I am not George Martin, ergo I own nothing of the world he created
When people who had never visited King's Landing picture the city. They would conjure up the image of mighty walls that wrap around a bustling city that has food and work for all. People living in large houses of stone and marble with pristine streets arranged in a well organized pattern, a fine image to be sure. Yet those who had visited the city know the truth, the city is a shadow of the tales that people tell of it. Even with years of peace since the Lannister sacking and the repairs enacted by Lord Arryn, the city still as appealing as a boil. Argilac stared at the city from the shelter of the Kingswood on the south shore of the Blackwater Rush. It had been a challenge to get this close to the city, the Lannisters had sent men to harass and raid them while they made their way through the woods. It was not a major concern since the attackers were few in number and seemed to be more intent on slowing their progress than causing actual damage. One of the raiders had been captured by Ser Massey earlier that day which Argilac was happy to hear, because the raiders didn't wear Lannister colors and that confused him. A brief but enlightening conversation with their captive revealed the raiders to be members of the mountain clans of the Vale. The question now was how in the seven hells did they wind up fighting for the Lannisters, to his knowledge they had never left the Vale. He actually hoped that someone who knew the full story would survive the coming battle, just so he could sate his curiosity. Speaking of curiosity.
"Ser Massey, do you recall seeing those towers before?"
He handed Ser Massey the myrish glass and pointed to the mouth of the Blackwater. Massey took the glass and looked at the tower that Argilac indicated.
"Hmm can't say I have my lord. Considering that they aren't covered in shit and filth, I'd say that they are rather new additions to the city."
"That's what I had thought as well, why the hells would they build those?"
"Perhaps they plan to place ballistae in them to guard the mouth of the river?"
"Possibly, though it seems a bit odd. Wouldn't it be more prudent to use the time they had to strengthen the wall?"
"Perhaps, but if they are covered by archers and ballistae from the walls they would certainly be costly to storm. Then if you put a ballista or two in them they would be able to cause heavy damage to ships at that range."
Argilac considered Massey's opinion.
"That's a fair point, we'll have to be sure to notify Stannis of their presence. So we can plan accordingly on how to deal with them."
"Well my lord we ought to be returning to the army. We can learn nothing else from looking at the walls, unless you want to try and enter the city."
Argilac smirked.
"And what if I did want to try and enter?"
"By all means my lord, feel free to do so. I'll be sure to watch very attentively from here."
They both let out a bark of laughter before going deeper into the woods, rejoining their men, and beginning the ride back to the main force. Stannis had made camp a day's march from the city to and was making sure that Davos was aware of the final plan so that the fleet would be used effectively. They had also hoped that it would give Tarly the time to get his forces close enough to the city to aid them in the coming battle. Later that day they arrived at the camp and went to speak with Stannis about what they had seen. They were walking by a smith's tent when a voice called to them over the ringing of hammers.
"Lord Baratheon, Ser Massey!"
The pair turned to see a young man wearing a leather jerkin with what looked to be studs on a bronze background stitched upon it. Argilac recognized the sigil but not the man, Massey however seemed to be familiar with him.
"Robar! Good to see you again, how have you been?"
"I have been well Justin, how was your excursion?"
"Quite the experience, only ran into a few scouts. The other groups dealt with a majority of the foes. Lord Baratheon allow me to introduce Lord Robar of house Royce, former member of Renly's kingsguard."
Robar offered his hand to Argilac, then tried to hide a grimace as he felt his hand get crushed by the older man's grip.
"Well met Robar, I hope there are no ill will between us for the disbanding of the rainbow guard."
"None at all Argilac, though since you've brought up the subject of the kingsguard. Would you happen to know when the king intends to name the members of his own?"
Argilac looked at him for a moment.
"I take it you think you are qualified for a position in the kingsguard?"
Robar squared his jaw and looked him in the eye when he replied.
"I do."
"Hmm," Argilac turned and gestured for Robar and Justin to follow him as he walked towards the hill where Stannis's tent was set."The be completely honest with you, Stannis has no intention of naming a kingsguard until he has actually taken the iron throne. I think he intends to use the upcoming battle as a way for him to judge who are actual warriors and who are nothing more than tourney knights."
"But wouldn't it be prudent for him to have a kingsguard for the battle?"
Argilac shrugged "Not really, the soldiers of his personal guard are more than capable. They may not be knights, but several of them served under him during the siege of Storm's End, most of them fought with him when he crushed the Ironborn fleet at Fair Isle and on Old Wyk as well. They are extremely loyal to him, follow his commands to the letter and they have been trained to a standard set by Stannis that most men couldn't reach. So I would say they are probably more qualified to protect the king than most of the knights in the army."
Robar seemed mildly offended by the last remark but was not deterred.
"I will just have to be sure to make a name for myself in the coming battle. I'm sure there will be plenty of nobility to help me prove my steel."
Argilac shook his head. "Stannis is not his brother nor is he like the Lannisters, he won't choose his guards solely on their skill with steel or the political benefits. He'll be looking for men who are smart, reliable and who can be trusted to represent him and to carry out justice throughout the kingdoms in his name." they had arrived at their destination and he turned to Robar.
"A piece of advise Ser Robar, being good with a blade does not make you a great man. Men like the Mountain, the Red Kraken and the Darkstar are some of the best warriors in history. Yet no one but the mad and the criminal would consider them great men. Your actions both on and off the battlefield will shape what kind of man the world will remember you as." with that closing statement he turned and entered the command tent Massey following him after telling Robar he would find him later to talk. Stannis, who was seated at the head of a table, looked up from the map that was laid out on the table. Seated with him was the newly named Admiral Davos Seaworth, Lord Velaryon, Lord Bar Emmon, Ser Guyard Morrigen, Ser Rolland Storm, Lord Rowan and Salladhor Saan
"Uncle, Ser Justin. Where you able to get a close look at the city?"
Ser Justin bowed to Stannis before responding.
"Your grace, we were able to reach the south shore of the Blackwater Rush. From there we were able to look over the southern wall and the River Gate. We saw that the buildings between the wall and the river had been burnt or otherwise razed. We assume that they did so to prevent us from using them as cover from their archers and to use the building supplies to help reinforce the defenses. We also noticed two recently constructed towers at the mouth of the river. We believe that they were built for the ballistas to prevent ships entering the river."
Once he finished speaking, Stannis turned to address Admiral Davos, Lord Velaryon and Salladhor.
"How large of an issue would these towers pose to the fleet if they do have ballistas mounted on them?"
Lord Velaryon spoke first "They could prove to be a issue should they manage to sink enough ships and block the passage of the others."
"That seems to be the likely goal of the towers," Salladhor added "but given the number of ships we have at our disposal and size of the river, the chances of that actually working are ridiculous."
"I agree with them your grace." chimed in Davos "The odds of them being able to halt the fleets advance are slim, though to limit the damage to the ships we might want to try and storm the southern tower at least."
"We could spare 300 men" Interjected Lord Rowan "and we need all the ships possible to be able to create enough crossings for the men."
"Very well, Ser Rolland, I trust you to choose the men as well as the man to lead them."
The bastard of Nightsong nodded in acknowledgement of Stannis's order.
"Is there anything else that needs to be addressed?" When no one spoke up Stannis dismissed them and they left to make ready for the coming assault.
The next day, the army of Stannis broke camp and the 20,000 men started the march north while Davos left to lead the 200 strong fleet towards what would be the final confrontation with the Lannisters of King's Landing.
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