Well, well, well.
Would you look at that y'all.
I got a new chapter out a whole lot sooner than I thought!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Game of Thrones
Chapter 27: The Crowned Stag
Naruto arrived at the camp, sweat finally gone and an empty pit in his stomach. We shall see. Naruto repeated in his mind. The look of conviction was horrifying. Naruto clenched his gloved fists as he pushed through his tent flaps. Behind him, the battle companions quickly followed suit. Sweat trickled down Jalabhar's and Ser Delran's brows. They knew this wasn't over; they knew battle will come.
"What is your plan, Naruto?" Ser Andar asked worriedly. "With your Uncles clearly at odds, their armies will both most likely attack us."
"I agree." Mayra said with a near quiet whisper. "They all hate us. I can see it in their eyes."
"At any rate." Lady Taerina quickly interrupted their group ramblings before it could truly build in volume. "We cannot stay here. The longer we're here, the closer to death we'll all be."
"Aye." The companions agreed with a resounding approval. The knights immediately went to planning escapes with the women immediately disagreeing, adding to the chaos within the tent. But in the corner near the weapon rack, Naruto stood with his arms crossed over his chest. Bran stayed silent with Summer silently growling at the growing commotion.
"I agree with all of you." Naruto suddenly said, silencing the growing banter. "But we need to plan this correctly. If we leave too soon, there's a chance that my Uncle Renly could defeat my Uncle Stannis and I'll have the power of the Reach and the Stormlands on our asses. If we leave too late, my Uncle Stannis might defeat my Uncle Renly utilizing that Red Witch of his and all of us would die nonetheless. We all saw her eyes…she was examining us."
"What would the perfect time be then?" Bran asked.
"Just…" The Baratheon took a deep breath. "Just…stay alert and stay close. At any moment chaos would ensue in an instant."
"Any signs we should keep watch for?" Mya asked, turning to face her half-brother.
The Baratheon took a deep breath. "From what I could remember from Tumbleton…their morale was already shaky. Now…now that I've killed their most honorable lord…the only thing remaining is the final push…the final push to send them careening to the first lord they see fit to lead them."
"W-Will it be you?" Mya asked without a second thought.
"No." He sadly replied. "There will be no way in all the seven hells that I'll be able to lead this many people. No. I sense one of these two kings will die. With the look that the red witch was giving us…I'll have to say my Uncle Renly will be the one to die…it hurts me to say that but…we need to get back to King's Landing. With an army or without."
"But…why King's Landing?" Ser Warne asked with a frown. "Haven't we basically cut ties with your brother?"
"We have." Naruto quickly replied. There were confused looks on his friends' faces. "Our enemies are numerous and we have to pick them off. One. By. One. Starting with letting my Uncles square off."
Naruto turned back to his weapon rack, hands sliding against the polished brass pommels. "They are my uncles…but I bear no love for them. Not anymore. I thought I was a player in this game only to find that I am in fact, just a piece and the board is Westeros itself. I thought I was the better man and that I was done being the victim of High Lords' games but…this was only proof that I wasn't."
"Tumbleton was a foolhardy choice, one that will haunt me." Naruto shut his eyes, slowly pacing back and forth, hands rubbing against his whiskered cheeks. "Tumbleton is a lesson. A reminder of what a fool I am in this game of thrones. Never will I do something like this again. We are in too deep and I…I don't know what I'm doing. Not even a year ago, I was drinking wine with the thoughts of the Iron Throne being almost nonexistent."
"How did it come to this?" He turned, sapphire eyes glimmering as hot tears fell down his scarred face. "How did it degrade so quickly? Why did it come to this…this…I can't even find words to describe this travesty! So much pain and suffering brought about this quickly. We've lost men and women we've come to see as brothers and sisters and what are we doing about it? Joining sides with the very ones who put them in their shallow graves?"
"I am tired of waiting to be exchanged to the next King waiting for favor of a prince." Naruto sniffled, hand wrapped around the handle of his sword. "Never again. All of you…you're my friends…my family…and if any of you-"
Mya quickly wrapped her arms around him, knocking the wind from his chest. He groaned into her tight embrace. Soon enough, Bran and Mayra joined. Within moments, the companions embraced one another as tightly as they could. Their hearts racing together as one. He could feel their thoughts from their hearts; he could sense their fear and worry. They understood him.
"First things first…" Naruto said suddenly. "We need to free their prisoners."
Robb stared out of the window, watching the men go about their patrols. Stark banners of the Howling Wolves waved brutally in the cold winter winds. He was silent, still solemn of the casualties that it took to get here. The lives were numerous and endless, but…he made it. He'd wounded Lord Tywin, cleaving his face, scarring the legendary and untouchable man.
A spiteful smirk grew on his face. Lord Tywin was on the run, probably being a lion and protecting his pride. A foolish gesture, Robb thought. Kings Landing meant nothing now that his alliance with King Renly was cemented. There was little work done to get it but the first time he saw it, it caught the young King off guard. It was written in a way that it seemed the Baratheon had already talked to him before. Robb couldn't remember any messengers sent to the King. Whomever it was that set it up was a godsend.
"Your Grace." A voice came from behind. "The Lannisters have completely locked the Crownlands' entrances and exits. Lannisters and Royal Army forces have built all along our borders and in their keeps."
"How many men?" Robb asked. "We've killed his personal host. He can't have that many in reserves."
"Last scout reported One Hundred thousand waiting in the Crownlands with at least half of that in Kings Landing." The voice said once more. "What are your orders?"
Robb turned on his heels, meeting face to face with his Marshall and high generals. "What of our strength?"
"Fifty-five thousand men." Lord Yohn Royce replied. "With that amount, we'd be crushed within the week. We could draw the fight out and possibly weaken them through attrition. We will receive unnecessary casualties if we charge through their lines-"
"Then we won't." Robb walked up to them, motioning for the war table. "Split our force. I'll lead one half through the Westerlands, wreaking havoc and you will have to lead the other half and harass their borders as much as you can. Wear them thin and maybe, just maybe we could weaken them enough to assault with King Renly's forces."
"You're powerful." Bran said suddenly. "I've seen your strength first hand…why don't you destroy everyone?"
"W-What?" Naruto asked suddenly, a brow raised. "What are you talking about?"
Bran frowned. "Don't play stupid, I know. I've watched you as carefully as possible…you'd become unnaturally strong and sometimes you'd become unnaturally fast…you're hiding a power beyond you."
"Bran." Naruto started, facing his young Stark friend. A clever lie was born immediately but the look in the young Stark's mind keep the lie from ever escaping his lips. "I'd love to use my power…I'd love to defeat my enemies with this fucking power…but then I'll have Seven Kingdoms against me. I'll prove I'm the monster they painted me to be…I will not become who they say I am. I am not what they say I am. If I have to make myself seem like I'm powerless…that will only mean I've gotten the upper hand. Look at Grand Maester Pycelle."
"What of him?" Bran asked with a confused look on his face.
"He acts senile and like a scraggly old man…" Naruto shook his head. "That man is sadly not. He's perfectly fine and actually stands upright. I remember a few months before leaving for Winterfell I saw that man talking in complete sentences having a verbal scuffle with Lord Varys. He pretends to be weak so he won't be a target. Sadly…I'm a prince. I'll always be a target. I…I just need to think of a way to gain power without becoming the very thing I detest."
"B-But…" Bran looked at him with worried eyes. "Who cares if you're called a monster? You have power-"
"So did Aegon Targaryen…" Naruto replied. "He had dragons. He had power…"
"He united the Seven Kingdoms-"
"I was getting to that." Naruto glared. Bran looked down, slightly backing away from Naruto's glare. "Do you know why we're here?"
"We lost a battle?" Bran asked.
"Aye…we did…" Naruto frowned. "But we're here because we have been given an opportunity."
"What kind of opportunity?" Bran was intrigued now.
"It's a bit of something I learned in King's Landing." The prince smirked. "My Uncles only want me for one of their goals. I'm only there for a certain amount of time before I get cast aside once more. Believe me. I'd side with my Uncle Renly in a heartbeat. His promise of the Throne was almost too perfect to behold."
"What's stopping you?!" Bran couldn't understand the inner workings of the prince.
"The fact that the people do not support me." Naruto replied. "Everyone assumes the lords and ladies of Court have the power, but what is the few compared to the many?"
Bran tilted his head. "Let me explain it better, Bran."
"Which is more important? The smallfolk or the highborn?" Naruto asked.
"The…" Bran stopped for a moment, contemplating his response. "The smallfolk. If there were none, the highborn wouldn't rule anyone."
"Exactly." Naruto replied. "You heard as well as I about the riots in King's Landing; about how the High Septon was torn to shreds and my brothers and mother were nearly killed."
"If the smallfolk hate their leader, they'll revolt." Naruto sighed. "If I kill innocent civilians...then the entire Seven Kingdoms will revolt. I might even attract attention from across the Narrow Sea…"
"Fine! Fine! I get it." Bran replied with a glare. "I just don't get why you won't beat them into submission…"
"Aegon had three dragons, Bran." Naruto frowned. "I don't…"
Arya crossed her arms, watching the waves crash against the shore. Royal Army levies dug defenses and stuck pikes into the stony sand. Nymeria barred her teeth, hazel eyes following after the various men marching across the coast. They were preparing the defense of King's Landing. With all the commotion within the city, she was absolutely certain the war was finally coming to the city. At least something great came out of all of this.
Joffrey had returned from the fronts, his face scarred and eyes filled with fear. The image was amusing to the young Stark. The terror in his envious eyes made Arya's soul explode with joy. The useless child was put in his place, reminded of why he was such a shit. But with Joffrey came his grandfather, Lord Tywin. The man's face was wrapped in bandages and it was even said that Robb had done it. The man revered and feared by all in King's Landing had arrived a broken man with a broken host. When he'd first arrived, Arya had to rein her emotions to keep from insulting House Lannister even further.
She sighed, running a hand through her dark hair. Her House was proving the Lannister power to be nothing but a façade. The deeds of her brother were being sung within the taverns and even servant boys and handmaidens were gossiping within the red halls. Tales of the Gallant Robb Stark; the Young Wolf, with his Battle Companions charging into the battlefield and slaughtering all who stood in their way. But among the stories of heroism in this War of Five Kings, Arya's favorites were of the Legendary Fox Company.
Arya's hand wrapped around the hilt of Needle with a shaky breath. One day, she hoped, she would join Fox Company with Naruto and Bran. She'd already heard the stories of the women of Fox Company, War-Maidens who were just as dangerous as they were beautiful. A smile continued to spread across her face, one day she'd go down in history with the likes of Queen Nymeria of the Rhoynar or Queen Visenya Targaryen. But all her happiness fell when her grey eyes landed upon the new battlements being built along the walls of King's Landing.
She'd overheard, thanks to her warging into Nymeria, that King Stannis Baratheon, Naruto's uncle, was planning a two pronged attack, with the help of mercenaries and his own personal armies. While some of the talk was extremely political, she managed to pull some bits and pieces that she understood. Stannis's demesne was only Dragonstone and the castle that lied there. But what many forget, the greatest house in Westeros's history originated from Dragonstone. The forges were his and his alone, along with many of the islands in the Narrow Sea.
Robb's demesne was Winterfell and the outlying villages, while larger in land mass than Stannis's, it had a smaller population because of the North's ragged climate. Arya knew what would come, should Stannis march upon King's Landing. With the way Lannister and Royal Army morale was, it was only a matter of time before they were all killed. Hopefully, Arya felt she might be able to get Sansa and Lady and escape from the Crownlands in the chaos. Maybe meet up with Naruto and Fox Company.
Thinking of the ginger Stark, Sansa was making exceptional progress under Syrio Forel, but there was something about Sansa that still spoke of worry and doubt. Arya's hand tightened around the hilt of Needle, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand. The doors creaked and with a motion like water, she drew her blade like a master duelist.
Who she saw though was none other than Sansa, her own sword drawn, catching Arya's nimble blade. The two sisters eyed each other with narrowed eyes. Grey met Icy blue with sparks glowing between. Sansa's sword was a lot like Arya's except with a wider blade. There was enough room on Sansa's sword for a ten inch fuller to allow better blood flow. Sansa's appearance had changed greatly as well. Her red hair was held into a style similar to that of Queen Cersei, except for the two foot long braids that came around to rest above her chest.
Sansa wore a black leather corset that was clearly armored. Beneath the armored corset was a purple dress that Sansa had sewn herself. The dress fell to her right knee, but in a diagonal slope, rose to her left hip revealing black breeches with small plates of metal sewn to the surface. Instead of the classic platform shoes of noblewomen in King's Landing, she wore boots that men or women of the Royal Army wore. She looked formidable and like someone Arya felt she could respect.
Slowly but surely, the two broke out into smiles and slid their blades from their connection, sheathing them away. Sansa nodded to her little sister, whom of which, was also her impromptu teacher when Syrio Forel wasn't available. To say Sansa was amazed with the strengths of her little sister was an understatement. She'd seen her sister in an entirely new light and she was certain that she would never wish for Arya to change ever again.
"You're getting better with the draw, Sansa." Arya beamed, taking a bite of the apple on the table. "What brings you here?"
"I overheard some people talking." Sansa gave Arya a half smile. "Fox Company was found to have survived the battle of Tumbleton."
"Does that mean that Bran is alive?!" Arya asked with tears in her eyes.
"Aye, it does." Sansa frowned. "But that's the end of the good news…"
"W-What do you mean?" Arya asked worriedly.
"Theon attacked Winterfell and razed it to the ground…" Sansa said through gritted teeth. "No one knows if Rickon is dead or alive…"
"B-But…why…?" Arya's hands dropped into her lap. "R-Rickon was just a boy!"
"I know…" Sansa's blue eyes trailed over to the sword on her hip. "What I'd give to find Theon…"
Night had fallen upon the encampment of King Renly Baratheon. The winds were sharp with a blade-like cool about it. Banners and the 'so-called' bolts of cloth whipped with the rising torrents. This was nothing more than a gamble on King Renly's part. Having been the lord of Storm's End and Warden of the Stormlands, he trusted the fluctuating weather of Shipbreaker Bay to keep them safe from Stannis's navy that outnumbered his.
Torches had to be lit and re-lit due to how strong these winds were. Many of the Stormlander levies told dark stories around their campfires and braziers, inspiring fear and worry among the troops. Their morale was already dwindling to begin with and they hadn't seen their King since his return from meeting with King Stannis and his host. There was an aura of uncertainty that had befallen the encampment as men drank and feasted as if they'd won the war.
They knew that one day they'd have to fight the stalwart Stannis Baratheon, but having the confrontation this soon was never on anyone's schedule. What made it worse, no extra defenses were made along the coast; the fear of Stannis rushing their positions was a real and grave threat that needed attention. Even with all the fear of King Stannis and the Lannisters of King's Landing and Casterly Rock, their thoughts fell to the subject of a certain prince.
In his tent, shrouded in darkness, the prince and his company waited. They were crouched with a few sitting upon the wooden floor. Their eyes were closed awaiting the inevitable horns to blow or the fires to spread. Between them and one hundred thousand men, there was practically no way they could escape unless by some force of the gods, a great distraction would allow them to escape. He kept silent, slowly opening his eyes. Mayra's daggers rested in their holsters while she stabbed another pair in front of her. Eyes trailing along, Bran was seemingly asleep with the hilt of his arming sword resting on his right shoulder and his gloved hands wrapped around the blade. Jalabhar already had his bow nocked and ready for draw.
The knights had their shields strapped to their backs, just waiting to be wielded. Lady Taerina and Soresha were calm and collected, her custom arakh rested on her lap. Mya and Gendry though waited with simple arming swords for what was to come. Leaving Naruto.
The prince surprised his companions when he revealed Heartsbane. The knights and Ser Delran were absolutely awestruck and Lady Taerina had never looked so impressed before. Nevertheless, he waited as well. Much like Bran, the hilt rested on his shoulder as he slowly caressed the length of the Valyrian Steel blade.
It was like a dream, Naruto thought. A dream he'd never felt was possible to attain. A Valyrian Steel bastard sword just for him. Naruto watched the world around him, energy fluctuating in all directions. Baratheon patrols were everywhere, even with two of Renly's Kingsguard standing at the front of Naruto's tent. There wasn't enough commotion for Naruto to even fancy the idea of escape. But there was a sudden growth in movement.
Naruto perked up, gaining the attention of his friends. Mayra gave him a worried look and quickly wrapped her hands around the two daggers in the floorboards. Bran slowly trailed his hands up to the ornate hilt of his arming sword and the rest of the companions simply prepared for the worst. But within seconds, the tent flap was thrown open to reveal none other than Queen Margaery. She wore a dark colored cloak over her green dress and quickly nodded to the Tyrell retainers behind her.
"Prince Naruto, Prince Brandon, you two have been summoned to my husband's tent." Margaery said softly.
Mayra and Mya looked at the blond prince, waiting for his response. They hadn't predicted his uncle summoning him. Jalabhar nodded at Naruto and quickly placed his nocked arrow into his quiver. The companions one by one, rose to their feet, stretching and yawning in response. The night was young and ripe for blood. With a begrudging sigh, Naruto and Bran shot to their feet and followed after Margaery out of the tent.
The trek was embraced with uncertainty, levies of the Stormlands and the Reach immediately dropped what they were doing, watching Naruto and Bran traverse through the muddy camp walkways. Naruto felt a smirk form on his face; they were all at least consistent in how they felt. Just as they passed, the forces went back to whatever it was that they were doing. It surprised the Baratheon prince, instead of preparing for what was projected to be an imminent attack on their camp, they're feasting as if this was the safest place in all of Westeros.
Now I don't question why we killed so many of them. Naruto frowned. They're unprepared. Probably driven by the promise of glory and riches. Disappointing.
Margaery came to a halt, bringing her arm around, lifting the tent flap. Within, the woman Brienne of Tarth was the first to welcome the young prince. Naruto and Bran nodded their heads with respect to the only woman of Renly's Kingsguard. She too followed suit with a small smile on her pale face. While she wasn't pretty, by any means, Naruto felt her skills with a blade far outshined any of her 'ugliness'. He walked carefully into the tent, finding a large war table with pieces placed all over the board. Ser Garlan Tyrell and Ser Loras Tyrell were standing on either side of King Renly with some of the Highest Lords of the Reach and Stormlands present.
Each of the Lords and knights gave their own two cents for their choice of action, while the knights of House Tyrell and a few of Renly's bannermen wanted a preemptive strike against Stannis' camp while others wanted to build actual defenses and the minority wanted to leave Storm's End entirely and prepare for an ambush of Stannis' forces. Either way, Naruto knew none of these choices would end well for Renly or Stannis.
"Ah, Naruto, nice of you to join us." Renly smiled, looking away from the war table.
Ser Garlan and Ser Loras both nodded respectfully to the young Baratheon. The other lords shared weary looks before nodding their own heads. Tumbleton was a fresh scar and the blade that caused it walked among them. Naruto didn't blame them at all. But they could get mad at him for as long as they wanted, Stannis was the bigger enemy and Joffrey was the biggest enemy. Once they had accomplished their goals, Naruto was more than willing to seal this wound forever. Be it through strength in arms or through wit and pen.
If he was to be King, Naruto needed to get these fools to believe in him or at least fundamentally trust him enough to follow him. The politicking of King's Landing and the game of thrones was mind-numbing for the prince. He couldn't believe he was going to agree with Joffrey, but creating a Royal Army was the first step in ending the never ending cycle of Lords constantly at each other's throats with their own personal armies. It was a small change that was definitely going to have lasting repercussions.
"It's good to be here." Naruto bowed to his uncle. "What is our plan of action? Uncle Stannis is only just a few miles away consolidating his strength."
"I concur." Ser Garlan frowned. "That is why I say we strike while he gathers his strength. He's vulnerable in his camp and if they're as busy as I think they are, their camp could be easy to sneak into with the right people."
"If we sneak in, what do we do?" A Reach Lord asked.
"We kill Stannis Baratheon." Naruto rested his knuckles against the war table, blue eyes scanning the pieces.
There were many pieces spread across the Stormlands, some were in the shape of a burning heart while others were in the shape of crowned stags. There were two armies under Stannis in the Stormlands that they knew of. There were several armies under Renly and the Reach. The size difference was almost comical and Naruto felt a chuckle beginning to surface. But that smile quickly fell when his thoughts fell upon the smile of Melisandre the Red Witch.
She clearly had something planned for us. Naruto frowned once again. I know that the bitch has something up her sleeves.
"We could send just a small team out to distract Stannis and split them off into the bay?" A Stormlord asked. "If we drive them into the ships, the torrential waves and storms could destroy quite a few of them."
"No." A Reach lord said, shaking his head. "Despite the Stormlord expertise with Shipbreaker Bay, we need ships to complete the two pronged attack on King's Landing. If you hadn't realized, House Redwyne has given us all the ships they could muster along with that of House Hightower. Neither of which have enough galleys to transport one hundred thousand men."
"Then do you propose to dig in?" A Stormlord asked with a glare. "We out number Stannis with a host double the size of his. We could easily march there now with a preemptive strike and kill the heretic where he stands!"
Naruto watched the Stormlords bicker with the Reach lords like children fighting over toys. Given the look on his squire's face, Bran was feeling the same. He scrunched his face in a way to express how uncomfortable he was. The Baratheon prince turned his sapphire eyes to the sight of his uncle watching with slight amusement with arms crossed over his chest. He raised a brow at the way Renly was handling the situation but he didn't make a comment on it.
This only solidifies my thoughts. Naruto frowned. Uncle Renly will die soon. I can't stay here but there's a few people I need with me when I return to King's Landing.
Tuning out the bickering lords and the uncaring king, Naruto's blue eyes trailed across the tent and rested upon the image of Brienne of Tarth, the only woman of Renly's Kingsguard. She was a strong fighter and given her loyalty, Naruto was certain he could offer her something he knew she wouldn't refuse. Maybe…if Renly dies I could offer her revenge. And if that is what's going to come of all of this, then I suppose I could still get half the promise; the Reach.
His eyes trailed back to the Tyrell knights, both were fixated on the war table, arguing with the Stormlords. Loras stayed close at Renly's side, clearly intent on ending this farce of a meeting as soon as possible. After all, that is exactly what all of this was. They weren't making any progress towards a plan; they were, if anything, revealing the truth of this Reach-Stormlands alliance. These lords clearly didn't trust each other and were practically at each other's throats.
If Renly dies…who's going to stop them from actually barring blades? Naruto frowned. Like I thought, I definitely could receive the help of the Reach. The Stormlords are definitely going to fall to Uncle Stannis. After all, if I marry Margaery, the forces of House Tyrell and their bannermen will be at my command. And…Loras…I can convince him like Brienne of Tarth. They'll join me and my battle companions. After all, I'd be a fool to leave such perfect opportunities to waste away.
Lords Hightower and Redwyne are loyal to House Tyrell through blood. Naruto fell into a thinking daze. The other lords follow because of honor-bound oaths. If they switch allegiance…
"…have Prince Naruto do it?"
Naruto looked at the Stormlord who mentioned him. He glared at the man with fire burning in his eyes; he wasn't their pawn to send into the field of battle. He wasn't even on their side! He was only here because he wanted to see how long he could milk this situation. If he was to return to King's Landing, he shouldn't arrive without an army. He looked away from the Stormlord crossing his arms over his chest. To think the gall of these lords.
"No." Renly replied. "My nephew will not lead the defense against Stannis. He's only a boy."
"But he killed five thousand in his defense of Tumbleton!" the Stormlord pleaded. "He could do damage uninhibited to Stannis' forces!"
"My word is final." Renly sighed, pushing from the table.
Naruto raised a brow when he sensed anger rising. "You're a fool if you think you can be king! You weak fool!"
Bran looked at Naruto with wide eyes, and the two slowly began to back away. The Stormlord slammed his fist into the table, knocking the pieces down, forcing them to roll about. It was a mess within seconds, but Renly was undeterred. If there was something that Naruto could give his uncle, Renly was steady as stone when it came to something he believed in.
"Watch yourself, Ser!" Brienne's voice appeared threateningly. Her metal gloved fist rested on the Stormlords' shoulder, forcing him to face her. "You will not speak to His Grace in such a way!"
And here we go… Naruto waited patiently.
"And you!" The lord shouted, pushing the woman away, drawing his sword. "To think a woman made Kingsguard but not my own son?!"
Ser Loras was quick with the draw, as expected. Garlan waited, hand resting on the pommel of his blade. The rest of the lords though, watched with distance between the Kingsguard and the irate Stormlord. Within seconds, the Stormlord lowered his weapon, a scowl spread across his face.
"You can take that title and shove into your arse." the Stormlord roared. "I'm taking my forces home."
Brienne once again stood in his way, sword poised. Naruto's hand fell to the sword on his hip awaiting the confrontation. I wonder who's going to swing first.
"Brienne." Renly sighed, rubbing his temples. "Let him go…"
"Like I expected from someone like you." The Stormlord quickly left, a smug look on his face. "And you, Prince Naruto…I pray to the gods that this war claims your life."
"Naruto, we've successfully released the prisoners." Jalabhar smiled. "Dark skin does have its perks in the night you know."
"Where are we meeting them?" Naruto asked.
"Close by." Jalabhar pointed to the map. "We're meeting them along the coast of Shipbreaker Bay. We'll easily mask ourselves along the coast. If what you said about the Red Witch is true…"
"Then Stannis won't mount a full assault." Naruto frowned. "He might use the Red Witch for some underhand assassination or whatnot. We might not know now, but just get ready for whatever might spring forth from the night."
"What's the plan of escape?" Ser Andar asked, sheathing his blade.
"Bran, Mayra and I will stay behind." Naruto said, getting strange looks from those present. "The three of us have some business that needs to be attended to, alright? The rest of you will need to escape in the ensuing chaos. Kill any and all who get in your way."
"We will only have a short timeframe to escape." The Baratheon yawned. "The moment you start hearing shouts, take off into the night. We are escaping, not exterminating. Your survival is paramount, so don't worry about Bran, Mayra and I. We'll be fine. Once you meet with the rest of our forces on the coast, lead them to King's Landing."
"Yes Ser!" the cry was like a resounding applause.
"Go, get your gear and stay together!"
The Battle Companions quickly shuffled from the tent, armor and empty scabbards clanging against their leather tassets. Naruto shrugged, popping his vertebrae up and down his aching back. Bran and Mayra looked no different, it was clear that they felt they've outlived their stay. The fires of war were on their doorstep but there was business to attend to; and there were knights and Houses to deal with before they left.
"Alright. You two know what you're supposed to do, right?" Naruto asked. "There are people and resources here that we just cannot leave behind. Bran, secure horses for our escape; Mayra, try to convince Lady Brienne to join us; I'll handle Ser Loras."
"Understood."
The three shared one quick nod and shot off through the war camp, doing their best to seem as inconspicuous as possible. Already, the Baratheon forces were on edge. It seemed that news of Stannis's possible assault had spread like wildfire throughout the camp. Naruto headed straight for Renly's tent with Mayra in tow. Bran gave the two a knowing nod and quickly disappeared into the night.
The Baratheon scion peeped his head into the tent, finding it completely vacant, save for the flickering flame in the fire pit. Naruto rested a palm on Mayra's stomach, halting her in her steps. He shook his head and waited once again. Footsteps splashed into the mud but none were coming anywhere near the prince. Like speed like lightning but with grace like wind, he and Mayra blitzed into the tent, throwing their backs against the ornate Verawood desk serving as a war table for Renly.
"Go find Brienne." Naruto whispered. "I'll look for Ser Loras…"
"Good luck and be safe, okay?" Mayra gave him a pleading look.
Time was of the essence; without a word or warning, he grabbed the bastard and crashed his lips upon hers. But before they could get any hotter, they pulled back and disappeared into the tent and its corridors. This was going to get more and more complicated, wasn't it?
Almost two weeks later…
Sansa sat singing to herself in a soft, near angelic tone. Pale, icy-blue eyes watched the waves of Blackwater Bay crash upon the shore. It was serene with the full moon shimmering upon the rippling horizon. Boats and late night fishermen flowed across the surface. Nighttime King's Landing bore a similar disposition. Few carts were creaking in the night, echoing against the near-empty streets.
"And who are you…the proud lord said?" Sansa whispered as her eyes began to shut. "That I must bow so low? Only a cat of a different coat…that's all the truth I know…"
Eyes shot around to the city below. Lannister banners had replaced many of the Baratheon ones, almost as if the Lannisters were the ruling House of the Seven Kingdoms. Lannister footmen marched up and down the streets, patrolling for any hidden threats and traitors to their King. Sansa smiled softly when her thoughts fell on Joffrey.
When he'd returned from Crackclaw point, he was wounded, a great scar across his chest and another marking his cheek. How he managed to survive was beyond her. She'd prayed and begged the gods even, for the King to fall over and die; preferably on his own sword. Sansa bit back a laugh, and resigned to humming a sweet tune as she stitched away. Singing the song of the Lannisters was her only way to gain Joffrey's trust and that of those around her. If she was to become a Kingslayer and protect her family while doing so, she was willing to go the distance.
With her new training under her belt, she knew she'd put the sniveling King in his place. She wanted to slice him, dice him, stab and maim him, but that wasn't her style. She was going to leave the more violent actions to her little sister. No, Sansa was going to play the game that the Lords and Ladies so loved to play. She'd kill, but only if there was nothing to gain from the potential resource. Talks with Lord Baelish and Lord Varys had helped tremendously. She was slowly beginning to see the cogs and inner workings of King's Landing's courts.
Suddenly, her sweet song came to a shuddering halt and she shot to her feet. Slowly she traced her lithe and soft fingers against a golden chalice. It was filled with enough wine to make the Queen happy. Sansa turned on her heels, raising the chalice to her lips, sipping softly, taking the wine and ignoring the soft sting. It was bitter and tasted horrible, but it helped. Just as smooth, she placed the chalice down and ran her hands across the tabletop, tracing her fingers along the length of the various utensils and objects.
"What do you gain from spying on me, Ser?" Sansa asked, breaking the silence. "Don't think me a flower to be trampled and gifted. I am Sansa Stark of House Stark. I will not be toyed with any longer. Now you will answer my questions."
She knelt, creasing the leather breeches she wore, meeting the tied and bloodied man sitting in a heavy chair. He was gagged and already had two knives embedded in his kneecaps. Thankfully, Arya and her warging abilities caught a horrible whiff of this spy and pointed him out just an hour prior. They beat him, cut him and finally tied him up for questioning. Though in hindsight, they should have done it in the opposite order. It was just that they were changing and as bare as their nameday when they caught him. Anger took over and their Direwolves nearly tore him to shreds before he could spill whatever information he had.
Luckily, Sansa had a greater grip on her emotions and calmed Lady and Nymeria before Arya could take things any further. But that was in the past and Sansa had already washed the blood from the man's wounds and her own hands. But she still had questions and those questions required answers. With a sigh, the Stark rose to her feet, hands resting at her hips.
"Are you uncomfortable?" Sansa asked. "Knives in the knees look horribly painful."
The spy chose not to reply, as he did so many times before. He kept his eyes shut, probably still traumatized from Sansa's warg eyes. Sansa frowned and pulled up her own seat. Slowly, she trailed her knife across his skin, and nearly giggled at how afraid he was of the cold, sharp steel. Listening to all the fantasies Arya had that involved murdering Joffrey had corrupted Sansa in a way. For someone so young, Arya had a massive imagination when it came to ending someone's life. And quite a bit of it was transferred to Sansa.
While water dancing was for self-defense, it was their own volition to use it in any way the saw fit. Arya chose to let the inner wild wolf free and Sansa…she decided to be a deceitful fox. She kept her façade of innocence and blind love for Joffrey, but she knew better. It was a means to an end. She had to play the part given to her if she was going to survive long enough to get Arya and Bran out of King's Landing and back to Winterfell, safe and sound.
"P-Please…let me go…" The man sputtered.
"Ah. So you have a voice." Sansa smiled. "I promise to let you go if you give me the information I want. A deal is a deal and on the honor of House Stark, I will uphold our agreement."
"I…I was sent by L-Lord Baelish…" The man muttered. "H-He has a middle man that deals with spies and-"
"You lie." Sansa snarled. "He would never betray my family to such an extent that he'd send someone to spy on me and my sister – no. You're trying to place the blame on someone else."
"No, please, m'lady -"
"I am not your lady, Ser." Sansa in a bout of rage twisted one of the kneecap knives.
Before he could scream, she shoved a rag into him mouth, effectively muffling him. Once he was silenced, she twisted and twisted until the skin had formed a mangled whirlpool formation. Blood spewed once more, covering his soaked breeches and covered her hands. The knife had become slick. No fun in something that slips too much. She tore the blade from the man's knee and replaced it with yet another knife, seemingly from out of nowhere. He yelped into the rag and jumped at the sudden puncture.
"Tell-"
"Sansa!" The door burst open to reveal Arya and Nymeria, both visibly excited.
"What is it, Arya?" Sansa asked with a glare. "I'm busy."
"Still?" Arya asked. "Just kill him and be done with it. We have more important issues that need to be dealt with."
Sansa was intrigued. "Such as?"
Arya's smile grew even larger. "Fox Company has returned."
Naruto rode head of his troupe, battered with flakes of blood still clinging to his wild blond hair. At his hip, his empty scabbard dangled free, slapping against the saddle of his mount. At his sides in a wedge formation, Mayra and Bran were on either side of him; followed by Mya and Gendry with Summer in between them. Ser Delran and Lady Taerina followed behind the two bastards with Jalabhar and Brienne of Tarth riding in between them. Holding the rear, the five knights rode steady with Lady Soresha acting as a buffer between them and the remaining forces of Fox Company.
All of them were covered in flakes of blood and were ruffled with bruises and various cuts. They looked like they'd just been through a crucible of knives. Nonetheless, they rode like the very world was ending. Shouts echoed into the night as the gates creaked open at the sight of the Fox head banners. Lannister soldiers and Royal Army levies cheered on their arrival, but none of them were replied with the same sentiment. Naruto and Fox Company simply rode past the guards and the newly waking populace of Main Street King's Landing.
Their arrival wasn't projected to have such an impact but Naruto was direly hoping that this wouldn't impede his movement. They rode ahead, keeping formation and forcing people to stay in their homes and alleys, giving the returning heroes a fair amount of room to maneuver. The Red Keep was where they needed to go; his Grandfather was supposed to be there preparing the defense of King's Landing in the event of an invasion by Stannis. Naruto slapped the reins of his horse shooting in front of his Battle Companions and raced along the cobblestone street, kicking dirt, mud and muck into the air.
Finally reaching the Red Keep, he dismounted and was met with some men who didn't appreciate his appearance. Without a second thought, the Baratheon scion shoved his knife into one of the guards, spraying blood onto the otherwise, clean cobblestone road. The other guard was nearing to make a run for it, but a throwing knife embedded itself into his temple, paralyzing and killing the man immediately. He fell over comically. Before he could clash and make a massive scene, Summer came along and softened the man's descent to that of a peaceful thud.
He was not in the mood to deal with annoying, close-minded fools. He had information that needed to be shared. If they were going to have even a sliver of a chance of surviving the onslaught that Stannis now had at his disposal. Bran arrived, dismounting from his horse and tossed Naruto an arming sword, all the while giving hushed orders to the men and women of Fox Company. Within seconds, they had occupied the courtyard and Naruto had full, free reign to move about the castle.
"You ready?" Bran asked, hand resting against the pommel of his sword.
"I was born ready." Naruto smirked. "Let's get this done and over with."
Naruto swung the grand doors of the Keep only to be met with a series of knights and confused levies. He waited for one of them to raise a sword at his direction. Any man willing to raise and contest Naruto, he was going to kill him where he stood. Mayra and the rest of the Battle Companions filed into the corridor, filling the area with a deep, dark dread that could only be described as death. Immediately, the knights and levies parted way for the hardened battle force.
Naruto marched along, weaving through the hallways, leaving boot stains in the velvet carpets and stone floors. Some of the servants sighed in defeat and the shiny, fresh recruits were horrified of what the Battle Companions of Fox Company must have gone through. Naruto was so fixated on his march, he didn't even take notice of the woman watching him with fearful eyes.
"N-Naruto…?"
He froze for a moment. Bran looked up and shook his head softly at Sansa, giving her all she needed to know. Lords and Ladies of the court stared in an uncomfortable silence as this group of brutes and animals started to fill the corridor with an unruly stench. Mud, blood, death. The prince sighed and continued walking, boots squishing against the stone and carpets.
"He's…" Sansa's hands fell to her sides. "He didn't even look at me…"
It was well into the night and the moon could no longer be seen. Too high in the cloudy sky it seemed. Across her room was a portrait of none other than Joffrey. As her unofficial husband, since they hadn't consummated the marriage, she was told it was a courtesy to have her husband's portrait in her room. Little did that foolish septa know, it served a different purpose. Target practice. Little by little, the portrait was beginning to shred with how much she'd hurled knives and forks at it.
She hated looking at Joffrey and she hated being cooped up in the castle grounds like a hen waiting to lay her eggs. She wanted to walk and explore; she especially wanted to escape the prying eyes of Lords Baelish and Varys. She didn't know who to trust. Neither of them showed any form of ulterior motive in helping her understand the game, but not once did the spy waver from saying he worked for Lord Baelish. Of course there was the statement of a middle man that could help her expose Lord Baelish, but she couldn't learn of who this middle man was.
When she'd returned from seeing Naruto enter the castle, the man had somehow found a way to kill himself. There was a knife embedded in his throat, seeming to have punctured through his skin from within. The fool probably ate one of the knives on the tabletop. It was hard work removing such a heavy guy, but Lady was feeling depraved and Sansa had to take care of her beautiful companion and friend. Lady sure ate well and cleaned well.
But after her reminiscing ending, she'd realized she'd run out of projectiles. Joffrey was beginning to look like a porcupine. Funny, she was already imagining such an image to appear before her. Joffrey covered in blood with an arsenal of arrows and bolts embedded in his weak body. She sighed, twisting in bed, letting her legs slide across the bed linens. She was in nothing but a sleeping gown, leaving the cold winds to embrace her like they did in Winterfell.
Suddenly, there was a heavy beating against her door. Sansa sprang to her feet, quickly grabbing a knife and hiding it in her sleeve. After learning of a spy in her chambers, she wasn't about to take any chances. She pressed her hand on the handle, knife poised to strike.
"Who is it?"
"Just open the door…" The voice pleaded. "Please…"
Naruto?
So Sansa has become violent?
Oh my, I've finally come to the point in the story
that really ties everything I've done together.
From this point on, the characters have gotten the personalities I needed,
the story will only get bigger and badder and filled with more crazy shit
And insane battles and cloak and dagger
And just plain awesomeness
Promise!
So for those who have stuck it through the tough
moments, thank you. It won't be long before
the most epic fight scenes I've ever thought of
will be available to for visual consumption!\
And of course; Naruto's convoluted romance will blossom
everything was just setting the stage and trying to get the pieces in line
Let's do this!
Ja ne!
gottahavekyuubi