The Twin Rivers are the domain of the Frey family, located in the Riverlands, consisting of two castles on both sides of the Green Fork River and a stone arch bridge connecting them.

It's the only crossing point within a few hundred miles of the Green Fork, right on the main road from Winterfell to Riverrun.

It took three generations for the Frey family to build the fort and, with its exorbitant tolls, quickly rose from an obscure small family to the richest and most powerful lord of the Riverlands.

Looking at the majestic castle in front of him, Duke Eddard Stark's brow couldn't help but furrow.

This time against the Lannisters, Duke Horst Tully issued a conscription order to the princes of the Riverlands, and the rest of the families responded quickly, and sent troops to the knees to join the northern army, only the Frey family, who dragged on for more than a month, sent 300 infantry to come.

It's no wonder that Duke Horst has always called the Lord of the Twin Cities "Frey the Late".

Duke Eddard certainly didn't like the conceited, sensitive, and grumpy old Frey, and this time he would rather take a detour than pass through Twin Cities if it wasn't for the shortest time to get back to the north in the shortest possible time.

Four Freys rode out of the gates, each wrapped in a heavy cloak of gray wool.

The Marquis of Wald Frey had many heirs, there were hundreds, and this was also because he had married eight wives in his life, and the old marquis, who was now over ninety years old, heard that he could even impregnate his new wife.

"Lord Eddard, welcome to the Twin Cities."

Duke Ed nodded vaguely, he really couldn't tell the difference between these Freys, he just thought they all looked like weasels.

Entering the castle through the iron gates, Duke Ed finally met the lord of the river crossing.

The Marquis de Ville Frey, who lived a long life but also suffered from gout, was sitting on a large oak chair with a back carved in the shape of a twin cities connected by arched bridges.

Beside him stood the sons, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sons-in-law of the old marquis...... An army is almost formed.

"Lord Eddard." Marquis Wade opened his toothless mouth and smiled a slightly perfunctory, "Please forgive me for not being able to get up and greet him. ”

"You're welcome." Duke Ed leaned over slightly, "I came here this time in the hope that you can allow my army to cross the river through your castle, and you can rest assured that not a cent of the bridge fee will be lost to you." ”

Marquis Wald let out a hey laugh: "Lord Eddar, your army is quite numerous. And now in this season, there are wars everywhere, and there are dead people everywhere, so the bridge toll is going to go up. ”

Duke Ed held back his anger: "How much do you want to rise?" ”

"Don't worry, Lord Eddard. I've prepared a sumptuous dinner, so let's eat and talk later. Now, you go to the city to change your clothes and take a break. ”

"Okay." Duke Ed took a deep breath, suppressed his anxiety, and thought that no matter how much the old marquis asked for later, he would agree.

Just as he was about to move forward, he saw the attendant leaning into his ear and whispering:

"My lord, the Marquis of Wade did not provide us with bread or salt."

Duke Ed suddenly stopped.

Before he could speak, the Marquis of Wade, who was opposite, didn't know whether he had heard their conversation or guessed it, and said:

"Oh yes, the old guest rights, I almost forgot. Eddard, would you like some bread and salt? ”

"Okay." Duke Ed nodded, "It would be nice if I could have some more wine." ”

"As you wish." The Marquis de Wade clapped his hands, and a servant brought bread, salt, and wine.

The old marquis first filled himself with a glass and raised it high: "My distinguished guests, welcome to my roof!" ”

Duke Ed and his party also ate the bread dipped in table salt and raised their wine glasses:

"We appreciate the hospitality of our hosts."

Once in the city, Duke Ed was led into a richly decorated room, where he wanted to sleep, but he couldn't sleep while lying on the bed tossing and turning.

It was drizzling outside.

Duke Ed was not worried about the army he had left outside the city, so he called his attendants and gave a few orders.

It was easy to wait until night fell, and Duke Ed changed his clothes and went to the banquet hall for dinner.

As soon as he entered the door, the noisy music made Duke Ed frown again, but he didn't say anything and came to his place to take his seat.

"How can you do it? The lord proudly declares that I must be made to bow down and be a minister......"

Only then did Duke Ed notice that the music playing in the hall was actually "The Rainy Season in Casterme"!

This is a song about Duke Tywin Lannister's extermination of the rebellious vassals Reyes.

What do you mean?

Threat? Intimidate?

"Lord Wade!" Duke Ed protested, "Should you change the song?" ”

Marquis Wade smiled, waved his hand, and said, "Do you hear, you fools!" Lord Ed doesn't like this one, replace it! ”

The musicians hurriedly replaced a northern ballad.

"How's this one, Lord Eddard?"

"Yes." Duke Ed picked up his glass and took a sip, a little absent-minded.

"Lord Eddard, I wonder if you've heard about the outcome of the Battle of King's Landing?"

"I heard. Stannis was defeated and the fleet was burned. ”

"You didn't address Your Majesty." The Marquis of Wald really laughed like a weasel.

"He hasn't been officially crowned yet, after all." Duke Ed said, but added, "But Stannis Baratheon is the first legitimate heir to the Iron Throne. ”

Marquis Wade smiled noncommittally: "Lord Eddard, now that Stannis is defeated, he doesn't know whether he lives or dies, but even if he doesn't die, he doesn't have any strength to participate in this Game of Thrones anymore, you know, the stormlands are about to be occupied by the Riverbenders." The Iron Throne is no longer the turn of House Baratheon. ”

Duke Ed stared coldly at the Marquis of Wald and asked:

"You're not trying to make me surrender to the Lannisters, are you?"

"Of course not." Marquis Wade leaned over slightly and leaned closer, "I mean, why don't you claim to be king yourself?" ”

Duke Ed was stunned for a moment.

Marquis Wade thought that the other party was moved, and hurriedly continued:

"What do you think of the idea that the Riverlands, the Vales, and of course the North will support you wearing the crown if you want to?"

"Not good." Duke Ed flatly refused, "This country has had enough of division and strife, and I will not do such a thing." You'd better not think about it! ”

"Lord Eddard, don't you think about it again?"

"No way!" Duke Ed cut the railroad to the fore.

Marquis Wade shrugged, looking a little disappointed.

Duke Ed didn't want to continue the topic, and instead asked, "Lord Walder, you said about the increase in the bridge toll before......"

"Oh, yes, yes." Marquis Wade said, "Lord Eddard, how much are you willing to pay to cross the river?" ”

"How much do you want?"

"I want you."

"Want me?" Duke Ed put down his glass and stared coldly at the old marquis, "Wald Frey, I don't have time to play these tricks with you here. My castle, my wife, and my children are all in the hands of the enemy, so if you want to make a profit, make a price! ”

"Don't be angry, Lord Eddard." Marquis Wade still looked that nasty, "I do want you to be my son-in-law." ”

Duke Ed was angry: "I already have a wife!" ”

"I know, Caitlin Tully, as annoying as her daddy." Marquis Wade pouted, "But I've heard she's missing." ”

"Missing?" Duke Eddard's heart tugged.

"Actually, it's a euphemism for death." "So, you can pick a new wife, I have many daughters, and of course, if you like the tender ones, you can also ...... from my granddaughters."

Boom!

Duke Ed slapped the table angrily: "Wald Frey, even if Catelyn really suffers misfortune!" I won't marry again! So you die of this heart! ”

"Why bother. Lord Eddard, the new is better than the old. Look at me, I've got eight new wives. ”

"That's your own business." Duke Ed said impatiently, "I won't agree to this condition, change it." ”

"Lord Eddard, you really don't understand my difficulties. So many daughters and granddaughters can't get married, and they are all sad to death. The Marquis of Walde pretended to sigh, "Well, since you don't want to marry, let your son Robb marry." ”

"Robb......" Duke Ed asked, pondering, and after a moment, "if my son does not marry a Frey, are you not going to let my army cross the river?" ”

"That's a terrible thing to say. I just wish the Freys would forge a closer alliance with the Starks. Unless, Lord Eddard, you don't think my daughters and granddaughters are worthy of the noble Stark. ”

Duke Ed bit his cheek, and finally said helplessly:

"Good. My son will marry one of your granddaughters. ”

"Great!" Marquis Wade clapped his hands happily and raised his glass, "Come, my family, let us raise a glass together to celebrate this happy marriage." ”

Duke Ed had no choice but to raise his glass to meet him.

Marquis Wade drank his toast and said with a smile: "Since we are about to become a family, your trouble is my trouble. Those damn iron people dare to occupy Winterfell, and they are really killing themselves! Lord Eddard, I will send 2,000 elite soldiers north with you to help you retake the castle. ”

Duke Ed did not refuse this time, and finally squeezed out a smile on his face:

"Thank you for your help."

(End of chapter)