Typhos

A few days later, Tymon Lannister was dead. His son, Typhos, was in mourning when a Honchkrow came from Winterfell. The message it carried stated that his closest friend, Todd Stark, would be coming within a week for the funeral.

The preparations in Casterly Rock were rather somber, yet somewhat extravagant at the same time. The legendary Pokemon that the Lannister House sigil bore, Solgaleo, adorned every banner, every shield, every helm. The whole city was done up in Lannister crimson and gold, and all the people wore black to mourn their fallen lord. He had been well loved, and the smallfolk were truly sad to see him pass.

Typhos was standing vigil over his father's body when Todd arrived. The newly-risen Lord of Casterly Rock was kneeling next to the dias that the body lay on, and his Arcanine lay curled up nearby, snoring loudly. Todd, in turn, had his Absol with him, as always. The Pokemon was said to appear whenever a disaster was about to occur, which could not have fit better with the Stark House words; "Winter is Coming". However, the Pokemon rarely caused any for it's partner, and in this case was arriving after the disaster for once.

Typhos looked up as he heard his old friend walk in. "Todd," He exclaimed, "How have you been? I'm truly sorry that we must see each other under such grave circumstances."

The Lord of Winterfell approached and gave him a warm handshake and a small bow. "As am I," He responded, subdued but still friendly enough. "If there's anything I can do to help ease your loss, I will."

"Can you help find the person who did this?" Typhos said it as a jape, and did not expect Todd to respond seriously. The entirety of the West was being searched in order to find the killer, but thus far they didn't have any real leads. There were plenty of false ones; fingers pointing at shadows, nothing more. However, to Typhos' shock, Todd looked around them to make sure no one was nearby… And then nodded.

"I know who the killer is," He claimed, "But I'm not sure you'll believe me, even if I tell you.

Typhos laughed nervously. "Todd, if this is a jest, it is not a particularly funny one. Although I will give you credit for having some guts; I have never known you to make such crude japes, especially not when the recently deceased are involved."

Lord Stark remained grim. "This isn't a joke, Typhos. I have reason to believe the killer was a Faceless Man hired by Jhaeros Targaryen."

A look of pure horror spread over Typhos' face. This implications of what Todd was saying were manifold and dire. As children, Typhos, Todd and Jhaeros had been close friends. They had always played at fighting, but only in mock battles with sticks for swords. Their Pokemon had been close as well; as a group, they had been almost inseperable, humans and Pokemon alike. As they had grown older, they grew farther and farther apart, separated by both emotional and physical distance. And yet Typhos could think of no reason why his former friend would ever want to harm his father. "Are you sure what you're saying is true? Where did you hear these words that sound so much like treason and slander?"

"I cannot tell you from who they came for that very reason," Lord Stark told him, "But I can tell you they came from someone I would trust my life with. Typhos, you have to believe me. This is why I came all the way from Winterfell. And it is also why I brought 15,000 troops with me, all of them accompanied by Pokemon. If you choose to move against the crown for this murderous act, the North will stand behind you."

Typhos was becoming more and more shocked by the second. Any second now, he expected to wake up in bed, panting in fear before realizing he had only had a bad dream. But that moment never came. What was happening was real, terribly, horrifically real. "What you are suggesting is even more treasonous than your claim. And even with the North behind me, how could Casterly Rock ever stand against the power of the Iron Throne?"

"The real question is, how could you stand by and let the murder of your father go unchallenged? You are bound to go avenge him, and the only way you can do that is by marching on King's Landing!"

"Why is it that you are so hell-bent on making me do this?" The Lord of Casterly Rock asked of his friend, completely distraught.

"Because I know that you need to do the right thing," The Lord of Winterfell replied. "Because you need to do the honorable thing. Your honor requires that you not let this go unpunished. And I will not see my friend dishonored."

The Lannister considered this. He looked over to his father's body, lying there, growing cold and rotting. And finally he relented. "I will do this thing you ask of me," He said with a sigh, "But it will be up to you to find others to rally to our cause."

"I have already done so," The Warden of the North replied. "I have sent messages to the Lords and Ladies of all the major Houses, proclaiming the Prince's crimes. We already have the power of Dorne on our side."

Lord Typhos sighed. He was growing incredibly weary of this conversation. "Fair enough. I shall call my bannermen."

The next morning at dawn, the forces of Winterfell and Casterly Rock marched east together, headed towards the Red Keep and the Iron Throne.