Chapter 26

Wind and Earth

The Reach

"There isn't much that we can do. Without Lord Stannis support we cannot push the lions back to their precious rock." Loras Tyrell was tired as he stared at the map before him "All of our forces are in position, small skirmishes against King Robert but none with the northerners yet. It's as if Ned Stark is choosing to forget about us, like we aren't at war with Robert Baratheon as well as Tywin Lannister."

Renly, crown of golden roses upon his head, didn't say anything so deep in thought was he as he went over the map again. Ned Stark and his men were an anomaly to him. The armies of the North hadn't strayed from the Riverlands, something that should have happened once they learned Renly did not support Robert's rule and had instead retaken Harrenhal and Riverrun from the Lannister's. It was as if he was not worthy of being a foe to the Lord of Winterfell.

"What of the Rosarians?" he asks, "Have they sided with anyone?"

"Not that we know of," Loras says with a slight wince "There are rumors however, that Robert did try to take the Lady Warrick against her will…perhaps there is some truth to it, what with Clive Rosfield having a bounty on his head."

"If they are anywhere in these lands, it will be by Lord Stark's side," Renly smiles despite the news he receives not matching the delicate voice that delivers it. Margaery Tyrell frowns as she comes to her husband's side "You should be resting, not pouring over the maps again. A King needs his rest, he can't be seen to be weak by anyone, not even his own men."

"Margaery…"

She gives Loras a sharp look "I know that you both have your…duties, to each other, but the least you could do is listen when I tell you, both of you, that you are working yourselves to death. King and his Kingsguard…you both need to step back and cease this worrying over the war."

"Loras," Renly looks up at his lover, eyes far more tired than they should be for one his age "Leave us a moment."

Loras looks ready to protest but seeing the double looks he is getting from his sister and his love…he relents. Bowing his head slightly the Knight of Roses makes his exit from the room. Renly rubs at his eyes, perhaps his Queen had the right of it? But even so…

"You aren't going to stop, are you?" Renly couldn't bring himself to look her in the eye "Renly…I know this marriage is only to keep up appearances, and I can accept that. But I won't see the man that my brother love's throw away his life fighting over a throne with three other men fighting for it as well. I won't do it Renly."

"I'm not asking you to do anything, Margaery," he sighs, looking at her with that tiredness that only weeks of war meetings, reports and losses could give a man "This entire war I have been sat here in Highgarden holding tourney's to find capable knights for the cause, making merry with the lords of the Reach, and failing to do what every other man would be more than capable of doing…I am a failure of a king, and I can barely call myself that without a throne or a kingdom to rule."

"But you won't always be," Margaery's words did soothe his concerns somewhat "You might not sit the throne now, but you won't always be like this Renly. You are a good man…not perfect, but good, and that is something Westeros has been in desperate need for. A good king, not a perfect one."

"Easy for you to say," he rolls his eyes "You are a beautiful, intelligent woman who could have the realm in a war just to marry you. We both know you did not marry me for love, you married me for the crown and your brother's own happiness."

Renly sighs, running a hand down his face slowly before his eyes settle on her "You are far more than I ever deserved, Margaery. Truly, Westeros could find no better a queen."

"And it could find no finer a king than you, Renly."

Renly smiles, a sad little thing before his eyes go back to the map "You know I won't back down from this."

"But why does it have to be you?"

"Because no one will follow me if it isn't." Renly slams his fist down on the table "There's been no fighting at Bitterbridge, and the fighting at Old Oak has gone on for a few days already. Skirmishes they tell me, nothing more than that, and yet the men still talk. They wonder what I will do. Where we will go…if I don't get out there, if we do not win a battle soon, they might even rebel against me and your family. I…I won't have it; I won't have all of you dragged down for my mistakes."

Renly's eyes focused on the fields between Crakehall and Old Oak. The reports of hundreds of men dying day after day. There was no telling how many still fought, would still fight, as he prepared to join them. Margaery watched with a worried look as her king, her husband, fell further into his own thoughts. "I must go…every day that I wait is another day wasted. Margaery I…"

"I know," she says, trying her best to give him a more reassuring smile than she felt she could give "Just…come back safe? King or not, you are a good man Renly Baratheon…you deserve to be happy for even a moment in this war."

"Happy in war?' he chuckles "I shall endeavor to try that before the battle, and with your brother by my side there isn't a man alive who would be able to get close to me."

"Oh, I do not doubt that, not at all my king."

Renly takes her hand, placing a gentle kiss upon her knuckles "My queen. When I return, we could…try again?"

Margaery felt her face flush "We can if that is what my king wishes to do."

The last Margaery would see of him was his smiling face filled with an almost innocent charm to it as he was just a little embarrassed even with his own words or the idea that they carried with them. She prayed to the Gods, to all of them, any that would hear her pleas that Renly would return unharmed; safe, smiling, and alive. To her, to Loras…to Highgarden.

They went unheard.

Kings Landing

Robert Baratheon was almost ready. Ser Barristan had said so himself that morning as they sparred in the drill yard that his king had all but returned to his old physique. He had his muscle back, had grown more proactive in matters of the war and been pushing the kingsguard to their limit at times. But today was a promised day, today was a day he had been hoping for, today was the day that he would see just what these sellswords of his could do.

Payment was not a problem for the Crown. While the price was greatly reduced as per the arrangement, Robert had little fear in him that Raven could ever produce a company worth a few million dragons. Even so, for the price they were offered it was a bargain. A bargain that would see his enemies fall or at least provide him with an excuse to step out onto the field of battle and crush his foes with his mighty hammer.

"Your grace!" Raven's voice calls out, drawing his attention away from Ser Barristan as he interrupts their spar "Am I interrupting anything important?"

"Only if you have nothing of greater importance to bring me," he says gruffly "Speak, and be quick about it."

"But of course, your grace," Raven smiles beneath his hood, gesturing to the cloaked man beside him. What a man it was too. Robert had seen only a few men who could match this one in size and they were all accounted for, and no where near the capital as far as he knew. "This is Sanguis, he is one of my most powerful fighters. You will find no man stronger in this or any other kingdom King Robert, I assure you of that."

Robert eyes the man, nodding his head as he takes in his broad chest "You're big…what do they call you? The Second Mountain?"

"Tormentor," Sanguis replies. His voice is like gravel, rough all over but direct and firm "I am told that you need someone to assist you in winning your war?"

"Aye, that is the right of it…how can you, one man, do that for me I wonder?"

Sanguis brushes past the king into the drill yard "Any of these toys of yours important?"

Ser Barristan and Robert share a look. Toys? Their weapons? Robert shakes his head, motioning for two of his men to enter the yard with Sanguis, blades at the ready "Choose your weapon Ser Sanguis, and let us see just what it is that makes you so special."

Sanguis huffs, rolling his shoulders "I won't need to, this will be over quick enough." The giant of a man unfastens his cloak, letting the black garment fall to his feet. He was shirtless, only wearing black trousers, and gifted with more muscle than Robert could ever boast he had had in his youth. The man looked like he was the Warrior reborn a man. "Don't hold back, I hate it when I have to fight the weak."

The two guards grip their blades tight in hand, one moving slowly to Sanguis' right while the other charges in to swing. Sanguis side steps the blade, right hand lashing out and grabbing the man by the throat as he lifts him into the air. A single sword clatters against the ground while the second guard charges. This swing, however, connects just for a moment, long enough for all to see Sanguis hold it back with his arm and the blade itself to snap in half before he threw the other guard at his attacker.

With both of his men sprawled in the dirt, a sword snapped for good measure, Robert grins as he replays the scene out in his head again "No armor, no sword…and this is what you can do?" he turns to face Raven "How soon can I expect the rest to arrive?"

"Soon, your grace," Raven's response placates the eager glint in Robert's eye for the moment "For now, Sanguis shall be at your command. My spy with the Ironborn tells me that your enemies will not have long to wait before meeting the raiders in battle again, and my man monitoring the Lions and the Roses should be sending good news for you across the lands within a few short days' time. Rest assured; we will not fail you."

"Ser Barristan," Robert's smile never leaves his face as he keeps his eyes on Raven "I want you to show our new friend here to his quarters, then escort him to the council chambers…we have a battle to plan out now."

Raven bows his head as he watches Sanguis be escorted to the Red Keep. "Shall I take my leave now, your grace?"

"No…tell me Raven, are you sure that you and your men can help me win this war? I won't suffer traitors in my own ranks a second time."

"Sanguis alone could tip the scales in your favor," Raven says with confidence "But if it puts your mind at ease there are five others I must bring to Westeros before we can fulfill your contract in full."

"Very well then," Robert nods his head, thoughts of the war and the battles to come filling his mind with glory and a bloodlust "I shall be expecting you in future council meetings, Raven, once your allies have been gathered up."

"But of course," he bows, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as Robert makes his own exit with his guards. Raven sighs, making his own exit from the drill yard "I'll see the contract fulfilled, to the letter."

The Reach, outside of Old Oak

Renly Baratheon gripped the reins of his horse tight as the battle raged before him. The battle here on the Ocean Road had been going on for over a week now. The army of Kevan Lannister refused to budge despite the disadvantage of numbers. To Renly, however, this was no mere battle he was witnessing. It was a slaughter. Men of the Reach lay dead or dying while those still able to stand clashed with the Lannister host with an almost reckless abandon.

"There is no shame in backing down now Renly," Loras, ever the support he needed, says from the left "The Rainbow Guard exists to defend their King, and that is you. If you feel we should be here, then here we shall be, but should you desire to retreat…we won't think any less of you."

"If this is your attempt to talk me out of it Loras…you shouldn't have waited until now," Renly's eyes never strayed from the battlefield before him "I am their king. I will fight beside them as a good king should…not that I have much choice now."

Loras dutifully followed Renly into battle, the other members of his rainbow guard following behind. With all the days of battle leading up to this moment he had hoped the Lannister host would be depleted enough that Renly would not have to see combat. How he wished to the Seven that he had been right.

While Renly's forces engaged the Lannister's with their king riding to their aid a single onlooker watched as the final pieces fell into place. Havoc rolls his shoulders as he spies the last of the fodder finally join the battle. "And so it begins," he chuckles, eyes drawn to the sky above "Tyrell and Lannister both shall know what it means to cross us."

Amidst the chaos of the battle, a lone man in glistening green armor and a helmet adorned with the antlers of a proud stag rode into the line of infantry before him. Swords clashed, men screamed, and the sound of battle roared all around Renly as he rode on. Leading the heavy cavalry against the Lannister's was all he could do. He was not the fighter that Robert was on foot nor was he as skilled a commander as Stannis. But he could do this, he could lead these men. Renly was on top of the world as he brought his blade down and cut a Lannister bannerman where he stood. This was what Robert always went on about, the rush of adrenaline, the blood pumping so fiercely in your chest you could feel as if it would beat right out of you. This was war. This was his moment.

In the confusion of the battle his horse reared up once, nearly knocking him loose as the field began to quiet. Renly looked left and right, up and down the lines of men that had been fighting so fiercely against one another moments before. They were all frozen, weapons lowered as their gazes went up towards the sky. The youngest of the Baratheon brothers turned his head, eyes forced to squint under the light of the sun as a great shadow rose covering the field.

There was a piercing shriek of a bird, a very large bird, followed by heavy wingbeats as it observed them. As his eyes adjusted to the light, Renly felt small as he took in the majesty before him. This was surely what it had been like centuries ago to be standing before a Targaryen and their Dragon. But this bird…could it be as frightful as his body felt it was? His knees were weak, his heart was racing…Renly felt truly of one mind with his own horse. Neither one wanted to be here, the horse was the only one to truly do anything about their current situation as it reared up once.

Slowly the men began to back away, every one of them moving slowly back to their own side as the bird watches them all. Even Kevan Lannister felt small, far smaller than Tywin had ever made him feel in the past, as that great winged beast just hovered in the air. With Joffrey by his side, he tried to move the young king to safety behind him just as a terrible screech pierced through the air. The men on the battlefield covered their ears, crying out in pain, some even dropping to their knees just before powerful gusts of wind buffet the field and send more to the dirt. Kevan hazards a glance back as he and his entourage escort the king from the field, one little look back to see such a humbling sight…just a tiny glance.

"By the Seven," he gasps in horror. Green eyes wide with fear as he and his men witness the carnage happening before them.

With a mighty flap of its wings the bird shrieks. Winds whipping up across the battlefield, growing stronger, darker, as twin gusts come together and touch down on the green fields below. All around Renly men scream and shout, scrambling to retreat to safety as the twister's tear across the landscape. Amidst the confusion his horse rears up and dislodges him, his back hitting the dirt as he hears men screaming as they are pulled up into the air. He rolls over onto his stomach, driving his sword into the dirt as he finally gets a proper look. Men are clinging to each other in desperate attempts to stay grounded, some are plucked from the ground while others are whisked away while still atop their horses. Renly can feel his grip on his blade slipping as the wind increases, his helmet is wrenched from his head violently. The winds whipping around make it hard for his eyes to focus just as he feels his body being lifted into the air.

"No!" he cries out as his hold on his weapon is loosened, his body pulled up into the air. Renly Baratheon feels himself flipping in the air, caught up in a rush of debris and bodies…he can't even bring himself to stay upright. Sky and ground intermix in his vision, no clue which is above or below him. All Renly Baratheon can see is a swirling vision of green and blue before his vision goes dark.

In the wake of the destruction, there was chaos. For the unlucky there was danger all around as men found themselves scattered across the field of battle, surrounded by friend and foe with no clear way out. Many more fell to enemy swords, bodies joining those left behind from the winds. For those fortunate enough to die in the storm, the war was over, nothing could take them from their slumber now. For one knight, battered against trees and left ignored by the first survivors to scurry past, the battle was over.

Rising to their feet they took in the devastation before them. Various banners fluttered in the wind, still held high by the corpses of the very men who carried them into battle, signaling which side littered certain patches of grassy fields. The knight stumbles, searching for any sign of a familiar face amidst the dead. Any sign of a life not yet gone from this world. They trip over their own feet as they catch a glimpse of green armor stained red with blood. Whose blood, they did not know.

As they approach the body of Renly Baratheon the knight removes their helmet. Hair the color of straw, brittle from the life of a knight, falls to their shoulders. As they take the knee by their liege's side their blue eyes cast up to the clouds above, a single regret flickers through their mind. A single tear rolls down their right cheek. Renly did not deserve this; to die on the field of battle should be noble and worth the glory of old…but to die at the hands of a great winged beast, to be pulled up so high as to fly like a bird and then be dropped like a stone right after…Renly did not deserve to die with such fear etched on his face.

There was a low call in the distance. Survivors…a group of them but their words were unintelligible. With a final bow of their head the knight stands, donning their helmet and begins heading north. Westeros was no place for a knight with no real notoriety or lands to their name, especially when that knight was a woman like Brienne of Tarth. As Brienne made her escape, she only prayed to the Mother that she could find someone who would take her on as a knight; that she might get the chance to prove herself and make up for failing her first king.

"By the Father…Loras! Over here!"

Loras Tyrell, Lord Commander of the Rainbow Guard of King Renly Baratheon moved like a man possessed. Ser Parmen Crane and Ser Bryce Caron by his side as they rejoined with their final surviving brother of the guard Ser Guyard Morrigen. They were all that was left after the battle was over. Robar Royace and Emmon Cuy were found in less than desirable states, buried with as much respect as they could afford to give on a battlefield but honored, nonetheless. But as they approached the final body Loras felt his knees buckle beneath him.

"R-Renly?" He drops to his knees, eyes focused on the face of his king, his lover, twisted into an expression of fear and shock. The last thing to go through his mind before Death took him "It should have been me…why…why Renly?"

Bryce, Parmen, and Guyard bowed their heads. Loras spoke and showed more than enough emotion for all of them gathered here. While their feelings may not be as intense as Loras' they too would mourn the loss of their king. While Loras took his time to grieve, Guyard stood watch. Parmen and Bryce went about the duty of digging a grave for their fallen king. As tears dried, as hearts ached, the four men paid their final respects to a man they would have seen become King of the Seven Kingdoms.

"We cannot stay here," Guyard says after a moment "The Lannister's could return at any moment, searching for survivors. We won't survive a large group, not as we are now."

"Guyard is right," Bryce agrees "Loras, we must return to Highgarden and tell them of what has happened here today."

Loras sighs, nodding his head "Aye…our war is over for now, let us hope we can warn the realms of this beast before it can strike again."

Kings Landing

"Is this true?" Robert Baratheon sat upon his throne, ever the vision of what Jon Arryn thought he would be as King "The Reach want peace now that Renly is dead? Killed by some great and terrible bird of all things…I don't believe it."

"Not just peace your grace," Varys says with a deep bow "They also seek to rejoin with you and the kingdoms, they claim that it was all Renly's idea…or at least that is what Olenna Tyrell has had her son write to you."

Robert scoffs "Olenna Tyrell. That old bag of bones still meddling, is she?" Robert waves his hand, dismissing the proposals she had offered so 'generously' "I will not accept that so easily. New bride or not, that would be a reward for them, and I will not reward those who opposed me. Tell me, was this the work of Raven's associate?"

"From what I have gathered and has been confirmed by every witness to the events…no man did this, a great winged beast devastated the fields." Varys' words spoke true though his expression and tone indicated he did not fully trust even that "I cannot say whether such a beast exists your grace, nor can I say with confidence that one man alone could do this…but it is no mere coincidence that the sellswords words would ring true to such effect. I would advise caution."

There was a snort off to the side. Robert's brow arched; Ser Barristan stood a little taller as their guest made his presence known. With his back leaning against the wall, arms crossed, Sanguis took the forefront of everyone's minds in that moment.

"Sanguis, you have something to add?"

"It's Havoc." He rumbles "That was all his doing, a small price to pay for rejecting our generous offer."

"Truly?" Robert hums, cupping his chin "One man did all of that?"

"No," Sanguis speaks quickly "One Dominant did all of that."

"Dominant?"

"I am only here for defense, your grace, but know this. Raven will return, and he shall explain it to you in full, I due time."

Riverrun

Clive watches Cid read over the message he had received carefully. The older man's brow furrowed in thought, eyes narrowing at the words on the parchment "You sure this is all…accurate?"

"Aye," the messenger, a Reachman by the looks of him, says with a nod of his head "Lord Mace Tyrell himself is suing for peace. Now that King Renly is dead…our cause is lost, we have no quarrel with anyone."

"Except that your war is just waiting to be fought for someone else," Cid shakes his head "Other than the youngest Baratheon lordling…how true is the rest?"

"Those words come straight from Ser Loras himself!" the messenger protests "He is an honorable knight, a just knight. He would not spin a tale especially not after the death of his king."

"Clive," Cid holds out the message "Read this would you? I need to think a moment."

Clive, puzzled, takes the message. His own eyes widen as he reads the contents, brow raised before he looks at the messenger "Do you have any idea what this truly means?!"

The messenger is confused, he looks ready to shake his head when he catches sight of the parchment igniting, burning in Clive's hand while his glare is focused fully on him. "I…I don't…"

"Clive!" Cid barks, snapping him back to reality "Let's not incinerate the poor man, after all he is the one who brought us this news of his own free will. Rex, could you help our friend here to a nice cozy room in the keep? He should be allowed to rest before his journey back to Highgarden."

Rex gives a curt nod, escorting the frightened messenger out of the room. Cid shakes his head with a sigh, eyes barely glancing up in Clive's direction as the First Shield's intense gaze is focused on the map of Westeros "This is not going to plan Cid."

"No, I don't suppose it is," he says, moving closer to observe the map for himself "Let's review the situation, shall we?"

"We've taken Harrenhal and Riverrun," Clive says, gesturing to the figures they placed down representing each army "The Lannister's and the Tyrell's lost a lot of men down in that slaughter…they would have to join forces to even mount a decent assault on the capital or Riverrun. Neither of which is a smart decision."

"To say nothing of the Baratheon brothers themselves…Stannis still hasn't made any moves and Robert hasn't left his city either." Cid hums, eyeing the twin stag figurines on the map "I wonder…just what are they up to?"

"They are no concern of mine," Clive says matter-of-factly "But this news bodes ill."

"Aye, it does…to think, another Dominant would appear," Cid muses "And a Dominant of Wind no less."

"Can't be Benedikta, can it?"

"No…Benna was always eager, but the description is all wrong. Garuda is Warden of Wind, a Harpy of all things…this was clearly a bird going by the description given." Cid frowns as he recalls the words "A beast with great wings that could conjure up storms of wind that pull men up into the heavens above…then drops them with such force as to shatter bone. Garuda could do the same, but Benedikta's style is much more…vicious, this was far too quick for it to have been her."

"So then…it's them?"

"Aye lad. The other Dominants are in Westeros, and our days may well in fact be numbered."

AN: …hopefully there are no Renly fans in the audience today. So, before that angry mob comes after my head, let's talk shop, shall we? Poll will remain up until either the 30th of the month or I get impatient and decide to cut it short before posting the Season 1 finale. It will be up before November 1st; you have my word…unless something catastrophic happens. Now it has also come to my attention that this website has not been working too well for others, in which case I would turn you all to ao3 where you can also find this story posted roughly at the same time as it is here. With that out of the way, as well as a reminder to vote in the poll if you can…let's dig into the big stuff. We've got confirmation of who the Dominants are…that they are in Westeros is officially confirmed for our cast…and bonus points to whoever figures out what the Eikon is before the finale goes up. Also, totally not being subtle with that title, but that is a story for another time…let's talk reviews, shall we?

Drakon45: Glad we got that sorted, probably a lack of sleep while working on this that's keeping my brain on edge. As for your comment…well…you're in for a surprise when that chapter comes up. Trust me, it's going to be a very fiery episode.

Jebest4781: At this point it's all just to get the last few pieces in place for the finale….then we can start Season 2 with a bang.

Guest: Good review.