(Third-person perspective)
After several days of sailing, Aermir arrived at Sweetsister. Five families held power on this island. The House Sunderland ruled the Three Sisters and was a force to be reckoned with. The House Borrell controlled Sweetsister and was another important power. The remaining three families were more similar to the House Ironcrown and House Stormcliff they had encountered before—small families with only a thousand men guarding their Citadel.
Considering the previous strategy, Aermir chose to play a less direct role in the upcoming battles. Instead, he intended to expose his men to challenges, allowing them to gain valuable combat experience. Crow was permitted to relay messages between Longsister and Sweetsister, ensuring both islands were informed of recent developments. While the House Stormcliff's defeat did cast doubt on the strength of the Three Sisters families, the House Sunderland's long-standing arrogance was not so easily erased. They remained convinced of their ability to defeat the Druid, possessing a combined force of nine thousand men, mostly conscripted.
Unwilling to concede defeat, the Sweetsister family formed a united front. They assembled a large army and planned to ambush the Druid, despite not fully understanding the nature of their enemy. However, Aermir had already obtained intelligence from his family members about the location of the united army and the planned ambush site, and entrusted the planning and execution of the upcoming battle to his capable generals: Harrick Greenwood, Jory Flint, and others. His role in this conflict was limited to providing support and healing.
The lush battlefield stretched out before them. The soldiers of the Three Sisters family were still marching towards their designated ambush position, but when they learned that the Drasil army had spotted them and was advancing towards them, they had no choice but to prepare for the impending battle.
The commanders devised meticulous plans, emphasizing the importance of discipline and coordination. They knew that the key to victory lay in exploiting the inexperience of the Three Sisters armies and deceiving their combined forces.
Observing from the rear, Aermir began to cast a ritualistic blessing on his vanguard. A strong wind swept through the assembled soldiers, invigorating them and preparing them for the battle ahead. The Three Sisters people, complacent with their numerical advantage, were oblivious to the imminent threat. Aermir had to leave two thousand men to control Longsister, thus reducing their numbers.
Once the battle began, the Three Sisters soldiers charged ahead, their forces disorganized and lacking a unified strategy. They failed to grasp the destructive potential of the Aermir army, a lesson they were about to learn firsthand.
His men displayed near-supernatural discipline, executing military strategies with precision. Spear formations, phalanxes, and probing formations—formations renowned for their efficiency—were skillfully employed in different positions on the battlefield.
As in every battle, Aermir's 200 paladins and the vanguard of the Order of Drasil became behemoths under his blessing. Their stamina and strength seemed inexhaustible, making them an unstoppable force on the battlefield. These experienced warriors, empowered by Aermir's magic, formed the core of his powerful army.
The generals led their troops like seasoned orchestra conductors. Harrick and Jory's armies moved in perfect harmony, their exercises executed with exquisite precision. Their flawless coordination exploited the disarray within the Three Sisters' forces, gaining them a tremendous advantage.
The lords of the Three Sisters observed the unfolding disaster and attempted to regain control. They issued orders, frantically rallied their troops, and worked to restore discipline. The commanders of the House Borrell were particularly active in organizing their forces. The imminent danger was already evident.
The battle unfolded like a symphony of war. Aermir's contributions, though limited to healing, were still crucial. He skillfully used his repair abilities to ensure the troops were in peak condition, enabling them to continue their relentless advance.
The infantry were organized into a tight spear formation, forming a solid shield against the cavalry charges of the Three Sisters. When the enemy cavalry charged, the spears were lowered, creating an impenetrable wall of spears. As the cavalry charged, the horses collided with the spear wall, producing a deafening crash. The disciplined infantry held their ground, and their spear formation remained unbroken.
Among the infantry, the paladins of Aermir and the Drasil Knights formed an almost impenetrable phalanx. They advanced methodically, their heavily armored ranks forming an unbreakable the Mountain.
While the infantry held the front lines, skilled rangers deployed on higher ground, unleashing a hail of arrows at the Three Sisters forces. The rangers moved in perfect unison, their deadly strikes hitting their targets with deadly accuracy. This relentless barrage disrupted the Three Sisters' attempts to regroup and launch a coordinated counterattack.
When the House Sunderland commander saw them retreating steadily through the center, he began issuing new orders to his troops. These orders were intended to establish a coherent defense, but they continued to lose ground step by step.
As the battle intensified, the Three Sisters soldiers, initially confident of victory, became confused and frustrated. In their eyes, their orderly formation had turned into chaos as they tried to adapt to the ruthless tactics employed by Aermir's disciplined army, and compared to Aermir's forces, they were merely a motley crew.
The powerful charge tore through the Three Sisters ' vanguard like a storm, leaving behind only devastation. The Three Sisters soldiers were caught off guard by this fierce offensive, finding themselves facing an impregnable wall of armor.
The disciplined behemoths broke through the enemy's formation, tearing it to shreds with every step. The shockwaves of the attack rippled through the Three Sisters ' army, causing chaos. They lost their center, and the army was split in two.
The shattered Three Sisters army began to rout; the Three Sisters army was utterly defeated. They lost more than half their troops. In contrast, thanks to Aermir's healing and superior numbers, they lost only 300 men. As the sun dipped below the horizon, it was setting atop Sweetsister, and a new day would dawn on the island, welcoming its new ruler.
King Robert Baratheon sat at his ornate desk, listening intently as Jon Arryn recounted the complex conflicts on the Three Sisters. Jon Arryn spoke with a furrowed brow and a worried expression.
"Your Majesty, the situation in the Three Sisters is becoming increasingly dire. The ongoing conflict threatens not only peace on the Three Sisters, but also the peace of the entire kingdom. We must act swiftly to restore order."
Robert leaned back in his chair and nodded in understanding. "I understand your concerns, Jon. We can't let the kingdom descend into chaos. But you know, I've already stated my position on this matter. I cannot side with House Arryn in this conflict."
Jon Arryn's eyes were filled with despair as he pleaded, "Your Majesty, I understand your position, but we are sure there is a way to resolve this situation without compromising the integrity of the Royal Family. We have always been staunch supporters of your rule, and now, in our time of need, we turn to you for help."
King Robert looked at Jon with a stern gaze. " Jon, you know I value our friendship and your unwavering loyalty. But I have made my point clear, and I intend to stand firm. Your men are the instigators of this conflict, and they are paying the price. I cannot interfere in the conflict of the Three Sisters. I hope you understand."
Jon Arryn had been talking about the broader implications for the stability of the kingdom and the safety of the common people, without explicitly revealing his own vested interests in maintaining House Arryn's lands, but none of his words were enough to convince Robert.
Jon Arryn felt a great sense of relief upon receiving the news that his Knights of the Vale had begun their work, landing on the Three Sisters to help restore order.
He thought to himself, "This upstart dares to use the power of the Druid to try and seize what belongs to him? If they want war, then let's start a war."
The Vale Lord's plan was resolute. Of course, as the king's strategist, once he regained control of the Three Sisters, he would plead for peace. At that time, he would have ample grounds to demand war reparations for the conflict. He thought to himself that the price to pay for the young lord's audacious actions would not be great.
Jon Arryn's thoughts then turned to the North and his close friend Eddard Stark. He thought, Ned is a problem.
"If I want to get what I want, I have to find a way to stall him. If he asks for peace, I must agree, because it would be unwise to fight the entire North. I cannot sue that brat for peace before I have reclaimed the islands."
Jon Arryn made up his mind and began to implement his plan, believing that he could navigate this complex power struggle with ease and protect the interests of his family.