Hi,
I have returned!
Right, that is all the calm and cute chapters out the way. Now it's time to cause some damage!
Chapter 105: Duels of Fate
Middle of the night still …
Walls of the Red Keep, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (Tyrell, Lannister, Arryn), Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms
Kenna's hands rested on top of the battlements and her eyes scanned the torch-lit streets below her. She could dimly see barricades set up at various points along the God's Way and the King's Way in anticipation of a breach at either the Gate of the Gods or the Lion Gate to the Red Keep. Tommen and Ser Dickon Tarly were organising the defence at the street level. She hoped the enemy wouldn't reach them and cast her eye out further.
The walls of King's Landing were a distant shadow in the night but she could still make out small flickers of light that stretched out in the darkness around the city. The walls and gates would undoubtedly be the next focus of Daenerys's attack and her heart sank knowing that Artys would be right in the middle of all the chaos.
"When did the dragons leave the Blackwater?" Tyrion asked occupying the space beside her.
"The fire stopped raining down from the sky a few minutes ago but the ships are still burning bright," Kenna answered before noticing the goblet in the dwarf's hand, "Now is not the time to be drinking."
"I'd say now is the perfect time to be drinking," Tyrion replied, downing the cup before throwing it over the edge of the wall.
Kenna ignored Tyrion's flippant attitude and glanced at the mix of Lannister and Arryn men scattered along the Red Keep's walls. There were maybe a dozen manned balistas but most of the few hundred men at their command were archers and that suited Kenna just fine. One of the deadliest things in a battle was a wall of arrows and a leader who knew when to use them.
"Daenerys Targaryen is rather ruining our battle plans isn't she."
"You mean Robb Stark is."
"You doubt Daenerys's military mind?" Tyrion said sarcastically, indicating his agreement.
"She is just a girl with dragons and Oberyn is a reckless man with revenge on his mind. Of course, this is Robb!" Kenna declared keeping her attention forward.
Tyrion fiddled with the small axe at this hip, "I hear congratulations are in order."
"Congratulate me when this night is over," Kenna snapped, not wanting to think about the defenceless innocent life she was carrying into battle.
"Aren't you surprised my father told me?" Tyrion inquired, with a curious glimmer in his eye.
"A little," Kenna admitted, "My … condition isn't exactly important now."
"I guess not but he wanted me to know, maybe to encourage me to protect you."
"I can do that myself and better than you ever could."
"Of course, I know that and so does he but the slither of emotion I saw in his eyes as he told me I was to have another sibling might have clouded his judgement on the matter."
Kenna narrowed her eyes, not knowing if Tyrion's last words were mocking in nature or the truth wrapped up in an elder child's bitterness.
"Sorry," Tyrion said, noting Kenna's suspicious look and holding his hands up, "just relieving my tension."
"Were the ladies of the court moved to the Maidenvault?"
"Yes, there was even a touching scene between your nephew and Lady Sansa I believe. Dare I speculate that you are setting up a marriage between them? Assuming we win the battle and Robb Stark dies she is once again the key to the North."
"What is it to you? You didn't want her and I have heard whisperings of a betrothal between you and Lady Shireen."
'Yes, since you annulled my marriage to Sansa my father has set his eyes on the Stormlands for me. I don't think he wants me around to contest Yohn and Jorge's claim to the Westerlands and what is left of Casterly Rock," Tyrion shook his head, "The Dwarf and the Disfigured, what a lovely couple we will make."
"You both like books," Kenna commented absentmindedly as her thoughts shifted to her twin boys.
Were they curled up in a ditch alongside the King's Road, underneath a blanket feeling the biting cold of winter? Were they sleeping inside a rocking cabin on its way to Pentos, Braavos or perhaps Volantis? Were they listening to the noises of the Kingswood as they fell into a deep slumber?
Where ever you are, know I'm thinking of you both and hope one day you meet your little sister or brother.
Tyrion's ridiculing voice brought her back to the moment, "Great, we will easily be able to ignore each other then."
Her lips twitched at the amusing remark but otherwise, she didn't respond.
Tyrion expelled a deep breath observing Kenna's sombre mood, "I'm sorry about my role in Lord Royce's death."
"You have nothing to be sorry about Tyrion. He died as a result of my actions."
"I killed a Sand Snake too and I failed to convince Oberyn to release Lord Royce."
"I suspect that was Daenerys's plan all along," Tyrion raised his eyebrow at Kenna, encouraging her to continue, "Anyone who has spent more than a minute in Oberyn's company knows he is not suited to the art of diplomacy. So why send him at the head of a negotiation party?"
"You think Daenerys wanted him to lash out."
"Yes. Oberyn kills Lord Royce, we kill our prisoners in retaliation, the Northmen and Dornish are enraged at our actions and fixated on justice. At the very least it gives her forces a morale boost as well as cause animosity between Oberyn and Robb meaning the chances of their houses working together in the future against her reign is less likely."
"So, she isn't a military-minded Queen but a political one?"
"She has to have some skills to have survived so long," Kenna shrugged.
"Rest assured even if she wins this battle, she won't reign long."
At Tyrion's ominous tone Kenna slowly turned to face him, "Explain."
"Although your plan of disguising our army amongst peasants was a good one, I find having multiple plans is a good strategy to success."
"What have you done?"
"Did you know that underneath the street of the King's Way, that runs from the Guildhall of the Alchemists to the Hook just before the Red Keep, is a catacomb of stored wildfire barrels?"
"I did not," Kenna said slowly, "and I'm assuming our men standing on the streets are not aware of their existence either."
"Well, no or I doubt they'd be standing there."
"How far deep underneath the street is the wildfire?"
"Hopefully deep enough that dragon fire can't reach it or King's Landing will be divided by a line of green fire from the Red Keep to the Guildhall of the Alchemists."
Kenna imagined the scene, either their men or Daenerys's would be consumed by green light, "Madness."
"It was Aerys that ordered the extension of the catacombs and that they be filled with wildfire," Tyrion stated casually.
"I'm assuming you have a way to ignite the wildfire if Daenerys's forces approach the Red Keep?"
"I do."
"Please tell me burning a line through King's Landing if our army is defeated is not the extent of your contingency plan?"
"No, there is also a cache of wildfire stacked in a vault underneath the Throne room. If we are defeated and Daenerys sits upon the Iron Throne-"
"Your last plan is to destroy the Throne room?"
"Yes, with Daenerys Targaryen and all her closest allies preferably in it at the time. The wildfire should obliterate the Throne room and a few adjacent rooms … perhaps the whole Red Keep. I'm unclear on the distance the wildfire would spread to."
"You'd do it yourself?"
"After downing a fine bottle of red arbor wine, yes. Don't look at me like that, a life on the run wouldn't suit me and I'm not exactly inconspicuous as I am."
Kenna let out a suffering sigh, "Great if we can't win, neither will she."
"That was my thinking," Tyrion muttered as their attention returned to the walls of King's Landing at the exact moment two swords of fire erupted out the pitch-black sky and consumed the Gate of the Gods and the Lion Gate simultaneously.
A minute earlier …
Walls of King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (Tyrell, Lannister, Arryn), Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms
Artys rode his brown stallion alongside Lord Tywin as they cantered towards the Gate of the Gods. They had left what remained of the Lannister army with Tommen, setting up a barricade on the King's Way but the Knights of the Vale rode behind them, to support the Reachmen defending the walls and gates of King's Landing.
They got close enough to hear Randal Tarly shouting orders before a line of fire drilled down onto the street in front of them and cut right through the Reachmen's defensive formation to consume the Gate of the Gods in flames. The nearby balistas tried in vain to hit the flying target they couldn't see before the dragon's attention went their way but surprisingly the next attack didn't come from the air but the ground.
Through the smoking hole that had been the Gate of the Gods Dornish and Northmen charged alike shouting cries of war into the partially reforming and stunned lines of Reachmen. Arrows started to fly from the walls down on the advancing attackers and some balistas without a target in the sky swivelled to aim at the men rushing through the breach, skewering some to the muddy floor with the giant metal bolts.
Artys didn't doubt for a second the same type of attack was happening at the Lion Gate but instead of Dornish and Northerners streaming through the destroyed gate it would be Unsullied and Dothraki with the second dragon hurling fire down on the defenders.
He exchanged a nod with the elder Lannister before raising his great battle-axe and leading the Knights of the Vale straight into the breach the dragon's fire had caused to help solidify the startled Reachmen's defensive formation.
Screams of pain and fury settled on top of the sounds of clashing metal and tearing flesh. The air was heavy with the smell of blood, sweat and smoke.
Tywin thrust his sword point through the back of a Dornish spearman before his personal guard circled him once more. He looked up just in time to see the top of the wall be dowsed in light as the dragon sought to destroy the only instruments capable of felling it.
He gritted his teeth, knowing which way the tide of battle was going. But he didn't have long to ponder on how to reverse it.
"Tywin Lannister!"
His head snapped to the familiar challenge in the voice. Oberyn Martell stood amongst the carnage with a smile on his lips and a spear in his hands.
"I have waited twenty-five years for this moment," he bellowed as his fellow Dornishmen charged at the dozen or so red-clad soldiers surrounding Tywin.
The two sides engaged evenly, with swords slicing through unarmored flesh and spear tips piercing torsos but there was no stopping Oberyn from reaching Tywin.
"I'm glad you are still alive," Oberyn said as he stalked Tywin, "I would have been inconsolable if someone had gotten to you before me."
Tywin ignored the Prince's words and concentrated on the shortening gap between them. Oberyn had the reach advantage wielding a spear and Tywin didn't kid himself that he had a chance in a one on one but just maybe Oberyn's fury would give him an opening.
"Don't feel like talking?" Oberyn said, suddenly jabbing out with his spear, moving Tywin away from his guards and into a more open space.
"You made a mistake joining Dorne's fate with House Targaryen again."
"I don't care as long as you are dead!" Oberyn said, finally rushing forward.
Tywin swiped with his sword catching the spear but Oberyn used the contact to swivel the spear around and bash the end over Tywin's head, causing his helmet to come off and the older man to kneel on the floor.
"Get up!" Oberyn yelled, circling his downed prey.
Tywin rose, clutching his sword tightly but his emerald eyes shifted to beyond Oberyn's shoulder.
The Prince only just sidestepped the Lannister guard's thrusting attack before burying his spear through the man's midriff. He quickly tried to retract his weapon but knew there was no time and threw himself back to avoid Tywin's sword edge.
"Well, this got more interesting," Oberyn said, enjoying the moment and taking two daggers from his belt.
Tywin blinked to keep the sweat out of his eyes as he walked slowly towards Oberyn with his sword out.
Oberyn smirked upon observing the heavy breaths his opponent was taking. He knew how to end this.
Tywin tensed his muscles and launched his attack. Oberyn immediately ran forward and rolled underneath the sword arc before tackling Tywin to the ground. He triumphantly placed a dagger to the Old Lion's throat.
"Do it then," Tywin snarled after a few seconds of stillness between them.
Oberyn's gaze wandered over Tywin's face in a sinister manner, "No, cutting your throat would be too quick for you, too painless."
Tywin tried to raised his sword hand again but Oberyn stabbed his wrist to the floor with the dagger that had been at his Adam's apple then pocketed the other before unleashing his fists and pinning the Lord to the floor with his wrathful strikes.
Tywin tried to protect himself with his one arm but it was no use, blow after blow smashed into his face and he felt his nose break and warm blood start to spread all over his face. The pain was immense but only grunts left his lips. He began to feel light-headed and knew the end was near but suddenly Oberyn's weight on top of him vanished just as his vision faded into blackness.
"Stop," Trystane yelled, forcefully pulling his uncle up and standing in between him and his quarry.
"What are you doing?!" Oberyn roared, trying to get past his nephew, "He deserves death by my hand!"
"No one is denying that but Queen Daenerys wants to pass judgement on him herself. After the failure of the hostage negotiation, we are not in a position to displease her again," Trystane thundered, holding Oberyn back.
"Fine. But I will dispense justice for our family, not the Dragon Queen," Oberyn said, shoving Trystane away from him.
"The fighting has moved on. You shouldn't waste your anger here."
Oberyn chuckled at the hidden command as his heartbeat started to slow, "You are becoming more and more like your father with each passing day."
Oberyn spat down at Tywin's unresponsive form before pulling his spear free from the dead Lannister guard's body and joining the Dornish men marching further into the city.
Trystane looked around him. The light from the surrounding burning buildings allowed him to see the destruction of the battle so far. Iron bolts and broken arrow shafts littered the street. Dead men and steads lay where they had fallen, blood had soaked into the ground and discarded weapons lay waiting for new owners to claim them.
Trystane shook his head before kneeling down and sliding the knife free from Tywin's wrist. The man didn't stir but the shallow rise and fall of his chest indicated he wasn't dead yet.
"Take him and get a maester to see to his wounds," Trystane ordered, straightening up. He didn't want the monster to die before he could be judged.
A few minutes later …
Cobbler's Square on the Gods Way, King's Landing, Seat of power of House Baratheon (Tyrell, Lannister, Arryn), Crownlands, Capital of the Seven Kingdoms
Robb kicked Randal Tarly away from him and the Reach Lord stumbled to the floor. They had swapped a few thrusts and parries but the formidable commander's age was catching up to him. Robb was about to lunge and end the contest with a flurry of quick strikes when a young man shoulder barged him to the ground.
"Father," the newcomer said, helping up Lord Tarly.
Robb got to his feet and watched the two Reachmen steadily walk towards him. The men around them were all engaged in their own fights but there weren't only men on the battlefield.
Randal Tarly yelled out in pain as Grey Wind's teeth sank into the back of his neck. Robb took advantage of the younger Tarly's shock and drove Trident's Vengeance straight through his armoured chest so the tip burst out his back. By the time Robb had freed his blade, Lord Tarly was motionless under Grey Wind's claws and the direwolf was licking blood from around its snout.
Good boy, Robb thought as he sought out his next opponent but he was too late. Someone had already found him.
He only just avoided the sharp edge of an axe as it whistled through the air where his head had been. Robb backed away to get his bearings but when he saw who his attacker was his blood turned cold.
"Artys," he whispered, taking in the eyepatch and the scar that divided his face in two. I did that to him, he thought regretfully.
"Not a pretty sight," Artys said, noticing where Robb's attention had gone and brought his large axe back to his body.
"We don't have to do this," Robb pleaded, raising Trident's Vengeance out in front of him. "It doesn't have to be like this."
"Yes, it does!" Artys snapped, "You tried to kill me and betrayed everyone I loved and everything I stand for."
"You've never been able to beat me one on one," Robb said, hoping the younger man would consider surrender.
"You've never faced me while I wielded an axe and this one is special; I took it from my Uncle Victorian after I had killed him and I look forward to taking Trident's Vengeance from you once I've killed you too."
Robb's eyes went to Artys's belt where Silver Fang was, "It is more likely that I will be taking something from you."
"If you want it back come and get it," Artys growled.
Robb rolled his shoulders and kept abreast of his environment. Grey Wind was busying himself with some poor Knight of the Vale on the ground while Northmen clashed with Valemen all around them. Artys was tall and had filled out since they had last seen each other, he was no longer lanky but lean.
Robb took a hesitant step forward, knowing what had to happen next. He still mourned for what their friendship could have been instead of the moment it had truly led them to. Perhaps this was why he was surprised by Artys speed.
The axe sliced through the air and Robb threw himself to the side but the furious king kept coming at him, he tried to parry but the weight of the axe sapped his strength each time their weapons crossed.
"You've got better," Robb said, trying to distract his opponent.
But Artys didn't take the bait, focusing only on his next strike. The axe missed and slammed into the ground. Robb took advantage but the thick metal handle of the axe blocked his blow and Artys's fist smashed into his face like a horse's kick.
Robb saw stars for a while as he laid flat out on his back.
"I told you a long time ago, a fight isn't a duel," Artys stated above him with his axe raised to deal a killing blow.
Luckily for Robb, his swing was interrupted by Grey Wind pouncing on the King of the Iron Islands.
Robb pushed away the dizziness to rise to his feet and regrip Trident's Vengeance. Artys was on his back now with Grey Wind on his front chomping down at his face. The only thing stopping fangs connecting with flesh was the handle of the great axe stuck in the giant wolf's jaw.
Robb took a shaky step forwards, knowing it was time to end this.
Shrieks from the sky alerted him to another danger though. Dragonfire exploded down into the square torching the remaining Knights of the Vale and some Northmen before moving onto the buildings surrounding the square. Robb's men grabbed him to move him out of the way of the falling rubble and debris of the square's middle tower and side buildings.
"Grey Wind," he shouted but his wolf was too tunnel focuses on killing the man below him to heed his master's call.
"No," Robb struggled against his own men, "Grey Wind!"
But it was too late the side buildings and burning tower collapsed and rained down flaming stone and clumps of ruined wall structure on the spot where Artys and Grey Wind were wrestling.
It was the last Robb saw of his loyal pet and past friend as the area they had been fighting in was covered in flaming debris and eventually, the dragon fire-damaged portion of the street level collapsed into whatever space was below it under all the extra weight.
Author's Notes:
I edited the ending of the last chapter so we could jump straight into a nighttime siege battle because that was of more interest to me than to have another pause before the action kicked off which I sorted with Tyrion & Kenna's moment in the beginning of the chapter that worked way better than my original plan.
Thoughts on Tyrion's explosive plans? The wildfire underneath the Throne room idea is inspired by the 'Gun Powder plot' against King James I of England in 1605 and the wildfire underneath the King's Way was inspired by Dorito of Aisle 13 reviews.
Damn, Tywin gets owned and I hope the Robb vs Artys fight was entertaining! Team Targaryen restoration is making its way to the Red Keep and there are only a few more obstacles in their way, will they make it?
I wanted to focus more on the men on the ground but basically Daenerys is flying Viserion and working with the Dornish and Stark contingent so she is the one who blasted the Cobbler's Square apart while Jon is riding Rhaegal and supporting the Dothraki and Unsullied men at the Lion Gate but we'll see how they are doing next chapter.
RIP
Randal Tarly (Mauled to death by Grey Wind)
No one can argue he didn't deserve this death. One of the worst fathers in Westeros (top prize goes to Craster). I love Samwell, despite not having him really turn up in the story (or maybe it is because I love his character and don't want to write his death scene that he isn't turning up in the story lol)
Dickon Tarly (Stabbed by Robb)
I think he would have frozen if he saw his father being mauled to death and Robb simply took advantage of this. Sorry Dickon! He seemed like a sweet summer child to me but the man version of what Sansa was in Season 1 with martial ability. He was nice anyway but not sure he will be missed.
Artys Arryn/Greystone & Grey Wind (Died by falling bricks …)
I don't know what to say about these deaths … *Sad noises*
Reviews:
Supremus85 – Indeed! It isn't :(
Antares Graceford – She certainly loves Trystane and her little girl Myriah. I can't reveal who is dying but rest assured a lot of death is happening in the next few chapters and I think the story has under 20 chapters left so … all will be over soon.
Te he just going to have to keep reading to see if your predictions were on the money ;P
Ser Dorito of Aisle 13 – No the child is Tywin's. The confusion is completely my fault. Please look at the author note in the Chapter 103 under the heading EDIT TO STORY. I tried to come up with a way the fleet could have been useful but I couldn't find an angle that worked. Nah, Daenerys's forces are all in but I suppose Loras is acting like a reserve force for the Crown side, wonder if those 4,000 calvary units will come in handy soon …
Krasni – Yes sorry please see the author notes in Chapter 103 under the head line EDIT TO STORY. In regards to Sansa she did because of ther past interactions and Lord Royce's dying words. I think with Kenna's development from revenge obsessed warrior Queen to a mother and leader just striving to do the best for her children and people that is the answer she would have given. Kenna already knows that Robb betrayed her over her commitment to the Lannisters, it is the only logical explaination and is the correct one but it is still sad.
DannyBlack70 – I do but thank you. Well, he got into a close shave here. Grey Wind to the rescue but at what cost :(
Kawaibabies – From the Targaryen side? Daenerys probs not, Oberyn is probs too far consumed by revenge on all Lannisters and Kenna now but Robb and Jon would. They'd see the innocence of the child over the guilt of the mother.
WTFGOF – Everyone should be worried at this point ;P
IOUcomment – Mmmm tricky to answer because Sansa is in her exact position because Robb is her brother. If she didn't care at all for her family she probably wouldn't care at all for her friends so she'd be on whatever side won the battle.
Onunce89 – I know but I've decided to go down a different path.
Mister Laguardia – If there was more time inbetween the Lord Royce's death and the beginning of the battle I would agree. But Daenerys's night time attack has robbed the Crown Alliance of time to really respond.
NightlyRowenTree – Your welcome! :)
Guest (commented 09/04/2021) – From a mother's point of view it is highly probable that Kenna wouldn't have honoured her promise to Robb but this can never be directly proven now because Robb didn't allow her the chance to break it. So Robb will have the tag of alliance breaker/oathbreaker while Kenna will not even if Robb was correct in his thinking and prediction of the future.
Next Up: House Stark suffers a devastating loss, Tommen finds himself on the front line resisting the march of the Dragon, and Sansa makes a shocking discovery.
If you are enjoying this story, please *Toss a coin to your writer, Oh valley of readers* and review, follow and favorite!