Bruce: Chapter 28
Bruce left Alfred and Lucius to deal with Dick's burning resentment. He knew how badly the boy wanted to assist, and further prove himself, but Tywin was certainly not the foe to do so against. Nor was his army of thousands…
It is best for him to say in the castle. He is out of harm's way, and Alfred will have someone to worry over presently since his worry for me will cause him…. Bruce tried not to think of how Alfred would be feeling this night. He needed to focus on his mission, and the night of a thousand hours that lay before him.
His mount's muscles were tensed beneath him. The horse was surely exhausted from the many times to and from this city in the past day, but it tirelessly continued on, as Bruce did.
Trees gave way to buildings as Bruce rode into Gotham. The sun was in the sky now, and beginning its descent towards the earth. Soon, soon he'll arrive, and then hell will be unleashed.
Over a hundred strategies and plans of counterattack and defense had flown through Bruce's mind, one hundred and thirty two precisely. But none of them ended in success. Forcing Tywin's forces through one gate, wildfire that they didn't possess, even sneaking into their encampment and killing Tywin in the middle of the night wouldn't be enough to save Gotham, but the last idea would surely cripple the Lannisters for centuries. There's no way to stop him, save flying atop a dragon over his men, there's no way to stop the coming storm.
As he passed people on the streets, he could see fear plainly on their faces. It was not fear of him that he saw, but fear of what was to come. The people of Gotham knew possible death was near, and not even the sight of their resident hero was enough to make them feel safe. They cowered out of the way all the same. Clearly none of them were accustomed to seeing the Batman in the daylight. A pointed helmet, torn cape, and black armor aren't as menacing as in the night, but anything out of the ordinary was enough to scare commonfolk Bruce had learned.
He arrived at Gordon's keep in just over a half hour's turn. He tied the horse to the railing beside the front stop, and marched up through the front doors. Seven guards stood watch, and none of them made a move to stop him aside from dropping their jaws. When the doors opened and Bruce stepped through them, every city watchman in the city turned and froze. Then, a call echoed down from the top of the stairs as Gordon marched down them.
"All of ya shut your mouths and get back to work. There's a greater threat to worry about then a damn outlaw in the middle of my keep. You," James pointed at Bruce, "You'll have a care to see this." Bruce took Gordon's lead and followed him up to his quarters on the third floor. The rest of the men resumed their stirring and preparing.
As Bruce reached the top of the stairs and turned to the right, he found an unexpected presence. To each side of Gordon's chamber doors stood a guard, but not one of his. These were women, armored in golden plates with silver inlay and a tall spear gripped firmly in hand. A shield was strapped across their back, and a sword at their belt. Their chins were strong, and their eyes unmoving from staring straight ahead of them. True soldiers, but who is their master?
Bruce's question was answered upon entering the room. There stood another woman, although this one stood with the commanding presence of Tywin Lannister paired with a grace that Bruce had not seen in a woman since Talia. She had raven black hair, crimson breast plate and dark blue leather beaded skirt. A sword was buckled to her hip, and a golden tiara graced the crown of her head. A lasso wound of golden rope wrapped around her belt opposite the sword. Her eyes were a pale icy blue, staring intently at a map of Gotham laid across Gordon's desk. Visenya Targaryen reborn…
James and Bruce came to a stop, but the woman did not take notice of their presence. With a clear of his throat, James managed to draw her from the parchment. "My Lady, this is…"
The stranger cut James off as she turned to face Bruce and extended a hand. "Princess Diana of Themyscara. Daughter of Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons."
Bruce made no move to return the hand. Diana stared at Bruce, and then turned to Gordon. "Is this not how people of your kingdom greet each other?"
James raised his brow and continued past her to the other side of the desk. "That's one way, yes, not his way mind you. My Lady, our resident myth, Batman. Batman, the queer woman that showed up two hours ago on a ship, Princess Diana."
Bruce stepped to the desk to stand beside Diana. "What do we have?" Bruce asked.
"Straight to the matter then," Diana turned to face the map. "The walls are too long and we have too few men to defend them. Even with the eight centuries of Amazons I arrived with, if this Tywin Lannister's forces are truly in the tens of thousands, the battle will be hard to win."
Gordon nodded. "Aye, but there're no questions here? A woman appears as if by some sort of black magic with eight hundred women clad in armor and spear, and you have nothing to say? Even after seeing you and that mad clown my head spun around a few times before I could wrap my mind around the matter."
After a few moments of silence neither Bruce nor Diana acknowledged Gordon's comment as they continued to stare into the map. "Right, well, I suppose it's just us mere mortals that are affected by such occurrences. So can the two of you work out a plan together then?"
Before Bruce could respond, a man came running up the stairs. He was a younger boy, and judging by the fear in his eyes was a new recruit. As the boy heaved for breath he managed to get out the words, "Ser, they're here."
They rode out to the gates together. Gordon led the party, with Bruce at his side, and Diana beside him. Thirty of Diana's Amazon warriors took up behind them, followed by fifty of Gordon's most trusted men. Sarah Essen rode at Gordon's other side. Bruce had no love for Highgarden, but if Gordon trusted her, he supposed he could manage. No words were said on the ride there, for all knew what sort of doom could lie in store ahead of them.
The wall of Gotham City loomed in front of them. Tywin had reigned in his legions of men directly in front of Gotham's front gates. Most leaders would have surrounded a city, or scouted for weaknesses, not Lord Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock, and not when dealing with a city he despised as much as Gotham. Tywin's forces would be lined up in front of Gotham in their full numbers by sundown, and it was said that at least five thousand of those men were already making camp in the field beside the city. The lord of Casterly Rock was scorned by Gotham and spurred by his thirst for vengeance and to restore the renown that came with the name Lannister. Ever since the Joker had killed six centuries of his men and sent him running, word had spread throughout the seven kingdoms that the great Tywin Lannister had been bested by a clown. Or pray we don't become the next inspiration for a song about daring not to cross the Lannisters.
As the gates parted, the measures that Tywin was willing to go to restore the fear associated with his name grew clearer. The dancing green blades of the field slowly gave way to waves of crimson as tents were being constructed and specs of color that were sure to be soldiers bustled in and amongst each other. The flood of red stretched from one tree line to the other as the entire width of the field was being turned into the den for the lions to wait for their kill in.
The boy that had told them of Tywin's arrival also gave word that Tywin wished to meet outside the city walls, to negotiate terms of surrender. Bruce had no intentions of surrendering, but facing odds like this… No, no matter what Tywin agrees to and whether it be peaceful or by force, Gotham will be sacked. Its women raped, its children slaughtered, its buildings burned to the ground. Gotham goes down in a blaze of defiance, or not at all.
They brought their horses five hundred feet from the safety of the wall, to stay within range of the archers. After waiting ten minutes, a small party finally parted from the crimson lake. As they grew nearer, Bruce could begin identifying the party members. Lord Tywin rode at the front, his white chin scruff glimmering in the light, behind him were what could only be his brother Kevan, and two of his other war council members. Behind them rode fifty Lannister soldiers. They halted their horses a mere fifty paces from where Gordon and his party sat upon horseback.
Lord Tywin was the first to speak. "Ser Gordon, I was not aware that Gotham had begun enlisting the assistance of wanted criminals, and women."
The Lannister soldiers all let out a chuckle and fit of snickering at the jape. James replied calmly, but with great authority in his voice. "Lord Tywin, why have you come here? Why come to our city? We are not involved in this feud between you and the Starks."
"No you are not, but this city still commits a crime all the same. Your city's mere existence upon this earth is heinous. Your people are bloodthirsty savages, committed to raping, killing, and stealing from one another to their heart's content. They hold up this, broken, soul beside you as a hero, when truly he only deserves a jail cell and execution sentence. And now you bring these women out here to combat my armies? Are you striving to make a mockery of war, Ser Gordon? Your city is muddled by poverty and corruption, and weighed down by its chaotic nature. I am the harbinger of change for your city Ser Gordon, and I will take this city whether your men take up arms or throw them down. As I told you the last time we spoke Gordon, this war is not over yet," Tywin called out in a loud booming voice. Bruce could hear a few horses behind him grow anxious and snort.
Bruce brought his horse a few steps closer. "Tywin Lannister, you will take these men off field immediately, or the fate of each and every one of them will fall on your head, as do the six hundred that fell before in this city."
Then Bruce heard a voice he had neither expected nor hoped to hear, the chiming voice of a man who thought himself better than all those around him. Subtle tones of mockery and jest glowing through the words, with a thick coating of brazen ego over top of them.
"But, in order to carry through with such a threat, wouldn't you need an army of your own?" The voice called out. The small Lannister formation parted to allow a tall white horse to stride through. The rider was adorned in the white armor with gold inlay of the kingsguard, his white cloak covering the horse's rear. Its rider's waving golden hair was buffeted in the wind, and his eyes were green pools that stared down upon Bruce and his company as if he was on a mountain top and they in the deepest point of the lowest valley.
Jaime Lannister continued on when none returned his words with any of their own. "Gordon is it? How old are you again? Five-and-Forty? A tad old for playing hero is it not?"
Gordon said nothing, so Jaime continued. "And a woman? Well, women, I should say. Well, I've certainly never seen a woman in armor before, but I suppose the lot of you would die just the same as men in armor. And ah, this must be the famous Batman I've heard so much about. You know what they call you in King's Landing? The Dark Knight. I suppose it does have a certain charm to it…but I digress, where are my manners? Gentlemen, ladies, Batman, I present myself to you, Jaime Lannister, son of Tywin, Kingsguard to King Robert Baratheon. Oh, and executioner to any of you who dare take the field opposite our army. Tell me Ser Gordon, how many men do you have back behind those walls. A thousand? Two thousand of your men that can truly wield a sword? Another thousand or three that may agree to take up arms to fight us, but you know the truth of this matter Gordon. And Lady, apologies, I don't know your name, the blonde one beside Ser Gordon. I see the flower of Highgarden on your chest there, but, wait I don't see any others. Has Lord Tyrell abandoned you my lady? Thirty thousand men, my father will possess, and those are only the ones that have returned ravens. You are doomed Ser Gordon, so lay the sword down, put the badge up to rest, and save your "forces" from future embarrassment."
Bruce paid no mind to what Jaime was saying, or how Diana or James reacted, his mind simply raced. His blood was boiling in his veins, as if it were like to burn through his skin and fall to the earth. His mind was clouded by rage, and all he could focus on was the Kingslayer before him. Ned…he attacked Ned without just cause, and fled like a coward.
Jaime was in the midst of saying a jest about what tool women could best use on the battlefield when Bruce roared, "Jaime Lannister! Before this battle is done, your head will be at my feet! And your armies fleeing before us!"
The Kingslayer gave pause to this, and merely chuckled. "In order for that to happen, that would mean you'd have to kill me, correct? But, isn't that the one rule you have, ser? Not to kill? So tell me, how does a man who won't bloody his hands with the life of another, plan to take my head?"
"With a sword, at your throat," Bruce sternly replied. Gordon spurred his horse forward. "Ser Jaime, you and your father are both requested back at King's Landing to answer for what transpired that day with Lord Eddard."
The knight chuckled in response to Gordon's statement. "Unfortunately, that would be impossible. Well, not impossible, but it's such a long ride away, and seeing as how I've just come from there, I would rather not return so soon."
Tywin's voice boomed out from behind his arrogant son. "If this display of futility can come to an end." His horse stepped forward and cut in front of Jaime. "Ser Gordon, take yourself and this parade of freaks back to your city and open the gates for our passage. Less blood will be shed this way. You clearly cannot win this fight, so do what is best for your people and lay down your sword. I have greater matters to attend to than defeating this broken shell of a city."
James turned his horse back to Gotham. "My prayers go out to that imp of a son of yours Tywin. May his shame plague you less than the defeat you will soon suffer here."
With that, Gordon led their party back towards Gotham. He pulled ahead, to be alone in his thoughts. Bruce rode beside Diana. "Is that how customs negotiating terms of surrender usually occur when your people are about to engage in battle?" She asked.
"No, normally there is less mockery and hidden meanings and more cursing and bloodshed. My kind isn't known for peace," Bruce replied.
Diana's head tilted. "Your kind. How are you so sure that I am not of your kind? I am flesh and bone, am I not? What convinced you so quickly that I was not simply a woman pretending to be royalty?"
Bruce continued to look straight ahead. "When royalty is pretending to be royal, the difference is clear as night and day. And simply because you are flesh and bone, does not make you man." Bruce thought of Clark and how his simple existence countered everything he had learned or been taught about the nature of the world. "In my travels I read of the Amazons, an ancient race of warrior women that long ago, when the Andals first came to Westoros, left their castles and fled out into the sea. It was all tales and stories of course, but recently I have begun second guessing any previous truths I held about this world. Your armor is not of this kingdom, or any kingdom for that matter. The way the edges curl over each other, the great care for detail in the inlays and metalwork could not be done by even the greatest smith in Westoros. Trust me, I have him."
"So if you truly believe me to be a warrior princess from another race, why do you seem so distrusting of me?" Diana questioned as they passed under the gates.
He paused a moment before replying. "I'm distrusting of everyone."
Diana smiled and looked forward to where Gordon rode. "Not everyone it would seem."
Harvey: Chapter 4
"I do hate these things, they're so dull it teeters on the edge of being a chore," Jaime muttered under his breath.
"Jaime, this is a funeral, try to find some manners for at least a day, I beg of you," Harvey reassured his friend.
Jaime scoffed, "It's a funeral? Oh I hadn't noticed, from all of the somber faces and quiet."
"He was Hand of the King, Jaime. He was also the man that took me in and taught me the ways of how the capitol works. If it weren't for him, I would still be a foolish child kissing asses up the ladder just to get to my position."
"Apologies, I know he was like a second father to you. I shall miss Jon Arryn dearly. More so than I'd miss my own father surely," Jaime said with his voice growing even more sullen.
Across the Great Sept Cersei stood looking around the hall, bored. She glanced over to where Harvey and Jaime stood several times, with each look her gaze grew sharper and more irritated.
"Apologies, my friend, my sister seems she'd care for a word." With that, Jaime descended the steps and crossed the crowd of mourners.
The Great Sept was crowded with both nobility and smallfolk this day as all mourned the loss of Jon Arryn. He was a beloved Hand, having made many friends and allies in his time in King's Landing. A melancholy air mediated the massive chamber, as many wept tears and cried into other's shoulders. A time would come soon when there would be feasting and sharing of stories, remembering the man, but not now.
"So, Ser Dent, or what should I call you? Matters not, how do you fare? I know our departed Hand meant a great deal to you." Harvey heard spoken from behind and below him. Seeing as how Harvey was on the third highest step in the hall, and judging from the thick layer of intoxication bubbling up through the words, Harvey knew the speaker without turning.
"I fair fine enough Lord Tyrion, yourself?"
The drunken dwarf traipsed down to stand beside Harvey, even though his head fell two heads shorter than Harvey's. His eyes appeared bloodshot and his hair was the lightest bit disheveled.
"I have drink in my bell and my cock was in a whore within the last three, no, four hours, so I'm simply peachy," the dwarf replied.
"Are you drunk?"
"No, not drunk. Not sober, but not drunk. I've found a happy middleground for the time being, let us hope I can keep it." Tyrion slipped a flask from his doublet and took a swig. He held it up to Harvey, but he shook his head. "I prefer to be sober for serious matters such as funerals, Lord Tyrion."
"Ha, those are the types of events I prefer not to remain fully conscious for. Funerals, war councils, weddings, all so gloomy. Why choose one cunt to fuck when I could have one hundred? And oh will you stop with the Lord, I beg of you. What am I Lord of? Not Casterly Rock, not the Western lands. I ran Casterly Rock's pipes for a time, so if you prefer you may call me the lord of piss and shit."
"Very well, Tyrion. So what urged you to be present for this event, if you hate them so?" Harvey questioned. He had no grudge against the dwarf, as Jaime stood by his brother's side through thick and thin, but he would be lying if he said he did not prefer others' company more.
"No, I said I hate them sober. Get me drunk and I'll go to as many weddings or funerals as you care. And Jon Arryn was Hand of the King, I would feel in poor conscience if I did not come to pay my respects," Tyrion took another drink from his flask.
"Harvey," a grizzled voice called out from behind him.
Tyrion and Harvey turned, and were suddenly standing at the mouth of a dark cave. The cave appeared damp, and only the first few feet could be clearly seen, the rest shrouded in shadows.
"Harvey…I have been waiting. Why have you not come?"
Tyrion glanced up to him, "I believe it is talking to you."
Harvey slowly took a pace forward. "Who are you?"
The voice called back from the cave's dark depths, "You know who I am. We have always been together, and soon, very soon we shall be even closer. I am you Harvey, and you are me."
"What sort of trick is this?"
Then he felt a stabbing pain in his back. He turned, to find a sword jammed into his shoulder. Cersei Lannister stood glaring back at him, a crazed smile on her face as she drove the blade deeper into his flesh. Her hair was no longer perfect and retaining its shiny golden hue, but scratchy as if it were straw, and frayed over her face. Then Harvey felt another stab to his leg, and looked down to see Tyrion tearing a knife down his thigh. Tyrion's eyes were bloodied, his teeth sharpened to points, and his hair burned ashy black. Harvey felt yet another stab to his chest, as Jaime appeared out of nowhere before him. His eyes were vacant, the hand wielding the sword was coated in blood, but it was not Harvey's. Jaime had a beard, and long dirtied hair that loomed over his face like reeds in a swamp. "Jaime," Harvey coughed as blood clogged his throat, "why?"
Suddenly Jaime's eyes opened fully, and his pupils grew as small as pebbles. In the grizzled strange voice of the speaker within the cave, Jaime groaned, "So we can be together."
At once, all three Lannisters pulled down on their blades, tearing Harvey down. No, no this isn't right. This isn't how it happened. No, Jaime wouldn't. No, no, no…
Harvey's eyes opened, his body coated in cold sweat. He was inhaling sharply, and remembered he was in his carriage on route to Gotham. What was that?
Harvey's blood cooled, and his chest slowed. He tried to find the strength to stand, or bang on the roof and ask the driver how long until their arrival, but he couldn't muster it. He laid there limp, dwelling in the cold sense of dread his dream had filled him with. It was nothing, it has only come from so many nights on the road. A long ride is all, my legs wish to walk amongst city streets once more, and my mind finds no rest in this tight space, is all.
After a few more hours, night had fallen, as the sun dipped down beneath earth. Harvey was slowly drifting back into slumber when there was a knock on the roof. He heard his driver's muffled voice call out, "Ser, you'll wish to see this."
Harvey leaned his head out the carriage door's window and gazed out upon what should have been the grassy oceans that stirred before Gotham's walls. Instead, his eyes were met with a flood of fire, canvas, and metal. Harvey took in the sight, and noticed the lion sigil of Lannister flying high above the center of the encampment. No…it's begun.
Harvey had believed that Tyrion's kidnapping would result in a severe response from Lord Tywin, but nothing like this. It must be the fault of Tywin's pride, wishing to heal the wound by leveling the city that bested him.
As the carriage pulled down the main road, it was forced to a stop as eight Lannister men came to meet it. "What business do you have here?" One of the men questioned.
Growing thin on patience, Harvey tore out of the cabin with his papers in hand. He held the parchment up to the torchlight. "I am King's Officer Harvey Dent here on important business with Lord Wayne of Gotham. My business has nothing to do with whatever Lord Tywin has planned and if you deny me passage it will be a violation of your king's orders and the lot of you will be left to rot in a black cell or worse. Now, move aside."
His stern display was enough to scare the lackeys off, but they brought him to Tywin's tent regardless. Harvey stomped through the tent's entrance to stand before Tywin Lannister himself. Shockingly, Jaime was at his side. Harvey recognized Tywin's brother Kevan sitting at the table amongst other men, surely lieutenants and other commanding officers. "Lord Tywin, I have no intention of asking what the meaning of this is, I simply wish to pass through so I can conduct the king's business with Lord Wayne."
Tywin remained facing the opposite way as he stared at the map on the table before him. His outline was menacingly lit by the glow of the candles standing on the table. Jaime looked concernedly at Harvey. "You should turn back my friend. There's no need for you to share with the fate of the city."
"That is my city, Jaime. As much as King's Landing has played home to me these last few years, I am a man of Gotham. I am not here to stop you Lord Tywin, I am merely here to-"
"To conduct the king's business, I heard you. But I wonder, what business would it be? Hm?" Tywin turned now to stare at Harvey, reading his reaction.
"It is for only mine own and his Grace's knowing. Apologies." Harvey knew if he should say his true intent was to meet with Batman, Tywin would surely arrest him, or worse.
Tywin's stone chiseled face did not change. "But of course, either way, I'm afraid you will remain here. When we have Gotham in our hands, then you may conduct whatever business you care to. Jaime, escort Officer Dent to a spare tent and under guard, we wouldn't want any harm befalling him. Where's that damn serving maid, my glass is empty."
Ser Kevan called out for the servant's aid while Jaime led Harvey back out into the night. As they walked beneath the tent's entrance, the serving girl appeared. She had brown hair tied up in a bun, and vivid emerald eyes. She was certainly comely, especially for a serving girl.
When they had walked a few dozen paces from Tywin's tent, Jaime grabbed Harvey by the shoulder and spun him. "What are you doing here? You were supposed to be in King's Landing."
Harvey shook his head. "I had no time to tell you, but I was ordered to come to Gotham by his Grace and Lord Eddard."
"To what end?" his friend asked. Usually, Harvey would trust Jaime with such information in a heartbeat, but now… He is his father's man this night, surely allegiance with his father would trump our friendship.
Harvey decided to counter question instead. "What are you doing here? I told you to ride for Casterly Rock! Not join your father in his tirade of Gotham. He's only here for his wounded pride, nothing more. You would truly condemn so many to death for that?"
Jaime looked sullen, but said nothing. "Very well, may you enjoy your conquest, friend."
Harvey marched off, two guards directing him to his tent. May the gods take pity on you my friend. You have a good heart, but so much clouds that from guiding your actions.
Selina: Chapter 19
Selina hurriedly stepped inside the tent. As she entered, she passed a brown haired fellow being led out by the Kingslayer. He looked defeated, and a prisoner as well. Poor fool, that's why you need wits to meet these nobles on a level playing field.
She had knocked one of the serving girls unconscious, and took her garb. She hid the poor nude girl in a bush, and would be gone long before she stirred. Tywin's sure to have some coin stashed around here somewhere, and if Gotham falls I'll be on the right side of the wall…
Selina thought of the night past. Batman overtop over her, insider her, lying next to her, the night had come and gone so quickly. It was unexpected, but Selina had always been curious if a man as isolated as him would know what to do with a woman. It turned out the answer was a resounding yes. Their costumes stayed on, mostly. He knew who she was and what she looked like without the mask, but she kept it on to add to the passion and forbiddance of the whole affair. Sorry handsome, you knew your way around a woman more than any other man I've laid with, but I like my head attached to my shoulders.
Tywin turned from the tent entrance and back to the table. As Selina grew closer she could see a map of Gotham and the surrounding lands. She tried not to let her gaze linger too long, as to avoid bringing attention to herself, and quickly filled Tywin's cup with water. Tywin shrugged her away with a wave of his hand as he sat back down in his seat at the head of the table.
Grudgingly, she saw herself out, but quickly ducked around the corner of the tent to hide behind it. She tore off the cloth tapered to her blouse's front and the apron along with it. She bundled them up and tossed them into the nearest tent's entrance. Now she was fully clad in her black blouse and brown woolen skirt. She hoped the cover of night would give enough darkness to shroud her figure, even her exposed skin.
She could see Tywin's outline dimly cast against the tent's side. After a few minutes of silence, he ordered, "Leave, the lot of you."
After another few minutes, she heard him speak once more. "Are you prepared?" Who is he speaking to? He's alone, and he's nowhere near the edge of sanity…
Then another voice spoke from somewhere in the shadows of the tent. "Don't worry you're bald little head off, I'll get it done." The voice was rough sounding, but sounded as if it came from a relatively young man.
Tywin's voice grew sterner. "You will address me with respect, or you will be the first I hang from Gotham's walls when I take the city. Wilson proved a failure, first bested by Batman and then killed by that abomination. So with the title of World's Greatest Assassin poised for contention, you had best deliver Lawton."
"Your will, my shot. Shouldn't be too hard of a kill, certainly nothing boast-worthy, but it'll be fun to add another name to my list. When should I move?" The voice asked.
"When Nigma opens the gates, should he prove competent, you'll slip in dressed as one of my men. From there, it's in your hands to reach him and kill him. When Nigma gives the signal, you set to task," Tywin finished as he stood. The mysterious figure finally emerged from the shadows, with an outreached hand. Tywin filled it with a sack that shifted with the familiar ringing of coin against coin.
"As you command, m'lord. I have yet to miss my shot." With that, the figure disappeared back into the shadows. Tywin sat himself back down in the chair. That mad fool in Gordon's keep, he's going to be the one letting the lions loose on the lambs. Gordon and his men, they'll never see it coming. And Batman… Selina shook her head. He's just a man, he means nothing. He was just there to warm my bed one night, didn't even give me gold for it. If he wants to die with that shit hole of a city he loves so much, he can go right ahead.
Selina stood and determinedly walked away. She walked to the edge of the encampment, no man paying much attention to a serving girl as they prepared for battle. She looked out at the fields of grass, seeing even more men marching in and setting up camp. Then she turned and looked back at the city. The fires stood dotting the wall's top, like little shimmers of hope standing against the massive flame of Tywin's forces. Damnit Selina, why did you have to develop a conscience?
She snuck to the end of the camp nearest the forest and stole one of the Lannister's horses to return to the city she had apparently decided to save. As she neared the smaller gate towards the northern end of Gotham, she saw a pair of city watchmen standing out amongst the pale bricks of the wall. Once beneath the wall, she shouted out to them. "You must let me in at once! The Lannisters are moving to attack the city! There's no way you can stop them without my aid!"
The two guards on the wall looked to each other, and then disappeared behind the stone. Selina grew impatient after a whole minute of silence. There's only so much time to spare you fools, hurry!
Suddenly, the gates swung open. Selina sighed in relief and hurried her horse through. Within a moment of riding through the gates, a crossbow bolt punctured through her horses skull. The animal fell to the ground screaming as it collapsed on top of Selina's leg, pinning her beneath it. A voice seethed, "Will one of you shut that bloody beast up, it'll wake the whole city."
A man came up and slit the horse's throat to silence it. They lifted the horse off her and dragged her upright. Her leg was in searing pain, but no bones felt broken. She winced at the burning sensation, her head still rushing as she tried to grasp what was occurring.
One of the guards grabbed her hair roughly and wrenched her head back. A man parted the crowd of guards and leaned in until their faces were merely inches apart. His nose was sharp and pointed, his brow raised in arrogant contentment. "So, our plan has caught a cat trying to pick off one too many mice, tsk tsk tsk," Edward Nigma tittered in his arrogant, condescending tone.
Selina spat on his face. "You delusional fool, you were his pawn all along."
Edward wiped it off, and sneered. "This city is doomed with or without my lord's march on it. This city is shrouded in its own corruption and crime. The more you have of it, the less you see. What am I? Was one of the first riddles I ever heard, Lady Kyle. It also took me the longest to deduce its answer. What could possibly make it harder to see by having such a great amount of it? Gold? No, a rich man sees through gold craving more. Light? No, a man can merely hold up his hand. But darkness…the more darkness that weighs down your heart, shrouds your eyes and senses, the harder it is to see anything. This city is a brewing pot for darkness, and now I'm merely bringing some light to this gloomy place. You two, take her away, make sure she's saved in a secure cell, the men will need some pussy to celebrate."
This is what I'm returned with for having a conscience. Either the gods are cruel or I never learn…
Author's Note: So Tywin's plan comes into focus! I'll be taking a hiatus from uploading for a few weeks to give me a chance to get a little ahead as we hit the final stretch but any and all reviews and critiques are welcomed! Sorry folks, I guess you'll have to wait a little to see how Selina's fate pans out, and how Batman and Wonder Woman could possibly stand a chance against the growing army beneath Tywin and Jaime's rule! Oh yes, and expect a few more new DC and GoT character appearances when I return :)