Meanwhile, at Lunbao in the Riverlands.
Tywin Lannister stood before the map, his expression betraying neither joy nor anger. Kevan stood beside him, reporting the latest intelligence.
"Word from King's Landing is that Viserys has taken Rosby and is now less than three days away from the capital. In other words, he may already be attacking King's Landing as we speak. And even with Tyrion's help, the city is still in chaos. But even if we marched there now, I'm afraid we would never arrive in time."
Tywin fell silent for a moment before asking, "What of Renly?"
"According to our reports, Renly is preparing to defend Storm's End to the death. The Dornish army has taken Blackhaven and is advancing toward Storm's End. In the Reach, that old rose Olenna has openly declared her support for the Targaryens. Mace Tyrell is still on Renly's side, but he commands nowhere near the respect Olenna does."
Kevan paused, then added, "The troops from the Reach under his command are wavering as well. Quite a few minor lords have been secretly contacting Highgarden. All Renly can truly rely on now are his Rainbow Guard and a handful of diehard loyalists from the Stormlands."
Tywin merely nodded at this, saying nothing.
Kevan looked at him and hesitated, but finally asked, "Brother, what should we do next? Keep wearing ourselves down against the northmen, or abandon King's Landing and withdraw to the Westerlands at once, as we planned before?" That was indeed what Kevan had in mind now.
At Kevan's question, Tywin finally turned, a sharp gleam flashing in his green eyes. He walked to the window and gazed at the gloomy sky outside. Rain battered Harrenhal's crumbling walls without mercy, making the cursed castle look all the more sinister in the storm.
Only