Not one of the three could relax. So they returned to Taron and Aulix's room, packing their gear. They reviewed the plans, using a map of King's Landing that Taron had bought.
"Phase one starts pre-dawn. Explosions will happen starting at the Eastern Barracks by Dragon Gate, Then Fishmonger's Square near the River Gate, followed by Shae's Manse and ending with Iron Gate as Tam and Byt leave King's Landing. Phase two the revolt begins in four key sections; Rhaeny's Hill, River Row, The Hook and the main one in King's Square which will be branching down Dragen's Way and Aegen's Way. We will already be inside the Red Keep's Gate by then, having come up Shadowblack Lane and blending in with the change of servants. Most of the City Watch will be in the Eastern Barracks and the River Gate Street Gang will keep the Royal Fleet Guards from entering the city. Once Cersei only has a few guards and the Mountain guarding her, we move in." Aulix demonstrated the first two phases on the map.
Taron then continued, "Aulix and I will kill the guards and the Mountain, while you stealthily go after Cersei. She's cunning, so be prepared for a fight."
Arya nodded. "Today my list will be complete."
Aulix added, "everyone, including Tam and Byt, knows to flee King's Landing once their job is done and go down river, to the waiting ship near Rosby Road, that will bring us all back to Dragonstone. Nymeria and the pack will escort Tam and Byt."
"We should head out, ride towards River Gate, sell the horses for passage on one of the boats," Arya suggested.
"I can't sleep either, so let's go. Everyone ready?" Taron asked and received nods.
They retrieved their horses and rode out. Anyone in earshot wouldn't think anything about it. It was a cloudy night, but torches that lit the streets gave them a clear view of roads leading to River Gate. In Fishmonger's Square, they sold the horses, but did not buy passage on a ship. A boat by one of the Winch Towers at the bottom of the Red Keep would take them to safety, if they didn't get out of the city through the Iron Gate.
Sticking to the shadows the three made their way along Shadowblack Lane. They were scaling the wall, almost inside the castle grounds, when Aulix sent the signal to Byt via a bird. It was nearing pre-dawn. Arya was hyper-aware, adrenaline building with every step. Only Aulix and Taron remained calm. Once breaching the castle, Arya split away from the guys. She couldn't help jumping, when the fire bells began to ring, after the first explosion erupted. It was hard to wait quietly in the shadows, as the city woke up with the onslaught of rioting people. The revolt was in full swing, as the sun announced dawn.
Danwe was leading the fighting from Flea Bottom that took over the street of Aegen's Way, while Dirna headed the uprising flowing from the King's square and rushing down Draegen's Way towards the Red Keep. The River gang split between fighting guards by the River Gate and heading towards the castle, using River Row. More of the poor got swept up by the rebellion and fought guards along The Hook. King's Landing's citizens could feel the undercurrent demanding change and most answered the call to rebel against the False Queen.
"Byt hurry up, we have Red Cloaks closing in!" Tam called urgently.
"Just launch those wild fire arrow bombs I gave you. I'm not moving until I take care of Aenys's wound!"
"Tam, Mera and I will ensure your safety!" Rian swore.
"Then get your asses up here if you want your Alchemist Guild to survive!" Tam ordered, handing them the arrows Byt had told him to use.
Mera looked back towards where the Eastern Barracks had once stood. "Do you think the elder will still make it out with the others?"
"He's a smart old fart, he'll get them to safety, even if that means going to the Red Mountains. Get your head in the game, or you'll be dead," Aenys said through gritted teeth, as Byt worked on his leg.
The three junior Alchemists; Mera Terg, Rian Gar and Aenys Sova, had chosen to follow Byt to hell and back. To them she was their last hope to revive their guild and bring back the old knowledge of Alchemy. They hoped to go to Braavos with her, once the war was over. Little did they know that this was just a prelude to the real war that descended from beyond the wall. Still they did push back the threat of guards and blocked off further attack using the wild fire arrows. It was temporary, but that's all they needed to escape the city. Tam let loose a whistle that Aulix had taught him. It was supposed to summon the wolf pack, to assist them beyond the Iron Gate. He was shocked that he could hear the howl, even above the noise of revolt.
"We've got to go now Byt, Nymeria is waiting!"
"I heard her damnit! Rian come help me with Aenys, he can't put too much weight on that leg or it will rupture the stitches. That damn dog will have to wait!"
Tam laughed, "don't let Arya hear you call her that, or even the wolf herself!"
Byt shot him a look and he shut up.
The five of them fought their way through the crowd and made it to where Byt had to set the final explosion at Iron Gate. This time she didn't use a trip string. Three vials were tied together and left in a hole in the wall that housed the gate. Once they were just outside the gate, Byt notched a bow and took aim. Tam lit the bow on fire and as soon as it was loosed, they took cover. The explosion that resulted, shook the ground and the stone blocks rained down as the gate itself crashed closed. It would never open again. People screamed and ran in all directions. Rian caught two horses, while Tam killed the Red Cloaked cowards riding them, to flee the city. The pack caught up to them, Nymeria in the lead. Mera shivered, upon seeing the blood that painted the wolves fur.
Meanwhile Aulix announced to Taron, "Tam, Byt and some kids are with the pack, almost at Rosby's Road. It shouldn't be too much longer, before the revolt starts to make Cersei nervous and she sends more men out of the castle."
"I know Arya will be impatient to get the job done, but she knows caution is still needed. Let's move closer to where Cersei should be. We can pick off the Gold Cloak guards, as we come across them." Aulix cracked his knuckles and grinned.
"You just like fighting and testing your skills… let's go!" Taron teased.
Through the castle they went, killing any guard they came across. The throwing discs, stars and daggers were all used up, by the time they found out where the False Queen and her Mountain were. But they had to take out the Barracks of the Gold Cloaks first. Aulix used three Sea Eagles and dropped wildfire bombs from the sky. The Gold Cloaks had no chance of escape.
"That'll push the Mountain to move Cersei towards the Citadel Maegor, the castle within this castle. But we will intercept them before they get there. Cersei will continue on, but not the Mountain. It will be close fighting, yet easier for Arya to corner Cersei."
Outside the revolt raged on and the focus was still on keeping them out of the Red Keep. The explosion inside the Red Keep's walls, sent everyone to guard the doors, except the Mountain. Cersei wasn't concerned, because some peasants would never get past her personal bodyguard and Knight.