Coming of the Red Anchor

Chapter 30 - Fires and Decisions

Kings Landing

Mid 299AC

The hustle and bustle of the busy and overpopulated city hid the noise initially. Then one or two people picked up on it in the quieter portions of the city. And then it got louder. There was a roar overhead and many, knowing that a Targaryen was their enemy, feared dragons had arrived to burn the Lannisters to the ground but instead there was nothing, just a roar coming from above. Many looked up and around but there was nothing in the sky on this sunny day, just a few clouds floating high. Yet the roar was louder and seemed to come from above. Then it started to fade and soon it could barely be heard once more over the noise of the city. People shrugged, maybe they imagined it? Maybe the dragon was going somewhere else? Whatever it was people shrugged their shoulders and returned to their lives. Then those lives changed.

An explosion ripped the silence apart as it erupted on a busy street in the city, doors were blown off their hinges and the few glass windows present were smashed into pieces. Cries of the people came from around as people fell over in shock and from the force of the explosion as a small fireball shot upwards before it quickly died down all while people inside could be heard shouting. Some mentions of pouring water and 'protect the substance' could only just be heard in frightened yells over the roaring flames.

Then the building and its neighbours erupted in an even larger explosion as a massive green fireball ripped them apart as the old grey stone building and the ones next to it were consumed. More explosions shattered the street from below and large caverns and catacombs were revealed as the street gave way to more green hellfire that was known the world around as Wildfire. Caches safely stored by the pyromancers guild exploded, adding more fuel to the deadly flames, as more of the street was engulfed in the green flames of death. The strong heat and thick smoke paralysed some in fear while forcing other people away as they ran for their lives to escape the fires. Stone began to warp and partially melt under the intense heat of the cursed flames while bodies in most cases were incinerated, leaving nothing behind, as metal melted and goods were burned.

From the Red Keep Tywin looked on in growing horror as the disaster he had long feared since first hearing of the accursed substance occurred. The pyromancers had lost control and wildfire now burned freely in the capital. The only good news he could think of were that the caches that Aerys had hidden were mysteriously gone, a puzzle which still annoyed him greatly, but which meant that the wildfire could be somewhat contained to that sole area of the city with little risk of other areas being burnt to the ground as well. He barked out orders quickly to the servants and various guards nearby, who rushed about to see his will done. He heard a knock at the door not long after and turned from the balcony in the Tower of the Hand to see his son Jaime stumble in looking pale and terrified.

"Did they truly loose control?" his son whispered in fear.

"It would seem so. It seems your fears, and my own, about that blasted substance were true. It was inevitable that they would loose control of it and now both they and all of the stock they had is gone. Good riddance I say but still, this will damage us greatly and is one less weapon we had in our armoury. It will also put further strain on our already problematic treasury. At least your brother will be useful for something. More useful than that fool Baelish who it turns out was stealing my money."

"We need to control the fire, save what we can of the city and you worry about coins? Besides don't you mean the crown's money father?" Jaime asked in confusion.

"No I mean MINE! The loans we gave to Robert were skimmed off of and he did the same for the Iron Bank and others as well while siphoning off funds from the treasury too. Oh Robert was a fool with his endless tourneys but they alone wouldn't account for nearly half as much as he actually spent. Tyrion worked it out and told me, once he'd found the blasted treasury books of course. Baelish exaggerated or downplayed the cost of everything allowing him to take a cut of the money without anyone knowing and then put down the fake amount in the accounts. He manipulated it so masterfully that everyone believed we needed more money when in fact it was mostly him just stealing it. As for the city, I have given orders to demolish buildings into the flames and begin pouring water and sand on it where they can. It will contain it."

"It will contain it?" Jaime echoed in disbelief. "I thought nothing could."

"Oh we can contain it somewhat, only just and by pouring tons of sand and water on it along with pushing other buildings into it so it has nothing left to burn. I believe I heard some maester called it making firebreaks. It will die out eventually" Tywin explained pragmatically.

"But how much will be destroyed before then?" Jamie asked, agape at all that death and destruction.

"As much as is needed to contain it" came the quick, cold retort.

"I see. So, er, Baelish stole from us and the crown and no one noticed?" Jamie asked, changing topic quickly while aghast at the whoremonger's schemes.

"According to Pycelle and your sister Robert was rather lazy about 'counting coppers?' I believe was the phrase used." Jamie nodded at that. It was true, Robert had cared not a bit about ruling. "With the man seemingly finding money from nowhere and Jon Arryn busy running the realm and being too trusting of the man no one oversaw Baelish and any who did look were quickly bribed, threatened or killed off. He also debased the coinage as well so he could reforge purer coins into his pocket while using the debased ones for royal business and issuing. I am both impressed and infuriated at what he did."

Tywin fell silent after his venting before looking back out again at the still burning streets which still glowed an eerie green. He could see below that chains of people were sending buckets of water and sand up and down the lines as they tried to fight the demonic flames while others tried to help those nearby escape any danger. Goldcloaks ran about ordering people and organising the water chains while others moved bystanders on. He growled slightly at the sight, damn those bloody fools of Aerys. He turned back to his son. "Don't you have a king to guard or something?" he asked dismissively. Jamie still refused to give up his blasted white cloak.

"Er, yes father, I'll just... go" Jamie stuttered out before sheepishly leaving the room. Tywin groaned again. Why couldn't his children act more like the lions they should be and make him proud? His legacy was hanging by a thread thanks to the Starks and their supposed Targaryen boy being ascendant in the field while the lion was cowering in the capital. He needed a new strategy while he recruited as many sell swords and others into his ranks to bolster their numbers. Something that could take out the northern and riverland leadership and force the rest of the host home. He hoped the roses would be convinced to bend the knee but he knew even they would have trouble waiting for Tommen to be of age before gaining true power in the Game.

The Starks, and therefore the Targaryen boy, were a more tempting prospect for power from their point of view so he needed to reduce that temptation somehow. Turning to what few maps of the North and the Riverlands he had, his eyes wandered over the various keeps while his mind considered their relationship with their liege. Eventually his eye fell on two keeps in particular, both known for either historical animosity or present disloyalty and for favouring the winning side. And Tywin Lannister wouldn't loose.

The Reach

Tumbleton

The raven had arrived a few days ago and a decision was still yet to be made. In fact it was the first of two letters, both offering the same thing. Margery as queen in return for their troops, supplies and loyalty. The question was who did they choose, hence their current meeting. The room was one offered up by the local lord and was well furnished but not lavish like Highgarden.

"We should support the Lannisters" Mace was saying. "With Margery as queen and our troops we could get massive benefits from defeating the northern barbarians who are likely doing despicable and unspeakable things to the faithful people of the Riverlands. Not too mention what we can demand from the Lannisters in exchange for it."

"All men do those things you fool" spoke the eldest Tyrell in the room. "It matters not if they are andal or first man, both will take a woman and enjoy her if they siege or pillage a village or town. Besides, if we want to grow strong then look to who is winning or likely to. Aside from that I doubt Tywin Lannister will give us as much as you imagine he will my boy. How many men do you think Tywin really has?"

"He can still call upon the Westerlands plus the Crownlands" Mace pointed out pompously.

"Father the Westerlands are all but depleted thanks to the Slaughter at the Rock and the other attempts to retake it" Garlan gently reminded him. He loved his father but sometimes, well quite often really, he was a bit oblivious or overly pompous. "Lord Tarly estimates they might only be able to raise another ten thousand at best if Lord Tywin wanted to and that will be green boys barely hitting manhood and old men nearing their final sleep. All the Lannisters really have are the troops Tywin still has from his time in the Riverlands and what troops he can get from the Crownlands." While he might not have the political acumen of his grandmother, brother and sister he was better with strategy and fighting than Loras or his father. Actually everyone was better than his father, even mother was better at times.

"Then do you think the Starks can win?" Margery asked curiously, pondering who would be a better match for her; a Stark raised Targaryen or a young boy possibly born of incest. She wanted power of course but she wanted to do something with it, like make the orphanages better funded or help the realm and her family. Garlan shrugged at her question.

"Possibly Marge. They have the numbers now and it certainly was a blow for the Lannisters that Casterly Rock fell into northern hands, but me, Lord Tarly and Lord Rowan think Tywin might still have around twenty thousand to five and twenty thousand or so, most of that being his own host that survived the Riverlands plus what he can scrounge up from the Crownlands. Remember, in theory the Crownlands can field around ten thousand to fifteen thousand men."

"And how many do the Starks have now?" Olenna asked.

"We think around they stand around thirty to forty thousand depending on how well they have rallied the Riverlands. Since they are sitting in said lands and securing them, they could be near the upper end of that estimate since it gives them time to rally more troops and train those they've got."

"But the boy can't be who he claims to be, he just can't. All the stories say Rhaegar kidnapped the Stark girl. Besides he wouldn't have a claim even if he was Rhaegar's being born of rape or at least being a bastard, Rhaegar was already married" Mace decried.

"Mace you fool be quiet" Olenna snapped, causing Mace to frown and cross his arms sulkily. "You read the letter you idiot. The boy said Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark married and he used Targaryen exceptionalism to have two wives under the excuse that Elia could not bare any more heirs."

"But grandmother, surely the faith would not recognise it and thus the boy would still be a bastard even if the parents did somewhat marry?" Margery questioned. It was unlikely the faith of the Seven would approve of what Rhaegar had done.

"Perhaps, but have the faith declared it so?" Olenna countered with an arched eyebrow. Margery shook her head.

"Well, no, they haven't, but they could?" Margery replied weakly.

"Only if we let them. The reason for the second marriage is a legitimate one; every lord, or king, needs heirs and while two children is somewhat acceptable most prefer three or four. The Starks, us, the Martells, the Lannisters, the Tullys, all had three or more children. Even Aerys kept trying for more than Rhaegar and got Viserys and Danaerys in the end as well, of which only the girl is possibly still alive. So asking for a second wife because the first can not provide more heirs would be legitimate in the eyes of many lords, especially since the boy Aegon was rumoured to be quite weak and ill. A strong male heir from the Stark girl would reassure many that the Targaryen line would continue even if Aegon died. The problem is that normally you'd set aside the woman and then marry again. Rhaegar went differently and took Lyanna as a second wife while being still married to the first. That is the problem here, not him having a new wife" Olenna explained. "Him claiming Targaryen exceptionalism does somewhat counter any argument that the faith will have and as long as he has proof of his claims then the lords will just grumble quietly but accept it."

"So do we go with the Starks then?" Mace asked with some confusion.

"The boy has shown no signs of madness and his Stark blood will keep him as sane and blunt as any northerner especially by having been raised there. We can work with that just as well as a boy, or at least Margery can, can't you dear?"

"I will do my duty either way grandmother, though one closer to me in age would be far preferable than a boy of, twelve is he?"

"Ten" correct Olenna.

"A boy of ten" Margery repeated, both stunned and disgusted that Tywin had even offered the boy given she was nine and ten. "I know which I'd rather have to be my husband and king" she said with determination. A young man of eight and ten would be far more preferable.

"I too would rather her marry the Targaryen father, grandmother. The Starks have the largest army now and according to the Florrents, who remain mostly aloof from us due to one of them being married to Stannis and other things, well they say that Stannis is rallying the Stormlands and mustering fresh troops to prepare them for a renewed attack on the capital. The belief of myself, Lord Tarly and Lord Rowan is that they plan for a two or three sided assault on the capital. The stormlords from the south, the royal fleet with Stannis from the east and the Starks from the north. I don't see how the Lannisters can repel such a force. They only beat Renly because we came purely from the south and Tywin used a cavalry charge to hit Renly in the rear after wildfire had devastated the vanguard and blocked other assaults from beginning" Garlan explained.

"I say we go with the Starks, I want justice and vengeance for Renly. They'll give it to me" suddenly spoke Loras who had sat quietly in the corner listening to the discussion. Even now, weeks, if not moons, after the attack on Kings Landing he was still red eyed from tears while his left arm was still in a sling from his injury he'd gained fighting the Kingslayer.

"Loras, you're not thinking clearly" Margery began sympathetically.

"Of course I'm not, I want that fucking smug bastard Jamie Lannister so I can take his head as he did Renly's" Loras swore angrily.

"Now don't speak to your sister like that my boy" Mace began urgently. "I know you're angry but we must think calmly, this is of great important to our house as we can finally have a queen with Tyrell blood on the throne."

"I want the kingslayer's HEAD! I deserve it, Renly trusted me to lead his Kingsguard and I failed, we all failed. Lannister will pay for taking him from me!" Loras shouted angrily before storming out of the room.

"You know which side I would prefer and who I would rather marry father" Margery said softly before taking her leave and following after Loras to try and give him some comfort.

"Sounds like we've decided then" Olenna said, standing up and grabbing her cane.

"But mother, are we sure it wouldn't be best to fight for the Lannisters? Then we can get what we like from them."

"Gods above Mace we would not get Margery on the throne for another two years at best! Or at least until the boy is old enough to consummate a marriage. In that time Tywin will be Hand and Cersei will remain Queen Regent. Tywin will hold out on offering us positions to the Small Council as much as he can because the Old Lion wants to keep as much power and influence as possible to himself or his family. Dealing with the Starks we will at least have a queen from the start and they will deal with us fairly" Olenna informed him.

"Perhaps I can be Hand then?" Mace asked hopefully. Garlan snorted and then tried to hide it behind a cough while his grandmother gave him a look before turning to her son.

"You fool, Stannis is the Targaryen boy's Hand. We might get master of laws or master of coin, perhaps both is we play our cards right. With those positions, plus Margery, we can gain influence over the king, and with him being a northerner he'll be too dumb and plain spoken to notice. Plus they're already winning so why back the loosing side?"

"Hmm true, we don't want to loose" Mace nodded thoughtfully. "I suppose Tarly will be pleased, along with some of the others."

"Oh? Why do you say that?" Olenna asked, wondering if her son might finally say something intelligent.

"Well, we all supported the dragons in Robert's Rebellion, they'll want to support one again surely? It'll make them happy and more loyal to us and the new king and thus our queen."

"My boy, I don't know how you finally said something intelligent for once but do try to say something like that more often" she said proudly. "Now what is Willas up to back home Garlan?"

"A raven came this morning saying he was planning to send some of the Highgarden host to the coast, apparently the Ironborn tried to raid the North but failed badly. Their new fleet was almost wiped out but some survived and may try to come south instead of going home so he's warned the Arbor and Oldtown."

"Hmm yes good idea, we can't trust those blasted raiders one dot."

"But mother what if we need those troops to repel against the lions or something?"

"This host is eighty thousand strong, I think we far outnumber what host comes out of the Westerlands or south from Kings Landing. Now I'm off to find some cheese" she finished before walking slowly out the room, her cane tapping against the stone floor. Mace meanwhile nodded in acknowledgement of his mother's point. He did wish she wouldn't put him own so much though, he only ever tried to do the right thing and help his family after all.

Casterly Rock

"How much?!"

"A good quarter of the city is being ravaged by the flames but they seem to be being contained by the Lannisters now according to the drone footage we've got."

"When I ordered the strike I did not expect for there to be this much damage" Warrington complained.

"We didn't know they had that much wildfire stored there. We'd thought they'd used up what stock they had when Renly attacked. It seems they started brewing more as soon as they could afterwards and that ignited when the bomb exploded."

"Well at least they won't be making any more of it in the future and they'll likely blame the pyromancers themselves. They already do if the few bits of video feed we can still get from inside the keep are correct. For now we have other things to deal with; the Ironborn."

"What do you want to do about them?" Admiral Cosmo asked curiously from his seat across from Warrington in the Lord's solar of the castle.

"We shall pull back from the Rock, we have no need of it and the job here is done with the stores of food and gold seized and the mines scoured and caved in. The Rock is of no use now as a mine by their standards and we are needed elsewhere. So all troops will be carried to Seagard, with some left with the fleet. After that the fleet will go to the Iron Islands and destroy every ship they find, right down to their fishing boats, along with every shipyard. Damage what keeps you can from the sea and only deploy troops ashore if you must. However once that is done take Pyke. A raven arrived this morning from King Jaehaerys that Balon should be captured and brought before the king for his crimes" Warrington stated.

"Every ship? But surely they need fishing boats to feed themselves?" Cosmo asked worriedly. Making an enemy, including civilians, starve so completely was against modern conventions of war, you do no besiege places in so complete a manner.

"Again orders from the would be king" Warrington replied while holding up a piece of parchment. "He needs to take a firm stance with the ironborn if he doesn't want more than grumblings or be forced to take Asha Greyjoy's head. I believe he intends to cripple them almost permanently as the islands lack trees almost entirely. In fact I believe reports state they only have a handful scattered about so they might only be able to make a fishing boat or two which won't harm anyone nor will it be able to travel that far."

"I see then, do we have to do this then?"

"It would be best if we do, it keeps things on good terms with the North" Warrington said tiredly. "Besides everyone we've heard from says the ironborn are monsters and care not a bit for the civilised society that the south proclaims itself to be and that the north sort of emulates. No one will complain if the ironborn are isolated to their useless rocks. See to it admiral, have the men begin moving the goods to the ships and slowly draw back the troops too." The older man nodded and left leaving Warrington alone with his thoughts and plans to end this pointless war. Sometimes a successful democracy and elections were so much more civilised than fighting a war over blood rights.

AN: Sorry for the delay in putting this chapter out but I just struggled with writing recently despite having outlines for this and other chapters. Hope you enjoyed this relatively short chapter but I thought you'd want something rather than nothing. I also have a few chapters written for other story ideas that I'm playing with so you might see one or two of them published at some point.