Chapter 23: Arryn Valley

Catelin was riding a horse. Just now, a Lannister squire had died of a high fever due to wound ulceration. They did not dare to stay, but the child named Cole went to bury him.

He had made the greatest contribution along the way, and he killed half of the enemies, so no one spoke out to stop him this time. Catelyn never believed the stories in the knight's biography before, but after meeting this child, she believed it.

Now only the old coach of Winterfell, Knight Rodrik Cassel, Sir Willy Ward and the minstrel Marillion are alive. These people clearly stand on her side, and as for the mercenary Bronn, he has obviously turned to the devil.

The child buried the squire named Maurice, his face was extremely gloomy, and the whole person was like a silent volcano.

"He killed too many people, and he can't bear it anymore." The old warrior Sir Rodrik said to Catelyn.

Catelyn frowned, "How could this happen?"

She began to regret that she shouldn't have brought Lannister to the Vale of Arryn so rashly. Six people had already died because of this. She was not heartless. She just wanted to seek justice for her son.

"Something seems to be wrong with your little brother." Bronn reminded Tyrion in a low voice.

He knew that Cole's face was terribly gloomy all the way, and he didn't respond to anyone. "I'm not blind, I can see it naturally, what's going on?"

Bron was a skilled and courageous person, but he had to admit that this child was so fierce that he was simply a "warrior" among the Seven Gods.

"This kind of situation often happens on the battlefield. You'd better pray to the gods that he won't explode in the next battle, otherwise it is likely that we will all suffer." He said lightly, as if he didn't care.

"You mean, he is suppressing it?"

Bron nodded.

"Then what should we do?" Tyrion asked.

Bronn thought for a moment, then cracked a gray smile, "Give him a woman."

"Now is not the time to joke, mercenary." Tyrion's face was a little dark.

"This is not a joke, Lannister. Otherwise, why do you think those guys who have finished fighting go to prostitutes."

The two looked at the only woman at the scene.

"Let's go." Cole jumped on the horse.

"Man, you should learn to relax." The mercenary squeezed out a self-righteous smile.

"Yeah."

This seemed to have no effect. Not long after the horse started, the vibration of the horse's hooves came. Cole seemed to be stimulated by the sound. At this time, a hand patted his shoulder, "Calm down, kid. It's just killing a few people. Knights are born to fight. Be prepared and fight to the death."

Cole looked up and saw the old knight Rodrik. He looked tired and pale. He always protected Lady Stark. He turned around and saw Catelyn smiling at him.

What's wrong with him? He asked himself in his heart. Killing made him feel disgusted, but they were all enemies. If he didn't kill them, he would die. He was just protecting himself.

But the wailing and begging for mercy were like nightmares that lingered in his ears all the time. He felt that the first time he killed someone was very common, as if he had seen life and death on the Great Wall. But as more and more people died under his sword, and more and more frequently, he felt something was wrong.

"Who are you?" A team of armored cavalrymen raised a blue flag with a white crescent falcon.

"It seems we are saved. We are cavalrymen from the Arryn family." Tyrion said.

"I am Catelyn Stark from Winterfell." Catelyn quickly stated her identity.

The leading knight was stunned. He thought it was a team of mountain people. When he looked closely, he saw a beautiful Andal face, which was somewhat similar to Lady Lysa Tully, the matron of the Arryn Valley.

The mountain clans are all descendants of the ancestors, and there are few women as beautiful as her. She herself said she was a "Stark". How could people from the North come here?

If Tyrion knew what he was thinking, he would definitely correct him, 'People from the North are also descendants of the ancestors. '

"Madam, why are you here?" The knight asked in confusion.

"I want to see your duke's wife, Lysa Tully. I am her sister."

After hearing this, the knight bowed and apologized, "My lady, I am sorry. I didn't know you were coming in advance."

"No, it's not your fault, sir. I just had to come to see my sister in a hurry. I'm sorry, may I ask your family's title?"

"I am 'Donnell Waywood' from the Waywood family. Please let me escort you to the end of your journey, ma'am."

"I know Countess Anya Waywood. I wonder if she is doing well recently."

"My mother is fine."

Catelin showed a polite smile, solemn but friendly, like a spring breeze, but giving people a sense of untouchability.

Donnell is a bloody knight loyal to the Arryn family. He speaks very gracefully and uses words very carefully.

Tyrion whispered to Cole, "This family has always been known for its etiquette."

They were protected by the cavalry in the center, slowly moving towards the mountain pass. The old knight could hardly ride a horse. They walked towards the fortress. Cole reached out to help Rodrik.

He stopped holding up and whispered a thank you.

Lady Catelyn seemed to be very worried about his situation, and hurriedly asked the Bloody Gate Knight Donnel if there were any maesters in the fortress.

Donnel shook his head and told her that all the maesters had been summoned to the Eyrie by her sister Lysa.

The fortress was built at a gorge, with watchtowers clinging to the rock walls on both sides. Cole was shocked by the airtight fortifications in front of him. No wonder it took a dragon to conquer the Arryn Valley. With this fortress that could not be broken by one man, I really don't know how to attack it.

Of course, the Arryn Valley did not join the Targaryen family by means of war, but in a peaceful way. However, the dragon played a big role in it.

But after entering the fortress, Cole realized that he had underestimated the group of turtle guys in the Arryn Valley. He could only sigh that he was still too young.

They were greeted by another Bloody Gate Knight, who was also Catelyn's uncle, "Brynden Tully", known as the Blackfish. He was a knight admired even by the Kingslayer.

His nickname was also very interesting. It was said that his brother Hoster Tully called him the "black sheep" of the Tully family because of some things, and he himself refuted that he was the "Blackfish". The black fish emblem made of gold and obsidian on his shoulder is his characteristic, which is the opposite color of the silver sturgeon emblem of the Tully family.

After passing through the Bloody Gate Fortress, they entered the Arryn Valley, and the view in front of them suddenly became clear. There were farmhouses, fields and blue sky, as well as towering mountains. Everything was radiant in the morning light, like a paradise isolated from the world. It was quiet and beautiful here, protected by mountains, surrounded by rivers and streams. The highest mountain range rose up to the sky like a long spear, which was the mountain called "Giant's Spear".

The Eagle's Nest is on the Giant's Spear. Between the layers of mountains, the Arryns built a series of fortresses and checkpoints. Cole said in his heart: "It's really a group of turtles."

"It's right there, on the side of Alessa's Tears." Sir Blackfish pointed to the castle and said to Catelyn.

Alessa's Tears is a river flowing down from the peak of the Giant's Spear. Cole remembered that there seemed to be some story, but he no longer remembered it.

PS: The original novel is very detailed here, I can only briefly describe it from Cole's perspective, otherwise it would be too watery. The original novel is very exciting, but please treat this as a parallel world, after all, the original novel is not finished, so I will apply some settings from the film and television.