Chapter 141 Return to White Harbor

This cavalry of 5,000 men, following their commander Clay Mandler all the way south, destroyed the city and conquered every enemy. Their great achievements in battle also meant that everyone was captured.

They all thought that if there was another war in the future, they would follow Mr. Clay to rob those unlucky southerners. Anyway, their army would be like a chicken and a dog in front of Mr. Clay, and they would be vulnerable.

But there is no such thing as a banquet that lasts forever. After the army left the Twins and headed north along the King's Road through the Gulf of Cailin, the time to say goodbye finally arrived.

Here, Clay will lead all the cavalry of the Mandalay family, leaving the large army and returning towards White Harbor at the mouth of the White Blade River in the east. The remaining people will continue their journey home.

"Lord Severn, I leave this army to you. I finally brought everyone back, and I didn't let every household in the north hate me, Clay Manderly."

Clay's tone was quite sad. It wasn't that he was too pretentious and couldn't stand the separation. It was just that as the commander of the army, he already liked the feeling of commanding the army, and the team under his command was also a team that could make him The powerful troops displayed.

Now it's time for him to go home, and he doesn't know when he will be able to command such a powerful army again to defeat and annihilate the enemies standing in front of him.

"Master Clay, you have returned to the North, that is, you are home. Now, it is time for you to leave. I have something to say that you may need to listen to."

The Earl of Severn City, riding on a war horse wearing a horse armor with the emblem of the Severn family's battle ax, looked at the young man in front of him who had resigned as the commander of the cavalry group, but still looked sharp and sharp, and felt very envious.

At his age, he usually played with his maid in bed every day. He was not married at that time, and it was the most carefree days.

And this Lord Clay Manderly is only eighteen years old, but he has already made military exploits for his family and the North that are envied by countless people in the war, and his military prowess has made countless people fear him.

"Lord Severn, of course I have time. White Harbor is in the east, and it can't escape."

Clay smiled and drove his horse a few steps closer to the Earl. Along the way, Earl Severn and Earl Glover were the two northern nobles who followed him from beginning to end. At this time Of course Clay wouldn't refuse if he had something to say.

Earl Severn looked around and saw that the nearest guard was also ten steps away. In the strong wind howling in the north, he probably couldn't hear what he and Clay were talking about, so he no longer hesitated, and his expression changed. Seriously, he opened his mouth and said:

"Lord Clay, I know you didn't have too many selfish motives when you led the brothers south. You are a very good commander and can be a humble subordinate on the battlefield. I have no dissatisfaction at all. On the contrary, this is the responsibility of the gods." Grant me your favor.”

"Sir, it doesn't have to be like this. Everything was accomplished with our own lives. To put it this way, it's a bit too much."

Clay waved his hand. Everyone broke up with countless enemies along the way and immediately parted ways. It would be meaningless to say these polite words anymore.

"My lord, this is what I want to say. You don't have to be modest. You can annihilate more than 10,000 Lannister people, capture the Kingslayer alive, and finally rescue Lord Eddard Stark from Lord Tywin. Think about it. , which one you were not involved in."

Earl Severn stared into Clay's eyes and said slowly but firmly:

"In fact, you participated in everything, and everyone knows very well that you take the most credit, and this, to some extent, is not a good thing for you."

Clay understood what the other party wanted to say, and was a little surprised. The Earl of Severn City was an interesting person. He could actually say these words to him sincerely. He couldn't do anything else.

Looking at the vast wilderness in the north, Clay was silent for a while and then said calmly:

"Lord Severn, I believe that Lord Stark is not that small-minded. They have ruled the North for thousands of years. They can't do such a thing if they turn against me just after I have accomplished my merits."

Earl Severn did not argue with Clay because it was a fact. He nodded and shook his head:

"Lord Clay, you are right. The Stark family, whether it is Lord Eddard or the already emerging Lord Robb, will not do anything to you directly, but they will be on guard against you, because you and your The family is already too powerful.”

In Earl Severn's view, Clay Mandlery and the Mandalay family behind him are already on the edge of the cliff.

The people of the North are quite xenophobic. They originally rejected the Mandalay family, who migrated from the Reach and still believe in the Seven Gods. But now, thanks to Clay's outstanding military exploits, the twins of the River Reach have been repelled. River City, like White Harbor, also falls under the Mermaid Flag.

Now, there is a question mark as to whether the Mandalay family is still a northern family, and the huge size of the Mandalay family will make these northern adults even more fearful.

The reason why Earl Severn told Clay today was because he didn't want to see such a young man encounter the hostility of all the northern families in the future because of his mistakes.

…

Clay and Earl Severn chatted a lot, but it was a pity that Clay could not find suitable wine as the army moved forward.

Seeing that this Earl Severn, who was only half a day away from Winterfell and who was supposed to be a strong supporter of the Stark family, Clay couldn't help feeling that a war could really change a person.

Didn't he know that he was already in the center of the whirlpool? Ed and his son didn't say a word, but there was no guarantee that they wouldn't have any thoughts in their hearts. No matter how upright a person is, if you sit in that position, you will definitely have something like this. idea, this is not surprising.

In addition, there is Lady Catelyn, who is fanning the flames with Theon Greyjoy, who she cannot deal with. Clay, the Manderly family, will definitely be in the hearts of the Stark family.

Ed Stark is not Tywin, and the rainy season of Casmet will not befall the Mandalay family. However, it is impossible for the family to make a difference in the future.

The road to the north has brought him to the end, and in this dangerous gamble called Game of Thrones, the winner takes all, and if he doesn't advance, he retreats. Clay must find a second way for himself.

After bidding farewell to Earl Severn, Clay took the family's cavalry and galloped away in the direction of White Harbor. He wanted to go home early. After all, he had had enough of dilly-dallying on the road, and he There is still much to do.

The old man did not go north with him. He wanted to stay in the Twins City to sort out the family's latest fiefdom. The old man also understood the current sensitive situation, so he must make the Mandalay family as soon as possible to fill the gap left after the Frey family collapsed. A huge power vacuum.

Only when all the fief forces are integrated and the Mandalay family can assemble a strong army at any time can the family be truly safe and no one dares to covet it easily.

He has already given his granddaughter Wilfield to the Stark family, which is a hostage to temporarily show weakness. As for whether she can obtain the position of future mistress of the North, Earl Wyman did not force her.

All the forbearance now is to buy enough time for the family. When the dragon returns from the Strait Sea and shocks the seven countries with its roar, everything will be worth it. As the head of the family, he has no way out. His grandson Ke Not even Lei.

…

After four days of galloping, Clay finally saw the thick gray-white city wall on the outermost edge of White Harbor again, with the Mandalay family's flag flying on the battlements.

Clay stopped his horse and carefully observed everything in front of him. This was the starting point of his journey south. Now, he finally came back. Behind him, the cheers of the White Harbor cavalry rang out. At first it was just a little bit, and finally it turned into a mountain. Drink like a tsunami.

Of course they have reason to be happy. Although Clay led them to win the battle all the way, there is no undead person in the war. White Harbor also saw the death of his brother. Although no one said anything, this kind of precarious life, No one wants to last long.

Now, they finally returned home. The city walls of White Harbor gave them a great sense of security. Inside, their wives, children, father, mother, brothers, and sisters were all waiting for their return.

For some reason, Clay suddenly remembered the young unmarried guard he met outside the old man's study before leaving. He still remembered the shy guard's face when he introduced to him the small shield token given to him by his fiancée. Satisfied expression on the face.

I don't know if he survived the war. Clay was the commander of the cavalry group. He didn't, and it was not appropriate to pay attention to his family's cavalry, who was killed or still alive.

After everything is settled, he might as well ask. If time permits before he leaves, he can serve as a witness for him and fulfill the promise he made to him, Clay thought in his heart.

"Come on, everyone, we're home!"

Clay turned around, raised his right fist and said loudly to the extremely excited cavalry behind him.

His words made the White Harbor cavalry roar in agreement. They followed their young master's horses and rushed towards the west gate of the White Harbor city wall.

"Clay, you did a great job, the family is proud of you!"

As the man who stayed behind in White Harbor arranged by the old man, Willis Mandler formally welcomed the return of Clay, a great hero of the family, in the Mermaid Palace.

It's a pity that Clay's father Wendel Manderly is still not here. As Stannis shrinks and gathers his fleet and heads towards King's Landing, the order on the east side of the strait completely collapses and pirates swarm. And arrived.

The fleet heading to Pentos from White Harbor was robbed by pirates. The furious Sir Wendel rushed into the strait with the fleet from White Harbor, chasing these short-sighted pirates all over the world.

"Uncle, I just want to take a shower right now, and then give me a big plate of the most authentic cod in White Harbor. In the past, Vera always competed with me, and she always couldn't finish the meal."

Clay gave his uncle a bear hug, then helplessly spread his hands and pointed at his belly.

Willis laughed loudly and said repeatedly:

"It's easy. I'll order the kitchen to do it now. Our Mandalay family, among other things, must not treat anyone badly when it comes to food. You go and wash yourself now. You don't have to worry about the rest. Just come here as soon as you’re done, I’ll definitely prepare it for you!”

Willis gave his nephew a guarantee. He originally thought that after Clay went out and was beaten in the bloody water, he would become very aggressive and stay away from strangers. When he was still young, his father Earl Wyman looked like that after he returned from participating in the Usurper's War, and he still remembers it so well.

But now it seems that Clay has not changed much. Apart from the fact that he can no longer see the youthfulness that a seventeen-year-old boy should have, Clay is still Clay, from every angle.

"Okay, let's talk about uncle later. I'm going to wash myself first. If it weren't for the conditions in the military, I would have wanted to wash myself. I really can't stand the smell of myself."

"Oh, you really know how to enjoy it. Go quickly."

Willis waved his hand, indicating that Clay could leave. To be honest, he couldn't stand the very polluting smell of Clay. Even the incense in the Mermaid Palace couldn't suppress the smell. It was too strong. !

After a refreshing wash, Clay changed three buckets of water in a row, and finally put on the aristocratic gown with complicated patterns and bright colors handed over by the servant, transforming himself from a blood-stained warrior back into a lovable one. The young master of Bai Gang.

"Oh, this is what I look like. My image management was really bad before. No, it needs to be improved. Also, this is the trouble of being single. If there is a woman, the mandarin duck bath should be finished by now. …”

Clay complained in his heart that he was really unqualified as a noble young master. If other noble young masters of his age were a little bolder, not to mention such outrageous operations as killing thousands of people, at least the maids around him would definitely be ruined.

What's outrageous is that there are now several illegitimate children. Rich and powerful nobles have a natural advantage in this regard. You can understand it just by looking at how rich Tyrion's private life is.

After cleaning up, it’s time to eat. Clay has been eating dry food for more than a month and has not experienced the joy of eating for a long time. Now, he finally relaxed and thought about the level of the cooks in White Harbor. Clay stayed Unsatisfactory saliva.

Damn, I'm really hungry.

He walked to the lobby of the Mermaid Palace and heard the long-lost call "Master Clay" on the way. As soon as Clay arrived at the door, he smelled the aroma of food.

Yes, this is the taste, the taste of fried cod. Today, no one can compete with me!

"Come on, Clay, I'll definitely have enough cod for you today. You can eat as much as you want."

Willis sat in a high-backed chair and looked at Clay with a smile. The wine glass in his hand was shaking, and he pointed to the seat next to him. There was a large plate on the seat, which was full of fried, crispy and browned cod. strip.

Very skillfully, he opened a bottle of the old man's treasure for his eldest nephew. Willis also picked up a leg of lamb and started fighting. The Mandalay family's ability to fight for food was hard to find in the Seven Kingdoms.

Neither of them spoke. They concentrated on the food on the plate, taking a big bite when they were thirsty, and then continued fighting.

When the battle came to an end, Clay leaned back comfortably in his chair, smacking the taste in his mouth, and finally felt completely relaxed.

"Clay, my father wrote to me saying that after you come back, I will be responsible for everything. You will be leaving soon. Where are you going?"

Clay took a napkin, wiped the grease from the corners of his mouth, took a long breath, and spit out a name:

"Essos..."