The horn blast alarmed the entire Runestone City.
Ser Gerold, having left earlier, returned with reinforcements and headed straight for the city walls.
A pale-faced Jeyne emerged from the castle, gathering her strength as she approached her younger siblings.
"Rhaegar, are you all right?"
Jeyne knelt beside his wheelchair, concern evident in her eyes.
"I'm fine. My life is too valuable; neither the Old Gods nor the New can afford the price just yet," Rhaegar replied with a gentle smile.
He truly believed that.
Jeyne couldn't help but smile, resting her head near his hand. "You get your stomach sliced open, and somehow they manage to stuff it with silver-tongued wit."
Watching the two converse, Rhaenys frowned slightly and changed the subject. "How is Janceph?"
Jeyne's smile faded, worry creeping back into her expression. "She suddenly developed a fever last night. The maester said her wound is infected."
"Don't worry too much. She'll pull through," Rhaenys reassured her softly, though concern flickered across her face.
Jeyne forced a smile and grasped Rhaegar's hand where it rested on the armrest of his wheelchair.
Rhaegar glanced at her, then silently withdrew his hand.
He hadn't even had the chance to pluck the flowers from his own garden—there was no need to reach for wild ones.
**Boom—**
The gates of Runestone City swung open, and hundreds of cavalry poured in.
Ser Gerold ordered men to tend to the arriving knights, leading the horses to the stables for feeding.
Then, he approached with a group of young men clad in armor.
"Your Highness, this is Ser William Royce, my cousin," Ser Gerold introduced, gesturing toward a young man with short brown hair and a rugged, resolute expression.
William knelt on one knee and said respectfully, "Your Highness."
"Rise, Ser," Rhaegar said, studying the knight. He was covered in blood and his armor bore numerous battle scars—clearly a hardened warrior.
William stood at the command, then greeted Rhaenys and Jeyne in turn.
"What about Lord Yobert?" Jeyne asked quickly, recognizing William and eager for news.
William shook his head gravely. "Lord Yobert was gravely wounded. He's recovering at Longbow Hall."
He then recounted the battle at Longbow Hall in detail.
Thousands of mountain clans had raided House Hunter's lands.
Lord Yobert led over a thousand cavalry and two thousand infantry, winning a swift and decisive victory.
Afterward, they spent half a month driving the remaining raiders back into the mountains, successfully completing their mission.
But on their return, they were ambushed.
Thousands of mountain clansmen swarmed them, including a shadow panther and a towering giant of nearly ten feet.
Lord Yobert was nearly slain by the shadow panther's sudden attack, barely avoiding a fatal blow to his throat.
The ambush took a heavy toll—half the cavalry was lost, and the infantry was nearly wiped out.
Before losing consciousness, Lord Yobert ordered William and the remaining able-bodied knights to rush back to Runestone City to prevent the mountain clans from attacking the wedding.
Unfortunately, the mountain clans had been better prepared than expected. By the time he realized it, it was already too late.
As they spoke, two figures emerged from the castle.
Lord Grafton and Ser Geoffrey of House Grafton.
Rhaegar offered encouragement, "Geoffrey, I heard you slew two mountain clansmen. Well done."
Geoffrey's face flushed red with pride as he straightened his posture. "It was my duty—to defend the Vale and protect my family."
If not for Geoffrey and Lester joining the battle to slay the infiltrating clansmen, the gates of Runestone City might have been thrown open, and they wouldn't have held out until the Devourer returned with reinforcements.
Lord Grafton's expression was solemn. "Your Highness, my family's reinforcements will arrive soon. However, I doubt the mountain clans will dare to attack again. A thorough investigation of the Vale is far more important."
Conspiring with the mountain clans, leading an assault on Longbow Hall and Runestone City, and orchestrating the brutal massacre at the Black Wedding—
These were not acts that Arnold could have accomplished alone.
Someone had to be backing him, seeking to profit from the chaos.
Rhaegar nodded. "Lord Grafton, your insight is invaluable."
"I propose escorting Lady Jeyne back to the Eyrie first—then we can rally our forces."
---
Old Glyn spoke sincerely.
"Runestone was just attacked; it isn't safe."
He believed that as the Duchess of the Eyrie, Jeyne should remain in her own domain, using her power to strategize.
Jeyne remained silent and looked up at Rhaegar.
Ser Yobert was gravely injured, and more than half of her loyal vassals had perished. At this moment, she trusted her cousin the most.
Rhaegar had already made up his mind and said directly, "No need! Before leaving the Vale, my dragon will always be on standby."
Having suffered a setback once, the Devourer would not stray far from him for the time being.
Rhaegar turned to Gerold and asked, "Lord Gerold, which noble houses were supposed to attend the wedding but did not?"
The loyal nobles had died at the Black Wedding—any traitors would surely be among those who remained.
Gerold pondered for a moment and replied, "The Shett family of Gulltown and the Tollet family of Grey Glen."
Jeyne added, "The Arryn branch in Gulltown as well."
"The Royce cadet branch from Runestone—Gonser Royce didn't show up either!"
Old Glyn's eyes gleamed as he mentioned a member of House Royce.
House Royce was vast and ancient, with a long and distinguished bloodline.
Gonser was Ser Yobert's second cousin, well-respected within the family and known for his love of feasts and tourneys.
He had neither joined Yobert's campaign nor attended the Black Wedding.
"Good, the traitors are obvious now."
Rhaegar smiled suddenly and said, "Joffrey, I have a task for you. Do you dare accept it?"
"Always at the ready."
Joffrey maintained a stern expression, his gaze tense.
Rhaegar turned to William and said seriously, "Prepare yourself, take your cavalry, and ride with Joffrey to Gulltown."
William did not dare refuse and agreed at once.
Rhaegar then looked at Old Glyn and smiled. "Write a letter asking for aid. Give it to your grandson and have him lure Shett and the key figures of the Arryn branch into a trap. Bring them to Runestone to face me."
Old Glyn's expression shifted slightly.
This mission was dangerous. If anything went wrong, the two families might lash out like cornered beasts and attack his own house.
"Old Glyn, Gulltown originally belonged to House Shett, correct?"
Rhaegar reminded him of the long-standing enmity between the two houses.
Understanding the stakes, Old Glyn said in a deep voice, "Joffrey will complete the mission, Your Highness."
He understood Rhaegar's implicit meaning—House Shett was finished.
House Grafton would become the permanent rulers of Gulltown.
"Lord Gerold, you have a task as well."
Rhaegar continued, "Take your men and bring in the Royce traitors and the rebel vassals. Rhaenyra will ride her dragon and accompany you."
It was inconvenient for him to act personally, but Syrax would force the traitors out of their strongholds.
Besides them, there were certainly more lords and knights involved in the rebellion.
Once the leading traitor families were eliminated, the rest could be left for Jeyne to handle.
"Yes, my prince!"
Hearing that a dragon would be involved, Gerold felt greatly encouraged.
"Skreee!!"
Just then, the sharp cry of a hawk pierced the air.
Everyone looked up to see a white falcon soaring above Runestone.
Rhaegar raised his hand and snapped his fingers, then whistled.
The falcon responded to the sound, flapping its wings as it descended. It showed no fear of the gathered people and landed on Rhaegar's arm.
The bird's pupils were a milky white—Rhaegar knew this was a message from Tormund.
Checking the falcon's talons, he found one carrying a small note.
Unfolding it, Rhaegar read its contents.
"The Mountain Clans' gathering place…"
The note contained a detailed map, marking a valley deep within the Moon Mountains.
There, the remaining mountain clans had assembled.
(End of Chapter)