After Tywin finished speaking, an oppressive silence settled over the Command Tent.
Fight? How?
A hundred thousand soldiers had gathered here, yet their main force was not to be deployed.
Retreat? How could they retreat?
The Targaryen armies were closing in from three directions, like a sack slowly drawing shut.
How could they possibly withdraw without anyone noticing?
But cowed by Tywin's authority, no one dared voice a challenge.
The commanders exchanged glances, searching one another's faces, but none dared speak first.
In the end, Kevan Lannister stepped forward.
He was Tywin's younger brother, the second most powerful man in the Westerlands. Only he dared speak at a time like this.
"My lord," Kevan said, choosing his words carefully and keeping his voice as steady as he could, "what exactly do you have in mind? What... should we do next?"
Tywin glanced up at him and said slowly, "The Iron Fleet is sailing south along the Sunset Sea. They are our nearest allies."
"I have already written to Victarion Greyjoy, proposing a joint operation."
He paused. "The Iron Fleet will draw the attention of the main Targaryen force along the coast."
"Meanwhile, our main force will seize the opportunity to strike, taking the supply lines behind the Targaryen armies, burning the castles they have occupied, and sowing chaos."
"Then the entire army will withdraw to the Riverlands."
Kevan's brow furrowed deeply. He fell silent for a moment, but could not help speaking again. "My lord, the Ironborn are... mercenary pirates, vicious by nature."
"Will they really fight the Targaryens head-on for the sake of an agreement?"
He paused. "And the Golden Tooth lies on our only route to the Riverlands. It is currently besieged by three Targaryen army corps. We cannot get through."
"The Targaryens also have substantial forces stationed