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#253 - Chapter 27 Red Wedding (XI)

However, the cavalrymen, caught up in their frenzied slaughter, would certainly not explain anything to him.

At the same time, the Stark soldiers who had just been rescued didn't hesitate any longer. They quickly reorganized and launched a vigorous counterattack. The Frey soldiers, already heavily battered, could no longer withstand such a continuous onslaught. Their psychological defenses completely collapsed, and they scattered in panicked flight.

The situation was completely out of control, and the defeat was sealed. Roose Bolton knew this perfectly well. This battle was destined to end in failure, and he would face unprecedented difficulties.

He was an unusually calm person. Faced with such a tense situation, he instantly understood everything. Running away was undoubtedly the necessary course of action, but he couldn't retreat without a plan, because he could never outrun the galloping warhorses on foot. At this moment, there was only one way out... He abruptly turned his head, his gaze fixed on the Twins castle not far behind.

Roose Bolton made a decisive decision, ordering the soldiers still under his control to retreat into the castle immediately. Fortunately, the Frey family was numerous in this chaotic group. Thus, under their command, the guards of the castle quickly opened the gates, providing an escape route for these defeated soldiers. Seeing this, the previously demoralized soldiers poured into the city like a tide.

However, as soon as he stepped into the castle, Roose Bolton discovered to his fury that things were far worse than he had imagined. Despite the passage of so much time, the garrison within the Twins still hadn't managed to conquer the Great Hall. Instead, Robb's forces had launched a counterattack and driven them out of the main keep. Not only had they failed to rescue Dommeric, but they had also lost Edmure, who had been captured earlier. Even more unexpectedly, old Walder himself had fallen into enemy hands and become a prisoner.

"Damn it! What a bunch of utterly useless fools!" Even someone as composed and calm as Roose Bolton couldn't suppress the rage in his heart and couldn't help but burst into curses. Without hesitation, he led his Bolton soldiers straight toward the gatehouse, the bridge leading to the other side of the river.

The reason was simple: the Frey soldiers, fleeing in disarray, flooded into the castle like a tide, but the Twins had limited space and simply couldn't accommodate so many people. The gate was a scene of chaos, with crowds packed tightly together, and not far away, the imposing cavalry was in hot pursuit.

Just then, Roose Bolton was horrified to see three direwolves, as big as calves, suddenly charging into the crowd. These ferocious beasts bared their fangs and claws, frantically tearing at the soldiers who blocked their path. Immediately afterward, like a surging tide, cavalrymen in blue armor swarmed in. Faced with this breathtaking scene, Roose Bolton decisively ordered: "Close the gates! We must not let the cavalry break through the defenses!"

Ser Karstark, the Bolton family's captain of the guard, was agile. With a few quick steps, he leaped onto the tower, raised his battle-axe, and with a few mighty chops, instantly severed the ropes on the winch. With a dull thud, the heavy portcullis slammed down, not only blocking Roose's view but also cutting off the escape route for those behind.

Ser Karstark gripped his weapon tightly, fearlessly moving against the surging crowd. He wore a serene smile, facing the charging enemy as if he had already disregarded life and death.

At this moment, the Northern lords and knights, led by Robb, had successfully captured the Twins' main keep. Relying on the knights' outstanding combat power, they quickly sealed off the few exits and dispatched a portion of their forces to clear the upper levels of the main keep.

After a fierce battle, the few remaining guards were all killed. Subsequently, they captured many female members of the Frey family, including the two kidnapped brides. Robb gazed at the two women before him, and his heart couldn't help but feel a trace of sympathy. He deeply understood the cruelty of war, especially for those innocent women.

At this moment, Catelyn walked over and said earnestly, "Robb, just now, under the gaze of the gods, you completed the sacred wedding ceremony and became legal spouses. So, this girl is your wife. Old Walder can disregard his face and openly violate oaths and traditions, but we are the proud Starks and must never abandon our family's honor!"

Catelyn's words struck Robb's heart like a warning bell, making him understand the great responsibility he bore. As a member of the Stark family, he must uphold justice and honor, and never compromise even in the face of adversity. In this chaotic war, every decision could affect the fate of the entire family. And now, he needed to make the right choice, both to protect his people and to defend the family's dignity.

"My sister is right, Cermila, my beloved wife, please come to my side." Edmure suddenly appeared, his eyes full of sincere love. If it hadn't been for the sudden change, they would have already entered the bridal chamber to spend a good night together. He held Cermila tightly in his arms, constantly soothing her frightened heart.

Robb helplessly took Roslin's hand and turned to instruct the knight beside him, "Be sure to take good care of these two. After the war, we will discuss where they should go." After speaking, Robb began to direct everyone to continue searching every corner of the castle to ensure that there were no remaining enemies in the city.

At this moment, the situation outside the city gradually became clear. The cavalrymen who had charged into the Twins, even though they had dismounted and switched to fighting on foot, were still exceptionally brave. Faced with this torrential attack, the Frey family's army was simply unable to organize an effective resistance, and in the blink of an eye, they disintegrated and collapsed. When the Stark soldiers joined the battle, the Frey family's line completely collapsed like an avalanche. The soldiers were terrified and scattered in all directions.

Many people knelt on the ground in panic, raising their hands to surrender. However, whether they could escape this calamity completely depended on how the final victor of this war decided. For the Frey family's soldiers, there might still be a glimmer of hope, but for the Bolton soldiers, there was absolutely no way out – because no matter when or where, people's contempt and hatred for traitors is always the most profound.

The Northern army continued to clear the battlefield, mercilessly pursuing the fleeing enemies. On the other side, Roose Bolton and his few remaining defeated soldiers retreated in a disheveled state to the East Tower of the Twins.