Tygett II

Somewhere in the Stormlands, 298 AC

Never in his life had Tygett felt so tired. His limbs and rear ached from all the time spent on horseback. His back was killing him. Though it was partly due to his age, his current condition was also the result of the long march that had seen the crownlander army enter the Stormlands. He didn't even want to imagine what it was like for the common soldiers, those thousands of thousands of men who didn't have a horse or even a cart, but could only rely on their own feet for mobility. If their exhaustion was as bad as the stench of sweat that constantly haunted the camp, they needed every single minute of rest they could find.

And rest they would soon get, though not for long. Their march was finally over. They had reached their intended destination, and soon enough would meet the enemy. If their leader actually was the last of the Blackfyre line, like some people at court whispered, then once he was dead the Seven Kingdoms would be looking at a brighter future. Tygett's body filled with anticipation at the thought. He wanted for this pitiful, deluded invader to die as soon as possible, his host shattered and his corpse feeding the ravens.

He also knew that it would most likely take up longer than expected. Life had thaught him that, more often than not, the actual results could be completely different from one's expectations. Being too optimistic was one of the best roads for failure, if not the best.

Blood would flow, though, that was for sure. Many a man would die in the days to come.

Tygett would do anything in his power to make sure that, by the end of the conflict, he and his son would be among the living.

"Here he comes." said the stormlander envoy that had come to greet them. His name was Ser Cortnay Penrose, a stern-looking individual who didn't speak much and carried himself as if he had a pole permanently stuck up his bunghole. Just like Tygett's older brother. They were even phisically similar. They had the same hard face, and were well on their way to total baldness. He and Tywin would get along just fine, he thought to himself. Although he hadn't known him for long, he could already say that he didn't like Ser Cortnay.

Prince Viserys squinted his eyes toward the approaching group of men and horses, an advance party from the main stormlander host, which was still a few hours away. "Is he the big one in the front?"

"Indeed, Your Grace." answered Ser Cortnay.

"Gods, he hasn't changed a bit since the last time I saw him."

Tygett had met Lord Robert Baratheon only once, and it had been many years ago, after Princess Rhaenys' birth. He didn't remember much about him, aside from his booming laughter and his inability to stay still for more than a few minutes. And his size. After the brothers Clegane and that sellsword from his first battle, Lord Robert was one of the biggest men Tygett had ever seen.

The more the other men advanced, the better Tygett could get a look at the stormlord. Robert Baratheon wasn't young anymore, that was plain to see. However, he seemed to be in quite a good shape. He rode silently toward them, his brow furrowed and his jaw clenched. Coupled with his armored bulk, he made for a very threatening sight.

He looks like a man ready to kill. Good, we are going to need that.

The stormlanders stopped. Princes Viserys stepped forward to greet the newcomer. "Cousin Robert!" Cousin? What...then he remembered. Both the prince and Lord Robert were descendants of King Aegon V, whose daughter had married Ormund Baratheon. "We meet again, at last. I have to say, it's really good to see you. Though I wish it was under better circumstances."

"Likewise, Your Grace." Lord Robert simply replied with a slight bow. Tygett couldn't help but notice the other man's grim tone. He remembered that his younger brother had been one of the first to fall to the invaders. Tygett didn't know what kind of relationship the brothers Baratheon had had, although judging from Lord Robert's frown it couldn't have been bad. He must be hungry for revenge. He wondered how he would feel, were something similar to happen to Kevan, or Gerion. Or even Tywin. He wasn't exactly on the best of terms with them, but he didn't want them dead.

"I suppose you are starving. I had a small feast prepared for you and..." the prince said, but was soon interrupted by a gesture from Lord Baratheon.

"I would rather not waste any more time, Your Grace. I vowed to my lady mother that I would not stop until the bastards that killed my brother are rotting in a mass grave!" He spoke with such an intensity and a fire in his eyes that, for a moment, Tygett felt...well, a small pang of fear. If that was any indication of how he was going to behave on the battlefield, then the enemy would be soon facing a living nightmare.

He felt almost sorry for them. Almost.

"Nonetheless, you still need to fill your belly and sleep a little." replied Prince Viserys, seemingly unperturbed by Lord Robert's fiery countenance. "Your men, too. Or would you rather the enemy faced soldiers too weak to even stand?"

Lord Robert shrugged. "All right. But after that, I want to start discussing strategies. You, me, and our commanders."

"Of course, cousin. By the way, meet my second in command, Ser Tygett Lannister. I believe you already know each other."

Tygett bowed at the stormlord. "My lord. It's a honor to see you again."

"Another Lannister...I swear, you lions are everywhere!" He looked at Tygett. "Wait...I remember you! We met at the Red Keep nine years ago."

"I'm honored that you remember me."

The other man nodded. "The master at arms...do you have any actual combat experience? Forgive me for asking, but this isn't a mere training yard, and those we are going to fight aren't green boys."

Tygett wasn't bothered by that question. Lord Robert didn't know him well, it was only natural that he would have doubts. "I fought in the War of the Ninepenny Kings, my lord of Baratheon, and in the Reyne-Tarbeck revolt. I also fought against pirates in the Stepstones, on a joint escort mission with ironborn captains."

If Lord Baratheon was impressed by Tygett's words, he didn't show it. "Good. We are going to need your experience."

After that, the commanders of both hosts ate together and prepared battle strategies. Once the main stormlander host had finally arrived, Lord Robert ordered his men to set up camp for the night.

The next day, as soon as the sun began to rise, both camps became hotbeds of activity. Orders were shouted, weapons readied, and plans were finalized.

And then, it was time to go. Tygett looked at his son first, then at the soldiers.

"All right, men...march! Off to war we go!"

AN: Next chapter, we'll go back to the Iron Islands and find out the real identity of Maron's warlock and whether Asha and Gormon will be able to kill him. And after that...the royal hosts vs the invaders! Who will win? Who will loose and die? Just wait and you'll find out. And be prepared for a few more twists and gut punches.