An endless army poured out from the edge of the dense Cuy Woods.
Flying at its head was the banner of House Fossoway, bearing a green apple.
Close behind came the sigils of Red Lake, Old Oak, and many other houses of the Reach.
Soldiers spread out, spears like a forest, swords and shields like a wall, instantly filling the western side of the Ashford meadows and cutting off Adam's route west.
At a rough glance, they numbered well over ten thousand.
Ser Jon Fossoway appeared before the ranks, riding a magnificent brown warhorse.
He wore green plate armor trimmed with silver, the green apple on his breastplate especially striking beneath the gloomy daylight.
There was a trace of weariness on his face, but far more prominent was the fury he could no longer suppress after the Lannisters' repeated provocations.
He stared coldly at Adam on the slope. "Addam Marbrand, take your jackals and get out of the Reach, or Ashford will be your grave!"
Adam's heart sank.
Damn it, they caught up after all!
And they had an overwhelming advantage in numbers!
He forced himself to remain calm, his gaze sweeping swiftly over the army of the Reach.
There were plenty of banners, but the formations were somewhat loose, the soldiers' equipment varied in quality, and many faces looked hungry and frightened.
Hastily levied farmers!
That steadied him somewhat.
As long as they were not elite standing troops, his cavalry still had a chance.
Just then, a knight in a surcoat bearing the arms of Red Lake, Richard Cray, rode out from the Reach's ranks and halted between the two armies.
Following the etiquette of noble warfare, he called out, "Ser Addam Marbrand, by Lord Jon Fossoway's command, as long as you leave the Reach to the east and