Just when Randyll·Tarly was about to open his mouth to fight for it again, a roar suddenly came from the tower.
"Fire arrows! Kill them!!"
"Shoot these vipers from King's Landing!"
No warning!
Randyll raised his head suddenly, and a black rain of arrows poured down from the tower.
"Raise your shield!" He reacted very quickly and immediately shouted the order.
The black-armored knights were also quite elite. When he finished speaking, they all raised their shields, and most of the arrows were nailed to the shield.
However, the arrow rain was too dense, and an arrow flew past Randyll's shoulder armor and nailed a war horse behind him. The horse fell to the ground and the knight fell to the ground.
"Donal Waywood!"
Seeing this, Randyll retreated and shouted at the top of his lungs, "What the hell are you crazy about!"
However, his voice could not reach very far and was drowned by the second wave of arrows.
At least five knights' horses were hit by several arrows and fell to the ground. The knights, relying on their thick armor, did not suffer any damage. They got up and hurriedly hid behind their companions.
"Withdraw!!!"
Randyll gritted his teeth and ordered.
The cavalry made an awkward U-turn in the narrow passage, but quickly got out of the range of the arrows.
While walking, Randyll·Tarly calculated the distance in his mind.
For the current plan, I'm afraid we can only retreat along the valley road toward the plains, enter a relatively open area, regroup, and then send fast horses to Riverrun to find Edmure·Tully to borrow troops.
He was even considering whether to send someone to the Twins to test out the frightened Eddard Wen·Frey.
But these all take time.
Can Sansa last that long in the Eyrie?
However, before they could retreat too far, a row of flags suddenly appeared on the mountain road ahead, and then they saw at least hundreds of Vale knights blocking the way down the mountain from a distance!
Randyll·Tarly's heart skipped a beat.
There are Bloody Gate locks in front, and Vale troops behind them to cut off the retreat. On both sides are cliffs that even goats cannot climb.
This is a perfect ambush!
Damn Petyr·Baelish, they actually have a back-up plan here!
However, just as he was preparing his black-armored knights to break out of the encirclement, he suddenly saw the family represented by those flags.
A pile of pebbles between two lines of runes on an orange background - House Royce, a red castle on a white background with red edges - Redfort family, House Hunter, House Belmore, etc...
"Stay alert, don't charge yet."
Randyll·Tarly thought quickly in his mind and ordered.
If I remember correctly, these families are all members of the former Lords Declarant, that is, staunch opponents of Petyr·Baelish. It should be impossible for them to be called by that guy to ambush them.
So, this is why nobles need to learn heraldry. After all, it is very important to be able to identify friends and foes immediately when going out.
Sure enough, the Vale army did not launch an attack.
"Don't charge yet."
Seeing this, Randyll breathed a sigh of relief and repeated it again. Then he galloped forward two steps, raised his right arm high, and shouted to a vaguely familiar figure in front of him.
"Is that Lord Yone Royce in front? I am Randyll·Tarly!"
After a while, an old knight wearing bronze plate armor rode out of the queue and laughed, "Hahaha, I didn't expect to meet our Master of Laws here."
It's a good thing to be able to talk.
Randyll·Tarly felt more at ease and continued to ask, "Why did you show up here with so many people?"
Hearing this, John Royce was silent for a moment.
His eyes stayed on Randyll's face for a while, as if he was judging whether Master of Laws from King's Landing was trustworthy.
Then he spoke slowly, "It was Brynden Sir Tully who found me."
"He claimed to have the evidence that Petyr·Baelish murdered Duke Jon·Arryn, and summoned Lords Declarant to reorganize."
"We are here this time just to go to the Eyrie to find Petyr·Baelish for an explanation, regardless of whether Lady Lysa agrees or not!"
As soon as these words came out, it was Randyll·Tarly's turn to be stunned.
Jon·Arryn was murdered by Petyr·Baelish?
Also, isn't Brynden·Tully in Riverrun? How come he appears in Vale?
Could it be said...
Suddenly recalling the extremely confident look on Sansa's face when he first entered Vale, Randyll·Tarly vaguely guessed something in his mind.
She actually still has a backup plan?
But this is not surprising. After all, Brynden·Tully has guarded Bloody Gate for twenty years and has never been defeated on the battlefield. His reputation in Vale is even higher than that of Riverlands.
If he were to summon the Vale lords, they would more or less give him some face, not to mention that these people are quite dissatisfied with Petyr·Baelish.
"Then where is Sir Brynden now?" Randyll asked.
John Royce did not answer, but raised his hand and pointed at Bloody Gate behind Randyll.
Randyll turned around suddenly, only to realize that the arrow rain in the city had stopped for some time, and Bloody Gate's iron gate was actually rising slowly!
In the corridor behind the door, a familiar figure held a sword across Donal Waywood's neck, and slowly raised his other hand toward the door, with blood even dripping from his thumb.
How did this guy get in?
While Randyll·Tarly looked confused, Brynden·Tully even grinned with interest.
"Come in, Master Tarly."
"Bloody Gate In this place, it is much easier to open the door from the inside than to attack from the outside."
"Bah! You don't have martial ethics!"
Bloody Gate Inside the pass, Vale coalition forces filed in. Donal Waywood, who was tied up, squatted beside the winch. His helmet was knocked off at some point, but he still shouted unconvinced.
"Brynden Tully! If you want to remain a knight, release me and let's fight!"
"Sneak attack is nothing, let me go!"
However, Brynden just glanced down at him, with a very calm expression, and tapped Donner's shoulder armor with the end of the scabbard.
"Idiot, I taught you your swordsmanship back then."
"You have been working with me at Bloody Gate for more than ten years, and you don't even remember how many mountain roads there are to sneak into."
"Oh, by the way, I said I would take you to climb that steep mountain road, but you were so scared that you peed your pants as soon as you stood up. Now you dare to challenge me to a duel."
"Heh...
As soon as these words came out, Donal's face suddenly turned red. He opened his mouth to refute, but every word of Brynden's words was true.
The surrounding Vale knights burst into laughter, and Donnel struggled harder.
"I was ordered by Lady Lysa to guard Bloody Gate. Now I am the captain of Knight of the Bloody Gate, not you!"
"Shut up!"
At this moment, a low shout sounded from the crowd.
Donnel's body trembled suddenly, because this voice was so familiar to him.
Sure enough, the current head of the House Waynwood family, his eldest brother Morton Waywood, strode out of the crowd with a gloomy face.
"There is no shame in failure, Donal. There is shame in not admitting defeat after failure."
"If you keep shouting like that, House Waynwood's honor will be ruined. If you hadn't guarded Bloody Gate, John Royce Earl and I would have rushed in, pulled out that the Fingers guy, and beheaded him!"
Morton lectured mercilessly.
Donnel instinctively shrank his neck, and the momentum he had just felt was completely released in an instant.
After all, he has been beaten by his eldest brother since he was a child, and his bloodline has been suppressed.
But then he remembered something, and he mustered up the courage to shout loudly, "Why are you hanging out with Iron Throne people, Morton!"
"Do you know that news just came from the Eyrie that Lysa Mrs. Tully was killed! The murderer is Sansa·Stark!!"
As soon as these words came out, the entire pass suddenly became quiet, and everyone looked at him in disbelief.
"Are you fucking telling the truth?!"
As the leader of the coalition forces, Jon Royce strode forward, leaned over and stared into Donal's eyes, his face ashen.
The other Vale lords also gathered around, furious.
"Absolutely true!"
Donnel shouted hoarse, "I just received a letter from the messenger, saying that Lady Lysa died in the banquet hall. When he died, there was only Sansa·Stark in the room!"
As soon as these words came out, the pass suddenly felt like a pot was exploding.
Vale people were talking a lot, and some people shouted, "This must be Iron Throne's conspiracy."
Many young Vale knights have even drawn their swords and pointed at Randyll·Tarly.
The black-armored knights also quickly gathered their formation to protect Randyll·Tarly.
As one of Lysa's suitors, Morton Waywood angrily said, "Tie this guy up and take him to the Eyrie. He was the one who brought Sansa·Stark into Vale!"
The scene became chaotic. Randyll·Tarly was about to explain, but a disdainful snort came from behind.
"A bunch of idiots."
Upon hearing this, people immediately became furious and looked towards the place where the sound came from.
I saw Brynden Tully sitting on the stone steps beside the corridor, slowly wiping the blood on the sword with an indifferent expression.
The faces of several young knights turned red. One of them was about to have a fit, but John Royce raised his hand to stop him.
"Sir Brynden, what do you mean?"
Hearing this, Brynden threw the bloody rag to the ground and stood up with his sword in hand.
His eyes swept over everyone present, and his voice was not loud but it drowned out all the noise.
"You keep saying that you want to convict Sansa·Stark, but don't forget whose daughter she is?"
As soon as these words came out, the Vale knights shut their mouths one after another. Even Morton, who had just clamored to tie up Randyll·Tarly, fell silent.
"Poison is a coward's weapon."
After everyone calmed down, Brynden continued, "But Eddard·Stark is not a coward. He has never used poison, and he will certainly not teach his children to use poison!"
Can a person's character be inherited through blood?
The answer is yes.
Because no one refutes Brynden's idealistic words. You can say Eddard·Stark is stupid, but you can't say he is undecent.
Even his enemies had to admit the character of the former Duke Winterfell.
The person who sticks to his promise has spent his whole life making the name Stark another way of writing honor, and this honor is now pressing on the hearts of these Vale knights, heavier than any threats or orders.
Even his children are regarded as symbols of honor and integrity.
This is the reason why when Robb·Stark launched the army, they were able to get so much support at once.
What is word of mouth?
This is word of mouth.
Just like a certain prince in martial arts novels, as long as he personally admits that you are his son, it is useless even if you take a paternity test to refute it.
"Sir Brynden is right!"
Yohn Royce was the first to speak, "I have been to Winterfell and met that little girl House Stark. She may not be smart enough or sophisticated enough, but she can never kill someone with poison!"
As he spoke, he said loudly, "We haven't seen the evidence as to whether Sansa·Stark is the murderer, but at least let all of us go to the Eyrie to ask clearly."
"If she is not guilty, Vale will give her justice. If she is guilty... I will chop off her head with my own hands!"
Hearing this, Morton Waywood looked down at his brother kneeling in front of him, untied the rope that bound Donal's hands, and pulled him up from the ground.
"You come up with me."
"Find out who is the real person who poisoned Lady Lysa. No matter who it is, I will throw him out of Moon Door!"
Under their leadership, more Vale knights drew their swords one after another.
For the Vale knights who attach great importance to honor, Eddard·Stark is almost everyone's idol. Even when King's Landing heard the news of his treason, no one in Vale ever doubted Eddard·Stark.
But they need an answer.
Randyll·Tarly stood beside Brynden, feeling a little moved for a moment.
Just half a quarter of an hour ago, they had drawn swords against themselves and others, but now they were united because of a certain person's name.
"We need time."
He took a deep breath, raised his head and said loudly, "Although we have captured Bloody Gate, there are Gates of the Moon and Gates of the Moon in front of the Eyrie.
There are four levels: Dangerous Rock Castle, Snow Mountain Castle, and Changtian Castle."
"By the time we attack them one by one, the people inside will probably have cleared up all the evidence."
What he said was quite reasonable. Although he did not say who the "person inside" was specifically, everyone knew who he was referring to0
"Gates of the Moon's guardian Nestor is a branch of House Royce. I am confident that I can persuade him to open the door and let us in."
Hearing this, Yon Royce patted his chest and promised, "He has been dissatisfied with Petyr·Baelish for a long time. As long as we let him know that the death of Duke Jon·Arryn is inseparable from that guy, he will definitely help us."
"Then there are three levels left."
Randyll·Tarly closed his eyes and quickly calculated. Bloody Gate has been broken. Gates of the Moon has the guarantee of Royce. It should not be a problem, but the remaining three levels are not so easy.
By the time they get in, the day lilies will probably be cold.
But at this moment, Randyll·Tarly discovered that Brynden not far away was leisurely closing his eyes and relaxing, seemingly not in any hurry.
"Do you have any good suggestions, Sir Brynden?" he couldn't help but ask.
Hearing this, Brynden slowly opened his eyes and grinned. "Time shouldn't be a problem.
"If those three guys were smart, they would have arrived by now."