King Aerys's personal guards stalk the Red Keep's dungeon passing prison cells infested with rats gnawing at rotting corpses. They turn the corner halting outside the largest cell holding northern prisoners.
"Lord Stark the king demands you face your trial by combat."
Rickard places his armor on glancing at the northern soldiers who accompanied him on the journey to the capital. The guards lead Rickard and the others out the dungeon into the throne room.
Aerys sits on the Iron Throne beside Jamie Lannister and Varys staring down the northerners reuniting with each other. "Rickard Stark, Brandon Stark. You both stand accused attempting to murder the crown prince. In response for this crime you Lord Stark requested a trial by combat and you shall have it."
Rickard glances at Brandon surveying hundreds of southern lords lining the walls. "Who shall I fight then Aerys? One of the Kingsguard, the Lannister perhaps?"
"You will not fight any Kingsgaurd nor any southern lord under my command. I choose fire as my champion." Brandon and Rickard draw their swords surrounded by Aerys's soldiers. The mad king waves a hand summoning pyromancers out the keeps corridors escorted by more guards.
The pryomancers servants roll in a large boiling pot above wildfire. Rickard is hooked under his shoulder plates hoisted in the air ascending to the rafters. "What is the meaning—" A rope is thrown around Brandon's throat tied to a nearby column. The rafter chains are locked onto wooden mechanisms descending Rickard.
"You have a chance to save your father young wolf." Aerys nods to his guards as one tosses Brandon's sword on the floor. "You only need to reach your weapon then free yourself and your father."
"My king please don't do this, I beg of you." Varys says leaning in Aerys's ear, "the realm needs the King in the North and its rightful heir should you do this war will inevitably—"
"Enough Lord Varys I will hear no more of this—" Jamie witnesses the exchange returning his attention to Rickard shouting at Aerys as Brandon lunges forward grasping the rope around his neck. The southern lords remain unmoved unbelieving the events unfolding in front of them. The conversations abundant before the Starks arrival are silent one can hear a mouse roaming.
Brandon chokes gasping for air pulling at the noose around his throat reaching an arm out for his sword. Rickard's curses turn to screams descending halfway feeling the wildfire's heat rise throughout the room.
"My king I'm begging you do not do this. This is a mistake."
"One more word out of you Lord Varys and you'll be the next one strung up to burn."
Rickard screams less than a few meters from the pot as the southern lords turn away witnessing the material scorch catching fire melting the King in the North's flesh. Brandon fades in and out of consciousness grazing the blades hilt. A guard kicks the sword out of reach receiving a nod from Aerys. Brandon witnesses his father descend in the wildfire shouting for help from the gods. Blood leaks out Brandon's eyes, nose, and ears his hand reaching the bottom of his sword. Rickard's screams halt as he's roasted alive. Tears and blood fall from Brandon's face "Eddard...Forgive...Me." Brandon collapses on the throne room floor dying alongside his father.
Aerys leans on the Iron Throne releasing a sigh, "my kingdom is secure as is my son Rhaegar's place as my heir." Nobody else speaks nor moves too shook by the Stark's demise. Jamie and Varys are unable to look at their king staring at the silent throne room. "This is the fate of all my enemies and those who attempt to usurp my family's name." Aerys rises to his feet glaring at the southern lords, "the Targaryens will rule over Westeros for an eternity! I am destined to be reborn a dragon! My fire will cleanse this earth to those who oppose the crown from now until the end of history!" The southern lords and guards kneel swearing fealty. Jamie and Varys share a glance staring at the king signaling the room to rise. Varys leaves the throne room bowing lowly. Jamie places a hand on his hilt stepping toward Aerys. Aerys retakes the throne halting Jamie, "after that beautiful display I need wine. Squire! Bring me wine!" Jamie doesn't take his gaze off Aerys questioning now more than ever if the realm Varys spoke of would fare better without Aerys and prosper under Rhaegar. One thing he knows is their king is going mad and someone needs to put a stop to it should his actions continue.
The Red Keep's throne room piles with the kingdom's great lords sitting at their designated tables conversing in preparation for the opening ceremony. The small council enter quieting the chatter sitting at their table lined across where the Iron Throne resided. Bran surveys the throne room recognizing every lord in the room, "Good evening Lordesses and Lords. I thank you all for making the long trips from your homes. I assure you this won't happen often. The council had unanimously approved to create these week long festivities. As I'm sure you're aware I'm the Three Eyed Raven. Every past event in recorded history resides at my fingertips. I'm not a fortune teller I can only use what's come before to assume what will happen. I've scratched the surface in terms of searching and filtering through past events in my travels I came to a single conclusion. Internal conflict between nations caused wars to decimate our lands. Its our hope this week brings better understanding of each other's cultures and customs forming alliances that weren't established before." Bran gazes once more around the room smiling recognizing Sansa sitting at the Northern tables front returning it. "First order of business is announcing the kingsgaurd members who'll serve alongside our current members Brienne of Tarth and Ser Podrick Payne."
Brienne stands from her seat glancing across the table, "we'd like to thank and congratulate the lords and recipients of the greatest honor a knight can ask for, I realize it isn't easy parting with a loyal knight willing to sacrifice everything to serve you. Hailing out the Stormlands serving as Gendry Baratheon's personal guard Ser Jayce from House Swann." The Stormland table roars to life toasting the seasoned warrior. "The Vale's first shield Harrold Hardyng of House Hardyng." Valeman cheer saluting their commander none louder than Robin and Yohn. "Serving as Highgarden's city watch commander Ser Kaden." The Reach table cheer on their capital city commander raising their wine glasses as Bronn whistles standing from his seat. "And hailing from Dorne Llewelyn Sand the desert viper." Llewelyn claps Doran's shoulder spinning the double edge spear around his body showing off for the room. "The Kingsgaurd stand in front of the room receiving an ovation retaking their seat after giving a bow. The council converse amongst each other as Davos steps to the front.
"I realize your journies were difficult traveling across the seas. The council voted we mobilize a navy to represent the crownship. A total of three hundred fifty five ships are docked in the harbors. We need experienced captains and sailors available to manage ships we've prepared to patrol the seas defending the capital from invaders. There is a potential sailing an armada to Essos in attempt to negotiate trade. We need soldiers aiding our city watch and free cities are always need ships. We can't continue operating without a navy guarding our coastlines. So this week we put together a sail competition in Blackwater until reaching the set marker vessels. The winners will be inducted into the king's navy. I look forward to seeing you all this week." Davos sits sipping wine watching Varys rereading a parchment.
Varys whispers to Bran receiving an affirmative nod standing in front of the throne room. "You've seen over the years I've served many kings and numerous councils. I hope you know I've always sought to serve the realm regardless of who's ruled over our nations. There are people living under you all who hold no lands, titles, only having their name. Those people are just as important as you or I no matter what the current state of affairs we must think our citizens safety first. Its within your right to know Daenerys Targaryen is alive and currently ruling over Meereen—"
"This is outrageous!"
"When were we going to be informed?!"
"Were you ever going to inform us?!"
"If I may continue my lords and lordesses this matter wasn't disclosed to cause panic and dissent among the citizens. I assure you our city defenses have been modified to accommodate an attack should the mother of dragons decide to fly over the Narrow Ssa attacking the city once more. We have closely monitored Meereen and its queen. The city was invaded by Illario Payne, a lord who betrayed his word to reenforce our armies with the Golden Company. Instead he tried brokering a deal with Daenerys to hand over her remaining dragon to him in exchange for the army under his command. Daenerys and her forces managed to overcome the invasion reforming the Golden Company with the Second Sons and Unsullied. Their numbers stand around fifteen thousand looking to recruit troops around Dragon Bay cities in the upcoming days." Chatter erupts around the room as lordesses and lords question one another. "It isn't our intention to alarm. A reason why we didn't inform anyone in our invitational letters. Should that happened we wouldn't have been able to hold this convocation. More importantly I say all this for new information that has arisen recently from the Iron Islands."
The Ironborn converse amongst themselves glancing at the other tables in silent contemplation. "Euron Greyjoy survived the King's Landing siege having been healed by Moqorro a red priest who served Victarion Greyjoy. You can rest assured now your home is safe." Sansa smiles witnessing the Ironborn embracing each other relaxing in her seat. "Euron and Moqorro hold possession of a dragon horn capable of summoning and binding all who hear its call to them. The second issue is ominous, a rumor. There are more dragon eggs residing out in the world Far East. I'm sure most of you haven't heard the story of Asshai. A mysterious place with even stranger customs, the importance lies in the information wild dragons far larger than Drogon exist in the world and is the most reasonable place the next generation of dragons lay dormant. I want nothing more to tell you the realm is in a state of peace. There are too many enemies existing outside of Westeros to say that."
Varys returns to his seat a moment unscrolling another parchment holding it for all to see, "this arrived shortly after we dismissed our council meeting hours ago. Yi-Ti's three god emperors held their own convocation months earlier gathering a hundred princes ruling providences around the country as they see fit. For those who don't know it's completely understandable. Yi-Ti is a nation and region east of Qarth and the Bone Mountains bordered by the Jade Sea to the south. North of Yi-Ti are the great Sand Sea, Shrinking Sea, and Bleeding Sea; a great river runs south from the Bleeding Sea through Yi-Ti are the mountains of the Morn, Shadow Lands, and Asshai. The YiTish wrote this to us because of grey plague that swept over their lands killing many people. They seek to protect even the poorest people despite boasting immense wealth among their nobles. I ask that we welcome the YiTish in our countries trade medicine for wine, silks, and spices. This can be quite the opportunity to bring Yi-Ti out of their century long isolationism. They contain knowledge of the first literate text to exist in the world should we help them I don't see why they wouldn't return." Varys returns to his chair tucking a smaller parchment into a sleeve bearing the Stark Sigil.
Bronn strides to the council table front. "Lot of you probably seen me hanging round a brothel drinking wine. Believe it or not that that isn't all I do unfortunately. Serving under King Bran as Master of Coin has been an honor. Can't say it matches the excitement being a sellsword. The duties of the Master of Coin include keeping account of receipts and expenditures from the royal treasury receiving reports from officials, supervising the collection of taxes and custom duties, borrowing money, managing the royal treasury and supervising the three Royal mints. The Master of Coin oversees a large number of offices; Keeper of the Keys, the King's Counter, the King's Scales the officers in charge of mints, harbor masters, tax farmers, custom sergeants, wool factors, toll collectors pursuers and most important wine factors. We need workers to fill and train for these positions. The pay is good, you drink on the job but you have to sacrifice a lot of time giving up the things you want most." Bronn refills the cup nearby retaking his seat at the council table.
Sam shuffles to the front of the room, "good evening everybody, for those who don't know. I'm Samwell Tarly of House Tarly at Hornhill. Its my duty as the king's Grand Maester to be the citadel representative at the royal court. I wasn't voted by the Citadel's Conclave necessarily through hard work and dedication I received this." Sam holds out his link chain, "each different metals are each a different kind of learning, gold for the study of money and accounts, silver for healing, iron for warcraft. And he said there were other meanings as well. The collar is reminding me a Maester of the realm he serves. Lords are gold and knights steel but two links can't make a chain. You also need silver iron lead tin copper and all the rest and those are farmer smiths and merchants and the like. A chain needs all sorts of people. The Maesters in OldTown aren't getting any younger. They need people willing to study Westerosi and our world history shaping what we remember in our songs. It doesn't pay my brother Dickon told me knowledge is power and its the duty of incoming Maesters to use this essential power for the good of the realm."
Tyrion takes Sam's place surveying old and familiar faces. "I know most of you are expecting me to detail my duties as hand of the king. I'm not going to do that. Throughout my life I was always told I was good at talking so I suppose I'll do just that. I'm going to tell a story that fascinated me growing up, some of you may have heard it some of you may not. This is the story of the Field of Fire.
Loren I Lannister rides with more than twenty thousand House Lannister and Westford soldiers riding to the outskirts the seat of House Rowan, Goldengrove. The king's army halts beside a river flowing south to Highgarden. "Its a days travel to Silverhill my king. Are you sure its safe traveling north considering the odds we're up against?" Armory Westford asks settling his horse beside Loren.
Loren glances at the Golden Lion etched on a red field banner turning to Goldengrove's gates opening. "We have more than twenty thousand, King Mern has thirty thousand I'll take those odds no matter who we oppose Lord Westford."
Mern IX Gardener King of the Reach and Lord of Highgarden emerge following his two sons. His heir Edmund and Gawen leading the banners and vanguard beside their father. The Order of the Greenhand trail the royal family boasting a Green Hand sigil on a white field. They're an elite order of knights founded by House Gardener consisting of soldiers from Houses Oakheart, Florent, Rowan, Peakes, and Redwynes. Only the most skilled and virtuous warriors are granted to this order considering themselves the fiercest soldiers in the Seven Kingdoms.
"Lord Lannister, Lord Westford." Mern stops his horse raising a hand commanding the gardener forces to follow suit. "I trust you prepared your armies to battle the crown's armada. This is going to be the toughest challenge we'll face, should we succeed they'll sing songs about it for years to come."
"Rest assured we'll overwhelm the Targaryen forces. We have more than fifty thousand troops they barley have have more than ten thousand."
"You mustn't forget about the Targaryen King's dragon. Should the beast roam free over the battlefield it could be a short day for both our armies." Mern says nodding toward his sons. "I'm sure we'll have plenty of time discussing battle plans on the way. I'd like to introduce my sons Edmund my oldest and heir to my kingdom someday," Edmure shakes the Westerland lords hands, "my second Gawen commands my bannermen." Gawen mirrors his older brothers gesture clutching the Gardener banner tighter.
"We'll travel the Goldroad north, camp northeast of Silverhill arriving by nightfall should we leave now." Loren says whipping the reins driving his horse leading the two armies.
Night descends on the Gardener and Lannister army settling in their encampment prepping their horses gears and strategies. Soldiers roam camp ready at a moments notice to charge into battle. The commanders tent is where the war council resides running through their plan a final time. Loren, Mern IX, Edmund, Gawen Gardener, Oakheart, Westford, and the other allied lords. Loren moves the Oakheart and Westford armies across the map east. "If what we know about the Targaryens is true we'll assume the king will assess our formation before taking to the sky. Obviously we can't let that happen we need to break through the Targaryen's defensive formation."
"I'm honored to be given the honor of charging first my lords however the Targaryen weaponry consists mostly of long spears and oval shields. Primitive eastern weaponry has no place in a western battle."
"I agree Lord Oakheart. It can potentially be a risk charging head on into a spear formation." Armory says.
"Don't worry yourself Lord Westford that's where the Order of the Greenhand comes into play, they're the ace up our sleeve." Mern IX crosses arms leaning back staring at the carved pieces representing their army. "We simply charge behind you my lords and burst through the Targaryens middle formation. Everything has a breaking point there isn't an army that's invincible not even the Targaryen's consider themselves to be."
"That can work my lords, we need to make sure we break through creating a sure path to the king's dragon." Speaks Head of House Florent.
Loren nods moving the Order of Greenhand pieces through the Targaryen's center converging the rest on the enemy forces. Once we create a weakness exposing it to the fullest thats when we'll overwhelm the enemy taking Westeros back from those incestuous foreign bastards." He slams hands on the table as the lords pour wine drinking to the plan set in place. The lords laugh conversing amongst each other departing minutes later resting for the upcoming battle leaving Mern and Loren.
"You know I wasn't sure what to make of this whole alliance when you first came to the Reach however I can say for certain we made the right decision allying our forces with yours."
"I share the same sediments. Let's hope both our armies make it out relatively unscathed this will be far different than any battle beforehand."
Mern gazes over the war table's map, "I look forward to our victory tomorrow." He's out the Lannister tent before Loren can utter another word. Loren downs his wine smashing the dragon piece.
The Two King army arrives South of Blackwater marching through the plains. The king's troops are established in a defense crescent formation little more than a hundred meters away. Allied forces take position circling around showing their overwhelming forces. Loren places on a golden Lannister helmet nodding to the lords of Oakheart and Westford. Arys and Armory raises their swords leading bannermen in a six rowed charge directly at the Targaryen's middle. Armory kicks his horse's sides speeding ahead as the king's forces raise spears holding steady. The Two King army crashes into the Targaryens formation sending calvary flying off horses. Armory falls from his horse slashing the nearest man's throat. He evades a thrown spear as it pierces an ally's chest killing him. Amory presses forward past calvary slamming into the formation. "Push forward!" He yells parrying a Targaryen's blade shoving it in a nearby archer's neck. Arys swings his axe killing four soldiers overhand tossing it into another's thigh halting his movements. He grabs the longspear plunging it through the enemy's chest shouting for all to hear. Armory glances around noting their forces overwhelmed by the Targaryen's formation tightening once more.
Armory presses forward picking up a fallen shield blocking a lunge knocking over a pair of charging soldiers stabbing one's lung slamming the shield into the others throat crushing his windpipe spraying blood. A Targaryen soldier tackles Armory to the grass raising his sword grasping at the axe stuck in his spine. Arys yanks the axe out slashing another warrior offering Armory a hand up.
The two stand back to back charged up at the approaching Targaryen soldiers. The pair parry the enemies attacks slicing them down giving their second calvary charge a window to proceed. "Forward!" The second commander yells raising the Lannister banner up pointing to a thin path leading into the Targaryen formation's secondary and third columns. Lannister calvary ride through the opening slashing Targaryens warriors unable to adjust to the battle's sudden pace change.
Armory slashes a soldiers throat open grabbing a hold of his collar as arrows pierce the corpse. Armory shoves the soldiers into longspears. The allied forces notice Armory's actions quickly following suit tossing live soldiers and corpses onto the longspears weighing down the Targaryen warriors. Arys leaps off a corpse slashing past the third row cutting down the soldier's backs slashing their calves lowering the forces more allowing calvary to bypass the row throwing bodies in the air. Arrows fly into the air taking the aiding riders as more allied foot soldiers break through battling the retreating formation recognizing the tide is shifting.
Arys backfists an approaching soldier recognizing an approaching soldier recognizing the shield and spear Targaryens space two feet allowing their broadsword militia to charge confronting the allied forces for the first time. Armory slashes through a pair of Targaryen grunts spinning cutting down another. His wrist is consumed in a metal chain halting his sword strike. A dragon helmet warrior carrying a sledge smashes past soldiers in one hand pulling Armory to him. Armory unsheathes a Lannister dagger tossing it piercing the knights arm forcing the chain in the dirt. The Valyrian armor knight grips the hammer in two hands swinging wildly smashing a soldiers cracking his ribs. Armory ducks underneath a strike stumbling back evading an overhead slam. He slashes the Knight's Valyrian armor unbelieving his sword took the most damage out the exchange. Armory rolls snatching a deceased ally's shield blocking the hammer digging boots in the ground. The Targaryen warrior smashes repeatedly cracking the shield. Arys's horse runs the knight over trampling him into the dirt. The Targaryen reaches for his hammer as Armory snatches it first smashing his skull releasing another war cry rallying the allies continuing to battle the unyielding Targaryen soldiers.
Loren Lannister and Mern IX Gardener watch the battle side by side as their plan proceeds accordingly. "It's time Mern. Your call." Mern nods at the Order of the Greenhand sending them parading through the field in an orderly fashion led by his second son Gawen. The younger Gardener races toward the opening in the formation. This is all part of the plan once it opens they will eventually break through. "Hold steady!" Gawen rears the Gardener banner behind him throwing it through a Targaryen horse rider bursting through the formation's opening stretching it.
The Targaryen broadsword militia clash with the Order of Greenhand Knights overwhelmed in seconds. The order train for wars years round receiving only two leaves during that time hardly committed themselves to families or forgoing spare hobbies to pursue a life of constant battles. War is all they know. The only thing they want. Now the opportunity is at hand to end the Targaryen's reign before it truly begins.
Arrows Gawen's horse's knees sending him crashing into the dirt rolling to his feet parrying a charging soldier spinning slashing dodging a second parade of arrows pinning the forces behind him. Gawen grabs a shield ramming a trio knocking the group into the grass. He recovers slicing a soldier's throat blocking another's strike sticking the helmet spike through a third's mouth shoving him to the grass. He stumbles parrying a grunt as the Greenhand knights slay the broadsword assassins yelling out exuberance leaping over the dead Targaryens still holding their spear and shields under the corpses. Gawen trails the Order running to Lord Oakheart and Armory's position cutting through the Targaryen's defense.
Armory, Arys and Gawen work in tandem fighting through a second more vicious wave of warriors using eastern weaponry. Smoke bombs explode on impact halting the allies forward progress. Arys swings his axe wildly witnessing an ally cut down unable to block two swords piercing though his sternum. The spears and king shield Targaryen forces march condensing the battle using their weapons superior length to stab past the allied defenses. The Targaryen broadsword militia slash through the Order Knights pushing them back.
Loren Lannister grimaces seeing their progress halted by the Targaryen's foreign tactics in use for the first time. "Launch the catapults." He says to Edmund as his son rides off alerting the commanders at the end of the squadron lines to fire away waving the Gardener flag. The catapults hurl boulders in the air smashing into Targaryen shield carriers holding the front lines. Loren, Mern, Edmund and the others yell out as their comrades continue their assault.
Gawen dives out a crashing boulders path hoisted up by Armory and Arys blocking a lunging spearman as the Targaryen armies fourth and fifth rows leave their steady positions taking to the offensive for the first time. Armory is pierced through his side grasping at the shredded armor plate. "Keep moving we have to break through no matter the cost!" Armory shouts parrying soldiers slashing a spear in half. The pair continue with the Greenhand Knights pushing through the formation center as they make it to a point seeing the hillside behind the Targaryen forces. Gawen leads the charge cutting through a grunts neck spraying blood.
The Targaryens only ally Jon Mooton of House Mooton of Maidenpool located in the eastern Riverlands situated alongside the southern shore. He was the first lord to come over to the Targaryens side and given command of a their forces. A known traitor among his people of Westeros who should've been fighting for the Two King army however feared the dragon rider ruling over Westeros. "Lord Mooton what do we do? The allied forces are breaking through the Targaryen defenses."
Jon witnesses the Order of Greenhand slashing mercilessly through the Targaryen knights penetrating their once thought invincible defense. He's seen the Order in action once before during a battle at Harrenhal between the forces stationed there. It wasn't a sight to remember, the Order would've successfully taken Harrenhal had it not been for Lord Gardener taking initiative stopping the knights before it got out of hand. Jon settles his horse exhaling, "show the Targaryens what we're capable of!" He raises his sword swiveling his horse toward the Mooton army, "this will be the day we prove our worth to the crown, to the future of Westeros!" Jon rides down the northeast speeding to the ensuing battle.
Jon slashes through the first knight rescuing an ally sending his bannermen into a frenzy. The Mooton infantry consists mostly of carpenters, tilers, and lower class workers tending pedestrian jobs. They were fierce and tenacious but not soldiers as the Order of the Greenhand knights, they are more attuned to brawlers. One thing is evident the moment they enter the fray, the Mooton forces sure knew how to make an awful mess of things. Jon leaps from his horse cutting down knights evading a bronze tipped lance as it pierces a soldier's neck.
Armory stumbles beside the knights catching a glimpse of Jon slicing through their warriors. Jon grasps a soldier's collar yanking him back clashing against Armory parrying his stab. "Lord Moonton. Didn't think I'd see a traitorous cunt like you here thought you'd be hiding away where it's safe."
"I wouldn't miss this slaughter. You believe your fighting for the right side but you'd be wrong in thinking that."
"You're insane if you think fighting for the side of the Targaryens is the right thing to do. You know as well as I do they'll burn everything we built—"
Jon pushes Armory struggling against his strength "what do you mean? The Targaryen king promised us peace, he said he'd keep his word."
"And you're stupid enough to believe the word of a foreign invader that hasn't a clue about our traditions, customs, or people...Perhaps the Targaryen madness has spread to you."
"I've heard enough out of your cunt mouth." Jon slashes matching Armory's intensity. The pair lunge piercing a Targaryen soldier dropping the swords unable to wretch it free from his rib cage. Jon picks up a spear lunging at Armory sending him stumbling. Armory grabs the nearest sword clashing against Jon as the Targaryen loyalists remained stunned unable to believe Westford's lord parried his strike.
Arys and Gawen climb over a row of boulders leaping on the battlefield noticing the Targaryen forces sides begin to converge suffocating their army in the path they created to get to this point. "Don't stop you mongrels, Victory is upon us!" Gawen pushes past a shouting Arys cutting past approaching broadsword calvary evading a longspear using a spin stabbing the Targaryen soldier through the guy screaming 'onward.'
"The times almost come to make our last move. Once we break through the Targaryen king will be helpless to stop us." Mern IX says nodding to his son preparing their bannerman for the final assault.
Behind the Targaryens Aegon I the Conquerer stands beside Balerion 'the Black Dread' Aegon rests a hand on Balerion surveying the Two King forces rush through an opening in their formation. "The time is almost upon us my friend for now rest easy." He pets Balerion staring at Leron Lannister and Mern IX Gardener across the field.
Arys throws a charging soldier over a shoulder. Arys and Gawen lead the charge waving the Greenhand bannermen forward through the ninth and tenth rows. The pair evade spears closing in killing off knights slinging maces breaking through the knights armor. Arys parries a broadsword piercing a grunt's throat pushing him into another escaping a lunge flowing with the knights.
Loren leads forty thousand soldiers spanning the length of the field curving the ends of their formation rushing ahead of the two kings placing them in the center. The army stampedes tightening their lines rushing to the small opening. Edmund rides up front raising the Gardener banner speeding toward their objective. They cross the halfway point increasing pace shouting out a war cry. Mern draws his sword seeing his heir nearly at the Targaryen frontlines.
Fire spreads across the field consuming Edmund and their army's helm creating a wall between them and the Targaryen soldiers. The two king army halts scattering in every direction hitting each other trying to escape. Loren's horse throws him off darting south with a host of warriors. The fleeing soldiers are scorched in Balerion's fire forcing the allied army to change direction as smoke fills the air beginning to block the sunlight. Catapults strike Balerion forcing the dragon away from the field of battle. Mern stares at the spot Edmund burned away glaring up at Balerion circling around for an attack run. Visenya Targaryen rides Vhagar across the northern field trapping their army. "Retreat! Retreat!" Mern shouts riding through the burning field in attempt to find Gawen. He glances at the sky, "this is impossible, three fully grown dragons." Rhaenys Targaryen rides Meraxes spraying fire through their army sending Mern crashing to the dirt.
Loren slashes through a Targaryen soldier pushing past smoke as the Targaryen dragons roar overhead. Lannister and Gardener soldiers stumble out the smoke their armor melting into their scarred burns. The two king army are in disarray scrambling for any possible way out. Balerion's shadow encompasses the field raining hellfire onto the allies. Aegon keeps an eye on Visenya and Rhaenys staying in range within one another.
Loren finds his archers pointing at Meraxes and Vhagar working in tandem bursting through the clouds diving to finish them. Visenya races ahead of Rhaenys aiming for the Lannister archers. Loren holds an arm up keeping his gaze trained on the dragons. "Aim." The archers nock arrows pulling back bowstrings. "Steady." The archers glance at each other as heat rises all around. "Steady." The dragons nosedive closing in on Loren and the Lannister archers. "Fire!" Arrows launch through the sky hurling toward the sister dragon riders.
Rhaenys pulls back flying away as Visenya presses on evading the parade of arrows clutching her shoulder feeling an arrow pierce through the black Valyrian armor. Loren grabs a horse telling the archers to escort the injured taking them to safety wherever the fuck that was. Loren jumps on a horse riding through fire and smoke grabbing a lance plunging it through Targaryen and Moonton soldiers. Jon rides the opposing direction raising a lance as Loren does the same. The combatants smash the spears into each others shoulders falling from their horses watching soldiers emerge out the flames roasting before their eyes. Loren clashes against Jon parrying the fast strikes as flames sprays from the three dragons surrounding the field of fire. Jon stumbles unable to counter Loren's swordplay. Anger boils through the king of the rock witnessing his forces burn alive. Loren hurls a nearby axe knocking Jon to the ground stabbing him through the gut. Jon clutches the wound staring at Loren, "go on what you waitin for—Fuck Lannister you really don't know what you're in for."
Loren glides the sword over Jon's throat. "I should kill you slowly, if I were to do it quickly it'd be too good for the likes of you."
Jon spits blood on Loren's boots, "I did what I had to in order to ensure my people's safety. Look around you Loren do you call this doing what's best for your people? You got them killed Lord Mooton."
Loren applies pressure on the blade drawing blood, "you desire to die not by hand. I want you to recognize you're in the wrong siding with the Targaryens. No matter the outcome of the battle how long do you think it will be before they burn you as they have us." Loren climbs on his horse riding toward the Targaryen army.
Mern sprints through the field leaping over a pile of corpses slashing Targaryen spearmen shouting for his son. Two grunts tackle him to the ground one holds him down as the other raises a spear. Arys cuts down the two hoisting his king to his feet. "Appreciate the assistance." Mern coughs in an arm staring up at Balerion, Meraxes and Vhagar roaring circling the sky awaiting the smoke to clear. "I hate to ask especially now of all times, help me find my son." Arys and Mern charge into smoke in search of their comrades.
Aegon regroups with Rhaenys and Visenya miles from the battlefield landing their dragons allowing them to feed on wild sheep while the two king army suffers in the fire field. Rhaenys clutches Visenya carrying her to Aegon rushing to aid, "Visenya your shoulders bleeding. What happened out there Rhaenys?"
Rhaenys struggles to speak holding her older sister's bleeding shoulder, "The fault was mine Aegon. I charged recklessly into the enemies firing line trying to bury their forces earlier than I anticipated."
Aegon slings his wife's arm over a shoulder sitting her on a boulder kneeling at her side, "why would you do something like that? You know how important you both are to me. You're my sisters and my wives if anything happens to you two."
"Don't blame yourself over things you don't have any control over."
"She's right Aegon it's not it's not the first time we've taken injury in battle." Rhaenys says letting her long hair loose sitting next to Visenya.
"You're right. This is conquest not a single battle. This is only the beginning we have to prepare for the northern invaders marching south."
Visenya adjusts her Valyrian sword Dark Sister settling it next to her, "we need to finish this rebellion now Aegon."
"You two are done today. Fly to King's Landing and I'll return after the campaign ends." Aegon climbs on Balerion flying to finish what they started.
Arys and Mern run through smoke passing charred soldiers burnt beyond recognition. Mern slashes the Targaryen soldiers weaving through groups joining up with the smaller militia having survived Balerion's first attack run emerging relatively unscathed. "Gawen!" Mern spins out a thrown spear rolling into a pierce running a soldier through kicking him off the sword. "Gawen!"
Arys notices a looming shadow approaches from the south. Gawen stabs a soldier slicing through his spine hearing his father's voice calling to him. "Father!"
"Gawen!"
The smoke clears giving Mern a glimpse of his son and the remaining Order of the Greenhand Knights. Balerion incinerates the group hurling fire through the army sending Mern to his knees. Arys grabs the Reach king as he remains unresponsive staring at the spot where his last remaining son was burned. Mern shouts at the sky fighting Arys's hold.
"No my king the army needs you alive! The Order of the Greenhand is gone your sons are gone without you House Gardener vanishes that's why its imperative you make it out alive."
"That doesn't matter anymore we're all dead either way, this battle is lost." Mern says seeing Balerion spray fire streaks on their soldiers retreating west. The Gardener soldiers are burned alongside the Lannister as Targaryen and Mooton warriors. Mern draws his sword seeing the enemies slaughter the remaining soldiers run through smoke. Arys shields himself burns through the fields consuming Mern and killing the last remaining Gardener lord rendering their house extinct. Allies and enemies emerge out the flames flesh melting from their skin. The two king army's fifty five thousand reduce to less than half as Loren rides to Western portion of the field staring at the devastation and destruction caused by Aegon the conquerer. He didn't dare believe Aegon would go this far to preserve a victory. Burning men alive is a savage way of executing someone. Soldiers climb up the hillside seeking cover in the trees.
Armory hoists a scarred man covered in burns off the horse onto a full medical cart. "That's it I cant take any more injured with me we've reached full capacity." The doctor drives the horse into the forest leaving Armory and Loren the remaining Lannister commanders. Arys rides meeting them removing his helmet, "where's Mern and his sons did they make it out?" Armory asks.
"No House Gardener is dead." Arys rides off trailing their forces.
Armory and Loren witness Mooton and Targaryen forces retreat to the fields other side as Balerion engulfs the plains in fire. "Its time to go my lord." Armory says pulling Loren to his horse, "there are no survivors."
Loren relents climbing into his horse, "the battle may be over but I assure this war is far from over Armory." Balerion pursues the Lannister commanders retreating into the forest.
Aegon glides above the Lannister army circling around their frontlines spraying fire blocking the escape route west. The frontline soldiers halt falling from their horses changing direction running south. Loren and Armory branch off swerving through trees. The first Lannister commander witnesses an archer militia covered in flames as his horse bucks him off running from the present danger. Armory grunts staring at a broken branch impaled through his side. He slides down a tree coughing as smoke fills his vernacular. Loren rides up hoisting Armory's arm around a shoulder striding toward the clearing in the near distance.
Loren settles Armory glancing at the branch stuck between his ribs. "Goddammit my lord I didn't expect dying would hurt this much." He grasps Loren's gauntlets shouting out, "don't pull it out my lord...Its too late for an old shit like me."
"Don't day that Armory. The doctor is around I'll take you to him and we'll get you medical attention. They shouldn't be far—"
Armory places a hand on Loren's shoulder, "it's over my lord. We can't stop a beast such as that. Even if we run making it out of here Aegon will only pursue us to the ends of Westeros." Armory holds tighter pulling Loren close, "it doesn't matter if I die my lord you must survive and protect Casterly Rock and Lannisport."
"You're right I'll regroup with our forces at the Rock and make a final stand there. Our fortress walls can withstand the dragon fire—"
Armory rests against a tree releasing a laugh, "even still there isn't any possible way to defeat three fully matured dragons. You've seen what they can do, we had fifty five thousand men and they nearly all perished.
Loren bows releasing a low chuckle, "to think we had the perfect plan to overthrow this incestuous bastard."
Armory grunts grasping the branch holding his side, "my lord surrender if you have to. Bend the knee when the time comes. If you don't everyone in the Westerlands will share the same fate." Loren witnesses Balerion incinerate the forest hearing soldiers screams through the smoke.
"Come on Armory we're getting out—" Loren halts noticing the Westford lord's stillness blood leaking out the branch wound stuck between his rib cage. "Rest in peace my friend." He shuts Armory's eyes sprinting through the rising smoke.
Loren rolls out a timbering tree's path as Balerion sparks overhead sending soldiers fly into the dirt. Fire follows suit burning fleeing bannermen as they scream helpless against the dragon's flames scorching the forest. Loren sprints avoiding a flaming tree crashing in his path as he runs past burning men yelling for help. He watches a nearby Lannister flag turn to embers as the screams become distant. Loren glares at Balerion flying away leaving the area content to let the two king army burn.
Tyrion clasps hands behind his back pacing the throne room. "Loren is remembered by House Lannister as the Last King of the Rock of my ancestral house at the time of Aegon's conquest. He submitted to the rule of House Targaryen after surviving the 'Field of Fire' and became the first lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West. Loren and Mern IX are remembered through the songs collectively as the two kings. After House Gardener's extinction after the death of Mern's nephew Aegon marched for the seat of Highgarden whose steward Harlen Tyrell surrendered without conflict. Aegon rewarded him by giving House Tyrell dominion over the Reach raising him to Lord of Highgarden, Lord Paramount of the Mandor, and Warden of the South. I'd be remiss not to mention the end of this story. After Highgarden's surrender Aegon marched north to Redfork to face thirty thousand Northmen marching south under leadership of Torrhen Stark King in the North. Aegon once learning of this flew to meet the King of the North in person sending word to his army.
Torrhen Stark and Brandon Snow ride together leading their forces through the swamp passing fog rising out the water. "We should hurry up and get out of this place, the Targaryen army can be anywhere." Brandon says.
"Don't worey about it Brandon the Targaryens wouldn't cross the neck region. We know these areas like the back of our hands there's no way foreign invaders can memorize our lands using cartography it's not the same as traversing the land on horseback or foot."
"I don't disagree with your philosophy brother however scouts reported the Targaryen invaders have three dragons. They burned Harrenhal and as of more recently the Field of Fire incident."
"Its already been decided Brandon we're battling the Targaryens to the death. Our lords will never view me the same should I surrender they would call me the kneeler king."
"That might not be foolish brother. Loren Lannister surrendered kneeling to the Targaryens. He thought about Casterly Rock, Lannisport and his people in the Westerlands first. I expect you to do the same."
"Loren Lannister is a fool had he waited until we gathered our army we would've succeeded. Loren's impatience and arrogance was his downfall."
"Then don't let it be yours as well brother." The North army marched through the swamps cutting their way through overgrown forestry. Its been many years since the North mobilized an army marching south. The northernmost country kept to themselves choosing to stay out of foreign affairs outside the north. The people living in the north consider southerners and their traditions soft. A Northmen will thrive down south due to their harsh upbringing while a southern will wither away crumbling under cold alone conditions aside.
Torrhen raises a hand noticing shadows looming beyond the most stopping his army at the hilltop. Balerion's wings swipe sweeping the wind away revealing Aegon, Rhaenys, Visenya and their forty five thousand beside their larger sibling. The northern army stumbles unbelieving three dragons stood before them. "Goddamn monsters...No they're demons. Incestuous bastards won't stop until Westeros is nothing but a pile of rubble." Brandon says.
Torrhen turns his horse toward the army, "stay here In going to discuss what these invaders want."
"I'm with you brother where you go I go."
The Stark brothers meet Aegon and his sisters riding from their army dismounting horses. "What do you want invader? You brought your army awfully far north." Torrhen says staring through Aegon's purple eyes.
"I seek to control the entirety of Westeros. Without the North I was told it wasn't possible."
"This is what you call nicely huh? Must mean something different where you're from." Brandon says spitting at the Targaryen siblings boots. "Why don't you go back to Essos? What purpose do you have coming to a continent you have no preconceived notions about. Not the traditions-not the customs-the accents—you're foreigners."
Aegon glances at his wives crossing arms, "Essos isn't our home we had nowhere else to go. Dragonstone was an ancestral home to us. I don't see the issue with expansion if we had the power."
"Its an issue when you burn over thirty thousand Gardener and Lannister soldiers. Only a conquerer would do that which means your no king." Torrhen says gazing at Balerion wrestling with his siblings for a cow carcass. "And them? You really believe you're just a ruler with three fully sized dragons burning anyone who resists."
"Does that mean your resisting? We crushed every other resistance what makes your any different from theirs?"
"My resistance isn't a resistance. I stand for my people and do what I think is right. Burning people unjustly isn't the way to earn loyalty it only breeds the next generation of opposers. Though from where we're standing your the resistance." Torrhen says keeping his attention trained on Aegon.
"The crown demands you stand down or your people will burn it makes no difference to us." Rhaenys says glancing between the brothers.
Torrhen glances at his army locking onto the Stark banner displaying a white direwolf on a blue field thinking of House Stark, Winterfell, and the people living there. His army is bewildered in silence keeping completely still staring at the dragons. 'Their all dead.' He muses realizing what is necessary as the King in the North. He glances at Brandon giving a nod walking toward the Targaryen family.
Aegon meets Torrhen halfway as he removes his crown settling the crown at the Targaryen's feet. Torrhen kneels bowing swearing fealty, "the North is yours my lord we will beckon at your command should you need us."
The sisters share a glance unsure of the King of the North's sincerity. "You can't trust the northerner Aegon he—"
Aegon silences Rhaenys, "his actions is admirable. Had he attacked his people would've perished same as the others. Any lord choosing his people over power garners respect from me." Aegon draws his Valyrian sword placing the blade tip at Torrhen's shoulders. Lord Torrhen Stark I name you Lord of Winterfell and new Warden of the North." Brandon glances at the northern army dropping their weapons in the ground unable to believe the king they would die for inevitably bowed to the enemy handing the north to a Targaryen. Its only a matter of time before all he's remembered for is being the king who kneeled.