Tywin Lannister sat at his desk in his room at Harrenhal, scanning the map of Westeros as he made plans for the war. On the map were map-markers that represented each side. The map was covered with Baratheon, Tully, Stark, and Lannister markers, with Tyrell next to the green Baratheon marker that represented Renly, the Arryn, Greyjoy and Martell markers staying in their respected Kingdoms. The red Baratheon marker, that represented Stannis, was the one that never was needed to move since Stannis hasn't left Dragonstone yet.
Tywin never imagined that the War would take such a toll. Tywin thought that once he took down Robb Stark, he'd be free to fight the Baratheon brothers. But he underestimated Robb Stark, him capturing Jaime and making an alliance with a Pirate. Now the Lannisters had to deal with three enemies, leaving them much more vulnerable.
Tywin was interrupted from his thoughts when his brother, Kevan, walked in.
"Tywin" said Kevan "I wanted to inform Gregor Clegane attacked the village where the Brotherhood Without Banners was rumored to be holding shelter"
"And?"
"It was a trap" said Kevan grimly "The village was evacuated and filled with the corpses of our men and dozens of wolves"
"Who led the ambush?" asked Tywin.
"Wasn't Stark men, it was actual wolves. According to the Mountain, there were nearly forty wolves, with a giant she-wolf leading the pack"
"How many men?" said Tywin, unconcern with wolves.
"Five with four injured" said Kevan.
"And Clegane?"
"A bite, nothing more" said Kevan.
"Then that is all" said Tywin.
"My Lord" said Kevan as he bowed then leave.
Tywin forgot, he had four enemies. The Brotherhood Without Banners were another one of the Lannister's enemies. Unlike Stannis, Renly, and Robb, the Brotherhood fought in the shadows and only in raids, attacking Lannister camps in the dead of night. Gregor Clegane swore that he would bring back Lord Beric's head himself, but Tywin thought that only Tyrion's Trandoshan warriors could find him with their hunter's instict. Tywin was amazed when a Trandoshan scout came and swore that he and his Tribe would join with the Lannisters, but that they would be staying with Tyrion at King's Landing. After Tywin got over the shock of the lizard behemoth, he was slightly crossed that such warriors would waste their time defending the city. But Tywin could see that the Trandoshans had honor in them, and staying with Amory Lorch and Gregor Clegane would only infuriate the creatures. And the monsters could make attacking King's Landing more difficult for Renly and Stannis, at the very least keep the Small Folk in order. How Tyrion got such monsters to join their sides, Tywin will never know.
Tyrion was another matter. While Tywin despised the little dwarf very much, he wasn't blind enough to see that Tyrion was very wise and could be the only one besides Kevan to take the position of Hand in Tywin's place. He remembered what his sister Genna told him once, how Tyrion was more like Tywin than Jaime would ever be. Tywin ceased speaking with her for half a year for that, though she wasn't wrong. While Jaime was strong and a great warrior, he could never rule like Tywin could. But just because Tyrion was like Tywin in several ways, that doesn't mean he has to love the dwarf that waddles around like a Lord while his wife remains dead.
"Lord Tywin" said a Lannister soldier as he walked through the doors "Several letters arrived for you"
"Leave them"
The soldier dropped the letters on the desk and left. Tywin saw that their were five letters overall. He grabbed the first one and saw it was from Tyrion. He unrolled the parchment and read the letter.
Father
I would like to tell you that me and my men have safely arrived at King's Landing. I have established myself as the temporary Hand until you arrive to take your place as the true Hand. I have also established Boba Fett as Master of Ships, Bronn as Commander of the City Watch, and Girorn Fess as Master of Laws. All of this has infuriated Joffrey and Cersei, but this was needed. I have Boba looking in on Pycelle, Varys, and Littlefinger as you wanted. I also regret to inform you that Arya Stark was never Cersei's prisoner and has fled, where she is I don't know.
Tywin twitched for a second. With Ned Stark on the run, they needed as many hostages to exchange for Jaime as possible. Now Cersei had the nerve to hide this from Tywin. Tywin would have to let it go. She was most likely dead by now, as long as the Stark's don't find out was all that mattered. But Tywin pondered about something in the letter. He said that his Sellsword Bronn was the Commander of the City Watch, that position wasn't empty. Something happened to Slynt, so Tywin returned to the letter to see what else his son had to say.
Besides that, I have been doing as much as I can to restore order around here. I have sent the heads of Ned Stark's servants back to Winterfell. If there's ever a chance a peace with the Northmen, might as well start small. Girorn has stationed his men around the streets to keep an eye on the Small Folk. Oh, and if you have any ideas about Harrenhal, go right ahead. Janos Slynt is now a burnt corpse after he and Boba annoyed each other. Cersei disapproves, but that's only because it was one of my men that killed him. And one more thing. I discovered some of the corpses of the Gold Cloaks that looked for Ned Stark were killed by people that used weapons like Boba uses. In fact, Boba was capable of identifying one of Lord Stark's aids. A smuggler named Han Solo, who should be in the company of a creature called a Wookiee. I don't think I need to describe it, you'll know if you ever see it.
Tyrion
So Tyrion was able to find a clue in Lord Stark's escape. If this Han Solo person stood out as much as Boba Fett did, then finding such a man wouldn't be hard. The only concern was that if he used weapons like Boba Fett, then he would be hard to kill. Tywin saw how Boba flew through the air thanks to the device on his back and how he scorched the Northmen once he landed. Tywin also had to admit that killing off Janos Slynt was a favorable move. The position of being Lord of Harrenhal was opened for a better choice, the Small Folk will rejoice in his death, and Tywin personally never liked him. Tyrion also mentioned peace with the Northmen. Even though Joffrey did put a price on Ned Stark's head, they didn't kill him. So if they could find Ned Stark, he could exchange him and Sansa Stark for Jaime and bring peace between Robb Stark and Tywin. If asked, he could tell the Stark's that he would keep Arya Stark as a hostage and hopefully they won't hear about her disappearance.
Tywin folded Tyrion's letter and picked up the second letter, from Cersei. He sighed before opening it.
Father.
I beg you to come to King's Landing to take up your place as Hand of the King. The Small Folk grow restless every day and Tyrion's monsters are only abusing their power at the capitol. The armor sellsword killed off Janos Slynt and Tyrion had the other sellsword take his place. And his lizard men intimidate the maids and servants. Tyrion probably fed Janos's corpse to them. Stannis and Renly could attack us any day and Joffrey needs you not a dwarf. I-
Tywin stopped reading and crumpled the letter up. Even though was a grown woman and Queen Regent, she was overall a spoiled girl that still complains about her brother. Tywin knew that she was lying about the Trandoshans eating Slynt's corpse. When the Trandoshan scout arrived at Tywin's camp, he stayed a night and Tywin could see that though the Trandoshans were not human, that didn't mean they weren't human like. Last time Cersei sent a letter to Tywin, she commanded Tywin to come to the capitol, now she begs him. Tywin saw how each of his children grew up. Jaime grew up a knight and had to serve as a Kingsguard instead of Tywin's heir. Tyrion grew up a drunkard yet also a reader. But Cersei. She was raised to be a lady and grew up to be a Queen. She gave birth to three heirs to the Kingdom. Yet she knows nothing of ruling. She assumes that she is a great ruler and that those who oppose her only believe that because she is a woman. Catelyn Stark could prove her wrong. How his daughter grew up to be such an idiot, he doesn't know.
Tywin put the crumpled letter down on the desk and took the third letter, one from Varys.
Lord Tywin
I gladly write to you to tell you of how the war is going. While Stannis remains at Dragonstone, his men how been going around collecting allies in hedge knights and pirates. Renly and his armies stop at every town and hosts a feast that lasts several nights. If he continues this, then all we'll have to worry about is Stannis. Robb Stark has made an alliance with a mysterious bank called Gringotts. Where the bank came, I haven't the foggiest idea. But Robb Stark now has the gold to keep the pirates fighting for him. Dorne and the Vale continue to stay neutral, though I don't know about the Iron Islands. Robb Stark sent Sao Feng to negotiate with Balon Greyjoy, the Pirate probably being the best choice to go. Lord Tyrion, as you may know by now, has killed off Janos Slynt and found clues to Ned Stark's escape. Ned Stark himself is still missing. As for his daughter, I have one of my men watching over her to make sure his Majesty doesn't harm her. On non-related news, the Night's Watch have sent letters requesting for more men to join the Watch. And Daenerys Targaryen continues to remain lost since the disbandment of her husband's Dothraki Khalasar.
Lord Varys
Well that letter was more useful then the last one at least. Tywin hoped that if Robb Stark ever tried to get Balon Greyjoy on his side, he would foolishly use Theon Greyjoy, but no doubt that his mother or the Pirate Lord persuaded him otherwise. Still, Robb Stark was the son of Eddard Stark, the man who helped Robert Baratheon dethrone Balon Greyjoy during his Rebellion. Their was a chance that Balon Greyjoy wouldn't join up with the Starks. The news about Renly and Stannis was already known about, but the Bank was the more troubling news. With the gold this new bank would provide, Robb Stark could have more Pirates join up with him and maybe a sellsword company.
Tywin put the letter on top of Tyrion's and picked up the fourth letter...from Dragonstone? What would Stannis Baratheon possibly say to him.
I declare upon the honor of my house that my brother Robert left no trueborn heirs. The boy Joffrey, the boy Tommen, and the girl Myrcella being born of incest, being born between Cersei Lannister and her brother Ser Jaime Lannister the Kingslayer. By right of birth and blood I do this day lay claim to the Iron Throne of Westeros. That all true men declare their loyalty.
Tywin immediately ripped the letter into twos then fours then eights until they were little shreds. The nerve of Stannis Baratheon. Baratheon had the gull to call his grandchildren spawn of incest. This had to be an excuse for him to strengthen his cause. Tywin pushed the thought out of his head and turned to the last letter. It was not written who wrote it. When he opened it, he didn't recognize the handwriting.
To the man in charge of this castle, let it be known that me and my men have been watching you men have war against each other for a long time. Me and my fellow brothers have been pulled out of our lands along with our Kingdom and have been secretly watching the men fight while we learned the situation of this war. We don't care who's a King and who's a false King, we don't care. All of you Kings and Lords are all men, we stand besides our own kind. Let it be known that you and your fellow men will fall at our feet.
D.H.
Tywin read the letter a second time before confirming it. Who ever wrote this letter was not his friend or Robb Stark's or Stannis Baratheon's. Whoever this D.H. was, he was a threat. And Tywin had too many threats as it was.
.
"Your know what to do?" asked Orion to Sao Feng, the Empress and her crew leaving as soon as Sao Feng got on.
"Make sure Balon joins us, or kill him otherwise" said Sao Feng in a tone that said he didn't really care.
"Only kill him if he declares himself an enemy, if he stays neutral just leave him on his island to sulk. He wont be a threat"
"People who stay neutral are always a threat" said Feng.
"...Best of luck captain" said Orion as Feng made his way up the Empress. He watched as the Empress and two other ships left for the Iron Islands. Robb was currently with his mother as she, Gibbs, Marty, Pintel, Raghetti, Cotton, Anamaria, and the chosen Rivermen left for Renly. Robb and Orion were to lead an attack on the Oxcross soon, taking the Lannister host at the dead of night with Grey Wind scaring off the horses. Orion and Theon were to follow Robb into the charge.
Orion decided to have a talk with a person he's been waiting to talk to. He walked over to where the prisoners were kept. He walked over to the cell he wanted and told the guard to leave before entering the cell himself. As he entered, he uncorked the screw off a bottle in one of his pockets. He looked down at the man tied to the ground.
Ser Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer. The Lannister wasn't kept in the finest conditions. He wasn't tortured, he was just not groomed. He wore simple dark brown rags that needed to be wash. His face was covered in dirt, ruining his once golden mane. A beard also grew over the time he was imprisoned. Jaime stared at Orion as Orion adjusted himself.
"And you are? asked the Kingslayer.
"You don't remember me?" asked Orion.
"Oh no, I do. It's just that all I know about you is that you fought in the Whispering Woods and that you hide your face behind silver robes and a House Reyne sigil. Though I doubt your an actual Reyne, my father killed them all"
"My name is Orion. And your right, I'm not a Reyne. Just a servant of a different lion"
"Oh how frightening" said Jaime as he rolled his eyes "Doesn't matter though, my father killed one family of lions, I guess he could do it again"
"Maybe" said Orion "But that's not why I came here"
"Well if we're going to talk, at least let me stand. Unbind me?" asked Jaime.
"No. If I do anything to try to free you, you'll attempt to kill me and run" said Orion.
"Can you blame me?"
"Why do you keep trying to run for it? You know you wouldn't get far"
"I have nothing better to do. And it's the most exciting thing I can think of"
"...I don't understand"
"Well, after being locked up for so long-"
"No, I meant you"
"Me?"
"Your father, sister, and son are evil. Your other son and your daughter are peaceful. Your half brother is lecherous, but still kind. Yet theirs you"
"What are going on about?"
"My sister has been watching your family. Even though I know you fucked your sister, pushed a boy out a window, attacked Ned Stark, and even besmirch your Knighthood, my sister says your not truly wicked"
"Well at least someone thinks so" said Jaime.
"Don't confuse yourself. Your still evil, just not like your family"
"...Care to explain?"
"Your sister and father and son seem to be naturally bad, like they were born wicked. But you. My sister says that wickedness has been thrusted upon you. Like something happened that made you wicked"
"...Aerys Targaryen"
"The Mad King?"
"Yes" said Jaime "The Mad King. I was there with him during Robert's damn Rebellion. I was a Knight and I stabbed him in the back"
"Your ashamed of killing him?"
"No, I will never be ashamed of killing him" said Jaime "It's just what happened afterwards that made me change. Try having everyone calling 'Kingslayer' behind your back and to your face. Have Lords and fellow knights call you a disgrace knight that should of been shipped off to the Night's Watch. Try standing on one side of the door while the King fucks and cheats on your love ones"
"...Your right, I wouldn't know" said Orion. He then turned to leave the cell.
"That's it?" said Jaime.
"That's it" said Orion. He signaled for the guard to return to guarding Jaime and then left for his tent. As he got into his tent, he dropped onto the bed and pulled out the uncorked bottle.
This bottle was a potion from the Wizarding World. It was called Veritaserum, a truth telling potion. Orion put it into vapor form and released it into the cell as he was talking to Jaime. He could tell it could work, because from what he got from Robb, Jaime always denied being Joffrey's father, even if it was poorly. He didn't this time. Orion didn't know what he should feel about Jaime Lannister. Like his brother, he wasn't the worst Lannister, though still not a good one. He remembered a saying from he Galaxy far far away. There are always two sides, but evil is on both. To a common man, the saying would be confusing. But to Orion, it meant their was good and bad in armies, no matter who leads it. Orion could name a few people that fought for the Northmen that could qualify for bad. Walder Frey, Roose Bolton, a goblin or two in Gringotts, and from what he heard from the rumors down North, Roose's bastard son, Ramsay Snow.
So did that mean Jaime was the good in a bad army? He certainly wasn't pure. Incest and Kingslaying are horrible crimes, both in and out of Westeros. But he didn't seem wicked. He could list a few good deeds Jaime Lannister did. He only attacked Ned Stark because his brother was taken and refused to finished him off after a soldier got in the way. And from what he got from Robb's visits, he asks about his family from time to time, so he at least cares about them if not anything else. But in the end, Orion couldn't get a clear understanding of Jaime Lannister.
"Orion"
Orion turned and saw Robb enter his tent.
"We make for the Oxcross in five minutes" said Robb.
"Okay" said Orion as he got off of the bed.
"I heard you talked to the Kingslayer" said Robb as he and Orion made their way outside.
"Aye"
"Anything that we should be concerned about?"
"...No Robb, nothing at all"
.
"You want me to have a god? Fine" said Davos to his son Matthos as they were to make their way back to Dragonstone "King Stannis is my god. He raised me up and blessed me with his trust. He gave you a future I could never have imagined. You know how to read, you'll be a knight someday. You think a fire god commanded all that? It was Stannis. Only Stannis" said Davos as he climbed on his horse.
"Stannis is my King but he's only a man" said Matthos.
"Don't tell him that" laughed Davos as he reined his horse towards the boat. The horse however refused to move. Davos could feel that horse shaking.
"Don't move" said Davos.
"What-"
Don't...Move" said Davos as he dismounted his horse and drew his sword.
"What is going on?" asked Matthos.
"An animal most likely" said Davos as he looked around.
"A wolf? Or maybe a shadowcat?" suggested Matthos.
"Not this close to sea" said Davos.
Davos then heard the sound of metal hitting the ground. Davos turned towards the sound, behind several pillars of stone.
"Be careful" said Davos as he slowly moved towards the pillars. He expected whatever animal it was to come out and either pounce out towards Davos or run away. What came next wasn't what he was expecting.
"Halt. Stay where you are human"
Davos stopped and raised his eyebrow. So it wasn't an animal, but it called Davos human. So what was it?
"Who are you? We got you out numbered"
"There's only four of you" said the voice "Your missing the stubs on the fingers on your one hand and another has the hints of a boy. I have thirty soldiers and we're all armed"
"We are King Stannis's men" said Matthos, catching on to the conversation "Kill us and you'll be short a head"
"We're prepared to face a king's wrath" said the voice "And we're far away from this King of yours"
"Show yourselves" said Davos.
For awhile, everything was quiet. Then, thirty soldiers ran out from behind the pillars. Or rather, thirty animals. Possums.
"Possums?" said Davos.
"What madness is this?" said Matthos.
"Now you see what we are" said the head possum. He stood on his hind legs and carried a small cleaver, the possums behind were the same.
"How can this be? Possums can't talk" said Davos.
"Maybe not in this land, but in the Land of Narnia, many animals have the gift of speech"
"I haven't heard of this Narnia" said Davos, trying to keep his cool "Is it beyond Essos?"
"I don't know. Me and my brothers were on our way to join the other Narnians to rid ourselves of our enemies, the Telmarines, but we made the mistake of going to the ruins of Cair Paravel. A storm overtook us and we were all tossed into the sea. We woke up several hours ago on the shore where you and that friend of yours were talking"
"Blown away at sea?" said Davos "And you drifted from this Narnia all the way to Westeros?"
"That is just what we thought. To a possum, we can run faster than a dog and bite harder than badgers. But great swimmers, we are not...But I have to say, for a man that has never seen a talking possum, your taking this all well"
"I heard that the our enemies the Lannisters made an alliance with a group of lizard men. And I've seen what a certain Red priestess could do"
"Then your not going to attempt to kill us?"
"I don't think I could" said Davos as he sheathed his sword. The head possum stared at Davos for several seconds before the tail wrapped itself around the cleaver hilt and put it behind his back.
"Palyor" said the head possum.
"Davos Seaworth" said Davos "And my son Matthos"
Matthos just looked at his father in with a face of unbelief, like he didn't want to be mentioned.
"If I may ask you sir, do you think this King of yours can provide me with a boat to sail for Narnia?" asked Palyor.
"I'm afraid we are at war and needs all of our boats he can get" said Davos "But I can take you to him and maybe we'll think of something"
"I thank you Davos Seaworth" said Palyor "Lead the way"
Davos bowed his head and headed towards his horse. Davos didn't know what god there was or why they/he/she/it chosen Davos to meet these possums, but Davos was going to see what lies ahead in the future for him.
.
So that was the 30th chapter. If your curious to who D.H. is, I think only certain people who played an online game would know who D.H. are. I'm adding the D.H. because I think their needs to be another enemy besides the Lannisters to stir things up until the Empire and their allies arrive.
As for the possums, in the books and movies there were no Narnian possums. I thought up the idea and wanted to include them in this story.
This chapter wasn't really excitable, but the next chapter should make up for it. Also please review. I get good ideas when I read people's reviews. So just review and I'll be happy.