Chapter 6: Final Pursuit
Crownlands / Kingswood / Evening
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the Kingswood in a muted, amber glow, the forest seemed to close in around Lucan and Alys. Shadows stretched longer, and every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig felt like a bandit's approach. The air had grown cooler, a chilling reminder that night was coming swiftly, and with it, their pursuers.
Lucan wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, his injury throbbing beneath the bandages Alys had carefully wrapped earlier. Each step sent a fresh wave of pain coursing through his side, but he kept his expression steady, unwilling to show weakness.
Beside him, Alys moved with quiet determination. Her clothes—Lucan's woolen trousers and tunic—were smudged with dirt, her once neatly braided hair now loose and wild from the day's ordeal. Yet, even through her exhaustion, she carried herself with grace, her eyes sharp and alert.
Lucan knew they were running out of time.
"They'll be on us soon," he said, his voice low as they moved deeper into the forest. "We need to keep pushing, get closer to King's Landing. If we can just make it to the outskirts, we might have a chance."
Alys nodded, her breath coming in shallow bursts. She didn't need to be told twice. The image of the bandits—the brutal way they had attacked, the sight of her father's capture—still lingered in her mind. There was no turning back now.
Lucan glanced back, his eyes narrowing as he strained to listen for any sounds behind them. The forest was eerily silent, save for the soft clinking of Buck's bridle as the horse moved beside them. The tension in the air was palpable, and Lucan could feel it creeping into his bones.
"They're still out there," he muttered, more to himself than to Alys. His hand tightened around the hilt of his sword, the weight of it both a comfort and a reminder of the danger they were in.
Alys shot him a look, her brow furrowed in worry. "Lucan… your wound," she said softly, glancing at his side. "You need rest. You're not going to last much longer if—"
"I'm fine," Lucan interrupted, his tone firmer than he intended. He immediately softened, offering her a small, reassuring smile. "I'll manage. We just need to stay ahead of them. That's all."
But even as he spoke, Lucan felt the familiar sting of fatigue creeping in. His body was screaming for rest, the wound in his side pulsing with every movement, but he couldn't stop now. Not with Alys depending on him. Not with the bandits closing in.
Suddenly, the faint but unmistakable sound of hooves echoed through the trees.
Lucan's eyes snapped to the west, where the Kingsroad lay, hidden by the thick forest. His heart quickened. They were here.
"Mount up," he ordered, his voice sharp with urgency. He moved quickly, lifting Alys onto Buck's back with a strength that surprised even himself, given his condition. "We need to ride. Now."
Alys didn't hesitate. She swung herself onto the horse, gripping the reins as Lucan vaulted up behind her, his hands firmly guiding Buck. The horse snorted, sensing the tension, but Lucan urged him forward with a swift nudge of his heels.
They took off through the trees, the wind whipping through their hair, the pounding of Buck's hooves muffled by the soft forest floor. Lucan's grip tightened on the reins as they maneuvered through the dense undergrowth, his focus entirely on the path ahead.
Behind them, the distant shouts of the Blackbriar Bandits rang out. Harlan Greaves and his men had picked up their trail, and now, like wolves hunting prey, they were closing in.
Lucan leaned closer to Alys, his chest pressed against her back as he steered Buck through the narrowing gaps between the trees. "Hold on!" he called over the sound of rushing wind, his voice strained.
Alys clung tightly to the saddle, her fingers gripping the leather as they sped forward, weaving through the darkening forest. Her heart raced, fear and adrenaline coursing through her veins. She could hear the bandits now—closer, louder. The thudding of hooves and the crack of branches being pushed aside as they closed the distance.
"We're not going to outrun them," Alys said, her voice barely above a whisper, though Lucan could hear the fear in her words.
Lucan's jaw clenched. She was right. The terrain was too uneven, too dangerous to ride at full speed, and the bandits knew the forest well. They wouldn't stop until they had them.
"We don't have to outrun them," Lucan replied, his voice steady despite the rising tension. "We just have to outsmart them."
As they approached a sharp bend in the forest path, Lucan suddenly pulled hard on the reins, steering Buck off the main route and into a thicker patch of trees. The horse stumbled slightly, but Lucan kept him steady, guiding them into the dense underbrush where the branches hung low and the foliage thickened.
"Get down!" Lucan ordered, dismounting swiftly and helping Alys slide off the saddle. They quickly led Buck into the cover of the trees, pushing him deeper into the brush where the shadows hid them from view.
The sound of the bandits grew louder, closer. Lucan pulled Alys to the ground, crouching beside her as they pressed themselves against the base of a large tree, the foliage shielding them from sight.
They held their breath.
From their hiding spot, they could see the shadows of the Blackbriar Bandits racing past, their figures blurred in the dim light. Harlan's voice carried through the forest as he barked orders to his men, his tone sharp and unforgiving.
"They've gone this way! Spread out! Find them!"
Lucan's hand rested protectively on Alys' arm as they waited, the tension between them thick and heavy. The sound of hooves thundered past, but the bandits didn't stop. They hadn't spotted them. Not yet.
When the noise began to fade and the forest fell quiet again, Lucan let out a slow breath. They had bought themselves time—but not much.
Alys glanced at him, her eyes wide with both fear and determination. "What now?"
Lucan met her gaze, his expression grim. "We keep moving. Stay quiet, stay low, and we might just make it."
With that, he helped her to her feet, guiding Buck out from their hiding place as they prepared to make one final dash toward safety. The bandits were still out there, but Lucan knew they couldn't afford to stop now. King's Landing was close—but danger was closer still.
And as the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the forest, Lucan could only hope that they'd reach the city before the bandits found them again.
Crownlands / Kingswood / Evening
The air in the Kingswood had grown heavier with the weight of dusk, the fading light casting long shadows across the thick canopy above. Lucan urged Buck forward, his pulse quickening as the sound of the Blackbriar Bandits echoed behind them. The soft thudding of hooves and distant shouts carried through the trees, the bandits drawing closer with every passing second.
Buck galloped with strength and speed, his muscles bunching beneath Lucan and Alys as they rode through the dense forest. Alys clung tightly to Lucan, her arms wrapped around his waist, her breath coming in shallow bursts. She could feel the urgency in his every movement, his focus entirely on the path ahead.
Lucan's heart pounded in his chest as he maneuvered Buck through the narrow openings between the trees. His mind raced, calculating every turn, every movement, every possible escape route. He could hear Harlan Greaves' voice barking orders, the unmistakable leader of the Blackbriar Bandits growing ever nearer.
"Faster, Buck," Lucan muttered under his breath, leaning forward in the saddle, his eyes scanning the terrain. The trees whipped past them, their branches creating a maze of danger, but Buck moved swiftly, his hooves thundering across the forest floor.
Alys pressed her face against Lucan's back, her heart hammering in her chest. She had never felt such raw fear, the weight of the bandits' pursuit hanging over her like a dark cloud. But in Lucan's presence, there was also a flicker of hope, a belief that they might somehow survive this. She clung to that hope as fiercely as she clung to him.
Lucan stole a glance over his shoulder, his sharp eyes catching the flicker of movement in the distance—Harlan's men were closer now, no more than a hundred yards behind. The bandits moved through the trees like predators, relentless in their pursuit.
"We're almost there," Lucan called to Alys, though the words felt more like a reassurance to himself. His gaze fixed on the horizon, where the faint outlines of the walls of King's Landing had begun to take shape. It wasn't much farther now, but the bandits were closing in, faster than he had anticipated.
Alys lifted her head, her eyes widening as she spotted the distant gates of the capital. "Lucan… we're so close," she breathed, hope surging through her.
Lucan gritted his teeth, steering Buck toward a narrow path that would take them through a thicker part of the forest. "Hold on," he said, his voice tense.
They veered off the main trail, plunging into the denser foliage. The trees closed in around them, branches scraping against Lucan's arms as they wove through the underbrush. He could hear the bandits' horses behind them, the pounding of hooves growing louder, closer. Harlan Greaves was relentless.
"They're gaining on us!" Alys cried, panic creeping into her voice.
Lucan's brow furrowed, his eyes darting around for a way to shake them. He spotted a fallen tree up ahead, its trunk splitting the narrow path in two. With a determined set to his jaw, Lucan guided Buck toward the obstacle.
"Jump!" he commanded Buck, giving the horse a firm nudge with his knees.
Buck responded instantly, leaping over the fallen tree with a grace that defied his size. Alys gasped, clutching Lucan tighter as they sailed through the air, her heart skipping a beat. They landed on the other side with a heavy thud, the impact jarring but manageable.
But the bandits weren't far behind.
Harlan's voice cut through the trees, a low growl of frustration. "Don't let them get away!"
Lucan urged Buck forward again, his mind racing. The forest was growing darker, the shadows lengthening with each passing moment. They didn't have much time left. The gates of King's Landing were in sight, but they weren't safe yet.
Alys glanced back, her eyes catching the gleam of steel as the bandits emerged from the trees behind them. "Lucan!" she shouted. "They're right there!"
Lucan's jaw tightened. He had known this chase would end in a final confrontation, but he hadn't expected it to come so soon. His body ached from the day's ordeals, his injury pulsing with every movement, but he refused to give in. Not now.
"Keep your head down," Lucan commanded, his voice steady despite the chaos. He could see the walls of King's Landing now, the massive stone gates that promised safety. They were so close.
But so were the bandits.
The sharp whistle of an arrow split the air, and Lucan jerked Buck to the left, narrowly avoiding the deadly projectile. Alys gasped, her grip tightening around Lucan's waist.
"They won't stop," Alys said breathlessly. "They'll kill us."
Lucan's gaze hardened. "Not if I can help it."
With a final surge of strength, he urged Buck forward, the horse responding with a burst of speed. The gates of King's Landing loomed ahead, and Lucan could see the guards stationed at the entrance. Safety was within reach.
But so was the danger.
Harlan Greaves, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of the hunt, drew his sword and urged his men onward. "Cut them down before they reach the city!"
Lucan could feel the tension in the air, the imminent clash between life and death. He knew they wouldn't make it through without a fight. His hand moved to the hilt of his sword, readying himself for the battle that was sure to come.
The gates of King's Landing were just ahead, but the bandits were closer than ever. It was now or never.
"Hold on, Alys," Lucan muttered, his voice low and resolute. "This is going to be rough."
With a final cry, Lucan and Alys surged toward the gates, the sound of hooves and steel ringing through the forest as the Blackbriar Bandits closed in for the kill.
Crownlands / King's Landing / Afternoon
The moment they broke free from the dense, dark confines of the Kingswood, the world opened up before them. The sprawling walls of King's Landing rose like a promise of salvation on the horizon, bathed in the warm afternoon sun. Lucan's heart surged with hope, but the pounding of hooves behind them was an ever-present reminder that the danger hadn't passed.
"Faster!" Lucan urged, his voice raw as Buck galloped toward the gates. Alys clung to him, her arms tight around his waist, her heart racing with every beat of Buck's hooves. She glanced over her shoulder and saw them—Harlan Greaves and the Blackbriar Bandits, closing in like wolves, relentless in their pursuit.
"They're right behind us!" Alys shouted, panic seeping into her voice.
Lucan tightened his grip on the reins, forcing Buck to push harder, faster. "Just hold on, we're almost there."
The gates of King's Landing loomed larger with every passing second. The city guards atop the walls stood at attention, their weapons glinting in the sun. Lucan could see their faces now, expressions sharp with focus as they spotted the riders racing toward them. But it was the group of figures standing just inside the gates that caught his eye—armor shining in the sunlight, swords drawn, waiting for the inevitable clash.
At the front, Brienne of Tarth, tall and formidable, her eyes locked on the approaching riders with steely determination. Beside her, Ser Podrick Payne, now a knight, held his sword at the ready, his face calm but focused. Behind them, King Edric Baratheon himself stood with his men, his dark eyes narrowing at the sight of the bandits pursuing the woman he was to marry.
"Open the gates!" Brienne shouted, her voice carrying across the field.
As the gates began to swing open, Lucan urged Buck into a final sprint, every muscle in the horse's body straining with effort. The distance between them and the bandits was shrinking fast. Harlan Greaves raised his sword, signaling to his men to close in for the kill.
But they never got the chance.
With a war cry that echoed through the air, Brienne and Ser Podrick charged forward with their squad of the King's Guard. Steel clashed with steel as they met the bandits head-on, a whirlwind of blades and fury. Lucan veered to the side, pulling Buck to a stop near the safety of the open gates, but his eyes were fixed on the battle unfolding before him.
Brienne moved like a force of nature, her sword cutting through the bandits with precision and power. Ser Podrick fought alongside her, his movements sharp and efficient, no longer the squire he once was but a knight fully in his own right.
Harlan Greaves, however, was no ordinary bandit. He met Brienne's blade with a snarl, his scarred face twisted in rage. Their swords collided with a resounding clang, and for a moment, the two were locked in a deadly dance of steel. But Brienne's strength was unmatched, and with a powerful swing, she disarmed him, sending his sword flying to the ground.
Harlan staggered back, his chest heaving as he faced the towering woman before him. But before he could make another move, Podrick's blade flashed, slicing across his side. Harlan let out a guttural cry, collapsing to the ground in a heap.
The remaining bandits, seeing their leader fall, faltered in their attack. One by one, they were cut down by the King's Guard, or fled into the trees, defeated.
Lucan watched as the battle ended, his chest tight with relief. It was over. They had made it.
Alys slid off Buck's back, her legs unsteady as she stumbled forward. Her eyes, wide with both fear and relief, scanned the crowd until they locked onto one figure. King Edric, tall and strong, his face etched with worry, rushed forward the moment he saw her.
"Alys!" Edric called, his voice thick with emotion.
Alys ran to him, her breath hitching as she threw herself into his arms. The world around them seemed to blur as they embraced, the chaos of the battle fading into the background. Edric held her tightly, his hand cupping the back of her head as he whispered something only she could hear.
Lucan dismounted Buck, standing off to the side, watching the reunion with a mix of emotions he couldn't quite place. His body ached, the sting of his injuries sharp, but it was the dull ache in his chest that felt more profound. He had saved her, brought her back to the man who could offer her safety, power, and a future.
But what did that leave him?
As the massive gates of King's Landing swung open, the golden light of the setting sun bathed the entrance in a warm glow. The city beyond seemed to hum with life, a stark contrast to the perilous journey through the dark and dangerous Kingswood. The scent of the ocean mixed with the faint smell of horses and smoke from distant hearths. It was a smell that always made Lucan feel unsettled—reminding him that he never quite belonged to places like this.
Alys remained close to Lucan as they passed through the gates, her steps hurried yet uncertain. Her eyes scanned the sea of faces, searching for the one person who mattered most to her now. The noise of the bustling city and the low murmur of curious onlookers faded into the background as her focus narrowed.
And then she saw him.
King Edric Baratheon, dressed in the dark, simple attire that he preferred over the more regal garments of his station, stood at the center of his entourage. His expression was unreadable at first, his sharp, dark eyes scanning the road ahead. But the moment he saw her—saw Alys, safe and unharmed—a wave of emotion broke across his face.
"Alys!" Edric's voice carried above the noise of the crowd, filled with both relief and disbelief. Without waiting for ceremony, he strode forward, his long strides eating up the distance between them.
Alys barely had time to react before she was swept into his arms, her body pressed tightly against his as he held her close. For a moment, she simply stood there, letting herself be enveloped by the warmth of his embrace. Tears stung at the corners of her eyes, the tension of the past few days finally releasing in the arms of the man she had been betrothed to, the man who had promised to protect her.
"I thought I'd lost you," Edric murmured, his voice thick with emotion as he pulled back just enough to look into her eyes.
"I'm here," Alys whispered, her fingers gripping his arms as if she needed the contact to ground herself. "Thanks to Lucan."
At the mention of Lucan's name, Edric's gaze flickered past her, settling on the figure standing quietly behind. Lucan had dismounted Buck and stood a little ways off, one hand resting on the reins while the other hung loosely by his side. He watched the reunion in silence, his face impassive, though his heart felt far heavier than he had anticipated.