Chapter 71: Lady Olenna 2

The dawn light spilled over the horizon, casting a warm glow across the fields surrounding Bitterbridge. The night's battle had left the ground littered with the fallen, and as the first rays of the sun touched the earth, the extent of the destruction became painfully clear. Paxter Redwyne stood atop the battlements, surveying the aftermath with a heavy heart. The victory was theirs, but it had come at a steep price.

The air was thick with the stench of smoke and blood, and the sounds of groaning wounded filled the once quiet morning. As soldiers began to gather the dead, Paxter's mind turned, as it always did, to the practical matters that came after any battle: supplies, provisions, and the cold arithmetic of loss.

"How many did we lose?" Paxter asked, his voice low but firm as he turned to Ser Martyn, who had joined him at the wall.

Ser Martyn's face was grim, his armor still smeared with blood from the night's skirmish. "Too many, my lord. The Tyrells lost about a hundred men, maybe more. We lost fifty of our own. The wounded number even higher."

Paxter's gaze hardened. Fifty of his men, gone. And more wounded. The thought of writing letters to their families weighed on him like a stone in his chest. But he couldn't let sentiment cloud his judgment. War was costly, and they would need to focus on rebuilding their forces and ensuring their survival.

"I'll see to the families of the fallen," Paxter said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Make sure the wounded are cared for. If we don't tend to them quickly, we'll lose more men to infection than we did to the enemy."

Ser Martyn nodded. "The healers are already working on the worst of the wounded. We'll do what we can, but we're short on supplies. The siege has stretched us thin, and there's only so much the local stores can provide."

Paxter frowned. He had anticipated this. War consumed resources like fire devoured wood, and despite the wealth of the Arbor, they were beginning to feel the strain. "We'll need to restock. I'll send word to the Arbor and secure more provisions, but it will take time. In the meantime, have the men begin reinforcing the walls. The enemy may have retreated, but we can't afford to let our guard down."

Ser Martyn bowed and left to carry out his orders, leaving Paxter to his thoughts. The victory had bought them time, but time was a luxury they couldn't afford to waste.

Mina approached, her face pale with exhaustion but her mind as sharp as ever. "We've won the battle, but there's more to this than just the numbers on the field. The men are tired, and Lady Olenna's forces are already demanding more provisions. We can't maintain this pace forever."

Paxter exhaled slowly, turning his attention to her. "I know. Olenna's support comes with strings, and I can feel them tightening around us. She'll expect us to continue funding her campaigns, and the more resources we divert to her, the less we'll have for ourselves."

Mina raised an eyebrow. "And how long can we afford to play this game?"

Paxter didn't answer right away. Instead, he walked to the edge of the battlements and looked out over the fields below. The enemy had been driven off, but the land was still scarred from the siege. Smoke rose from the remnants of the enemy's camp, and bodies lay scattered like pieces on a chessboard, their sacrifices made for reasons they could never fully understand.

"We'll play it as long as we have to," Paxter finally said. "But we need to start thinking beyond this war. Olenna is using us to prop up her ambitions, but House Redwyne can't afford to be a pawn in someone else's game."

Mina nodded, her eyes narrowing in thought. "We need new alliances, new sources of income. The deal with Volantis is a good start, but it won't be enough to sustain us if this war drags on. We need to look beyond our traditional markets."

Paxter glanced at her, the wheels in his mind turning. "The Arbor Reserve," he said quietly. "It's time we start pushing that more aggressively. If we can establish a foothold in the North with our new wine, we'll have the resources to fund our own campaigns. We won't need to rely on Olenna's coffers."

Mina's face lit up with interest. "It's nearly ready for market. The samples are in their final stages of refinement, and the vintners are confident it will appeal to northern tastes."

Paxter nodded. "Then it's time to act. Send emissaries to Winterfell and the other major northern houses. I want them to know that Arbor Reserve is coming, and that House Redwyne is ready to supply them with the finest wine in Westeros."

Mina hesitated for a moment. "Winterfell may be difficult. The North isn't exactly thriving in this war either. But if we can convince them… it could change the tide for us."

Paxter smiled faintly. "That's the plan. The North is stubborn, but they value quality. If we can show them that Arbor Reserve is worth the investment, we'll secure a long-term trade partner. And once that's in place, we can begin expanding into other regions—perhaps even Essos."

Mina's eyes sparkled with the possibilities. "Volantis could serve as our gateway to the Free Cities. The Braavosi merchants would pay handsomely for a northern-exclusive wine, especially if it gains a reputation among the lords of Westeros."

Paxter folded his arms, feeling a sense of purpose rekindling in his chest. "Exactly. The war may be draining us now, but if we can build our economic power while others are distracted, House Redwyne will emerge stronger than ever."

Mina smiled, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. "I'll see to it. The emissaries will leave within the week."

As she turned to leave, Paxter looked out once more over the battlefield. The sun was rising higher in the sky now, casting long shadows over the broken ground. The cost of the siege had been high, but the victory, and the opportunity it presented, was worth every drop of blood.

---

Later that day, Paxter found himself in the great hall of Bitterbridge, where Lady Olenna Tyrell awaited him. She was seated in a large chair, her face as sharp and calculating as ever, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Around her stood a small retinue of Tyrell commanders and advisors, all of whom watched Paxter with a mixture of respect and wariness.

"My lord Redwyne," Olenna greeted him, her voice as cutting as a blade wrapped in silk. "I hear the battle went well. My men tell me we owe our victory to your leadership."

Paxter bowed slightly, though he knew better than to let her words go to his head. "The men fought bravely, my lady. We were fortunate to have your reinforcements."

Olenna's eyes glinted. "Yes, fortunate indeed. Though I must say, this siege has taken its toll on all of us. I trust you're prepared to help replenish the supplies we've lost in this battle?"

Here it was, the first of many demands Paxter had anticipated. He met her gaze steadily, knowing that this conversation was as much a part of the war as any battle fought on the field. "Of course, Lady Olenna. House Redwyne has always been a loyal ally to Highgarden. We'll see to it that your forces have what they need."

Olenna raised an eyebrow, clearly sensing that there was more to Paxter's words than simple agreement. "I expect nothing less. But I also expect that our arrangement will continue, especially with the larger battles yet to come."

Paxter nodded, though his mind was already turning. "House Redwyne will support your campaigns as needed, my lady. But as you know, war is expensive, and we must be careful not to overextend ourselves."

Olenna's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Careful, indeed. But remember, my lord, this is a war for the future of the Reach. And the future requires sacrifices."

Paxter's smile matched hers. "I'm well aware, Lady Olenna. And I assure you, House Redwyne is ready to make the necessary sacrifices. But we must also ensure that we're not left vulnerable when this war is over."

Olenna studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Very well, Lord Redwyne. I'll leave you to manage your affairs, but know this: Highgarden does not forget its allies, nor its debts."

With that, Olenna stood, signaling the end of the conversation. Paxter watched her go, knowing that the true battle with Lady Olenna was far from over. But for now, they were still on the same side, and that was enough.

As the day wore on and the preparations for the next phase of the war began, Paxter Redwyne knew that while victory at Bitterbridge had been costly, it had also given him something invaluable—time. Time to rebuild, time to strengthen his house's position, and time to ensure that House Redwyne would not only survive this war but thrive in the new world that would follow.