Chapter 42: Groove Armada
"The armies can't remain camped around Riverrun forever. We will need to eventually move." Robb said, looking at the men gathered in the Lord's Solar. It had been a few weeks since his wife's grandfather and the new Hand of the King, Lord Tywin, had arrived with his Westermen. Since then the army that Robb had under his command had swelled to approaching forty maybe even fifty thousand men. And trying to supply food for that many men was a challenge.
Tensions were growing. There'd been a fight or ten already that had resulted in the culprits being hung for disobedience-at Lord Tywin's suggestion-and Robb knew they needed to move and quickly before things spiralled out of control.
"Renly and Stannis are the main threats, but I do believe that Your Grace should focus on taking King's Landing first. Gain that added benefit and then move on them." Lord Mallister said.
"I agree. King's Landing is the goal here. Take that, get justice for Lord Eddard and then we can deal with the southern nonces." The GreatJon said. The man had taken the arrival of Lord Tywin and Robb's apparent appearance change-he was wearing a dark blue doublet with golden trimmings and a cloak that had red, gold and blue on it-surprisingly well. Greywind's presence at his side no doubt helped.
"My allies in King's Landing report that the pretender is surrounded by fools and sycophants. The Gold Cloaks report to Petyr Baelish and will turn if he turns." Lord Tywin said. "Furthermore, there were food riots a few days' ago in the capital that has left the pretender and his court shut up in the Red Keep. If we march south, then the people will turn on them."
Robb nodded and glanced at Myrcella, she had not wanted to be part of the war council, but he had insisted. It was her throne that they were fighting for after all, she should know what was being said. "Who exactly is in charge in King's Landing, is it Cersei or Joffrey?" Depending on that answer, he could plan his next move accordingly.
"There is a struggle going on, Sire." Lord Tywin replied. "My daughter wishes to retain control and find some way to resolve matters, but from what my friends at court tell me, Joffrey is trying hard to take control. Indeed, he ordered several noblemen from the Crownlands executed for suggesting he seek peace with Your Grace. Cersei managed to stay their execution, but her power grows weak."
"If we send you forward as the van, will Cersei seek to negotiate a surrender?" Robb asked. He wondered, from what Myrcella had told him, both her mother and Ser Jaime were terrified of Lord Tywin. From having observed and spoken with the man, he could sort of see why, but as King, Lord Tywin didn't scare him. He was just another tool to use.
"I believe so. I can have my friends at court keep Joffrey busy whilst the negotiations begin, Sire." Lord Tywin said.
Robb nodded. "Do so, I want to take King's Landing with as little bloodshed as possible. Joffrey is the one I want to punish, not the people of King's Landing." He would avoid a second sack if he could.
Lord Tywin nodded his acceptance and made a note of what Robb had commanded.
Robb then turned his attention to Theon and said. "You will be going to the Iron Islands in a short while."
That got some of his lords murmuring, but he had discussed this with Lord Tywin beforehand. And the man had agreed, they needed the Iron Fleet to be able to counter the Redwyne Fleet when the time came. Ships were being built in Lannisport and White Harbour, but they would take time to be ready.
"Your role will be to get your father to do his duty and provide the ships of the Ironborn. In return he will get the spoils of whatever raids he conducts on the Reach." Robb said. "You will leave on the morrow, accompanied by Lord Piper and Ser Wendel Manderly."
That had been Lord Tywin's suggestion. The man had pointed out that sending Theon by himself would've left things open to manipulation, particularly as Theon hadn't been back to Pyke since he'd been a boy. Robb had initially disagreed, he trusted Theon, but after giving it some thought, he'd agreed.
Theon bowed his head and said. "I will not fail you, Your Grace."
Jaime shut the door and took a seat, his white cloak billowing behind him. His father put whatever letters he was writing to one side and looked at him intently. Jaime, as he so often did around his father, felt as if he were being examined down to his core. It took everything he had to not wilt.
Eventually his father spoke, and the words he said surprised him. "The white cloak seems to have finally grown on you."
Jaime blinked. He had not expected his father to compliment him on being a Kingsguard, indeed, when his father had learned he was a Knight of the Kingsguard, he'd not spoken to him for weeks.
"Thank you." Jaime said.
"Tell me, what have you learned since you joined the King and Queen's guard?" Father asked.
Jaime blinked, again, this was surprising. The last time they'd had this sort of conversation, Father had referred to Robert and Cersei by their names.
"The King and Queen love one another deeply. They spend all their nights together, and when they are not attending to their own businesses, they are together. They discuss everything together and they formulate plans together." Jaime said.
"And they treat one another well?" Father asked.
"Yes, very much so." Jaime replied.
"Then where is their heir?" Father asked. "They have been married for almost a year and yet they do not have an heir. That will be an issue going forward."
Jaime frowned. "Myrcella is young yet, they have plenty of time."
Father exhaled. "When war is being waged and they are staking a unique claim, they need an heir, preferably a son. Otherwise, your sister will try and get some sort of concession, when Joffrey falls, some may try and put Tommen on the throne. However, if they have a son, then that becomes harder to do, as it is proof of divine favour."
That surprised Jaime, he had never taken his father for a religious man.
As if sensing his surprise, Father said. "I have had my friends in Oldtown and in the Sept of Baelor sound out the general mood of the faith."
"And?" Jaime asked.
"The fact that Myrcella is married to a Northman has not pleased them, but the fact that the King continues to worship both at the Sept here in Riverrun and in the Godswood has so far been enough to soothe them. However, an heir being born and raised in the Faith would go a long way. The current High Septon is a Tyrell creature, but he is ailing." Father said.
"And I take it the replacement would be one of yours?" Jaime asked.
"Yes." Father said simply.
Jaime nodded, allowing this information to sink in, the politics of faith did not interest him. What did interest him was ensuring that the King and Queen were safe and secure. He knew that Ser Barristan was training the King's half-brother, but the man was also getting on in years, and Jaime wanted to be prepared.
Father interrupted his thoughts by saying. "I will not ask for the King and Queen to release you from your vows. You are more use to me in the Kingsguard than elsewhere." Jaime said nothing merely waited. "Instead, I will have Tommen as my heir and ensure he becomes a true Lannister."
Jaime was about to say that Father already had an heir in Tyrion, when the man said. "Your brother's body washed up on the shores of King's Landing a few days' ago. It seems Stannis Baratheon had had his way with him."
Jaime blinked. Tyrion dead?!
A crow was gnawing on a child. Bran stared at the image and shuddered. It was not pleasant. The crow continued to gnaw on the child until it looked up and directly at him. Bran took a step back, the crow had three eyes. Blood dripped from its mouth as it cocked its head and looked at him.
Bran stepped further back but couldn't look away. Something about the crow seemed familiar. Something…
"You were supposed to fall." The crow said, blood dripping still from its mouth.
"What?" Bran asked terrified.
"You were supposed to fall when you climbed the tower." The crow said again.
"Why?" Bran asked.
The crow snorted-Bran didn't know it was possible for a crow to snort. "Because the darkness is coming and I need a replacement."
"A replacement?" Bran asked. "What do you mean?"
Before the crow could reply a figure came and ate him, ripping and tearing his body in half. The figure was a wolf, a wolf with bright blue eyes.
Bran wanted to turn and run, but instead he moved toward the wolf. Something about it seemed familiar and safe. He touched the wolf and the beast snorted.
"Avoid crows and ravens, boy." The wolf said.
Bran looked into the wolf's eyes; they were a piercing blue.
"The night is coming, and it will be long, but you need not fear. We are not your enemy. We are the past, the present and the future. Do not listen to crows and ravens." The wolf said.
Bran opened his mouth to ask what he meant when the scene changed. Now he was stood in Winterfell's courtyard as water rose to fill it and a golden kraken wrapped itself around the castle.
Bran woke with a start, his head pounding. He looked around and saw Summer staring at him, his eyes, his eyes were the palest blue.