King's Landing
King's Gate Siege
A huge commotion marked the march of King Stannis' army towards King's Landing. The bugles sounded, the drums beat and the men marched.
"We'll start the attack from the king's gate while the fleet lands in the harbor." Lord Tarly said gravely and looked at all the lords and knights listening.
"For all we know, the fleet won't get all the way into the bay, but they'll slowly send men to try and take the port gates. We should begin the assault on the wall while the rams head go for the gate."
Lord Tarly was experienced, knowing how to lead from the front with the men and how to lead from the rear. An assault on the walls of King's Landing? That was the kind of attack where the commander had to be at the rear.
"Ser Guyard Morrigen, you will lead the vanguard!". Lord Tarly shouted and Ser Guyard raised his sword in celebration, the men shouting along with him.
"Is there a role assigned to me Lord Tarly?" Orryn asked curiously.
"Do you want to lead the vanguard in place of Ser Guyard? Huh?" Lord Tarly asked with venom in his voice.
"I will do as I am instructed, Lord Tarly." Orryn replied with a certain modesty. He might be a prince, he might have his disagreements with Lord Tarly, but he would follow his orders, that was his duty.
"I could tell you to shut up and watch me... but I respect your seriousness about your duty. There comes a time when a boy must leave his father's shadow in battle and see things for himself. Your father sent you to me, so it's up to me to teach you."
"Thank you for your consideration Lord Tarly, Dickon will certainly benefit from his… education with my uncle Renly".
"Indeed..." Lord Tarly said before clicking his tongue. "Go to the intermediate line, organize the archers and the platoon formations for the next waves of the assault."
"Yes sir." Orryn replied with a straight back and quickly walked out into the middle of the army.
Men gathered among their own acquaintances under the banners of their masters. They drank, they sang, they pissed and shat. They tried not to let fear overwhelm them.
Lady Brienne of Tarth followed Prince Orryn, as did Lord Duram Bar-Emmon, Ser Justin Massey, Ser Hugh of the Vale and the ever vigilant Ser Borys.
The group looked at the men preparing for the attack. The first wave set off, giant ladders made during the march were loaded and as arrows, stones and oil fell, the men tried to raise them in the face of this hell.
"Not like you'd think, is it?" Orryn said, squeezing Duram's shoulder. The Lord of Sharp-point almost vomited when he saw the scene, and they were still a long way from the fight. "Improve that face and go to your men, they should see you."
"Certainly... I'll wait for your orders there." Duram said, holding back another wave of vomit with his hand.
"The boy's going to hide in his own tent, that's for sure." Ser Hugh said disgustedly and Orryn raised an eyebrow at him.
"Hugh, I have a job for you, since you're so willing to criticize."
"My prince... Lord Tarly said to...". Ser Hugh began but stopped when Orryn raised his hand.
"Lord Tarly's orders are for me, and I am in command of all the Knights of Dragonstone whether he orders it or not." Orryn said seriously. "Take ten light knights and make a patrol towards the King's Road."
"Our allies are guarding the road and Lord Tarly has sent more than enough scouts." Brienne said, somewhat confused.
"Yes, but all the men he sent were his men and his alone, I want to know what he knows. You'll take my men, Hugh, and keep your distance. You'll be a scout, and as Ser Borys always tells us...".
"A good scout is not seen". Hugh added. "Should I report any suspicious movements to you?".
"Yes, any movement or group of Tarly scouts running at high speed back." Orryns instructed again.
"Right." Hugh nodded before heading out to pick up the men in question. He had familiarized himself with the men by now and knew well who to choose for the job.
"Ser Justin, do you know anyone who is respected among the soldiers? Someone who can help me to be better accepted?".
"Ser Borys is one of those Orryn, but if you want someone from outside your circle... I suggest Ser Rolland Storm."
Orryn nodded in understanding and walked under the men's growing gazes to the group of Carron men.
"Ser Rolland, could you accompany me?". Orryn asked and the great man came. He tried to be as polite as possible, but Rolland Storm was a rough man, a warrior to the core, he couldn't be any different from what he was.
"Prince Orryn." The man spoke in a gruff voice and Orryn nodded. Rolland Storm was intimidating, and the smallpox marks on his face only made him more so.
"Ser Rolland, could I ask you a few questions?".
"As you wish my prince." The Nightsong bastard nodded, he couldn't really refuse. Ser Rolland had to advise the prince during the battle that followed, and he had to appear not to mind.
Blackwater Bay
On board to the Fury
"The idiot is going to get us into trouble, Your Grace." Ser Davos said in exasperation. "He has to send scouts ahead. If he just sends the whole fleet into the bay, the Lannisters might take this opportunity to put some nefarious plan into action."
Stannis just continued to meditate with his hands clasped under his chin. "Ser Imry is still in command, unfortunately."
"Your grace... we have mercenaries among us, the pirates of Salladhor Saan. They are disposable, they will go ahead and not our men. That's basic!" Ser Davos said almost excitedly.
"I can't just take the command away from him... no matter how incompetent he proves to be. We have a huge advantage in the navy and that's a fact."
"Your Grace... I know my place and how far I can really go. I know that you believe in my loyalty and I know that the characteristic you value most in me is my honesty. Can I be honest now?".
"Go ahead."
"It's not about winning a battle, it's about winning a war. The Lannisters aren't going to stop just because they've lost the capital, they're going to keep fighting and to face that, we need the fleet in good condition."
"I know all this, there's no need for you to remind me Ser Davos."
"Your son, Orryn says clever things, he always says clever things actually...".
"What my son say to you?". Stannis asked with narrowed eyes.
"After arguing with Lord Tarly, I asked him if offending a commander like Tarly was wise. Do you know what his answer was?".
"Tell me, what was my son's answer?" Stannis asked without much patience.
"Lord Tarly is a great commander, he wins battles. We don't need a commander who wins battles, we need one who wins wars. It doesn't matter if he beat Robert during the rebellion, the only one to win the war was your brother."
"Where do you want to go Ser Davos, be direct. Being direct is a trait I appreciate very much too."
"Win not only the battle, Your Grace, but the war as well. And Ser Imry, you're not a commander for any of those things. Leave a stable kingdom for your children, do it for them."
Stannis gritted his teeth and sighed. "What do you suggest, Onion Knight?".
Somewhere between the Crowlands and Riverlands
Margaery smiled as Elinor combed her hair. She thought it would have been better to go on Your Grace's flagship with the Queen, the Princess and Arya Stark, but she understood the way her family wanted to stay together, they even took Alla back.
"And it was good?" Elinor said smiling. "I mean, good from the start?".
"It was uncomfortable, it even hurt. But after a while... for the seven Elinors, I thought I'd lose my composure".
Elinor made a shocked face and then the two girls laughed mischievously again. "I thought the prince was a chaste man who had no experience."
"And Loras had said the same thing, but he knew what he was doing, and he knew it very well." Margaery said with a frown. She had been the one overwhelmed by her lack of experience last night.
"And that's a bad thing? I'd get used to a manly man like that... Was he big?". Margaery didn't answer, just gave him a suggestive look.
"Oh dear, so it is. And what was it like when he did it with his mouth?". Elinor prodded her cousin once more and before she could answer, the door opened.
Loras entered, his countenance was not good and he looked dejected. "Sorry to interrupt but... your presence has been requested Margaery. Everyone is in the room waiting for you".
"Did they find out? About my plan with Orryn I mean?". Margaery said worriedly, but deep down she knew she would pull through. She had certainly reached the prince's heart.
"Margaery... the news is difficult to say here".
"What? Did something go wrong in the battle?" She asked with her heart squeezing.
"Let the others tell you, sister... I don't want to be the bearer of the news." Loras said sullenly.
They were the most hurried steps Margaery could remember taking. When she opened the doors to the room where her family was gathered, she didn't even bother with politeness and just walked in.
"What happened?" She asked with an annoyance she couldn't explain.
"Sit down dear, we have some business to take care of." Mace Tyrell said smiling at his daughter.
Margaery looked at all the faces in the room and noticed that one in particular was missing. "Where's Garlan?".
"You've been told to sit down, girl... sit down and listen to what we're going to say, because that's what you're going to do. Is that clear?" Lady Olenna said in a harsh voice, the harshest Margaery could remember hearing from her grandmother.
King's Landing
King's Gate Siege
"Come on, men! The gate is about to break!" Orryn shouted. He stood as row after row of men threw themselves at the walls of King's Landing.
When a man began to want to weaken, he would tap him on the shoulder, say that the warrior would bless him, say that he would meet them the next morning at a banquet in the fortress, and send them to their deaths.
"The fleet is also beginning its attack, my prince, but not with the intensity that Ser Imry hinted at earlier. He seems to be saving his strength. Ser Justin commented as he brought news from further out in the bay.
Orryn could see the masts of some ships, but at the distance he was standing, it was impossible to tell how many had actually joined the battle. 'Certainly far more than Joffrey's navy', he thought.
A shout of celebration rang out as the battering ram men began to see their efforts pay off. A sizable breach was made in the king's gate.
"Come on, men! You are the ones the gods protect! You are the ones who fight for what is right! For the true king!" Orryn urged once more and his voice began to get tired of shouting.
"Kid... Hugh's back." Ser Borys said, touching Orryn's shoulder.
The young prince turned to where the old knight pointed and watched Hugh spur his horse as if his life depended on it.
"Hugh! Brake the horse, you idiot!". Ser Justin said angrily when he had to help brake the horse next to Brienne.
"Orryn! There's an army coming! Banners of Baratheon and Tyrell! Your uncle crushed the Lannisters and he's coming to support us! The whole army sings!" Hugh said excitedly and out of breath.
"They won?" Brienne said excitedly and even Orryn was infected. "Has Lord Tarly been warned?" Orryn asked.
"Probably yes, the Tarly scouts arrived first. We only came back now because we had to stay hidden, as you ordered." Hugh replied and took a big gulp of water from a wineskin handed to him.
Orryn moved quickly to where Lord Tarly had set up his command camp but couldn't find him. The place was still busy, knights and sergeants were running around shouting orders, but no commander-in-chief.
Asking was no use, no one knew where Lord Tarly had gone, or was willing to say anything.
"No one in this whole damned army has seen him... Tarly is gone, my prince." Ser Rolland commented after none of the men he sent came back with a positive response.
Orryn pondered this problem, there were more experienced knights to take command in this situation, but he was the prince, he had to lead, that was what was expected of him.
'If something goes wrong, don't be a hero Orryn, think of yourself! Run!''. He thought about Ciri's words and even though he knew he could be called a coward, Orryn gave the order.
"Ser Rolland, send orders for the attack on the gates to be stopped." He spoke loud and clear. "Leave 200 men on guard, facing the gate and standing by in case any attack comes from there."
Ser Rolland looked at Orryn for a while without saying anything and the young man held his gaze. "Yes, my prince." Ser Rolland said at last.
The attack was stopped, the men at the top of the walls jeered and the men cursed. They saw their friends run to their deaths for nothing. The lords and knights who sought renown and could see the gates giving way turned to Orryn in anger.
"We must continue! Stopping the attack now will break our spirits!". Ser Guyard snarled and it took Brienne putting her hand on the hilt of her sword to interrupt the man.
Orryn clenched his jaw, much like his father did, and faced Ser Guyard. "The order to stop the attack was mine, and whether you like it or not, Ser, I'm in charge now".
"And who put you in charge?". He retorted.
"Nobody. Lord Tarly has disappeared and no one is really leading this attack. I chose this role and I will not tolerate disobedience." Orryn said harshly. "It's my right as prince to lead."
"He's just a scared little boy with an army coming after us! An allied army no less!" The knight said excitedly. "I won't follow your orders boy!".
Scowling, Orryn stepped forward and stood a few paces away from Ser Guyard. "I will say this only once. If the army marching towards us is allied, I take full responsibility for my actions, but until then, Ser, you will do exactly what I expect of you. You will shut your mouth and carry out the orders you receive. Is that clear?".
"You don't expect..." Ser Guyard started to say but was interrupted by Orryn slapping him hard with the back of his hand.
"Is that clear, Ser?" He asked through gritted teeth. Silence reigned for a while until Ser Guyard bowed slightly and returned to his position, his hand always massaging his face.
"Redo the formation. I want all the spearmen available in the front lines, Ser Rolland will command them if necessary. All archers must hold the line at that elevation." Orryn spoke once more, not asking, not wanting opinions, he just commanded.
"Ser Justin, take half the heavy cavalry to the left flank. I'll command the right flank and you Hugh, take all the light cavalry, await orders."
Some of the knights were in a visible bad mood, but they followed Orryn's orders.
The lines of soldiers turned towards the King's Road and gradually saw the banners appear.
"It's Renly! Your uncle is coming, my prince. There's no way they can be enemies. Brienne said softly, she had been trying to convince Orryn that it was all just nonsense from the start.
"Something's wrong..." Orryn spoke to no one in particular. "There are too many men in that army."
"That... that's a misunderstanding. That must be it." Brienne replied a little nervously and beginning to realize the same thing.
"There are more men there than there should be. Even if Renly had left his rear exposed and brought all the men with him, he wouldn't have that many men." Ser Borys explained to all the lords watching the scene, no one refuted him.
"Let alone so many men ready after a battle. It would take days to organize everything and start from the position he was supposed to occupy on the king's road." Ser Guyard said begrudgingly.
"That is, if he stayed even one day in that position." Ser Rolland said acidly.
"To your positions. No one will attack until my order comes, because until then these are still our allies." Orryn spoke without leaving space for questions, he just spurred his horse to the right flank.
"Renly wouldn't do that, it must be some mistake, surely there must be some explanation." Brienne said, more trying to fool herself than anything else.
The advancing army blew a trumpet and began to advance at a faster pace. They completely abandoned the facade of being allies when they saw the army facing them.
"They're moving fast, they won't stop...". Orryn commented. "Are you with me Brienne? Will you fight beside me in my first battle?".
"I...I..." Brienne said, skating over the words.
"I won't force you into anything, nor will I judge you if you refuse to cross swords with my uncle, your lord Paramount and the one who offered you his hand. I appreciate your friendship just as much." Orryn said smiling before lowering the visor of his helmet and focusing only on the front.
Brienne closed her eyes, took a deep breath and thought. She thought about the way her beloved Renly smiled at her and how kind he always was. Then she thought of the prince and how when he did the same thing, he always seemed more... real.
"I'll be at your side, my prince." She replied, putting on her helmet as well.
"Call me Orryn, we'll be blood brothers Brienne". Orryn replied, putting his hand on the big woman's shoulder. "We'll all be brothers! Let's show them who the gods welcome! Ours is the Fury!".
"OURS IS THE FURY!". The men shouted and banged their shields, each house shouting his words, each man thinking of his beloved.
"Cavalry! Forward!". Orryn shouted and readied his lance. Sugarfoot accelerated with tremendous speed and all the men did the same.
Half the field was still to be covered when a loud noise echoed. An eerie green glow tainted the side view of the men's eyes and Orryn allowed himself to turn his head to look.
He saw, even at a glance, a green sea of wild fire, burning the ships of his father's fleet.
Everything was going wrong.