And we're back! Thanks to everyone whose reviewed saying they love the story, and for the new favorites and followers that joined in the past month while I was taking a break from uploading. I'm nearly done with the first book, and am going to upload once a week straight through til book one's all up. After that I'll probably take another month or two break as I work on the second book. To answer some questions I've gotten, yes there will be more characters both DC and GoT popping up. I've already introduced Martian Manhunter, Superman, and Wonder Woman, the next ones may be harder to guess. Obvious note, there are going to be major spoilers for the first season and first book of Game of Thrones coming up just as a warning to anyone reading this story that hasn't finished those and doesn't want to be spoiled. As always, any reviews and critiques are welcome even if it's just a "hey this story is awesome" or "this story sucks", and I'll reply to every review because I love hearing opinions! Enjoy!
Richard: Chapter 20
Dick took the other horse from Bruce's stable in the cave to escape. He had tricked Alfred by locking himself away in his room to spite their orders for him to stay, only to sneak out the window. He climbed his way around the castle and entered through the window to Bruce's father's solar. He sprinted down to the cave and dressed himself in his nightly attire. As Dick mounted the horse, he heard a cough from the far corner. As he turned to argue with Lucius, he found Alfred coming forth from the shadowy corner instead.
"Alfie…? I mistook you as Lucius."
Alfred gave a kind hearted smile and shook his head. "I am not so old Master Richard, that my wits have left me. I knew you would not stay as Master Bruce and I wished."
Dick sighed, "I need to go Alfred, he needs my help. I can't just sit here and do nothing."
The servant nodded solemnly. "I know Master Richard, that is my duty. To sit here, and hope that those I care for return home unharmed, alive at the very least. I did not want you to follow in Bruce's footsteps because I wanted you to have a life of your own. You saw more good in the world when your parents were taken from you than Bruce did when his were. But I quickly learned that there was no other path in your sight. I am relieved, Master Richard, to see the boy you've grown into during your time here, and the promise for the man you will one day become. So I leave you with this, do not die this night my boy, do not cut that promise off so short, or I will bring rip you back from the afterlife with my own two hands."
Dick looked to the cave floor. "I will return Alfie, look after Nightwing while I'm gone."
He kicked his ankles into his horse and spurred it forward out of the cave. He couldn't bring himself to look back at Alfred. I'm sorry Alfie, I just need to do this. This is why Bruce trained me, to save the city, and as much as I hate making you anguish with worry, Gotham needs me.
Just over half an hour's turn later, Dick was running across the rooftops of Gotham near its northern end. The Narrows cast off to his right, the richest nobles beyond them up on the hill, and the northern gate of Gotham lay before him. He jumped up through a window onto the third floor of a tavern, scaring a couple mid passion. The woman noticed him first, and screamed. The man rose, bare nude, and went to grab his sword from his belt on the floor. Dick smirked and continued on into the hall. He crashed through another door, scaring another couple, and out that window to an adjacent roof. As he reached the end of the row of buildings, he stood over the plaza of the gate's entrance. Below him he saw a group of Gordon's men standing around each other. At its center, was a man dressed in finer garb with a woman in black restrained in the arms of two of the guards. All of the men save for the pale green garbed stranger wore the colors of the City Watch.
Why would they be on the ground in a group apprehending a woman? They should be at their posts. Something is wrong.
One of the guard's took notice of his shadow against the ground and called out. The rest of the guards turned their attention to the roof where the young boy stood defiant against the moon's light. Bruce isn't the only one who can strike fear in the hearts of men.
"Let her go," Dick shouted in the most menacing tone he could muster. After a few moments of silence the guards burst out laughing. This will mark the second time I free a damsel in distress and yet the thugs still always reply with mocking laugher. Fools never learn…
The orange haired man moved to the front of the crowd and called up to address Dick. "Ah, so the Bat's little bird spreads his wings. You've cost me dearly already lad, I shall not be making the same mistake twice. Men, rip him from the sky."
Six men moved to stand at the front, crossbows aimed up towards the roof which Dick stood upon. Damn…
Dick crouched as a bolt flew over his head. Another one bounced off the stony edge of the roof. Four more whistled through the air. Dick took the momentary pause to make his move. He removed the small grappling hook from his belt and threw the hook around a broken beam jutting from the roof as he leapt over the edge. He gripped the rope tight as he fell, and as his body reached an even plane with the second story he let loose and crashed into one of the guards. While the other five grappled to reload their crossbows Dick took the moment of surprise and delivered kicks to three of their jaws. As the other two threw down their crossbows Dick rolled and took up his escrima sticks from their leg holsters as he came to his feet.
The other guards all moved to draw their swords but before they could Dick had three of them on their backs. He deflected the first sword with one stick and brought the other across , into the guard's temple. Then, two quick strikes to the back of another's head while swiping the legs from beneath two more.
"What are you doing you little brat, free me!" The woman called out. Dick sighed and sprinted towards where she stood in the strong grip of two of the largest brutes. The mysterious man with his fire kissed hair had fled.
A man from the side brought his axe down, slashing for Dick's head, but by the time it had reached its intended target Dick was already five feet ahead of it. The boy leapt and threw a stick, crashing it into the nose of one of her apprehenders. The other was met with Dick's knee to his mouth. The first fell to the ground clutching his bloodied the nose, the other fell with a few bloodied teeth chiming against the black stone of the street.
The woman grunted and brought her foot down upon the first guard's crotch. She turned back to face Dick in time to say, "Thanks," before ducking to dodge a thrown dagger. They turned for their backs to face each other as the men closed around them.
"There's at least two dozen, think you can take them?" She taunted.
Dick smirked, "Yes, but who will you fight?"
They charged at their attackers and left them in a pile of moaning and bruised flesh on the street. As they paused to catch their breath, they heard a thundering groan from behind them as if the sea had crashed against the city wall. When they turned, they saw the city gates slowly begin to rise, with a flood of crimson lying in wait on the other side.
"Run!" The woman shouted. They fled down the street as the Lannister army began pouring through the open wound in the wall. They heard the sound of metal clattering behind them as they ran as fast as their feet could carry. Surprisingly, the woman was able to keep pace with Dick. He turned to gaze upon her, and in the light of the moon finally saw who she was. "Selina Kyle?"
The woman did not shift her gaze from the street ahead of her. "Have we met before boy?"
Dick realized Robin had not met anyone in this city save for James Gordon and random criminals. "Uh, no, of course not, but I make it my duty to know every criminal lying within these walls."
"I'm a criminal now am I?" She shouted flatly.
"You steal, last I heard such an act is criminal," he replied.
"Ha, you have the same dull mind as your master. Where is the leash handler? He needs to know that his city has been invaded."
"Gordon's keep I would bet. Follow me," Dick ordered as he turned down another street. They continued on through the city until they finally saw the three turrets of the keep rising up amongst the line of roofs. As they reached the front steps, they saw Batman leaving through the front doors alongside Gordon, Lady Essen, and a mysterious armor clad woman with raven black hair.
"Batman!" Dick shouted. If I help save the city…he couldn't be that furious…
Bruce turned towards his voice with a glare so full of rage it would make even Lord Tywin cower beneath it. "I ordered you to stay there!" He roared. The dark armored knight marched down the stairs to glare into Dick's eyes directly. "You disobeyed orders, return NOW."
"But-"
Bruce cut him off by turning his back on the boy. Then Selina groaned and shouted, "If you two idiots are done arguing, that toad Nigma let Tywin Lannister's armies through the Northern gate."
Bruce spun back around to stare at Selina. "He did what?"
"That BASTARD! I knew he was not to be trusted!" Gordon seethed. "I'm going to find that little weasel and rip every last orange hair from his skull as I beat him to the afterlife!"
The strange woman stepped forward to Bruce's side and laid a hand on his shoulder. "We must ride to meet them."
Dick heard Selina scoff from behind him. "Well, you surely don't wait long do you?" Bruce looked to her quickly but then turned back to Gordon without acknowledging her words. What was that about?
Bruce quickly mounted his black horse and turned to Gordon. "Gather your men."
"Where will you go?" The knight asked Batman.
"Diana, gather your soldiers, you'll wait in the alley ways and surprise their flood of men from the sides and take them unawares," he ordered the warrior woman without addressing Gordon.
"What will you do?" She asked.
"Tywin would only trust one man to lead his forces, and I shall find him and make him beg for forgiveness for setting foot upon this city's stone. Robin, return home," Bruce ordered.
"No. I'm going with you."
"You will not, end of discussion." He kicked his horse forward, but before he could rush past them, Dick had leapt onto the back of the stallion and sat behind Bruce.
Bruce remained quiet for a minute as Dick held on tightly to the cape as black as midnight clasped to the lord's back. Then, Bruce spoke, "You put your life in too great of risk, you need to return. Alfred needs you just as much as the city does."
Dick sighed. "You trained me to fight, to protect these people. Let me do the task which you trained me to do. Alfred is behind Wayne Castle's walls high up on the hill, he's safe."
Joker: Chapter 10
"Ser, they're almost here," Werner, one of the new recruits whispered, a hint of fear in his voice.
"Are you afraid lad?"
"N-No Joker, ser. I will give them the gift of blood tenfold that they show Gotham." The young man's eyes were wide, his voice trembled, his forehead spotted in sweat. Fear, what a useless emotion for one to feel. It makes your voice catch in your throat, bake in your own fluid, and your balls to shrivel up and fall from your cock. It is truly the most useless of emotions, but not for me to use….
"My mother once had a saying my boy, she would say, 'Joker, when you're faced with two equal threats, fear the monster you don't know more than the monster you know.' Do you agree with that lad?"
"Uh, y-yes Ser."
"Ah, and which monster do you think is more unknown? The one out there? Drinking his wine from his comfortable chair before his massive war table, telling others to go die in his name? The one that only seeks fame and glory and gold? That monster? Or the one that sits before you, whose name, origin, true hair color even, you are not a stone privy to? The one that's slit baby's throats as they suckled from mother's breast? Has made pups fight each other to death, and then killed the victor? The one that killed six centuries of that old fool's men and laughed to tell the tale!? Tell me boy, which monster do you FEAR!?" Joker roared at the boy as he stood to glare into the fool's eyes.
Joker noticed a growing wet spot in the boy's crotch as yellow fluid dripped out from the leg of his trousers and sat back down. After a minute of silence, the boy whimpered, "You…ser."
"Dismissed, go prepare the boys for the party."
After the terrified boy ran out of the room, Joker stood and turned to look out the window. The moon cast its pale light down upon the blackened city. In the far distance, flames could be seen growing up from the black where the Lannister soldiers were doubtlessly burning whatever lay in their path. You're out there fighting somewhere, aren't you Bats? Fighting to save this city that's already beyond saving. Ha, I wonder who has the more foolish desire in this little battle. Tywin to save his wounded pride, or you to save this piss hole of a city.
But you know why he truly comes… the second inner voice chimed.
Yes, yes I know. He comes for the map…the fool.
Joker reached into his tunic and withdrew the crumpled, old cloth. He held it up into the moonlight to gaze upon it for the thousandth time.
A map with secrets even more ancient than those withheld behind the closed lips of the mystics of Asshai.
Joker smiled to himself. Yes, and sitting right below King Robert's fat ass without him having the faintest clue of what glorious secrets lie there.
Soon, very soon we shall march through the streets of King's Landing and claim our prize.
Joker was pulled from his thoughts as Ajax charged into the room. "Ser, they've arrived."
He smiled to himself. Like a lamb to the slaughter.
The air of the great hall of the old Alchemist's palace where they now called home was tense. The men prepared themselves along its sides, sharpening swords, buckling on shields, or painting their faces white. My army prepares themselves, soon their swords will be caked in more red than their faces are white.
"Listen up lads!" Joker called out to the horde of onlookers. They all paused their tasks to look to their leader. "Now, I know what you're thinking. 'Joker, there are so many of them, how can we possibly emerge victorious?' Well, let me lay your worries to rest. We will win, and do you know why? Because for any man left breathing when the battle is over, should the Lannisters win, will be nailed to a cross by their wrists and ankles as I leave a thousand tiny cuts across your stomach til' your guts break free from the flesh. Now get out there, and kill every last lion you can see! Save for the commanding officer, save him for me… Hahahahaha!" He erupted into laughter at the close of his speech. His men looked on, half frightened to death, the other half cheering and roaring madly with their leader. Separating the wolves from the lambs.
Joker marched out through the main doors, and into the street leading down the hill. At its bottom, he saw the procession of crimson armor beginning to storm up. Joker picked an apple from his pocket and took a bite as he waited. It felt crisp against his teeth, the juice dribbling down his chin. He took another, savoring the taste. But tonight I shall have even a more delicious hunger satisfied.
Finally, the Lannisters made it to the hill's crest. Encircling Joker who stood at the Pyromancer's Guild doorstep. Joker chuckled as he began to sing. "And so he spoke, and so he spoke, that lord of Castamere! But now the rains weep o'er his hall, with no one there to hear. Yes, now the rains weep o'er his hall, and not a soul to fear."
As Joker sang, the guards shifted uneasily in their armor. Swords and spears at the ready, all waiting for the order to strike. But none was given, all of them were wrapped in Joker's performance. Joker paused, before adding his own last verse to the infamous song. "Yes, now the blood pours o'er his hall, and Joker is the one to feaaaaaaar! Welcome to our fair city sers! I would extend a most warm welcome to receive such honored guests. Please, who is the man in charge? Come forward so I may break words and find your reason for gracing us with your presence!"
A man on horseback parted the sea of red and metal. His face was young, his eyes full of fire and rage. Perfect, a young fool with an infernos temper to double. "I hold command here, freak. Under the order of Lord Tywin Lannister, first of his name and-"
Joker cut the man off with a loud bite into his apple. As he chewed open mouthed, spittle and bits of apple skin flew out to the street. He looked up to the man on horseback and shook his head before swallowing. "Apologies, mother never lived long enough to teach me manners."
The man cleared his throat, "You are to surrender any possessions you own, and turn yourself in to our custody until such a time my lord deems fit to sentence you for punishment."
"And my crime?"
"Pardon," The man questioned, taken aback. Joker smiled, "What am I being arrested for lad? Last I saw, you were the ones invading, killing the innocent people of Gotham. So how am I the criminal?"
The man's face flared red with anger. "You murdered six centuries of my lord's men brutally during an open celebration!"
"A celebration? One celebrating your lord's taking control of this city? Oh I see, you are here to reclaim his pride. Am I to be arrested for dirtying an old fool's pride? HA! Hahaha!" Joker burst into laughter and tossed the apple at the Lannister captain's head. It bounced off the front of his helmet, splashing juice all over his face.
"You know damn well why we are here clown! Now give over what rightfully belongs to Lord Tywin and I'll see your death lasts only half as long!" The man seethed.
"Oh, you mean this?" Joker's hand pressed into his tunic and withdrew with the cloth map.
The man's face suddenly let loose of its anger and gave way to definite surprise. Joker's brow piqued. "Had he not told you what you sought?"
Garnering no response, Joker pressed further. "You didn't know did you? That the entirety of this invasion was built upon this little piece of cloth I clutch in hand? Ha! I wonder who the fool is here, you, I, or your lord? He didn't tell you the secret this cloth would lead to did he? The wonders it beheld. Well I shall enlighten those with minds trapped in the dark! Do you wish to know what this cloth means men?"
Joker's arms were upraised, the cloth fluttering in the wind as his fist gripped it tightly. He turned around to gaze upon as many faces as he could. All dumbfounded, and unsure of whether to kill him where he stood or give pause and wait for the mysterious veil to be lifted.
He turned back to face the man on horseback, whose face was now as pale as the moon itself but eyes burned with hunger for curiosity to be slated.
"Very well my curious invaders! This cloth here, is a map! Any of you know where of? No? Very well, it is of the capitol! Of King's Landing! And its treasure, the prize to be claimed by he who lies all the pieces together? It is-"
Joker paused as he raised the hand clutching the map in the air and brought it down swiftly. Suddenly, crossbow bolts rained down from the surrounding rooftops on the unsuspecting men. Two dozen cried out in pain as they fell to the ground either dead or wounded. As the remainder who stood standing brandished arms and began to fall into formation, Joker's men poured out from the dark alleys onto the street. Meeting steel with steel, as waves of white faces and rusted armor and swords broke upon the island of red.
Within minutes, the once proud battalion of six dozen Lannisters lay dead on the ground save for the commanding officer, now ripped from his horse and kneeling before Joker. Mol and Kol lifted him to his feet as Joker grew closer. He leaned in so his whispers flew directly into the fool's ear. "So, is this the best the Lord of Casterly Rock can offer? Tsk Tsk, I expected so much more. You lot were even easier to kill than the unsuspecting six centuries I killed from his little party."
Joker turned away and looked up to the moon. You best not die tonight Bats, that right is for me and me alone. I won't have any filthy Lannister sending you to the shores of the afterlife.
The man snorted, "You will fall clown. Whether it is from Lord Tywin's blade or an executioner in King's Landing. Heh, you're damned already you foolish, mad soul. May the Seven take pity upon it. Now send me to join my men in the afterlife and be done with it."
Joker doubled over laughing. He turned and wiped a fake tear from his eye. "You believe me to kill you? Oh no, nooo, no, quite the opposite. I have a need of you."
The man's eyes widened as Joker leaned in and reached down to the soldier's belt to withdraw his knife. He lifted the man's own knife to his lips and pushed it in. Joker brought the blade's edge up to the corner of the soldier's mouth as he snickered, "You are to send a message to Lord Tywin in my stead."
The soldier swallowed and grappled to talk with a blade in his mouth. "What message would you have me tell my lord?"
"Oh silly ser, you think you need words to deliver this message? Hehe…HAHAHAHA!"Joker jerked his wrist and tore the man's mouth at the seam. The blade curved through the skin as if it were cream. The man cried out in agony, but Mol and Kol held him still. Then, Joker gripped the man by the back of his hair and anchored his head back. Slipped the blade into the other corner of the man's mouth, and growled, "Your face will be the message I need. A warning to those who the message is still blurred, that you shall make clear. Do not fuck with me!"
Another quick jerk, and the other corner lay loose. The man's mouth poured blood, his lips now extended partway up his cheek on each side. "See him horsed, and send him on his way."
"Should we give him cloth to stop the bleeding, ser? To ensure he reaches the camp alive?" One of the newest recruits asked.
Joker took the knife and threw it into the boy's skull. As his body fell limp to the street and the Lannister soldier rode down to return to his lord, Joker turned to Ajax. "Any movement?"
Ajax sneered and nodded. "Aye, just as you thought."
Joker snickered and turned to look upon the freshly dead boy. Blood is the message fool.
Ajax leapt up onto the driver's bench for the carriage. Joker sat in its cabin, with Mol and Kol riding on each side. Three dozen men followed behind on horseback. They rode for half an hour's time before they reached their destination. Joker had no hint of whether Batman and Ser Gordon had won or if they even still took breath, but for now it mattered not.
Ajax opened the door and bowed as Joker cheerily marched out onto the street. They were in front of an old smith's stead, abandoned in the darkest part of the Narrows. Dead men lay scattered around the entrance, the door stood guarded by two heavily armored men. They wielded long spears with serrated edges. As Joker neared, they lowered their weapons and parted to let them pass. When Joker entered, he heard men still crying out in pain from below. Following through another door to his right he found a hidden staircase leading to a secret lower level.
When Joker reached its floor, a short balding man stood waiting for him beside a closed door.
"Ozzie! How nice to see you this night, I feared for the worst when I heard of Tywin's little assault."
Oswald Cobblepot stood unamused as he turned to look upon the few men following Joker and spying the blood coating their cloths and weapons. "Aye, I see you've already given him a proper welcome."
"Ah yes. What were those old words? With fire and blood? Well I'll give the blood Cobblepot, you bring the fire. Now, how fair our guests?"
The little lord nodded. "Unsuspecting, my men are finishing up the last of theirs now."
"Excellent! How many guards did they have?" Joker asked, as excited as a boy of five. "Thirty a piece, they moved just as you said they would, when they heard uh' Tywin's attack. But how did you know the old lion was gon' come for us? I bet even the Bat was taken unawares attit'."
"I have my ways old bird, don't you forget that. So you tracked them here and finished them off? Beautiful! I knew the fools would travel lightly as to not draw suspicion. May we?"
Penguin nodded and Joker opened the door. Before him were the corpses of a few dozen men littering the floor of a long stone hallway stretching back at least a hundred paces. At its end, stood the remainder of Cobblepot's sellswords standing around four men chained to chairs. Joker broke out into laughter as he skipped down the corridor to his prize.
"Ah you lovely old fools! How beautifully stupid you all are!"
One of the bound men grunted and spat in Joker's direction, landing at his feet. Joker looked up unamused, and jumped onto his assaulter's lap. The man was the youngest of the four, with thick brown hair and copper skin. "Dragos Ibanescu! Leader of the few Volantians within our city's walls. Reigning over Gotham's whore houses and animal fighting pits. What a pleasure to make acquaintance!"
"You'll pay for this Cobblepot, I'll see each and every one of my men hunts you down!" The one beside them shouted at the little lord. This one had gray hair, but was surely the most fit and brutish looking of the lot.
Joker chuckled, "Oh shut it Maroni. Carmine Falcone shits, you wipe the ass. He pisses, you shake his cock. He eats, and you shit! Hahaha! Falcone's right hand, ruler over your group's men and movement. Now bound to a chair like a chained animal."
Joker stood to gaze upon the rest. Vasily Odessa sat to Sal Maroni's right. He was the oldest, but held a great deal of power. He was the other arms provider for Falcone's empire beside Penguin. A lowly smear of shit out of Astapor, he had found his way into Gotham years ago. To his right however, sat the man himself.
Carmine Falcone had aged considerably since Joker last laid eyes upon him thirteen years ago. Now his orange hair was gray, with white on the sites. His face was weathered and pock marked. He was a husky man, but by no means defenseless. Set free with sword in hand, he would surely have the skill to take a few men to the afterlife with him.
"Carmine Falcone, we meet at least. I have been excited for this meeting for so long!"
Falcone grimaced and glared up at Joker from his chair. "Set me free and I'll show you my excitement in return."
"Ha! A sense of humor on this one, very good! You bloody old fools, thinking you can run this city in times such as these."
Ibanescu's voice raised, "You're a freak, you don't command fear or respect! You're a mockery of yourself!"
Joker chuckled. "Ohh poor soul, you should have remained quiet. Mol, take this one outside to the carriage, I would have more fun with him later."
Ajax followed orders as the colossal twins brought the screaming Volantian upstairs. "Now, where were we?"
Carmine chuckled, "He's right you know. With this? You draw a target on your back that the whole of Westoros would see. You'll bring more than Tywin's armies to our gates, you'll bring the Crown's. When they come, they'll simply destroy everything. You'd have nothing to rule over, so what is the point, clown? Why bring so much attention to Gotham? We ruled Gotham, not sticking our head out beyond its walls for we knew that would bring the King's forces upon us. You have no plan, you're but a mad dog biting at any hand that draws too near."
Joker smiled, and leaned in close to Carmine's ear. "You fear so much, because you see so little you old goat. You fear what all men fear. You are not a worthy criminal to this city."
Carmine scoffed. "And you are?"
"All the lot of you care about is gold and power. Such things are easy to tear down. But, should a man wish for something more than such foolish trinkets, then he becomes unstoppable. Gotham deserves a better class of criminal, and I shall give it to them."
"You're a mad man, and will hang just like the rest of the lowly scum of this city," Falcone threatened with empty words.
It amused Joker that the fool fought so hard from such a pathetic position. "How long do you think Tywin can lay siege to Gotham before he must go to save his son? The Imp's gone and got himself in a giant mess now, and daddy will need to save him lest the family name be tarnished even further. When he leaves and finds Tyrion, he will not let Lady Catelyn off so easy. And furthermore, with Lord Eddard maimed by the Kingslayer, do you truly believe the Stark brats up in Winterfell will twiddle their thumbs and sit on their frozen asses? No, they'll march to defend their mother and father, and do you know what happens then?"
Joker pulled back to gaze into Carmine Falcone's, the once great ruler over Gotham's crime, eyes and see the shock in them. "War."
Carmine stuttered, "You're mad. Even if war erupts, you'll only draw Gotham into it. You'll have nothing to rule! You and those masks, you'll be the end of Gotham!"
"Masks? You mean Bats and his little bird? Me? That little fool Deathstroke you paid off to kill Batman, only to fall by my own hand? Hahahaha, masks, clever Falcone, I enjoy the name. But you see, I wear no such mask. Batman may hide who he is, but this?" Joker brought his fingers up to his white face and traced them down to his chin. "This is my true face, Falcone. The one Gotham will learn to fear. I won't bring Gotham to its knees with bribes or by hiding away in the shadows like you have done. No, I'll take Gotham in the light, for all the seven kingdoms to see!"
"Y-you'll force their hand! You'll destroy Gotham! You'll destroy your so named kingdom before you could even rule!" Falcone's eyes were wide white with either fear or shock, Joker could not tell which.
"Splendid! Let them bring Gotham to its knees! Burn it to the ground! Then I will move to Highgarden, then Storm's End, Casterly Rock, then King's Landing! I'll bring this entire kingdom to its knees! You set your narrow little eyes on Gotham's underbelly, but I have far greater aspirations. I seek to rule nothing you old fool, I seek to burn everything! HAHAHAHAAA!"
Joker's laugher echoed down the long corridor, up the stairs, and out into the night, with Falcone and his two followers' cries to soon follow.
Alfred: Chapter 22
"The boy left?" Lucius posed as Alfred climbed up the ladder and closed the secret passage from the cave to the study.
Alfred sighed as he sat down in the chair opposite Lucius. "Yes, as we both expected."
"Don't look so down Alfred, they'll be fine. They always are," the Summer Island assured as he poured Alfred a glass of wine. "Now come, let us play."
A small table was set between their chairs, a cyvasse board upon it. Cyvasse was an interesting game, far more complex than any others out there. Each player was given an army, to combat across a board covered in mountains and plains and rivers. Each player can set the mountains as they wish, changing the landscape of battle with each passing game. The infantry and cavalry were the smallest and plainest of forces consisting of small and large horses, spearmen, crossbowmen, and trebuchet. The players were also given more exotic pieces, such as war elephants, and finally a dragon. Each player was to defend his king, as any army should.
The game had only recently come to Westoros, and even then largely remained in Dorne. Bruce had brought knowledge of the game back with him, and through several games Alfred had learned it quickly enough. Lucius had already mastered the game years ago, and regularly bested Alfred. Further proving the smith hid a surprisingly sharp intellect behind his beaming smile and witty remarks.
They played their game silently for an hour. Neither speaking, nor making any noise louder than a sigh. Both gripped with fear of what would befall the two lords they served, and the fate of the city that hung in the balance. Lucius had taken Alfred's infantry, leaving him with his elephant and dragon to face Lucius' spearmen, crossbowmen, and dragon. This proved to be the most even game the two had yet played. Finally, Lucius broke the silence.
"We will end in a stalemate. Your elephant will take my spearmen, my crossbowmen then your elephant, with your dragon soon to overtake them. Leaving us both with a dragon and a king," he finished as he took another drink.
"Yes, well, let us hope for a better outcome this night for Master Bruce, and Master Richard." Alfred's face grew solemn. If anything should happen to either of them…
"It's a curious thing, being a servant. At times they could be treated worse than slaves, and at others, more loved and respected than even the head of house. At other times however, shall grow to become an adopted father, to boys lost in darkness."
Alfred gave a small smile. "You flatter, my friend."
Before Lucius could respond, the shutters to the study broke open. A man leapt through as wooden splinters flew everywhere. Both old men stood, to face their intruder.
The stranger wore the crimson armor of House Lannister, but trimmed in silver, not gold. The armor was lighter, even more so than an infantryman. Both wrists were raised towards Lucius and Alfred, one pointed at each of their chests. Queer attachments were strapped to each wrist. It was a crossbow of sorts, smaller, and with a wooden handle reaching down to fit within each closed fist. A cut section of wood wrapped around each forearm, connecting at the place where the bolt was poised ready to strike. Each wooden circle was lined with bolts. Their attacker's face lay hidden in the shadows.
Lucius waited a moment and spoke. "Those contraptions on your wrists, they're for firing bolts rapidly are they not?"
The stranger chuckled. "You catch on quickly. Yes, it feeds around my wrist to fire thirty each as quickly as I care. Simple jerk of the wrist and-"
He flicked his right wrist down, launching a bolt a hair's length from Alfred's face and landing in the wall behind. As the man's wrist returned to place, the wooden loop jolted and turned, loading a new bolt into place.
"Where on earth would you get that?" Lucius seemed rapt in attention to their attacker, if not for worry for his life but out of admiration for the tools their killer possessed.
"Ha, you're a curious old goat. Never you mind where I found em'. Now do as all old men should do, and fall down and die. But first, tell me where the courageous Lord Wayne is. Absent from the battlefield, absent from his chambers, where is the pathetic little cripple. Hidden chamber beneath the castle?" The stranger stepped into the light of the fireplace now. His face was hidden beneath a helmet of brilliantly reflective silver. It was flat, no ridge for a nose or mouth. An eye glared back at them through one eye slit, but the other was covered by another queer attachment. It was a metal dome pointing out from his face, capped with a curved piece of red glass. What in the name of the Seven is that?
Lucius chose to answer their attacker's question. "He's not in his chambers? Hm, must be out with a whore again."
The man flicked his wrist again, sending a bolt into Lucius' thigh. The Summer Islander cried out in pain as he fell to the floor. Their attacker sighed before growling, "Once more, and this time the bolt will hit your skull, should I not be pleased with the response. Where is Lord Wayne?"
Then, a mysterious voice called out from the shadowed corner behind their assaulter. "So many questions, and so little answers. Perhaps, should you ask the proper questions, you will find resulting answers more enlightening."
Before the silver helmed man could turn. Black gloved hands reached out from the shadows and wrapped themselves around the man's neck. A bolt flew and punctured into a book on the very shelf that hid the cave's entrance. There was a struggle, but one hidden by the darkness of the far side of the room, so Alfred could not lay eyes upon it. The servant ran to the fireplace, grabbing one of the burning sticks and returned to Lucius' side to prop him up in his chair. Then he held the torch out, to gaze upon the brawl between the two invaders.
The silver helmeted assailant was beneath the other intruder, receiving a pummeling to his ribs and torso. The other stranger was shrouded in a dark blue cloak, face turned away and towards his victim. As the mysterious stranger brought his hands down upon the silver helmet of his opponent to remove it, the man beneath him threw him off. He raised to his feet and leapt back out the window into the night, leaving the cloaked man to grunt and bring himself to his feet.
"T-thank you," Alfred addressed him, unsure whether he was being saved, or merely condemned by another man.
"I deserve no praise from you, Alfred Pennyworth. I was merely ensuring the secret of the Batman remain safe within the walls of this castle," the cloaked stranger addressed as he turned to face the pair of old men.
Alfred's eyes widened. No, how does he know?
"What do you speak of?" Alfred strived to feign ignorance.
The stranger raised a gloved hand. "No need of lies, Alfred, they do not suit you. I am merely here to ensure Gotham's safety. That man was an assassin sent by Tywin Lannister to end your lord's life. Unaware that he is already in the city beneath cape and cowl fighting to save it. Lucius, how do you fair?"
"Fine enough. This castle seems to attract queer visitors it would seem," the Summer Islander grunted as he filled his cup with wine before drinking it whole. "Alfred, I require your aid in freeing my leg of this cursed arrow."
The stranger reached into his cloak and withdrew with a small leather sack. He tossed it to Alfred before moving to the fireplace. Alfred caught it, and questioningly looked to their guest for answers.
"Each bolt is tipped with a deadly poison. Curare, ground together from herbs across Essos. That is the remedy to it, otherwise Lucius would not be long for this life. And ah yes, visitors. I heard of ser Kent's stay within your walls."
Alfred choked on his words. How does this man know so much? And how long had he been standing in that corner before the assassin arrived?
The Dornishman gave his questions voice as the stranger pulled the two bolts from the wall and bookshelf. "Who are you? How did you get in here before the assassin showed? How do you know of Clark, and Bruce's secret?"
The man said nothing, merely pulled on the proper book on the shelf to trigger the shelf to move to the side, revealing the entrance to the cave. Cold air washed over the room from the gaping hole. The stranger turned, his face remaining shrouded by shadow. "As I told your would be killer ser Lawson, you ask so many questions Alfred Pennyworth, but not the right ones."
"What are the right ones?" Alfred demanded desperately. This man knew far too much, and could bring a collapse to Bruce's life should he so choose.
The stranger moved to the window, clutching the bolts in hand. He placed a foot on the windowsill, and placed the bolts within his cloak. "Dust the powder over the wound before sealing it. It'll take two days' time for him to recover. As for your final question Alfred, I'm afraid I cannot tell you which questions to ask. That you must find for yourself. Tell your Lord I look forward to our meeting, and I shall be calling upon him soon. I have words of great importance that must be shared."
The stranger left through the window and disappeared into the darkness from whence he came. Alfred stood, mouth gaping, before Lucius spurred him to task. Alfred reached his hand into the small sack and sprinkled the powder over the wound once the bolt was torn free. Using the fire poker, they burned the flesh sealed, sending Lucius into unconsciousness from the shock. As if Lord Tywin and his armies were not threat enough, now there is yet another stranger that knows Bruce's secret, only this time there is but no purpose or hints as to who or how…