Bronze Yohn Royce's weathered face was grave.
"Lord Lynn, the Vale has agreed to the bargain you proposed."
"But how will you ensure that the Lannisters won't march from the Golden Tooth and sweep through the Riverlands again while we're still recovering from the upheaval?"
"If the Riverlands fall, the Vale's Bloody Gate will also be exposed to Tywin's armies."
This was also what worried every lord of the Riverlands most.
House Frey was gone, but House Lannister remained.
That old lion would never stand by and watch the North, the Riverlands, and the Vale unite.
Edmure Tully also looked anxiously at Lynn.
He was now the Duke of Riverrun.
But he knew perfectly well that without Lynn, he could never defend this land beset by enemies on every side.
Lynn swept his gaze over the undisguised anxiety on their faces, utterly unruffled.
"An excellent question, Lord Royce."
"If I dare leave the Riverlands and the Vale for you to govern freely, then naturally, I have made every preparation."
Lynn rose and walked to the enormous map of Westeros in the center of the hall.
His finger settled on the mighty fortress at the border between the Riverlands and the Westerlands.
The Golden Tooth.
"Ever since Robert died and Joffrey ascended the Iron Throne, most of Tywin Lannister's main forces from the Westerlands have been stationed in King's Landing, helping his grandson Joffrey secure the troubled capital."
"The Golden Tooth has a garrison, but it is nothing to fear."
"Besides, with our three regions united, our forces far outnumber those of any other power in Westeros."
"Unless Tywin has gone senile, he won't start a war against our three-way alliance."
"He cannot afford the consequences."
"So it isn't the Westerlands we need to guard against now, but the south."
Lynn