Divide the Northern Army

You are a good 8 or 9 years older than your liege lord, so he looks to you for counsel. You study the map for a few minutes then deliver your advice.

"Divide the horse from the foot my lord. If I understand the situation, there is a wedding in Riverrun that will secure the Riverlands into the war on our side. We must make for Riverrun with all due haste. The foot will slow us down. I would advise the take the greater part of horse, leaving just enough for the column of foot to use for scouts. We cross at the Twins, and ride hard for Lord Tully. Send the foot down to the Trident to keep the fresh loyalist levies from getting on our flank. If we ride hard and the weather is with us we should make Riverrun within a week of crossing the Twins." You sit back and allow your lord to view the map and see if your counsel is wise or foolish.

"That seems our best course. Whom to leave in command of the foot though?"

"My counsel would be for Lord Umber. Place his levies in the van. The Umbers are hard fighters. If they contact Rhaegar's new army they will carve into them. At least until Rhaegar can bring his knights to bear."

"I will consider your counsel. Await your orders in the morning my lord." Eddard said. This was his way of asking you to leave him in peace.

You make your way back to your own tent. Your squire has left a goblet of wine on your camp table to help ease you into sleep. You wonder what will happen if the rebels lose the war. Some southron lord may take Winterfell for his seat. The Northerners would not take kindly to that. You drift off to sleep worrying about the fate of a doomed cause.

Come the dawn you are again summoned by your liege lord. The other lords are in attendance as well.

"My lords," Eddard begins, "We shall be dividing the a Northern Army here. The foot with light horse as a scouting **** will make for the Trident, where hopefully in a moons turn we shall meet again with the River Lords. We are told that Rhaegar is raising an army of half trained farm boys from the Crownlands. They will be no match for the Northern warriors. Keep Rhaegar from crossing. You will also join up with levies from the Vale. If all goes well. We shall catch the loyalists in a pincer between us, a Lord Arryn, and Lord Baratheon. Lord Umber?"

"Aye my lord?" The hairy giant answers back.

"You will have command of the foot. Let no one cross the Trident!"

"Aye my lord!" He growls.

Lord Stark summon you to him after the war counsel.

"You are good commander of horse. I will give you a choice. Come with me to Riverrun, or be the commander of horse for lord Umber?" Lord Stark says, putting a hand on your shoulder.