Chapter 35

Stag Hunt Begins

Lannister Camp, East of Deep Den

It had been a long month since Harrenhal. The skirmishes that Gerald Cole had gotten his troops dragged into were mediocre in their results. Not the victories that Tywin had been promised, but not the defeats he had come to dread from the man. Tywin would have cut all ties to Sanbreque and the Lesage family if it were only Lord Cole and his men that they had sent to aid him. As it was, Prince Dion was a blessing in disguise he had not expected.

The prince and his dragoons had been nothing but the picture of nobility and military strength. Honorable knights were a good symbol to have in a war for the throne, but knights of such skill were even more valuable. Prince Dion might not have secured Harrenhal, but he did secure information that was worth more than any old castle.

The presence of the Eikon, Garuda, the Warden of the Wind as she was called in Valisthea was truly concerning news. A new power, a new potential enemy from what he had heard. If she were here, then it was possible the remaining two Eikons he had been informed of were also here or on their way. Either outcome was not something Tywin would wish to face in battle. Which is what brought him to this moment in his command tent surrounded by his most trusted commanders.

"Where do we stand?" he asks, piercing gaze roaming over the faces of the men gathered before him. Even the Imp was in attendance, in no small part thanks to his intelligence.

The Imp coughs, drawing eyes down to him "With our forces here totaling just some twenty thousand men of the Westerlands, along with the ten thousand men sent by Emperor Sylvestre with Lord Cole, and the five-thousand Dragoons with Prince Dion we should have enough to take the city after a siege." Tyrion sets a small statue of a lion down on the map by Deep Den, then two dragons beside it "Thanks to our new friends in Highgarden we have secured the aid of the Reach, along with some thirty-thousand more men."

A statue of a woman holding a rose is set by Highgarden. Tywin nods his head, his commanders taking in the information carefully as they eye the map.

"And what of Robert and his men?"

"Hard to tell," Tyrion shakes his head "Five thousand of the gold cloaks would be my best guess. Without the Storm Lords or the royal fleet, he has far less men than anyone in this war. It truly amazes me that he hasn't lost the city yet considering the rumors that Stannis attempted to take it by sea."

A crown and a stag join the map, one at Kings Landing, the other at Dragonstone.

"Anything our spies may have heard?"

"None that hasn't been shared here," Tyrion sets a wolf down at Harrenhal "The army backing Robb Stark has been…quiet. No word of any advancements, it's as if they no longer seek to fight any of us…just sit in Harrenhal and watch."

"Have a message sent to the Tyrells. One month to organize their forces and take the Roseroad to the capital. I expect them to do the job to the letter if they wish to see their precious rose as queen." Tywin's gaze sweeps from Tyrion to Gerald Cole "As for you and your troops Lord Cole, you shall take the lead down the Goldroad. If the other Dominants are to appear then it would be best if Prince Dion leads the charge and engages them. Will that be a problem?"

Dion shakes his head "None my lord Lannister. I will show them that even in these foreign lands Bahamut is King of Dragons and Eikons still."

"Very good…if we time this correctly, our attacks from the west and the south should see the city brought to its knees in short order." Tywin's smile was one of pure satisfaction as he could see clearly in his mind the last time he had laid siege to the city. While his troops had been allowed in freely by the Mad King, the city was sacked all the same and a dynasty of Targaryen's had been toppled by Lannister's. The Dragons were gone now. The Lions remained and soon it would be the arrogant Stag they brought down before taking their rightful place as rulers of the seven kingdoms.

"I shall go and send that raven then," Tyrion says, making his exit promptly. The less time he spent around his father, a man far too obsessed with gaining more power for himself, the better.

As he exited the tent, the sounds of the camp finally hit him. Men sparring, tending to their horses or their equipment. A distinct sound of hammers striking at metal in the makeshift forge they had constructed for repairs. A far cry from the life of luxury he had enjoyed drinking wine and spending coins on company to distract him from all that was around him.

"So, how did it go?"

Tyrion cast his glance upwards. Of course, they would find him while he was taking the long way round to that raven. "As you suspected Gerulf, things are more complicated than even I could have predicted."

Gerulf holds back a smirk. Being undercover as a sellsword was simple enough, no one knew him and hiding his accent wasn't hard to do. Keeping himself from scrutiny, however, in present company was the trick. His Lady Benedikta had given him this assignment to gain knowledge in the Lannister army, and now that the Imperials had joined their ranks the task ahead became even more important. "Can't say I am surprised by that."

"Can't you?"

Gerulf shoots the other man a smirk "And miss seeing you always so eager to drink to my success Bronn?"

"Success?" Bronn scoffs "I drink to try and forget that exact look you are giving me right now. Smug bastard you are."

"Yes, yes, we are all quite thankful for you drinking us dry of our wine Bronn," Tyrion rolls his eyes good-naturedly "But I fear the time for us to drink has passed. Robert wont be giving up his throne so easily, nor will the North bend their knees to Joffrey and my father."

"Shall we take that as treason or you are saying what we all are thinking?"

Gerulf, ever the observant one. Tyrion couldn't help but chuckle at his words "Treason? To a tyrant pretending to be a child? Perish the thought. Though I suppose it is rather late to join the winning team."

"You don't think it's us?" Bronn's eyes narrow on the little man "I don't like joining the side that is going to lose."

"Nor do you like losing out on coin. Think for a moment. We have our armies, the armies of the Reach, and the legion of Sanbreque on our side along with one singular Dominant. Bahamut." Tyrion checks up and down the corridor of tents, his voice dropping to a whisper "One Eikon, the King of Dragons no less, has already proven it can match two Eikons at once but against a third he wavers. Should we attack the capital as my father desires, we will be crushed should every Eikon that Prince Dion claims is in Westeros right now appear. That is five Eikons to our one. Fighting that is not an option I intend to choose."

"So…we follow orders of Lord Tywin but keep a plan handy to save our lives, while ensuring our loyalty?" Gerulf cups his chin in thought "That…that might just work, but how do you intend to keep us loyal?"

"A royal pardon for myself, from the winning side of course, should see that Bronn will continue to be paid handsomely for his services." Tyrion eyes Gerulf "However…there is the matter of you Gerulf. A sellsword such as yourself doesn't come cheap…nor are you as easy to buy off as Bronn here."

"Oi, what's wrong with a man liking to have some coin to spare?"

"My point exactly. What is it that you want Gerulf?"

Gerulf smiles "Just to help wherever I can, should the gold or a Lady require it of me."

"Ah, so there is a woman out there then?" Tyrion and Bronn share a conspiratorial smile "Well whoever she is, she must be worth all this trouble. I shall be happy to see you simply survive all of this to the end Gerulf."

Outside Kings Landing

Within the Dornish camp, Oberyn Martell was slowly losing his temper. The men did their best to stay clear of the prince's path when he would begin to rant about how the Fat Stag refused to let Oberyn and his men into the city. Granted, it was an army of a few thousand but to declare they should set up camp outside of the walls of Kings Landing with no hope in sight of ever being allowed entry was an insult.

An insult it may very well be, Hugo Kupka did not see things the same as Oberyn. To the Warden of Earth, the walls of Kings Landing were his chance for a rematch. Being on the outside of those walls gave him ample time to observe them for weaknesses that his first trip had neglected him the time for. Walls that could hold back an army, impressive in their design, but would crumble before Titan.

"How do you stand it?" Oberyn asks, his anger slowly boiling over "The Usurper sits fat on his throne while we are out here to toil away until he deigns to allow us in his presence."

"King Robert is smart to leave us out here where your spears cannot find an opening in his armor," Hugo crosses his arms, eyes narrowed on the Red Keep in the distance "His allies are formidable as well. Eikons that I have never seen before…this will be a battle unlike any other."

"You sound almost eager for it," Oberyn observes "Does the Titan desire battle that much?"

"Titan cares not for the squabbles of Man. I, however, wish to prove which Eikon is the true Warden of Earth."

"Unless these people you claim are with those northerners decide to attack soon, I find it hard to believe that we can take the city. You said there was an Eikon, one made of rocks, that bested you…how do you plan to defeat that?"

The ground beneath their feet was a constant safety net, Hugo had observed, in battle for his foe. So long as their battle was on land there was no telling how far that pesky regeneration could go. "I will not be alone when we engage him again. Just be patient, Prince Oberyn, your vengeance will come in due time."

"One can only hope Lord Kupka, one can only hope."

Kings Landing, the Red Keep

"Where is that damn rat now!?"

Robert slams his right fist down on the wooden table. His small council had grown even smaller in recent days. Varys was gathering reports from his spies across the sea in Essos, something about the Targaryen's that he wished to verify for himself. Barristan, ever the loyal knight, stood by his side as he glared at the few lords in the room who knew how to be where they were needed when called. Without Renly and Stannis, the council was a pitiful thing to look at. Pycelle had yet to be replaced, and after the citadel was destroyed in the raid of Oldtown by the Ironborn, Robert doubts a new maester would grace these halls before wars end. And as if that wasn't enough, now he finds himself without a Master of Coin.

"It appears he has fled your Grace, no sign of him in the city nor his business."

"How does one man manage to run off with not just the crowns ledger but every piece of gold and the finest whores of his brothels, and no one sees him!?" Robert's face is nearing a violet shade as his body trembles in rage "HOW!?"

Raven steps forward as the knights of Westeros and their lord's tremble. Heads turn sharply, eyes swiftly looking anywhere but the man who holds their lives in his hands. Even if they didn't know it yet. "I can have Vega track him down if you so wish."

"And be short one of your Eikons at this moment? I think not!" Robert slowly calms, waving a servant closer. He takes the offered goblet. Water pours down his face as he downs the drink "Vega, he has yet to be wrong…this does not bode well for us."

"One month and we can take the war to your enemies," Raven says it graciously, giving a slight bow of his head "My men and I are ready. No army in this world will take this city. Of that, there is no doubt."

"Tell it to me again Raven, where do we stand."

"With my men and I, you have seven Eikons ready and awaiting your orders." Raven's smile had Barristan on edge as the older knight slowly shifted his hands to his side, instincts keeping him at the ready "Your forces here are more than adequate to defend the city from outside forces. Should they attack, we can crush them and pursue any target you desire. Westeros, your Grace, will be yours before the end of the year."

Robert chuckles darkly, goblet being refilled "Seven Kingdoms, King of Westeros and unquestioned in power. A queen by my side, my line secured soon after that…you'll be greatly rewarded for this Raven. You have my word."

Raven gives a low bow "I live to serve, your Grace."

Dragonstone

Davos Seaworth was not one to be called anxious. Nor was he one to ever-second guess his instincts. Yet here he was, doing both at once. Pacing outside of the smithy at Dragonstone. His mind wandering as he heard the echoing sounds of a hammer striking at metal from within. The King had been within the smithy for hours. Just him and that beast. What the pair were up to Davos could not say, but he knew that whatever it was made the priestess especially happy.

Within the smithy itself, the enclosed space was a furnace of unmatched heat. Stannis could feel the sweat running down his skin, his face, his arms, his body not once complaining as he toiled away. The cause of such heat were the flames brought life by the beast itself.

Ifrit.

Jon Snow.

Stannis did not know which name to call the young man before him, arms thrust out towards the forge with flames streaming from the palms of his hands into the belly of the smelter. The boy looked no older than fifteen. Eddard Stark had once started a hunt for the raiders that stole his boy away from his homeland to no avail. Now here he was, unageing, aiding Stannis in forging a weapon that would cement his legacy as the Great King of Westeros and Hero of Light.

"Forged in Fire," he chants "Born again with R'hllor's blessing. His Chosen, the Prince that was Promised, Hero to all who walk in the Light."

The hammer strikes the hot metal. The clang ringing through the air as Jon unleashes more of his flames.

"A blade he wields, held aloft in ember glow," another strike "Lightbringer, the sword to herald the new Dawn. Weapon forged for Azor Ahai. Blade of the Unconquered."

Jon flinches back as the last hammer strike is made. His flames die out, but the heat does not obey. Stannis brings his new blade, Lightbringer, up in awe of how it glows like a hot amber. The light brought on from the heat pulsates orange and red like a heartbeat. "Magnificent!"

Jon cries out, grasping at his head as flames dance along his arms. The flames grow in size until they consume his arms up to the elbow. As they die down, they leave behind not the chainmail and leather covering flesh but rock and magma. His forearms now resemble those of Ifrit with rocky growths like spines protruding from his arm. The very veins in his body are aglow with Aether, the orange light appearing in patches across his chest and face. Even his hair glows faintly with Aether, making it seem as if it were set aflame.

"R'hllor's blessings never cease," Stannis mutters in awe as he takes the boy in "Blessed be the beast and chosen be the king."

Jon paid him no mind. He had never felt this power before. But he felt something, distantly, that was familiar to him. Something powerful, something so like himself…he could feel the other one. "Clive," he growls, fists clenched as flames erupt from his hands.

"There will be time enough for you to let loose those flames boy," Stannis cautions "Soon our fleet will sail, and my brother will know the divine truth of our fates."

As his king made his return, freshly forged blade in hand, Davos and the small gathering of men present shared a wary look. A messenger had arrived with a report on their enemies. "Your Grace," Davos greets first, bravest of the men there, holding out the report.

"Davos, what news is this?" Stannis eyes the parchment, gingerly taking it from the man "What is this?"

"Report from a reliable source…a Maester, your Grace. One of the survivors of Oldtown."

Stannis eyes scan the writing, slowly his brow rises "Are we certain of the…validity of this? One Maester's words…such as they are…are you certain?"

"Maester Seymour is one of their most trusted young minds. I have heard no ill words of him, the smallfolk praise him as a wise man despite his lacking in years." Davos swallows hard, the nerves building up as pushes forward "He referenced the beast, at Oldtown, and the things we saw there…he would not share that if he was not there. No one should know such details at length unless they bore witness to the devastation."

Stannis smiles, handing the parchment to Jon to burn in his hand. "Very well then. One month from now, we set sail for Kings Landing. All of our men, and my brother will be made to kneel."

AN: Is this too short? Probably. Why is it so short? Well I had a plan…then a series of annoyances got in the way. So my past month (finished this 1/28/2025) has been spent with Marvel Rivals, family issues and getting one step closer to being ready for the worst case scenario…this is me being cheery, so take that as you will. Before anyone asks about a certain thing that has happened here just know that will be explained, in a way, in the next chapter. I've made you all wait a long time for what's coming next chapter. It's actually a few things now that I think about it. But anyway! Next chapter, once its done this one will go up so keep that in mind, things are going to get….hot.

Yes I had to make that stupid joke, get used to it folks. And for the record just in case I didn't put it at the top before posting it: This chapter takes place roughly at the same time as chapter 36, so keep that in mind when certain things happen, yeah? Might upload that chapter the same day, or the next day, or on the weekend or evena week later...we shall see what the people decide. Anyway…to the reviews!

Ten-Tailed-God: In a way this is the last bit of buildup (technically) before we start to kick off our season 2 finale…least, I think we are still in a season 2…

Jebest4781: Looking at the plans…I think it has been handled pretty well. But as often happens when writing, we make a plan and the story drives us off a cliff. At the very least it will be a glorious explosion…that is also not me hinting at anything yet. Emphasis on the yet. I hope?

jc-montanorock: I believe it was. Honestly, the moment I saw your username pop up with a review I think I went back to check and confirmed it. Didn't make the response to it until finishing this just so I didn't askew my total word count before completion, which, granted its nowhere near as long as my standard but it got the job done. Also thank you for that, again, it's still weird finding out my work here is actually liked beyond the standard readers.