CHAPTER 12. THE STORM QUEEN
THE RED KEEP
CERSEI
A meeting of the small council had been called. And as usual Cersei attends the meeting, "Let us begin…" Tywin says looking at Lord Varys.
"Trouble stirring across the Narrow Sea…Daenarys Targaryen has sacked the cities of Qarth, Astapor and Yunkai…"
"With what army?"
"Well there was a cue in the city of Qarth…I don't know all the details, but Daenarys Targaryen emerged as the city's new ruler… With a ship she traveled to Atsapor and tricked the Masters of Astapor into selling her the Unsullied…Eight thousand strong …After sacking the city she marched on the city of Yunkai; where she convinced the second sons to fight for her…She has two seasoned Knights advising her…Ser Barristan Selmy and Ser Jorah Mormont…And she has three Dragons…"
"I have seen the Unsullied up close and personal…They are fearless fighters…Very deadly…" Prince Oberyn says.
"I thought Jorah Mormont was spying for us…" Cersei says.
"No longer…He seems dedicated to his new Queen…"
"Selmy did not take his dismissal easy…"
"It was foolish to dismiss him…" Tywin leans in his seat, "Lord Varys can get a message to Ser Barristan…"
"I can…"
"See to it…Daenarys Targaryen should know who is serving her…"
"We have trouble stirring closer to home…"
"How so?"
"It would seem Princess Cassana is alive and well…The Stormlords have rallied to her banner and she has taken Dragonstone and arrested her Uncle…"
"Cassana is alive?" Tyrion asks sitting up.
Cersei looks at Mace Tyrell, "I was told by your man that she died in battle…"
"Your grace…Her ship went down…My man reported what he saw…"
"How many troops does she have?" Tywin asks.
"Sixty-one thousand strong…"
"Then we must make preparations…She will attack the city again…"
"Why?" Tyrion asks.
"What?" Tywin looks at Tyrion.
"Why would she attack King's Landing again…She will hit us where it hurts…and draw us out to her…She will try to defeat us on the battlefield…"
"You speak as if you are some type of war-master…" Cersei mockingly says.
"We will make her come to us…and if she attacks Lannisport or Casterly Rock…We will deal with her accordingly…"
VARYS
There was one thing Varys hated above all things and that was magic. It had cost him his manhood and he was not going to stay around if the rumors about Cassana Baratheon are true. He hadn't told the Lannisters everything and it was time to seek out the Dragon Queen and aid in her return to her family's legacy.
CASSANA'S FLEET
At midnight with no torches or lanterns lit Cassana orders her fleet to set sail. She decided to bring Shireen with her along with her Uncle. Arya is with her as well. They sail away from Dragonstone and head out to sea to avoid detection. Her plan works and for weeks no one knows where Cassana will strike. After weeks at sea the Mander River comes into view and they sail up the river towards High Garden. Cassana sends troops on both sides of the riverbank to hunt down anyone who may report on the fleet.
Every time Cassana uses the Storm Sword Ronin her powers grow stronger. The skies turn dark as the clouds gather. The wind kicks up and the sky rumbles; lightening arcs across the sky. High Garden sits on both banks of the river and flows through the castle. The Castle is one of the most beautiful in Westeros. It has eight towers for archers, several catapults are built into the wall battlements. Randyl Tarly had built the defenses for High Garden after the war.
As men scurry about their business lightening strikes one of the archer towers. Then another is struck and so on. The towers are blown apart, "This is the wrath of the gods!" A man yells as the last tower is blown apart. Lightening strikes the river gate blowing it apart as well. The wind blows people off their feet. The bell tower had also been destroyed in the lightening strike.
"We are under attack!" A man screams as Cassana's Calvary forces charge.
Renly is still alive, his lover Ser Loras Tyrell had convinced his father and grandmother to keep in alive. When the first lightening strike hits Loras jumps up of bed. "What the hell was that?" Renly asks.
"I don't know stay here…I'll be back…" He quickly dresses and grabs his sword Thorn. House Tyrell had bought a sword from Cassana and named it Thorn. Mace Tyrell gave it to Loras. Loras arrives outside just as the river gate is struck, the wind dies down but the sky remains dark.
"My Lord Lightening struck all the towers…"
"What!" He exclaims looking up at the damage.
"We are under attack a man screams!"
Loras draws his sword as thousands upon thousands of mounted soldiers rush through the river gate. "OURS IS THE FURY!" They scream.
He holds his sword up and to the side as a man charges him on horseback. He cuts the front left leg off the Horse as he rolls to the side. Then Loras beheads the man. As the fighting starts Gendry charges through the breech waving his war-hammer. He goes straight for Loras and dives off his horse tackling him. They wrestle across the ground, but Gendry is stronger and pins him down. Loras stops struggling when a spear is pointed in his face.
"Watch him." Gendry orders standing up. He takes the sword and summons several others. They place Loras in chains. Gendry goes looking for more men to fight, as the battle progresses the Tyrell forces are overwhelmed.
Soon Cassana rides through the ruined gate with her Queensguard, Ser Davos, and Arya. She looks down on Loras from the back of her horse, "Ser Loras…Where is your retched Grandmother and traitor father…"
"Go to hell…"
"That is no way to speak to your Queen." A man says punching Loras in the stomach.
"That's enough!"
Soon Gendry walks back with eight men, he is carrying a Tyrell banner. "My Queen…The castle is ours…"
Cassana grunts, "Growing strong…Bah!" She dismounts her horse, "Bring the Maester to me…" She commands.
"Look what we found…" A Knight says with four men. They drag Renly who is naked and forces him to his knees.
"Uncle Renly…Tell me who turned you…Olenna or Loras?"
"No one turned me. I am and have always been faithful to you…When I got here they took me prisoner and murdered my men…Ser Loras convinced Mace to spare my life…"
"I will give you a chance to prove your loyalty…Take him away and clothe him…Do not harm him…"
The Knight salutes, "Your Grace…"
"Your Grace…Maester Jonathan…" A soldier says bringing the man to her.
"So Maester did you send off any Ravens off?"
"Two Your Grace one to King's Landing and the other to Horn Hill…"
Cassana nods, "Good…The Maesters of the citadel serve the realm and not the House…"
"It is so your Grace…"
"Serve me well and you shall live…Now bring me to the Tyrell vaults…" Cassana smiles standing in the door of the vault, "Ser Davos…"
"Yes Your Grace…"
"Take an accounting of all this…Then load it all on two ships…Take ten thousand of my troops…You are sailing to Braavos and pay off the rest of the crown's debt…Also I want you buy the services of the Golden Company…"
"I obey my Queen, but as Your Hand shouldn't my place be at your side…"
She looks at him, "Your place is where ever your Queen needs you…"
"I will not fail you…"
"Good man…Maester send a Raven to House Florent I name their House Ruler of the Reach…In fact send Ravens to all the Lords of the Reach…Bend the knee or be destroyed…"
Cassana makes herself at home in High Garden. She holds a feast for the brave men in her army. Two days later Ser Davos gives an account of the gold and sets sail for Braavos. Later she summons her Uncle Renly. "Time for you to prove yourself…" Some men drag in Loras Tyrell. "This man is my enemy…I order you to execute him…" Renly looks at Loras and Loras at Renly, "Well Uncle."
"Cassana…"
"I am your Queen first and you will address me as so…"
"Your Grace…" He says dropping to both knees. "I beg you show him the same mercy he showed me send him to the wall…"
Cassana stands up, "You have always been weak Uncle…"
"Why? Why do you call me weak? Is it because I prefer to be with men…I love him!" They are in the main hall. "Please…Your father showed mercy to his enemies…Many of whom became his friends…" Cassana walks pass Renly drawing her sword, "…Cassana no!" She beheads Loras with one swing of Lady's Fury.
"Send that to Olenna Tyrell and let her see the price for betraying House Baratheon…" With a roar Renly raises the sword he was given and charges Cassana. But before he can kill her, Ser Robar draws his sword and with one swing takes off Renly's sword hand. He falls to his knees cradling the stump. Robar places his sword to Renly's neck and looks at Cassana. She nods and he beheads Renly.
HORN HILL
When Randyl Tarly receives word that High Garden is under siege he sends out Ravens to the rest of the Lords in the Reach. "I defeated her father in battle I can defeat this upstart bitch…" He says to his wife mounting his horse.
"I should come with you Father…" Dickon says.
"Your time will come my son…Stay here and rule in my name…Be the man I know you are…" He rides out of Horn Hill with five thousand men. The armies of the Reach gather near the Rose Road Northwest of Horn Hill. High Garden is a thirty mile march North of their current position. Everyday troops arrive answering Randyl Tarly's call.
"My Lord a Rider from Horn Hill with a message…"
"Show him in…" The message is from Mace Tyrell asking that he bring the army to the Capitol…"
Randyl shakes his head, "Sorry my friend, but that would be a strategic mistake…" He balls the letter up. "We can't let Tywin Lannister have all the glory now can we…"
"My Lord our scouts report that the Baratheon army is on the move…"
"Give the order to break camp…" Within two hours Randyl's army of fifty thousand men are on the move. The two opposing armies meet on Mander's pass. The ground is flat and the grass is high, the skies are dark and the wind is against Randyl. His archers would be completely useless in long range attacks. He can't turn his forces in a different direction because the Baratheon forces are already in lines.
"This woman has no sense of troop positions…" Ser Allyn Oakheart comments. Cassana has all her forces grouped together in a box formation. She has her archers in the vanguard, her infantry behind them and the Calvary is in the rear. Her Catapults are stationed to the left and right flanks of the army.
"Or it could be a ploy to lure us in…" The wind is being controlled by Cassana and Randyly sees it as a disadvantage to her. It will cause her archers to overshoot and his to undershoot. "Heavy Calvary half attack…Direct assault…" Randyl orders half his Calvary forces to charge Cassana's army. Thousands of mounted warriors break away from the main force and charge across the battlefield.
CASSANA
Cassana, her Queensguard, Gendry, Arya, and Shireen sit on their horses observing as Tarly's forces attack. Arya had convinced Cassana to allow Shireen to be on the battlefield. "HOLD!" Gendry commands. "Hold!" He says as they draw closer. "Now!"
The archers reach down and pick up long spears hiding in the grass. The spears are so long and heavy that they need two men to lift them. The Tarly Calvary hits a wall of spears. A few horses stop short of the spear wall and throw their riders into the spears. Other horses don't stop in time and are impaled by the spears producing horrible screeches.
Cassana has three lines of archers, the first two lines are holding the spears. The third line is armed with crossbows in addition to their regular long bows. They fire into the enemy forces which are now in disarray. Cassana smiles as she wins the first round against an enemy her father failed to defeat. "Calvary! Infantry! Archers attack!" Gendry commands from his horse. Cassana's forces take the battlefield. The Calvary charges through a barrage of Catapult and arrow fire. The wind makes it difficult to make accurate hits. A few arrows hit their marks, but the majority of Cassana's forces make it across the battlefield.
At the last minute Randyl sends the rest of his Calvary into battle. Then he orders his infantry forces to march in lines with spears and shields. Gendry takes an arrow to the shoulder and is removed off the battlefield. "Lord Gendry has been injured my Queen…Its not bad…"
Cassana draws her sword, Lady's Fury, "Ours is the Fury!" She screams leading a charge. A Knight on a horse gallops toward her lance out. She and the Queensguard go into battle in V formation. Cassana leans to the side at the last minute and swings her sword. She cuts the lance in half, then she swings again slashes the Knight across his leg. Ser Robar finishes him off.
She sheaths her sword and snatches a spear off the ground and gallops toward Randyl Tarly. He spots her and takes a lance from his squire and charges her. Brienne and Robar are at Cassana's side as they charge Randyly Tarly. Brienne and Robar stab his horse, while Cassana knocks him off with her lance. She trots up to him, but is cut off by a Tyrell soldier. She kicks the man in the face and buries her sword in his skull.
Cassana trots her horse toward Randyl and fights him from horseback. They trade blows, then he stabs her horse in the side. As the horse whines and falls down Cassana jumps free of the horse. She walks around the horse and they continue fighting. Randyl is stronger, but Cassana is faster, during their fight she receives a cut on the side of her face.
Cassana backs away drawing Ronin, she doesn't summon the power, but unleashes her true skills wielding two swords. She spins into Randyl swinging her left, and bringing her right around. Randyl is thrown off by this style of fighting. He receives a slash on the arm and then his chin. She steps sideways blocks with her right and brings her left up to sever his arm, but Randyl drops the sword to save his arm. She bats the sword away as it balances on her left sword. Then she thrusts Ronin forward impaling Randyl in the stomach. She brings her right sword across and buries it in his head; the Valyrian blade goes through his helm.
Cassana stares into his eyes as the blood pours down Randyl's face and his eyes go lifeless. With Randyl's death many men drop their weapons and surrender, but Cassana has a standing order to take no prisoners and they are killed. Without Randyl Tarly the Tyrell army falls apart and it is over. Cassana walks the battlefield in pride. She had defeated an enemy her father could not. As she crosses Mander's field on foot the cries of the wounded and injured horses fill the air. The grass is soaked in blood and with a wave of her hand the wind stops blowing and the skies clear up.
Ser Swann brings Cassana a fresh horse and as she mounts the Queensguard take their places around her on horseback. As she rides across the battlefield her men start chanting. "Storm Queen!" Cassana rides back to her own camp and heads strait to the healing tents. She visits each man and thanks him for his service to her. Then she goes to visit Gendry who had been given his own private healing tent.
"Congratulations I heard we won…" Arya is sitting beside him.
"We did…I heard that your arm needs to be amputated…"
"Ha…ha…Very funny…"
"Maester give him lots of milk of the puppy he needs his rest…"
"When do we march on the Capitol?"
She sighs and takes a seat next to Arya, "Two maybe three days…After the wounded are tended to…"
"I will be ready…"
He points at the cut on her cheek, "You should get that looked at…"
"I think I'll let it heal on its own…"
"She has infection Maester…I can hear the fevered enraged talk in her voice…"
Maester Colwyn smiles looking at it, "Here drink this…You don't want an infection Your Grace…" She snatches the bottle and downs the liquid. Then she allows him to apply an ointment and a small bandage.
The camp fires fill the night and Cassana walks to the main tent to feast with her Lords, Captains, and Knights. Two days later the army marches to Cider Hall and rest for one day then they march to Bitterbridge. As they march Cassana's army grows, she is joined by free riders, sell-swords, and commoners who wish to fight the Storm Queen. All are drawn to Cassana's growing legend. A legend forged by her return from the dead as many believed she had died. Her legend grows due to her attack on Dragonstone an impregnable fortress, the taking of High Garden, and now defeating Randyl Tarly in battle. Among those that join her are Bryden the Blackfish Tully. He has four thousand men with him.
KING'S LANDING
A man rides hard for King's Landing, "Open the gate!" He yells riding towards the King's Gate. The gate is opened by the men of the city watch.
'Who are you?"
"My…name…is…Nyland…" He replies in between deep breaths, "They are…coming!" At his request Nyland is taken to Mace Tyrell. Mace is in his Quarters grieving over the death of his son. He wanted to give Cassana his full support, but he had been offended that she would offer House Tyrell a bastard. He went to his mother Olenna Tyrell and the Queen of Thorns counseled that they should support Joffrey and Margaery would be Queen. Upon receiving Loras' head he regretted that decision.
"My Lord!"
"I said that I wished not to be disturbed…"
"My Lord this man wishes to report to you…" His squire says pleading.
The man drops to one knee, "My Lord…"
"Rise and speak quickly…"
"My name is Nyland…I am a soldier who fought for Lord Randyl…He summoned the banners of the Reach and led us into battle against the Storm Queen…"
Mace runs up to him, "Is she dead? Tell me she is dead!"
"I am sorry My Lord…Randyl Tarly is dead…We lost the battle of Mander's Field…"
"No…no…no…" Mace turns away and falls on the side of his bed.
TYWIN LANNISTER
Tywin calls a meeting of the small council. Joffrey is present along with Cersei, Jaime who had been liberated after the Red Wedding, Olenna who is in all black, Prince Oberyn, Pycell, Tyrion, and a man by the name of Qyburn who is now serving as Master of Whispers. "Lord Tarly gathered an army together and tried to defeat Cassana Baratheon on the battlefield. He is dead and the majority of that army has been annihilated…" Qyburn says addressing the table.
"How many men do we have left?" Joffrey asks with a hint of nervousness in his voice.
"We have forty thousand Lannister troops in the city…Another twenty thousand in Lannisport…"
"Well…Grandfather what are you going to do?"
"We have wild fire…It is the strongest weapon we have…So we use it…When her army comes we will unleash the seven hells on them…"
"Why not meet them on the battlefield?" Joffrey asks.
"It will be what she wants…And we cannot fight a war by doing what the enemy wants…If we go into the field and she defeats us…Her legend will grow even bigger and more Houses will flock to her…No she will come to us and she will burn…"
"Okay that is a good plan I like it…"
"What about these reports that she can control the weather?" Olenna asks, "Summon the wind, the rain, and lightening at will…"
"Nonsense! No one can control the weather…" Cersei says.
"Quit so…The legends of the Storm Kings are all nonsense…Bedtime stories to scare children…Like White Walkers…" Pycell says agreeing with Cersei.
"Are Dragons nonsense as well?" Olenna asks, "We have been receiving reports from across the Narrow sea about Daenarys Targaryen…Qarth, Atsapor, Yunkai, and Meereen…"
"Are all in rebellion against the Dragon Queen…" Tywin says interrupting, "All angry at her for disrupting the slave trade…"
"If I may my Lord…" Qyburn says speaking up, "I have spoken to several soldiers who escaped certain battle in death and made it here…I am a man of science, but unlike my learned brothers of the Citadel I do not dismiss rumors as nonsense…"
Prince Oberyn sits up, "Are you saying you believe these reports that Robert Baratheon's daughter can control the weather with a wave of her hand?"
He smiles, "Why not…There are Dragon Skulls in the hold of this very castle…House Baratheon is said to be descended from the Storm Kings…The old legends say the Storm Kings had the power to create thunder storms…They say Cassana Bartheon carries two swords…I submit that in one of these swords lies her power to influence the weather…"
"Whether or not she can control the weather is irrelevant…"
"Not irrelevant…" Tyrion says speaking up, "Lets say it is true…Lets say we place wild fire on the battlements to be launched from the catapults and Cassana summons a lightening bolt and it strikes the wild fire…We just solved her problem for her…The city is wide open and she marches in and slaughters our forces…"
"And what do you suggest we do?" Tywin asks.
"Surrender or at least make an offer of peace…Slow her down and bury the wild fire in the ground just out of reach of arrow and catapult fire…"
Tywin stares at Tyrion, "You will go and speak with her…"
"Of course I will…"
"You are the only one she will trust…You will go…"
"What of the Vale and Baelish…We have given him a lot…It is time he paid up…" Cersei says. "He has married Lysa Arryn and been named Protector of the Vale…"
"Maester Pycell send the Raven to the Eyrie immediately…" Tywin commands. "Have the men dig the Wild Fire pits at night as not to be seen…"
"Why not hire the Faceless Men to kill the Storm Bitch?" Olenna asks.
"Yes excellent idea…" Joffrey says.
"They won't take such a contract…" Oberyn says.
"How do you know?" Pycell asks.
"The Faceless Men do not kill people of royal birth…How do I know this? I know it because I tried to hire them to kill Robert Baratheon…They would not…"
CASSANA'S ARMY TUMBLETON
Tumbleton is the seat of power for House Footly. The Footlys were only able to contribute a thousand men to Randyl's army. When word came that Randyl Tarly had failed the Footlys swore allegiance to Cassana. Cassana allows the family the freedom of their own home so long as they don't cause any mischief or disrespect her men.
Cassana is in the Solar with Ser Dory and Armon, Gendry is present as well, "Have my instructions been carried out?"
"As you commanded…A hundred men will leave tonight and every night after with enough women to sell the deception…I think two hundred should be enough…"
"Two hundred men to sneak into the city and open the Dragon Gate…"
"The more men we send the more likely they get caught…Your grace…"
She nods, "Two hundred and no more…"
"May I ask why not just blow a hole in the wall like you did at High Garden…"
Cassana sits back in her chair, "I don't want to rely on my power to much to win battles…I want to outthink and out strategize my enemies…"
"And what will you do when the Dragon Queen comes…"
"Dragons aren't invincible…They bleed as well and they can be killed…"
"Well I am off to get some food…" Gendry salutes and departs the tent.
"I can use a bath…" Cassana says out loud.
Just then Maester Colwyn enters, "Begging Your pardon Your Grace…"
She sighs, "The fun never stops…What is it?"
"Tyrion Lannister is approaching with a guard of twenty men…He wishes an audience…"
She smiles and stands up, "Tell Lord Tyrion that I am unavailable at the moment, but will speak with him in two hours…" He bows and leaves. Cassana leaves the solar and makes her way to her chambers. The servants are preparing a hot bath for her. She undresses, the scars from her rape have healed, but she has new scars from battle and fighting. She examines herself in a mirror before getting into the tub.
Two hours later dressed in a simple hunting frock and cape Cassana meets with Tyrion in the solar. "Uncle Tyrion…It is good to see you…"
They hug, "And it is good to see you Cassana…"
They sit down and Cassana dismisses her guards, "So they sent you to slow me down while they what? Let me guess…Hire an assassin…Oh I know…Summon the Knights of the Vale…No…" she snaps her finger, "Find a way to use the Wild Fire against me in battle…"
He takes a drink, "Arbor gold…"
"The Wine Cellars of High Garden are overflowing with it…"
"I am here to negotiate terms of peace…"
"So Cersei is willing to admit that Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen are all bastards…"
"Is that what you want? What else?"
She stares at him, "Uncle let us not play games…Cersei killed my father…And I want her head…"
He takes another drink, "I have no problem with that…My only concerns are for Jaime, Myrcella and Tommen…What are your intentions towards them?"
"You can have Myrcella as a Ward or she goes to the Silent Sisters the choice is hers…As for Jaime, and Tommen…It's the wall for them…Tywin can join them as well…Joffrey must die…As for you…How does Warden of the West and Lord of Casterly Rock sound…I will even allow you to marry that woman…Shae is her name?"
He smiles, "You have very good spies…And your offer is very tempting…"
"Face it Uncle…You will never earn Tywin Lannisters respect…He probably sent you here in hopes I would kill you…"
"We both know you would never do that…" He sighs, "Cassana I love you…I ask that show Jaime and Tommen mercy…Give them to me make them my wards…"
She takes a drink, "We both know I am going to get into the city…It is only a matter of time…Accept my offer…"
"I cannot…"
"I will give you Myrcella…You can't have the rest…My own mother thought about drinking Moon Tea before I was born…She…she…killed my real brothers and sisters…She killed my father…No!"
"Can you really control the weather?" He asks. Cassana responds by raising her right hand, Tyrion jumps up as lightening starts jumping across her fingers and a small breeze fills the room."Seven hells." Tyrion says, "How did you do that?"
"I am the Storm Queen…Go back to Tywin and tell him my terms…I will be seeing you all soon…" After he leaves Cassana cries, then she steels herself for what is to come. Hard decisions will have to be made.
JAIME
"I'll kill her then…I have always wanted to kill Robert…Its only fitting I get to kill his daughter…" Jaime says to Cersei in private.
"Don't joke…" Cersei replies to him.
"I'm not joking…I am the greatest sword in the seven Kingdoms…"
The bells start ringing and Jaime runs from Cersei's room. As he runs he is joined by Tyrion and Bronn. They make their way to the mud gate, "The Baratheon fleet is blockading the bay…" A man says to them.
Jaime takes a spy glass and looks out over the water, "It has begun…"
CASSANA
Cassana, Brienne, Gendry, Arya, Shireen, and the Queensguard ride ahead of the army. She raises her hand and makes a fist. The entire army comes to a stop. "Now what?" Arya asks.
Cassana looks at her, "Now we wait…" They don't have to wait long as two Knights ride back dressed as City Watch guards. "The Dragon Gate is open Your Grace…So is the secret passage…"
"Lord Gendry to the secret passage…Don't get lost…"
He shakes his head, "If I do get lost I won't have to put up with your bad sense of humor anymore…" he signals to the men and off they ride into the darkness.
Cassana looks at Shireen, "Stay with Ser Harold and my men…" She nods. "Let us go…" As they ride at full speed to the Dragon Gate a flaming arrow flies toward them, but Cassana starts a wind that blows any arrows away from its intended mark. They enter the gate and the fighting starts. Cassana has standing orders that the city is not to be sacked, no looting, raping, or killing unarmed citizens. They are to attack only if a citizen takes up arms. They are to kill the Gold Cloaks and spare none.
The city watch is overwhelmed as Gendry and thousands of men appear in the streets in another section of the city. As Cassana passes by a large alley she is met with a hail of arrows from ahead and the side. When her horse goes down, Ser Robar and a soldier help her from under her now dead horse. "My Queen are you hurt?"
"No…" The arrows stop and they hear the archers cry out in terror. Cassana and the men with her break cover to find Bryden the Blackfish slaughtering them. The Gold Cloaks put up a good fight but are quickly overrun. When they reach the Red Keep Archers are firing a steady stream of arrows at the attackers.
Soon men arrive with siege ladders and they fight their way up to the battlements slowly driving the Lannister men back towards the Red Keep. "Cassana!" Jaime screams.
"The Kingslayer…"
Cassana draws her sword and rushes toward him. He is armed with the Valyrian sword Cassana had given Tywin. It had been named Lion's Roar. When Jaime manages to punch her in the face Cassana gets angry and draws Ronin. She doesn't summon its power, but she does show Jaime her skills with two swords. The fight ends with Cassana cutting off his sword hand.
"Take him away until the Castle is secure…" Cassana commands.
"You take too many risks…" Brienne says chastising Cassana.
"My men risk no less…"
"And who will be their Queen if you die…"
As they fight through the castle Cassana and Brienne pause as Baratheon men stand in a circle watching two men fight. When they arrive it is Gregor and Sandor Clegane. It is an all out brawl between the two human giants. Eventually Gregor is impaled in the back by Prince Oberyn. As he falls to his knees Sandor decapitates the Mountain.
"Why in the fuck did you do that?"
"He killed and raped my sister…He killed her children…"
"He killed my father and sister…"
"Enough!" Cassana yells, "Sandor Clegane…Will you fight for me?"
"Sure…Why not…"
She looks at Prince Oberyn, "Prince Oberyn…"
"Storm Queen…Your reputation precedes you…"
"I hear Myrcella is to be wed to Prince Trystan…"
"I hear that as well…"
"I can't allow that…"
"Am I your prisoner…"
"That will depend on your brother…If he wants you back he must deliver Myrcella…" After six hours of fighting the Red Keep falls to Cassana.