"I understand what you mean. Lysa is no longer my daughter." Hoster suddenly turned cold, a trace of resolve entering his blue eyes.
Between a daughter and House Tully, at an age when he stood on the brink of death, he still knew which mattered more.
"I will call Edmure and Tytos in. I will write my letters in front of them. This is my own wish," Duke Hoster said in a consulting tone. "Edmure and Catelyn both care too much for their family. Unless I explain it myself, I fear they will not believe the news."
Caring too much for family was, bluntly put, selfish behavior. Just as Lysa had poisoned Arryn for herself and Littlefinger, Catelyn had wanted to seize the Imp outright for her son.
"No hurry. There is one more thing. This is good news for you."
"What is it?" Hoster asked hesitantly.
"House Frey. The late Lord Frey. I do not trust them."
"Do you intend to move against them?"
"I have that in mind. That is why I ordered all letters and messengers brought under control."
"They have disobeyed their liege lord's commands, but that is no excuse to slaughter the Freys," Hoster said in alarm.
"We will not be slaughtering the Freys. The Lannister Mercenaries have surrendered. Naturally, those routed men can have somewhere better to go."
"Then I... the Freys have already defied their liege lord's orders. They are disloyal. I will order an attack." Hoster suddenly understood something. This was a scheme within a scheme.
Chapter 177: The target: Luan River Castle
"House Frey is a hard nut to crack," Duke Hoster said. "This time, they are late again."
Ser Edmure had already summoned the vassals to defend Riverrun.
Normally, as a vassal, Marquis Frey should long since have led his