Ser Donnel continued to struggle, stammering, "If you wish, I can send a raven to The Eyrie first and await a reply."
"Ser Donnel, there's no time. Must I spell it out for you?" Ser Barristan said. "Lysa is suspected of involvement in Lord Jon's death. It's not Lannister, but Lysa. Her crime is unforgivable. Riverrun has already severed ties with her."
"Lysa? Lady Lysa?" Ser Donnel's mouth hung open, his heart feeling as if it were caught in a raging storm. Originally, based on the Duchess's prestige, Lysa could have served as regent until the Duke came of age and ascended, though the young Duke might not even live to adulthood.
However, if faced with such serious accusations, a husband-killer certainly should not be the Lady of The Vale of Arryn. A flash of thought crossed Ser Donnel's mind: Muttonhead Harry. House Waynwood had a better relationship with Harry.
While Ser Donnel hesitated, Blackfish had already ridden back to chat with his old subordinates, laughing and talking. The soldiers, seeing Blackfish, lowered some of their guard, especially since Blackfish was Lady Lysa's uncle. He had worked at The Bloody Gate for many years and knew most of them. "In the name of your old senior, Brynden Tully, open The Bloody Gate. I want to see the 'rotten apple' Lysa," Ser Brynden said to Ser Donnel as he turned his horse. In terms of prestige, Donnel was certainly no match for Blackfish; he was only in his twenties and his foundation was unstable.
"In the name of the Earl of Runestone, House Royce, I ask you to open The Bloody Gate and denounce the traitors and villains of The Vale of Arryn, Ser, if you still possess a sense of justice and honor." Bronze Yohn also joined in. Ser Donnel felt like a poor sheep facing a ferocious beast, forced to accept his fate.
"In the name of Robert I of House Baratheon, King of the andals, the rhoynar, and the first men, ruler of the seven kingdoms and protector of the realm, I, the lawful heir to the iron throne, hereby command you to immediately obey my order, open The Bloody Gate, and allow us swift entry into The Vale of Arryn to punish the treacherous traitors and all accomplices who conspired to poison Lord Arryn, according to the King's law. I hereby declare that from this day forward, all offices and titles of the traitors shall be stripped, all their lands, taxes, and properties shall be confiscated, and they shall be sentenced to death. May the gods above have mercy on their souls." Gendry looked at Ser Donnel.
"Ser Donnel, if you do not accept the heir's command, then you too are a traitor," Ser Barristan declared.
"I, what should I choose?" Ser Donnel's heart was tormented, feeling as if he were drowning, under immense pressure. Ser Brynden was his old superior, Lord Yohn was highly respected in The Vale of Arryn and was the second largest Lord. Ser Barristan the Bold, every knight had heard his stories. Gendry the Smith, many knights said he was like a warrior descended from heaven, truly having the blood of the mad storm.
Ser Donnel felt a jolt, as if electrocuted, as the golden battle banner fluttered before his eyes. He saw the young stag, tall and handsome, wielding a warhammer, mighty and fierce on the battlefield.
Donnel thought of those terrifying legends. If he refused, the soldiers behind him might still obey his old superior, and his own head could not compare to the Kingslayer's.
"I... I..." Ser Donnel dismounted before Gendry. "I can do these things, but I request protection for Duke Robert."
"I am grateful for Lord Jon's kindness and will never harm Duke Robert. With the mountains by my side, I will not break my word," Gendry smiled slightly, asking Ser Donnel to lead the way.
After the four, some more knights followed. The mountain path here could only accommodate four people, making it extremely difficult.
"Have any new people from The Eyrie recently been stationed at The Bloody Gate?" Blackfish asked softly.
"There are some, but not many, because the Lady is still playing her games, and many curry favor with her for the honor of the regency," Ser Donnel, the Knight of the Bloody Gate, nodded and then whispered to the Old Knight. Ser Donnel also knew some things.
Blackfish's expression tightened. It seemed they needed to pass through quickly and cut off information.
"Anguy," Gendry commanded.
Anguy nodded. The Longbowmen needed to ensure information was controlled within The Bloody Gate's range.
As they continued forward, defensive fortifications appeared ahead. Long battlements were built on the treacherous cliffs on both sides, and the mountain path narrowed to barely allow four people to ride abreast. Two watchtowers clung to the rock face, connected by a weathered, grey stone arched bridge. Silent faces watched them from the arrow slits, battlements, and stone bridge of the towers.
Blackfish suddenly rode to the front of the column, waving his banner at the soldiers—the vibrant blue and red pattern of Riverrun, with a blackfish on it.
"It's Ser Brynden."
"Lord Brynden." The soldiers also waved their hands. The usually silent taxi soldiers became excited, surprised and happy to see their old superior who had left in a hurry. Blackfish had deep roots at The Bloody Gate for many years; Lysa probably hadn't anticipated such a turn of events.
"I, Ser Donnel Waynwood, demand passage through The Bloody Gate!" Ser Donnel shouted. "And Ser Brynden Tully and their companions, they bring greetings, greetings from Riverrun and the iron throne!"
Gendry rode his horse. In the Age of Heroes, countless soldiers died here, yet the valley remained unconquered. But today, he had achieved it: entering the city without bloodshed. The road ahead was long; beneath The Eyrie was the most difficult challenge.
Everyone was enveloped in the shadow of The Bloody Gate, then passed through it. Once The Bloody Gate opened, it seemed it could not be closed, as the cavalry contingent was quite numerous.
The Bloody Gate's taxi soldiers had never seen such a force: those exquisitely armored taxi soldiers, Runestone, Claw Peninsula, and the golden quartered banners. As for the conflict between The Eyrie and Runestone, only the Lords were aware; most of the soldiers were ignorant.
"To the Ravenry," Ser Brynden commanded immediately. His old subordinates moved swiftly.
Indeed, below the Ravenry, there were people trying to send ravens to The Eyrie. But with Longbowmen at the ready, the ravens were shot down directly. The change at The Bloody Gate would never reach The Eyrie.
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