Bear School Astartes

In Edd's eyes, the intersection between Lann and Alia was probably just bringing back the lost little girl and then teaching her some swordsmanship.

So the Duke of the North completely didn't understand that Lann initially got involved in this troublesome matter all for the sake of his little daughter.

Edd's group, more than twenty people, all equipped with double horses for long-distance riding.

But even with two horses, humans have much better endurance than horses, and they cannot maintain progress all day long.

According to the plan, to avoid the enemy's inevitable interception, Lann's group should ideally choose the time period when the road is empty to travel.

But that's easier said than done, in reality, it's far from achievable.

In ancient lighting conditions, even city nights would make people feel as if their eyes were covered with darkness, let alone such wild roads.

If they don't want the horses to break a leg or someone to break a neck, it's more practical to travel during the day.

"Where are we now?"

Amid the bumping of the horses, Lann accelerated to catch up with Edd and ask.

He knew he had passed through here on his way to King's Landing, but he didn't know which territory this place belonged to in terms of border lines.

"We've reached the edge of the Royal Territory, whew — about twenty kilometers further, we'll enter the Riverlands."

Edd replied while panting, long rides being physically taxing.

By the strange seasonal division method of Westeros, it's already considered autumn.

According to the maesters observing the sky, after a long summer lasting several years, they are about to face a dreadful Long Night of winter.

And now this time of the year is the tiny transition between a long summer and winter.

But even though it's only early autumn, the nights already have a chill.

Wet heat puffed from the horses' large nostrils, and the riders' shirts under their leather armor were first soaked with sweat and then chilled by the night wind seeping through the gaps in the armor.

As the outline of the sun sank below the treetops on either side of the King's Road, Edd gave the order to set up camp.

"Jorri, we'll camp now. The light is about to disappear completely."

"Yes, whew — my lord,"

The guard captain's black hair was completely pasted to his face, and his legs trembled a bit when he dismounted, though he quickly recovered, it still showed that his riding skills were among the poorer ones in the group.

Edd chose this section of the road, which is neither near a village nor a shop, specifically to avoid staying at inns, meeting people, and reducing risk.

According to him, the kidnapped Tyrion Lannister had run into his wife at an inn on the King's Road.

Then it became the spark that ignited the whole affair.

Hearing this, Lann expressed strong agreement with his choice of camping midway.

"We need to patrol tonight on alert," Lann reminded Edd beside him.

"I remember vaguely the shape of the territorial borders, the junction between the Riverlands and the Royal Territory is very narrow, without depth. It's easy for Lannister forces to penetrate this junction. And once you enter the Riverlands, you can gain the protection of your wife's family's castle..."

The implication is that the probability of encountering an enemy interception team here is high. Not only is it easy, but the opportunity is rare.

Edd nodded in agreement.

"Jorri, Haihua, Will... you ten stay here and set up camp, the rest with better riding skills, we'll scout five kilometers forward and backward on the King's Road."

Edd picked these people who were still staggering on their legs after dismounting.

Those left to camp knew their situation, so they began to dismantle the tarp and sundries from the cart and prepare to open a small campsite in the woods by the road.

Jorri frowned as he moved a box on the cart: "It's a bit heavy... why would my lord bring such a thing on a long ride?"

With no answer to his thoughts and tired himself, Jorri placed the box on the planned campsite area and didn't bother further.

The road backward, having been traversed once, was less dangerous, so only five people were sent there.

While Edd and Lann took five other guard members to patrol forward.

Each holding a torch, the pace of patrolling was much more relaxed than the rush travel, serving as a little rest.

The flickering torchlight cast gripping shadows, and the sound of wind blowing through the woods mixed with the calls of birds and beasts, lonely and profound.

The five soldiers behind were already very tired, but Lann was still conversing with Edd.

The youth's unusual physique made the physical exertion of riding easy for him to bear.

And Edd Stark, this Northern man, was carrying his fatigued body by sheer responsibility and honor.

In today's era, his age was already not considered young.

"If Lannister wants to intercept you with small forces, they will surely send strong knights, who do you think it will be?"

Lann's voice was light in the night wind.

The silver-white hair on his head reflected a soft silver glow in the torchlight, this layer of gentle light made his handsome face look almost unearthly.

Edd responded wearily, "Gregor Clegane. Surely him."

At the utterance of this name, Lann subtly glanced back at the five soldiers.

Though they didn't make any conspicuous reactions, Lann sharply noticed a brief shuffle of hoof beats beneath them.

"You noticed too." Edd smiled wryly. "No Lannister knight can evoke such massive fear among their enemies."

The five soldiers lowered their heads slightly in shame.

Lann knew it wasn't their fault. On an ancient battlefield, anyone would feel like they saw a ghost upon seeing "The Demon Mountain," both his physique and his armor.

That set of armor, which an ordinary soldier couldn't even lift, he donned, needing a long spear to pierce it wouldn't even penetrate.

The greatsword, which most people could barely lift, he wielded single-handedly to fight on the battlefield.

Facing Sando Clegane, Lann felt that the opponent's sheer strength was about eighty percent of his own during their bout.

And Gregor Clegane should approximately match him in raw strength.

With an armored warhorse added, Gregor Clegane's weight and impact could directly rival a charging bull!

Edd also accepted the subordinate's fear, the abnormal physique of the Clegane family has long been renowned across the Seven Kingdoms, there's no shame in acknowledging it.

The group continued at an even pace, patrolling forward down the road, quickly covering the five-kilometer patrol area under their hooves.

But just as Edd was about to turn his horse around and return to camp, Lann behind him perked up his ears. Frowning, he peered into the side forest ahead.

In that place, not a single call of birds or beasts was heard in the woods.

"Edd, run to the camp, full speed."

Lann maintained a composed demeanor, softly instructing as Edd brushed past him.