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Chapter Four
King's Landing
As if King's Landing wasn't crowded enough Percy's father had made sure to find a way for even more people to cram into it. The Hand's tournament was bound to be as much of a nightmare as it would be a grand time. At least they didn't need to build much in the way of tourney grounds.
Saving money by having already converted the dragon pits was not unwelcome for the crown's coffers. Sadly that was a small piece of the overall cost of the whole thing and Lord Stark was only just learning how rough their position was financially.
It could have been worse, but Percy struggled to imagine how. He knew that Annabeth had managed to keep them from complete financial ruin but she wasn't a miracle worker.
The Crown Prince tried to push thoughts of the upcoming tourney and all that came with it out of his mind. In doing so it left little to focus on but the thought that had enraged him for over a month now.
Not a damned thing was being done about Theon Greyjoy or his family. As far as Percy was concerned the Greyjoys had to be complicit in the crime of freeing him. Who else would do such a thing?
He wouldn't have been surprised to hear reports of revving up and down the coast any day now. Theon Greyjoy would probably even be leading one of the raider fleets. His father should have torn the whole of the Ironborn out root and stem when he'd had the chance.
Feeling the familiar emotion of a stormy rage filling him, Percy lashed out at his training partners and crashed blunted steel against blunted steel. He faced three men, none of them were anything special. Only given a training blade and told to spar with the crown prince.
Squires or perhaps even guardsmen in training. Either way, Bran seemed to be enjoying the show from where he sat polishing Percy's shield…again.
Percy pretended that it instilled discipline but really it just kept Bran out of his hair for a little while. Never as long as he wished though.
He didn't dislike having the boy around, per se, more that he hadn't realized how awkward it actually was to have someone hang off of your every single word like it was some grand awe-inspiring quote.
Even his baby brother and sister didn't quite adore him to the level that Bran seemed to worship him. It was uncomfortable for the prince.
Still, he planned to take training the little northerner plenty seriously. Bran might even learn a little something from the fight now. Like how Percy was not one to be in front of when he was in a bad mood, or how even a training sword could cause some serious injuries.
At least the crown prince had the sense to call an end to his sparring session when he was splattered with a mix of blood and snot and the sound of a tooth clicking across the stone floor.
"Shit, I got carried away. Are you alright?" Percy asked the man he had accidentally cracked across the mouth. Luckily it had been more with the flat of his blade than the dulled edge.
The guardsman muttered something through bloodied and now very crooked teeth and busted lips, but if it had been actual words Perch had no idea what he was trying to say.
"Right, you two get him down to see either a maester or a physician of some kind. That was a bad blow." He commanded.
The two men he mentioned quickly helped their comrade up and slung their arms around his middle as they helped him stumble toward the doorway.
The others rapidly dispersed using this as a chance to flee in case their prince wanted to continue training. He was done for now though. Annabeth often pointed to his wrathful nature being a dangerous quality so letting it slip enough to hurt one of his men left a bad taste in his mouth.
Though likely not as bad as the man who he had cracked across the face.
At least perhaps he could do something useful with this failing of his.
"Bran." He called.
The young boy carefully set the work he was doing aside before racing over to Percy's side. The prince almost chuckled. The boy's attention might be a bit much at times but that was like trying to be angry at a puppy for following you around all the time. It could be annoying a little but never truly something that he would be angry with.
"Did you see what just went wrong there?" He asked the boy.
"Uh." The boy mumbled as he tried to think of an answer. Percy let him think a moment as he rolled his neck and shoulders to loosen up, both body and mind.
"He should have kept his blade up in a ready position so that he had enough time to block your strike?" Bran asked more than answered.
Percy hummed thoughtfully. "Perhaps but I was meaning more myself."
"I don't know then." Bran admitted.
"I lost myself in my anger. Because of that one of my own men was harmed. This time it was training and he was hurt by my own hand…" Percy trailed off letting the young boy finish for him.
"But in a battle, it could be your enemy that takes advantage and they could even die." Bran finished.
Percy patted the boy on the head. He was a clever enough child. Percy was a bit more worried about whether or not he was really cut out to be trying to teach the boy. Only time would tell of course but moments where Bran seemed to be actually learning something from him were at least a nice distraction from the things that darkened the Crown Prince's mood.
"Let's get you started with some exercises and maybe even practicing a guard stance. What do you think?" Percy suggested causing the boy to practically bounce in place.
Some exercise could help burn off that extra energy too.
Sansa had not had much opportunity to be around her betrothed since leaving Winterfell. Truthfully she had spent more time with his sister than with the Crown Prince himself. Something that wasn't bad, as Sansa could easily recognize why Princess Annabeth was so interesting to everyone.
While Percy was evidently eccentric in his own ways, Annabeth was known a bit more widely as the odd one. Her commanding nature even toward many men years older than her struck many as either humorous or shameful, but Sansa had come to see the way the Princess acted as more of a necessity than anything.
The Queen acted much the same at times, though far less openly than Annabeth did. It seemed necessary that such a personality was needed to rule by the side of a King or to help the heir if he was your twin brother in Annabeth's case.
As fascinating as it could be to follow Annabeth or at times Queen Cersei around, Sansa still desperately wanted to spend more time with her betrothed. After all, she still intended for theirs to blossom into a romance that would spin tales and songs for years to come.
That is if she could ever get some of his time.
Bran seemed to have more of the Prince's attention than she did, even as he polished the heir's things for the umpteenth time. At least he was in the yard at Percy's side, even talking with him at times.
Sansa was stuck up here, sitting on a small uncomfortable wooden bench looking down from a balcony over the training yard as Percy sparred with a handful of his men all at once. At least she had excellent seats to watch her Prince in what Annabeth described as his element during their long journey down the King's Road.
She didn't know much of combat herself, but just like back in Winterfell, Percy showed all that his skill was surely some sort of blessing. He was like a storm embodied by a man.
That thought had her blushing. She had done a bit of reading regarding the Storm Kings of old and she had a couple of dreams of Percy raking the place of Durran Godsgrief with herself as Elenei. Thoughts of the dreams had her blushing, those thoughts coupled with the sight of a sweaty powerful Percy just before her in the yard had her feeling sinful.
Her mind was pulled from such daydreams as she saw the blow one of the guardsmen took to the face and gasped. She stood and covered her mouth with her hand as the man was checked over by Percy and the others before the Prince ordered the man to be cared for and ended their session.
Sansa swooned at the noble nature of the Prince as he ensured his man was cared for. He then took Bran to his side and began using the event to teach him. Percy was such a diligent and good man. Sansa could only let out a sigh of longing as she mentally cursed the days until she was permitted to wed the boy of her literal dreams.
Said sigh nearly turned into a startled yelp when she felt a hand settle onto her elbow. Jerking away and barely keeping the tiniest bit of her ladylike composure Sansa widened her eyes as she found Princess Annabeth had joined her on the balcony.
"Forgive me for surprising you, Lady Sansa, I hadn't meant to." Annabeth said softly with an apologetic smile on her face.
"No forgiveness is needed, princess, except please forgive me for such a poor greeting." Sansa bowed her head slightly.
"As you said. No forgiveness is needed. No slight was had. Enough formal court like behavior, call me Annabeth when we are alone. We will be sisters one day after all." Annabeth said.
Sansa smiled at that.
Annabeth turned to look at the courtyard below them before smiling softly as Percy directed and even joined Bran in his exercises. Sansa was happy to see her brother seeming to grow close to the Prince. It would be good in the future when she and he were wedded. Bran perhaps could even become a Kingsguard if he became as talented as Prince Percy was with a blade.
"I would enjoy watching the two of them train but I realized earlier this morning that I haven't properly shown you around the capitol or even the Red Keep yet. Would you care to join me?" Annabeth asked Sansa as she turned away from the boys training to look at the redhead beside her.
"Of course, Princess." Sansa replied.
"Annabeth, please." Annabeth laughed lightly causing Sansa to blush at having forgotten how the Princess wished to be referred to.
"Come on then, let me show you your new home." Annabeth said as she looped her arm with Sansa's and led her off into the great fortress of the Royal Family.
As they walked Sansa and Annabeth chatted lightly. Much of it regarding how Sansa and her family were adjusting to the differences between King's Landing and Winterfell. For the most part, things had gone well.
Bran spent most of his time trying to absorb all that he could from Percy. Arya had been struggling a bit. She wasn't exactly pleased to be pressed into finer dresses and pushed into using finer manners than she normally employed. Lastly, Sansa's father had become engrossed in the tasks set before him. He seemed very busy, especially with the upcoming tourney which Sansa was quite excited for.
Annabeth largely let the girl talk as she pleased. The younger of the two told the Princess practically all there was to tell about the going ons in the Tower of the Hand as well as some of the more intimate rumors within the Lord Hand's household.
Eventually though, with thoughts on the upcoming tournament, Sansa began to ramble on about the grace and glory of the southron courts and knights. Especially the idea that perhaps Percy would compete in the tourney Against all manner of noble and gallant knights.
Annabeth didn't seem to share the same joyful sentiment that Sansa sid at the idea of the tournament. Something that Sansa noticed readily enough.
"Is there something wrong?" She asked a bit hesitantly.
"No, not truly. I just fear for you a bit Sansa." Annabeth said drawing the younger girl up short.
"You fear for me, Princess?" She drawled out in confusion.
"Not terribly so, and likely not in the way you might imagine. I fear you may find yourself quite disappointed…or perhaps worse a bit overwhelmed with the reality of life here in the capitol. It is not like the stories and songs would lead you to believe, at least not fully." Annabeth explained causing Sansa to frown.
"Well, I have no doubt that they are exaggerated. Bards are known for that sort of thing." Sansa chuckled only for her attempt at humor to fall flat as a more serious face rested on Annabeth's features.
"I would agree, some are exaggerations but more often than others are blatant lies. You must be careful here Lady Sansa. King's Landing is rife with intrigue. Never forget that." Annabeth warned.
"How can I know such things? What do you even mean, intrigue?" Sansa asked a bit agitated at the Princess for essentially erasing the image of the capital she had in her mind.
"Few nobles are as their titles imply. Of the truly good and competent people at court…I could probably count them on one hand and have fingers left over. After all, among that number my brother and your father might be the only two I consider to truly fit that description."
Sansa fell silent at Annabeth's words. She disliked such a conversation but by this point, she was literally in the Princess' hands. Annabeth continued on keeping Sansa close to her so she could speak quietly as she explained what King's Landing was truly like.
"Those washerwomen with the baskets there…" Annabeth motioned toward the three women nearby with her chin.
"What about them?" Sansa asked suspiciously.
"Those three women belong to my mother." Annabeth said as she smiled and waved at them getting bows and smiles in return.
"Belong to the Queen?" Sansa asked.
"They watch and listen for her. Everyone who works or lives in the Red Keep watches or listens for someone. Some do it for several people." Annabeth explained.
Sansa felt a pit form in her stomach. Surely it wasn't that bad.
"I also have people who watch and listen for me and you will need to as well. This is how things are truly done in King's Landing, Sansa."
Feeling a bit overwhelmed with the idea of having literal spies, Sansa paled a bit. She turned her eyes to the young woman holding her arm as they walked and wondered just how much more there was to the beautiful princess. Just how much more was there to this city?
"Why are you showing me these things?" Sansa asked quietly.
Annabeth pulled Sansa over into a small alcove in the hall before releasing her arm and turning to fully face her. Her eyes were hard and serious but not uncaring. Sansa felt rooted to the floor to listen to the older girl but still felt her stomach twist a bit at the serious expression she had.
"There is absolutely no one in the Seven Kingdoms or the world that I love more than my brother. He is a good man, and he will be a great king. One that they will place with the likes of Jahaerys the Conciliator and Aegon the Conqueror. I know it in my soul." Annabeth began catching Sansa a bit off guard at the direction she was taking with her words.
"As wonderful as I know him to be, and you know him to be, others would tear at him to advance themselves. Percy cares for the people and his family and the realm and I know he can lead well but he cannot do everything. He is a leader and a warrior but there are too many ways that someone like that can either be taken advantage of or fooled. I will not let such a thing come to pass. He needs me to shield him in the ways he cannot shield himself." Annabeth spoke with such vigor and self assuredness in what she was saying that Sansa could find no part of her that doubted the Princess' words.
In fact, she felt impressed. Annabeth almost sounded like she was giving a speech before a battle. A little voice within Sansa whispered that perhaps she was. It wasn't a war with swords and spears but rather one with words and secrets. It was thrilling even if it was a bit much to have pushed upon her all at once.
"And I need you, Sansa. Percy needs you." Annabeth said as she leaned in closer and let her voice drop lower.
"Me…" Sansa muttered flushing a bit at the wording of the Princess even though it looked as though Annabeth didn't notice she said anything at all.
"Percy will go to the hells and back to protect you and I, we must do the same for him. A good Queen and in my own case a good sister can craft a shield out of smiles, words, and favors to protect the men that they love. They have to if they want them to be safe and happy. I even doubt that I will ever marry. My mother understands this world better than even I do, she knows I am needed here to protect my brother in my way." Annabeth remained close enough to Sansa that the girl could feel the brush of her breath tickling at her cheek and ear.
Sansa felt a bit saddened for the princess to hear the idea that she would dedicate herself to this challenge over all other things. Over even the idea of beginning her own family.
"Can you truly be happy with a life like that? It is almost like that of a Septa. Just dedication without the reward." Sansa whispered back.
"My rewards are what I choose them to be. My happiness is what I make it. This life will give me the greatest happiness I can grasp." Annabeth said with a beautiful smile.
Sansa felt like a farce compared to this woman. The maiden made flesh. It was a bit humbling. Still, Sansa's mind reeled with questions. She felt out of her depth and yet the way Annabeth spoke to her felt so genuine and earnest. There was no denying her dedication to the future king.
"I have lived here in King's Landing for all of my life. I have been educated in how to play this game and how to win it by my own mother since before I could properly string words together into a sentence. Still, I need help for the coming challenges and I want to take you under my wing so to speak until you are ready to stand at my brother's side. The next Good Queen Alysanne."
Sansa was a bit awed by the faith the princess seemed to have in her.
"Why me? I know you helped to make sure Percy and I became betrothed. Do you really think me the best for the role you have in mind?" Sansa asked.
"You think I am mistaken?" Annabeth wondered with a chuckle.
"Well…I am sure every lady has heard of the Maiden of Highgarden." Sansa suggested feeling her stomach twist as she did.
Annabeth raised an eyebrow at that.
"You think that perhaps I would be better to put my faith in her?" Annabeth seemed to ponder for a moment before letting a sigh loose.
"No. No, you are the best choice, Sansa. Both for me and for Percy. I have only known you a short while but you, and your family as well are good and honest. No other lady could possibly be trusted to put the good of Percy and the realm before their own desires or even if need be their own family. You know what is right and just. You see Percy like I do, as the great king he will become, and I see you as his great queen. With my help, I have no doubt you will be considered the perfect queen and with your king, you will raise the perfect princes and princesses." Annabeth said, causing Sansa to blush deeply and swell with pride at the faith being placed in her.
The young lady hardly noticed as Annabeth snagged her arm with her own again and began leading her on through the castle, continuing their tour and impromptu education on what to expect from King's Landing.
In the time since coming to King's Landing, Joffrey had been busy making new friends. Among them was his current favorite, one who knew how to procure things and people discreetly.
Joffrey's time at Casterly Rock and in Lannisport had taught him the necessity of such a thing. His grandfather was an obstacle that had taken quite a long time for him to learn to properly navigate.
Once he had though, even King's Landing was far easier to move through without his actions turning up as conversation for all manner of nobles and courtiers. Quite useful to advance his goals in life.
It was also useful to allow himself to indulge from time to time. Petyr Baelish was his favorite of his new contacts for that very reason. As useful as the man was as a cooperative figure for the little games Joffrey had begun to play, he was even better at procuring certain delicacies that no other could.
Standing in front of the blond prince were four young women, all of them beautiful and all of them either looking like a near copy of his elder sister or his brother's betrothed. Joffrey expected them like one might livestock at auction. His hands ran freely over their forms as he pinched and twisted and roughly turned their heads from side to side.
"When you had told me you could have such a selection I hadn't believed you, Lord Baelish." Joffrey said with a chuckle as the redhead in his grasp whimpered as his fingers dug into the soft skin of her belly.
"Of course. I always seek to impress my preferred clientele. Have you made your selection?" Baelish asked with a thin smile ignoring the gasp of pain let loose by his youngest offered whore. She might have even been the age of the queen to be he couldn't recall.
"Hmm, yes this one and that blonde there. They will do." Joffrey said before turning to look at Baelish.
"What are you limiting me to here?" He asked clearly displeased at the mere idea of being limited.
"Oh please help yourself but perhaps no permanent damage would be permanent. After all, if you wish to enjoy them another time…" Baelish suggested once again ignoring the frightened whimpers of the women he owned.
"We'll see where I grow bored then." Joffrey said as he shooed away the two lucky girls he hadn't chosen.
Joffrey and Baelish both took seats in plush chairs as Joffrey motioned for the blonde to pick up the thin metal rod he had brought with him. The girl hesitantly picked up the piece of metal and glanced at the redhead with remorse. The second girl shivered and paled as what was expected of them became clear.
"Don't keep me waiting." Joffrey snapped.
"Yes, be good hosts to the Prince girls." Baelish ordered, making it clear the rod would be nothing compared to what he would have done to them if they disappointed Prince Joffrey.
As the redhead was bent over a table and the blonde raised her hand up with the rod, Joffrey's eyes were glued to the sight as the crude implement was brought down with a painful crack across the bare rear of the younger girl. He grinned as she let out a moan of pain.
"Remember to thank her and you keep count." Joffrey ordered.
He frowned slightly as Baelish turned toward him to talk. He didn't want to be distracted from the show.
"Your Septon and Septa friends have been doing quite well here in the city." The Master of Coin remarked.
"Of course." Joffrey shrugged as he enjoyed another pained cry followed by a weak thanks and the count.
"I am impressed by how connected you are with the men and women of the faith." Baelish continued getting a roll of the eyes from the boy.
"Yes, yes. My faith in the Seven who are One is well known. I have been to Old Town more than a few times and the Septon of Casterly Rock would tell anyone who asks of my dedication to the true gods." Joffrey said.
"Unlike your heathen siblings." Baelish chuckled as he watched welts begin to grow into painful marks across his girl's ass.
"Yes, unlike the tree worshiping Crown Prince and his upjumped twin, I know what the people would prefer to see in the royal family." Joffrey replied.
Baelish hummed thoughtfully as they continued to watch the vile torture before them. The poor redhead was weeping now and her words of thanks every time she was struck were barely understandable.
"Did you know, many of the Septons here in King's Landing are actually regulars of some of my establishments? Some come in disguises a few have more discrete measures and some of the more notable I send girls…or boys to visit from time to time." Baelish said.
Joffrey chuckled at that before stopping the women and having the redhead approach him. She did so with shaky legs before stopping in front of him. He smiled as he stared into her crying eyes while reaching around to squeeze her abused ass with both hands. The girl screamed and cried at the pain but Joffrey's smile only widened.
"Thank me for the pain." He commanded with a husky tone of lust in his voice.
"Thank you, my Prince." She managed to choke out as he continued to abuse her.
"Do you want a little payback? Revenge feels quite good I promise you." He whispered to her as he pulled her down into his lap forcing her to sit on the injuries he had forced the other girl to give her. He knew she could feel his arousal through his britches.
"Yes, please." She croaked out.
"Then go get it. Continue until I stop you." Joffrey commanded.
It was the blonde's turn to pale but both did as they were told. Joffrey only continued to smile as the blonde cried out a thank you and the redhead began her count.
"Are you bragging, Lord Baelish? Maybe you think I would be surprised to learn of the hypocrisy of the priests of the Seven? Really though hypocrisy is a drink everyone enjoys as long as they are the one enjoying it." Joffrey said with a shrug.
"What wisdom from such a young Prince." Baelish practically cooed.
The pair fell into silence as they watched the women before them continue the brutal show. Before long, like the redhead, the blonde girl had begun to weep and her rear end was covered in stinging welts. Joffrey urged them on though. Eliciting another horrible scream with every smack of the rod.
"My Prince, how go things in the Westerlands? I heard recently that your Grandfather has grown ill of something or other and that some are even beginning to wonder if the Old Lion is nearing his end." Baelish asked rather bluntly.
Joffrey shot a look toward the man with narrowed eyes.
"Never worry about the Westerlands, Lord Baelish. Such things are mine to contemplate, not yours. Remember that." Joffrey snapped before turning to look at where the girls had stopped.
"Keep going or I will use that on both of you personally." He bit out before being answered by an immediate smack and pained scream.
The prince turned to look at Baelish again, ignoring the girls even as one let loose another pained scream at his behest.
"You have a lot to focus your attention here around the capitol anyway, Littlefinger. I didn't think you would have the time to ponder things so far from you." Joffrey all but taunted.
"Of course, I was merely curious due to a rumor I had heard, My Prince. My apologies if I offended you." Baelish replied.
Joffrey waved the man off as he turned back to the scene in front of him. The skin had been broken and thin trails of blood had begun to run across the blonde's ass. The sight was practically euphoric for him.
"Just keep things going as they are, Baelish. After all, there is no need for someone to begin wondering about things surrounding your house, is there? Perhaps things like just how close you and Lady Arryn are, or maybe just how much money it is your brothels actually make and from who." Joffrey said as he never turned away from the torture in front of him.
"My Prince, there is no need to threaten. We are such good friends now, after all, I do keep a special stock like this just for you." Baelish said.
Joffrey laughed at that.
"Good. Then I think that I will really begin." The Prince said as he stood and began to disrobe while selecting another implement for himself, a small whip covered in small barbs meant to catch in the skin.
Baelish nodded and excused himself as both women cried for mercy from the Prince. He knew that Joffrey barely understood such a virtue let alone possessed it.
Percy had hoped to ride with some of his men out to check on the work at the arena since much of the tourney was to be held there. He had brought along Bran and a half dozen guardsmen to assuage any worry his sister had.
The surprise from that damned squid had caused her to become more cautious, occasionally bordering on paranoia. The influx of people to the city for the upcoming Hand's Tourney had her on edge. Rightfully so, they had already noticed a considerable uptick in crime and more than a few extra bodies turned up in the river every morning from some murder somewhere in the city.
It seemed that perhaps Annabeth was right to worry. They had only made it to about the halfway point of their ride when Percy called a halt as a crowd clogged the street and they could no longer get past. A handful of City Watchmen were trying to restore order but it became increasingly clear things were getting out of hand.
Noticing a senior member of the watch among the number of Gold Cloaks present, Percy beckoned the man over to him.
"My Prince." The man bowed and greeted.
"What is happening here?" He asked, trying to pick out what exactly was going on in the crowd of people as they pushed and shoved.
"We are still trying to question people, your grace but we have figured out what has the crowd so riled. The Madame of one of the city's brothels has been killed. Some lordling was jealous that she took another to bed when paid. He killed her in the street and the two little lords began fighting when their household men joined in." He explained.
"Why the crowd?" Percy asked. The murder would be punished but it didn't explain the near riot on their hands.
"The Madame was Lady Sylvia. She's popular with the smallfolk here both because of her brothel and because she helps folk in need…or helped I suppose. Between her girls and her clients, we already had our hands full, with all the other small folk that loved her…we stopped the fight between the lordlings but they want to tear all the men apart, guilty or not."
Percy frowned before spurring his forward forcing the people in front of him to scatter or risk being trampled. He stood in the stirrups trying to give himself even more height over the throng of people before he began shouting over the voices of the crowd.
"Go home! I will see justice done on the one responsible. Get home before I thrash you all for acting like this!" He bellowed.
"One? They all had part. Lady Sylvia's girls said those nobles raped her and then cut her up when she asked for pay!" A member of the crowd shouted, stirring them all up a bit more.
"She was a whore but she was a good woman too!" A woman from a nearby window shouted down turning the mob even angrier.
Percy looked at the watchman.
"Rumors, your grace. Either way, we have them bound up in that room, we were going to take them to the dungeons to face the King's justice but the crowd blocked our way." He said pointing at the building as he spoke.
Unfortunately, members of the crowd could hear and see which building he pointed to.
"The bastards are in there!" A younger man shouted.
"We'll have our justice now!" An older crowed before the crowd attempted to force their way past the guardsmen.
"Dammit, get back!" Percy shouted, urging his horse forward to try and make the mob break apart. Instead, they pushed forward spooking his horse and causing it to rear up and kick out catching a few of the common folk with its hooves.
The people screamed and something seemed to break as they flew into a rage. They stopped pushing and shoving. Instead, they began raining blows, throwing rocks, or grabbing for the weapons carried by the watchmen.
The guards responded as one might expect and began defending themselves. Blood was spilled as a club cracked open some peasant's head before the gold cloak responsible was dragged into the heart of the mob and beaten bloody himself.
"Shit. Captain!" Percy bellowed out to one of the men accompanying himself and Bran.
"Your Grace?" He asked while kicking an adolescent in the face from his saddle as they made a reach for him.
"Have a man get Bran back to the Red Keep and bring more members of the Watch and any other men at arms they can rally. This is becoming a riot." Percy said as he felt people begin grabbing up at his reigns and at his body to pull him down off of his horse.
"Aye!" The captain replied before sending a man with Bran away.
"We have to push into them. Break them up so that the guard can gain control again. Use your horses." The Prince ordered.
The House Baratheon soldiers formed up with Percy at the center in two rows. Slowly they plodded forward pushing the people back down the street or off into alleyways.
Watchmen formed up between the mounted men or along the edges of the roadway and prodded and clubbed people who were slow to move out of the way.
Steadily the crowd began to break apart, Percy began to breathe a sigh of relief as the riot was culled before it could truly begin.
As if to spite him, one of the young nobles, a lad maybe a year younger than himself stepped out of the building that they had been supposedly bound in. He looked to have managed to slip his bonds but had a little blood on his jerkin.
Percy didn't know if the man was the one who had murdered Madame Sylvia. He could have been, or he could have been the one that has attempted to avenge her. Either way, the sight of the blood doused man walking free in the street struck the crowd and lit the fire in their chests back up.
"It's him!" Someone from a window shouted down.
The crowd could hardly see him through the wall of guards and horses but they just barely made out the figure standing in the open.
"Murderer!" A woman screamed.
Her voice was followed by others slinging curses and shouts toward the man, only for them to soon be followed by stones and anything the people could get their hands on.
Like a swelling wave, the mob seemed to rally and slam itself into the barrier of men and beast that Percy had hastily constructed. They fought now, with a fervor he hadn't witnessed before.
Anything became a dangerous weapon as the mob roared and crashed again and again into Percy and his men. A broken rake was used like a spear and pierced the side of one of the horses in the line causing it to buck up and throw its rider. The gap in the line widened as angry commoners forced their way through and charged the now fleeing nobleman. He didn't get far. Rocks and garbage flew at him from both his pursuers and those hanging out of windows and on rooftops along the roadway.
Hit in the head with a large piece of stone he stumbled and fell, long enough for some of the crowd to reach him. Percy knew he would be dead by the time he reached him. Instead, he tried to rally his men to break up the riot before it grew worse.
He failed though.
He felt dozens of hands grab at him, snagging his pants and tunic, pulling him down. He kicked and fought as best he could but he was pulled from the saddle and into the sea of dirt covered commoners.
As he fell he spotted one of his men, the captain. A crude sharpened piece of wood had been forced through his eye and his neck was twisted at an unnatural angle. Despite that people continued to beat the corpse of the man.
Rage seeped through Percy at the sight. Rage and even fear of such a fate for himself. He wouldn't have it. Pulling at His sword, he easily freed it from its scabbard and in a fluid strike, one most men couldn't manage, he cleaved through the limbs of half a dozen commoners.
Screams of pain mixed with those of fury as there was a brief praise in the people surrounding the Prince. Percy didn't pause, however. The mob May have sought justice before but now they had murdered good men under his command. They were no better than the man they wanted to lynch.
Percy struck out and began killing or wounding every peasant within his reach.
"Defend yourselves! They killed the captain Take their lives and save ours!" Percy shouted as he drove his blade through a man armed with a small carpenter's hammer.
It wasn't a fight. It was several armed men in a sea of rowdy fools. It was bloody and cruel but Percy wanted to live and he wanted his men to live.
Despite the sudden bloodshed all around them, several of the rioting crowd members stormed the building where the other men who had been arrested by the city watch were. In moments the building was in flames and being looted as corpses of the prisoners inside were dragged back out into the street.
Percy didn't care for them. He had done what he could for them, tried to ensure the King's justice but it had gotten some of his men killed. He continued to swing his sword and bellowed out to rally his men.
It felt as if hours passed, but by the time the crowd had dispersed and reinforcements from the city watch, as well as Houses Baratheon, Lannister, and Stark it had only been a few minutes.
Lord Stark led the relief personally coming to Percy's aid. What remained of the mob fled at the sight of more soldiers, most better armed and armored than those they had fought up to now.
As the Lord Hand came onto the scene he frowned at the carnage surrounding him. A dozen dead at least, likely more before nightfall judging by the injuries. Percy, three of his guards and five members of the City Watch remained. Bloodied, tired, and surrounded by the dead.
"My Prince." Lord Stark called out softly.
"Lord Stark. Assembled the Small Council." The Prince replied.
"I can have them meet in the morning-" Ned began only to be cut off.
"No. Have them meet now." Percy ordered before he went to organize treatment and care for his men.
Ned watched as Percy brought the eight survivors together almost protectively and sighed. He wondered just what would happen at this small council meeting.
Beyond the Queen and Princess Annabeth having a fit once they saw the state of Percy. Ned also dreaded dealing with Sansa once she learned of what had occurred. She was already having her innocence ruined by the realities of King's Landing. This would push that even further.
Annabeth bit the inside of her cheek as her twin stormed into the small council chamber followed by a handful of men. Both Percy and each of the men were splattered with blood and one of them had a pronounced limp as he was helped along by another.
"Your Grace, what is all of this?" Grand Maester Pycelle stammered out at the sight of the men.
"Nephew, you look to have just come from battle." Renly added in.
"He may as well have. A riot on the Street of Silk cost several lives. Among them were some of Prince Percy's guard as well as several City Watch." Lord Stark said as he entered behind the bloody soldiers.
"How terrible." Lord Baelish said almost sounding like he actually meant it.
"Why was this council called though?" Renly asked as he looked his nephew over a bit.
"Because without my men there the City Watch would have been overwhelmed and this entire issue was the cause of two nobles and their retinue." Percy said as he rounded the table and dropped into the seat reserved for the king.
Lord Stark seemed unhappy by the action but left it be. Annabeth was happy enough for that. Surely by now, the man was realizing that Percy and herself ruled in the stead of their drunken pig of a father.
"So we need more Gold Cloaks? We might struggle a bit with financing the expansion of the City Watch." Baelish muttered.
Percy grunted unhappily. He was in a dark mood. She would need to help him calm down later but for now, it was a good thing. Let the members of the council recall the man they would be serving was not someone to take lightly.
"I won't tolerate half measures. We will expand the city watch but I don't intend to stop there." Percy glanced at her and her mind raced as she tried to catch up to what he was thinking.
It only took a moment before her eyes widened and she nodded toward her brother.
"My Lords, I have been working on a project with Annabeth for some time. It still requires some changes I am sure but now is the time to institute it." Percy said as he turned to stare at each of the men before him, one at a time.
"Well don't keep us in suspense." Renly said with a grin.
"The issue today stemmed from the fact that two nobles and their retinue felt they could do as they pleased and the people didn't have faith that they would see justice done." Percy continued.
The men before him grew uneasy with the direction this conversation was taking.
"What exactly are you planning, My Prince?" Lord Stark said, wishing to cut to the point.
"I am declaring the creation of a force of guardsmen, loyal only to the crown's authority, that will extend beyond the city of King's Landing." Percy stated.
The men were silent. They shared a few glances before Renly broke the silence with a snort of laughter.
"Something funny Uncle?" Annabeth asked.
"Yes, just where do you plan to generate this army from?" Renly asked.
"Not an army, guardsmen. They will help in King's Landing but also enforce the King's laws across the realm and from among the people." Annabeth answered.
"Forgive me, Princess, but how exactly will that be funded? An army, excuse me, a force of guardsmen composed of commoners will need pay, equipment, training, and housing. Not to mention few lords will willingly part with their people to humor you in creating this group." Baelish asked.
"Willingly or not they will part with any who volunteer." Percy said simply.
"As for funds, well Percy and I have been able to make some investments with help from our Uncle and have set the profits aside, the rest we will have you fund with the crown's coffers…Lord Baelish." Annabeth added.
"The crown is already in debt." Ned interjected.
"And secure roads and towns to encourage commerce will help us escape that debt even faster. I have already drawn up the plans for a pair of new taxes that will be levied to help as well." Annabeth responded immediately.
The others fell silent.
As Lord Stark opened his mouth to argue again, Renly beat him to it.
"This is a bit much for a childish fancy. The way things are-" Renly began.
"Can change. They are always changing. We, the leaders of the realm, make those changes and do so to better the lives of our people. Now, I am not bringing this to you all for approval or suggestions. I am bringing it before you to make it happen." Percy declared as he stood again.
"I believe it best to let your father make the choice." Lord Stark said.
"Do as you please, Lord Hand but this is happening." Percy said gruffly before turning to the eight confused and awkward men covered in blood.
"As for you eight, today you fought side by side with me to try and enforce the justice promised by the King. For that alone, I wish to ask you to become my first recruits in this new endeavor." Percy said as he stepped around the table to stand before them.
The eight soldiers stood a little taller at that looking back and forth between each other and their Prince.
"Your Grace it is an honor." One of the Gold Cloaks said as he and the others began to kneel.
"Stop. There will be a time and place to swear an oath. Right now, I simply wish to present the opportunity to you all. I will ensure you are all cleaned up and cared for, and that you can get some proper rest. We will speak more on it in the morning." Percy said as he caught the nearest man and stopped him from kneeling.
The men all murmured some form of acknowledgement before Percy had a servant lead them from the room to find them some quarters, and some baths.
Annabeth dismissed the Small Council as well, though Lord Stark seemed as though he had a mind to speak of more with them. Instead, he departed as well, clearly intent on meeting with the King and discussing what had happened.
Annabeth took her twin's hand and led him off toward the private apartments of the royal family. There were enough places within that she could help him clean off and perhaps even unwind after everything.
The rest of their matters could wait until the morning.
That is the chapter. I hope you enjoyed. More to come of course.
Anyway,
Till Next Time.
