Late at night, the darkness was profound, with only the red comet hanging high in the sky.
Fountainhead is near Crab's Bay, with the castle situated on a hill and the town surrounded by walls.
The hills to the east were lush with trees, and pines encircled the area from all directions, like an army of silent, grey-green soldiers.
The sea breeze carried the sound of waves into the city.
Although it was night, most of the residents of Fountainhead were restless and sleepless with anxiety.
They had heard of the atrocities committed by Tywin Lannister, and it was possible that Fountainhead would not escape the same fate.
Fountainhead had always been prosperous and was well-known in the Riverlands.
"My Lord, it seems there are many ships coming up from Crab's Bay, you should see for yourself." The Captain of the Guard, wearing a red cloak, found Lord Mouton, who, being anxious all day, slept even later.
On the guard's back was the Mouton Family crest: a red salmon on a white field, with a thin gold border.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Lannister is deploying only infantry and cavalry this time," Lord William Mouton grumbled discontentedly.
"I told you to watch for Lannister's Red Cloaks to the west, not to look at Crab's Bay.
What's there to see there?"
Lord William was soft and flabby, with pale skin, a cowardly and incompetent man.
"You should still go and see, there are many ships," the Captain of the Guard said anxiously.
Lord William then followed the soldier's steps and ascended to the castle's high watchtower, looking at the fleet in the sea.
The taxi soldiers and the Captain of the Guard in the watchtower had not lied; Lord William could indeed recognize those silent sea ships and the smaller riverboats.
The night was as black as ink, but as the ships passed before Lord William, he still discerned the cold glint of armor in the darkness and the occasional familiar neighing of horses.
These ships carried soldiers, not just a few, but many.
"My Lord, what should we do?" the Captain of the Guard asked Lord William.
"Are the crabfeeders men going to attack us amidst the chaos?"
"Forget it, who knows what these people are up to?
These bumpkins and wildlings." Lord William snorted, then patted his round belly.
"They don't intend to attack us, or else they would be landing closer to Fountainhead."
"But in this pitch-black night, do these crabfeeders men also want to get involved in the war?" the Captain of the Guard wondered.
"Now it's the trout and the lion fighting, what are these wildlings doing?"
"Let them be, maybe they're just showing their faces."
The liegemen of Fountainhead knew little about the Claw Peninsula.
The kings of House Darklyn of Duskendale once tried to extend their dominion to the Claw Peninsula, and the Mouton Family of Fountainhead, including the later Celtigar family of Claw Isle, also attempted it, but it only brought hatred and was otherwise useless.
This was because only the residents of the Claw Peninsula were familiar with the local swamps and forests, which outsiders could not match.
If the situation became critical, they could disappear into the honeycomb-like caves in the hills.
When not fighting external enemies, they engaged in internal strife, with family blood feuds as dark and deep as the swamps in the mountains.
"Let's go," Lord William said to the Captain of the Guard.
"Crab's Bay is irrelevant; the key is Tywin's troops.
Once they show up, I need to know."
"Yes, My Lord," the Captain of the Guard said to Lord William, "Our scouts are patrolling day and night, but they don't seem to have reached Harrenhal yet."
"If only my brother were still alive, he was better than me in everything, Myris knew everything," Lord William said mournfully.
Myris Mouton was a renowned knight and an Attendant to the Silver Prince.
Myris was considered brave and fearless, not at all weak like himself.
"Remember not to spread this information; the town is already in a panic."
"Yes, My Lord."
"Brother, those people killed your best friend's Child.
The crabfeeders men once fought for the Dragon banner with you; will they avenge you now?
I dare not, and cannot, strike at Lannister, but I wish to see Lannister bleed."
Lord William walked down the watchtower, recalling that brave and fearless face.
To die in battle is glorious; to kill children and plunder the populace are great sins.
The fleet led by Lord Gendry first arrived at Saltpans.
Under the cover of night, some well-trained taxi soldiers first took control of Saltpans.
It was a quiet town, as if dead, because of the rumors of Tywin's arrival, some residents had simply fled.
Saltpans was just a small town ruled by a small castle, with a towering square fortress and a wall.
The soldiers quickly scaled the wall.
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