After Edmure's arrival, the entire castle surged into even more frantic preparations. He posted veteran knights as temporary guards throughout the fortress; the women were to be strictly protected, as the last thing he wanted was a drunk guest harming someone during the wedding. Such a scandal would needlessly leave a bad taste for an otherwise perfect ceremony.
During the night, he stayed in the tents of the men-at-arms, discussing strategy. He didn't necessarily need them to be the world's greatest fighters; he wanted a force that could project a constant presence. Instead of trading tales of bravado, the nights passed with Edmure posing practical questions:
"What will your team do if they hear rumors of bandits operating in the region?"
"If your patrol is nearing its end and a raid is expected, will you fight while tired, or hope that the next patrol can mop them up at fresh strength?"
Such questions had no definitive answers, but that was the point Edmure was stressing. He wanted them to be resourceful and quick-thinking, yet predictable enough that the rest of the group could anticipate their actions.
His Plan Green for the Eastern Front involved two phases. When the rebellion inevitably broke out, the Tully forces would meet the Crownland forces head-on. Because feudal wars were dictated by personal loyalties to a high degree, complex plans often failed. However, geography dictated that in a sudden fray, the first to respond would be the Riverlands and the Crownlands. A Stark army couldn't simply pop up out of the blue for a glorious charge at the very beginning.
Based on information gathered from the Tully scouts and the TV show, Edmure estimated the Crown's response would be 10,000 to 20,000 troops, likely led by the Kingsguard or a glory-seeking politician. The Tullys and their vassals could spare 10,000 in the East. Though smaller, this force would be much more prepared and cohesive due to the last few months of planning.
Phase One: The Tully force would strike a decisive blow against the core of the Crown's response. The leaders and senior knights had to be defeated head-on in a classic knightly charge. If successful, this would buy the Tullys a one-to-two-month window. During this time, the Crown would gather a much larger retaliatory force, but by then, the Tullys would have received the Northern host and whatever the Vale and Stormlands could spare. By then, the war would be someone else's worry and Riverland will simply provide numbers.
Phase Two: Plan Green would truly shine during those two months of lull. As both the Crownland and Riverland armies entrenched themselves, Edmure's thousand mounted men-at-arms would constantly contest the smaller groups—raids, probing attacks, and foraging parties. Edmure intended to reap a bloody toll in dozens of weekly skirmishes. The enemy would feel their men, morale, and supplies dying out faster every day, all while the main Tully force sat intact, enjoying a constant supply from Edmure's improved home facilities.
Edmure continued touring the camp gatherings to deliver these lectures. He didn't expect a mastermind to emerge from the crowd; rather, by bombarding them with these ideas, he hoped they would all agree on standard operating procedures. Just like a modern crowd in his previous life, if saturated with curated information, even laypeople could eventually speak on the impact of ecosystem exploitation on the economy.
While Edmure was making his rounds, Hoster received an unexpected guest. His brother-in-law, Walter Whent, the Lord of Harrenhal, arrived with his two sons. Since the Whents were currently preparing to host the great tourney at Harrenhal, his presence baffled Hoster. It turned out Catelyn had written to him coyly asking for gifts, and Walter had decided to deliver them in person. Hoster sent for Edmure and took Walter to his solar, where Brynden soon joined them.
"When I heard you were experiencing a second bloom, I thought you were about to marry again," Walter joked, scolding his liege lord. Their relationship went back decades; in their youth, Walter and Brynden had been close friends. Both Tully brothers had fallen for Minisa Whent, but Hoster had won her hand—thanks in no small part to Walter's help. "I came to dissuade you from such a foolish endeavor. Don't forget what you promised me when you were wooing Minisa."
"He dares!" Brynden roared. He had already had enough of his brother's schemes and was itching for a proper fight in the arena.
"Calm down, there's no need to be sour," Hoster said smoothly. "I have no such intentions; Minisa was always the only one."
"Fair enough," Walter said. "But I must say, the rumors weren't entirely false. Not even a prince marries with this much gusto."
"Of course," Hoster replied. "Catelyn deserves it all."
"See, Walter?" Brynden interjected. "He is just increasing his prestige using Catelyn's name. You should've helped me back then. I am a much better man than he is."
"That you are," Walter laughed heartily. "Which is why I think Minisa lived well with your brother. Time has proven me right. Do you really think your marriage would've been smooth with this demon eyeing Minisa all the time? Trust me, having a brother like him is a worrisome prospect. That's why I kicked young Oswell to the capital!"
"Fair enough. The past is the past," Brynden conceded. "I don't want Minisa to see me quarreling with the father of her children."
"Speaking of children, I heard Edmure is just like Oswell? Is that true?" Walter asked. He had yet to meet his nephew but had heard plenty.
"Yes, but he has his limits," Hoster said, expertly flattering everyone in the room. "He has the shadow of Minisa and her kind heart. Let's go, Brother; we'll face off in the arena and leave these issues behind once and for all."
"You asked for this," Brynden accepted with a wide grin, both brothers were trained by Edmure. But he has much more practice.