I do not own Game of Thrones


Hoster Tully PoV

Another war. Another butchering of his home. Rivers died red with blood. Corpses everywhere, less soldiers and more small folk. He was starting to get tired of this. If there was anyone who preferred War of nine-penny kings over regular wars, it was his family ... as at least the war didn't take place on his lands. No natural defenses, no unity among the lords. They had literally become the garbage dumping ground of other kingdoms.

Even if they did create a stronger army, the neighbors were all unassailable. North at Moat Cailin, Vale at the bloody gate and Westerlands at Golden tooth. Why were they the only ones without any defenses? Add the ever helpful bannermen like Freys, Blackwoods and Brackens, you'll never need enemies with friends like that. This was why he became a pimp for his children. Brandon to Catelyn, Lysa to Jon Arryn and a possibility of Edmure to Cersei. With this their greatest weakness will become their greatest strength.

So what if Brandon committed a loudmouth's suicide and had to be shamelessly replaced? so what if Eddard looked a bit crazy? They were still better options than the old man Jon. If only Lysa had not pulled that stunt, there could still be better options for her. He wasn't a monster. If it was mutual love, he could have considered even a tiny and pathetic lord in name only like Peter. But he publicly showed his obsession with Catelyn so Lysa's efforts were always doomed for failure. Killing that unborn child with moon tea was the most painful thing he ever did.

And now as they were making their way to Stoney Sept, he had already seen enough dead children to make him realize that he wasn't the only monster. Robert was hiding in that town after losing to Tarly at Ashford. He would just call that mass of muscles as incompetent if he hadn't won three victories in one day before that. The only conclusion he could come to was that Tarly was just that good. Thankfully the best loyalist generals were not on field while they had Jon Arryn and Eddard Stark, not to mention himself and his brother Brynden. It was fine if Eddard died after Catelyn's pregnancy is proven, but before that he must protect him with his life.


"What is happening?" Ned asked while tilting his head cutely. It did not suit his long northern face at all.

"Loyalist forces are doing a search inside the town led by Jon Connington looking for Robert's hiding place." Lord Rickard Kastark answered him apprehensively.

"We can hit them while they are disorganized. Fighting in alleys will be better for us. That is the core of loyalist army so it works better when organized than as individual fighters." Hoster quickly told him hoping he would act according to his plan.

"Then why didn't they just burn the town to smoke Robert out?" Ned ignored his father-in-law completely.

Everyone paused at this. Everyone there had considered this possibility though no one would want to speak it out loud.

"Because that would be inhuman. Jon Connington is an good man at least." Though this was true, a part of Hoster's indignation was coming from being ignored.

"... Hmmm, but wouldn't the soldiers be raping and pillaging innocents anyway? Think of a child whose family was killed or raped. Would it really be happy to just survive without getting revenge?" He said coldly while thinking of Rickard, Brandon and Lyanna. "Okay then, burn the town ..."

Riverland lords felt their blood froze while Northern lords just looked resigned. Some even started lighting arrows on fire.

"WAIT! If we do that, we will be the worst criminals in this war! You will be a monster worse than Tywin Lannister." Hoster tried to argue.

"... I had a fuzzy dream. I did everything with honor in it. I tried to protect every single innocent life I could. The result? My name was usurpers dog. No one cared that I tried to do the right thing. Some called me fool which I accept. But others put completely baseless accusations against me, even those I sacrificed so much for. My entire family shattered. Either dead, or worse became monsters" Ned recited wistfully while looking into the distance. Then his expression turned frostier as he commanded. "What is in this town is the core of the loyalist army. Everyone else is just a hanger on with personal motives. This town will be a sacrifice to minimize future deaths. Do it ..."

"But, what about Robert? Isn't he your brother like friend? He also the most likely throne claimant after the Targaryens fall. He is the biggest symbol of unity and friendship in our side." Hoster continued to try to save his soul, and that of his son-in-law while ignoring the dream as drivel of a madman.

"He would understand. I am sure he would gladly sacrifice his life for Lya." Ned said as arrows rained down on the town. Fire and smoke filled the town giving loyalist forces no chance to escape. Robert Baratheon, Jon Connington, the loyalist forces as well as the small folk all mostly died in this incident. Those that escaped were weakened by smoke and easy to cut down.

Hoster realized that he may have made a big mistake with Catelyn's marriage. The name Maddard was not just a lie spread by their enemies.