:-[Chapter 20]-:
"No, your grace. I meant to say that everyone in Duskendale is guilty of many crimes. The crime of lying. The crime of killing. They shall burn! The crime of torturing me for months. Hanged them all! They don't deserve to live another day, father." Said vindictively the prince of Dragonstone. " .All."
:-[T.A.B]-:
The words that came out of the Prince's mouth made everyone in the tent shiver. Arthur Dayne, who was behind his friend, looked at him in pure horror for a split second before returning to a neutral face.
Rhaegar was advancing toward his father slowly. His shoulders were bent over like an old man. His left hand, the one that got broken, was hidden by the sleeve of his cloak. His face was hidden behind a hood, letting only his mouth apparent.
"What are you saying, my Heir? You want to burn Duskendale to the ground?" laughed King Aerys.
"That's exactly what I am saying, Father. We are dragons. Dragons burn their enemies. Aegon the Conqueror burned Harrenhal to the ground and completely destroyed multiple armies during the Field of Fire."
All the lords present had their own reaction to the Prince's remarks. Lord Tywin Lannister's face stayed like a stone, completely unreadable. His brothers beside him were fidgeting but otherwise stayed silent.
Mace Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden was sweating nervously at the idea of fighting soon. He wasn't a fighter. He much preferred to stay in his castle with his beautiful wife and two sons. He was content to play war but the night just took a dark turn.
Oberyn Martell wasn't adorning his legendary smirk anymore. His face was serious and his eyes were firmly between the Prince and the King. The prince of Dorne was gripping his spear tightly in his hand.
Ser Denys Arryn, Heir to the Vale of Arryn, surrounded by his many knights was stoic. The Vale and the Crownlands had a long history of fighting before the arrival of the Conqueror. He was resolute to act with honor in the future battle.
Eddard and Robert were at each other's side. They looked at each other in surprise at Rhaegar's declaration. They were the youngest among the representation of the Seven Kingdoms and never had to fight this kind of battle before. The Storm's End's Heir was the only one brave enough to protest against this.
"Cousin Rhaegar! What are you saying? The women and children didn't do anything to you." Begged the Stormlord.
"Quiet, Lord Robert." Snarled the prince. "The dragons are speaking. The Defiance of Duskendale cannot be allowed to be repeated. When we burned Harrenhal, the Ironborn understood their places. When we burned entire armies, thousands of men at once, the main land of Westeros understood their places. Denys Darklyn had forgotten that in favor of a foreign witch cunt. A message, a strong message need to be sent."
Aerys was stunned by his son's speech. Never had he spoke like this, with this much hatred. He was always more of a bookish lad and now, he was asking to burn an entire city with its residents inside. His inner thoughts were stopped by his son who wasn't finished yet.
"The Sevens have spoken, Father. We must cleanse Duskendale of any trace of the Lace Serpent disgusting magic. She put a spell on everyone. Every peasant in the city is now under her control. How else could she have convinced so many people to betray their rightful monarch?"
"The Sevens, my son?" inquired the king, interested by the statement.
"Yes, Father. They've told me much during my captivity. Magic is a sin and Duskendale is covered in it." Said Rhaegar, his voice getting more and more passionate.
Harry didn't miss the strange look Ser Barristan Selmy gave him before returning to a stoic posture.
Aerys stoop up from his throne and walked toward his son. He put his hands on his shoulders, making Rhaegar slightly wince in pain.
"Very well, my son. You're right, we are dragons." Said the king before turning to Lord Tywin. "Tywin. You are to lead my armies in Duskendale. Burn the city to the ground, leave no survivors but bring me the Darklyns. They are to be left alive to be executed later on."
"Aye, your grace." Immediately said the Lord Paramount of the West, putting a fist on his armored chest and bowing. He left the tent in company of his fellow Lannisters ready to do his king's will.
Mace Tyrell, not wanting to be in any king a disfavor from the royalty quickly bowed. "What do you expect of the Lord of Highgarden, your graces?"
"Lord Tyrell. You and your men will be following my Hand's orders for the battle. Go now." Answered the king, returning to his throne.
The Fat Flower of the Reach bowed multiple times before his king and followed Tywin's example and left the tent.
"Ser Brynden, Lord Robert, go to your respective armies. Wait for the signal and the commands of my Hand."
Harry could see the older knight hesitate slightly but ultimately bowed his head before the Targaryen's powerful gaze. He left the tent, his shoulder slumped, like he was resigned. Robert looked at his friend Ned, torn between leaving him and obeying his king. Eddard helped his decision with a firm nod, indicating to him that he was safe.
"Prince Oberyn," snarled the king. "I do not trust you nor the Dornishmen. You and your host will stay back from the fight and make sure no one leave the city."
Aerys and Rhaegar were so focused on themselves and the few lords left that they didn't see the slightly offended look of one of their Kingsguard, Prince Lewyn Martell, uncle to Doran, Oberyn and Elia.
Prince Oberyn gritted his teeth and growl hearing the offending words. He gave a sharp head nod and left.
"And you, young pup. You may have saved my son…" started Aerys before getting interrupted by his son.
"Father, if I may?"
Aerys wave at his son, interested by what he would have to say.
"The North is a land that does not believe in the Sevens Who Are One. These unbelievers do not see the light. Like you with Dorne, I won't have Northerners by my side."
"Even Ser Winterstorm, my son?" inquired Aerys. "Do not forget, he saved you with Ser Barristan and Ser Arthur."
"While I am grateful to him to have got me out of Dun Fort, his work is done. The North is done. Let them leave."
Eddard was stunned. To be refuse any part of the coming battle was a deep insult to the Northern warriors who were waiting for a chance to prove themselves to their Lord and to his lord father who took precious resources to help the crown.
"It is this true that the trees worshipers never liked having septons in their lands. Your capital doesn't even have a Sept, doesn't it, young pup?" asked the king derisively.
"No, your grace. The Starks have worshiped the Old Gods for thousands of years. We gave refuge to the Manderlys however and allowed them to worship the Seven in White Harbor." Answered Eddard. "There are extremely few followers of the Sevens so far in the North."
"I wonder why. This is something I will have to speak to the Old Wolf about this. Nonetheless, you will take your leave, you and the North's army. The Crown thank you for your service." Finished the king, waving his hand dismissively. The man stood up, indicated to his son to follow him and left, leaving the three last men speechless.
"That's… that is…" started Eddard, shaking with fury.
"My lord, calm yourself. They may be of cloths, stones or marbles but walls have ears, especially here in the Crownlands. Lets us retire to camp and obey our king." Said Ser Rodrik, trying to be the voice of reason, even if Harry could see the angriness in his eyes.
The Stark man nodded sharply at his protector and advisor. He led the way outside the tent where Robert Baratheon was waiting for them.
"Ned! What is going on? People are saying the North is retreating from this war, is that true?" immediately jumped Robert.
"What? No! The king doesn't want any northerner. Your cousin Prince Rhaegar has convinced his father that we are not to be trusted because of our faith in the Old Gods." Said Eddard, frowning.
"That is a load of rubbish if you ask me. The North has stand for the Targaryen for hundreds of years. They are fools to deprive themselves of such good warriors." Lamented the Stormlord. "Come Ned! Let us go to camp, I'll go speak with Cousin Rhaegar and…"
"No, Robert. The Prince and the King don't want us here. We are leaving for King's Landing in an hour. Speaking or, Ser Rodrik, go prepare the men for a walk towards the capital. Also send a raven to our fleet to get prepare. We are leaving for White Harbor as soon as we arrive." Ordered Eddard, his grey eyes cold as the wind of winter.
"My lord, are you sure? It is late at night…" asked Ser Rodrik.
"I am Ser. Please do what I ask. Leave the food and supplies to the stormlander. Take only the tent and just enough food for one day. We'll resupply in the Capital."
"Aye, my lord. Everything will be ready.
The older knight left in a hurry, not willing to risk his lord's wrath. Eddard was rarely this angry and hi didn't want to be at the bad end of it.
"Ned, are you all right my friend?" asked calmly Harry, putting a hand on his shoulder, showing his support.
The Stark man took a deep breath and looked at his friend. He looked at the young wizard and shook his head from left to right.
"Not here Harry. We will do as Ser Rodrik said. Let us go to camp to help with the moving." Indicated Rickard's son before he started moving back to camp.
:-[T.A.B]-:
It took barely an hour for the northern host to be ready to be on their way. Since they were holding the north gate of the city, they add to pass through all of the other kingdoms armies. When they arrived at the Reach's camp, they had the displeasure of having Mace Tyrell, the Fat Flower of Highgarden waving smugly at them.
"Well well. The mighty wolves of the North are leaving with their tails between their legs. Isn't it a sight to see!" laughed out loud the Warden of the South.
He was the only one laughing at this matter however. The other lords beside him new it was a serious matter and that nothing good could possibly come out of this. It was a huge slap in the face that the one kingdom responsible for the prince safety was the kingdom that was force to leave with nothing.
Hedwig, who was walking with the men, gave only one look to Mace before the man jumped in fright and almost ran away. It gave the northerner a good laugh and helped with the mood.
From what Harry heard from Ser Rodrik, the men weren't so upset about leaving the Crownlands without fighting. After all, winter was coming and the North needed every man they could have.
The march went good. The northmen were a tough bunch and didn't mind the late forced walk. Their young lord was at the forefront of them, as a Stark should be. Eddard new none of the men accused him of cowardice. After all, he had a solid reputation won in the Sistermen Rebellion and had the respect of his men, working hard every day with training.
Harry decided to send Hedwig in recon, making sure the way was clear for them. After, what's best than a full grown direwolf, an apex predator?
"Master, what will you do when we're back in Winterfell?" asked his familiar.
"What do you mean?"
"What I mean Master, is what you will do now that you are a knight. You've managed your personal first objective and you've prove yourself to the Seven Kingdoms."
"Well, I guess I will simply continue my training with the Starks and with you at night for magic. Maybe I can convince Lord Rickard to change his mind about getting married first for the lordship he offers me."
"What about Sura, Master?"
"What about her?" asked Harry with a blush.
"Well, you both are together. You are ready for a lordship if Maester Luwin says is true. You need to prepare Moat Cailin for the threat to the North that Lord Stark spoke. Your Reparo spell is getting better and better every day you practiced it. Does she make you happy, Master?"
"She does. She is a very kind girl, always ready to help. She loves you and as a Lady-in-waiting for Lya, she gained a lot of respect from Lord Rickard and the other lords of the North. I'll speak to him when we are back to Winterfell."
"Good. And if you don't, I'll bite you."
:-[T.A.B]-:
"They really did it, Harry. They've burned the city to the ground. I thought it was a figure of speech." Said Eddard, his head in his hands.
"The Targaryen are ruthless. I honestly don't know if it was a good idea to save Prince Rhaegar. His captivity seems to have made him much more violent. At least his father wasn't talking about burning people alive constantly. Now, the next king could be even more mad then the one that we have now" said Harry, a hand on his friend's shoulder, showing his indefectible support. "What about the Darklyns?
"Denys Darklyn was burned to the pyre after watching his entire Household put to sword. Men, women and children, everyone was killed. The entire city was killed. They completely sacked Duskendale as retaliation for their action. House Darklyn and House Hollard are extinct. The king has refuse Ser Barristan plea to save a young boy, Dontos, but his grace refuse categorically. They were all put to the rack until they died."
"That's horrible." Said an horrified Harry.
"The South isn't made for the people of the North. We are not understood there. The fact that the king forced us away is… something is wrong Harry. Something is coming to the North. I feel we are not ready." Shuddered the Stark.
"Ned, what about Lady Serala, the Lace Serpent? What happened to her?" inquired Harry, curious about her fate.
"She vanished in the night. No one was able to find her even with all the torture Denys Darklyn endured, he did no betray his wife and neither did the Household. It looked like they were all under some powerful magic if Robert letter's say is true."
Harry didn't say anything at the mention of magic. With his studies at Hogwarts, he knew that it was possible to control people's actions with spells and potions.
"Where do you think she is?" asked Ned, after a moment of silence.
"I do not know my friend. I do not know." Confessed Harry.
:-[T.A.B]-:
:-[A month or so later, in the Reach, somewhere in Oldtown]-:
A group of seven people were assembled in a richly decorated room. The table was design as a seven pointed star, with a seat to each extremity. There was an empty space in the middle of it with an opening at the bottom of the table big enough to let someone pass easily. The room was circular with torches lighting up the place nicely, reflecting on the effigies of the seven gods.
The seven persons were all dressed in black cloaks with hoods of the same colour. They each wore a different mask representing the Seven Who Are One. They were all in a meeting deciding their agent's fate.
"That bitch is not deserving of our forgiveness. She wasn't supposed to torture Rhaegar, let alone rape him to the point of being pregnant!" said one voice.
"I agree with the Warrior. She went rogue. Her baby is a monstrosity who must be cleansed. The male Blackfyre line was finally eradicated with Maelys the Monstrous. We cannot create another line on a whim, especially one with her as a mother and a magic user." Approved the Mother.
"Very well," said the voice that seemed to be the oldest, "her fate is done. We will be done with her after the meeting. Now we need to speak about the Targaryen dynasty itself. The reports from the Capital are all indicating one thing, the Prince is descending to madness and he is bringing his father with him."
"What should we do?"
"We found a target and we aim them to it. The Prince's fervour about religion is giving us a chance to remove the Starks from power in the North. His hatred for anything related to magic will help in this noble venture." Said the same older voice.
"The northerners will have to be shown the light of the Seven by force, like the Andals did thousands of years ago." Muttered one of them. "Peace does not bring change. Swords and spears will."
"Aye. Maybe we could try and bring Tywin under our Order. We already know his own ambition, to be the King of Westeros. He got a taste of absolute power while being the Hand to an ungrateful king and wants more." Wondered the Mother.
"I don't think Tywin Lannister of all people would listen to us. Our agents told us the man lost all interest in the Faith when his wife departed from this world."
"It's blasphemy!" ranted the biggest one of them. "We should remove him and put his son Jaime as the new Lord of Casterly Rock. We could educate him to have more respect toward the Seven who are One."
"And who would lead the army of the Iron Throne against the North? Mace Tyrell? Aerys the Mad? No. The man want to be king, let him try to be. He knows the value on the Faith and respect it, in a way. As long as the Faith is dominant in Westeros, this Order does not care who sit on the throne." Said the wise voice of the older men.
"Lets us put this to rest. Let's focus on our agent, Lady Serala of Myr. Her simple presence in our walls made me sick." Confessed the voice of the Mother.
"I agree with the Mother." Nodded in her direction the Father. "Let us dispose of the thrash. Guards!"
Two men, dressed in full combat armor entered the room.
"Yes, your Holiness?"
"Bring the prisoner and stay outside.
"Yes your Holiness." Said the guard.
A second later, a woman shackle in chains was put forward the Seven figures. The guards put the woman at the center of the table, where everyone could see her. Her hair looked like a mess. She wore old rags and was barefoot. Serala was looking all around her nervously while holding her growing belly.
"How did you escape Duskendale, witch?" asked the Father with his old sounding voice.
"W-Who are you?" asked the Myrish woman.
"We are your employers who bring you from Essos to Duskendale. Now answer the question. How did you escape?"
"I never knew a man not willing to trade service for a quick fuck. I simply offer myself to the first weak lord I found during the sacking and use him to let me out of the camp where I was able to send you my letter. Good fucking thing that did for me." Scoffed the witch.
"Indeed. The Order of the Guiding Hand would like to thank you for your services. You have done exactly what we asked of you." Said the Father.
"What do you mean? Duskendale is a ruin. You told me you wanted a new principality in Westeros and… you lied to me." Realized Serala. She would slam herself on her head if she wasn't chain up for her stupidity.
"Finally realized it? "laughed the Warrior. "We used you. We offer you your reward. Penance. You are a monstrosity of a magic user. We use your kind and dispose of them as soon as they are useless to us and you my dear, are useless now. Relinquish your magic and you shall live. Do not, and your fate is sealed."
"I won't. I am a proud member of…" started the woman but was interrupted was the entire group laughing at her.
"Very well. We do not care for your reasoning." Said the Father. The man pulled the lever beside his chair and suddenly it opened the trap beneath her, making her fall with a long scream.
Lady Serala felled into a dark room illuminated only by the faint light on the trapdoor. When she land on the hard floor, she felt her right leg broke on impact, making her scream even more in pain. Even with tears of pain in her eyes, she saw movements near her. Growling was heard all around her, making her shivered in fright.
"You see my dear. Here in Oldtown, we have an easy access to certain diseases." Said the Father up the trapdoor. "The Maester of the Citadel are often all too happy to give us some… surplus of patient. I believe the last batch we have are afflicted by greyscale. Enjoy my dear."
"No! Please! I am with child!"
"You and your child are abominations. We do Westeros a huge favor by removing you from the equation." Finished the Father.
Lady Serala of Myr, also known as the Lace Serpent hadn't time to say anything else before the trapdoor was close and she found herself completely surrounded in the dark. The last thing she heard was her own screams before she knew no more.
:-[T.A.B]-:
Author Note: The division between the Crown and The North is starting! Next chapter, Harry is back in Winterfell and talks with Lord Stark about the Lordship
Thank you everyone for reading Chapter 20 of The adventure begins! Please let a review in the comment, letting me know what you think about my story.
If you are interested in becoming an Alpha or Beta reader, contact me!
Criticism is always welcome as long as it is constructive.
To dexterZ : I agree with you, I am doing the best I can alone but if you are interested to be my Beta, of even an Alpha, dont hesitate!
To InfinityMask: Arthur was outside the storeroom with others knigths from the Crowlands, holding the door. Yes, Aerys and Rhaegar are going a dark path.
To Sheploo and Mark1: Rhaegar the Mad Prince indeed!