De Excidio et Conquestu de Citae Regia
The air was filled with smoke and blood.
When the men of Rome reached King's Landing, the gates were open for them. And standards of Golden Lions in red fields greeted them. Fires were being put out, and Lannister bannermen roamed around the city, doing whatever they pleased before stopping at the sight of a disciplined column of Romans. The bodies of those killed floated down the Blackwater rush and into the sea.
Flavius Constantinus, horrorized at the sight, quietly crossed himself as he rode, in front of the column, to the Red Keep. His men secured an area, set up camp and waited as Constantine and twelve Excubitores entered the keep.
The Lannister men were still cleaning up the butchery they had made of the few guards that dared resist.
Right behind him, a few Northmen, and one Eddard Stark, entered the Keep.
Before him, the entrance to the room of the Iron Throne.
The sight in front of them was surreal. The Mad King lied dead at the feet of the throne, not too far, two men, alchemists, also laid motionless and pale. Sitting in the Throne, with a face that showed more confusion and shock than satisfaction, it was Ser Jaime Lannister.
Noticing the men, he stood up and descended, looking at them.
"You can take that throne if you want..." He said, his face blank, seemingly shaken. He walked out of the room then. leaving a puzzled Northman and an appalled Roman to do the same.
Later that day
As he rode through the city towards the area where his men had set up quarters, he saw a girl. She was hiding behind the rubble that fell upon the street, no doubt due to some incident caused by improper handling of wildfire. Her skin was tanned, her eyes of a grey-ish tone, and she had long dark hair. She could not be older than four.
Slowly, Constantine got off of his horse, and closer to the rubble. He knelt and exteded one hand while removing his helmet.
"Come here child. I will not harm you." he said softly. The girl slowly poked her head from behind the rubble and looked. She was afraid, that much was obvious, and she was also shaken. Of course, with what was going on in the city, she must have seen so much.
After a few minutes, she slowly made her way to Constantine, unsure steps driving her to him. Once she had reached him, he held her to himself.
"Calm down little one" he whispered sweetly "You will be fine now."
Then he took her in arms and mounted the horse again.
The ride back to quarters was uneventful.
Slowly he set her down, sitting her on the bed. He sat in a chair and had food brought to the room.
"What is your name?" He asked. The girl did not dare replying, just looking at the floor. A servant came in, left the food and walked out. Constantine sighed and looked.
Slowly, he stood up, and headed to the makeshift altar on the room, praying quietly.
Two Days Later
The lords present in King's Landing had been called to the throne room. Thus, the two cousins made their way there, meeting with Robert Baratheon, Jon Arryn, Tywin Lannister, and Eddard Stark. Robert was already sitting upon the throne, and he claimed that Lord Tywin had something to show them.
Two knights walked in, with a red carpet. A third man, towering above them all, carried a second carpet.
Slowly the carpets were extended in front of the assembled men, and Tywin Lannister looked at the new King.
Constantine crossed himself at the sight, Cornelius clenched his fists in rage as he fought the urge to puke then and there, Jon Arryn just watched in shock. Eddard Stark finally broke the tense silence.
"What is the meaning of this." He said.
"I am afraid that it was necessary Lord Stark." replied Tywin Lannister before walking out. Eddard turned to Robert.
"You cannot be thinking of rewarding him!" Robert slowly descended, Cornelius slowly walked out of the room and called for two Excubitores to remain with him. Constantine said something in latin and they were off.
"All I can see, is dead dragonspawn." Replied the new King. Lord Eddard Stark simply stormed out of the room. Constantine, who had watched along Lord Arryn, sighed, and looked at Robert.
"And behold a red horse, and power was given to its rider, to take peace from the Earth... " Lord Arryn and King Robert looked at the man in confusion. The Roman sighed and looked at the bodies. "Wanton killing is surely the way to make peace. I pray that this does not escalate further, but know that many that, were they alive, could have come to bend the knee, will crave revenge."
With that he left, before the throne, in the carpets, the body of Elia Martell was perfectly recognizable. a girl, who could be vaguely recognized as Princess Rhaenys laid dead, as did the remains of a babe, skull shattered, with only a small lock of silver hair hanging from the remains of the head to identify him as Aegon Targaryen.
Robert Baratheon called for the bodies to be removed and disposed of. Finally convinced by Jon Arryn, to at least make sure that Elia Martell's body could be returned to her family.
Note: Yes, I know I ripped off the intro for Total War: Attila. However, the scene of King's Landing after the Sack seemed particularly fitting for that phrase.
OBSERVER: What Jon Arryn had in mind will be revealed soon enough, although the final decision will not be in favor of it. As for Mauritius, yes, he is one lucky, brave and crazy SOB.
As you all might guess by where in the timeline are we, this story is getting wrapped up. Please, continue reviewing, and thank you for reading this! There are still a few chapter to go though