Chapter 47: The fall of King's Landing
300 AC
Robb
It was a clear, but cold, day in late autumn. Many believed winter had already come, yet no white ravens had arrived yet. The sun was high in the sky and it was around midday. He and his personal guard were all frantically looking towards Lion Gate, waiting for any sign. He sincerely hoped all this waiting would soon come to an end.
They had been here for a fortnight. The first three days they had fortified their camp and sent out scouting parties to assess the enemy positions, as well as gather intel from further up the Roseroad and the Kingsroad up to the Kingswood. No enemies were seen, and no help would be coming for their enemies trapped inside the city.
The next ten days they compromised a battle plan, as they waited for the fleet to arrive. It had finally arrived four days ago. He had already met with Ser Marlon Manderly and Lord Qarl Melcolm, the commanders of the Northern and Vale Fleets. Lord Melcolm had since left to blockade Dragonstone with half their combined number of ships, so no one could disturb their siege.
Those ten days he had also had riders go around the city walls three times a day. They always shouted the same things at the defenders. All ordinary men from the City Watch, no matter where they came from, that surrendered would be disarmed and allowed to go home after the fall of the city.
He hoped that this would be a very enticing offer for a lot of them, especially to the fifteen hundred Reachmen that made up the new goldcloaks. His spies had gotten word to him just before the city had been closed off that Olenna and Margaery Tyrell had slipped out and fled towards Bitterbridge.
They had left many of their nobles and almost all of their soldiers behind. With a bit of luck, they wouldn't feel obligated to keep their loyalties now.
Morale would generally be low inside the enemy capital. The destruction from the previous fights hadn't been totally repaired. A lot of people were homeless, while all of them were starving, Tywin's defeat and the abandonment by the Reach would have hit hard. On top of that, a lot of the Crownland Houses had surrendered to him. Many of the men inside that city had family or friends in these houses. Fighting them for a lost cause wouldn't be something they would want to do.
As such, it was no surprise that his plans had already born fruit. Yesterday, one of the riders had gotten an arrow stuck in his shield whilst riding along the walls. The arrow had contained a small letter, wrapped tightly around the shaft. It had read:
Tomorrow at noon
We open the Lion's Gate
Don't raise suspicion!
So, now they were all looking at the Lion Gate, to see what happened. Hours had gone by discussing what they should do with the information. The likelihood of it being a trap was high. As such, it had been decided that none of their main commanders would go in before they had taken control of the gate.
Still, the possibility of taking the city without having to really storm it was too enticing to let go. They had tried to formulate a plan that would give them the means to attack the city, without alerting the enemy.
Three hundred cavalrymen were waiting to race for the gate under Ser Corlys Menning. The knight, who hailed from King's Landing himself, had proven himself over the last few months. He knew the city better than any of them and could possibly get more of the City Watch to surrender without a fight.
Whilst those riders raced for the gate, two thousand heavy infantrymen would follow up under Lady Mormont and march inside of the castle. At the same time, the Umbers and Mallisters would attack the walls around the gate to put pressure on a possible defense there. They were tasked with making sure that the enemy couldn't mount a successful defense at the gate. They would envelop the defenders, while also positioning archers up on the walls. The last thing they wanted was a huge melee next to the walls that could take hours and cost hundreds of lives.
Three diversionary attacks had been prepared as well to spread the defenders thin. The Crownlanders would attack the King's Gate under Lord Mallery, while those from Cracklaw Point would attack the Old Gate. Just after noon, the fleet was also ordered to feint attacking the harbor, but they wouldn't engage. The rest of the army would assemble once the attack had begun. Having the whole army stand armed and ready would have raised too much suspicion.
The time ticked away, as he peered towards the enemy walls. Suddenly, everything quickly changed. The Stag and Lion flags atop the gate were pulled down and thrown in front of the walls, while the gate opened. Before he could say anything, the horns blew the signal for the attack.
He himself started screaming for everyone around him to get ready and the hornblowers he had strategically positioned on his left were ordered to blow the signals to mobilize the remainder of the army.
Not much later, he saw the cavalrymen disappear inside the gate while the regiments under Umber, Mallister and Mormont ran towards the walls. As he turned to the left, he could see in the distance how the Houses of Cracklaw Point were already pushing their ram forward. Everything was going as planned. If it was indeed a trap, they could still take the walls by force or retreat with most of their army unscathed.
As he rallied some two thousand more infantrymen to follow up the attack on the gate, he saw how Lady Mormont and her men entered the city. No matter if it was a trap or not, the defenders would have a hard time defeating two thousand veteran Northmen. Meanwhile, the Umbers and Mallisters climbed their ladders on both sides of the wall. He saw some fighting was taken place there, but not nearly as much as you would suspect in a frontal assault.
Once big portions of the walls were subdued, archer companies started climbing the ladders. Still, no serious enemy reaction could be seen although fighting and shouting were clearly heard from behind the walls.
Not much later, he marched his troops slowly towards the walls. A rider came through the gates and rode towards him. He halted next to him. "Your Grace, Lady Mormont ordered me to tell you that it is no trap. Our troops have broken most of the defenders' resistance here and are already spreading through the city. My lady asks you to come as quickly with reinforcements, as she believes we can overwhelm the entire defense and take the city."
He grinned and turned around. "You heard him, men! What are you waiting for? We have a city to take!" A roar of approval was heard, and he ordered his men to speed up. The messenger fell in behind his battle-guard.
They passed under the Lion's Gate without any trouble and what he saw on the other side made him smile. His men had the the gate completely under control. Some dead bodies of both zealots and gold cloaks were lying around, but most eye-catching were the hundred or so goldcloaks that had surrendered.
As he rode further onto the square behind the gate, he saw that there was fighting going on next to the wall on the left, but the enemy was quickly being driven back now that the archers were in position on top of the wallt. As his regiment streamed in, Lady Maege rode over to him.
"Your Grace, the gate and the surrounding walls are ours. With your permission I would like to send the Umbers to clear the western side of the Wall and the Mallisters the eastern side until they arrive at the next gates. This will allow our army easier access and will bring the Crownlanders into the fight. We could also take out much of the City Watch which has its barracks close to the walls, before this day turns into street fighting." The head of House Mormont asked him.
He consented, as it was a good plan. "I'll take my men and march strait for the Red Keep. It's very likely I'll be held up close to the Sept of Baelor. I want you and your men to attack it from the south and east, while we attack from the north and west if necessary. Leave the gatehouse to Lord Slate to secure further. He will guarantee that new reinforcements can keep coming in. "
The warrior women bowed and rode off, already organizing some of her troops to march towards the streets on the Eastside.
He looked around and found Ser Corlys Menning. He beckoned him over. "Ser Corlys, what's the quickest way to the Red Keep?"
"With this kind of force?" Straight on until we reach the center square, right below Visenya's Hill, and from there on the King's Way will take us directly to the Red Keep's Gates." The knight answered.
"Good, you ride with me. Have your men fall in behind us. We march now!" He said, as he turned his horse. He shouted over to Jon. "Make sure the rest of the regiment follows. You control the rear. Move up to me once we are at the Red Keep, or the Sept of Baelor if needed."
His brother nodded and rode closer to the gates. "Soldiers, we march!" He shouted, and he heard how the call was being picked up by his sergeants. He let a vanguard of a hundred or so men go in front of him and fell in line. It would be no use for his cause if he were to die from a bold archer running through the streets.
He shouted at all the citizens they rode past to stay indoors until the fighting was over. They had come here to free everyone from the Lannister reign, that included these poor souls.
Small fighting happened here and there, but the enemies surrendered more often than not. It was clear the City Watch was demoralized and none of the people felt the need to take up arms for their rulers after the carnage of the last months, that included the sailors that had been forced under arms. Whenever they passed some the Faith Militant though, fights to the death happened frequently.
Still, only small groups were encountered and quickly dealt with. After another such group of around thirty or so Poor Fellows had been taken care off, he shouted along the line. "Anyone who wears the Seven-Pointed Star is to be killed, all others should be offered the chance to surrender." He knew that orders like that could get him into trouble with some of the River-, or Crownland Houses, but these were all Northmen. Most were sworn to his own house, the others mostly to Houses Cerwyn and Glover. As both of their lords were dead, he had joined their regiments to his own.
They rapidly reached the central square, only to see that it was filled with enemy soldiers. It was clear the square served as a gathering point for the Faith Militant, as nine in ten enemies wore the robes of one of the two religious military orders.
"Charge men! Kill those fanatics!" He roared and Grey Wind led hundreds of Northmen into battle. The fighting raged on, but he held back. He had to keep a clear head and be able to lead his men away if danger arose. After a while of hard fighting, other soldiers started to stream in. He saw banners from Cracklaw Point attack the square from the northside, while from behind him Umber men and Riverlanders streamed in to reinforce his regirment.
Suddenly, the enemy started to retreat up Visenya's Hill. He heard shouting coming from their ranks. "The enemy is attacking from the other side! Protect the Sept with your lives!" A knight in the robes of the Warrior's Sons screamed. He grinned. Lady Mormont and her men had arrived.
The enemy retreat was more of a rout than anything else. Dozens of fleeing Poor Fellows got stabbed in the back by his soldiers, while at least two hundred of them got trapped in the square. He reorganized the troops and ordered Jon to lead the assault on the hill, while he himself took care of those left in the square.
He charged in their midst together with Grey Wind, who had just come back to him. His soldiers quickly let him pass and three surprised zealots were too shocked by his direwolf to react to his arrival. One got his throat slashed, the other got trampled under his horse and the third got mauled by said direwolf.
Grey Wind howled loudly, and the sound seemed to boost his men's morale. They charged the group from all sides, he himself leading from the frontline. It didn't take long for all the zealots to be dealt with, as they were quickly overrun without any clear leadership.
He took a little time to catch his breath, after which he reassembled the soldiers still present in the square as well as the constant new arrivals. He cleared out some of the buildings and moved the wounded over there, as he gave orders for maesters and healers to be called over here.
He then led the troops up the hill. To his surprise, Jon had already captured most of the hill. Once he arrived, he could quickly see why. The hill was being stormed from all sides through all roads and even over the top of buildings. The Poor Fellows, lacking any real training or equipment, were being slaughtered by the hundreds.
He ordered his troops to go to the frontline to rotate with those there now. He himself rode over to Jon. They spoke about the fighting a little, whilst directing their troops up the hill. After a while, they had advanced enough so he could see up the top of the hill. He saw that a place to the right wasn't well defended at all. He noticed how at least one street lead up there, but no real fighting was happening there that he could see or hear.
"Jon, who is attacking over there?" He asked.
"We are, or at least we were. I just send a small diversionary force over there to cover every angle of attack." His brother replied.
"Well, I think I just found our way in, follow me!" He responded, as he turned his horse. "Men with me, we take this hill now!" He screamed.
He rode down a little until he reached the street that would lead them up. Jon quickly caught up to him and hundreds of their soldiers followed. When they rode up the street, it split in two. He split his force along both streets, while himself going to the left with Jon. He thought this the most likely candidate for the street he had seen and wanted to put the direwolves into action.
As they rode on, he appeared to be right. In front of him at the end of the streets only a few dozen poorly armed zealots could be seen. He looked over to Jon and grinned. Without any need for words they slipped into their direwolves for half a second, ordering them to charge.
When he opened his eyes again, Grey Wind and Ghost were already speeding towards the enemy. Grey growling furiously, Ghost as silent as one of his namesakes. The clash was vicious, with at least a dozen Poor Fellows being kicked to the ground and their lines shattering.
This was all they needed, as he, Jon and his bodyguard rode after them. They charged down those on the front line still standing without any real effort. When they were finally being slowed down, hundreds of foot soldiers streamed in from behind them. They completely overwhelmed any of the remaining defenders and started streaming out of the street into the square around the Sept.
"Attack the enemy in the rear men!" He screamed, as his soldiers divided themselves to both sides. He and his bodyguard rode towards the left, trying to break the line that was holding back his main force.
When faced with thousands of men in front of them, while hundreds more lead by two direwolves attacked their rear, the zealots proved no match. Their lines shattered, as all tried to run back into the Sept. The carnage in front of his eyes was something he had rarely seen but he couldn't worry about, as his own sword rose and fell again and again.
Soon, only the sept remained. In front of it stood the remaining elite of the Faith Militant. Some fifty knights, aided by two hundred Poor Fellows who were clearly better armed than most of their colleagues, looked towards them with clear fanaticism in their eyes. Among them was a small man dressed in simple robes and armor depicting the Seven-Pointed Star. That must be the High Sparrow.
His first instinct was to order his men to kill them all and be done with it, but his tactical, more practical, mind prevailed. As he looked around, he could see the banners of many Riverlander and Crownland houses. Brackens, Mallisters and Crabbs could be seen all around him and none of them would take kindly to the fact he butchered the new High Septon on the steps of their holy monument. He could already see some of their resolve waning, as they glanced upon their spiritual leader.
The vast majority of the enemy force had been killed by now, so their power was broken anyway. Many had been outright butchered and this might already bring him headaches. It would be better for him to protect the unity of his army and his alliance with the coming Valemen than to kill off an already neutralized threat.
He halted his men and rode over towards the enemy, flanked by both Grey Wind and Ghost. "I am Robb Stark, King in the North and of the Riverlands. I give you this one chance to surrender to me. Throw down your weapons and you will be taken into custody. Refuse and you will be killed to the last man. Think deeply, before fighting erupts in your holy house."
"You threaten to kill the High Septon? You heathen! May you rot in the Seven Hells." One of the Warrior's sons shouted at him.
"I threaten to kill my enemies, sir. Those in fancy armor and those that try to hide behind religious robes. However, due to his status, I offer him and you all the chance to surrender. What choice will it be?" He responded, directing the last words to the leader in robes.
They stared at each other for a long while, none saying a word, until eventually the central figure stepped forward. "I feel the Gods have not deemed my journey in this world to be over. There is still so much we need to do, especially with heathens crowning themselves king these days and loyal believers serving under them. My fellow sparrows and god-fearing people, our task is not at an end. We must humble ourselves now like the Crone, as it is not yet our time to meet the Stranger." He said as he looked around, first at his followers but then also at some of the Southrons in his army.
After this, he dramatically threw down his weapon with the words. "May the Father judge me justly for this and may the Mother protect my flock in my absence. I call upon the Warrior to not abandon us and to give us the strength to rise again soon and take back our most holy seat."
He gritted his teeth at the gall the old man's gal but didn't intervene. If he interfered now, this would send a political shockwave throughout the South.
After the High Septon surrendered, all of his followers quickly followed suit. Among them in the back, he learned, were many of the Most Devout. Knowing they were coerced into electing the High Sparrow, he could maybe use them to make amends with the Faith later on, after he had dealt with that high fanatic. It was something he would have to discuss with people more experienced with dealing with the Faith.
For now, he ordered the prisoners to be split in groups and brought to their camp. They still hadn't taken the complete city and the Red Keep stood as defiant as ever. So much time had been lost taking down the Stars and Swords that he feared they would be too late to attack the keep. However, he'd be damned before he let this opportunity to try pass by.
He allowed the men who had fought on the frontlines to rest under the watchful eye of Lady Mormont, as the fresher troops were ordered to march into the city. While other groups were sent to subdue the last remaining gates and to take control of the walls and the harbor, he and over a thousand loyal men marched down the hill straight for the Red Keep.
No opposition was found from the steps of the Sept of Baelor to the gates of the Red Keep. The few goldcloaks they encountered quickly surrendered and they sped along the King's Way to the ancient Targaryen castle.
There, the gates were barred to them, while the walls were lined with defenders. Arrows, spears and even scorpions directed at his force. Shouts, treats and curses were heard from the walls, as the defenders called for their blood. He ordered his troops to stay back out of arrow range, to limit casualties, and tucked at the connection to his direwolf at the back of his mind. He slipped into his companion's mind and let out a piercing howl. This managed to silence both forces until he could speak when he returned to his body.
"Your cause is hopeless! The High Septon and the Faith Militant have surrendered, the goldcloaks too. Most of the Upper Crownlands have sworn fealty to me and the Tyrells have abandoned you. No one will save you now! Open the gates and deliver me Cersei Lannister and her bastard boy and all of your lives will be spared, I swear it on my word as a Stark." He shouted at the walls.
He saw how this seemed to influence some of the soldiers on the wall and he thought he might get them to open the gate, until a woman with blonde hair arose from atop the gate.
"You dare slander my son, the rightful king, and siege his castle? This castle has never fallen without the use of dragons, nor will it today or any other day! We have food stocked up for a year and enough able swords to hold of your barbarian horde indefinitely. That will be more than enough to hold here until my father arrives. When he does the fate of Houses Reyne and Tarbeck will be nothing more than a fairytale compared to the stories they will tell about House Stark and the North. He will burn your barren wasteland from the Wall to the Neck!" Cersei Lannister screamed back at him.
He sighed. "Your father will not come, nor will any other Lannister. Your brothers are dead, so is your uncle and many of your cousins. The heirs to Casterly Rock momentarily sit in the dungeons of Riverrun. The once great army of the Westerlands and the might of House Lannister has been reduced to two thousand men, who run home with their tails between their legs. No one will save you!" He responded.
"How there you insult us again? I am the heir to Casterly Rock and I will never rot in any dungeon! If you truly believe my father is done then you don't know the great Tywin Lannister! He will just raise another force and march here to put your head next to that of your traitorous father." She screamed, laughing cruelly at the end as a stick with a rotten head on it was raised in the sky.
He looked wide-eyed on the skull and decaying flesh. Recognizing only the brown hair his father had once had, he felt the bile come up in his mouth. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder as Jon stood next to him. They shared a look and no words were needed to understand each other. We will kill her and avenge father, but now is not the time.
He composed himself once more and looked up towards the blonde woman, trying not to look at his father's remains in the meantime. "I do know Tywin Lannister, although I wouldn't call him great. I have raided his lands and he could do nothing. I have destroyed his armies and he could do nothing. I have executed his son, your lover, and once again he could do nothing. It might sooth you to know that the Kingslayer cried your name when I took off his head with my father's sword. I am interested to see if you will cry his when your time comes." He retorted. His voice was cold as steel, as he slowly spat the words out of his mouth. The treat carried a venom, he didn't know he was capable off.
It seemed to work, as the Lannister woman screeched at him and threw the vilest insults at his head. Suddenly, she screamed. "Let loose! Burn them all! Burn their whole army and this god forsaken city to the ground! Do it now!"
He looked alarmed around him and saw how hundreds of fire arrows were knocked, while ballistae and scorpions were loaded. "Fall back men!" Jon shouted from his side. "Fall back! Fall back now, they will try to burn the city with us inside!"
This was all his soldiers needed, as all started to run backwards. Jon motioned for him to turn his horse, as the direwolves ran onwards. He ordered his white destrier to turn and chased after his brother, just as the projectiles were loosed.
As he looked behind him, he could see how the houses all around the Red Keep caught fire from the arrows that hit the dried roof. Scorpion and ballistae bolts, that were set aflame, flew over his head towards his army and the buildings surrounding them. It didn't take long before half the King's Way was set aflame and he could see they were firing in other directions too, trying to trap other parts of his force scattered throughout the city.
As he and Jon regrouped with their troops, he quickly ordered multiple messengers to speed to all of his commanders. The entire army was to orderly leave the city. They were to rescue as many civilians as they could and they had to keep close guard of all their prisoners, before they tried to escape in the chaos. He could still see the damage around him from the last fire and he remembered the stories of tens of thousands of people dying inside it, he would not bring that fate upon any of his men.
As they sped down Aegon's High Hill. Ser Corlys led them through the Hook towards the nearest gate. In a hurry they reached Fishmonger Square, where they stumbled upon a force led by Lord Glover. He quickly explained what was happening, as they saw the fires spreading in the distance, with even more bolts shooting randomly into the city.
He and Lord Glover led their troops towards the already captured harbor in an orderly fashion, while Jon organized an evacuation from the nearby citizens. Thankfully not many were left here, as much of the fighting with Stannis Baratheon had taken place around the Mud Gate.
He ordered his men to secure the prisoners and bring them to the camp around the walls in big groups, while others were ordered to gather every bucket or basin they could find and make a chain from the harbor through the gate. Saving the harbor would be strategically important and could serve as a beacon for fleeing citizens in the area.
He looked over the quickly spreading flames and said a silent prayer to the gods in hopes they would leave his army enough time to flee the flames.
(Two days later)
The flames had all died out by now. In part due to his troops extinguishing efforts, in part due to the damage that already had been done to the city. The fire had spread viciously throughout the neighborhoods surrounding the Red Keep but had slowed down when it came to the center of the city. Many areas, most notably Fleabottom, had already been burned down. This had stopped the fire from spreading there and had saved half of the remaining city, as the fire burned itself out. The only memorable thing that had burned was the Sept of Baelor, although he greatly suspecter one of his Northern lords to be behind this in return for the religious fighting and rhetoric. Whatever the case, he would pin it on the Lannisters as he had no need for a religious civil war in his ranks.
His troops had managed to leave mostly intact, although around two hundred men had been lost. Most of them had been those that had started looting and had been separated from their regiments. They would not be missed either way.
The civilian population had had it worse. They had managed to evacuate most of the civilians outside the city or to the safer parts at least, but still thousands died. Most of those were those living closest to the Red Keep, often the wealthier citizens and traders. Ser Corlys had told him that his family's entire neighborhood had gone up in the flames. Many had escaped, but even more hadn't.
He had put the knight in command of caring for those people that did survive, as many knew him or his uncles and it would smoothen the transition of power.
By know his army had taken control of the whole city, although a perimeter was kept around the Red Keep for now, as they kept shooting fire projectiles into the city from time to time. Most of the buildings on Aegon's High Hill, save for the castle, were burned down. This complicated things even more, as it would make his army even more vulnerable during a future attack. A feat that looked almost impossible for now.
As they had tried to take control and fight the flames, much had happened outside the capital. The vanguard of the Vale force had arrived under Ser Andar himself this morning and the others were expected the following day at the latest. The Manderly fleet had also brought news with them. He had ordered a few of their ships to anchor in Duskendale on their way here, to test the loyalty of the new lord. These ships had now rejoined the main fleet, bringing new tidings with them from Duskendale.
His sailors had apparently been welcomed gracefully, albeit with some reservation. No matter, as the Rykkers loyalty would soon have to be tested once again.
Apparently, Storm's End had fallen to the sellswords to the south of them. In itself a very big achievement, but that was only the least of it. The sellswords had apparently unfolded the Targaryen banner across the Baratheon stronghold. Ravens had flown from the Stormlands to many lords, mostly those who had been Targaryen loyalists during the Rebllion, including the Rykkers.
The letter the ravens brought spoke of the survival of Aegon Targaryen, Rhaegar's long dead son. He had apparently landed in the Stormlands with the Golden Company and was here to reconquer his birthright. This complicated things a lot, although there was much doubt if he even was who he claimed to be.
Barely any of his nobles even considered the claim. He himself wasn't so sure to dismiss it as easily, as at the time he discussed the news another hidden son of Rhaegar had sat next to him. Jon was very confused by the news of his 'brother' being alive. He didn't know what to do about it either, but it seemed the Pretender would go to war with them soon. He, just like the Baratheons and Lannisters claimed the whole of the Seven Kingdoms, a thing he could never allow.
To make matters worse, they received word from sailors that the missing two thirds of the Grafton fleet had joined up with the sellswords at Tarth. This not only gave them the possibility to join up their scattered forces, but also gave them a decent fleet to threaten his position in Blackwater Bay.
It seemed as if they were late to know of the Targaryen pretender's achievements, as not only the remaining Graftons seemed to have joined them. Ravens that had been shot down on their way to the Red Keep told of Dornish raids in the Dornish Marches. Both the isolated stormlords as the bickering Reach Lords seemed to be the targets and most of them agreed that they must be looking to ally with this Aegon.
When he had asked why, his uncle Brynden had just shrugged. The Dornish had been loyal to the Targaryens for over a century and if Aegon was who he claimed, then he was Doran's nephew. If he wasn't, Doran would most likely try to marry his daughter to him to get her on the throne. He might do that either way, it would seem when he spoke with those that had met the Prince of Dorne.
Fighting the sellswords was one thing, fighting Dorne another. If they would indeed join with this Aegon, he would have another war to fight. There was no more horrible thought than that one, as he still had to meet his granddaughter. She had already lost an uncle and both grandfathers in this war, he couldn't take the risk of her also losing her father.
There was also the possibility that other houses would still join him. There were still those that adhered to the dragons. Some houses in the Reach or the few in the Stormlands might find it easy to link up with them at Storm's End. There was also the matter of those houses in his own force. The Darrys and Rygers would have to be watched. Luckily for him, the Mootons had been too hurt by war to dare raise the Targaryen flag, especially with them being led by a boy. The Goodbrooks were being destroyed due to their treachery together with the Freys as well. However, that was only the Riverlands. Suddenly, the allegiance of all the Crownland houses could once more be put into question. Tonight he had a council with his most trusted advisors on what to do about this.
First things first though and that was defeating the Lannisters. He had already ordered his siege experts to start building trebuchets, although it would take ages with their limited number. Luckily enough, they had more than enough wood to build with in the Kingswood nearby. For the lack of skilled manpower, he had already sent out riders to force engineers, carpenters and blacksmiths from here to Duskendale to join his army. If he was lucky, he could construct a few in a matter of weeks. By then he hoped the defenders would surrender, if they didn't it could take another few weeks or even months before they brought down the castle walls. At least there was no shortage of ammunition, with dozens of destroyed stonehouses and parts of the wall that could easily be broken down further.
Their biggest issue now was the number of civilians who had lost their homes. Less than two hundred thousand citizens were left, out of over half a million. Most of these were women and children, many of them orphans.
They had to do something for them, as their situation was very poor. They had no food, water only came from the dirty river and they were bunched together by the tens of thousands on the fields in front of the city. Already groups were organizing themselves to march into the Reach or Southern Crownlands, although these were only small due to the growing possibility of conflict in this region. Even so, all were free to leave if they so wished.
He had been long at work yesterday with his uncles and many of the Riverlords on devising a plan to use these people to repopulate the Riverlands. They had finally settled on the idea of having forty thousand of them moved to repopulate Maidenpool and Stoney Sept, as well as a few smaller towns nearby. This could boost the Riverlands immensely and speed its recovery by many years. Forty thousand wouldn't be nearly enough to replace all of the smallfolk that was lost during the Lannister campaign, the number of deaths in the Riverlands due to raiding, banditry and famine being estimated between half a million and a million smallfolk already, but opening a booming Maidenpool to trade and commerce and having Stoney Sept serve as a beacon for rebuilding in the Southern Riverlands could do wonders. Duskendale would also have to take in some of those forty thousand, it would help the city grow back to its former power from before the Targaryens, as well as test the Rykkers once more.
He had also taken the decision of ferrying a thousand orphans under the age of ten to the North. He had already sent letters to Alys, Lord Manderly and Lady Dustin this morning to start building orphanages in Wintertown, White Harbor and Barrowton to anticipate their arrival.
The only thing the North lacked was manpower and they had the chance here to gain extra for the future and even the possibility to mold them into any trait they needed. A group of professional road builders wouldn't go amiss in the North, nor would extra masons or carpenters if he wanted to build keeps on the western coast. He had chosen to only transport the young ones, as he didn't want any cultural problems to arise and those could still be influenced. He had instructed Alys and Lady Dustin to make sure that the orphans would get good Northern educations and instructions in the ways of the Old Gods. Lord Manderly had simply been instructed to make "good Northerners out of them".
He would see how the projects ran and could eventually take in even more orphans, as the Riverlands didn't have the money or facilities to take a lot of them in.
To his surprise, Ser Andar had immediately promised to take five thousand refugees in name of the Vale. He had even proposed to immediately order to ferry them over to Gulltown with the Vale fleet that was blockading Dragonstone. When asked why, he had simply replied that "the Royce, Coldwater and Hunter ports could always use some growth and that Gulltown had lost some of its population in the siege."
In total, some fifty thousand citizens would be guided away from the city, bringing its population down to just under one hundred and fifty thousand. Even that was still too much for the city to support in its current state, but it would at least greatly diminish all the supply problems.
The city after its rebellion, sack, battles in the streets and two fires could barely house a hundred thousand people and half those houses were in poor condition. He had asked some people to estimate the cost of repairing the capital to its former glory and all agreed it would take at least a decade and millions of golden dragons. He had neither. His first instinct was to rebuild it on a smaller scale, one hundred to one hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants instead of half a million. However, the more he thought about it, the less sense it made for him to restore the Targaryen capital when he was supposed to fight a war against them sooner rather than later.
It was something he would have to discuss with Ser Andar in the coming days. Having the North's, Riverlands', half the Crownlands' and Vale's support for the future of King's Landing would be detrimental to the stability of the region and their alliance.
He had also dealt with the men that had freely opened the gates for him. Twenty-one goldcloaks had planned and executed the plot and surrendered when the first of his troops entered the gate. He had spoken with all of them and given them their freedom. All had been offered farmlands for them and their families in the Southern Riverlands and they had all agreed. Each had also received a small bag of silver to give them some kind of immediate rewards.
All were grateful, especially when he organized for their families to be brought close to the city, guarded and with enough food and drink from the army's supplies to sustain them. It was a small price to pay to capture the city without any real resistance and he would gladly offer something like this again in return for the Red Keep, although he doubted it would be that simple.
It also helped his standing with the people. He heard that the story of his generosity was already spreading through civilian life in the city and in the camp in front of it and he hoped it would continue. Many of the poor in the city had turned towards the Faith Militant and the Sparrows to protect them out of sheer desperation. If he could help break the hold the Faith had over them by helping them and doing more as a 'heathen', he could win them over and pacify some of the religious tension that had come with the arrival of his army.
None of these people had asked for a war. All had just been dragged in. Most had lost family members, almost all had lost possessions. Travel wasn't safe anymore., Food and clean water were scarce. Trade and commerce had just stopped. The list of of problems these people had was endless. He wanted to help them and make their lives better, like his father had always told him to do.
He would start with these forty-six thousand that would go to the other kingdoms, thereby easing the strain of resources on those that remained. After he had discussed everything with everyone and he had taken the Red Keep, he would find a final solution for everyone that remained here. They deserved a peaceful life, just as they all did. Alas, with the coming of the Dragon Pretender that could take a while still.
This is it for this chapter!
Robb takes the city of King's Landing with inside help, although the Red Keep holds out against him.
The City Watch mostly surrendered. Partly because of their lack of morale (especially the Reach forces) and partly because they were afraid that they would suffer a horrible fate after the 'Rape of the Twins'.
His army bloodily deals with the Faith Militant, although he wasn't able to eradicate them completely without possibly dividing his kingdom and alienating his allies.
Cersei burns big parts of what remains of King's Landing and the city becomes uninhabitable for much of its remaining population, as such Robb hatches a plan to distribute tens of thousands of citizens across the Riverlands to help rebuild it. He also slightly tries to help with the North's manpower issues for the future by planning orphanages for the small children there.
Robb continues his streak of rewarding those that switch to his side. He also starts making siege weapons to start threatening the Red Keep and avenge his father.
Thank you for your support!
Fannic
Reviews:
- Iacopo Passerini: Thank you! The Golden Company comes for land and riches, they will not stop at the destruction of the capital. Jon will never be closer with his Targaryen ancestors than in the Red Keep. How that would affect him is for later in the story.
- Kuman: You were right. He was helped here by desperate men trying to stay alive. With the gates opened it was only a matter of time. The Red Keep is a whole different thing. It can be defended by its much smaller garrison and its defenses remain formidable.
- Freakdogsflare: As mentioned in the last chapters, there are others.
- George Christian810: Thank you! He combined parts of the tactics you mentioned here: traitors and probing attacks with one main point of attack, He only had ladders and rams here, building siege towers costs weeks at least.
- Darthwolf: If this were to happen, it would have to wait on the capture of the Red Keep.
- Mike3455: Thnak you so much! It warms my heart reading this. Although it might have something to do with me being a political science major and a history nerd haha!
Yes, religion will play a main role, especially in the forming of Robb's kingdom. GRRM could make that flaw, as there were dragons to pacify everyone. Afterwards the holy orders had been rooted out and both religions were weakened. Now, with Cersei reinstating the Faith Militant, their world might be a different ballgame. House Royce, despite being proud on their ancestry, are more Andal than anything else now. They 100% believe in the Seven, the Arryn kings of old wouldn't have accepted anything else. They would fit less well into the North than the Manderlys (who were also of First Men descend).
- LectorHistoria: His legacy will be destroyed all around him. I try to make a point here. Characters with great influence sometimes die a gloryless death in history. It's not all a movie were the villain has a dramatic ending, sometimes they are just beheaded and finished. Ramsay is still around though, maybe you'll get your dramatic ending there … maybe! ;-)
- Angeluszuko-z: Yes! More on the Vale's future next chapter.
- Kingmanaena: Thank you!
- Force Smuggler: They fought a bloody civil war AND defeated thousands of Reach troops and mercenaries, but I get your point. We will see them fighting soon enough.
- Finkarhu: You're welcome!
- Invictus Veritas: The number of hours I spent over those maps … It's crazy haha. Robb will try to implement parts of the plans you mention, but other parts will be different, more on that later.
Now that the Vale and King's Landing arcs are closing, the (F)Aegon arc will be brought to the front. Now that Storm's End has fallen and (F)Aegon has announced itself, Robb is starting to realize how dangerous the enemy to the south is. More on the Iron Throne next chapter.
- Mlkoolc86: Yes, the pace is taking up now. After the fall of Tywin's army, not much was stopping Robb from marching towards it. Lysa will be sent to the Silent Sisters. Catelyn is probably saddened by this, but she won't forget how she refused to fight with Hoster, Edmure and Robb and even fought against their allies. Plus, cheating on Jon Arryn with Littlefinger will have also shocked her. She probably only gets the information of Littlefinger's involvement in Ned's death after last chapter, so she couldn't react on it just yet. By now, Robb will have sent her a letter.
- Supremus85: Thank you! Yes, the Hightowers are tied by blood. I'm not saying they will rebel. I'm saying they could and the same goes for the Redwynes. However, both houses will be too busy with the ironborn to effectively help Willas, a huge loss on his side. Yes, Lord Garth would be the next heir. However, he has no grandsons and his sons are bastards. Gath's younger brother Moryn does, but all his male offspring is either dead, at the citadel or (!) captured by Robb at Acorn Hall. The Tyrell family is not as secure as it looks anymore, only far distant branches having multiple sons that are free.
- Wolflord456: He is not fit as a child, no. Robb might think of something for that later on, for now he will just remain in Harrold Arryn and Yohn Royce's custody. Neither (F)Aegon nor Daenerys will look kindly on ANY land Robb takes out of "their" kingdom, including the Riverlands and North. Jon's inner conflict will be the focus of a later chapter.
GrimmJow: The fact that it hasn't been practiced, doesn't mean it wasn't true in their eyes. The Seven (the Most Devout) didn't accept incestuous marriages either, the Targaryens never cared and their children were seen as legitimate. Neither do Robb or Jon care about their opinions, as neither of them believes in the Seven. The new High Septon (the High Sparrow) was in open war against Robb and is now a captive. He'd sooner kill him then listen to his opinion on anything for the moment.
About the heads of the two families, I think only the Targaryen one is needed if you look to history, still it doesn't matter. The current head of House Stark is Robb and he can accept (retroactively) whatever he wants, he could even legitimize Jon as a Targaryen because he is king now. House Targaryen's leadership is disputed between Daenerys (a woman), (F)Aegon (unsure if he is a Targaryen or female line Blackfyre or even the son of a Lyseni whore) and Jon (kept secret and the legitimacy of the marriage is put in question).
None of it matters (for now) though, as Jon doesn't want his parentage to be known, nor does he want anything to do with the Iron Throne.
- Alfil94: Thank you! The war in the Vale could be true, but it would take many generations. In the same time there could be rebellions of the same magnitude. I don't exactly agree with you on the religious warfare, you make some good points but it's not as simple as that. Lutherans and Catholics were both Christians, Old Gods and New Gods are completely different. Although there could be a future civil war between those believing in the Seven trying to reclaim the lands from the Old Gods Starks, and those supporting them (Like the Manderlys). However, that would be at least 100 years in the future and won't future in my story, although it's a nice spin off idea.
The Red Keep still needs to fall. Trebuchets are always an option there.
Totally agree with you. Edric Storm is a noble bastard (from two sides), Gendry isn't. Nobody would accept Gendry before Edric. He could have been Renly's heir yes, but not without the king's consent and this might have been disputed by both Stannis/Shireen and Tommen, if no war had broken out.
Yes, war is ensured. However, I don't think your dragon logic necessarily makes sense. 1. Things happen with Rhaegal/Viserion at the end of the books which most fanfic writers forget. 2. Jon and Aegon would need to get close enough to win the trust of the dragons, in the middle of a war. 3. Dany would need to arrive in time before Aegon and Robb/Jon fight.
- Poly19hum: Thank you!
