Chapter 42: On the march

Myr...

Her heart was breaking, and tears were streaming down, at seeing how Izmahr and Daario were treating her Jon. He was bound by chains, kneeling on the floor, held by two men, and Izmahr with Daario, were hitting him in the sides and face, with their fists and kicks, screaming senseless words.

"Stop!" cried out Daenerys in tears, but they did not stop from beating him, and laughing.

"I've been wanting to do this for a long time," Izmahr started, looking up at her, after giving another punch to Jon. "I have been watching you for so long. I have studied you so deeply. I have seen your weaknesses."

"Why are you doing this, Izmahr?" she asked between sobs, as the man approached the bed.

"My name is not Izmahr, but Grazdan, Master of Ghardaq, and Emperor of the new Empire of Ghis, come to claim what is ours by right and take vengeance against the Valyrians who have robbed us of everything," the man replied, laughing.

Suddenly a loud roar came from outside, and soon after a wave of fire swept through the chamber, burning almost everything in its way, sending her rolling down from the bed, and she tried not to fall on her belly, to not hurt the baby she was carrying.

It was Caraxes who was trying to destroy everything, and get inside the room through the open balcony but in vain. She tried to get under the bed as parts from the ceiling were falling.

The palace was under attack and she couldn't understand by whom, because Aenar did not tell her. There were screams and clashing of swords all echoing through the hallways, as she was searching for Ser Barristan, who only gods know where he was.

Suddenly she heard shouts in her away, and saw two armed men charge towards her, however little ghost immediately came in their way, planting his fangs in one of the men between the legs, and starting to tear him off, under the screams of pain of the man, while the other one keeps running at her.

Before he could reach her, an arrow came to his neck, killing the man on the spot, and turning, Rhaella saw some soldiers of the Golden Company, with Asher Forester leading them, "Queen Rhaella. Are you all right?" He asked, breathing heavily with a bloodied face, and she nodded, moving towards the one that had been killed by the arrow, and picking up the sword.

Once the second one was killed too, and little Ghost came to her side, Rhaella asked, turning to Asher Forester, "Where is Ser Barristan?"

"Dealing with the attackers, your grace. We don't know how it happened, but we got trapped inside by the enemy, and our men are outside the palace. We only had a handful of them inside. Our best as per King's decision."

"Then we need to find him. Aenar is in danger and we need every sword available," she replied, running in search of the Old Knight, following the sound of clashes, not letting the Forester boy ask any more questions, with little Ghost running after her.

"Men! To the great door of the entrance," he shouted, pointing the sword in the direction, after killing three sellswords who bore the coat of arms of the Second sons. Damn sellsword. He knew that they could not be trusted. He warned the young King when Tyrosh was taken, but the boy did not listen thinking that everyone were like those from the Golden Company, and now, here are the consequences.

"Old Men!" he heard someone shout, as some of his men run where he commanded, and turning toward the direction from where the shout came, Barristan saw Mero the Capitan of the Second Sons, standing there grinning and with sword in hand, with at least ten men with him. Many but not enough to stop him.

The member of the golden company immediately came e to his side, locking their shield in a wall, and saying "Ready for command, Ser. What are your orders?"

"Find King Aenar," he replied, pointing in the other direction, with the sword. "I will deal with them," he added, cleaning his sword, putting on his helmet, and starting to move towards the enemy. He may be old, but damn he will cut them as if they were made of butter.

All at once the sellsword attacked him, and Barristan started to cut through them easily because of their light equipment that was not protecting them much, and he found himself face to face with Mero.

"Impressive. Never would have thought that you could still kick assess, Old man," the sellsword, said, spinning his sword, before taking position. "Now let see how you will fare against me."

Taking a deep breath, to calm himself, Barristan took his position, waiting for the enemy to attack, but he never did, only patching back and forth in front of him, as he switched sides of defence.

Suddenly, an arrow stuck in his thigh from behind, when his armour wasn't covering, making him fall down on his knee, and Mero, taking opportunity of the situation, hitting him with a powerful blow of sword on the chest, making Barristan land on his back, and the sellsword, laughing, said, "Not impressed."

Ignoring the pain that the wound on his leg was causing, Barristan tried to grab his sword, and get up, only to be hit again by the sellsword. The titan of Braavos was clearly was toying with him, and Barristan was making fool of himself by letting the sellsword do it.

In that moment, he heard his name being called, and glancing, Barristan saw that it was the young Forester with queen Rhaella, who started to engage the few soldiers that came in Mero's help, and that wounded him.

Taking opportunity of this distraction of his, Barristan grabbed his sword and strike the man's leg, knocking him down, and making him scream, before piercing him through the collarbone without hesitation.

"Ser Barristan," he heard the Queen Rhaella call him, as she kneeled next to him. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, your grace. Only a scratch," he reassured the woman, as Asher and another soldier helped him up. "Where is his grace the King?"

"With Daenerys. Asher sent men that way," the Queen replied, and he nodded, "We need to go in his help."

As they started to move, with him limping, Barristan heard the shouts of orders and saw more men from the Golden company get in.

The room was all on fire, and she managed to free her hands thanks to her immunity to the fire, and she immediately run towards Jon, who was still lying on the floor. His Dragon was no longer there, after wreaking havoc in there.

Kneeling next to her husband, Dany saw that the chains melted away, and he was freed, but despite that, he seems unconscious and not wanting to wake up, as she was shaking him. "Come on Jon, Wake up! We need to leave!" she pleaded for him, and even tried to drag him away, but in vain.

Suddenly, she felt herself being grabbed by the hair, and pulled away from Jon's body, hearing the man shout, "Come, little bitch. You will be my escape pawn."

To escape, she stuck her nails in his hand, freeing herself, and as she was crawling away, Dany saw that it was Daario Naaharis who dragged her. When he charged at her, to drag her away again, Daario was knocked down by Jon, who started to hammer fist to his face as if he was possessed, and she was sure that his hand will kill the sellsword captain.

Getting up, and looking around, Daenerys searched for the traitor Izmahr…or whatever name he had, but there was no sign of him, or at least of a body that was untouched by the dragon's flames. So, she rushed towards Jon, grabbing him by the arm, and trying to drag him away from Daario's body, "Come, Jon. We need to leave."

He didn't seem to acknowledge her presence, throwing a few fist, before grabbing the knife with the naked woman on it, that Daario loved so much, and sticking it in his skull, through the eyes. Then, breathing heavily, he got up, acknowledging her presence, and immediately hugged her, calling her name with almost tears and a shaking voice squeezing to himself.

"We need to go, Jon We need to find my mother," she said, caressing his scratched and beaten face, and leaving the destroyed room.

Ashara was with her brother when the enemy started to attack the palace, and despite still being weak, her brother managed to kill those who got inside the room, while outside, from the balcony, she saw that their men were taking care of the situation.

But now she needed to find the stark girl, and with a limping Arthur, they when in the search of the little girl and her direwolf, who weren't inside the room that was belonged to her, but rather, there were three dead sellswords of the Stormcrow, with their throat ripped by fangs.

"Where she could be?" murmured Ashara, looking in all the rooms, but finding them empty, and heard Arthur say, "Maybe she managed to escape."

In that moment, they saw Daenerys and Aenar walk towards them, and Ashara immediately run to her son, and check him, when Daenerys helped him down. He was tired, beaten, and his clothes were burned. She checked in search of more grave wounds, but fortunately, there were none.

Turning to Daenerys, who was sitting next to him, she asked, "What happened?"

"Izmahr…or whatever name is his…along with Daario Naharis took me prisoner, and…Jon came…and they beat him…tied…the dragon…" she was stammering, struggling to find the words, and still shaken by what happened, while tears were falling down, and the girl started to caress her belly.

"How are you feeling, Daenerys?"

"Tired…angry…I don't know…."

"Why were you alone? Where were the guards?" her brother Arthur finally asked, after having been in silence all the time.

"Don't know. Dead I suppose," the girl replied, and then Ashara heard Aenar say, as he tried to get up, "We need to find Rhaella. I sent her after Ser Barristan." And Ashara helped him up.

In that moment, she saw some Unsullied come in their direction, and their commander immediately rushed towards Daenerys, dropping the weapons to the ground, and helping her up.

"Take her to your rooms, and send for Gregory," Aenar said, freeing himself of her grasp, and grabbing the spear that the commander of the Unsullied dropped down, starting to move away and Arthur following him, while she heard Daenerys say something in High Valyrian, before seeing the commander leave her, and follow Aenar with some of the men, while other helped her to the room.

Hours later…

Gregory took care of their wound, and they got a chance to clean up the blood from their hands, and the ashes from their bodies. The healer also reassured her that her child was well, and now she was still sitting in the warm bathtub, enjoying the hot water, that will make here forget this bad day.

Arya had been found in company of Visenya and Alyssa who protected her from the enemy, and now she was for sure deep asleep in her bed with her direwolf Nymeria, while Ghost was here with them.

"I told you to not trust him, but you still did," came her mother's voice, stepping in the room, but Daenerys did not look at her, hearing as she took off her clothes, and, stepping into the tub. "Daenerys."

"I know, I know. I made a mistake in trusting him," she replied, getting up, and out of the thumb, moving towards the table, to drink some water since in her conditions, wine wasn't a wise decision. She drunk at least three goblets, one after the other, before sighing, and turning towards her mother again, crossing her arms. "I'm sorry mother. I'm sorry. I thought I was good at reading people…at…I don't know…but from now on I will learn not to do it."

"And you should also heed the advice of those who have lived more than you, and who have experienced such things," her mother snapped, still angry at this situation, and she understood her, because it could have ended badly if it wasn't for Caraxes. Sighing and surely trying to calm herself, her mother added, "Westeros will be full of these kinds of people, Daenerys. Men and women will try to sneak under your skin, to win your favour, so that they may gain personal advantages."

Daenerys said nothing, moving to the couch and taking something to cover herself. She was right, and from now one she vowed to least to her mother more, and not trust the people so easily.

In that moment, the sorceress, Shiera came inside too, smiling, and her mother Rhaella immediately attacked her with words, "You know about him way before our return to Myr, and yet you did not open your fucking mouth."

"Uh…such unqueenly words coming from you, Rhaella," the sorceress retorted, shaking her head, but her mother scoffed, saying, "Spare me your lecture, which. You knew about the traitor."

"I knew of a traitor inside your ranks, yes, but not about who he was," she replied, moving towards the table, to fill herself a goblet with Myrish nectar, and taking a sip. "I have to say that after so many decades, this shit still sucks," Shiera complained, leaving the goblet and heading over to sit on the couch where she was sitting, continuing, "The words that I said to your little king before he run away were this. I never said who he was because I didn't know who he was. Your king figured it out on his own."

Her mother said nothing, continuing to mind her business in the tub, while Daenerys wanted answers and wetting her lips, asked, "Who was he? Izmahr? He told me that he was the master of someplace, that he was the heir of the Empire of Old Ghish, and that he seeks revenge."

"Ask your husband that. He is far more informed about them than me," she replied, ending the conversation before it could evolve, starting to run her fingers along her soft skin, down the arms, tickling her. "So, now that you have your armies, your ships, your dragons, you are going to sail for Westeros."

"Yes."

"And then, once the continent will be in your hand, what are you going to do?" she asked, coming under her chin with fingers.

"Rule," Daenerys swallowed, lifting her chin, closing her eyes, and feeling how the sellsword was starting to slowly move down.

"Rule you say," purred the women near her ear, before whispering "and what about your children? Will they keep this wonderful land at peace, or they will start a second Dance of Dragons like Aegon and Rhaenyra?" starting to open what she had on her, uncovering her breasts that were sensitive now that she was pregnant. "After all, your boy King has two wives too, and I doubt your mother will keep her thighs shoot and not breed him sons."

"What I do is my business, witch, and don't fill my daughter's ears with poisonous words," snapped her mother, at which, breaking the moment, and Daenerys immediately opened her eyes, covering herself, while the witch, leaning back on her arms, and crossing her legs, asked, "Why do you hate me so much, Queen Rhaella? I have always been a friend of your House, and along with Bloodraven we even sided with Daeron II against my bastard brother Daemon."

"Not you, but what you represent," snapped her mother again. "Your words are poison. Because of a witch, I had to marry a monster. Because of a witch, I suffered the pains of the Seven Hell."

"And because of her you got this lovely maiden," the witch replied, smirking, referring to her, and taking a few strands of her silver-gold hair that were hanging on her back, before turning to her mother and adding, "Or your lover."

Silence fell over them, as her mother was glaring at Shiera with her purple eyes, but it was Jon's clearing throat to break it, and drawing all the attention on him. He was changed too, and with a dark expression. His hairs were left wild, and he was standing there with crossed arms. "What is happening?"

"Lady Shiera was delighting us with some tales of the past," Daenerys replied, lying, of course, not wanting to make more hatred than it already was, and as she got up.

"I see. Well, it's better if you go to sleep because tomorrow at first lights, we are sailing for Westeros."

"Already?"

"Yes, Rhaella. Already. There is no time to waste. The Night King can't breach the Wall before our arrival," he replied, heading for the table too.

"But what about Myr?" her mother asked, getting out, and taking a sheet to cover her drenched body. "The situation here is still unstable, Aenar. We need to settle everything properly and restore the peace."

"The situation is stable. I give the order for all the sellsword from the Stormcrows and the Second Sons to be killed," he replied, taking a sip, but never looking at them. "Word will spread of their slow death. Let it be a warning for all those who will try to harm us again. After this, no sellsword Company will ever accept a contract against House Targaryen, unless they want to face the same fate as those two companies did."

"Will you come to bed tonight?" Daenerys asked, but he didn't reply. Not immediately, at least, and she exchanged a look with her mother.

Drinking all the content, she heard him say, "Now go to sleep. I have more business to attend before our departure, and I need to clear my mind," before leaving the room without another word, and Daenerys heard the sorceress say, "I didn't know your nights were so cold."

Her mother glared at the sorceress, leaving the room, and Daenerys followed on her steps. It will be the last night they will be spent in Myr before sailing for Westeros. If everything will go according to plans, in two weeks from now, she will finally see the place where she was born many years ago. Dragonstone.

Winterfell...

Ned was sitting in his solar overlooking the last preparation for the march South. Almost all the Lords of the north were already at Winterfell ready to march, but only Bolton and Karstark were left.

As he was finishing to write the parchments with the instruction that he will leave for Maester Luwin and Benjen, who will rule in his stead when he will leave, Ned saw Robb enter in his solar, saying, "Father. All the Lords are here now and ready to march South."

"Thank you, Robb. Your cousin informed me that he will send the golden lances to White Harbour," Ned said getting up. "You will go there too and wait for them to arrive. If Bolton betrays us when you are still in the North you will have men to face him, should we still be stuck in the south."

But maybe we were wrong, father. Maybe it wasn't him who attacked Winterfell back then, and the man only told us because of the torture. He fought with us at the Wall. Even repel the Ironborns that attacked us. He had chances to take Winterfell when we were weak and grieving for those who we lost.

"Yes, he had the chance, but maybe he's waiting for new allies," Ned replied, rounding the table, and placing his hand on his son's shoulder, added, "We cannot afford to lose someone else from our family, Robb. Rodrik and five hundred men will remain here at Winterfell to protect the castle from the enemy if Benjen is not enough."

"What about Recon? Will he stay here, or he will come South with us?"

"He will stay here with your uncle and young cousins," Ned said, moving past him to place the documents in the wooden closet. "You will leave in the morning, Robb."

And his son nodded, leaving the room, while Ned filled himself a goblet with ale, and turned towards the window, to look outside his land. Such a high burden it was the scepter of leadership. He wasn't born for this, and he was sure that if his brother was in his place, Catelyn would have still been alive, and Sansa still safe between these walls, and even unharmed.

"I heard you were leaving," said a woman, pulling him out of his thoughts, and turning he saw that it was the wilding girl that had followed him for the past weeks.

"Lady Val," he greeted her. "How may I help you?"

"You are leaving," she said again, approaching him, and he nodded. "Yes, I am. But if you fear for the life of your people, I assure you, my lady, that my brother Benjen is trustworthy, and he will protect them."

"No. That's not the reason. You are leaving without saying a word to me."

"A word to you? And why should I say a word to you, my lady? I'm the lord of Winterfell and the Warden of the North. I need to inform no one of my decisions," he replied, not liking her intrusion in his business.

"By the FreeFolke law-"

"You are not beyond the Wall, my lady. You are in the Seven Kingdoms and you are under the King's law," he cut her moving past, but she grabbed his arm, stopping. "What king? Your nephew who isn't here yet, or the fat one that sit his ass on the Iron chair."

"My men are waiting for me, my lady," he said, shrugging her hand away, and urging the girl out of his solar. He needs to get ready and start the march south. However, in that moment his brother came, and Ned let him in.

"Benjen," Ned greeted him. "I will leave five hundred men at your command to protect Winterfell and Rickon. Ser Rodrick will stay with you too, and don't leave the castle again."

"I already told you that I'm sorry for leaving Winterfell," his brother said, grabbing his arm. "But Thorren Square was under attack. How could I know that it was only a diversion?"

"Well, now I'm commanding you to stay here," Ned replied, shrugging from his grasp.

"As I always did when you were away," Benjen retorted, and Ned sighed at his words. "I know. I'm sorry for baiting at you…It's just…I lost too much, Ben. Too many people dear to me."

"I know, brother. And I swear to you that nothing will happen to Rickon," his brother reassured him, placing a hand on his shoulder, and Ned nodded, patting his shoulder, before Benjen left the solar.

A few moments later, once ready, Ned headed to the courtyard, and outside he saw the lords already waiting for him on their horses, and so he moved to his own too, however, before he had the chance to get on the horse, Ned heard Maester Luwin call for him, "Lord Stark. A moment please"

And turning, Ned saw the man approach and handing him a scroll, and he immediately unfolded it, reading quickly.

"Prince Orys Baratheon and his army are camped on the Kingsguard, at the borders between the Riverlands and the North, waiting for your arrival. The Lannisters are besieging Riverrun with fifteen thousand men, while twenty thousand more are marching North, to reinforce the Prince's army on the borders.

Walder Frey has sealed his gates to anyone who wants to cross the trident from the North by king's decree and waiting for the King's army to arrive once he has defeated Lysa Arryn."

"Who send it, Maester Luwin?"

"I don't know, my lord. There was no seal on it when the raven arrived, but for sure from the south. Do you think the news are true, my lord?"

"I don't know," Ned replied, approaching Lord Umber, and giving him the scroll, who read it quickly. "What do you think, Jon? Do we wait for the Targaryen to arrive and face the enemy then, or march south with the men we have ad risk a fight with Prince Orys now before Robert's arrival with the bulk of the army?"

"Screw the news, we march south, Ned. They can be a hundred thousands more for what I care, that's not problem," the lord of Last Heart, said, laughing, and Ned nodded, climbing on his horse, and urging him to move.

Outside the Army was waiting from them. Twenty thousand men were gathered and ready to march south, while the other that were left will protect the North from any invaders coming from the sea. The wildlings that had been settled in the New Gift will protect the northern borders should the wall fall while they are still in the south.

The Vale…

Ironoaks was the first place where they will stop on the march towards the Eyre, with that small of his army that was made of thousands of the Stormlands. Lady Anya was the ruler of it, and Harrold Harding was her ward. Damn little golden shit. So ambitious the boy was, but he was sure that the boy wasn't fool enough to challenge him in the future.

Of all this land and its surrendering, he knew every corner, every road, and every inn, and remembering those times, his heart soured for them, and a knot formed in his throat knowing how that precious friendship ended. Damn, be that son of his who assaulted the Stark girl and broke that brotherhood that was between him and Ned.

His attention was drawn by the horns that were announcing their arrival, and in the distance, he saw the knights of House Waynwood.

"Welcome to Ironoaks, King Robert. Lady Waynwood is waiting for your arrival," the lead knight said, bowing the head, as he turned the horse, while Robert continued to ride.

After a few moments, they finally reached the place, and inside the courtyard, he was greeted by the old woman, with the household standing behind, while the army outside.

He had enough of this shit, and waved to the woman to get up without getting off his horse, "What is the situation, Lady Waynwood? Any news from the Eyrie?"

"Yes, your grace. The gates are open. Lady Arryn had been taken in custody by Ser Vardis Egen, and now is held prisoner in the Sky cells," the old woman replied, and he nodded.

"Then we don't have time to waste. My daughter Myrcella will stay here with you, while Lord Royce and your son come with me to the Eyrie," Robert replied, turning his horse, and riding out. The march will be difficult, but he will get in there.

It only took them a few hours, but Robert and his party finally reached the place where he has grown with Ned. The Eyrie and he could already feel the rotten smell of the betrayal in there.

When the doors to the great hall opened, Robert roared entering inside, "Where is the damn bitch!"

Only to see her chained, and her mouth tied at the foot of the wooden throne, with her little brat beside her. Next to them instead, was standing Ser Vardis, but his attention was solely on the woman that killed the one he considered a second father.

"Bring the traitors here!" shouted Robert, squeezing his fists, and he saw the soldiers drag her there, between the screams and the cries. When she was brought before the moon door, Robert waved for it to be pointed, and roaring to the woman said, "Now you will die and just will be served for Jon's death."

After those words, he pushed the woman down, before releasing a loud roar full of anger, echoing through the hall. Justice. Justice for Jon's death.

"Maester Colemon. Send a raven to the capital and tell the Hand to execute Baelish," Robert said, as the man bowed, leaving the hall, and he heard Royce say, "What do we do with the boy, your grace?"

"To the Wall," he replied, leaving the hall, to head to one of the chambers that he knew. He needed some rest, and a good fuck after this before returning to the Capital, while Hardyng will clean the shit and rule with the council the Vale.

Riverlands…

Defeating the river lords was very easy, especially by sending forth the Mountain who was making havoc in his way, and now, with dusk looming over them, he was moving his army towards the heart of it, where Tully retreated with the few men that he still had, while others retreated to the other main castles of the region. Stopping his horse by the reins, Jaime turned his attention to the lords of the Westerlands, ready to assign each of them their mission.

"Lord Crakehall and Ser Kevan. You will march on Raventree hall with ten thousand men and make Lord Blackwood kneel before the Iron Throne. While you Lord Marbrand along Ser Harry, will march with the same number on Stone Hedge."

"It is unwise to split our forces, Jaime."

"Numbers will be on our side anyway, Uncle. Twenty thousand men will be enough to wipe out whatever defenses the Trout has set up in the heart of the Riverlands."

His uncle sighed, nodding, before turning his horse and ride after Crakehall, while he looked for a moment at the castle that seem to be very difficult to take, and heard Bronn say, "So what's the plan?"

"Well, take the castle of course. But first. I want a parley with Tully," Jaime replied, urging his horse forward, while the men were starting to prepare the siege.

A few moments later, he was standing at the foot of the bridge, under a white banner, hoping that they won't attack him, as the defenders were pointing their bow and crossbow at him.

When the drawbridge lowered, Jaime saw the famous Blackfish standing on the other side, with Tully soldiers around him, protecting themselves with the shields, and pointing their weapons, however, the knight of House Tully made his way across the drawbridge approaching him.

Stopping a few steps from him the Blackfish greeted him, "Kingslayer."

And at hearing that title from one of his childhood heroes stirred something inside him, as Jaime squeezed his fist, and between clenched jaws, greeted the man too, "Blackfish."

"Are you here to ask for forgiveness for the invasion on fake basis you are making, to lay down your swords and plead with us not to shove them up your asses?"

"You know very well why I'm here, Ser. Your brother rebelled against the crown, I have been sent here by His Grace King Robert to make your House bend the knee to the crown and deliver the Castle to Ser Emmon Frey and Lady Genna Lannister."

"Words, word, words.

"Are you the Lord of this Castle, or the Lord is too scared to come out?" asked Jaime, raising the voice, hoping that old Hoster will hear him.

At that the Blackfish came to face him, only a few inches from his, and in his horsey voice, and looking in the eyes, said, "My brother put me in charge of the defences, and so if you have something to say, say it to my face. I'm the Commander of the Tully army."

"Well, then you aren't a good commander, otherwise you would have surrendered," Jaime replied, taking another step, but with the hand on the dagger. The Blackfish smirked, taking a step back, and before he could leave, Jaime said, closing the distance between them, "If you don't surrender, Ser, I will be forced to storm your castle. Hundreds will die."

"Hundreds of mine. Thousands of yours. If you can breach the walls."

"We will breach them and kill every last one of you," replied Jaime, starting to lose the patience. "But if you surrender, I'll spare your lives. On my honor."

"Your honor?" laughed the knight, shaking his head. "Bargaining with oathbreakers is like building on quicksand."

"Why sacrifice so many lives to a meaningless cause when there are better options?"

"As long as I'm standing, we will never surrender to that tyrant of your whoring puppet king. This is my home. I was born in this castle and I'm ready to die in it," the knight replied, with coldness and seriousness, glaring at him. "So, you can either attack or try to starve us out. We have enough provisions for five years. Do you have five years, Kingslayer?"

"You clearly have no intention of saving your men's lives. Why did you come to treat with me?"

"Because I wanted to see you in person, get the measure of you."

"Well, now you have."

"Aye, now I have. I'm disappointed," snorted the man, heading back inside without adding another word, and Jaime did the same, never taking his sight away from those that were on the wall.

"What did he want?" asked his nephew Edmure the moment the drawbridge lowered back, and the gates sealed, but he ignored the boy, turning instead to the Capitan of the Houseguard, "Double the guards, and protect every possible way of breaching in this castle."

And he started to climb up the stairs, to head to his brother's chambers, where Hoster was resting since he was very ill.

"What did he want, uncle?" asked Edmure again, more insistently, but this time, grabbing his elbow. "I'm the future of this House, old Man. I want to know what you discussed about."

"If you are the future of this House, then may the Seven protect us, for you will be our ruin," Brynden replied, pushing away his hand, and continuing to climb the stairs.

When he got to the Lord's chambers, he saw his brother still laying in bed, but at seeing him, immediately ask, "How did it go?"

"As expected. The Kingslayer has a plan. I don't know what yet, but I bet all I have that he is going to try us when nightfall," Brynden replied, avoiding looking at him.

"Any news from Lysa, or the North?"

"No, brother, and even if they are on the march, they will never reach us in time," Brynden replied, with honesty.

"Promise me, brother, that no matter if I live or die, you will never surrender the castle to them."

"I swear it on Mina's soul," he replied, bending the knee, without adding anything else, and even repriming those old, buried memories about her that were remerging.

King's Landing…

"And this will destroy the Targaryen army, Lord Hallyne?" Cersei asked as she was admiring the jar with the wildfire.

"Yes, your grace," replied the old man, before adding immediately after. "Only if used wisely of course, otherwise it can be disastrous to the defenders."

"I see. Then I will make sure that this precious weapon is wielded by skilled and trusting man," replied Cersei, handing the jar to the old man, and leaving the Alchemists' Guild. With the Wildfire she will keep her crown, and once the war is won and the enemies defeated, Joffrey will take his rightful place on the Iron throne.

But before that happens, she will have to confer with her father regarding her precious children, Myrcella and Tommen who are alone and away from her during those difficult times.

When she reached the Hand's tower, Cersei saw her father with lord Varys, and clearing her throat to announce herself, Cersei said, "I need to talk with you, father."

And lord Varys immediately got up, bowing to both and left the room quickly, while she sat on one of the chairs that were on the opposite side of her father, who did not seem to acknowledge her presence, as he keep writing on the scroll.

After a few moments of silence, while she looked around impatiently, Cersei sighing said, "Father, I was hoping we could talk about the Targaryens. I've heard tales from merchants that their fleet is crossing the Narrow Sea right now."

But he didn't answer, putting his seal to the parchment before blowing and glancing at her, before starting another one.

"Father. I fear for my children," she continued, when he did not answer. "Myrcella is in the Vale with the King, Tommen at Yronwood, and Joffrey at Casterly Rock. Father, I believe-"

"Orys is also your son. Do you not care for his life too?" her father cut her off, taking another parchment, and starting to write.

"Do you care for Tyrion's?"

"Of course, I care. He's a Lannister," her father chuckled. "He may be the lowest, but he is one of us. And Orys is too just like your other children."

Cersei scoffed at his statements about the firstborn she had with that cursed man, but refrained her tongue from voicing her thoughts, asking instead, "Wouldn't it be more wise if my children were here in King's Landing when the invasion starts?"

"No. They are safe where they are now. But Tommen will soon be moved on to Storm's End with his betrothed, as the Targaryen will land near Starfall and march up the Prince's Pass."

"And you didn't think to inform me about that, father?"

"I'm informing you now," he replied, sealing another parchment and putting it aside. "Now if you don't mind. I have work to finish."

But she did not get up, for he had not finished, and she heard her father say, "You are still here."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"To talk about the Targaryens."

"Then talk," he said, leaning back and entwining his hands on his stomach, resting his elbows on the chops.

"What defences do you have planned for the city?"

"Those that were necessary."

"I spoke with the wise men of the Alchemist's Guild and assigned them the task of creating the high fire."

"And burn King's landing suit? Good thing that I stopped such madness."

"What? But I thought that-"

"What did I tell you when we were at Casterly Rock?" he interrupted her, mind sobbing, looking down. "Cersei. What did I tell you?"

"That the reason you don't distrust you because you're a woman, but you distrust me because in your opinion, I'm not as smart as I think I am, and yet when I show you my contribution, you still say that I made the wrong decision."

"Yes. And I confirm my statements. Now, please leave the room. I have a city to prepare against an invasion while your husband goes whoring and wage war around."

After those words, she got up and left the room, furious like never before. She could not believe that her father keeps treating her like that after everything she has done for the future of House Lannister, and for the Lannister name.

Three weeks later...

Dragonstone...

"Do you see that Ser Davos?" asked Stannis, as he was sitting on a chair before the great opening of the four tall directional windows, while in the distance, they could spot the Targaryen fleet approaching the. "a hundred ships are coming this way, waving proudly the dragon banners, ready to reclaim what they think is rightfully theirs."

"Yes," replied, Davos as he felt the competition in his lord's voice towards the statement. "What do we do, my Lord?"

The previews night, as I was sleeping, I dreamed something strange," Stannis started as Davos glanced at the present, seeing them confused. "I was flying over the Seven Kingdoms, and everyone was bowing to me and hailing me as their kings. Krakens, wolves, lions, even the stags."

"Well, they for sure can fly above the Kingdoms with their dragons and make them bow to them. I'm sure if you ask nicely, they may even grant you one, my lord," joked Davos, to break the tension that was building inside the room between those who were present there and gathered to hear the Lord's decision.

"What would you do Ser Davos, if you were in my place?" asked Stannis, not looking at them. "Would you remain loyal to your brother the king, who has mocked, humiliated and wronged you for years, or would you see an opportunity in this to reclaim what is rightfully yours?"

"I don't know how to reply to this, my lord. I was born a low born with neither brothers or sisters, learning to take what I wanted with every means, and paid the price for it," replied, Davos, remembering the finger he lost because of his choices. "But what I can say is this. If we fight, then it's most likely that we won't see dusk. We will follow whatever decision you will choose, my lord, but I beg you to consider the innocent lives that will be lost."

"My daughter. Yes," Stannis replied, getting up, and approaching the windows, with hands behind his back, saying nothing else.

Dragonstone. Her home. The place where she was born during a stormy night. It was such a big castle, worthy of the greatness of old Valyria. Is from her that Aegon the Conqueror with his sisters started his conquest over the Seven Kingdoms.

"Is this your home?" asked Missandei coming from below the docks and stepping next to her.

"Yes. This was my family ancient stronghold, and for the past two hundred years and more, the seat of the heir to the Iron Throne," she replied, wrapping an arm around the little girl. "And it is in this place that I was born many years ago."

"It seems they want to parley with us," came Aurane Waters's voice, approaching them, limping, and Daenerys saw a ship come in their direction, "Then give the orders to prepare the meeting on this ship."

A few moments later, with Grey Worm, Ser Barristan, and Aurane Waters beside her, Daenerys was waiting for the envoy from Dragonstone to climb one, while she was sitting on the chair.

And she saw him. An old man with grey hair, and beard, but that already was showing some shades of white, climb on their ship. He looked rather commonly for an envoy from someone who hold the title of a lord, but anyway, she wasn't that accustomed to the costumes of Westeros.

Bowing the man greeted her, and introduced himself, "Welcome to Dragonstone, Queen Daenerys. I'm Ser Davos Seaworth, envoy of Lord Stannis of House Baratheon, and was sent here to discuss our terms of surrender."

And in that moment, she noticed that he was holding a scroll in his hand, and that handed her with a bow. Daenerys glanced at Ser Barristan, and hesitantly took it, unfolding it, and reading the content quickly.

"These are pretentious requests for someone who wants to surrender," she said, folding it back.

"On the contrary, your grace. I think they are acceptable. In exchange of the Castel, my lord only asks what is rightfully his," the knight replied, with so much boldness.

She didn't reply immediately, trying to read the man, and see if he was trying to lure them in a trap, before replying, "I hope you understand, Ser Davos, that this decision I can't take alone."

"Beg your pardon, your grace, but I thought your king said that you rule in unison. Doesn't your decision matter as much as his?"

"What are our terms of rulership is our business, Ser," she replied, getting up, and feeling her blood boil of anger. "Your terms are rejected, Ser Davos Seaworth. Now go back to your Lord and tell him that if he doesn't open the gates and surrender in an hour from now, I will rain fire on you."

And she heard Syrax roaring as she was flying above them, to which the knight immediately looked up, swallowing, before leaving their ship, while Daenerys nodded to Aurane, who waved the banner to Lord Velaryon in the distance and start the siege of the island till the reply will come.