Chapter 670

The Western Expeditionary Army moved with mechanical efficiency.

Under the command of Night’s Watch-trained officers and veterans from the Gift, the Queen’s army quickly donned their armor, assembled into formation, and surged through the gates of their camp.

Beyond the wooden palisades, the open fields stretched out toward the Mander River, where Aegor’s troops began deploying into a formation unlike any seen before in Westerosi warfare.
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The Battlefield & Aegor’s Strategy

The Reachlords had overwhelming numbers.

Their troops weren’t mere peasant levies—though they lacked discipline compared to the Queen’s army, they were still seasoned fighters with the home-field advantage.

But numbers alone weren’t enough.

If the Reach could be baited into a battle of attrition, where they hurled wave after wave of men into the gunpowder-fueled meat grinder, they would be doomed.

And they knew it.

They wouldn’t fight on Aegor’s terms.

They would avoid direct engagements, maneuver around him, and strike where he was weakest.

To counter this, Aegor had prepared a formation that could adapt to any scenario.

Instead of trying to outguess the Reachlords’ every move, he would neutralize their ability to outmaneuver him.

An unbreakable formation.

A formation that would keep moving forward—straight to Highgarden.
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The Formation: A Moving Fortress

From above, a bird’s-eye view would reveal a baffling sight—a geometric nightmare of carefully arranged blocks of soldiers.

On the banks of the Mander, the bulk of Aegor’s infantry stood in a structured, tiered formation:The front ranks—closest to the river—consisted of four massive rectangular battalions.Behind them, staggered at precise intervals, were three additional battalions.Further south, two more battalions formed the final rear echelon.

4 + 3 + 2 = 9 battalions in total.

They formed a massive trapezoidal wedge, with the Mander as its base.If attacked from the north, the river would act as a natural barrier.If attacked from the south, the enemy would have to push through layered defensive ranks, one after another.If attacked from the flanks, the battalions could shift into a diagonal line, reinforcing each other in a modified echelon formation.

No matter where the Reach attacked from, there would be no obvious weak point.

The wedge formation had been designed not for a single decisive battle—but for movement.

Aegor’s forces weren’t here to fight the Reach on open ground—they were here to march on Highgarden.

And they would force the Reachlords to fight them on their terms.
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Deployment of Key Units

Within the open gaps between the main infantry blocks, additional forces were carefully placed, forming a hidden second layer of defenses:At the core of the formation, the command center and reserves were nestled safely between the first and second lines, shielded by seven battalions.To the west, artillery units and their Unsullied escorts were positioned to cover the path toward Highgarden.To the east, supply trains and logistics divisions were positioned deep within the formation, protected from cavalry raids.Between the second and third lines, Aegor stationed his cavalry—primarily composed of Westermen knights and outriders.

This trapezoidal shell was more than a formation—it was a moving fortress.

And Highgarden was its target.
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Why the Mander?

Aegor had crossed the Mander early for one simple reason:

To eliminate the possibility of being trapped in a river crossing later.

The greatest threat to his campaign wasn’t a single battle—it was being forced into a position where the Reachlords could delay him indefinitely.

If he had crossed the river later, the Reach could have bottled him up on the northern bank, forcing him into a catastrophic half-crossed battle.

By crossing first, he ensured that the only thing left to do was advance.

No retreat.

No hesitation.

"Victory or nothing."
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Aegor’s Dilemma: Hold or Attack?

The defensive strength of his fortress-like formation was undeniable.

Had he chosen to dig in, even a million Reach troops would be incapable of breaking him.

But there was a problem—

If he stayed put, the Reach wouldn’t attack.

They would surround him.

They would starve him out.

And if three days passed without a decisive battle, his troops would be out of food and ammunition.

There was no choice.

He had to keep moving.
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The Queen’s Army Begins to March

"Sound the observation signals."

"Logistics, continue breaking camp."

"Combat units, advance in staggered formation."

The command was given.

The Western Expeditionary Army was on the move.

They advanced not in a traditional battle line, but in a rotating, defensive march—a "rolling formation" that would shift and adjust as enemy scouts harassed their flanks.

The Reachlords had the advantage in numbers.

They could always retreat and attack again.

They could whittle him down, deny him a decisive engagement, and wear his army to the bone.

But Aegor wasn’t going to play their game.

He wasn’t going to sit still.

He was going to march straight into Highgarden, and force the Reach to stop him.

And if they tried to encircle him?

He would force them into battle on his terms—where artillery and discipline would grind them into dust.
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The Final Push Begins

As the morning sun burned away the mist, the Western Expeditionary Army unfurled itself like a steel flower—its armored ranks glistening in the light, shields raised, banners fluttering in the wind.

The low, mournful wail of a war horn echoed across the plain.

The Mander’s waters glistened behind them.

Ahead, the Reach waited.

Then—

A single scout came galloping back from the vanguard, dust kicking up behind him.

"Lord Hand!"

"Enemy cavalry spotted on the southern ridge! Infantry battalions assembling two miles ahead!"

Aegor’s expression remained calm.

He turned to his officers.

"No changes to the plan."

"March on."

"Let them try to stop us."