Coming of the Red Anchor
Harrenhal
6th Month of 299AC
Casterly Rock
Warrington
"Did we go too far?" he asked aloud as he walked with Admiral Cosmo and General Marks, observing the carnage and devastation of the Lannister camp the following morning. The final count had come mere hours earlier; 9,754 Lannister soldiers were killed by their hands in what many were now calling the Slaughter at the Rock. Bodies still littered the camp site, and the Lion's Mouth as well, with blood having soaked into the ground while in places it was scorched and burnt leaving only dried mud from the missile barrage which the drone had dropped upon the camp. Scorpion bolts were dotted about, some still impaling Lannister men into the ground or spearing off body parts such as arms or legs.
"We did what we had to to defend the castle" Cosmo replied slowly. He too was perturbed by the scale of the slaughter.
"This would no doubt be a war crime back home" Warrington lamented.
"How?" Marks spoke up. "This is war and we shot and killed the enemy. We hardly dragged it out or trapped them and made it painful. We even sent in medics and the Maester to heal any survivors of the Mouth that were still inside." Indeed they had though only about two dozen men were in any state to be rescued. "Plus we let them leave any time, it's not our fault the fools repeated the trenches of the first world war. They probably thought we'd run out of ammo so they could rush us. Unfortunately for them we didn't use arrow but bullets. We should still have enough down there for a repeat if they try anything."
"We have enough bullets? I thought we were running dry, hence the limitation on their use" Warrington asked worriedly.
"We got a message from Stoneyport a few days ago that they had finally worked out the smokeless powder variant of Black Powder needed for modern guns. Our guns are good to go. They're setting up production lines now using the copper we're mining and other metals. There should be full production in a two months time" Marks explained happily. Finally his men would have proper civilised weapons and not bloody swords and arrows.
"That's something at least. How many Lannisters escaped?"
"We estimate around a thousand though we aren't certain. They aren't a threat though."
"I agree my lord, a thousand is not something for us to worry about if the Mouth is truly able to use unlimited ammunition" Cosmo added though still looking around and feeling sick at the devastation.
"True, I never knew war could be this bloody. I was sure the Iron Born rebellion was not this bad" Warrington said, wrinkling his nose in disgust at the smell of burnt flesh and the scent of blood.
"Indeed though it it was a bit like this for a couple of our fleet engagements, we barely did anything with the actual Iron Island other than a bombardment of Pyke though" Cosmo answered.
"Lets just hope then that Jon wins quickly and stabilises the realm. Peace is good for everyone bar sellswords of course."
"Indeed, so Tywin is at Harrenhal and Renly is where exactly?" Marks asked, thinking of the next battle now that things here were done.
"Renly is approaching the capital. He will be there in a day or two."
"Should we bomb him too?" Marks asked.
"We can't do too much or Jon will be reliant on us forever. No he must win it himself. Besides, I think it will do us some good for us to rest and not have as much blood on our hands. Plus I think Stannis has a plan for dealing with both of them so we'll see" Warrington said tiredly. He did not like war, especially the bloody and uncivilised ones this world fought but maybe that was just because of how sanitised war had become for 21st century Britain and America. There was no war in Europe or America. A slight cold war with Russia and China true but no war. The only wars were in the Middle East, parts of Africa and parts of Asia. It was over there, out of sight and out of mind while the footage shown to western citizens was blurry, pixelated or just not showing it. War was something no one really considered the impact of because they hadn't experienced it. Most, if not all politicians in Europe did not remember the last war or rationing now. Those in America mostly had not fought in Vietnam or Afghanistan and Iraq. Thus no one truly understood and reading about it or seeing edited or carefully shot film footage and pictures did not give the true breadth of just what occurred. The stench and the sight of it was just beyond the pale. Even 18 rated movies or TV shows did not really do the gruesomeness of it justice, at least not fully. For those from Britain and America that were present the true cost of the war was made very real. Even those that had done anti-piracy raids off the coast of Somalia and the Middle East were pale from the sheer amount of dead and the scene before them. It was a sight that many would have nightmares about for months or years to come.
Harrenhal
Tywin
He was trapped. He knew it. His men knew. Even the enemy knew it. He had just 18,000 or so inside Harrenhal and while more were outside pillaging the Riverlands he knew not whether they still remained given the lack of ravens. Added to that they could not provide any food or supplies to him in order to extend the siege. In fact he knew very little beyond the walls of the castle which was making things worse. He need to break out somehow but how was the problem. The northerners had around 24,000 camped outside, encircling him completely.
His only option was to cause enough of a distraction to allow a portion of his army to escape south to recover at the capital. Unfortunately it would likely be a small part. He grimaced at that, he needed more than a few thousand to win and he was unlikely to raise more any time soon with his third host of over 10,000 retaking his home. If only his second host by Riverrun with his brother had not been destroyed so completely. The Stark pup had proven to be somewhat competent a commander and had beaten them with distraction and might that he admittedly approved of. Perhaps he could hold out for the new host to seize back Casterly Rock and come to his aid? The combined armies from outside and within could defeat the northerners and that blasted dragon spawn. He would not have his dynasty and legacy ended before it began, not with his blood and name on the throne, and certainly not by the spawn of Aerys, that demented old mad man.
A knock at his solar door dragged him from his thoughts. "Come in" he called out, schooling his face into its mask of stone he had perfected over the years. The maester came in, his chains clanging and jangling, and he walked over to his desk and handed out a rolled up raven scroll.
"This got through my lord, just barely" he said nervously. Tywin huffed and took the scroll noting the seal as that of Sarsfield. He broke the seal and read the note.
Lord Tywin,
I regret to inform you that the host sent to the Rock was crushed most decisively. All but 983 were killed in the attempt. The Rock's defences are stronger than ever and we inflicted few if any causalities. Rallying more men or hiring them will be costly now that word of the Slaughter at the Rock is spreading. I therefore request further instruction due to diminished manpower and resources.
Your leal bannerman,
Lord Selwyn Sarsfield
Well, there went his plan to hold out until he was reinforced. He slammed his fists down upon the table with a loud THUD. He had no choice now. He must sally forth and head south with as many men as he could muster. He turned to the maester who stood shaking in the corner of the room. "Summon my commanders. Immediately." The man nodded shakily and rushed from the room on his quest. With the man gone Tywin cursed loudly.
xxxxx
An hour later he was surrounded by his commanders who sat or stood in his solar awaiting his orders. "We have but two options, wait here till the northerners get bored and try an assault or we sally forth to break out and retreat to the capital" he explained succinctly. "I intend for us to break out. We gain nothing by remaining here but everything by heading south to recover properly and gain more troops."
"What about the host at Casterly Rock my lord? Surely when they retake that we can bring them down from the Golden Tooth" asked one lord. Others nodded in agreement, it would definitely improve their odds.
"If that was so I would not have summoned you here Elrond" Tywin replied coldly. "No it seems we have suffered another set back. A costly one. Those northern barbarians still hold my home despite 10,000 trying to retake it. They failed. Badly. In fact, according to Lord Sarsfield, only 983 made it back alive. In short the host is gone and only a few men at arms or household guards remain aside from the Redcloaks of Lannisport who stand at barely a thousand strong after the assault on the port two moons ago. Now, how long can we last in here? Ser Marbrand?" The man in questioned took a moment to shake himself from the shock others still felt from the losses they'd sustained.
"M-my lord we have enough food to maybe last another sennight or two. The castle lacked many supplies due to House Whent being caught unknowing of the war and so they had not prepared properly. Our own supplies are running low as well with little chance to replenish them from our foraging parties. We could extend it if we killed most of our horses and use the meat to feed the men but we'd loose the majority of our cavalry. As it is a number of horses have had to be put down due to poor health and lack of food" the copper haired man explained. Tywin hummed thoughtfully.
"It seems we will definitely need to break out. Very well this is what we shall do: At dawn the archers will rain flaming arrows down upon the entire eastern portion of the besieging forces, reinforced by those from the west side of the castle. This will cause panic and create enough chaos for a sally." Tywin explained while indicating the map of the castle on the table before him, moving counters to aid in planning. "Our levies and foot, bearing spears and swords, will secure a beachhead and push away the northern host thus securing the north bank of the Gods Eye and allowing a cavalry charge to further weaken them. It also means we will only have one front to fight against with our flanks secured. From there the cavalry will push the northerners back and sow more chaos throughout the northerners' camps while our archers abandon their positions and leave the castle before reforming near the woods just to the south. After that the cavalry will retreat to the archers and reform. Our foot and levies will then retreat there too before proceeding at best speed to the ruin of Whitewalls south of here. Archers will fire more arrows to cover the retreat while the mounted knights and cavalry will conduct one final charge. Combined it should be enough to throw the enemy camps into enough confusion that we can slip away and join the foot at Whitewalls. Once we have regrouped we will march hard along the Kingsroad to Hayford to fully rest and recover. It also means we can aid Kings landing if the Renly Baratheon decides to chance an assault."
"But, my lord, Lord Renly has 80,000 swords, if not more? Can we truly beat that with our numbers?" a Westerlands lord questioned hesitantly from the back of the room. Tywin eyed the man with a cold look before replying.
"I was assured by both my son and daughter that preparations were being made and effort to recruit were underway. Are you saying they have not done so nor that they know of Renly approaching them?"
"Oh, er, no my lord, apologies. I merely meant that there is some concern about the large host we could face."
"I'm sure" Tywin replied sceptically. "We will deal with Renly if needs be. For now we focus on the battle here and now, not some possible one in the future. Have the men rested and well fed. At dawn we attack" he commanded sternly.
Jon
Besieging a castle, especially one like Harrenhal was incredibly boring. They had been camped here for over a moon trying to starve out the Lannisters while also waiting for the rivermen to reinforce their position. It was not helped that The Vale was refusing aid for some reason. In fact Lysa Arryn had not replied to any ravens sent to the Eyrie at all. Even Lord Edmure was confused by it. Thus a sennight prior he had nervously, and gently, asked if Lady Stark, he couldn't quite bring himself to say aunt yet, could go to her sister to request aid.
It had been a stiff and awkward meeting as neither had quite figured out how to act around each other. She remained biter and angry, mostly at his uncle, yet also ashamed and clearly wanted to seek forgiveness from him. Equally Jon had been bitter about her treatment of him yet given her upbringing and that he had been believed to be a bastard, he could still not bring himself to hate her fully. Dislike her he most certainly did, as he did the Faith of the Seven for the most part, but hate he could not bring himself to do. The only reason he did not hate her completely was that while training with House Britanican he had seen, and been told, how other bastards were treated and he'd realised then that he'd had things far better than any of them give that he'd been brought up in Winterfell itself rather than being banished to some small nearby village or to the Wall upon his six and ten name day.
Lady Stark had eventually reluctantly agreed to speak with her sister and lords of the Vale and had set off with a handful of Stark and Tully soldiers after giving both Ned and Robb hugs and kisses and mothering the boy some more, much to his embarrassment and to Jon's delight. The ribbing afterwards had been quite delightful for Jon, less so for Robb who had then tried to beat Jon with some sparring, only narrowly failing to do. Still, it would likely not help with the siege any time soon.
He sighed as he looked down at the map of the Riverlands laid on a large wooden table in the greeting area of his tent; a marker sat highlighting troops at Riverrun, two other markers indicated the two armies here at Harrenhal along with three additional lions indicating the three raiding bands of the Mountain and Amory Lorch and the Bloody Mummers. Scattered about were smaller markers indicating the various riverlords retaking their homes and securing their lands before they regrouped back at Riverrun. He'd had word come to him of the three raiding parties and had ordered that once the riverlords reassembled completely, most were already back at Riverrun, they would split into three medium size hosts of around 4,500 each and move to confront both raiding bands. Hopefully they would set off any day now.
Giving a yawn as it was still early morning and he had yet to break his fast, or have breakfast as the Britanicans called it, somehow shorting the words to still make sense, he got up to call for his squire, a young boy by the name of ten namedays called Alyn Blackwood. Before he could do so a horn ripped through the silence of the early morning. AHOOO! AHOOOO! He froze momentarily not quite understanding what was going on before the tent flap opened and Ser Barristan came in looking worried briefly before relaxing upon seeing that his king was awake already. "Ser Barristan?" Jon asked hearing more horn blasts and the sounds of shouting outside the tent.
"It seems that Lord Tywin has tired of sitting behind his walls Your Grace. He has launched a sally after firing volleys of flaming arrows at our tents. Lords Umber and Bolton have already organised their men but they need help. Lord Stark has already begun waking troops to move over to the east side but it will take time" the older man explained hurriedly.
"I see Ser, I will grab my sword and armour and help lead the men. I won't be much of a king if I just sit here and do nothing" Jon replied, hurrying into the back area to put on his gambeson followed by the steel plate chest piece which hung on a stand. The armour was painted black with a three headed red dragon on it, a gift from House Britanican and made from their finest steel.
"No one would blame you for staying here to rally the men Your Grace, leave the directing to Lord Stark and the other lords, you still lack all the knowledge and skill for a siege. Watch from here at what they do to learn how they act. Fighting out in the field is much different from laying siege, as you yourself have seen these last moons" Ser Barritan gently cautioned the young man. Jon glared half heartedly at the older man, he did not want to be a craven but he also knew what the experienced knight was getting at.
"Does my uncle remember the plan?" Jon asked instead, his squire having arrived and was now helping with the chest plate.
"Yes Your Grace. He knows to let the majority of the Lannister host through so it can escape to Kings Landing. Are you sure it is wise to do so?" the elderly knight asked worriedly.
"Not entirely though I see the merit of it as my Hand Lord Stannis explained in his raven. Letting Tywin go now means he has to lead tired troops against the fresh forces of the Reach and Stormlands, a host likely in the region of 80,000. It therefore means we need only deal with a victorious but effectively broken host numbering only a few thousand or less. Or we end up dealing with a tired but intact host of Renly numbering maybe 50,000. It depends how the battle goes and who wins. Either way both enemies will be less numerous" Jon finished with a shrug. That shrug though was diminished somewhat by the black armour he wore over his chest and back. "Now lets have a look and at least try to gather the men. Even if I'm not fighting I should be present to rally or lead them if forced to." He grabbed his sword belt, which held Dark Sister and a knife, before walking out the tent with determination.
xxxxx
'Whoever said battle was glorious was clearly lying or exaggerating' Jon thought sourly as he slashed at a red armoured Lannister soldier on a horse with Dark Sister, cutting through the armour easily with his valyrian blade causing the man to cry out and fall from his horse. He had lead a group of twenty soldiers, mostly made up of Robb's battle guard which currently consisted of northern heirs on their horses, to help reinforce different positions when needed due to Lannister cavalry charges. Robb himself was fighting beside him with an arming sword on horseback, blocking and then stabbing in turn. The sight and stench of death hung over the fields before the walls of Harrenhal. Bodies littered the ground amongst the ruins of camp tents and equipment, some burnt and still smouldering from the flaming arrows which had signalled the start of this battle, the smoke creating a light smog that covered most of the eastern side of the castle while the Lannister host fled from the ancient fortress. And still it was hardly glorious. He could smell the blood along with the piss and shit of dying men while the clash of steel filled the air along with the moans of dying men and shouts of those still fighting.
He and a group of twenty, including his brot- no his cousin, were helping where they could while his uncle held the centre with Ser Barristan. As that went on Lord Umber was trying to keep control of the right flank nearest the castle walls. Lord Bolton meanwhile was dealing with the left flank, Bolton troops forming a spear and shield wall to discourage any cavalry charges. It had failed somewhat due to the nature of Lannister cavalry being more armoured than northern ones and that they used destrier breeds while the northern army used slighter but more hardy courser ones. The Lannister cavalry had charged twice, breaking through both times to cause problems amongst the northerners' camp before retreating to the woods along the shore of the Gods Eye. Jon and his brother had therefore been leading their group of heirs and any mounted units the North had to try to counter the Lannister knights who broke through. So far it had worked well in holding the line and driving off or killing the few Lannisters who broke through.
He parried the blade of a charging Lannister knight, grabbing the reins and turning his horse to steady himself before swiftly plunging his bade into the neck of the man, immediately killing the man as his horse rode off in a panic from the loss of his rider and the sounds of battle. Beside him Smalljon Umber was swinging his longsword at another man and laughing as he fell to the Umber's blade. To his left he saw Robb fighting off another knight who was larger and looked more experienced. This knight wore mostly white with pink plate armour while on his white steel shield was a pink rampant unicorn. The two fought, exchanging strikes and slashes, with Robb struggling somewhat to keep up due to the size and experience difference before Alysane Mormont charged up behind him, her steel tipped morning star swinging, and before Jon could blink the Lannister knight was on the ground unmoving, his helmet caved in.
After an hour of this charging back and forth, it became clear the Lannister forces were beginning to withdraw as the amount of arrows firing upon the northern host diminished slowly and the Lannister foot withdrew. He could just see through the smoke and between cavalry charges the bowmen fading away into the woods along with infantry. By the end of the second hour both groups had almost entirely fled the field along with most of the cavalry. Seeing the enemy flee boosted the moral of the northern army and soon enough the last few enemy troops were cut down or forced to yield. The last few enemy knights turned and fled for the woods at that point though a couple were hurled from they seats by Grey Wind and Ghost, both then feasting on the whining horses while the men were ridden down by Robb and Jon.
He rode up to Lord Bolton seeing the last enemy infantry drop their swords and shields to surrender. Bolton troops stood pointing spears or swords at them awaiting orders.
"Your Grace, what do you wish done with these troops? It would be simpler to be rid of them, we do not have the means to care for or keep them long term" Bolton asked, his soft cold voice carrying despite its quiet nature.
"My uncle would not do that and neither will I. We won't be killing those who have surrendered to us Lord Bolton. We will add them to those held at Riverrun. Besides, I'm sure we can ransom some or use them as hostages, at least the nobles if we took any." Bolton stared at him, his cold eyes narrowed before he nodded and began issuing orders for the prisoners to be bound. Jon turned away before giving into the small shiver that went down his spine while under the unfeeling eyes of the Leech Lord.
"Not the most pleasant of men is he?" Robb said quietly from his side as they rode back towards the castle to meet Lord Stark.
"Tell me about it, felt like I was being analysed and judged" Jon replied uneasily.
"Aye, he did that when I came south. Grey Wind was uncomfortable with him around too." The two wolves in question soon came over and were now trotting besides their masters, tongues hanging out as they came down from the high of battle and feasting.
"Was it like this when you came south?" Jon asked curiously.
"The battle you mean? With the blood and screams?" Jon nodded. "Aye, Whispering Wood and Riverrun were about as bad as this. Not what the songs tell us is it?" Robb answered with a humourless smile.
"No, it's not" Jon said quietly. It had been quite different than the songs, not that the North cared for them much given many having southern origins. His time with house Britanican had not prepared him fully for a battle like this. He'd killed before sure, but not like this or on this sale. Battle was much different than sneaking about a castle.
"You did well if it helps brother. You didn't freeze and you kept going. Just remember, it is kill or be killed, in the heat of battle you just gotta fight" Robb explained gently.
"Thanks Stark" Jon replied gratefully, indeed it had been harder than when he had helped take Casterly Rock. That had been a series of small one on one fights. It certainly hadn't been the chaos of this battle with him riding up and down the lines, dealing with any breaks in the formations or any enemy cavalry.
"No worries Snow. You know I always said you'd look good in black" Robb grinned as he looked over Jon's black armour which had more red on due to the blood of his enemies.
"Black always was my colour, guess we know why" Jon replied with a small smile. "And it's Targaryen now, not Snow. That's still something I'm getting used to though."
"Snow or Targaryen, you'll always be my brother Jon. Now shall we go find father and see what's left in this castle?"
"Aye brother, lets find father."
Ned
The battle was over. The Lannisters had retreated south, just as Jon and Stannis had wanted. He only hoped it was the right decision. It did not feel right letting the enemy go in the hope they'd fight someone else, only for his army to sweep in and deal with the victor afterwards though he saw it was logical from a strategic point of view. This was why he hated war, the needless deaths, the plotting and scheming, it felt wrong. Give him a straight up fight to decide everything any day. You knew your enemy and there were no tricks to be played. He knew deep down that life was rarely like that though. Robert's Rebellion and the Greyjoy Rebellion had taught him that and had made sure he'd remembered it. It didn't mean he had to like it however.
He was currently leading some Stark men-at-arms and levies through the black stone east gatehouse and past half a dozen murder holes. They were the first ones through since Lords Umber and Bolton were dealing with their injured troops and the prisoners so they'd eyed the holes nervously as they passed. Thankfully it seemed that every Lannister soldier had fled the castle so they had no-one to really worry about inside. He did not lower his guard however and ordered the first few men to search and secure the gatehouse while he surveyed the courtyard on this side of the gate. Laying about were wooden crates and boxes containing half eaten rations and damaged or ageing equipment. Left overs from the Lannister occupation and House Whent's ownership. He stayed in the centre of the courtyard looking about about at the aged walls before staring up at the nearby Tower of Ghosts, a cracked, malformed tower that listed slightly to one side and whose top was clearly melted. He saw the majesty that men could build but also the destructive nature of dragons, both literal and figurative. The dragons had burned this place at Aegon's command. Aerys had burnt his father in his madness and strangled his brother. He doubted he would like the Targaryens but Jon, or Jaehaerys, was not them and from what Warrington had said neither was Daenerys which bode well for the house's future.
Speaking of Jon, he saw him and Robb come riding in with ten other riders who made up his battle guard, Ser Barristan now amongst them and just behind Jon after he'd finished helping Ned command the centre. The two boys, young men really, came in to a few cheers from nearby men as it had been seen by many that they and the others had been helping to repel the cavalry charges of the Lannisters. Many of the group were young men, or in the case of Alysane Mormont a young lady, who were barely into adulthood. The group stared up at the monstrosity that was Harrenhal, observing as he had its battered, by war and time, black walls as well as the melted stone tops of the five tallest towers among others.
"Your Grace" Ned said, his deep northern voice echoing around the courtyard.
"Uncle" "Father" Jon and Robb spoke happily.
"It is good to see you both. I'm glad you made it through unscathed."
"Aye it went well. Robb had a close shave though" Jon replied while grinning at Robb.
"You weren't suppose to tell him that!" Robb complained thought it lacked any heat.
"Tell me" Ned asked curiously but it was more of a command.
"Just a fight with some Lannister knight with a pink unicorn on his shield. He was quite good and was proving a bit too difficult on horseback to fight" Robb explained reluctantly. "Luckily Lady Mormont came up from behind and introduced him to her morning star" he then finished with a smirk.
"Most fortunate. It sounds like he might have been a member of House Brax, the unicorn is their sigil." Robb nodded.
"Is the castle taken?" Jon asked while looking about as more solder slowly poured into the great fortress.
"Not yet, we have only just entered this gatehouse and the surrounding buildings. It will no doubt take most of the day if not longer to secure the castle." Jon nodded in understanding. "Do we know our losses?" he then asked.
"It didn't seem too bad as we came in Uncle. It was the initial arrow barrage and cavalry charges that did the most damage. We'll know for certain in a couple of hours when we take stock though" Jon explained. "Tywin however seems to have taken most of his army with him, I suspect given what's outside that only a thousand troops maximum is dead or a prisoner."
"Still that is a good amount Jon, they're on the run and they still have Renly to fight. They won't be in much of a state or condition to fight fresh troops I'll wager" Robb commented and Ned nodded in agreement. Indeed that was the plan, they hope that one defeated the other. For now they would rest and celebrate a win that secure the Riverlands from Lannister control.
Crownlands
Renly rode at the head of the massive army which stretched over many leagues and numbered some 80,000 strong. Reach and Stormlander knights rode side by side as pikemen, swordsmen and archers followed on foot. Behind Renly his Rainbow guard rode with their cloaks flapping gently in the breeze. He was confident, how could he not be with 80,000 swords behind him? Lord Tarly had organised his army well and rode near the middle with Lady Margery and Olenna who wished to see through this offensive.
Hopefully it would be a quick victory before he would deal with either Tywin or the Starks. That really got to him that they had decided to raise up some pretender, some boy who had been a bastard, as king and not choose him. Stannis he could somewhat understand since they had never gotten along ever since Robert gave him Storms End instead of Stannis. But the Starks? They had betrayed his brother by supporting a Targaryen, a family they themselves had rebelled against, over a Baratheon. He decided at that point that they would have to pay for this treason some how. Perhaps execute Lord Stark and the bastard for treason and to secure his reign while sending the eldest son to the Wall? Yes that would suitably punish them, and he could always bring them into line with the threat of his 80,000 troops if needed.
Shaking him from his thoughts he noted his horse had finally trotted over the top of the hill which was when he then saw it. Before him, on the horizon, lay his target, his goal. Kings Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms, about a day's ride from where he was. He could just make out a soft glow from torches and other flames around the city before his nose wrinkled at the stench he could now only just smell. And inside the Red Keep which sat on one of three hills? The Iron Throne. His by might, by blood, by the love of the people and by gold. His glorious reign was about to begin.
AN: Sorry for the delay I just lost a bit of motive to write stuff plus I was reading a few stories from around the site which further distracted me. Hope you like this chapter and that it added more to certain characters about how they feel about things. Any tips for city battles would be appreciated.