Chapter 28. The Fall of Casterly Rock
House Lannister has fallen and all that bloodline is dead. All the lands governed and ruled by the Lannisters lay in ruins in the aftermath of the might of the Martell, Tyrell alliance. Thousands are dead as the allied forces march towards Casterly Rock under the leadership of Stannis Baratheon. Villages burned in the distance on the left and right as the army marched towards Casterly Rock. Lord Krysten had assumed command of what was left of the Lannister Army. His troops were held up in Casterly Rock-the last stronghold of the west.
Stannis sat on a horse with Milisandre at his side on a white stallion, together they stared at the castle of Casterly Rock. "It is time milord." Milisandre said. In response Stannis raised his hand and his allied forces released a shout of war and charged the gates of the city with a battering ram and siege ladders. Arrows reigned down from above on the wall as archers shot a steady stream of arrows at the attackers. Men fell by the thousands as they raised their ladders to the wall parapet.
"I will be right back!" Stannis said kissing Milisandre. She watched as he charged the main gate when the battering ram knocked the gates open. It was a bloody campaign as Stannis and his men of Tyrell and Martell fought their way into the city towards the castle. The day dragged on into night as the sun set. The Lannister forces fought a loosing battle against superior forces. By sunrise the next day the sigil of Stannis Baratheon was waving in the breeze of the gate tower. But the fighting was still going on as the defenders refused to surrender.
Misilandre rode her horse up the main street towards the castle where Stannis awaited her. He was standing on the roof of a house as his men tried to breech the fortress of Casterly Rock itself. The battering ram could be heard in the distance along with the heaves of the men wielding it. Then everything grew quiet and an hour later a man came running to Stannis with a message.
To his Lord Stannis Baratheon
I will surrender on the following terms-If you swear to spare my life, the lives of my family and the lives of everyone in the palace I will open the gates and surrender to his grace the rightful King and Lord of the Anvals and First Men
With all due respect
Your humble servant Lord Norman Krysten of House Krysten
Stannis handed the note to Milisandre who then gave it to Mace and he gave it to Doran, "What do all think?"
"He must swear to the Lord of Lights first."
Mace sneered, "I heard of your religion! I have not sworn to it! Will you burn me as well witch?"
She smiles at him, "All will be converted Lord Tyrell."
"And what if he says no to your religion?" Doran asks.
"Enough!" Stannis says speaking up, "Whether he accepts or not-Enough men have died and we need to march North with all haste before Balish can mobilize his army." He writes a letter to Lord Krystan and give it to a messenger. The terms are accepted and to Mislandre's surprise Krystan converts to her religion. Now Stannis can turn his attentions to the North and sends Ravens to all the lords of the North. But Stannis is unaware of the fact that Balish, Greyjoy, and Bolton are all dead and the North has sworn to the Queen of the North Arya Stark.
