The Mountain of Ice and Fire

With the guard down, the scene immediately became four against four.

Warg, relying on his horse's speed, charged towards the gatehouse.

Warg had never seen such a thick city wall, nor had he ever seen so many murder holes on both sides of the gatehouse. To seize control of opening and closing the city gate, Warg rode his horse towards the gatehouse, which was as long as a street.

The four spearmen, left behind by Warg, fought with Shagwell, the Fool, and Fat Zorro.

Spears had the advantage in weaponry, but being on horseback had the advantages of speed, strength, and a commanding position.

Shagwell and the Fool both used longswords, while Fat Zorro wielded an arakh—the front half of the blade was semicircular, and the back half was straight.

This type of blade, when slashing during a charge, focused on dragging the blade to inflict maximum damage on the enemy. Dothraki didn't wear armor in battle, so dragging this blade across their skin would multiply the length of the wound, maximizing blood loss. A longsword couldn't achieve this.

However, this blade's effectiveness was greatly reduced against plate armor and chainmail, only leaving a drag mark instead of cutting into the skin.

Fat Zorro's arakh clashed with a spearman. With his great strength and the momentum of his horse, his first strike severed the spearhead. A flick of the wrist brought the second strike whistling down, landing on the opponent's arm, breaking through the chainmail but failing to sever the bone.

The spearman dropped his broken spear and fled.

This was a fatal mistake.

An infantryman turning to flee from cavalry was certain to die.

Fat Zorro immediately rode after him, the arakh slicing across his neck. The expected decapitation didn't happen; instead, sparks flew as metal collided. The guard's gorget was broken, and the curved blade cut into his neck, but it failed to sever his head.

On the Dothraki Sea, this strike would have sent the head flying.

Dothraki disdained wearing armor, as it restricted their speed, agility, and fluidity of movement. Wearing armor was also seen as cowardly and ridiculed. A Dothraki without a gorget would have his head lopped off with a single slash.

The guard fell!

The warhorse's hooves came down, hitting the guard squarely in the chest. The armor caved in, and the guard spat blood, clearly beyond saving.

Zorro looked back to see two of the other three spearmen already lying in pools of blood. One had his face a bloody mess, kicked in the face by Shagwell's warhorse during the charge. His unprotected face was a pulpy ruin.

The other spearman had his right wrist severed by the Fool's sword. The sharp blade had cut off his ungloved hand, and the guard was on the ground, howling in agony.

The remaining spearman was unharmed but was hemmed in by Shagwell and the Fool. They circled him on their warhorses, giggling and twirling their swords, not immediately charging to kill.

They enjoyed watching their opponent's panic; it was very pleasing.

Fat Zorro looked towards the gatehouse. Captain Warg had already cut down one man and was fighting the last spearman, while three other spearmen were rushing towards Warg.

Fat Zorro spurred his horse forward. In the blink of an eye, Warg was surrounded and stabbed by four spearmen. The warhorse's neck was pierced, and its belly was also hit. Warg parried one spear, dodged another, jumped off the staggering horse, and with a sweep of his longsword, broke one spear in mid-air. Landing, he spun the longsword, deflected another spear, and brought it down on a guard's shoulder, the sword embedding itself in the bone.

The other two spears stabbed at Warg's back.

As if he had eyes in the back of his head, Warg released the longsword and nimbly dodged, causing the two spears to impale their comrade. Warg turned, now holding a short sword and a dagger, a relaxed smile on his face.

Two spearmen pressed towards Warg, while another spearman discarded his broken spear and drew a short sword from his waist, joining the attack.

A spearman suddenly cried out in agony as an arakh, powered by the charge of a warhorse, struck his neck, almost hacking him in two. The gorget shattered like paper, and the spearman died instantly. The other spearman was shocked and turned to flee, but how could he outrun a warhorse? Fat Zorro caught up, and the arakh slammed down on his helmet, as fast as lightning and with the force of a hammer. The guard grunted and fell.

The short sword guard who was facing Warg was stunned. Warg closed in, his right-hand short sword blocking the short sword, and his left-hand dagger followed, piercing the opponent's armor and stabbing him in the abdomen. The guard turned to flee. Warg ordered Zorro not to pursue, picked up a spear from the ground, watched the guard run into the castle, and hurled the spear, hitting the guard squarely in the back.

Thud!

The spear pierced armor and body.

Harrenhal was enormous. By the time the eleven guards scattered elsewhere arrived, the gatehouse was already occupied by Warg, Fat Zorro, the Fool, and Shagwell, standing in a line. They were relaxed, smiling, and laughing loudly.

As long as they held the gatehouse and prevented the enemy from closing the gates, that was enough. They were not in a hurry to attack Harrenhal.

Shouts erupted outside the castle; it was unknown how many people were charging towards them.

The eleven guards looked at each other, not daring to attack. A servant hurried to report to Lady Whent. The lady emerged, followed by dozens of servants, maids, kennelmen, and craftsmen armed with various weapons. The eleven guards immediately stood on either side of the lady.

The three hundred warriors of the Brave Companions also charged into the gatehouse, gathering behind Warg, Shagwell, the Fool, and Fat Zorro.

"Shagwell, you're fast on horseback. See how far away the Mountain is. If he's close, it might not be appropriate for us to kill everyone here. The Mountain gave orders beforehand not to harm women, children, the elderly, or prisoners. If he's far away, then we can take our time and kill them all."

"The Mountain?" Lady Whent's face turned pale. The Mountain's reputation was widespread; everyone knew of his cruelty, brutality, and skill in killing, as well as his immense strength and invincibility. Looking at his men, not one of them seemed normal.

Lady Whent looked at the dozens of people around her. Only eleven had any martial training, and the enemy was an entire company.

*

The Mountain and Shagwell arrived together, followed by his five hundred or so Clegane cavalry and one hundred and fifty reserve cavalry. The cavalry's speed was fast, and they could have outpaced the Brave Companions to reach Harrenhal first, but to maintain a combined arms approach, the cavalry didn't leave the thousand infantry too far behind.

The Mountain's cavalry had always been not far from Warg's Brave Companions, between the Clegane infantry and the Brave Companions, less than half a day's ride.

The Brave Companions were mostly infantry, with only about thirty horses. Whether it was a mercenary company or a noble house, raising a warhorse was not easy.

The Mountain arrived, and the three hundred warriors of the Brave Companions immediately parted ways. The Mountain was their boss, and they had to obey his commands. This was made clear by the Mountain when he paid them, and although they were mercenaries, the military discipline and punishments were the same as the Clegane soldiers.

The Mountain dismounted, facing the grim-faced Lady Whent.

*

0279 Chapter 2

Lady Whent's health was already poor. She had no children and lived in this enormous Harrenhal as if she were a ghost in the castle. There were rumors that Lady Whent was cursed by the ghost of Harrenhal. She lived in tall, dark rooms without sunlight, and her complexion was different from ordinary people.

The ghost of Harrenhal was a long-standing legend that began with Harren the Black. Too many people died during the construction of Harrenhal, and the foundations were filled with bones. Over the centuries, every lord who had lived in Harrenhal had met a bad end. Six different noble houses had owned Harrenhal, and all had been completely destroyed.

Because of this, the legend of the ghost of Harrenhal was prevalent in the Riverlands.

Lady Whent had no children, but other branches of the family had offspring. The troops from Lady Whent's territory had all been sent to Riverrun to fight, and the entire castle had only a few dozen servants and twenty guards, with no other strength.

Faced with the Mountain's army pouring in, Lady Whent's face became even paler, and her lips trembled slightly.

"Ser Gregor, I surrender. Harrenhal is yours," Lady Whent said.

"Thank you, Madam," the Mountain said. "Madam, you may pack your belongings and leave," the Mountain said.

Lady Whent could hardly believe her ears. She thought she had misheard until the maidservant beside her tugged at her sleeve, confirming that the Mountain was letting her leave.

Warg frowned.

Shagwell's eyes widened.

The Fool kept touching his red nose.

Fat Zorro placed his hand on the hilt of his arakh and shook his head. He thought the Mountain was too lenient with the enemy, not living up to his reputation.

"Your Grace is letting me leave?"

"Yes. Within the territory of Harrenhal, I guarantee your safety," the Mountain said, then raised his hand. "Anguy, Jory!"

Anguy the Archer and Jory said in unison, "Here, General!"

"Escort Lady Whent safely away later."

"Yes, General!"

Lady Whent confirmed that she could leave safely. Her legs felt weak; the matter was too sudden. The Mountain would actually let her go.

With the help of her maidservant, Lady Whent packed some money and personal belongings, and she came to thank the Mountain.

"Ser Gregor, I am deeply grateful for your kindness and generosity."

"Madam, please forgive me for occupying your Harrenhal. War has broken out, and this is my military task."

"I understand, Ser."

"Madam, you can only take two of your servants. I will also allow you to take two guards to protect you. Please choose from your servants and guards."

"Sir, what about the others? May I know how you will punish them?"

"We have so many personnel, and over a thousand infantry will arrive soon. We need cooks to prepare meals and servants to clean. The warhorses also need servants to care for them. As long as they don't try to escape, I will guarantee their safety. As for your eight guards, they can either surrender and join my ranks or be hanged. They can choose for themselves."

Lady Whent stepped forward, took the Mountain's hand, and lightly kissed the back of his hand. "May the Seven Gods have mercy on your kindness and benevolence." She released the Mountain's hand and took two steps back. "Sir, can I have five more warhorses?"

In times of war, every warhorse was precious.

Warg laughed. "You crazy old woman, do you know what you're saying?"

"I also want two boys," Shagwell laughed.

"Madam, there are horses in your stables. Go. Five warhorses for you, no more."

"Thank you, Sir! Whent is eternally grateful!" Lady Whent bowed, her tone humble.

Lady Whent chose two servants and two guards, and the two guards immediately went to the stables to fetch the horses.

"Where are you going, Madam?" The Mountain invited Lady Whent to sit down and said calmly, as if chatting casually.

"I am going to Riverrun to seek refuge with Duke Hoster," Lady Whent said truthfully.

"Going west?" The Mountain frowned. "Madam, going west is probably very unsafe. The fighting in the west is fierce. Edmure's Riverlands army has been defeated by Duke Tywin. Ser Jaime has besieged Riverrun, and Duke Tywin's forces are chasing the scattered Riverlands soldiers."

"Sir, I have no better place to go than to seek refuge with Duke Hoster."

"Why not go to the Vale? Madam, you are Lady Lysa Tully's elder, after all."

"Yes, but I have no dealings with Lady Lysa Tully," Lady Whent said. "I have decided to go to Riverrun."

The Mountain was silent, no longer trying to persuade her.

He and Lady Whent were not relatives, and in war, they were enemies. He could say no more. The generals standing beside him were all surprised. Brave Companions Captain Warg's eyes were wide, and the Fool and Shagwell were even more incredulous.

The Mountain's actions had already made many of his men unable to understand, finding it unbelievable. Only Anguy's eyes flickered several times. He realized that his previous view of the Mountain might have been largely based on misinformation and hearsay.

Soon, the warhorses were brought, and Lady Whent thanked the Mountain again. Under the protection of Jory and Anguy, Lady Whent, with her two servants and two guards, rode away from Harrenhal.

The Mountain stood before the dozens of servants and eight guards of Harrenhal.

"Soldiers of Harrenhal, do you choose to be hanged or swear allegiance to me?"

The eight guards knelt together and swore allegiance to the Mountain.

The Mountain gave the eight guards to Erlin (former Captain Edmure), who incorporated them into his guard.

"All of you servants, maids, kennelmen, and craftsmen, return to your original positions and continue your previous work. Anyone who runs away will be caught and hanged," the Mountain announced.

The servants agreed to obey and then dispersed. Under the Mountain's infamous name, the servants had escaped death, and everyone felt as if they had had a nightmare.

*

Shagwell drank just the right amount of wine, took a hot bath, and then walked towards the Weeping Tower.

A pair of eyes watched his back in the darkness, standing motionless in the shadow of a large tree in the courtyard.

Thank you: [Punishment Knight Zero Degree Thinking] for the reward, thank you, handshake!