Chapter 173 Watchtower
"Sam!"
"Natalie." Samwell walked over and wanted to hug the little girl, but seeing so many people around him, he decided to forget it. In the end, he just rubbed her hair habitually.
Natalie protested for a while, but to no avail, she pouted and asked, "Are you going to live in Starfall City tonight?"
Looking at Natalie's expectant gaze, Samwell hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said:
"Sorry, we can't stay here. It's not good if your subjects find out. This time the Iron Throne is coming aggressively, and the Dornish people are probably even more hostile to outsiders. Your foundation in Starfall City is unstable, so don't cause trouble. "
"Okay." Although Natalie was reluctant, she nodded obediently.
Lucas Dane was also in the welcoming team. He was recruited here from Eagle Mouth Island by a letter from Samwell.
The raid went deep into the hinterland of Dorne, and Samwell needed a guide who was familiar with the terrain.
And Todd Buddha Flower was transferred back to Yingzui Island to replace Lucas in charge of territorial defense.
Then Earl Jorn also came forward to thank Natalie.
After the soldiers landed, they took away the dry food and fresh water prepared by Starfall City, and set off eastward at night without even entering the city.
It was not until Starfall City completely disappeared in the darkness behind him that Earl Jorn stopped his horse, summoned the accompanying lords and knights, and said:
"This time our mission is to harass Dorne's rear and cut off their supply lines. The first principle is concealment and maneuvering. Don't confront the Dorne people unless it is absolutely necessary. In order to harass as much Dorne territory as possible, we will It was decided to divide the 2,000 cavalry into ten groups and disperse them, which will also facilitate maneuvering and concealment."
Seeing that no one objected to his battle plan, Earl Jorn began to divide the groups and appoint the commander of each cavalry squad.
Most of the 2,000 cavalry of the Third Route Army came from the valley. After all, this war was mainly to avenge Duke Jon Arryn. Naturally, the nobles of the valley under his command were the most enthusiastic and active.
In addition, there are more than 150 Hornhill cavalry brought by Dickon Tarly. However, Samwell currently has no formal cavalry establishment. Only himself and the three vassal knights, at most plus squires...
When he came to Dorne this time, he brought his attendant Kathu, and the knight Lucas Dayne who was most familiar with the terrain of Dorne.
In fact, this is also good, Samwell doesn't have to worry about the loss of his troops.
"Baron Caesar. The last cavalry squad is under your command. In addition to the cavalry from Horn Hill, I will give you another 50 valley cavalry. I hope you will make good use of them."
Samwell was not very surprised by this. After all, he is also well-known now. It is more than enough to command a cavalry squad of 200 people. What's more, most of these cavalry are from Horn Hill. It is more appropriate, but he is not yet an adult after all, and he has not experienced any wars.
Of course, Dickon would not compete with his brother.
This kid only wanted to charge behind his brother.
"Yes, Lord Jon, I will certainly not disappoint your expectations."
After assigning their respective theaters, the ten cavalry squads set off in batches.
Samwell rode his horse southwest along the rugged mountain road for a while, and he didn't hold the rein until he saw a faint gray belly appearing in the eastern sky.
The war horse under his crotch raised its hooves and stopped.
The two hundred cavalry behind them also took the reins.
"Dismount and rest, eat something, but no fire."
"yes."
Then Samwell found Lucas Dane again and asked:
"How far is it to leave the territory of the Dane family?"
"Follow this road and go southeast for about 70 miles, and you will enter the territory of the Kogel family."
"Kogel..." Samwell thought for a while, "The family castle of their family is in Sandstone City, right?"
"Yes, my lord. Sandstone City is farther away, two hundred miles away."
Samwell nodded silently, and had an idea in his mind. This time, the war zone assigned to his cavalry squad by "Bronze Jorn" was in the vicinity of Sandstone City.
"You lead ten people to be responsible for guarding and sentrying, and the rest go to bed after eating. We will set off again at night."
"Yes, my lord."
In this way, the cavalry squad led by Samwell went out day and night, along the secluded mountain path, and finally left the mountain area on the third day, and also left the territory of the Dane family.
In front of him was an endless desert, and the color of the world suddenly changed from red to yellow.
This kind of terrain is actually very unfavorable for the cavalry squad, because without the shelter of rocks and trees, they are very easy to be exposed.
Of course, the benefits are not completely absent, at least this kind of flat terrain is quite suitable for cavalry charges.
Samwell stood at the junction of red and yellow, closed his eyes, as if he was taking a nap.
But in fact, his mind has already reached a thousand meters above the sky.
According to Lucas' prompt, Samwell quickly found the first fortress in the desert ahead.
Said to be a fortress, but it was actually a small twenty-foot-tall sentry tower.
According to Lucas, the Kogel family built a watchtower here, in addition to guarding against the Dane family, it was actually because there was a well under the watchtower.
In the desert of Dorne, wherever there is a water source, there must be soldiers guarding it.
However, according to him, the well is about to dry up, and the water output is decreasing day by day. Originally, there was a small market town here, but due to problems with the water source, the residents have gradually moved away, leaving only the guard towers. Soldier.
Lucas couldn't tell how many soldiers were in the sentry tower, but according to his estimation, there should be no more than a hundred people, otherwise the well water might not be enough to drink.
Samwell observed for a long time through the eagle eye, and found that the tower has three floors, and there may be a basement. From the window, only five or six Dornish soldiers were seen. There should be more, but not too many Where to go.
There is no shelter around the sentry tower, and it is difficult for the cavalry squad to approach without attracting attention.
However, after the dead of night, it should be no problem to send only a few people to sneak there.
"Are you ready?"
"Okay, brother."
Dickon had already taken off his armor at this time, only wearing a linen shirt, and the other ten selected knights also went into battle lightly.
The rest of the cavalry also wrapped their horseshoes, and after the appointed time, regardless of the situation ahead, they would rush out of the forest.
If the sentry tower is captured by a sneak attack, they will just come out to receive it. If the sneak attack fails, they can also take care of Samwell and others to escape.
After everything was ready, Samwell gave the order to set off.
He didn't wear any armor either. He carried a huge sword [Dawn] on his back and a warhammer [Thunderbolt] in his hand.
With his strength now, this two-handed war hammer is a light weapon for him.
The stars are dim tonight, which is suitable for sneaking.
The Dornish people in the sentry tower probably didn't expect that there would be enemies coming from this direction, so Samwell and others touched the bottom of the sentry tower without any risk.
Then, Samwell waved his hand, and everyone began to climb up.
This kind of sentry tower is not the kind of strong castle. Firstly, it is not too high. Secondly, its construction technology is not so fine.
Samwell brought the most elite knights among the 200 cavalry this time. After receiving the order, they all showed their vigorous skills and climbed up slowly using both hands and feet.
Regardless of Samwell's strength, he really wasn't the first one to climb up.
By the time he got in through a window on the second floor, a battle had already broken out inside.
Caught off guard, these Dornish people were extremely embarrassed, and some of them were wiped off their necks without even finding armor and weapons.
——
He wants to prevent these Dornishmen from passing the message through the birds.
The battle didn't last long.
There were eighteen Dorn soldiers in the sentry tower, six of them died on the spot, and the rest were either subdued or surrendered.
The bird couldn’t be released, but a Dornishman wanted to light the smoke, but was stabbed to death by Dickon.
"My lord, what should we do with these Dornish prisoners?" Lucas came over and asked.
Samwell hesitated for a moment, then ordered: "Kill them all."
He plans to stay in this sentry tower for a period of time, and he must not keep these captives to waste fresh water and food.
It is impossible to let them go and reveal their whereabouts.
"Yes." Lucas was obviously not surprised by this order, but he asked again, "My lord, we also found a woman, who should be a battalion girl. Did you kill him too?"
Guys, these Dornish soldiers are having a good time, and there are women... but just one woman, are they taking turns in line?
Samwell thought wildly for a while, but fell into hesitation.
He could kill the Dornish soldier ruthlessly, but this woman... even if she is a battalion girl, she is still a commoner.
"Keep it for now. Let her go after we leave, anyway, she can't drink much water by herself."
"Yes." Lucas glanced at Samwell and nodded in response.
The cavalry squad in the forest also rushed over. The sentry tower couldn’t hold so many horses. Fortunately, there are still some stone houses in the surrounding deserted towns, which can accommodate people with a simple cleaning.
Samwell occupied the top floor of the sentry tower alone, and when he was about to catch up on his sleep, he saw a Dornish woman walking up cautiously.
She is a rather pretty woman, with olive skin and a hot figure. The fear on her face has not completely disappeared, but her eyes reveal a professional charm.
"My lord, please let me serve you."
Damn it, Lucas must have misunderstood himself.
Samwell came to his senses.
He looked at the woman approaching, and said lightly:
"No need, you go out."
The Dorn woman actually sobbed when she heard the words: "My lord, please don't drive me away, I can do anything, really, anything. Otherwise they will kill me... woo woo woo..."
Samwell was unmoved: "Get down!"
The Dorn woman walked down the stairs aggrievedly, turning her head three times a step at a time.
After the woman left, Samwell lay down on the only wooden bed in the room and closed his eyes.
After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly opened his eyes, and saw that Dornish woman had returned, half kneeling beside his bed.
Facing Samwell's gaze, the Dornish woman froze, but then she smiled charmingly:
"My lord, can't you sleep? Let me help you..."
As she spoke, she stretched out her hand to Samwell's lower body.
But halfway, he was caught by a man.
"Ah—" the Dorn woman let out a coquettish cry, "My lord, you hurt me."
Samwell was unmoved, and pulled the woman's hand in front of him. In the dark room, there was a little cold light flickering between her fingers!
"You shouldn't have taken out your weapon." Samwell sighed, pressed her hand, and cut her own throat with the sharp knife hidden between her fingers,
"Take out a weapon and you're not a civilian."
(end of this chapter)