STEFFON
The lord of Storms End and his guards rushed to the Red Keep, eager for an explanation.
The guardsmen of the Red Keep didn't even bother to stop them, they recognized the kings cousin.
Once inside they saw Aerys standing there with a strange smile on his face, his smile became wider when he saw Robert.
Around him were members of the small council.
"What in the Seven Hell's did you do?!" yelled Steffon, surprising everyone, except Aerys who still kept his smile.
"We have been waiting for you hand. Come, the small council must begin" he said.
"Hand?"
"Council?"
Most of the council was already in the small chamber when Aerys yelled:
"Come on Steffon! Bring little Rob two!"
"Be ready men" Steffon told told his guards and they just nodded.
The meting went on as usual, the only difference being that when ever Steffon tried to speak someone else interrupted.
But being a Baratheon had the perk of a short fuse, so after being interrupted for the forth time Steffon yelled:
"What the hell happened?!"
"What do you mind cousin?" asked Aerys, acting as innocent as a maid.
"Why the hell did you butcher Tywin and his family?! Where's Joanna?! Where is Cersei?!"
"Ah yes, the traitor... This morning Lord Varys had informed me that Tywin was planing to overthrow me, I acted first..."
"What?!... Why would he overthrow you?!"
"Because he is a treacherous scum, that devil.. man of pure evil"
"He would never betray you!"
"He would, he.. he... listen Steffon, if you want to speak to me come to the Great Sept latter, council dismissed" Aerys stormed out of the room.
AERYS
There she lay, his sweet Joanna. Aerys could easily recall the first time they meet, her long blond hair and golden green eyes... Ah, but that was a long time ago, before..., before Tywin manipulated her and took her from him and Rhaella... that bitch.
She ordered Joanna out of the capital before he could save her and now.. now it was to late, Tywin had manipulated her, convinced her to go against him, yes now was to late...
Steffon came in through the wide doors of the Sept. Aerys turned around, he could see relief and grief on Steffons face when he glanced at Joanna.
"You killed her two?"
"It had to be done"sigh"Tywin had manipulated her for far to long"
"Manipulated?! Are you mad man?!" Steffons booming voice echoed thru the Sept"He loved her you idiot!"
"That monster did not have the capability to love! I see that even you had fallen to his tricks! When I heard about lord Varys's finds in Tywins chambers that was the last straw!"
"Maybe the eunuch tricked you?! Do you honestly believe that Tywin was so stupid as to leave everything in his chambers for every fool to see?!"
"No, I don't think that he would leave everything there, no doubt he has many weapon caches thru the city..."
"Do you hear yourself Aerys?! The man that ruled your king for you for years would have attempted to overthrow you years ago, but he didn't"
"No doubt he was bidding his time... and don't say that! He was the 'Hand of the King' nothing more!"
"And yet you were afraid of him?"
"Snakes like Tywin do not stop at second best. He wanted the crown and he would have gotten it if it wasn't for lord Varys's efforts"
Steffon was quite, fuming, barely managing to control his anger.
"Besides, Tywin was the most hated man in the Seven Kingdoms, no one will miss him"
"You are wrong Aerys, what will the people think when they hear the king murders children and women during a feast no less under the pretense of guest right"
"I never shared salt and breed with them, the people will get over it"
"They wont, few liked Tywin but many respected him and many loved Joanna and the little twins, you also killed a few Freys, I wonder how old Walder will react when he hears..."
"Watch your tongue, if you were not my cousin you and your boy would already be sharing Tywins fate"
"Oh I apologize my king, surely you can find in your heart to forgive me"
Aerys of course did not notice Steffons sarcasm.
"I shouldn't, but I will, for family. And I have news for you Steffon, news that you will surely be happy to hear"
"What?"
"Little Cersei is alive. I am raising her to be a proper wife to Rhaeagar!" the happy smile that Aerys wore before returned to his face.
"Where is she?"
"Do not worry my friend, she is safe. I have more news for you"
Aerys reached in his pocket with his right hand and presented the pendant that every hand of the king wore.
"It is yours now"
Steffon studied the pendant for a few seconds before raising his hand above his head and throwing it in the far end of the Sept, then he glanced at Aerys who he probably thought was going to burn of anger from the expression on his face.
Thankfully Grand Maester Pycelle entered the Sept at that moment.
"My King, Lord Varys wishes to see you"
Aerys took another look at Steffon and barged out, muttering something about ungrateful swine.
STEFFON
"I must thank you Grand Maester, if you hadn't interrupted in that moment I fear that things would have become ugly"
"Well lord Steffon I have been listening to the whole exchange, forgive me for that"
"It is alright Grand Maester, I guess you heard the whole thing?"
"I have and I agree with you, the king is slipping away more and more with each passing day, he hasn't even been feeding lord Tywins daughter this past day"
"I have to..."
Pycelle interrupted him
"Do not worry my lord, I have been taking care that she is well feed and has all her needs satisfied"
"Can I count on you to help me save her?"
"No my lord"
"What do you mean no?! If we don't the king will..."
"The king will do nothing, Varys has advised him that hurting the hair to the Westerlands can only bring trouble in the future. But if you try to save her now it will mean certain death to you and her if you are caught. Take your guard, take your boy and go back to Storms End"
"We can not let this crime go unpunished!"
"And we wont, lord Tywins brother Kevan was not here for the feast, I doubt he has heard the news, but when he does he will raise his banners and rebel, you need to wait for him before you do anything yourself"
Steffon nodded.
"Be careful Grand Maester"
"I will my lord"
They exited the Sept and went their separate ways.
AETHAN
He had failed, he had failed his commander and he had failed his lord. Now he sat in a tavern, drinking down his sorrows. Around him people were murmuring about the death of Tywin and his family, about his failure. He still wore the Lannister armor which gained a many glares at him, but he didn't care. Even if they called the city watch it would just mean death, which was preferable to the shame he was now feeling.
But then a beacon of hope, from the mouth of a servant girl.
"The little lady Cersei is alive, my sister says she even told Aerys to fuck himself"
The word earned a laugh from most of occupants and a look from Aethan.
"Are you sure of this?"
"Of course I am, are you calling me a liar?!"
Aethan grabbed her in hug that earned an 'Ohhhh' from the rest of the occupants.
He paid for his drink and rushed out of the tavern and into the city alleyways, if lady Cersei was still alive there was still hope for him to redeem himself.
"Hold on little girl"
KEVAN
Above him stood the ruins of Castamere, the memory still haunted him. The Reynes had refused to surrender and instead barricaded themselves into the lower levels of the castle. They even had the audacity to ask for a Lannister prisoner before agreeing to peace talks.
His brother Tywin wouldn't have any of it, so he closed of all but the smallest entrances and rerouted the small stream from which Castamere got it's name towards them. Kevan spent the whole night listening, eagerly awaiting for any sound of life from the lower levels of Castamere, nothing, silence just defining silence.
Kevan never approved of the actions Tywin took that day, but he was the younger brother and the younger brother always follows the elder.
"Having fond memories ser Kevan?" commander Theomore came up to him with the troops Kevan was waiting.
"Are you sure the bandits are hiding here Theomore?"
"According to the scouts yes"
"Ahh, let's get it over it"
Kevan, Theomore and 30 men at arms entered the empty courtyard.
"Theomore take half the men check the stables, me and the rest will go into the main hall"
Theomore nodded and did as he was bid.
Kevan and his men entered with their shields raised and swords ready, but no one was in the hall, it was quite like the last time Kevans been there. They approached the doors that led to the throne room, they were big, wide enough for five men to stand shoulder to shoulder and pass.
Kevan glanced at two of his men.
"Open them"
They did as they were bid, the doors creaked loudly, the men raised their shields.
The two that opened the door grabbed their weapons and returned to the line.
Kevan was in the first of three lines, he started walking and the rest behind him. When they were just a few feet inside they were rushed by men from the flanks, Kevan did not worry, as long as they held discipline they would be alright. A few waves attacked, all were repelled. Even if the bandits had numbers, Kevans men had discipline, they didn't lose even one.
A big bandit welding an ax joined them in the throne room with more men, probably their leader, now they were outnumbered three to one, Kevan still didn't care, he told his men to brace themselves and raise their shields.
The leader rushed Kevan who raised his shield, the ax landed on the shield and got stuck, Kevan pulled the bandit towards him and cut thru his chest. The fighting lasted another five minutes, it ended with many bandits dead and many more captured.
"Walk" Kevan told his captives and pointed at the direction of the courtyard. Once they were out they meet Theomore with his men and more prisoners.
"What will we do with them ser?"
"We'll let the villagers decide, it was their property they were raiding, now lets leave"
It took them a half a hour walk to the rendezvous, they saw men sitting on the and worried messenger who looked like he would have a heart attack.
"Ser! I have urgent letter from your cousin Damon Marbrand!"
"Can't it wait, I'm busy"
"It's about your brothers ser"
"What about my brothers"
The messenger gulped.
"It is better if you read for your self ser"
"Fine, give the letter"
"Kevan, Aerys had broken the guest right and ordered the death of your family"
Kevan was shocked, a tear in his eye. It took a call from Theomore to bring him back to reality.
"But we can not weep, I have heard of reports that Targaryen soldiers have attacked Lannisport and besieged Casterly Rock, we must move quickly. I also received a raven from Kings Landing, a man claiming to be your brothers spy has informed me that Cersei is alive, kept captive by the king. I understand your sadness, believe me I am grieving to, but you cannot sit idle, more of the kings troop will come marching into the Westerlands and by then it will be to late. I know you have troops, raise more from the former Reyne and Tarbeck lands and come rally with us at Sarsfield, there we will plan our next move.
Lord Damon of Ashermark"
More tears came streaming down Kevans cheek.
"What is it ser?" asked Theomore, Kevan just gave him the letter.
"I offer you my condolences my lord"
"My lord" the words rang in Kevans head, he wiped his tears.
"I am not your lord, Cersei is your lady and she is held captive"
These words got the attention of the men. Joanna would occasionally take the twins out and give presents to orphanages and public kitchens, this earned the love of the smallfolk for the lady Lannister and her children.
"And what will you do about that ser?" asked Theomore.
Kevans face became red with rage.
"Rally the men and send message to the village leaders, I want an audience with them tonight"
"And if they refuse?"
"Bring them by force"
"At once ser"
"Men set up camp and rest, tomorrow we march"
And they did just that. During the night many soldiers came to Kevans tent to promise him allegiance to the end.
THEOMORE
It didn't take much pursuing to get the village leaders to meet up with Kevan. They loved him, just like his men loved him. Unlike his older brother Kevan actually cared for his troops and their condition, he could be strict, but always fair, he was the time of person that men follow in battle, so It didn't take much convincing to get the village leaders to pledge troops to his cause.
Two thousand untrained levy with equipment ranging from the finest knights armor the simple ax. But it was a start. Tomorrow they would march, odds against them. They might win a few battles in the begging, but what will it be when whole Westeros comes crashing down on them?
