THE WAR OF ICE AND FIRE

FIRST BLOOD: PART 2- BATTLE OF HIGHGARDEN

303 AC

REACH

ROSE ROAD (NEAR CIDER HALL)

ROBB STARK

Robb cursed, as he heard the messenger, report about the disaster that was the Battle Of Blackhaven.

"What the hell was Lord Beric thinking taking an army of that size head on?" Ser Robar snapped at the poor messenger "We specifically ordered him to fortify his position and harras the enemy supply lines!".

The messenger, who was only a boy, cowered in fear. He was one of the few survivors, who managed to escape the bloody fields of Blackhaven.

"Lord Beric had no choice, Ser" The messenger explained pitifully, his voice shaking "Blackhaven didn't have enough supplies to last our army, even for a week, if a siege happened. He tried everything to bleed the enemy forces but he failed".

"What about the survivors of the battle?" Lord Bolton asked.

"They have retreated to Storm's End to bolster it's defences under Ser Cortnay Penrose" The Messenger said which caused Robb and Ser Davos to sigh in relief.

"I hope Lady Sheeren will be okay!" Wulfric mumbled. He can't imagine what the little girl is going through.

"Thank you Ser" Robb thanked the messenger "You have journeyed long and hard, go and get some food and rest!".

The messenger bowed his head "Thank You, Your Grace!" He said gratefully before taking his leave.

As soon as the messenger left the tent, Robb immediately began arranging the figurines in the war map. He took out wolf figurine from Stormlands, and placed a Dragon Figurine in it's place, signifying a Targaryen Victory.

He then placed the Wolf and Dragon Figurines near Highgarden, signifying the incoming clash between two armies.

"Lord Beric's defeat is while an inconvenience for us, doesn't change our overall plan" Robb spoke softly "Lord Tarly's army of 20,000 still stands, and we must reach them before the Dothraki does".

"And what about the armies of other Kingdoms?" Ser Davos asked.

"The combined armies of Vale, Riverlands, Crownlands, and Riverlands can muster 40,000 men. Last we heard they have crossed the Northern Force under my Uncle Benjen had crossed the Neck, while the armies of Vale had left the Bloody Gate" Wulfric explained "They will be all rallying at Harrenhal, before marching to Highgarden".

"And to march with an army of that size will take time, time we don't have. We can't leave Lord Tarly alone to fend the Dothraki by himself, because while he had an army of excellent foot soldiers, he doesn't have that many Cavalry to successfully fight the Dothraki!" Robb shook his head "We will ride to Highgarden as soon as possible".

"But my King, the entire Royal Army is only 6,000 strong!" Lord Marbrand said concerned "Will it be enough?"

"Yes we are only 6,000 Strong, but you are forgetting that each of this 6,000 men are trained and battle-hardened. And most importantly they are all Cavalry!!" Robb explained smiling as he pointed at the map "Dothraki are ferocious warriors, but they doesn't have much way for strategical thinking. They will fight with Lord Tarly head on, instead of bleeding his forces dry, by cutting his supplies".

He placed another Wolf figurine near Highgarden "And while they will be fighting Tarly's forces, our own Cavalry, will strike them from behind and crush them between two armies" He looked at Lord Marbrand and Ser Brynden "The essence of our Victory is our speed and stealth. Our Scouts will kill any of their Outriders, to make sure they didn't know of our approach".