Highgarden 297 AC.
Olenna.
Seeing the dragon as it flew towards them, Olenna couldn't help but smile and be glad that this was the side she'd chosen. Listening to the reactions of those around her as they hurried outside, only making the reality of the situation even more clear. Yet it was the man riding the dragon that Olenna was truly happiest to see, Jae was needed here and she hoped that he'd deal with Mace in a way which saved face for them and for her foolish son.
She stood in line with the others as they waited eagerly and it was when she saw him properly that she heard the intake of breath behind her. Olenna could see the reason why too, the armor he wore was his father's or as close to it as he could have gotten. Soon though her attention was drawn away from the king and to the two men who followed and Olenna felt more proud than she'd felt since she'd found out about Jae and Margaery.
"Is that Loras?" Alerie said.
"It is, he's a Kingsguard." Willas said from her side, her grandson smiling at his brother.
Olenna couldn't remove the smile from her own face, her grandson looked incredible in his shined armor. His white cloak billowing behind him as he and Ser Arthur walked after the king. She knew it had been his dream ever since he was a boy, to be a knight, to serve in the noble order alongside other true knights. That he would do so for a good king and queen had been only a distant hope to her. As she looked to Margaery who was smiling and to Jae who despite looking to others couldn't keep from looking to her granddaughter, she knew she had gotten all she'd ever hoped for and more.
"Your Grace, Highgarden is yours." her son said as they all took a knee.
"Arise, Lord Tyrell, my Lords, and Ladies." Jae said and his voice was firm and strong, Olenna smiling when he kissed Alerie's offered hand and moved to do the same to hers.
"Lady Olenna." he said kissing her hand.
"Your Grace it's good to see you." she looked back at him as Jae moved to Sansa and then Margaery.
"My lady, a pleasure, truly." he said and Olenna didn't have to look to see that Margaery's smile was shared by Mace and her mother.
"Your grace if I may escort you inside." Margaery said and Jae nodded as he took her arm and they walked into the keep.
She immediately went to Mace and asked him to gather the lords as the king would no doubt wish to address them. Her son rushed to do as she bid. Olenna herself hurried after Jae and Margaery and almost expected her grandson and Ser Arthur to deny her entry to the room, where they now stood in guard at the door. The two of them did not though and she walked in to find her Margaery and Jae kissing each other passionately.
"Ahem." she coughed and she chuckled at the look Jae gave her when he turned her way.
"As king can I not just order you to leave." he said with a smirk that got a giggle from her granddaughter.
"You could your grace, of course, though I'd take my granddaughter with me." she said raising her eyebrow at him.
"Well in that case you're most welcome to stay my lady." he said as he sat down, Margaery taking a seat beside him.
She looked to the white wolf who sat not at the king's side but at Margaery's and a knock on the door soon brought Willas and Garlan inside, both her grandson's taking a seat when Jae nodded to them.
"You named Loras to your Kingsguard your grace?" she said with a smile.
"Aye my lady, it's what he wished for and I can think of no one I'd rather guard my back, or my queen's." Jae said reaching over to take Margaery's hand in his.
"Where is the dragon, your grace?" Willas asked as there was another knock on the door, Sansa almost running in to hug her brother.
"I'm sorry little sister, I would have come to you when I was done here." Jae said and Sansa shook her head.
"No, it's no problem, I just wished to see you brother." Sansa said as Jae pointed to a space beside him for Sansa to sit at.
Once she had sat down, he looked around the room and Olenna was surprised to see how serious his face got.
"I take it Lord Mace was awaiting my orders to march?" he said his voice firmer than it had been just a moment ago.
"He was." Garlan said and Jae looked at him contemplatively before he spoke again.
"I intend to name your father Commander of my reserve army and order him to see the Reach is secured. Ser Garlan I hate to ask this of you, truly, but I need you to stay with him." he said and Garlan looked at Jae.
"Your grace?" Garlan said disappointed that he'd not be marching to war, though Olenna felt glad of it.
"In time Ser Garlan I'll call for you to march West, for now, I need most of the Reach forces, Tarly, Rowan, Hightower to March to join up with Prince Oberyn and to break the Stormlords." Jae said.
"Could my brother not be better used there Jae?" Margaery asked and Jae turned to look at her.
"Most certainly, but I need someone to carry my orders out here. When I call I need someone to go against your father should he….".
"Dally." Olenna said and Jae nodded.
"Ser Garlan, I need you to pick the best men remaining, take your pick of the houses that will follow your lead. I'll leave you a written order, with a copy of it here with your grandmother, that will countermand any orders your father gives. I need it to be you, do you understand why?" Jae asked and Garlan shook his head and as Jae went to explain Willas interrupted.
"So father doesn't lose face." Willas said.
"Aye, if it's another lord then the question will be asked, word would spread that I don't trust my goodfather. If it's his son that does it, it'll look as if he ordered it." Jae said and she found herself nodding along.
"You think I'll be needed?" Garlan asked and Olenna shuddered at how eager he was for war.
"I think you'll march Ser, how needed you'll be or anyone of us will, depends on whether or not Robert is lucky." Jae said.
After speaking on some other matters and finding out that Ghost would be staying by Margaery's side, something that both her granddaughter and Sansa argued about.
"He should be with you Jae, you'll be the one who's fighting." Margaery said.
"She's right Jon, he needs to be by your side." Sansa said and Olenna could tell how annoyed she was by the use of his name, something she'd not done since entered the room.
"I cannot leave a Kingsguard here, Loras would never forgive me and Arthur won't be left behind, where I go he goes. I'm also going to be on Rhaenix most of the time and when I'm not I have Jors, Walder, Barristan the Bold, I'm well protected. Marge if Ghost is here, then I'm here, I can be sure you're safe." Jae said holding her hand to his cheek.
"What of you?" she asked.
"With Ghost, you'll know that I am also." he said and she was happy to see Margaery nod.
They had only spoken a few moments and there were still Lords taking their seats when they reached the room. Jae flanked by her grandson and Ser Arthur who's own appearance was commented on happily. Taking her seat at the High Table she looked out at the lords when Jae rose to his feet.
"My lords of the Reach, it gladdens me to see so many men here who served my father so truly." Jae began and she looked at Randyll Tarly and Mathis Rowan who were glaring at her son "We stand now so very close to what my father wished for, a realm that we can all be proud of, one where we all prosper and the promise my father held can finally be fulfilled.".
Olenna saw some of the lords nodding along, Tarly and Rowan had switched their attention to the king which was good, as it kept Mace from their eye line.
"The Northern army marches my lords, Dorne marches, The West Marches, as do the Lords of the Narrow Sea. Dragonstone belongs to the dragons again my lords, my family's keep bears our flag once more, it's time for the Lords of the Reach to join the fray, are you with me?".
"Aye".
"I asked are you with me, my lords, will you march for me, for justice, for honor, for glory?" Jae said loudly.
"For Justice."
"For Honor."
"For Glory."
The sounds rang around the room and Jae waited a few moments for them to calm down before he looked out at them once more.
"My lords, I intend to convene a war council immediately, Lord Tarly, Lord Rowan, Lord Redwyne, Lord Ashford, and Ser Baelor if you would follow Lord Willas I'll be there presently. Ser Garlan if you'd speak to the remaining lords while I speak to my future goodfather." Jae said and she saw Mace puff up.
Mace came to her after speaking to Jae and she wondered exactly what it was that he'd said to her son. Whatever it was it had clearly worked as Mace pranced about as if he'd been given the most important job in Westeros, when in truth he'd been asked to sit out the war itself. Garlan came back to say he'd gotten the Fossoways, Crane, Caswells on board and they'd make up the reserve for Jae.
When Willas came to speak to her a little later, he said that Jae had spoken privately to Rowan and Tarly and then to the others and they would march south on the morrow. Since he'd not had time to organize a true feast, they instead had a typically large dinner. She very quickly noticed how Jae sat close to Margaery and that they both spoke almost exclusively to each other. Jae only not speaking to her granddaughter when he spoke to Sansa and Willas. After the dinner was over, she made her way to the rooms they'd put aside for the king, seeing both Arthur and Loras on guard outside.
"Is he inside?" she asked Loras who nodded and she had to admire her grandson, he'd been on duty for most of the day and had never faltered nor taken his attention from that duty.
"My lady? "Jae said as she walked in and took a seat, surprised that Margaery wasn't in her with him.
"My granddaughter your grace.?" she asked.
"Was tired my lady and refusing to go to sleep unless I did, so I hope you'll forgive me for the small untruth I told her." he said and she looked around the room and saw the papers he'd been working on.
"The wedding Jae?" she asked as he bid her sit.
"I wish it could take place now but not only do I wish my family and those I care about to be there, as does Margaery. We've also decided it's to be held in the Sept of Baelor my lady, so the people of King's Landing can share our joy, see it for the new beginning that we intend it to be." he said and she smiled at that.
"A part of me almost wished to force you to marry now, to do so before you headed off to war." she said and he smiled.
"I wish my aunt to be there, my uncles. I see now the wedding we had was wrong, love shouldn't be secret, it shouldn't be hidden and the realm should now what we feel for each other." Jae said and she nodded.
"Very Well, Tarly, Rowan?".
"Have an issue with Lord Mace, one which is resolved my lady." he said.
"When do you leave?" she asked a moment later her voice more concerned.
"I'll stay one more day, I wish to spend time with Sansa, with Margaery, and to make sure arrangements are made here.".
"Then I'll leave you to your work." she said and he nodded as she rose.
"I'll send Loras to speak to you on the morrow my lady, you and his family." he said and she thanked him as she left.
Two days later she watched as the dragon took to the sky, beside her Sansa had her hand held by Willas and though she looked worried, she bore it well. Margaery gripped her own hand tightly and when she looked to her, Olenna could see her granddaughter was on the verge of tears. Though it was the white wolf who moved before she could. Ghost rubbing against Margaery's side and her granddaughter stroking the wolf's back, her expression soon changing and a small smile appearing on her face.
Duskendale 297 AC.
Jon Connington.
As the ships docked Jon was eager to set foot on Westeros soil for the first time in four and ten years. He looked at the port city and tried not to dwell on the fact that had events turned out differently here, he'd never have had to leave. If Barristan had failed then Rhaegar would have been crowned and Aerys confined to history where he belonged. Alas, it was not to be and the Bold added to his legend. A little less then six years later the Targaryens had fallen and Rhaegar was dead and Jon sighed as he thought of it.
He looked to Duck and nodded, sending him to wake Aegon, and then he walked to the front of the ship. Behind him over two hundred ships readied to dock, the entire might of the Golden Company, elephants and all and he wondered what their plans were from here. Homeless Harry had refused to tell him too much and despite Aegon's annoyance at the man, it was neither of them who was truly in charge. Something that had been made clear to him when he'd met the Captain-general of the company.
"I never expected to see you again Jon." Harry said as they stood in the tent.
"I always expected to see you, Harry, you're a survivor." he said and the portly man chuckled, Jon pleased to see the man's hair slip to reveal the bald spot.
"Tis a pity that Myles wasn't is what you truly mean." Harry said and Jon didn't reply "Not that it matters, we leave soon, Duskendale and we'll meet Illyrio's man there for further orders.".
"Aegon will give the orders." he said and Harry chuckled.
"He may be your king Jon, but until the fat man's gold clears he's not mine yet." Harry said.
Getting Aegon to understand and agree though had been even more difficult and only Jon telling him that once Illyrio had spoken, they'd then be the one's in charge calmed him down. So to anyone who looked they were simply among the other captains of the company, or simple soldiers and not the king and hand that they truly were. Jon didn't much care for the subterfuge, but they were about to travel into dangerous territory and the safety of his king was paramount.
"Griff." he heard a voice call and he looked to see one of Illyrio's men waiting for him on the dock.
"Raloras?" he said trying to remember the name of the man as he walked onto the ship towards him
"A letter from the Magister, Griff, most important." the young man said handing him the letter.
Without waiting he ripped it open and shook his head, this couldn't be true. The war had begun and for now they had to fight at Robert Baratheon's side, surely not. But as he read it the revelations only got even more strange and Griff found himself needing to sit down to try and make sense of it.
Griff,
I travel with the king to meet up with you, for now, he must see us as allies, must be in no doubt that we are on his side. Speak to young Griff and explain to him why that needs to be, we face much larger odds Griff and without the king's help, we cannot win. So we fight by his side and when the time is right we make our move. The Lannister's, Starks, and the Reach have combined to put Ned Stark's bastard on the throne, they claim him as Rhaegar's son of all things and they've stolen our allies from us for now.
So we're forced to make new ones, The Stag and The Falcon along with the Fishes, and I've been forced to take other actions of which I'll speak to you when we meet. For now, you're a company member Griff, young Griff also, for now, we play this mummery out. I hope when we speak you'll see why it won't be for long.
Illyrio.
He shook his head at the changed events, it was to be a disunited realm they came back to, a realm in chaos. With the Lannisters on one side and the Vale, North, and Stormlands on the other. They'd then bring the Reach and Dorne to bear and destroy the victors of that false war. Now it seems they were to take part in a true one, one where the odds were not in their favor.
Was that not enough then there was the matter of Ned Stark's bastard, that the Kingslayer would sully his honor wasn't a surprise. That the grasping roses would seek a crown by any means wasn't either, but Ned Stark gave him pause. He cared not for the man but his honor was not something he questioned, to claim a son of Rhaegar though, to sully his king, his prince, that was something he couldn't understand nor forgive.
'Perhaps it's the truth' a voice said and he shook his head.
He could see how the story would be explained, a son of Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark, it could fit enough to make it work. But it couldn't be true, it wasn't true. Even if it was the boy was bastard or a second son, either way, Aegon was the one true king, wasn't he?. Jon was lost in his thoughts when Aegon arrived and it took him a moment to realize he was there. The mask on the side of his face that was furthest from him allowing him to see his unblemished side. To see his silver prince, his king, no this letter had to be a lie.
"From Illyrio, Aegon, it seems we must remain mummers for a little longer." he said handing him the letter.
He watched as Aegon read the letter, the boy's face growing angrier and angrier. Jon standing looking at him and waiting for the storm that was inevitably to come. Since he'd been attacked by the dragon, Aegon's temper had grown short, his angry outbursts becoming more and more common. Nothing that he, Duck, Haldon, or even Septa Lemore had been able to do seemed to be able to change that. Though once he expressed himself fully Aegon usually calmed down.
"Lies, damn lies, Wolves, Lions, Roses, all of them trying to steal my throne. Trying to put a bastard on my throne and now I'm forced to march with the Stag and the Falcon, usurpers, thieves, all of them. "Aegon shouted.
"Griff." he aid as people looked began to gather at the dock.
"I'll see them all in the ground, all of them, this bastard too." Aegon shouted and stormed from the deck, Septa Lemore following with Haldon behind her.
"Could we not have kept that from him, Jon?" Duck asked and Jon shook his head.
"No Duck, he needs to know, we're soon to be among our enemies, he needs to be aware of everything. The wrong word or misplaced step and we could all lose our heads, his included." he said and Duck looked at him before walking away.
They sat in Lord Rykker's hall that night, the man seeming to be unhappy to have them there, and for the briefest moment Jon wished to tell him who he truly had in his hall, let him know that he hosted Rhaegar's son. House Rykker had always been loyal to the dragons and he could see how hard it was for the man to have to make ready to host the Stag.
Renfred had looked at him and shook his head, his disgust clear at the thought that Jon was now fighting on Robert's side. Were it not out of worry for Aegon's safety then he'd have made it clear he was not. But he could take no chances and so he played his mummer's role. The lord did come to him later in the night, his expression somewhat changed and Jon welcomed him when he sat beside him.
"It's been a long time Jon, though I'd never have imagined you to be here in this regard." Renfred said.
"I'm a member of the company now Renfred, like them my word is as good as gold." he said.
"I'd have thought you'd be fighting on the dragon's side, fighting for Rhaegar's son." Renfred said staring at him closely.
"Why would I fight for Ned Stark's bastard, Renfred? Why would I be a part of that mummer's show?" he asked.
Renfred moved closer to him, his eyes looking around the room and Jon was glad they were alone at the table.
"That boy is Rhaegar's son Jon, I know it to be true. I saw him knock a fish on his arse in King's Landing. Ten namedays old and he put Edmure Tully on the ground in an honor duel." Renfred said.
An honor duel, against Edmure Tully, Hoster's heir, Jon smiled at the thought of that, seeing a young boy knock the fish lord on his arse and imagining what the grasping Hoster thought of that.
"The night previously he called the man out for the actions of his house, for being the oathbreakers they were. The duel he fought because the man insulted his mother and father. He made him apologize in front of the king, even went without an apology to himself as long as his father and mother received one." Renfred said.
"That doesn't make him a dragon." he said and Renfred nodded.
"Aye, but a dragon he is and you, my friend are on the wrong side." Renfred said standing up and moving away.
"And you Renfred?" he asked.
"I'll see my house survive Jon and pray this dragon is more understanding than the last one." the lord said as he walked away.
His sleep that night was troubled as he remembered Harrenhal and the day the smiles died. Rhaegar looking as majestic as ever, his armor black and glistening as he rode past Elia and crowned a woman who was not his wife. Jon could see the look in his prince's eyes, a look he knew all to well as it had always been in his own when he looked at Rhaegar.
"Protect him, Jon, protect our son." he heard them say, both of them no longer looking at each other but staring at him instead "Protect him, Jon, beware of the black dragon.".
They arrived the next morning, the Stag had gotten fat and were he not traveling with Illyrio then he'd have been the fattest man of the group. Jon looked at the force they brought and it was no more than three or four thousand. He looked to Aegon who gripped his sword tight and Jon moved back to reassure his king. When Robert looked to the Golden Company he could see his pleased face, more so when he saw the elephants and when Strickland feted him as his king.
Beside him, Aegon bristled and he did so for the rest of the day until they were finally brought to meet with Illyrio, his unsullied guards making sure they were not disturbed. Aegon looked to him to speak and Jon waited until the fat man finished what he was eating. It was bad enough to speak to Illyrio at the best of times, to watch him eat when you did so would turn your stomach and rob you of your appetite.
"Forgive me Jon, Aegon, we've ridden hard." Illyrio said as all but stuffed his face with the small bird.
"Magister, what is our plan?" he asked.
"For now we play with the Stag, Jon. Our enemies are too large to defeat alone and we need to even the odds or we'll never see the rightful king on his throne." Illyrio said looking to Aegon.
"You would have me march with the man who killed my father?" Aegon said angrily.
"I would see you crowned Aegon, I promised you justice and a crown and I'll see you have both." Illyrio said.
"We're outmatched, badly." he said and Illyrio nodded.
"I know, I've taken steps to correct that, once the answer comes then we can put the Stag in the ground and see a true king crowned." Illyrio said.
"Steps?" he asked.
"The pretender will fall, I'll not see Aegon's crown go to a false dragon. His allies will eventually come to us but they'll receive no reward, it'll no longer be a rose who's crowned but a snake." Illyrio said.
"I'm to be crowned." Aegon said misinterpreting what Illyrio said.
"Of course my king, but you need a queen and we need allies. I've sent a message to your uncles, told them the truth about you, and offered to make your cousin a queen. Soon we'll have Dornish spears to join the Golden Company and then my king, then the realm will learn who you truly are." Illyrio said.
"My uncles, I'll see my uncles soon." Aegon said with a smile and Illyrio nodded, though Jon felt uncomfortable for some reason. Was it Dornish spears and another Dornish queen he wondered or was it his dream and Illyrio's words that were playing on his mind.
"Protect him, Jon, protect our son." the voice said in his head once more.
Highgarden/Dragonstone 297 AC.
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
He could feel her excitement as they flew over the countryside, each flap of her wings bringing them closer to Dragonstone. At first, he'd wished to fly a different route, to go over the Stormlands or to see where the Dornish army was, but Rhaenix was far too keen to get to the island for that. Instead, she went the shortest route possible and it took all he had to get her to land by the Blueburn near the Grassy Vale to rest. Rhaenix wishing to fly through the night despite her being tired.
"We need to rest Rhae, us if not you." he said softly.
"Very well, but we fly early on the morrow Jae, I wish to be there before nightfall." she said and he chuckled as he leaned against her head.
"We'll leave early Rhae, now please rest, for me." he said and she huffed as she lay down.
As Arthur made up the fire, he and Loras walked to the river and filled their pouches with the cool water. Jae taking a quick drink and throwing some on his face before they readied to turn back.
"What did they say?" he asked as they walked back to Arthur.
"They asked me if it was what I truly wished for, if I was happy. When I told them I was, they told me how happy they were for me, how proud." Loras said and Jae patted him on the back.
"They should be." he said and Loras smiled as they reached the fire and sat down.
They talked for a few moments as they ate, Jae asking Arthur about Dragonstone and how often his father visited.
"He was its prince, my king, we had our own court there and it was different. Aerys though grew paranoid that we were plotting against him and so he'd order us back to King's Landing whenever the whim took him." Arthur said.
"Rhae, said they were happy there, father, her and egg, Elia too?" he asked.
"They were, your mother would have loved it also my king, it's different, freeing." Arthur said.
"Thank you, I'll turn in for the night, don't stay up late either of you. Rhaenix will ensure we're protected, so both of you get some rest." he said though he knew it was pointless.
As he lay down to sleep himself though he found he too was unable to rest, excitement to see his family's home, not all that was on his mind as he thought back to Highgarden and to his wife.
Highgarden a few days earlier.
All he wished to do was spend time with her, time with Sansa too but mainly time with his wife. To hold her, to kiss her, to just be with her but just like in Winterfell he had work to do and so after spending a little time with her and laying out some of his plans, he addressed the lords and readied for the next step of them. Bringing them on board had already been done and all he needed to do was rile them up a little. Once that was done he asked to speak to Mace alone, knowing the man would need to feel special, valued.
He was led to a surprisingly small room and he sat down facing his goodfather, Mace staring nervously at him. Jae had gone over and over in his head on the flight here what needed to be done. Mace couldn't be left in charge of military matters but couldn't be seen to be removed, which left him in a quandary. Then he'd hit upon it and it was simple until it was not, though the solution to the second problem was much easier to find.
"Lord Tyrell, forgive me for not informing you of my plans, but I wished to speak to you in person so there would be no doubt of your important place in them." he said and saw Mace sit up a little straighter.
"Of course your grace.".
"Soon we're to be kin my lord, Margaery and I have agreed to marry in the Sept of Baelor, to have the realm come and see us wed and crowned. I know she looks forward to having her father walk with her to face the High Septon." he said and saw the smile on Mace's face.
"A royal wedding for the realm to remember your grace." Mace said.
"Precisely my lord, one worthy of my new queen." he said to an even bigger smile "My lord to ensure this happens I find myself in need of your services, you're the only man I can call upon to see this done.".
"Command of me anything your grace." Mace said and Jae thought the man was fit to burst.
"I need to make sure the Reach doesn't fall, my lord, as much as my attack is important, my future queen's safety, the safety of her homeland is of paramount importance to me too. So while I'll ask some men from the Reach to march and harry the Stormlords. I need to place a man who is resolute and unyielding to see this important mission is carried out, can I count on you my lord?" he asked.
"Of course your grace, unquestionably." Mace said.
"Then I'll have Ser Garlan make up a force of the men who'll stay with you to form this and my reserve, while I'll ask some of the more troublesome of lords to move against the Stormlords, men more capable for such a lesser mission." he said with a smile.
"I thank you, your grace, for this very important mission." Mace said rising when he did.
"Think nothing of it, my lord, we're to be family after all." he said.
He looked to Arthur and nodded when he left the room and together with Loras they walked to where Willas was standing with the other Lords, Tarly and Rowan looking to him eagerly. Though they also kept looking to Arthur too.
"Lord Willas could you ensure your guards keep us from being disturbed, I'd like Ser Arthur and Ser Loras to attend this meeting also." he said and Willas nodded before doing what he asked.
"Your grace, it's so good to finally meet you." Mathis said and Jae nodded to him and the other lords.
"You too my lord, all of you and I only wish we had more time to speak but we mustn't dally my lords. There are things that need to be done and I've called you here to discuss them." he said seeing Randyll Tarly nod appreciatively.
He asked for a map and when it was laid out he pointed to the Stormlands.
"My lords, the West rides to meet up with our allies in the Riverlands and to see those who've allied with House Tully brought to heel. The North will march to cut off the Vale and Lord Jaime will lead his forces against Robert's where I will join him. I need the Reach and Dorne to take the Stormlands, to stop the army joining up with any of the others, and to force Robert to turn his attention there.
Lord Tarly, I'm placing you in command of this campaign, you're to meet up with the Dornish forces under Prince Oberyn and between you bring the Stormlands under our control." he said and saw the other lords and Ser Baelor look pleased by what he said.
"I thank you for this honor, your grace." Lord Tarly said.
"For Ashford my lord, let Robert remember who it was who dealt him his defeat." he said and Tarly nodded.
"Lord Tyrell your grace?" Ser Baelor asked.
"Will see the Reach is protected and along with Ser Garlan be in charge of our reserves. I'll leave it to you my lords as to what forces you deem necessary out of your own to take with you but as I said Lord Tarly you're in command of this part of our army. I've no doubt should you deem it needed you'll adapt my plans." he said and looked the lord direct in the eye.
"Of course your grace, should it be needed." Lord Tarly said with a smirk.
"Just in case my lord, a copy of my orders." he said handing him a letter "It supersedes any other orders and comes directly from the king my lord, should it be needed." he said with a smile.
"Your grace." Lord Tarly said with a nod.
"I wish you good fortune my lords and when next we meet I hope this war is done. If not then it'll be an honor to ride into battle with you." he said as he turned and moved to walk away before stopping and walking back to the table.
He stood silently for a moment, looking at each of the lords in the eye.
"My father made some mistakes my lords, he tried to take the throne without fighting a war and then got sucked into one he wasn't ready for. I'm ready my lords, truly, for this war I've been ready all my life. I've woken dragons from stone and united four and a half kingdoms behind me. I am the future of my house, the only evidence of my mother and father's love, to you my leal lords I promise a future we can be proud of and to my enemies, I promise Fire and Blood." he said.
"Fire and Blood." the lords replied and he nodded as he turned and finally left.
Dragonstone now.
Fire and Blood, the thought rang out in his mind as he flew high over King's Landing, Fire and Blood he heard Rhaenix say when she saw the ships underneath him. Jae soon found himself not thinking of Highgarden or Dragonstone and instead looking through Rheanix's eyes as he saw the ships below. How many there were he couldn't tell but his sister had stopped flying to Dragonstone and now she was flying high over a port where there were countless ships and men surrounding it.
"Sōvegon Rhaenix, sōvegon naejot īlva lenton." (Fly Rhaenix, Fly to our home.).
"Qrinuntyssy Jae, īlon daor henujagon zirȳ." (Enemies Jae, We cannot leave them.).
"Sōvegon, īlon jorrāelagon naejot kȳvanon, kȳvanon se pār nābēmagon" (Fly, we need to plan, plan and then attack.).
Reluctantly she did as he asked and he felt Arthur sit up straighter behind him, the knight having heard his tone as he spoke to Rhaenix. Soon enough he could see Dragonstone itself, the island almost calling to them both. He saw the ships bearing House Velaryon's Silver Seahorse along with his own Three-Headed Dragon, the banner flying from the keep too.
They landed on the cliffs and after climbing down he walked to stand in front of his sister's head, her eyes staring into his mirroring no doubt his own emotions.
"Go Rhae, enjoy, I'll be back to share with you later." he whispered softly.
"Promise me little brother." she said.
"I promise big sister, I promise." he said.
He watched as she took to the sky and flew towards the Dragonmont itself, closing his eyes when she was out of sight he knelt and placed his hand on the grass. His father had walked here, he could feel it and was sure he'd seen it through Rhaenys's eyes. This had been where they'd played and as he stood back up he wiped the tear which had fallen, now was not the time to be caught up in memories, though he knew he was only holding them at bay temporarily.
"We're in trouble." he said to Arthur as they walked toward the castle.
"My king?" Arthur asked.
"A force Arthur, a large one at Duskendale, I need to find out who they are and why they're there." he said and Arthur nodded.
They had almost reached the castle when the riders came, all bearing the Silver Seahorse and he recognized Aurane Water's leading the way.
"Your grace, how?" Aurane asked and Jae wondered how he'd not seen the dragon.
"A long story Lord Aurane, perhaps one best suited for indoors." he said the silver-haired man nodded, telling three of his men to give up their horses to them so they could ride back.
The castle itself was just as he'd seen and each step he took inside of it made it feel so much more real. They entered after walking past dragons made of stone and through doors that were adorned by dragons, hinges, the stone itself, everywhere he looked he was surrounded by them. Entering into the Great Hall Jae smiled when he saw Lord Monford look his way.
"Your grace, Dragonstone is yours." Lord Monford said and as one all the men in the room knelt.
"Rise, my lords, please, Lord Monford, may we speak alone, the Chamber of the Painted Table" he asked and the lord nodded.
He barely heard the lord speak to Arthur, though he could hear how shocked Monford was by what Arthur was saying. Jae though was far more concentrated on his surroundings. When he saw the table. his hands almost of their own accord moved over it, stroking it before he moved to the raised seat. Looking to Arthur he saw the knight nod and so he climbed up and looked down at the table, feeling a shiver run down his spine as he did so.
"Your grace, forgive me but what Ser Arthur says, it cannot be true, surely?" Monford said taking him from his thoughts.
"Forgive me my lord, long have I wished to sit in this seat and look at this view." he said and Monford nodded.
"A force my king, Ser Arthur says numerous ships have landed?" Monford asked.
"Aye, Ser Arthur speaks true, Duskendale. An army has landed and one I have no idea of the origin of".
"I am unaware of any army your grace, we arrived here hoping to take Lord Stannis into our custody only to find he'd already left. So we secured the island for you and have been awaiting your orders." Monford said his voice a little shaky.
"You've done excellent work my lord, the army, and who they are is mine to worry about. I thank you for this Lord Monford, truly. To have my family home secured is more than I could have expected at this time, I am in your debt.".
"You're welcome, your grace." Monford said.
"I'll speak to you and the other lords later this evening my lord, perhaps a room could be readied for me and a place to wash up." he said and waited until the lord had left "Loras the door, no one enters." he said as he closed his eyes and went looking for the door he needed.
He found the gull flying over the town and looked down to see the men below, flying to a nearby ledge he landed and looked on as the army set up camp. Their armor was expensive and inlaid with elaborate designs. The men wore jewels and he saw the golden rings on their arms. The gull took flight once more and it flew over horses and even larger beasts, elephants Jae believed though he'd never seen one before.
It was when he saw the golden banners though he was certain who the men were, when he flew to the golden tent and saw the pikes. The gilded skulls placed on them leaving him in no doubt. Jae took the gull up higher and he looked much closer, the army was too close to the city, the danger to the people too much to risk. He severed the connection and let the gull fly free as he opened his eyes.
"The Golden Company." he said while Arthur looked at him in shock.
Pyke 297 AC.
Theon.
He had reaved, raped, and sailed the seas for over two years. He'd been bloodied on the sea and seen men of his crew die and be given to the Drowned God. Yet not once had come close to his plan of taking a Pinnacle Ship and a Stark girl for a thrall. They'd looked at Bear Island more than once, even landed there one time but there were far too many men for them to take.
The trade was just too rich and too large for them and unless they were willing to risk a large scale attack it just couldn't be taken. So he'd settled for easier fare and found enough of it to build up a reputation for himself. His father was proud of him, his sister too, and thankfully his uncle had been banished. Euron still being the one man who scared him most.
Now though the fleet was gathered and war seemed to be on the agenda, something his father had been promising for years. For Theon he'd stopped listening when Balon spoke, he no longer believed what his father said or that the old ways were returning. That the Iron Born would take the Greenlands for their own, he'd heard it for so long that now it just washed over him like a wave.
"I received a raven from the Stag who sits the throne." Balon said as the hall quietened "Apparently we have his permission to reave.".
"Who does he think he is.".
"I need no Greenlanders permission."
"I say we fuck the stag and his golden-haired cunt of a wife, maybe I'll take her as my salt wife."
Theon laughed as the voices rang out around the room, he looked to Asha who wasn't laughing though, his sister had a much different look on her face. She was focussed on her father who wore a cruel smile and who got ready to speak again.
"Aye, we're reavers and no one tells us when to reave, but it's the rest of the note I find most interesting. The Royal Fleet is stood down, war is upon them and he wishes us to fight his enemies. The North, the Reach, and the West, all have risen and all have marched to war, what does this mean for us?".
"I'll not fight a Greenlander's war.".
"I say we fuck em all."
The laughs were even louder now. Theon though like his sister was now looking at his father, the ideas flying around in his mind.
"The armies of the Greenlanders march and behind them they leave lands to reave, so reave we will, not for any Stag King but for our own king. For Balon Greyjoy, the king of the Iron Islands." Victarion said moving forward.
"The Iron King."
"The Iron King."
By the third one, he was shouting as loud as others as he realized what this meant. He spent the rest of the night speaking to other captains and was annoyed he only found two but two would be enough. He was called in with Asha to speak to his father and found him looking over maps waiting for them both. Theon a little put out that it seemed Asha had been called before he had, but still he smiled at his sister and walked to stand by her when his father noticed him.
"Good, come look both of you." Balon said.
"The North father?" Asha said not sounding very happy.
"Aye, the West has those damnable ships and after what Victarion said one did to his men I'll not send us up against them, not yet." Balon said.
"What do you wish of me father?" he asked and Balon smiled at him.
"Victarion will take Moat Cailin once the Northmen have crossed into the south. Asha, this" Balon said pointing to Deepwood Motte "Theon, you want to take on the she bears then that's where you'll go, wait until that ship is docked and bring it to me."
"I will father." he said smiling as he knew he'd get more ships now.
"We'll show them all, first the North, then the West and the Reach, what is dead may never die." Balon said.
"But rises again harder and stronger." both he and Asha said at the same time.
His father nodded and called for his uncle and he and Asha walked from the room, his sister still not looking pleased. He sat down and began to drink when his sister sat down beside him, clearly wishing to say something though it took some time for her to speak.
"This is madness." she said after a few moments.
"Is it? we'll show the Greenlanders who we are Asha.".
"They know who we are Theon and last time we did that I lost two brothers." Asha said.
"Worried about me sister." he said with a laugh.
"I'm worried about us all Theon." she said as she stood up and walked away.
He shook his head when she'd done so, enjoying the looks he got from the girl carrying the ale and grabbing her when she walked over. After spending the night taking his pleasure from her, he left early the next morning. Quickly readying the ship for the journey ahead. Four other captains came to him and he was happy enough with that, six ships were more than enough to take Bear Island.
Looking around Lordsport he could see the full might of the Iron Fleet ready to set off, soon they'd be in the North and he wished he could be there to see Stark's face when he found out his precious North had been attacked. As the Sea Bitch set sail though he wished even more that he could see Ned Starks's face when he found out that Theon had taken his daughter, his precious wild wolf.
The Stormlands 297 AC.
Oberyn.
He joined up with the majority of the Dornish army after landing in Wyl. Blackmont, Yronwood, Dayne, Fowler, Qorgoyle, Uller, over eight thousand spears, and six thousand cavalry had marched. As they reached Blackhaven they were joined by some houses of the Stormlands who'd come to Jae's side. Oberyn was happy to see Beric and Thoros ride to his side, more so to see young Ned Dayne. The other lord he didn't recognize but soon found out he was the lord of Harvest Hall, the Bold's great-nephew had risen for the king his grand-uncle served.
"My lords." he said as he and Ellaria's father Harmen, Frankly Fowler, Quentyn Qorgyle and Anders Yronwood rode out with him to meet them.
"Prince Oberyn, you rose for his grace." Beric said with a note of surprise in his voice.
"I rose for my nephew, aye, as have you and Lord?" he asked looking to the Bold's kin.
"Lord Arstan my prince." the young man answered.
"Does his grace have a plan?" Thoros asked and Oberyn asked them to dismount and pulled out a map.
"The Stormlord's ride to Robert's side, we're to see they don't make it. We're to keep them here while the king's armies deal with the Vale and with Robert himself." he said being far more pleasant about the stag than he wished to be.
"They mass at Storm's End under Lord Stannis, my prince, though they may have begun to march by now." Beric said pointing to the map and the King's Road which would lead them to where Robert and Jon Arryn would seek to meet up.
Oberyn was surprised at that, he'd have thought that they may seek to raid the Reach but it just proved just how badly off they were for men. Still, they had a long march ahead of them and it was best they were on their way. If they could stop them before they reached the King's Road then they could at the very least bog them down here.
A victory itself was possible, certain if the forces from the Reach arrived and he'd no doubt they would. Jae having explained this to him one night as they sat speaking over their plans for war. Oberyn though would need to do his part and by the looks of it, he would not be alone.
"I intend to place Randyll Tarly in charge of the Reach army uncle. I can't have Lord Mace do what he did during the rebellion, I need someone who'll march to my orders and come when called or needed.".
"Tarly is a good man Jae, but we must take the Stormlords off the table.".
"Will Dorne fight with Reachmen uncle?".
"They will for you nephew.".
So he ordered the march and spoke to Beric, the lord bringing a further thousand men half of them horse while Arstan brought another eight hundred, three hundred of them mounted also. Infantry wise they'd have the numbers, Dornish spears would form up and nullify any charge while his own cavalry and the two Stormlords would take the fight to Stannis's horse.
They passed Summerhall after a week and soon they saw the Kingswood in the distance. He sent some scouts into the woods themselves and had them ride to House Felwood to see if they'd already raised their banners. Glad to find they had as it removed them from their backs. Other scouts he sent towards Storm's End and the news they brought him back made him happy.
The Stormlords had not managed to march just yet and so it was there they rode, the sight they presented a strange one indeed and soon they saw the large imposing keep in the distance. Oberyn looked around and found high ground to set up camp. Outriders had no doubt seen them and he smiled at that, soon Stannis would know and they'd be more cautious in their march. While it may mean there would be no battle, still served their purpose all the same.
"We'll parlay on the morrow, my lords it's time for you to enjoy some Dornish hospitality." he said to Beric and Arstan, the two lords nodding before leaving to set up their own tents.
Though his men preferred to fight, they posted pickets and placed stakes in the ground. They'd not be surprised even though he expected Stannis to fight with honor. Were it Robert he faced he'd worry more about his tactics, expect the attack to come before they parlayed. Stannis though he knew would come and see him, speak to him, try to get him to stand down before doing what needed to be done. Oberyn felt his blood begin to tingle as it always did before a fight. He ate, drank a little, and then went to his bed alone, wishing Ellaria was with him and yet glad she was not.
He woke early the next morning and broke his fast with the Dornish Lords, listening to reports from his own outriders and readying for the day. His armor was more heavy than normal, his spear sharper, and as he mounted his horse he asked Beric and Arstan to stay back. He wished them to be the surprise that Stannis wasn't expecting. Once he was satisfied they would do as he asked, he rode out to meet with the brother of the man that was as much responsible for Elia and the children's deaths as any. Finding a large part of him hoped a battle would come this day.
House Massey 297 AC.
Triston.
He had looked over the ravens and it galled him, the nerve of the man. His cousin killed, beheaded and they wished him to fight for the man who'd carried out the sentence. Did they not know he'd have received this news? Did they not care? Did they not think the truth of what they did to Justin would matter to him? Yes, his cousin had committed a crime and for that, he deserved punishment, but would not the wall have sufficed?.
To be beaten, tortured, unmanned, and then beheaded. What kind of a man would he be if he was then to fight on the king's side? What kind of a man did they take him for? So he had refused the call and damn the consequences. Only for another raven to come, this one offering them the chance to see his cousin avenged. A Targaryen king called and his house had long been supporters of the dragons, even more so than they had ever been the stags.
Triston had looked at the map and sought a way to make it to the King's men, to join up for justice for his kin, and to see a true king on the throne once more. At first, he had despaired when the final raven had arrived, Stannis demanding he march and warning him what was to happen if he failed to do so. Then the letter had come and it was that he held in his hands as they had set off towards Storm's End. That letter he looked at now as he saw the army in front of him.
Lord Triston,
His grace offers you the chance to seek justice for Ser Justin, to bring your arms to bear against the usurper who took your cousin's life. March but march slowly and when you're close to Storm's End you'll see the opportunity that presents itself. Renew your fealty to House Targaryen my lord and by doing so you'll have the justice you seek.
Ser Richard Lonmouth.
That the letter was signed by a man long thought dead gave him pause, but then the king was thought dead also was he not, House Targaryen was thought dead and it was not. Now as he rode under a white flag toward the Dornishmen he felt nervous and yet excited and more of the latter when he saw other Stormlords there as well.
"Lord Beric, Lord Arstan." he said as he dismounted.
"Lord Triston, what brings you here? " Beric asked his voice neutral but his expression wary.
"I came to pledge to the king Lord Beric, to fight for him against those who killed Justin. For justice and to seek a true king crowned." he said and after being given bread and salt he was taken to a tent where they were joined a little later by the Red Viper himself.
As he mounted up later that day and looked to the men around him, he raised his lance and readied for the order to charge. The smile on his face was beaming even though he knew he may not live through this day and when the order came, he heard the shouts ring out.
"For Prince Oberyn."
"For King Jaehaerys."
His own loudest of all.
"For Ser Justin Massey." he shouted as the charge began.
Storm's End 297 AC.
Stannis.
Almost fifteen thousand men he'd gathered, half horse and yet some of the Stormlords hadn't risen and it both angered and worried him. He'd sent more ravens and knew he could wait no longer, they'd need to march and march soon and he only hoped the others would join on the way. He was about to settle down for dinner when Cortnay came running, the man having a worried look on his face being something of a surprise.
"Ser Cortnay?" he asked standing up.
"My lord, my lord, you must come, an army." Ser Cortnay said and as the man moved to the door Stannis thought he must have heard him wrong as he swore the man had said Dornish spears.
It didn't take too long to find out that he'd heard the man speak true. Standing on the parapets he looked out and saw an army in the distance, one his outriders began pouring in to tell him was led by the Red Viper himself. That they bore the flag of the Three-Headed Dragon confused him, that they were here at all confused him. and so he stopped trying to make sense of it and instead concentrated on what he needed to do.
"They seek a parlay, my lord." Lord Errol said.
"Aye, my lord on the morrow." Lord Estermont added.
"Then we'll parlay, ready the men, my lords, ready them for I fear we fight on the morrow." he said and watched as the lords went running "Ser Davos a moment."
"My lord." Davos said staying back when the other left.
"I brought my family here thinking they'd be safe Ser Davos, these walls won't be breached and my brother though not as prepared as I was on Dragonstone, has seen there is plenty of food stocked, a years worth I'd wager." he said.
"Plenty my lord, we should have won the war by then." Davos said and though he was trying to be reassuring it had the opposite effect.
"I fear not Ser. I must ask another favor of you Davos." he said and Davos looked to him and nodded "Should things go badly, should this castle be besieged, if I should fall. Then I ask you to take them from here Ser Davos, Selyse, Shireen, take them and sail, Essos, to Selyse's family, wherever, if I fall I'd see them in your care Ser.".
"My lord, you honor me." Ser Davos said.
"No Ser, I burden you, you cannot fight with me Ser Davos, go to your ship and await news. If it comes to it then see my wishes done." he said as he turned to look at the papers on his desk.
"You can count on me, my lord." Davos said as he walked away.
"Thank you Davos, for everything." he said softly his voice barely a whisper.
He rode out the next morning with a number of his lords, Estermont, Swann, Connington, and Buckler, while behind him men readied in case it came to a battle, something he felt it surely would. Still, he was prepared to offer terms to Oberyn Martell and yet he wondered if he was truly in a position to do so. The Dornish party was colorfully dressed, the prince riding at the front.
"Lord Stannis." Oberyn said as the horses came to a stop no more than a few feet from each other.
"Prince Oberyn, I had not thought to see you here?" he said looking at the man.
"My nephew called and Dorne answered, did you think we'd forgiven your family for what you did to ours?" Oberyn said.
"Nephew, a bastard wolf you claim a nephew." Lord Estermont said and Stannis glared at the man.
"Four and ten years ago your brother and Jon Arryn rose upon lies that they knew the truth of Lord Stannis, they used these lies to place a usurper on a throne which by rights was my nephew's. Over the bodies of our family, Elia Martell, Rhaenys Targaryen,, and Aegon Targaryen, your brother declared himself king. Now they seek to keep that throne by lying once more. Jaehaerys Targaryen is the trueborn son of Rhaegar and Lyanna Targaryen and he offers you these terms." Oberyn said.
"Terms you dare." Lord Errol said and Oberyn laughed.
"I offer you nothing but a sharpened spear my lord, my nephew is a far better man than I. Stand down my lord, stand down and House Baratheon under your stewardship will keep its position. It will remain Lord Paramount of the Stormlands and you and your wife and child along with any Stormlord who doesn't rise will receive no punishment." Oberyn said and Stannis looked at him and ground his teeth.
"Your bastard king offers me what is ours by right, what is not in his power to give. So I offer you these terms in return my prince, ride back to Dorne and we'll forget this mistake of yours, this error of judgment. Ride back and my brother and I will seek no retribution, for ours is the fury my prince and you do not want to face it this day." Stannis said to nods from his lords.
"Then I've received my answer, noon my lords." Oberyn said before looking up at the sky "The ravens will eat well this day, I wonder what they'll think of Stag." Oberyn laughed as he rode off.
Back at the keep, it was chaos as he ordered his men to prepare for battle. They were at a disadvantage but he needed to break out, Robert was marching the wrong way for him and they needed to break this army here.
"You have your orders." he said to the lords as he walked from the room down to Shireen's rooms, his daughter sitting by the window staring out at the see.
"Father." she said running to hug him and even though he stiffened he placed his hand on her shoulders, feeling her hug him tighter.
"I must march Shireen, there will be a battle here this day. Ser Davos awaits, listen to him, do as he says, promise me?" he said looking at her scarred face and feeling the failure he always did when he did so.
"I will. Must you fight father?" Shireen asked.
"I must. You are the future of our house Shireen and I could not be prouder of you even were you a son." he said as she hugged him again and he walked from the room, unable to look back.
He bid Selyse farewell and told her of Davos and as he walked the corridors of his family keep, for a moment he considered the offer the king had made. For he knew now that Jon Snow was who he claimed to be, he could choose not to fight and save many lives this day, see his daughter grow old with her birthright intact, yet he knew he would not. His duty was to his brother, to his king, to his family, and as he placed the helm on his head and mounted his horse, he rode to join his men in the battle he must fight.
The Battle of Storm's End 297 AC.
Patrek.
The arrows rained down as they charged, and he felt his courser's pain as she was hit before he knew it though he was rolling across the ground. He stumbled to his feet and around him could see the carnage, it had been stupid to charge uphill and he wondered how Stannis had fallen into this trap or was it even Stannis who had. His lord had been given command of the cavalry and as Patrek watched the Dornish spears take care of those who'd made it up the hill ahead of him, he felt that had been a mistake.
He drew his sword and waited for the infantry charge, looked back to see if their own had moved and what he saw filled him with fear. There were Stormland's colors attacking their own, along with the Dornish cavalry. Houses which should have been on their side that had clearly turned their cloaks and a day which they had felt so confident of winning, soon looked to be heading to an inevitable defeat.
"The Red Viper is no commander, a great warrior true, but no commander.".
"Lord Stannis beat the fucking Iron Born at sea, he'll destroy the Dornish on land.".
"We are Stormlanders, what fear we Dornish spears.".
The bravado had been big around the camp the previous night, even if it was only those too green to have faced battle who spoke that way. The others, the men who'd fought in the rebellion, they remembered Ashford and the Battle of the Bells, as much as they remembered the three victories in one day, as much as they remembered the Trident. They spoke far differently about Dornish spears and bemoaned the fact that this time even if they won here today, soon would have to face men they had once called allies.
Patrek looked on as the Dornish spears came his way, looking around to see knights get to their feet and lances being discarded. He moved to a group of men who looked stunned to have been unhorsed, men who'd not drawn their weapons and were instead standing around as if they'd not a care in the world. Moving towards them he began to shout, though it was too late, the horses came from the side and the men were soon run down.
'I need to get back to the line.' he thought as he began to move.
To others it would look as if he was deserting, running away and being a coward but Patrek knew that out here on this field he was a dead man. His only chance to live, to fight, was to join up with whatever remained of their forces and so he ran, his armor heavy and slowing him down, he ran. When he saw what he'd ran to he felt the despair hit home, so much so that he stopped and welcomed the darkness when it came not a moment later.
It was two days later when he woke, the tent was full of men just like he, that had been injured and not killed. Looking down at himself he expected to see more injuries, yet he was intact, his arms, his legs, still attached. The pain in his head was dull and as he focussed at the others around him, he saw how lucky he was.
"You're awake." he heard a voice say and he looked to see a man who he thought a Stormland Lord.
"Aye.".
"We lost?" the man asked.
"Aye." he replied and lay back down on the makeshift bed, wondering what the Dornish did to prisoners.
Oberyn.
He had picked his ground well and was pleased to find on his return to camp that he had gained more men while he was away. Though given what they'd done to the man's cousin he could see why Massey had turned. Going over his plans with his lords he could sense their eagerness for the battle, something that while he too felt, he worried about also.
"With luck, they'll attack us and leave us free to counter, but should they not, I want your men here and here." he said pointing to the map.
"My prince, shouldn't we be in the main cavalry force?" Beric asked.
"No, it's far better they see you and the other Stormlands Lords last, it'll break their spirit to see that it's not just Dorne they fight this day." Oberyn said.
"Anders, you take the infantry, ready them in a spear wall and march only when the cavalry is done with." he said to Lord Yronwood.
"My prince." Anders replied.
"Franklyn, you're with me, we break their archers, and then join with the rest of the cavalry here." he said pointing to the map.
"My prince." Lord Fowler said with a smile.
After telling his daughters where to be if they were winning and also in the event that they were losing, he dressed in his armor and kissed each of them before he mounted up and readied to ride. He left Harmen in charge of their cavalry's main body and moved to ready for their own attack. As they sat on the hill looking down though he began to laugh, riding his horse across the line he gave the orders to the archers to begin to fire.
What fool had Stannis put in charge of his cavalry he wondered as the sky filled with arrows. Riding back to his men they began their own movement, their ride far more purposeful. He had seen where Stannis's archers were and in the chaos of an overly aggressive attack, they were his for the taking. His men were riding now, spears doubling as lances raised and they cut through the line easily. The horses rode hard and he felt the bones of men break under his stallion. When they stopped to turn he wiped the blood from his eyes, the splashes as his spear had cut through men having almost completely covered his helm.
"Ride, join our brothers." he shouted and they began once again.
His spear cut through men easily, his horse moving swiftly amongst the throng of Stormlanders as if this was the deserts of Dorne and she was on a pleasure ride. How many men he killed he didn't know, but he faced no true competition this day and he wondered how it had been so easy. Looking to the sky he saw the bird flying over the field. The eagle taking everything in and he wondered if his nephew was looking down on him.
"Martell." he heard a voice shout out and he turned to see a large man standing with a sword "Martell, come face me and I'll send you back to that whore of yours." the man said and Oberyn rode towards him.
"Ser Godry wishes to feel my spear, well who am I to deny a man what he asks for so eloquently." Oberyn said to loud laughs from his men.
He jumped from his horse and looked at the large man, the greatsword in his hands ready to be swung. Soon they'd attracted a crowd and Oberyn knew then the day was theirs. Smiling he spun his spear when he saw his girls, all three of them unharmed and he began to spin as he attacked the large man. Godry was slow and cumbersome, his plate being the only thing which had saved him up to now Oberyn thought as he brought the spear down on the man's shoulder.
"I'll gut you Martell. They'll call me the Princeslayer." Godry said when Oberyn feigned tiredness.
He waited until the man came in close and then he moved, spinning away from the greatsword when it came down and hit the ground he'd just been standing on. The strike he aimed in return hit home and he caught the man just under the arm, the greatsword crashing to the ground. Moving fast and behind the knight, he took his legs, and as Godry fell to the ground he thrust his spear down under the exposed gorget. He pushed it in deep and heard the pained sounds as Godry began to choke on his own blood.
"It's a pity your not a worthier foe Farring, for now you're dead I'll still only be known as the Red Viper." Oberyn said as the man breathed his last.
He looked around at the field, upset to see Dornish men dead or dying. Yet they'd won the day and suffered far less losses than they could have. Looking to the sky he saw the bird flying overhead and he smiled as he walked to his daughters, eager to find out their own stories and to speak to his lords and find the extent of their victory.
Stannis.
What had the fool done, he had given strict orders and the man had charged with his entire cavalry. Stannis like his other lords looked on in horror as the arrows flew, as men and horse fell and any hope he had of winning this day ended. They had already been at a disadvantage in terms of position if not one of men also. Still, his plans were sound, the Dornish wouldn't siege they'd march and if Stannis didn't press his attack, they would.
Ser Aemon was a better man than this, a wiser man and the right choice to lead his cavalry and yet he'd just wasted them in a pointless charge. His day was soon to get worse though as he heard the attack on his own archers and didn't have the men or horse to protect them now. Stannis rallied his infantry as best he could, readied them for Oberyn's own cavalry to attack.
But even this didn't go as he'd hoped, the cavalry which came first bore Stormland's colors and his men lowered their guard. His screaming voice not enough to get them to realize these were not friends this day. By the time the Dornish cavalry charged his lines wore broken and his army was on the verge of being routed. He needed to rally and so he rode, gathering as many men as he could he rode and soon found himself matching lance against spear with Dornishmen.
"Take them down men, for the Stormlands, Ours is the Fury." he shouted as he rode through and turned to do so again.
Though he had far fewer men than he had set out with and another charge would end any hopes he had. He looked out on the field and bowed his head. Calling riders to him and sent them off, telling them to tell the men to retreat, to order them to retreat. The day was lost and if he didn't move soon then so was his army. Before he could ride once more through the Dornish cavalry came, the infantry marching behind them, and Stannis looked to the few men he had with him.
"I thank you all." he said as he turned his horse and along with the fifty or so men he had left he rode into the sea of Dornish spears.
His sword swung down on yet another man, his horse long since dead, and around him, he'd fought down to two or three men. His fifty had killed thrice their number, yet it was all for nothing as the men kept coming. Though for now, it wasn't men he faced as the three ladies moved around him. They were tiring him out as he tried to get to them and he knew they were playing with him.
"I thought you'd be better Stag." a woman's voice called out.
"Furious." another.
"Demon of the Trident they called your brother, what name would they give you?" another said.
Stannis lashed out and felt it then, the whip coiled around his feet pulling him to the ground. He felt the crash of the spear as it hit his helm and heard the voice as his sword fell.
"Best keep him alive, Obara." the woman said.
"Father will wish to speak to him." another said.
"Very well." the last one said and he barely saw the spear as it was raised, he was tired, beaten and soon he welcomed the darkness that unconsciousness brought to him. The hope then filled his heart that perhaps he'd see his wife and daughter once more.
A/N: Up Next we take a look at some other events in Essos and at the wall, as we check in on Mel, Dany, Kinvara, and Aemon. I'm trying to get this as a bonus chapter for this weekend, if not then it'll be the first of three chapters for next week, so either it'll be up Saturday or it'll be up Tuesday.
Vdewade: The issue Jon A has is that the lie is such a hard one to tell, Jae's truth sells better so to speak. LF is slimy and Cat was in her own head so she wouldn't have heard the song, she will find out though, it's just a question of when. The BF won't go to war, he'll stay at WF. Edmure in canon was basically captured under his own walls, so he's really not suited for this. Cat was always going to cling to anything to prove her right and Jae false. I like the little ripples events can have, Richard taking out Ramsay and Dom meeting with Jae gives him a way in with Barbrey that he may not have had, so a deal is able to be done. We'll be seeing Jae move against the Golden Company soon.
Daryl Dixon: It's coming, we're not too far away, a big step in it next week.
Jessicanightmarewolf. I think so, I have a link somewhere that someone gave me to show off an example of Rhaenix, I'll find it and put it with the next chapter. That's just one of the big surprises they have, not just a dragon, but two both with riders, I'm saving it to make it worthwhile.
Greshym: So glad you're liking it.
Ace Venom: That was my thoughts exactly, in canon he got beaten very easily, twice, the thing was the North came and bailed him out, here they're coming for him and he's in a much weaker position. The Geography of it makes it hard too as there is no natural barrier, it's the one reason why I think the Targs never brought it under the crown's control, they'd never be able to hold it. That's the thing, he needs the Knights of the Vale even more badly now.
With Mace it's both his hesitancy and his while not cowardice, cautiousness, but as you see Jae has put that to rest here and the Stormlands/Crownlands as you say are where the big battles lie. Petyr here is thinking with the other head in a way, but he has considered the running part as you'll see soon.
Biohazard: So glad you liked it.
The Darkwolf: No Cat doesn't know, but well amongst Gerion's army riding to Riverrun is said boy, so perhaps it's about to come up.
Wsbenge: The GC changes things both for Robert in terms of numbers but for Jae too in terms of the plan he has.
Adgedless: LF will manage to live a little longer, he's a couple more things to do but he may have gone to the very worst place as one of Ace said in his review, the army is bearing down on Riverrun. Jae as you say is well aware and he won't be letting him away, as for Mace as you see it's been dealt with.
Jman: In a way yes, but she was right too, if he could bring his bannermen back on board, even if he had to beat them to do it, they would be in a better position, that he wasn't able to only makes it worse. That's coming in the next few chapters, the dragons have revealed themselves to the allies, the enemies are about to learn too.
Remi: One of the arguments made about Dany is that but I think she tactically had the right idea, just executed it wrong. Hell if they'd have let her attack KL at the start, the war would have ended, lives would have been saved and all would have worked out well. Jae may have a sound plan but the GC changes things, he hadn't counted on them. Cat will be faced with some harsh truths soon, as for Edmure he's just not cut out for this. LF though thrives in chaos so we'll see. With the BF that's the thing, it's extremely hard for him as he knows also he can't go and fight for his family, if he does he loses any chance with Bran and probably his head. Hope the above answered some of Illyrio/Faegon/Jon C's plans.
Wolololol: Very much so lol.
Xand007 Thank you my friend. One of the things about the Faceless men is that in the books they have so many little things going on we don't know about, they have an agenda, something we'll see a little of here. As for LF, he probably would and we'll see later on some of what his original plan regarding the Riverlands were, as for now, he really needs Edmure alive. Jae is also aware of him, so that helps and with Dom has an option, Roose may need to look over his shoulder. Lol, that would be something to see, the man does love his feasts. We see some of that in Wintertown with Elle so after the war it's certainly something he'd seek to do. That's his plan use the Dragons as shock and awe, use the threat of them without going full on burn them all, we'll see if he's able to. You too my friend, stay healthy.
Anja: So glad you liked it.
The Sphynx: I'll have to try better next time lol, in a way it's one of those moving into places the pieces chapter, needed but not fully exciting, I hope the next few make up for it.
Vfsnake: That's very true. Along with who's behind him, Ser Richard, Ser Barristan, Ser Arthur, it makes them look terrible in comparison and even were it not for that, there's what Jae has done compared to what Robert has, to the small folk, they'd want Jae, so there's that too.
Celexs: So glad to hear that, it's important to get the other sides of the war there too, even though it's moves and not the action parts, some of it is needed so we're not just teleporting people everywhere.
Supremus: In terms of Theon, I'd argue against it for a couple of reasons, logically Ned should have received pushback from his bannermen, that he didn't was down to GRRM making him all perfect and loved when it doesn't ring true, in certain regards and this to me is one of them. But Theon's actions showed the folly of it, he betrayed them, had he been treated as a hostage then Robb never would have formed the bond and Theon could never have done what he did. With Cat, personally I think had he said so at the beginning then she may have treated Jon better, however, would she have sold Jon out for the girls later on?. Would her fear have changed to he's a risk because he's a bastard to he's a risk because of who he is? Ned knew if the truth outed he'd lose his head, would Cat have felt the same and if so would she have not feared that instead? We don't know. Honestly though the only real time to me where I would say she'd have accepted Jon was the night she stayed up when she thought he was going to die, then I think she'd have had it in her to love him a little.
Again though, we can have different opinions, the canon shows that she didn't' accept Jon right up until almost when she died, Theon raised as a ward brought doom on House Stark, it directly cost the life's of Rodrik and many other of the people who were part of the Stark household. They're the facts, anything else is opinion.
Naruto: Thanks so much for your reviews, really glad you're enjoying this.
Dunk: I felt he had to make those appearances, fly to WF and speak to the Lords and the Reach, he'll pop in to Oberyn too. With the dragons, they need to see it and as you say the enemies reactions is more anticipated as a dragon flying over you non threatening is very much different than one who is. As you see with Mace, he figured something out.
That's one of the issues with Jon A's truth, it's the second one and it's a harder one to follow than the first. Edmure is terrible militarily, so I wanted to show that here, he was literally caught with his pants down and you see from Oberyn above, the difference in preparation. There will be a bit more dissension amongst Edmure' support, soon they'll see just what they face, Gerion is leading a large army. LF would turn on anyone to gain an advantage, for Cat though he's water in the desert, so she's going to cling to him, which for him is just perfect. On the first battle, there's a reason it wasn't Duskendale which we'll see Jae go into more.
On TDP, I got a bit busy with work and with where I am here, I really wanted to make sure I had all my ducks lined up as these chapters are key in a way and a lot of plot points are coming together, I also wanted to be certain about what steps I'm taking with the battles, to know that I'm not doing something that may seem cool only for it to mess something I'd planned later on. I'm there now though so TDP should return this week.
Zyrus: This was nothing to him lol.
TwoWaymirror: I update twice a week, three times in the next week, so you won't have long to wait. Really glad you're enjoying it and thanks so much for pointing that out, it's most helpful and much appreciated.
Agreco: They're such an interesting anomaly, they have rules about who they go after and their own agenda and far too often people just use them as assassins, they are but to kill Jae coin wise they'd charge a fortune, this is made clear in canon, they charge based on some unknown system. On their own agenda, that will play a big part here.
Andrews. it's a little bit mixed, in one aspect it allows for Jae to travel far quicker, to be in more places so in a way less travelling time cuts down on some things, but in another not so much. What it will do more so than anything else, is that there won't be much sitting around so to speak, so he'll be doing more in each chapter, so maybe it'll feel as if the pace is faster. Not sure what you mean on the horn, the one hear was just a normal one, we've not seen Euron yet.
Princeloki: stags to the slaughter lol.
Anarchichmind: it really is, it's not so much protection he's looking for now as much as he's getting what he wants as he knows he's kinda screwed either way. She now has Ghost too, I had thought of Jae having him beside him in battle and then I figured he'd leave him to guard Marge, knowing she'd be protected and also he could warg easily.
Alexguamenti: So glad you liked it, Ser Richard is like the secret weapon for Jae, as much as anything else, while Jae is doing what he's doing, Richard just keep helping along as you see here.
Guest: Cat is soon to have even more piled onto her, she's in a bad mental state and LF is so not the man you want around you then. Edmure we'll see next week. The Allies reactions is kinda easy, the enemies is the key one though. Jon C is there now as you see, we'll be checking in on him and fAegon again soon.
Ksveela: They're coming. Gerion is marching and should reach them in the next chapter or two. LF is plotting away with less to work at, we'll see if he can cause a little chaos though. Really glad you're enjoying this and hope you like what comes next.
M: I did think of that, but Stannis is also duty bound and he's a stickler for that, tied into the fact he's also heir now and he'd not back down.
Vwchick: I felt Cat would never accept Jon as trueborn, it just doesn't fit with the idea she's got of him in her head. We'll see Faegon more clearly in his own pov coming soon, with LF that's the thing, Cat is already in a way convinced that everything is Jae's fault so he could spin it. Cat also has another surprise coming her way, Cregan marches with Gerion.
MF42: so glad you liked it, I post new chapters twice a week, Tuesday and Thursday and the occasional bonus.
Guest: it's to end the name, to wipe it from the future he hopes to build. With Robert/Jon A he hates them for what they did in the rebellion, same as Hoster, however, Jon A has barely done anything to him personally, Robert too, Cat made his life a misery and tried to have him killed twice, Edmure played his part in it. So he wants them gone, to be wiped clean. Also, House Tully owes their position to the Targs, so their betrayal cuts deep, the Baratheons too, while Arryn's not so much.
Lady Octraina: The BF kinda knew the truth and here it was pure confirmation, He kinda had made the choice about Bran already, here it was really this is the choice I have, go here, die and really make no difference to the outcome or stay, help Bran and at least something good has come from it. You're right though, accidentally Cat has done something good lol.
On Cat not accepting Jon's truth, I feel at this point it just goes against everything she's built him up to be, she'd not accept it, hell seeing him on a dragon she'd probably not accept it. In canon, as you say just after the war she may have appreciated knowing but would it truly have made a difference, or would she just have switched the he's dangerous because he's a bastard to he's dangerous because he's a targ. Years later the hate is too ingrained in her, it's why I hate stories that just have her find out and accept it, this is a woman who when Robb names him heir, argues against it, even after all that happened.
For me she accepts it perhaps the night she sat over his bed, if Ned had reached out to her then, I think she may have accepted it, or if another event happened. Not sure if you read Full Fathom Five and it's prequel, but they do an event which happens with Jon before canon and she accepts it and I always thought that worked well.
Jon A is telling the only lie he can, the problem is it's a terrible one and not only is the truth out there, but it's a far better story. Ned Stark claiming his sister's child as his to protect him fits far better than he slept with a whore. We'll see them see the dragon soon.
With Barbrey, she's usually portrayed simply as a bitter woman who's in the wrong, when she actually has good reason to be bitter towards the Starks, Ned, Cat all of them. Ramsay being killed early and Dom meeting Jae allows for that to play a part with her and while she'd perhaps have liked it better if Jae was Brandon's, in a way this works better for her. How she'd react to Cregan I don't know. But I wanted her and Jae to have this convo and yes he intends to do something with the bodies. Glad you liked the speech, I think it's one of the key things, emphasise both and they'd listen.
On the entrance, I'm saving the most dramatic for when the enemies meet the dragon lol. We'll see about the GC, there are hints to what he'll do here. The Blackwood/Bracken was my attempt at true friends on the battlefield.
Sovietgod: Without saying anything you may be onto something.
Sojirox: So glad you're enjoying it, it updates twice a week so I hope you continue to read and you too, stay safe and well and hopefully these times will soon be past.
Silverglow: You're right in a way, he never specifically supported them, but it was more he would have I was getting at, he was quite clever in that he allowed others to do the lying for him, he just pulled the strings. Jon A here has to pull his own strings.
I think at times GRRM makes clever characters stupid without reason, with Cat he gives her all the details, all the evidence that it's LF and then almost has her not put two and two together and make the jump, I personally don't buy she doesn't make the jump. He does it so that when LF pops back up later on Cat doesn't go, you knocked up my sister to him imo. It's also funny how she thinks her father is like Ned the most honourable man ever, yet she knows about Lysa and Jon A, so there's disconnects of logic at times to make the plot work.
Yes he did, something that would never wilt. With Ghost it's almost the, yeah done this before and it's nothing kinda thing, I just liked the idea of him being blasé about the flight lol. We'll see with the Freys next week. On Cat she's now accepted that he's not Ned's, that he's Lyanna's and must still be a bastard, Edmure accepted Jon A's letter and she was more, this won't fly kinda thing.
I really wanted Jae to do that, to assert who he is, it's the only way to be for him. As you see Jae gave Tarly command and sidelined Mace. The battle plans are flexible, there's the old saying that no plan survives contact with the enemy, we'll see some of that to come. The Lysa thing was a mistake, completely messed that one up, thanks for pointing it out my friend.
One of the problems is that there's a tendency to hold the one in front of you responsible for actions that they had no part in, we saw that with Dany. For Barbrey, Jae lived and William died, so there's that, Arthur killed him and you have that too, but Dom being alive and Jae being Jae allows for her to move past that, something she may never had without it. That's the position some of the lords end up in, you're faced with fighting people who may have been on your side, or even have enemies now on your's so it's complex. Blackwood/Bracken I felt was a good way of showing that.
Orthang: My apologies. I'll get it to you this week, been a little forgetful lately. Lysa in that chapter was interesting as she'd been waiting to read it for some time. On Theon, we're getting closer, you've not missed it as you see above. With Cersei, Robert had beaten her so hard, her mind was jumbled, she was concussed and not thinking straight so in a way the horror of what he did, didn't fully register then, yet she could feel her child was in pain too.
FAegon pov is coming. On the Riverlands it'll take a little longer than that, but here it was simply a case of Edmure preparing badly, they weren't truly routed, they lost some men but most got away, it was just a caught with pants down moment. The problem the Riverlands face is that Jae has more than half their forces, so to make it a proper struggle is kinda hard. You have to remember in canon, by the time Robb marched, the Riverlands had basically fallen and that was with more of the forces than are here.
Love the letters idea lol.
Mrs Potter. So glad you liked it.
Xan Merrick: Thank you my friend. With Ghost it's hmm ship of sky, I prefer sky lol. The BF at least has bran, it gives him that if nothing else. One of the advantages of a king's request is it puts some old rivalries to rest. Cat is near breaking point, surprisingly LF will give her strength. Edmure is a terrible military man.
Irish Hermit: One of the things for the BF is that Bran is going to be the Stark in WF and well as you see above, the North is going to have issues, so there is room for him to reclaim honor. It's a terrible idea for Jon A, he really should have claimed him as Brandon's that may have worked, as you say Ned is known throughout and to say this about him will piss people off, even some on Jon A's own side. We'll see with Illyrio, I think you'll like my plans for him, the Faceless men are not how people portray them, they are mentioned early in canon as being too expensive for the crown to use and then later we see them kill people for far less money, there's far more going on than meets the eye with them.
Jon A is keeping that under wraps, however, only because of needing the Tully men, when he finds out how badly off the Tully's are he may not care and well Richard is out there. He's far too young and sickly to be in a cell, we'll see if anyone else thinks so. They will yes, the enemies will meet the dragons soon.
Lisa: Thank you my friend. As you see with Mace, he got moved sideways by Jae. Bran may end up taking a variation of the name, Riverstark or something, Jae here was kinda sticking the knife in with the BF. The BF was leaning this way as it was, now he's really no choice and him being in WF is important. It really is for Stannis, he's conflicted here, we'll see what it leads to for him. LF is kinda thinking they need the Tully's so much that they'd not risk killing him, he both doesn't know how badly off they are or the position he's in, we'll see him try and fix that soon.
Without the coin the Lannister's spent, LF didn't get the chance to really build himself up, he has something's up his sleeve still, but nowhere near what he had in canon. I think with Barbrey she had valid reasons and they never to my knowledge reached out to her that much, Ned allowed it to fester, now perhaps he wouldn't have been able to change her mind, but here Jae always intended to reach out to her and to some others, events just meant it happened like this. Dom being alive allows for things to be resolved though. You too and I hope you did well on your test. All my best wishes.
