Chapter 68: Movement on the Flanks
Looking over his shoulder, Lord Blackwood looked to see a flag being raised on the command base. The hierarchy of armies on this scale and the giving of commands could be quite difficult. As a result, the commander-in-chief, which in this case was Robb Stark, gave overall preceding commands. After that, it was the commanders over the main forces, which were himself, Lord Karstark and Lord Forrester would then make decisions on how to best carry out the orders given by the commander-in-chief.
There were separate, individual units, such as the cavalry contingents under Lord Marq Piper and Ser Brynden Blackfish. But they operated under a similar mandate as himself, given commands by Robb which they carried out through their own decisions and means.
"A full attack?" Brynden noted in confusion. "I thought, his grace wanted us to avoid a wide-scale confrontation due to our difference in numbers."
"Yes, but that was with the belief that Tywin would be launching a full assault of his own. That's no longer the case. Tywin's playing a different game, one none of us expected. His grace is trying to find a solution to that problem, and this must be it." Tytos answered his son and confident in the young King that had led them this far, gave the order. "Forward, march!"
With his order given, over six thousand men under his command marched forwards. "What's the plan, father?"
"Switch out with your brother, give him command of the left flank, you take the centre, we march forward and see how Kevan Lannister reacts." As he said this, he kept his gaze locked upon the fields to his left, a dozen meters in front of him. 'So that's your plan, your grace.' He concluded as his son rode ahead of him to the front lines. 'You intend for us to force Tywin into action.'
Despite coming to this conclusion, Tytos still had his concerns.
His losses were minimal, numbering only a few hundred and while they had dealt a great deal of damage to the Lannister forces, they still numbered over twelve thousand. An all-out offensive where nearly half his force was comprised of archers was not something that Tytos wanted to be doing. Especially considering his strengths lay in defensive tactics, not offensive tactics.
"Bring up, Ser Manderly." He called.
While he may not be as skilled in offensive warfare as he was in defensive warfare, he recognised that part. Wylis Manderly was equally as skilled in offensive warfare as himself so Tytos knew it would be best to have his aid and combine their respective skills.
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'What is your plan?' Tywin wondered, watching as both the Stark's right and left flanks began marching forwards. The enemy right flank was making quicker progress than the left, but both sides didn't seem to be showing any signs of stopping. "Give the order for Ser Keven and Ser Addam to march forwards to meet the enemy flanks."
But Tywin recognised that if the flanks got any closer, he would be at a huge disadvantage. The enemy would have more room upon which to manoeuvre their troops and while Tywin could pull back his forces to widen the distance between them, he knew that Robb Stark wouldn't give him that chance.
Tywin watched as the enemy flanks continuing to march forwards and realised that the Young Wolf has grown impatient. He also realises that much like his commanders point out, he can't allow the enemy flanks to get any closer and gave the order for both flanks to engage. The moment he even attempted to put some distance between them would be met with a chase and that momentum would carry on until eventually he was driven off the field of battle.
He needed to meet the enemy flanks before they got any closer and limited the range of movement his troops had.
The question in his mind was what Robb Stark planned, Tywin would begrudgingly admit that Robb Stark was deserving of respect. This situation that House Lannister was in was because they had all underestimated him, Tywin would not make the same mistake twice. Robb should have expected Tywin to move to meet him, so what was his plan?
And as Tywin stood in his camp, he watched as both his flanks moved forwards.
Almost as if reflecting the Stark movements, Ser Addam Marbrand moved his forces forwards quicker, the front runners of both armies clashing already. As for Ser Kevan, he was moving cautiously, having not yet engaged the enemy forces.
But either way, Tywin was worried.
Robb Stark on his own was a tactical genius and an excellent battlefield commander, he never having lost a battle when personally taking charge. His biggest defeats were the result of others which had shown to Tywin that while excelling in short-term planning and matters of battle, he didn't have much ability to plan for the long term. It was unfortunate that Robb had surrounded himself with individuals that could as that meant Tywin was very limited in what he could and couldn't do to change the situation for his House around.
Either way, what made Robb truly dangerous despite his flaws was his ability to inspire confidence and foster loyalty in those around him. And he had surrounded himself with very able and competent individuals.
Lord Jason Mallister of Seaguard.
Ser Brynden Blackfish.
Lord Randal Tarly of Horn Hill.
Lord Tytos Blackwood of Raventree Hall.
They were but a fraction of the number of competent and intelligent commanders he had surrounded himself with. He also had Olenna Tyrell, a dangerous politician and one who truly ruled the Reach unlike her incompetent son, Mace Tyrell. Her grandchildren, Garlan Tyrell, Willas Tyrell and the new Queen, Margaery Tyrell were all incredibly capable individual in their own right.
Compare that to his commanders and those around him, Tywin only had two capable commanders, Addam Marbrand and Kevan Lannister. The likes of Gregor Clegane were blunt instruments, and the others were either too old and therefore cautious or two young and reckless. He honestly envied Robb Stark for the court he possessed and who sat on his councils.
He may have greater numbers than the Stark King, but he didn't have the commanders he did. That was what worried Tywin Lannister the most.
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