The end of the storm

Edmure POV

For three days and three nights, the storm raged. The wind and the rain got stronger each day, but as the fourth day came. The Storm ended, revealing its destruction. The Ground was wed and muddy, and your feet would sink into it. Dozens of tents flew away with the wind. You could see plenty of places where the lighting scorched the ground.

If the storm lasted any longer, we could see some casualties from cold. The granaries and armory were well built, so they didn't get much damage. But the stables weren't so lucky. Scores of horses had run off.

"My lord," One of my best scouts came to me. "Stannis' ships were mostly destroyed. Four ships were left still afloat."

"Thank you for your hard work, Liam," I replied. "Keep a watch on Stannis."

"As you wish, my lord."

Once the scout left my tent, I called for Edmund to help me put on my armor. Our host sat doing nothing but hiding from the storm for three days and three nights. It isn't hard to predict a council to be called.

Once Edmund helped me put on my full plate armor, I left for the King's pavilion on the beaten path. I wanted to talk with the King first before other lords came. I wanted to know what he plans and share my own opinions.

Most lords would agree with anything the King would suggest. We had the numbers, so most would think we could take risks, but I didn't want to take any chances. I didn't want to lose men pointlessly.

I entered the King's pavilion with the permission of the guards. I was surprised to see Jaehaerys already speaking with Lord Karstark. Still, I didn't show any displeasure, and it was good that the lord of the North had warmed to the idea of Jaehaerys becoming the King.

"Lord Edmure," The King greeted me.

"Your grace, Lord Karstark," I greeted the men.

"I was talking with Lord Karstark about attacking Stannis. I would like to hear what you think."

"I first should learn what you are planning in more detail."

"I was going to give Lord Karstark Twenty thousand cavalry and five thousand foot to attack Stannis."

"I think it is a great time for a surprise attack against Stannis. Once Stannis is defeated, it wouldn't be hard to deal with the Lannisters."

"I have to agree with Lord Karstark," I replied.

"You do?" Jaehaerys asked. "I thought you didn't want to take any risk."

"I didn't, but I just got the news that Stannis lost his ships to the storm," I told him. "After the storm, it will be easier to defend our camp."

"It is the same with Stannis' camp," Lord Karstark said.

"Stannis' camp was by the sea. It was hit harder by the storm. Most of his men will be tired, and his camp will be in disarray. We should strike today."

"Very well, would you take the lead, Lord Tully?" Jaehaerys asked.

"Your Grace, I would gladly lead the cavalry in your name," Lord Karstark said before I could answer.

"Your Grace, I would suggest to give me five thousand cavalries to test the defenses of Stannis. Lord Karstark can lead the rest of the cavalry behind me."

"Very well, I trust in your capabilities, Lord Tully. Lord Karstark will support you."

"As you command, your grace," Lord Karstark and I replied.

"Take the men you need. I will inform the other lords later. As you said, Lord Tully, we should attack fast, not giving Stannis a moment to rest. I will ask the Reach to give part of their cavalry to you, Lord Karstark. They have not fought any battles yet. It is time for them to prove themselves."

I left together with Lord Karstark. On the way to our respective camps, I met with Patrek. Quickly explaining the situation, I ordered him to prepare the best riders. There is no way that Stannis has not ready for him to be attacked.

…

I rode on my horse, Rain, in front of the five thousand gathered riverlanders. Patrek has decided to join me instead of his father. The men all wore heavy armor. Once Edmund gave me my lance, I spoke to the men.

"Well, men, let's see what the stag is made of. He has demanded that we kneel to him while offering nothing in return. Where was he when Lannisters burned our homes? We owe him nothing, and he deserves nothing. This is the end of him. Show no mercy."

After giving my speech, I rode in first. Our horses dug deep into the ground with their hooves as we rode. Riding just out of the range of the walls of King's Landing, we soon reached The Dragon Gate, where Stannis set his camp.

I saw that the camp was in shambles as I got closer. The men stood with their spears and swords, and in front of them was Stannis on his horse. There weren't much of defenses for our horse to be hindered.

It might have worked on someone else, but I was a paranoid bastard. I slowed down before we got into the camp. Stannis wouldn't have offered himself so easily. It was a trap. Instead of going forward, I turned to the side with my men following me.

Arrows didn't do much to us. They just bounced off our armors. While going around his camp, I saw that only the front was without fences and pits. It was a trap. Stannis, not wanting to let us so quickly, gave chase with about ten thousand horses.

We couldn't escape from him, as the sea was before us. We had to ride along the sea, as now Stannis had an advantage in numbers and position. It was hard to ride on muddy ground and make sudden turns.

Not long after, Stannis couth up to us. There was nothing we could do but ground our teeth and face them. Stannis' cavalry hit us hard, with better speed and position than ours. We took a big hit but quickly recovered.

I broke my lance on the first man and quickly took out my Valyrian sword. The red sword cut the men rapidly. A lance hit me after I killed four men, knocking me out of my horse. I quickly put myself in a ball and put my shield over my head.

I was trampled by horses badly. Even if my armor and shield protected me from the worst, I felt the hits. Time seemed to stop for me as I felt my body being broken by horse hooves. Just as I lost my strength, it stopped.

Slowly and painfully, I stood up at the sight of Stannis retreating and Lord Karstark giving chase. My body aches badly, but I don't think I have broken any of my bones. Maybe my ribs, but otherwise, my armor protected me well, or I was lucky.

"Edmure, Edmure," I heard Patrek and a few others yelling for me.

"I am fine. Go after Stannis," I yelled out.

It was an excellent chance to catch him. There wasn't a place he could escape to. I wasn't in good shape to do anything. I heard fighting from Stannis camp. Lord Karstark's forces were finishing the rest of Stannis' forces.

"My lord, are you truly alright?" Ser Alan came to me.

"I will be fine," I told him. "Don't worry about me too much."

"Let me help you," Ser Alan said and held his left hand to me.

"Ser Alan, why do you wish to die?" I asked him.

"What do you mean, my lord," He tried to smile.

"Show me your right hand," I demanded him.

I had known the man for a long time now. I knew he was right-handed. There was no way he would have held his left hand and hid his right if he wasn't trying to do something to me. The Knight smiled at me and showed me his right hand holding a dagger.

"Well, I didn't want this to be painful for you," Ser Alan said.

"Guards."

I yelled, and three men left behind turned to me immediately. I was in no condition to fight, and I quickly rolled away for the false knight as three guards came to me. Ser Alan drew his sword and showed me his true skill by killing them without a problem.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"It doesn't matter who I am," He said. "But I will say, you are a danger to the one and true King. And this is the best chance I will have to kill you."

He moved fast and soon was upon me, pointing his sword at me. I managed to deflect the blade with my gauntlets. Still, his knife found a way to my shoulder joints. Yet it was his mistake.

Grabbing his hand, I headbutted him. Not letting him go, I punched him in the chin afterward. He managed to distance himself from me and again pointed his sword at me. I lay on the ground as he came at me. Yet all he found was mud on his face.

I swung at his legs, taking a broken lance, and he fell to the ground. I climbed on him and took his neck with my hands. He tried to stab me with his sword, but he couldn't move his hand well under me.

He spat at my eyes and hit my torso with his knee as I saw him turn purple. I reeled back from the pain in my chest. My ribs were broken, and now my shoulder had a dagger inside. It seems that I wasn't paranoid enough this time.

"You damn hard to kill," Ser Alan spoke. "I waited for the best chance to kill you for months, and even now, when you can't stand up, you still can fight."

He walked to me once again. I yanked the dagger off my shoulder and threw it at him. He blocked it and kept walking. Before I could find any weapon, he was upon me. I looked at him and laughed.

"What so funny?"

Fiding me laughing at him, he stopped for a moment but not for long. Yet, my answer came Patrek rode behind and stuck him with his sword. Alan was down on the ground next to me, he didn't move, but I still tolled out of the way.

"How many times have I had to save you, Edmure. I swear, without me, you would have died dozen times."

"Check if he's still alive. If he is, keep him alive," I told Patrek.

"Uh, he's dead," Patrek told me after rolling Alan on his back. "He hit his face on a rock."

I stood up with the help of two men who came with Patrek. Slowly I walked to Alan's body. His face was caved in. I saw a bloody rock which was hidden under the mud. Damn it. I still didn't know who sent him.

"Thanks, Patrek," I said. "What the situation with Stannis."

"I don't know. I wouldn't be able to catch up to them, so I thought I leave it to Lord Karstark."

Well, I was tired and beaten up. I told Patrek to take me back to our camp. Even if Stannis isn't captured, his host is beaten. I will count today as victory no matter what. I was too tired to lament about Alan's betrayal.

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