I don't own ASOIAF

Storm's End 282 AC

Cormac

He was summoned to the lord's office an hour after sunset . usually he would be at his house by this time but with all the bloody drills the youngest lord demanded all of a sudden half a year ago the occasion of him actually arriving home to find the dinner food warm was becoming more and more scarce.

Renly was a right Pain in the arse and if slavery in Westross wasn't illegal, he would've made a scary slave driver. Ever since he asked for the extra drills to be carried out, the young lord has been very adamant that they'd be carried out. He'd make surprise inspections and one time he actually asked a group of soldiers who were slacking to use those drills to take on his five guards who apparently helped the young lord in making the drills. He made sure that all Baratheon men-at-arms follow his hellish training least they are asked to fight (read get beaten up) by the five thus he couldn't half-ass that assignment. He sometimes wonder if the young lord is paying him back for all the times he drilled him during his martial practice.

The five on the other hand. Those were the men that were taken into the serves of house Baratheon the day lord Renly chose his sworn shield. They are of course Ser Marc, who he himself knighted. Serving as Lord Renly's sworn Shield. and while the others are sworn to house Baratheon, they were also without a doubt Renly's men as well. There was Torres the peasant's son from the marches under lord Caron's control. Ser Hugo From lord Swann's land. Ser Luke, Youngest cousin to the current lord Tarth and Ser Ethan from the lands of lord Dondarrion. All of them were right monsters in their own right (the result of only accepting only the strongest of the candidates on that tourney-like selection process, that was one of the best ideas of Renly). They didn't need much work on his part to train them as they were already good unlike the green recruits he usually had to deal with. So they preferred to keep to themselves and focus on sharping their skills making them elites even in retrospect to the entire Baratheon forces. Of course them having witnessed Renly's scheme to segregate them based on loyalty in the king's wood created some rivalry in the beginning but it was overcome as they came to respect each other's ability. And while none of them developed the absolute loyalty Marc has for Renly, they came to respect the young lord's intelligence and are more receptive to heed his ideas. So when he one day came to them with a new regimen for training they didn't outright tell him off but they complied and actually improved on that regimen. And the result is the hell his troops have to endure every day.

Cormac sighed at the thought. It's not like he didn't see the benefits of the said training. He saw how the five decimated fifteen of his men while they fought in those formations. The fact that they moved as one so that none of them had any blind spots, if one attacks two others would be covering for any vulnerable areas he exposed, and if by some miracle their opponent survived the first assault that's usually made of at least two attacks from different angles, he wouldn't be able to get a hit in as he'll be blocked immediately and be counterattacked at the same second. A fearsome formation to be sure.

Unlike the normal Westorossi way where they usually focus on individual skills and the teamwork is limited to shield walls or marching, the new method removes all individuality from the battle field. Even engaging an enemy must be done as a group. He once told the young lord how cowardly this is only to be given the famous lord Renly's 'are you stupid' looks and being told how a group of unsullied have beaten a Dothrakki horde many times their number and how ancient Ghis were unstoppable till they had to contend with Valerian dragons all duo to tactics such as these.

Cormac refuted by saying that a bunch of castrated slaves or a fallen empire should be followed as examples and that there was no substitute to honor, skill, and bravery on the field of battle. He then felt The temperature drop and looking at him coldly was Renly who asked him in low voice "have you ever been on a battle field Ser or are you just trying to play the parent figure who wants to protect a small boy's fantasies about honor and glorious events" a cold sweat ran on the back of the old knight. It was times like this he feels that the one in front of him was not the child he watched grow up but a high lord who was one step away from turning his life to living hell. He fought in the nine penny kings war and saw people die tens if not hundreds of times but there was always one fear he never got over. There was only one man able to make shivers run through his spain. He clearly remembers fighting along the Baratheon's host when he heard a roar that froze the whole battle. He saw lord Steffon tearing the enemies left and right, covered in enemy's blood his eyes seemed to glow with anger as he continued to massacre the poor sods coming his way.

Now for the second time he gets that feeling but from the man's son. Unlike lord Steffon's explosive fury , Renly's was more silent and controlled but not any less freighting. He stares with eyes that promised suffering and misery. Cormac composed himself quickly. It wouldn't do for him show fear right now he stepped back quickly and began " no my lord, I wouldn't…" however he was interrupted as Renly said " you will impose those drills and execute them, the troops will follow them and expected to memorize them. and within three months they're expected to integrate them to their way fighting. You're to ensure that all of them are to have adequate training to be able to at least preform the first five formations by that time and they are not to ignore their own personal training. You are to work with the captain of the guards to see to it. As master of arms of the mighty keep of StormsEnd this should be simple for you to achieve. We both agree that basic level of competence is not met then house Baratheon is better off without such people. I hear the Arryns are very big on the honor thing, I'm sure they'd welcome those refusing to follow my cowardly formations. Am I clear Ser Cormac"

More cold sweat made its way on his back, but Cormac knew better than to stand before a Baratheon's fury, kept a calm front and nodded as he said " yes my lord. As you wish my lord" Renly regarded him for a moment before dismissing him" good. Now leave" and like that he made his way out giving no clear indication of the nerves tingling inside of him.

He sighed again. Lord Renly didn't show any change in behavior after that. The sunny smile and respectful attitude were back as if what happened in that room was just a fantasy. He even joined the troops in the new training sometimes giving them a boost to their moral as they saw their lord training by their side. And slowly the units fighting method was born.

He stopped thinking as he reached the solar. Upon entering he saw lord Stannis along with maester Cressen and few others like the steward and the guard captain. Lord Stannis was about to begin speaking but he was interrupted by the door opening. He turned to see lord Renly entering with ser Marc . "what are you doing here Renly. I didn't ask for your presence" Stannis said. Annoyed by his younger brother's behavior. " oh, I just heard we got a letter and the next thing I heard you called for a meeting. I was just curious and if it's something important I'll hear it sooner or later" he said giving his most Innocent smile that served to annoy Stannis even further.

Stannis shifted his sight between Renly and Cressen who undoubtedly informed Renly about the message. He grinded his teeth for few seconds before saying "fine. I suppose you'll know wither I tell you or not. Rhegar Targayan kidnapped Lyanna Stark and took her to an unkown destination. Brandon Stark rode to Kings Landing demanding her return. Ther he was arrested for treason. Lord Stark tried to salvage the situation but he was burned to death bt the mad king. Brandon Stark choked to death while trying to save his father" the room fell to silence you could hear a needle drop. Every one tried to process the information but all were horrified to speak. The silence was broken by the unshaken voice of lord Renly.

" we should call the banners ". and like a tidal wave all came to their senses . " my lord why would we do that" Cressen said quickly. Renly looked at him and said" one the north is rebelling under Ned Stark, the man who's Robert's brother in all but name. he'd want to side with north if only to back his friend. Two the vale is rebelling as Jon Arryn won't let his old friend's death and his surrogate son's life be threatened. He's a father figure for Robert and thus Robert will side with him. Three the reason for all this mess is that the dragon prince kidnapped Robert's betrothed. That alone is a reason for war, what Aryes did was just the cherry on top" many didn't understand the expression but by now they're used to Renly's weird way of speaking." And finally do you really think that Areys doesn't have something planned for Robert or the all of house Baratheon for that matter. Whispers of his paranoia have spread far and wide. I wouldn't be surprised if he planned to end us all like he did with the Duskendales"

That shut anyone who wanted to argue further. All exchanged looks not knowing what to say. It was Stannis who spoke saying "if I call the banners only to find that no war in imminent not only will we be the laughing stalk of the seven kingdoms. It may even provoke the Targaryans to think we're revolting. " " not to mention the treasury will take a hit by that" the steward got his two words in.

" the treasury can take it. If worried about the Targaryans tell them it's an old ceremony carried by old storm kings upon their coming of age and taking power. I believe such ceremony exists and is wasn't outlawed by the Targaryans. We just didn't perform it since the conquest . though how you think this'll be solved peacefully is beyond me" Renly said while giving his famous 'are you stupid' look.

"as for the banners' reaction" came the the ' I know something you don't ' smile " I'll take full responsibility if nothing came of this and no war is coming"

"..hmm, fine" said lord Stannis between grinding teeth. He turned to Cressen " maester send a letter to every house to…""not Griffin's Roost" Renly said quickly . Stannis glared as this wasn't the firt time Renly interrupted him. Thankfully it was Cormac who spoke this time " House Connington is loyal to the Targayans. If it's a rebellion we might want them to stay in the dark. At least till we know where their loyalty lies."

"maester you're to send to all houses except House Connington. We want them prepared if war is upon us. Now if that's all you're all dismissed" Stanninis said with an annoyed voice and a sour face. One after another they left the solar.

Cormac sighed again on his way. This was the third time in an hour. 'maybe after this I'll take to lord Stannis about finding a replacement for me so I can enjoy the rest of my days with my daughter and grandchildren. Too much stress to continue here. Honstley ,, I'm getting too old for this shit"

Journal Entry 282 AC

Renly

I noticed recently that I'm having a harder time controlling my anger. I feel like I want to rip someone's head off. Greater than any I've experienced before. I wonder if it's something about the rebirth thing.

Also , who the fuck is House Connington. I've never heard of the house in the show and I'm sure a hand of the king by the name of Jon Connington is something I should have known about. I thought Tywan Lanister was the hand then it was a pyromancer. Too many gaps in my knowledge regarding things. I really wish I read the book. Either way I can't trust them or they might screw me over .

I need to remind myself I'm in it for the long game. Mustn't get careless or lose my cool. And never trust the future knowledge completely. You Never Know when you have the wrong info or butterflies start to make effects.

R.B… 282AC

Notes

+ i'm looking for some one to beta the previous chapters. if anyone want's to volunteer themselves, send me a message

other than that i hope you enjoyed the chapter. thank you for your continued support.