Old Walder's Mockery

The Twins are now heavily fortified, and the House Frey army has joined Jon's forces.

As for the issue of garrisoning, the closest city to the Twins, the Neck, namely Howland Reed, brought soldiers to garrison the city. However, together with the remaining guards of the Twins, there were less than a thousand people.

Old Walder summoned Lilan Hode and inquired about what happened back then, wanting to know more about Jon's origins.

"Jon is indeed not Eddard's child. We defeated the Sword of the Morning near Dorne, and then Eddard brought a child out of the Tower of Joy. That child was Jon, along with his sister Lyanna, who died in childbirth."

"This Eddard actually managed to fool the entire Seven Kingdoms?"

"I don't think Lord Eddard imagined things would turn out this way. He was only trying to protect his sister's child. If Joffrey were Robert 'Robert son, Jon might still be Night's Watch at the Wall."

After receiving the confirmed information, Old Walder was still in a good mood.

The fact that the House Frey bloodline would indeed have a chance to merge into the Dragon King's body in the future was what made him most proud.

Just then, a guard rushed to Howland Reed's side to whisper information, but Old Walder said with some displeasure, "You are guarding my castle. What is it that I cannot know? Speak!"

Howland Reed looked at the guard and nodded. The guard said, "Sir, Your Grace, Stannis's army is attacking."

"Duke Walder, leave the Twins to me. Please move north first. The North is vast; Stannis certainly won't continue the pursuit."

Surprisingly, Old Walder wasn't alarmed at all. He took a sip of his drink and said, "Move? What's the point of moving? The North is so cold. I'd freeze to death if I moved even a little. Besides you North, who else could stand that kind of place?"

Next, Old Walder said something that shocked Howland Reed: "Hmph, I know these brats probably think they plotted against me, right? If I didn't agree, how could the entire House Frey army have been mobilized?! They've probably been looking down on this old man for a long time and are hoping I'll die sooner."

"The Duke of Walder?" Although Old Walder was known for his fighting prowess and numerous children for decades, and was later given the title of "the belated Marquis of Walder" after Robert's rebellion, his reputation was not so good.

But I never expected him to say something like that.

"Crannogmen, go wherever you want. Take the boys from the castle with you. I'm staying here, not going anywhere. No matter who rules the Twins in the future, I'll go and cause trouble in their dreams every day, hahaha!" Old Walder laughed loudly, coughing and choking on his drink.

He's over ninety years old; a few coughs and he'd fall apart, let alone be moved elsewhere. The long journey would be too much for him, and he also suffers from gout. He might as well just die here.

He realized something was wrong long before most of his sons went elsewhere, such as Rhaegar Frey and Steffon Frey going to the Twins, others to White Harbor, and some even to the Westerlands.

Although Lilan Hode's Zealot army quickly arrived at the Twins to reinforce its defenses, they were still somewhat overwhelmed by Stannis's army.

Old Walder knew that the Twins was just a bait to buy time and couldn't be held at all.

But he had faith in Jon; even if Jon lost in the Riverlands, Stannis wouldn't be able to do anything to him.

First of all, he definitely couldn't breach Golden Tooth, and with its long supply lines, the Iron Throne, already heavily indebted, simply couldn't afford to fight.

As for the North, it goes without saying that it's cold, remote, and poor. Stannis is even less capable; he doesn't have dragons, nor is he the Dragon King. What makes him think he can subdue the people of the North?

And then there 'Reach, with their formidable strength. Anyway, they've already made a move once after Robert became king, and then there was another one with the Lannister alliance. At most, they'll do it again.

On the contrary, the Twins himself is in some danger.

Firstly, the distance is not far, and secondly, the strategic position is extremely important. Stannis had both the motivation and the ability to seize it.

Most of his grandsons had left, probably just waiting to be executed when the city gates were breached!

"Crannogmen, when you can't hold on any longer, just leave. I've lived to be over ninety. There are plenty of people who died at nine or nineteen. I've married several wives and had a whole bunch of sons and grandsons. Many people can't compare to me even after several lifetimes. In the future, my daughter will give birth to a son for the Dragon King, and the blood of the House Frey will flow in the Dragon King's veins. I have nothing more to want. Go now. I don't think Stannis can come anytime soon. Stay here with me for a while."

Howland Reed was surprised by the Old Walder's carefree attitude. After quickly arranging the city's defenses, he accompanied the Old Walder on a stroll around the Twins.

Although he was the master of the place and was introducing the Twins to Howland Reed, his tone and demeanor made it seem as if he were saying goodbye to the castle.

Howland Reed led his army to hold off the Iron Throne Coalition at the Twins in less than three days. Stannis then led an army of 40,000 to attack in person, which naturally did not take much effort.

The fact that it could hold out for three days was largely due to the fact that the Twins was sturdy enough and its walls were tall enough.

Two of those days were spent by Stannis preparing engineering equipment.

Three days later, the city fell. Stannis was preparing to enter the Twins when he called over a red-haired young man who had been shot twice in the shoulder blade and ribs but was still fighting. Stannis discovered him.

"You were very brave in battle. What's your name?"

"Your Majesty, Roland Connington."

"Who is Jon Connington to you?"

"He is my uncle, Your Majesty."

Stannis pondered for a moment before speaking, "I hereby declare the restoration of the Connington family's Earl title. Fight well, and once we win, I will restore the Connington family's fiefdom as well."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Roland was overjoyed to receive Stannis's promise, and even the arrow wounds on his body didn't hurt as much anymore.

Just as Stannis was about to enter the castle, Roland suddenly spoke up, "Your Majesty, there's someone over there!"

Roland pointed to a tall tower not far away, where an incredibly old figure sat, looking at them with a faint, mocking smile on his face.

The others didn't recognize him at first, but Stannis immediately knew who he was: the Duke of Walder, whom he had personally bestowed the title upon.

"Let him come see me."

"Yes, sir!"

Roland, having received the order, rushed off, but returned moments later with only a dim-witted, half-grown boy and a corpse.

Old Walder drank the poison himself, and by the time Roland found him, he was already dead.

Stannis looked at the silly-looking boy Roland had brought back; his eyes were wide-set and drool was dripping from the corner of his mouth.

Although Westeros doesn't have the term "Down syndrome child" in its name, it's known that these are children born with intellectual disabilities.

"Take him away," Stannis said. Was he, a king, going to flaunt his power in front of a fool?

"My name is Zach House Frey!"

"He's a bit silly, but at least he knows his own name," Roland joked, quickly followed by some laughter.

After all, it was unpleasant that Old Walder didn't come alive to apologize to Stannis.

A joke might cheer Stannis up.

However, Stannis wasn't in the mood to play games with a fool. He felt something was off; the defenses of the Twins were too weak. He could sense that the garrison probably numbered only around a thousand men.

The House Frey could muster at least two thousand soldiers, plus the Crannogmen, for a total of at least three thousand.

Jon couldn't possibly be unaware of the importance of the Twins, as it was a crucial passage for the Northern Army. In any case, Stannis sensed something was very wrong.

Just as he was preparing to gather the lords for the next decisive battle, the simpleton House Frey suddenly spoke up, "I am Zach House Frey, but my grandfather gave me a new name. I am Stannis! I am Stannis!"

The fool shouted, and the surrounding lords trembled.

Roland, who was closest, lashed him across the mouth with a horsewhip.

"Ah, don't hit me, don't hit me! I'm the king! Grandpa said I'm the king! I'm Stannis! Nobody can hit me!"

The more Zach begged for mercy, the harder Roland beat him, until Stannis, exasperated, ordered his men to take the idiot away.

Ever since receiving news of Stannis's impending attack from the Twins, Old Walder had been teaching his simple-minded grandson to remember his new name: Stannis.

Stannis never expected to be disgusted by an old man on his deathbed, and he felt extremely resentful.

Regardless, it was a victory, but then he heard bad news: a well-equipped army had appeared behind their main force, or more precisely, behind Harrenhal.

This army lies between them and the Crownlands, in the vicinity of God's Eye.

Stannis didn't know how the army had gotten there; the distance they could have crossed was only a few dozen leagues from Harrenhal to the Trident River. But he knew that if he let them get away with it, he wouldn't be able to focus on the decisive battle.

This army must be eliminated!