?!"

His questions echoed on the city wall, filled with the anxiety and calculation of trying to survive in the cracks.