Edmure rode with his retinue, following the River Road as it wound southward. Once they reached an open expanse, he yielded the lead to Ser Desmond Grell and began mock drills. He focused on the fundamentals of the knightly charge: holding the formation, positioning his lance for the strike, and maintaining a disciplined line. Grell, sensing the boy's appetite for practical knowledge, rotated the unit through wedge, diamond, and open formations. This allowed Edmure to observe the nuances firsthand—not just the tactical theory, but the psychological state of the men, the habits of the mounts, and the subtle influence of the terrain.
They made camp at noon. Edmure observed quietly, making no effort to change their routines. He intended to master contemporary warfare as it existed before attempting to innovate. He didn't doubt the loyalty of these guards, but he recognized the limitation of their class; as nobles, they carried set ideas about the proper way to conduct war. Their pride, duties, and overlapping loyalties created a rigid framework that extended just beyond tactical reality.
In the afternoon, before returning to the castle, Edmure decided to stress-test the unit's effectiveness. He recalled the famous routs of Agincourt and the Golden Spurs from Earth's history—battles where mud, accidents, and overconfidence delivered humiliating defeats to armored knights. He selected a ford where shallow currents and thick mud made crossing difficult even for a man on foot.
Despite the grumbling of his guards, he ordered them to charge across the ford in both directions, halt in formation midway, and execute a full turn. He wasn't just watching the horses struggle with the weight of the barding and riders; he was looking for the breaking point of the men themselves. He needed to know exactly when their discipline would snap so he could build contingencies—or perhaps use those same environmental traps against enemies invading the Riverlands.
Upon their return, rumors of wolf sightings near the local villages reached the group. Edmure bid Grell goodbye and retreated to his solar. He planned to hunt the following day, a request that required Hoster's approval. To smooth the path, he spent the evening painting a portrait of Hoster and Minisa, along with a separate piece depicting the squad that had accompanied him today. This piece would suffice as his compensation to them.
His Painting perk allowed for perfect detail, and he realized a secondary benefit: he could accurately judge slopes, distances, and landmarks at a glance. He had become a living survey machine, capable of drafting maps with a precision unknown to the current age.
"Tell me, boy, what is it you want?" Hoster asked, his voice somber as he looked at the portrait Edmure presented. "You aren't one to do things without a motive."
"I wish to hunt wolves tomorrow," Edmure replied. "I'll ride out with a dozen guards."
"Hmm. Very well," Hoster handwaved the request. But as Edmure turned to leave, his father spoke in a choked voice. "My son... do you even remember her face? Or was this made up?"
"Maester Vyman described her features to me," Edmure answered truthfully.
"As I expected," Hoster said quietly. "I shall accompany you tomorrow. Remember, Edmure, we are your family, not a set of lessons to be learned. One day you will truly understand 'Family, Duty, Honor.' Your sisters were always mine, but you were Minisa's favorite. Her eyes made that plain to everyone. Paint another image when you truly understand that emotion. This old man will be waiting. You may go."
Feeling stifled by the sudden emotional weight, Edmure retreated to the yard to practice his swordsmanship. The exertion paid off as he finally crossed a major threshold.
[Swords: Level 10 | Weapon Mastery Unlocked]
He now instinctively understood the mechanics of all weapons. It was a spillover effect; he suddenly knew the ideal weight for an arrow, the exact length a spear could be before requiring two hands, and how different types of steel interacted with armor. With the stables under his control and the armory next on his list, Edmure's goal was clear: he would improve the efficiency of the Tully forces by at least ten percent before the rebellion began. As long as they avoided the reckless pursuit of glory, they would survive.