Game of Thrones: Kings in the North

Chapter 46 Difficult Decision

The northern vassals and Ed listened to Benford Tallah's account of the burning of food and grass. Benford Tallhall escaped the ironmen's sneak attack.The bad news hit everyone like a punch, with the Greatjon flushing, Lord Meggie Severn crestfallen, and Lord Rickard Karstark clamoring for revenge on the Ironborn.

This is a heavy blow to the northern army. Without food and grass, the numerical advantage in the northern border will become a burden.

Even Roose Bolton, who has always been soft-spoken, raised his voice for the first time, "Lord Ed, two-thirds of our food, grass and luggage were burned by the Ironmen on the opposite side of Seal Bay. We have no choice but to retreat."

Greatjon said angrily: "Roose Bolton, where is your courage? We finally crossed the Bay of Seals, and we should go straight to the King of Rocks. Before Samuro Klauer could react, ruthlessly Beat his ass hard, but you want to retreat?"

Roose Bolton said coldly: "Now is not the time to be brave. This is the largest island in the north. It is as big as four or five Bear Islands. How can we conquer it if we don't have enough food and grass?"

Sir Marlon Manderly said: "Unexpectedly, the Ironborn pirates on Skagos Island dared to take the initiative to cross the sea and attack our fleet anchored on the opposite bank when the northern army landed on Skagos Island."

Ed sullenly said, "I warned Herman Talha to be careful of the sneak attack of the Ironborn pirates, but the opponent succeeded in the sneak attack."

After the northern army landed on Skagos Island, all the resistance they encountered came from rock species. Ed and the northern vassals were once curious about where the ironborn pirates had gone. Many people thought that the ironborn had already fled.

Lady Maggie Mormont of Bear Isle pointed out tartly, "Two thousand soldiers of the North are no match for the ironborn. Brother Manderly and Herman Tallhart are sleeping?"

Rickard Karstark sneered and said: "Willies and Wendell are a pair of cunts, they are as virtuous as ham sausages, and expecting them to guard the food and grass will end in this way. I didn't expect Sir Herman Tauhar to also be at the critical moment. Off the chain."

Domilik Bolton, heir to the Dreadfort, said: "Is the Iron Bitch or Helen Pike leading the Ironborn?"

"Master Ed, 'Iron Bitch' and Helen Pike are the same person, 'Iron Bitch' is Helen Pike's nickname." Benford Tallha's thick neck trembled with excitement, "My father Helen Pike Ser Mann Tallhart, seeing the ironborn pirates coming, ordered the crossbowmen to fight back fiercely, and when the ironborn pirates boarded, my father and his soldiers fought hard to resist."

Roose Bolton said: "Herman Tallhard fought valiantly, but the provisions were destroyed."

Benford Tallhar was like an enraged bull. "We killed more than three hundred Ironborn pirates."

"And then it's all gone," Roose Bolton added.

Theon Greyjoy is a good friend of Benford Tallhart's. If the northerners hadn't just suffered a big loss from the Ironborn pirates, he would have laughed out loud and derogatory about Benford Tallhart, but The ironborn pirates had just caused the northern border to suffer a great loss. Seeing that the nobles in the northern border were all angry, Sean suppressed a smile and kept his mouth shut.

"We were not completely wiped out." Benford Tawha said, "Many soldiers died in battle, but after I fled to the jungle on the shore, I gathered more than 800 defeated soldiers there, including the Knights of White Harbor, Soldiers of Torrhen's Square and Winterfell."

The Greatjon scolded: "800+ cowards fleeing the battle! Shame on the North."

Marlon Mandler said: "My lords, the northern army suffered heavy casualties, but Sir Herman Tallhart's counterattack caused the destruction of more than a dozen longships of the Ironborn and the death of more than 300 people. Ironborn captured, they say there were only 800 ironborn left before the Iron Bitch's men crossed the sea to attack."

This news slightly boosted Ed's mood. He said, "If the ironborn captives hadn't lied, Helen Pike's ironborn pirates would not exceed 500 people. It would be difficult for her to organize a large-scale sea attack. We will Keep marching!"

This decision made Roose Bolton and Earl Seven flee in fright.Earl Meggie Seven said: "Master Ed, on an unfamiliar island, there is not enough food and grass, but we still insist on marching. Once we go deep into the inland area of ​​Skagos Island, our thousands of troops will starve to death."

Ed said: "Don't be so pessimistic. We still have one-third of our food and grass, which has been transported to the island. We can last for a month without eating."

Roose Bolton said: "It's impossible to make the Rock King and the Iron Bitch surrender for a month. Lord Ed, we can't take thousands of elites from the North to take risks. We should withdraw from the North and make a long-term plan. .”

"Long-term thinking" means that the North will no longer be able to use troops against Skagos Island within a few years, and pirates will continue to wreak havoc on the east coast of the North.

Ed clenched his fists, "The iron bitch just wants to destroy the food and grass and force us to withdraw. I must go out, and the food and grass can be replenished from the sea."

Roose Bolton said: "Ironborn pirates can easily cut off our sea food routes."

This is indeed a huge hidden danger.Ed pondered for a while, "Send the order and tell Graybeard Casselen that I allow him and his 'sister male' captains to plunder the coastal villages of Yanzhong and collect military rations, but they are not allowed to kill innocent people indiscriminately. Pentos The mercenary ships can also participate in the plunder. The other ships in White Harbor are responsible for patrolling and guarding. If you encounter ironborn pirates, fight them to death!"

If Iron Bitch chooses to fight with ironborn pirates and mercenaries, she will have fewer and fewer pirates. Without ironborn, the North will control the waters around Skagos Island.

Domilik said: "Master Ed, the looting can collect some food and grass, but it is still too little for the 7000-strong northern army."

The Greatjon said, "The Umbers are willing to take out the winter reserves to feed the army."

In order to cope with the cold winter that may come at any time, all the lords in the northern border will hoard sufficient food and grass.

Earl Rickard Karstark of Kahuo City said: "We in Kahuo City are also willing to take out winter reserves."

Now the pressure is on Roose Bolton's side. After all, the army of the North is mobilizing to wipe out the pirates in the territory of Dreadfort, Amber's house and Kahuo City. Now Greatjon and Rickard Karstark are both Willing to take out the winter reserves, everyone is waiting to see Roose Bolton's reaction.

Roose Bolton coughed a few times, "Our territory was plundered by pirates and plagued by plague, so our reserves are insufficient. I suggest withdrawing troops."

Meggie Mormont sneered, "Since when did the Dreadfort become a miser?"

"Big Barrel" Wall, Middle Riddle, Galbert Glover and others all ridiculed Roose Bolton, Roose Bolton had no choice but to agree to provide food and grass.

After confirming to continue marching, Ed said: "Catch me the ironman James Codd in the cage, and I want to ask him some questions."

Ed had to know more about sea bitch Helen Pike and her ironmen.

(End of this chapter)