Raven after raven arrived from the north, bearing letters to the rookery of the Red Keep.
The message tubes were removed and the wax seals broken. Reports carrying the scent of war were swiftly delivered to the study.
Seven days had passed since the two armies set out and advanced into the Riverlands.
Reports of victory kept coming.
Maidenpool captured, Milkstone taken with ease... the ink was still fresh on the reports recording the unstoppable advance of the Golden Company and the Ashen Company through the Riverlands.
The most recent raven had arrived the previous evening. The armies had reached Harrenhal the day before that and completed their encirclement.
Aegon stood before the enormous map of Westeros in the Red Keep's study, holding the latest raven letter, just delivered by the maester.
He broke the wax seal, unfolded the letter, and scanned its concise, unequivocal words.
Harrenhal had fallen.
"Luke and Leswell certainly moved quickly." Aegon set the letter on the nearby desk, his tone betraying little emotion.
Standing beside him, Jon Connington bowed slightly and offered his measured assessment. "Your Highness, Tywin Lannister withdrew his main force to the Westerlands. Harrenhal's former ruling family had already fled during the successive wars, and their whereabouts remain unknown."
"The garrison dispatched from the Westerlands was small. Calling it an empty fortress would hardly be an exaggeration."
"As for Maidenpool and Milkstone, neither was a major military stronghold, and their defenses were weak. Our army's swift advance was only to be expected."
Aegon tapped Harrenhal's position on the map. "With Harrenhal taken, the gateway to the Riverlands stands wide open. The largest overland passage between the Westerlands and the North is now in my hands."
Jon nodded. "Precisely. Holding Harrenhal allows our army to advance or defend as needed, giving us complete