AUTHOR'S NOTE: Being bored at home for my 8th day of self-isolating because of Covid-19, I started wondering: what if this is the right time to try out A Court of Lies? I have a few projects in my mind for another universes, but I wanted to give this one a chance. I have written this first chapter and I will leave it here, just to see what it happens. As you may notice, it is based a lot on a excerpt from A Clash of Kings.

A COURT OF LIES

Renly Baratheon survives on the eve of the battle against Stannis and the outcome of the War of the Five Kings changes. As a Great Council is called, the forces move toward King's Landing to bring the Lannister's to justice.

PROLOGUE

"Let the three of you call for a Great Council, such as the realm has not seen for a hundred years. We will send to Winterfell, so Bran may tell his tale and all men may know the Lannisters for the true usurpers. Let the assembled lords of the Seven Kingdoms choose who shall rule them."

Renly laughed.

"Tell me, my lady, do direwolves vote on who should lead the pack?"

Brienne brought the king's gauntlets and greathelm, crowned with golden antlers that

would add a foot and a half to his height.

"The time for talk is done. Now we see who is stronger." Renly pulled a lobstered green-and-gold gauntlet over his left hand, while Brienne knelt to buckle on his belt, heavy with the weight of longsword and dagger.

"I beg you in the name of the Mother," Catelyn began when a sudden gust of wind flung open the door of the tent. She thought she glimpsed movement, but when she turned her head, it was only the king's shadow shifting against the silken walls. She heard Renly begin a jest, his shadow moving, lifting its sword, black on green, candles guttering, shivering, something was queer, wrong, and then she saw Renly's sword still in its scabbard, sheathed, but the shadowsword was not.

"Look!" Catelyn screamed.

Brienne of Tarth could be a woman, but a warrior she was and quick, despite her size. She pulled the sword from the king's scabbard, brutally pushing the man aside. With a gasp, Renly Baratheon fell on the ground, rolling toward Catelyn's feet, as a duel for life and death took place. Brienne's sword cut through the shadow, rippling the fabric of the tent. A scream was heard from outside, as the shadow creature continued to wield the sword.

Brienne screamed, the shadow sword plunging through her armor.

"Over here!" The king bellowed, trying to get help from outside. "We are under attack!"

Staring with her eyes wide open in shock, Catelyn Stark started praying in silence, her lips moving quickly as she watched the battle unfold and the blood seeping through the rainbow cloak of Brienne. The warrior was injured, but that was not enough to detain her duty. Placing herself between the eerie shadow creature and the king, she kept fighting, walling Renly with her armored body.

If light gives form to shadows, then darkness shall kill it.

Looking around, Catelyn saw the wooden column at the centre of the tent, holding the structure together. Without thinking twice, she clashed her body onto it and felt the wood cracking underneath her bones. Looking back, she confirmed the shadow was still trying to get past Brienne, raising the shadowy sword menacingly.

Exhaling, Catelyn Stark turned again to the wooden pillar and pushed with her small body, pushing with every bit of energy left in her body. Until something cracked and the ceiling of the pavilion came tumbling down over them, the fabric walls falling all around, muffling every single candlelight and sound until only darkness reigned.

The cloth was heavy over her body, but it made her feel safe.

"Mother, please help us." She whispered, feeling her warm breath against the rich fabric. From afar, voices and footsteps could be heard, running toward them. The song of swords leaving their scabbards broke the fear. Someone was groaning, probably Brienne, and Renly Baratheon resumed his call for help.

And then, the sound of steel ripping through the cloth and the diffuse light of the encampment fell on her eyes. Catelyn found the face of Lord Randyll Tarly looking at her, extending an arm to help her up.

"Lady Stark."

She accepted the hand, allowing the Lord of Horn Hill to pull her up. She was just catching her breath when, out of the ruins of the fallen pavilion, a derailed Renly Baratheon emerged, with his hair dishevelled and half of his armor. Ser Loras Tyrell came to his aid, but he dismissed the knight with a single gesture, decidedly advancing toward her.

"Lady Stark." He placed a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it. "Tonight, I owe you my life and such a price shall not be paid lightly. I swear to you now, by the old Gods and the new, that once my brother is defeated for his treachery, I will march North and assembly with your son. I swear, my good lady, I will restore justice to the Seven Kingdoms – and to your family."

A chill went through her.

"As you say, Your Majesty."

At least, it was a start.