Hello, readers.

I own nothing but my characters.

Dothraki will be in bold.

Enjoy.

"We've been looking for a small girl around these parts of the city," Jarred said to an innkeeper with a gold cloak beside him, dressed as a commoner like him, along with other gold cloaks, so it would be easier for them to get Arya. "She's my sister and has been missing for a few days."

"Describe her," the old innkeeper asked.

Jarred glances at his partner, wondering what they should say, considering Arya's identity is a sensitive topic in the city since her father is a prisoner who committed treason against the crown.

Deciding to be careful, Jarred said, "Well, she's not like other girls. She's about eleven. Small with grey eyes and brown hair. She's most likely wearing a tan colored tunic shirt, black pants, and boots. A bit tomboyish. Tends to speak freely of her thoughts and mostly brazen."

"Haven't seen a girl like that," the innkeeper said, "Then again, many people come here."

Jarred then leans closer to the innkeeper, "She might have a small, slender sword with her."

The innkeeper's eyes widen, "What girl would carry something like that?"

"One who wishes to protect herself," Jarred answered, "Like I said, she's tomboyish."

"There's been many girls coming and going," the innkeeper said, "But none of them matches your description."

"Alright then. Thank you for your time," Jarred said as he and his partner left the inn to walk down the bustling street with people rushing up and down as the sound of chatter and footsteps echoed off the cobblestones.

"What now," the gold cloak said.

Jarred, looking forward, said, "We keep looking."

"There are so many places for a little girl to hide," the gold cloak said.

"Yes, but word about her father's arrest has spread in the Keep, and that he's going to confess treason and take the Black," Jarred explains, "She might come out of hiding, but until then, we keep searching."

0000000000

It was midday as the Dothraki rode through a trail in a desert-like area. Areon looks around and sees it's just like his dream, which causes him to be a bit worried since he saw Drogo dead in his dream. Areon and Dany were riding side by side with Jorah trailing behind them as they saw Drogo, riding ahead, seemed faint.

Seeing something was wrong, Areon asks Dany, "Is he alright? He doesn't seem well."

"I'm sure it's just the heat," Dany argues, although she was worried for her husband, who seemed to be getting weaker every hour.

"But Dany," Areon tries to say, "When Drogo and I practiced…"

"He's fine," Dany shuts him down as they ride. But as they continue, she sees that Drogo is beginning to lose his balance on his horse, "My lord." She calls out, but he doesn't answer, "My sun and stars… Drogo."

Suddenly, Drogo falls off his horse and hits the ground, causing Khalasar to stop. His bloodriders get off their horses to see if their Khal is alright as Dany, Areon, and Jorah do the same.

"My horse," Drogo mumbled as he lay on the ground. His bloodriders tried to come to his aid, but their Khal said, "No, I must ride."

"He fell from his horse," Qotho declares as he looks down at his Khal, "A Khal who cannot ride is no Khal."

Dany, who rushed to his side, denies this, "He's tired, that's all. He needs to rest. We've ridden far enough today. We'll camp here."

Qotho argues, "This is no place to camp. A woman does not give us orders. Not even a Khaleesi."

Dany presses harder, "We'll camp here. Tell them Khal Drogo commanded it."

"You do not command me, Khaleesi," Qotho tells her.

More worried for Drogo and Dany, Areon decides to take control, "Your Khal might be ill. Find Mirri Maz Duur. Bring her here so he can ride again."

"The witch," Qotho scoffs, "I'll bring the Khaleesi her head."

Areon glares at him, "Bring her here unharmed, or Khal Drogo will hear why you denied the Khaleesi."

Seeing that Drogo might live and not wanting to answer why he disobeyed his wife, Qotho obeys as he gets back on his horse and rides out to fetch the witch.

0000000000

At the Lannister camp, Tywin is presiding over his war meeting. Gerold was beside him on his left as he looked to the empty seat on his right, seeing that Tyrion was not there, much to their father's displeasure.

"Our scouts tell us the Stark host has moved south from the Twins with Lord Frey's levies in tow," Kevan reported, "They're a day's march north."

"The boy may lack experience and sense, but he does have a certain mindless provincial courage," Tywin stated.

"Regardless, we need to be ready for anything," Gerold advised since they got word from the scout that Robb Stark was sending an army of 20,000 strong, "20,000 is a lot of men on the battlefield."

"Which will be dealt with quickly with the right tactics," Tywin said dismissively, "Then it should all be over quickly."

"I know, Father," Gerold said, "I only mean that we should never underestimate our enemy."

"Nor should we overestimate," Tywin concluded as Tyrion entered the tent, late for the war meeting.

"Oh, do continue," Tyrion urges, "Didn't mean to interrupt."

Tywin looks to Tyrion, "I do hope your savages are going to be of some use. Otherwise, we've wasted good steel on them."

Kevin added, "The great hairy one insisted he must have two battleaxes. Heavy black steel, double-sided."

Tyrion shrugs, "Shagga likes axes."

"When the battle commences, you and your wildlings will be in the vanguard," Tywin tells him, causing Tyrion's eyes to widen with shock.

"The vanguard," He repeats, "Me and the tribesmen on the front lines?"

"They do seem rather ferocious," Kevan said, "As Gerold said, 20,000 is a lot of men."

"Ferocious," Tyrion repeats in disbelief, "Last night, a Moon Brother stabbed a Stone Crow over a sausage. Three Stone Crows seized the Moon Brother and opened his throat. Bronn managed to keep Shagga from chopping off the dead man's cock, which was fortunate, but even still, Ulf is demanding blood money, which Shagga and Gunthor refuse to pay."

"When soldiers lack discipline, the fault lies with their commander," Tywin lectures.

"Father, I don't believe these tribesmen had any discipline in their lives, unlike our men," Gerold defends Tyrion.

"Tyrion is the one who brought them here," Tywin dismissed, "Making them his responsibility. So he will fight in the vanguard with them."

"Surely there are ways to have me killed that would be less detrimental to the war effort," Tyrion said, almost pleadingly.

"There'll be no more discussion on the matter," Tywin ends the argument as Tyrion stares at him in disbelief.

"It appears I'm not hungry after all," Tyrion said as he left the tent. "Excuse me, my lords."

Gerold watched his father glare at Tyrion as he was leaving. It was no secret that Tywin despised Tyrion. It all started with Joanna Lannister dying from giving birth to Tyrion, a misshapen dwarf. Gerold never found that a logical reason to hate someone since women always die from childbirth. It is tragic, but that is the way of life. Tywin, however, kept his hatred for Tyrion, although there were times when Gerold tried to defend Tyrion, who had always been a kind and loyal big brother to him.

Cersei always saw Gerold and his sister as her father's children from his second wife, while Jaime barely had any relationship with them since he'd been in the Kingsguard since before they were born. Tyrion, however, was always close to them. Teaching them histories and lore, teaching them how to drink; there was that one time when he tried to take Gerold to lie with a woman, though the young lion was too embarrassed to go through with it. Not to mention worrying how his father would react if he found out.

After the war council ended, all the men left the tent while Gerold stayed sitting at the long table in silent thought while fidgeting his hands together.

Seeing this, Tywin looks in his direction, "You wish to give counsel?" Gerold looks at his father with uncertainty, unsure if he is serious. Tywin, walking up to Gerold until he was right in front of him, said, "Go on. Counsel."

As his father looks at him sternly, towering over him, Gerold, after taking a small breath, begins to say, "Tyrion is not a fighter. So, he won't do good in the vanguard."

"Is that so," Tywin questions, not moving an inch.

"Well, he's not exactly the required height for a soldier or has any experience," Gerold fidgeted his fingers, uneasy with his father staring down at him, "He's stronger with his mind, not a sword. He would be more useful if he stayed in the war council as an advisor. Maybe even strategize our battlefields. Somewhere that's not on a battlefield."

Tywin stayed silent momentarily as Gerold kept his ground, waiting for an answer. After what seemed like forever, Tywin finally asked, "What did those companions of his demand if they agreed to fight with us?"

"That Tyrion joins them," Gerold answered.

Tywin hums, "And what will they do if we don't allow it?"

Gerold pauses momentarily to think, "I guess they won't fight."

"And then what," Tywin raises his brow, "They'll leave and their battle skills with them."

"It wouldn't make a difference," Gerold reasons, "they're not exactly the type of men who fight the same way as we do."

"No, but Tyrion brought them here. So we might as well make them useful," Tywin stated, "For instance, we will place the undisciplined men on the left of the army to tempt the untested Robb Stark to overcommit. Then the Lannister van will rout, and the Starks will plunge into the gap, most likely to flank them. Kevan and the center will wheel to the left and take the northerners in the flank, driving them into the Green Fork. And that is where the battle will be done. A lord understands his men and how they act. When to use them and when to dispose of them. Understood?"

"Yes, Father," Gerold said softly. However, he gently pushes further, "But I do think he can do more; he just needs the opportunity."

After hearing this, Tywin, without saying another word, leaves the tent with Gerold feeling dejected. He always tries to offer counsel that he believes is enough to consider, but his father doesn't listen. He hardly ever listens and expects to be obeyed. Gerold knows he has a lot to learn about war and politics, so he may not know everything, but he could know some things, but his father won't see it.

0000000000

Back across the Narrow Sea, the Khalasar made camp in the desert terrain. Everyone was apprehensive as their great Khal was in his tent, wondering what was happening to him.

Drogo was inside the tent, mumbling incoherently in Dothraki while Daenerys was beside him.

"Khaleesi," Jorah said as he and Areon entered the tent.

Dany says to him, "Come. He's very strong. No one understands how strong he is."

"Dany, I don't think that is what's happening," Areon tries to tell her.

"He is," Dany presses, "Look at him."

Areon goes up to Drogo and sees the patch cloth on Drogo's wound. Slowly removing the patch, Areon could tell that the wound had become infected. Seeing the wound and how Drogo was breathing, Areon had no choice but to say, "Dany, I don't think he'll live."

"Because of what happened in your dream," Dany tells him, "It might not come true. It might have been nothing."

"Dream," Jorah asked Areon, wondering what they had to do with this.

"Never mind that," Areon dismissed before looking to his sister, "Dany, I'm not saying that, but he doesn't look well." However, he was wondering if his dream was coming true. He dreamt of Viserys dying; what if it's happening again with Drogo?

"He will die tonight, Khaleesi," Jorah tells her honestly.

"He can't. He can't," Dany denies, not wanting to believe it, "I won't let him,"

"You might not have a choice," Areon tells her gently.

Jorah then offers a solution, "I've heard there's a good port in Asshai."

"I won't leave him," Dany tells him.

"He's already gone, Khaleesi," Jorah urges her to give up.

"What will happen when he dies," Areon asked, "Will Dany's child be the new Khal?"

"This isn't Westeros where men honor blood, Your Grace," Jorah explains, "Here, they only honor strength. There will be fighting after Drogo dies. Whoever wins that fight will be the new Khal. He won't want any rivals," He then looks to Dany, "Your boy will be plucked from your breast and given to the dogs."

Hearing this, Areon grew fearful, "What will happen to Daenerys?"

"She will be taken to the Dosh Kaleen," Jorah tells him, "There, she will live out her days with all the other widowed wives of Khals. And she will never be allowed to leave."

Areon immediately turns to Dany, pleading her, "Dany, we need to leave."

Dany, however, refuses, "I won't leave him,"

"If he dies, then they'll kill Rhaego the minute he's born and take you away," Areon tells her, "We need to go now for both of your sakes."

Before Dany could answer, Mirri Maz Duur came to the hut, bowing her head with Qotho behind her. She comes to Khal, who's on the bed, to check his wound. "The wound has festered," she said.

"You did this, witch," Qotho accused as he unsheathed his dagger.

"Stop," Dany demanded, "I do not want her hurt."

"Pray? Pray? Pray we don't hurt you, too," Qotho threatened with rage, "You let this witch put her hands on our Khal."

Areon stands before his sister with a death glare, "Lay a hand on her, and you will die for it. She is still your Khaleesi."

Qotho glares back at him, "Only while the blood of my blood lives. When he dies, she is nothing."

Dany then said, "I have never been anything. I am the blood of the dragon."

Qotho then sneered at her, "The dragons are all dead, Khaleesi."

And with that, Qotho leaves the tent as Areon watches him. He then turns to Jorah, "Ser Jorah. I need you to make sure Qotho and no other Dothraki enter this tent,"

"Yes, Your Grace," Jorah nods in agreement before he leaves the tent, "I shall have my armor ready."

Mirri Maz Duur turns to Dany, "You've saved me once more."

Dany turns to her, "And now you must save him."

"Can it be done," Areon asked, unsure if he could trust her.

"He's beyond the healer's skills," the god's wife said, "All I can do is ease his path."

"Save him, and I will free you. I swear it," Dany then offers, "You must know a way. Some…. some magic."

Mirri Maz Duur gives the Khaleesi a certain look that Areon can't read, "There is a spell. Some would say death is cleaner."

"Do it," Dany immediately said.

Mirri Maz Duur then warns, "There is a price."

Dany tells her, "You'll have gold, whatever you want."

"It's not a matter of gold," the woman explained, "This is blood magic. Only death pays for life."

"Whose death," Areon asked in a low voice.

Mirri Maz Duur looks up at him, noticing the tone of his voice, "Not the Khaleesi's death. Bring me his horse."

Dany was about to give the order, but Areon stopped her, "Wait. What will happen when this is done?"

"He would live," Mirri Maz Duur admits.

"That's it," Areon questions, not believing it to be that simple, "He'll be as he was?"

"He will live," the old woman repeated, as Areon noticed she was not giving a clear answer.

Dany, hearing enough of this, said, "Just do it. Save him."

"Wait, Dany," Areon tries to stop her, "We need to think about this."

"What is there to think about," Dany asked him.

"For one thing, we don't know what will happen," Areon explains, "Or if it's going to be worth it."

"If it's going to save Drogo, let it be done," Dany said.

"Dany, I want Drogo to be saved as well," Areon tries harder, "But this might not be the way to help him. Do you honestly think a horse's life would do this?"

"But what about your dream," Dany's voice trembles, "What if it comes true?"

"We don't know that," Areon tries to dissuade her, "For all we know, it could be just a regular dream."

Dany thinks about it, but wanting to save her husband, she signals to Irri to fetch the horse. Seeing no talking to his sister, Areon immediately left the tent to look for Ser Jorah, hoping he would talk some sense into her. Walking quickly to Jorah's tent, he sees Jorah, in his armor, getting ready to follow Areon's command.

"Jorah, I need your help," Areon said.

"I was just about to return," Jorah said as he walked up to Areon, "Did something happen?"

"The god's wife…witch…whatever she is, said that some kind of magic could save Drogo," Areon said in distress.

"Magic," Jorah repeated in confusion.

"Blood magic. Dany's convinced that it will save him," Areon explained further, "But she said there will be a price, and I don't think she fully understands it."

Seeing that something will happen, Jorah said, "Take there, quickly."

Areon did as the two men raced back to Khal Drogo's tent, where they saw the Khalasar gathering together but staying away from the tent. When they went through the crowd, they saw Dany coming out of the tent with Rakharo and Irri, with blood splattered on her face, while hearing a strange incantation inside the tent.

"Dany," Areon ran straight for her, "What happened? What did you do?"

"I have to save him," Dany said in a desperate tone.

"We could have been ten miles away from here by now," Jorah told them, "On the way to Asshai. You would have been safe."

Areon takes Dany away from the tent, with Jorah following them, when suddenly, everyone hears a horrifying shrieking sound from the tent. It was so unearthly that many of the Dothraki began to back away from the tent as the god's wife continued her chant.

Qotho approached them after hearing what was happening, "This must not be."

"This must be," Dany tells him.

Qotho, however, glares at the tent, "Witch."

"Nothing good will come of this," Rakharo admits.

Qotho then begins to rush up to the tent, but Areon stops him, "She said no one can go in."

Qotho said nothing as he punched Areon in the face, causing him to stumble as Dany approached him, "You can't."

Qotho, not listening, unsheathes his dagger and moves past Daenerys, pushing her towards the ground.

"Khaleesi," Irri exclaimed with worry as Dany was still pregnant.

Jorah stood in front of Qotho, "No further, Horselord."

Suddenly, Areon tackled Qotho to the ground and punched him repeatedly in the face while on top of him. Jorah was surprised by Areon's sudden outburst, as he had never seen the young Targaryen act like this before. Areon was consumed by rage and kept punching Qotho, not seeing anything else. Qotho tried to defend himself with his sword, but Areon, recalling lessons from Drogo, grabbed his arm and broke it while continuing to punch him. Everyone looks with disbelief and shock as Areon's violent outburst shows no signs of slowing down as sudden memories flash in his mind. Vivid memories of Viserys hitting Areon. Pulling his hair, punching him in the face, throwing him to the ground like he was nothing, like a wave flooding his mind, making Areon beat Qotho even harder.

It kept going on and on until suddenly, Areon stopped. He stayed frozen as he slowly returned to his senses, realizing what he had done. As he returned to reality, he looked at Qotho, who was not moving, with his whole face bloodied and beaten. Areon looked at his hands, seeing they were bruised and bloodied from what happened, causing Areon to realize that he had just beaten a man, possibly to death.

"Your Grace," Jorah gently puts his hand on Areon's shoulder, pulling him out of his thoughts as he sees Dany moaning in pain while hearing Mirri Maz Duur's chants in the background.

"Dany," Areon, still having blood on his hands, looks to his sister.

"The baby," Dany moans in pain while grasping her pregnant belly, "… is coming."

"Fetch the midwives," Jorah orders.

"They will not come," Rakharo said, "They say she is cursed."

Areon stood up from Qotho's body and told Rakharo, "Tell them they'll come, or I'll have their heads."

Rakharo, knowing the midwives still wouldn't come, said, "The witch. She can bring the baby. I hear her say so."

"What do you mean you heard her," Areon wonders how that happened since she was too busy in the tent with whatever she was doing.

"There's no time," Jorah picks Dany up in his arms and hurries to the tent as screams and incantations grow louder while Areon stays where he is, frozen by everything around him.

0000000000

Night fell in Westeros; Gerold was walking around the war camp, looking at all the men readying themselves for battle, although some were writing letters, probably to their loved ones, as some might never return. This is one of the things Gerold hates about war. Innocents dying for their lords. He then begins to think about his own life if he is to survive. He then begins to think about his mother.

When Tywin announced that he was going to war and Gerold was going, his mother, Sanya Sarsfield, tried to look proud for her son to go to war, but he could tell she was terrified. Lady Sanya knew her place as Lady of Casterly Rock and Lord Tywin's wife, but there were times when she disagreed with her husband, and letting their son go to war was one of them, although Gerold was twenty years old, making him a grown man. Lady Sanya was a kind woman who was loyal to her family and fiercely protective of her children, but she knew her voice didn't matter on such things, much to her and Gerold's displeasure.

Wanting to think about something other than the upcoming battle, Gerold goes to a nearby tent, where he sees a small table filled with wine jugs. Seeing no one around them, he took one and went to Tyrion's tent. Gerold doesn't drink himself to a stupor, but he drinks enough to ease his troubles and knows how much Tyrion loves to drink. He makes it to Tyrion's tent, calling out his brother to let him in. When Tyrion says yes, Gerold enters the tent to see his brother with Bronn and a woman he saw before.

"Gerold," Tyrion exclaimed, "How great of you to join us."

"I just thought you might like some company," Gerold said, "But clearly, that is not needed, so I'll be going."

As he was leaving, Tyrion said, "No, no, you've brought wine. Join us. We were about to play a game."

"What kind of game," Gerold raises a brow, very aware of the games Tyrion plays.

"I think you are aware of it," Tyrion chuckles, insisting his young brother to come, "Come. I did say you must enjoy life, did I not?"

"Yes. You did," Gerold reluctantly said as Bronn forced the young man into the tent, sitting him down between him and Tyrion.

"Gerold, this lovely creature is Shae," Tyrion introduced to the woman, "Shae, this is my kid brother. Gerold."

"My lady," Gerold greeted respectfully.

"She's no lady," Tyrion said, "More of a woman with…a particular trade."

"Not a trade you have in mind," Shae said with a heavy accent.

"But you are from Lorath," Gerold concluded, causing Shae to raise her brow with surprise, "I went on a tour of the Free Cities a few years ago. I remember the accents well."

Shae raises her brow playfully, "I see some other Lannisters with a great mind."

"Gerold was always a clever one," Tyrion said, "Always observing things ever since he was a small thing."

"Must have been an irritating thing, huh," Bronn jokes.

Annoyed and not wanting this to continue, Gerold said, "I thought we were playing a game."

"Quite right," Tyrion said, "You remember this one. One where I happen to be a great judge of character."

"This sounds like a boring game," Bronn says.

"It's not, actually," Gerold said as he got into a relaxing posture, "It involves a lot of drinking."

"And here's how it works," Tyrion explains, "I make a statement about your past. If I am right, you drink. If I am wrong, I drink. And no lying. I'll know if you're lying."

"I might as well drink myself to an early grave since you know all about me," Gerold rolls his eyes.

"And we'll finally get to see you drunk," Tyrion jokes.

"I don't want to play this game," Shae said sternly.

"Fine," Tyrion turns to Bronn, "Bronn first. Your father beat you."

Bronn drinks, "But my mother hit harder."

Tyrion tries again, "You killed your first man before you were 12."

Bronn causally corrects, "It was a woman." Tyrion drinks while Shae and Gerold look at him with shock, "She swung an axe at me."

"I wonder why," Gerold said, still reeling from it.

Tyrion, however, continues the game, "You've been north of the Wall."

Shae suddenly asked, "What brought you up there?"

"Work," Bronn answered.

Tyrion kept playing the game as he turned to Gerold, "Now, brother. Your turn."

"Oh gods," Gerold sighs.

"A woman has never touched you," Tyrion guessed.

Gerold, annoyed at this, slowly drank his cup while Bronn chuckled. Gerold defends himself, saying, "If you had my father, you'd be the same."

"But there was a time when you were close to being touched by one, but as she was undressing you, your face turned red, you covered your eyes with your hands and then ran out like a mewling pup," Tyrion guessed again.

Bronn laughed even harder as Gerold glared, "I was six and ten at the time. Tyrion, these questions are too crude. As usual."

"Then let us ask a more pressing question. You once loved a woman many years ago, but it turned out badly, so you've never let yourself love again. Oh, wait, that is me." As he drinks his cup, Tyrion jokes, "Your turn, my mysterious foreign beauty."

Shae glares at Tyrion, "I don't want to play."

"It's fun," Tyrion insisted, "Look at the fun we're having. Your mother was a whore."

Shae shakes her head, "Drink."

Tyrion drinks before asking his next question, "All right. Your father left the family when you were very young, never to return."

Shae says again, "Drink."

Tyrion, not believing her, reminds, "And we've established the rules about lying?"

"Drink," Shae demands as Tyrion drinks.

Tyrion then asked, "You wanted a different life. You came from somewhere, and you wanted to be elsewhere."

"The whole shit-stained world could drink off that one," Bronn comments.

"That does apply to everyone, Tyrion," Gerold concurs.

Tyrion nods, "So, specifics… You wanted to be elsewhere, but how would you get there? l don't believe the life of the Silent Sisters is for you. So, what's a lowborn girl to do?"

"Drink," Shae said.

Tyrion, confused, asked, "Are you sure?"

"Drink," Shae demands in a harsh tone, startling the men around her, "And don't talk about my mother and father ever, or I will carve your eyes from your head."

Tyrion quickly apologized, "My dear lady, if I have offended you, I apologize."

Shae cuts him off, "My turn."

Tyrion waves his hand, "Fine, fine. Ask away. Try to penetrate the enigma that is me."

Shae thought momentarily, "Who were you in love with?"

"That's not how the game works," Tyrion teased.

"I don't care how the game works," Shae said.

"Our lord here used to be married," Bronn said.

"Married," Shae asked in surprise.

Tyrion looks to Bronn, "How did you hear that?"

"You hear lots of things playing dice with Lannister soldiers," Bronn said.

"And he doesn't wish to talk about it," Gerold said, knowing the story.

"Another night, perhaps," Tyrion tries to get out of it.

"Not another night," Shae demands, "This night."

Tyrion warns her, "It's not a pleasant story."

"Oh," Shae mocks, "maybe I will cry."

Bronn said, "I'm guessing the lady, and I can tell more unpleasant stories than your lordship."

"Not like this one," Gerold looks down at his cup before looking to Tyrion, "You don't have to tell them."

Tyrion thought about it momentarily but decided, "I was 16. My brother Jaime and I were riding when we heard a scream. She ran out onto the road, clothes half torn off, with two men on her heels. Jaime easily scared away the men while l wrapped her in my cloak. She was too scared to send off on her own, so while Jaime hunted down the rapers, I took her to the nearest inn and fed her. Her name was Tysha. She was a wheelwright's orphan. And she was hungry. Together, we finished off three chickens and a flagon of wine. Impossible as it seems, there was a time when I was unaccustomed to wine. I forgot how afraid I was around girls, how I was always waiting for them to laugh at me or look away embarrassed or ask me about my tall, handsome brother. I forgot about everything but Tysha. And somehow, I found myself in her bed."

"For three chickens, I should hope so," Bronn comments.

Tyrion continues his story, "It didn't last long. I didn't know what the hell I was doing. But she was good to me. She kissed me afterward and sang me a song. And by morning, I was deep enough in love to ask for her hand. A few lies, a few gold coins, one drunken septon, and there you have it. Man and wife. For a fortnight anyway, until the septon sobered up and told my father."

Bronn said, "Well, I imagine that was the end of all that."

"Not quite," Tyrion said, "First, my father had Jaime tell me the truth. The girl was a whore, you see. Jaime had arranged the whole thing - the road, the rapers, all of it. He thought it was time I had a woman. After my brother confessed, my father brought in my wife and gave her to his guards. He paid her well - a silver for each man. How many whores command that kind of price? He brought me into the barracks and made me watch. By the end, she had so much silver that the coins were slipping through her fingers and rolling onto the floor."

When Tyrion finished his story, the whole tent went silent. Bronn and Shae were stunned by this as Gerold stayed quiet, looking at his brother with sympathy, wishing he never had to suffer like that. He always blamed Jaime for that night since it was his prank, which scarred Tyrion for life.

All Bronn could say was, "I would have killed the man who did that to me."

"You should have known she was a whore," Shae said.

Tyrion chuckles with sarcasm, "Really? I was 16, drunk, and in love."

"A girl who was almost raped doesn't invite another man into her bed two hours later," Shae tells him.

Tyrion shrugs, "As I said, I was young and stupid."

"You are still young and stupid," Shae said as she leaned over, kissing Tyrion, gently pushing him on the ground as she climbed on top of him.

Realizing where this was going, Gerold and Bronn immediately got up and left the tent. As they walked out, Bronn asked Gerold, "Is all that true? With the girl and everything?"

Gerold said nothing, but it gave Bronn his answer as Gerold walked away to his tent for the night. As he walked away, Gerold said, "Better get some sleep. We fight for war in the morning."

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It was morning as the sun was about to break. Gerold was already in his Lannister battle armor, ready for the fight. However, his father wanted him by his side to see the battle from afar. Gerold wanted to prove himself to the other men on the battlefield, but he had to obey his father. As the father and son get on their horse, they see from a distance on a hill as the Battle of the Green Fork begins. Gerold saw the men fighting the enemy, which caused him to think about Tyrion, hoping he was all alright.

When the battle was over, which was not long, Tywin and Gerold made their way down the now-empty battlefield as dead bodies were littered around. Gerold looked at the bodies, seeing that most of these men were Stark men and that they fought and died in a slaughter, which didn't make this a victory for him, but Tywin thought otherwise. Soon, they saw Tyrion, in armor, lying in a cart with Bronn following him, and they noticed that Tyrion had a wound.

"You're wounded," Tywin observed.

"Good of you to notice," Tyrion sarcastically said, "I hear we won."

"The scouts were wrong," Gerold said, "There were 2,000 Stark bannermen, not 20 thousand."

"Did we get the Stark boy, at least," Tyrion asked.

"He wasn't here," Tywin said.

Tyrion asked, "Where was he?"

"With his other 18,000 men," Tywin said as he rode off while Gerold stayed behind.

"And where are they," Tyrion asked Gerold.

"We don't know, but something tells me this was no mistake," Gerold admitted, as he had a bad feeling something was about to go wrong.

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Cass was walking through the halls of the Red Keep when she came upon Joffrey's new room. Since he had been crowned king, he took up their father's old room. The princess approached the door as Sandor Clegane, the Hound, stood guard. Cass was still annoyed that the Hound was in the Kingsguard and not Jarred since one was a knight and the other was not. But his brother had his way, so she relents as she has a more pressing request. As the Hound made her presence known, the new King allowed her to enter the room, with Sandor closing the door behind them to give them privacy.

"Sister," Joffrey greeted as he sat on his couch with a crossbow in his hands and some arrows next to him.

"Your Grace," Cass greeted back, "Where did you get that?"

"Oh, this," Joffrey looks at the crossbow, "Just something I had crafted from the blacksmiths. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have this pointed at something?"

"I shot many animals with a bow and arrow when hunting with father," Cass said.

Joffrey shakes his head, "Yes, but having control over a living thing and just pointing this at it and deciding whether it gets to live or die. Having that power. Did you ever feel like that?"

Cass looked at her brother with confusion. From how he spoke and looked at the crossbow, then at her, she felt something…off. "I never thought of it that way. Just hunting an animal for hunting."

"Pity," Joffrey stares at her, "I figured you would understand. But then again, you have a heart of a woman."

"Yes, I suppose," Cass mutters before clearing her throat, "I want to talk to you about Ned Stark and his confession later today. You are planning to give mercy, right?"

"Why do you ask," Joffrey asked.

"Well, our fathers were close friends. They fought in the Rebellion together," Cass explains, "Sansa was my lady in waiting, and Arya is still missing, and the North is fighting against us."

"Yes, traitors, all of them," Joffrey mutters as he returns to his crossbow, putting an arrow on it.

"Yes, be that as it may," Cass fidgets her fingers, feeling a bit uncomfortable, "This is starting a war that can be avoided if you let Lord Stark go to the Wall."

"Do you think Robb Stark will stand down if I do this," Joffrey asked, still looking at his crossbow.

Cass shrugs her shoulders, "He's fighting for his father's life. Why not?"

"We don't have Arya Stark yet," Joffrey reminds her, "Our cousin is failing at that."

"It's a big city, Joff," Cass argues back, "I just want to know that you're going to let Lord Stark live."

"I assure you, sister," Joffrey said as he put his crossbow in an aiming position at a stuffed bear at the corner of the room, "I know what to do with Ned Stark."
He fired the crossbow at the bear when he said those words, causing the arrow to fly directly to the head. Cass looks at the bear with shock as she looks back to her brother, who stares at her with a face she cannot read. "You should make sure Sansa is ready. I want her there."

"Alright," Cass said. She wanted to say something else but decided to leave since Joffrey made her uncomfortable. She leaves the room and quickly goes to where she sees her ladies talking with Sansa at the windowsill they always sit on.

"Cass," Lenora said, "Where were you?"

"I was speaking to the King about later today," Cass explains.

"Is he going to let my father live," Sansa asked urgently.

Cass ponders on what to say. Joffrey doesn't give her a clear answer, but she assumes her brother knows the consequences of killing a lord. "He says he knows what to do."

"What does that mean," Ceryse eyes borrow.

"He's going to let my father go," Sansa said.

Ceryse, however, did seem too convinced, "But that's not exactly what he said."

"Well, it's going to happen later today," Cass sums up, "Also, Sansa, he wants you there when your father confesses. Maybe to show how merciful he is."

"Alright," Sansa nods her head.

Cass was a bit nervous about what Joffrey would do, but she trusted her brother to make the right choice.

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The afternoon fell on King's Landing as all were getting ready for the confession and judgment of Ned Stark. The Small Council, the King, and the Queen Regent were getting in their carriages, about to leave the Red Keep. Sansa was in the carriage she would share with Cass, as the princess wanted the young girl to be with others when they arrived.

However, before the princess got in, she went to her mother, who was about to get in her carriage, "Joffrey will let him live, right?"

"Of course he will," Cersei assures her daughter, "All will be well."

Cass, choosing to believe her mother, nods as she walks quickly to her carriage to join Sansa as all begin to make their way to the Sept of Baelor.

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Jarred, dressed as a commoner, was looking around the streets of King's Landing, still searching for Arya. He knew the odds of finding Arya were low, but he still had to try. After a few hours, Jarred walks to the Sept of Baelor, thinking that maybe she was there to seek refuge since the Great Sept offers sanctuary to all. As he walked to the Sept, he saw crowds of people going his way, causing Jarred to be confused about why this was happening. Suddenly, he felt someone bump into his side. As he turned, he saw it was Arya, dirty but well.

"Arya," Jarred exclaimed as he removed his hood, revealing himself to her.

Realizing who he is, Arya quickly runs off as Jarred runs after her, not wanting to lose her this time, "Arya, wait."

As the two kept running, Arya soon found herself running straight through a crowd, hoping she could lose him, while Jarred ran to the same crowd to catch up with her.

Jarred was pushing through people trying to find Arya, which he did. Seeing her slowed down by the large crowd blocking her way, Jarred, who was bigger and stronger, caught her.

"Let me go," Arya said as she tried to claw out of Jarred's grip.

"Arya, you need to return to the Red Keep," Jarred tells her as she struggles, "We're trying to help you."

Before anything else was said, they began to hear the words of Ned Stark from the crowd. Wondering why they were hearing this, the duo looked up and saw what was about to happen. From the crowd, they saw Ned standing on a dais with his hands tied together as everyone jeered at him. They were calling him a traitor to the crown. The Small Council was on his left, while Joffrey, Cersei, Cass, and Sansa were all on his right. With the councilors, Hellen looks at Ned with guilt and sympathy. According to Varys, Ned will admit he committed treason and be sent to the Wall as punishment. He'll be leaving his family, stepping down as Lord of Winterfell, and spending the rest of his life at the Wall, but this is the only way he can live. Meanwhile, Cass and Sansa were together, waiting for this to end.

"My father is there," Arya exclaimed, trying to get to her father.

Seeing that the crowd's scream and yell drowned out her voice, Jarred pulled her close, saying, "They made a deal with your father. He's going to be ok." Arya was about to say something else, but Jarred stopped her, "Everything is going to be ok."

Soon, they both notice the crowd is dying down their voices as they both look up to see Ned beginning to say something.

"I am Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Hand of the King," Ned begins to say, "I come before you to confess my treason in the sight of Gods and men. I betrayed my King's faith and my friend Robert's trust. I swore to protect and defend his children, but before his blood was cold, I plotted to murder his son and seize the Throne for myself. Let the High Septon and Baelor the Blessed bear witness to what I say: Joffrey Baratheon is the one true heir to the Iron Throne, by the grace of all the Gods, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm."

"As we sin, so do we suffer," Pycelle proclaims, "This man has confessed his crimes in sight of Gods and men. The Gods are just, but beloved Baelor taught us they can also be merciful. What is to be done with this traitor, Your Grace?"

Joffrey looks to the crowd, "My mother and sister wish me to let Lord Eddard join The Night's Watch. Stripped of all titles and powers, he would serve the realm in permanent exile." He then looks to Sansa, who gives him a hopeful smile, "And My Lady Sansa has begged mercy for her father." Joffrey then looks to the crowd, "But they have the soft hearts of women. So long as I am your King, treason shall never go unpunished." Everyone at the dais then looks at him with wide eyes, some slightly shaking their heads, dreading what he will say next, "Ser Ilyn, bring me his head!"

The townsfolk roar with approval as the Small Council, Sansa, Cass, and Cersei all bear shocked looks. Cersei and Cass go to Joffrey, trying to convince him not to do this, while Sansa, getting held on by the Hound, begs mercy for her father as the Small Council rushes to Joffrey to try and stop this from happening.

Seeing the executioner is about to do the deed, and there is nothing else she can do, Cass goes to Sansa's side, trying to get her to look away from what would happen.

"You have to stop him," Sansa begs Cass, "You have to stop him."

"Look away, just look away," Cass said as she forcibly grabbed Sansa to look away since it was all she could do.

Shocked and confused, Arya looks to the crowd that they are cheering for this. Jarred, frozen by shock and dread, was too busy trying to process what was happening as Arya, wanting to save her father, broke free from his grip and ran into the crowd. Jarred, regaining his focus, saw Arya running and went after her. As he was trying to get through the crowd, he could see a man grab Arya. He didn't know him, but Jarred could see some familiarity between them as the man held her close, as if he was trying to stop her from looking at her father.

Ned couldn't believe it. He thought he was about to live, but now he will die. His eldest daughter is going to watch, his youngest daughter is nowhere to be found, and his son is going to war for him. As the executioner forced him on his knees, he didn't know what to do. All he could do was look at the sky as the crowd continued to shout curses and japes at him while Ser Ilyn raised his sword. Then he swung down his sword, cutting off the head of Eddard Stark.

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