AN: Sorry for the wait. This chapter was coming along on time, but some family events pulled my attention away for a few days. Long story short, My sister is engaged, but family from both sides of my parent's came down with Covid, and my job has just gotten a new assignment that is proving tricky to manage. But, today, 9/17 is my birthday. Last year I posted the first chapter of Song of Ice, Stone, Wind and Flame on this day. So I figured I should try to power through and finish this chapter and post it before midnight for me.

Enough Waiting. Now, let us jump right in.

TYWIN

LANNISTER GUEST ROOMS

As the House of the Queen, in addition to holding the title of Warden of the West in their own right, the Lannister's area of the Red Keep was well prepared to accommodate those who represented the golden lion. Larger than the rooms set aside for the other great houses of the Seven Kingdoms, which also meant that they could house more than just their main household. Many knights and servants who kneeled to the Lion of the West were afforded accommodations in the Red Keep as well. Other houses had their men forced to find lodging of their own, either in inns or outside the city. It was a simple, but powerful statement to show the power the Lannisters held.

It was also from inside these rooms that Tywin was going through some work he had brought with him from the Rock. Long term decisions he could afford to take time and deliberate on. He trusted Genna, Devan, and the others who he had left behind to be able to handle any more immediate issues that arose. If he did not, he would have left Kevan behind.

Tywin took a break, having read over a letter that had just arrived from the Rock. He let his mind wander away from the Westerlands, and look at the other objects of interest on his desk.

A stack of Gold Dragons. But not ones he had brought with him to spend.

In front of him were six of the seven Earth Attribute Gold Dragons that would allow him to advance to the next round of the Tournament.

Of the six, only two were ones he had actually won in duels. He had started with two earths, then defeated two others- a hedge knight who let his recent knighting go to his head, and a foolish merchant who had spent the duel praising Tywin, trying to get his favor. Once he had those, he simply traded among his bannermen until he was left with just the Earth Attribute ones.

One more victory, and all Tywin would need to do afterwards was remain in the Red Keep, where Dueling in the tournament was forbidden, and wait for the first round to end. It was the strategy that was the least risky at this point, and it also left him time to think over the newest players to enter the Game of Thrones.

While he was just recently in King's Landing for the Dornish War- which was apparently taking up the name 'The Breaking of Dorne' to go along with the final battle of 'The Breaking of Sunspear'- he had been away from the actual action, instead spending time with the Small Council and coordinating with them. But now, many minor lords, heirs, and other people of interest had all been drawn in by the chance to get the Twins. It allowed him a good chance to appraise them, to find out who were potential allies, and who he may need to crush in the future.

He ran through them in his mind.

The first to come to mind was the newest Warden of the South. The young Willas Tyrell. He had seen the man earlier. Even with a bad leg, Willas looked more unfit than Tywin would expect. He had heard that after his father's death, Willas had basically trapped himself in his chambers to deal with his grief, while ordering his bannerman to be ruthless to the Sparrows. If half of the rumors were true, some Singers would try to make a new Rains of Castamere out of the brutal actions Willas had ordered be done to those that killed his father. This tournament may have been his first time leaving Highgarden in years, but he did well enough when he formally came before the King the day before the Tournament, pledging his loyalty, but was allowed to stand instead of kneel while doing so.

Tywin had heard about his accident with the Red Viper, though he was not himself at the tournament where it occurred. He briefly thought that Willas may be thankful that he had killed Oberyn, but he had soon learned in more depth that they had moved past it and became friends. He was one to look out for. The Tyrells were not to be taken lightly. With him came his brothers Garlan and Loras, as well as his sister Margery and their grandmother Olenna, the aptly named Queen of Thornes. Garlan was loyal to his family, but seemed to have no specific ambitions for himself. Margery was her grandmother's pupil. She merely acted as the innocent maiden expected of a noble house, but Tywin could tell the act was more true than even she realized. She lacked actual experience by herself. She would undoubtedly use the tournament to start making connections and friendships outside of the Reach that she could use in the future. If not for his temporary exile, Tywin would consider attempting to get Joffrey to show an interest in her. She could make a good queen. As for Loras, Tywin had already heard the rumors of his relationship with Renly. So long as the Baratheons opposed them, he would do whatever he could to keep his family against the Lannisters.

'Perhaps I was too used to Mace Tyrell.' Tywin mused. 'I did not expect to outlive him. The man was a fool who saw himself as wise, so I believed his children were more the same. A mistake I shall make sure to correct.'

Luckily, the Tyrells had their own issues in the Reach that would keep them busy, at least for now. Among them, the largest was likely Randyll Tarly.

The Lord of Horn Hall could not have been born into a house with a more appropriate Sigil. Having been born just a year too late for the War of the Ninepenny King, he nonetheless became lord when his father Daemon Tarly died during the conflict. The last to fall against Maelys the Monstrous, before Ser Barristan ended the Blackfyre line. Some said Maelys took offense to Daemon being named for the first Blackfyre, when in truth he was named more for Prince Daemon, who had perished in the Dance. In truth, Maelys probably just saw a chance to take out one of the main commanders of the Throne's forces. If one thing was made clear, it was that Randyll Tarly had romanticized his father's death, to the point of believing his purpose was to fight in wars and kill his enemies. But since he had none at the time,he settled for embodying the hunter that he flew. He also seemed to despise some of Daemon's more leisurely hobbies, such as his love of books. Tywin's earliest memory of the man had been when he entered a tournament at King's Landing, entering every event as if he had something to prove. When a singer offered to write a song of his actions, Randyll had almost gutted the man for thinking to approach him.

His sole victory against Robert during the Rebellion had been partly him pulling out a tactically brilliant manuevor, and partly Robert getting arrogant after winning so easily in his previous battles. When Mace forced Randyll to let Robert go, and besiege Storm's End, Randyll had come very close to actually disobeying a direct command from his lord. But he relented, and the Reach lost the war. Randyll never forgave Mace for that. He acts like a dutiful bannerman, but no warmth was in his obedience. Add in his wife being a Florent, and Randyll has made it clear that he sees Willas as unfit to hold Highgarden. He had tried to petition a private audience with Robert and the small council, likely believing that Stannis would support him against the family of the man that starved him to near death. That, and their shared ties to the Florents. However, he had no luck in getting invited to a meeting. But he would likely continue for as long as he was in the city.

For the Reach, this tournament may very well be the basis for a civil war. With the Twins and Blackmont under his command, and two daughters to offer, he could actually stand a chance of overthrowing the Tyrells before Robert could mount a force to intervene.

Any threat the Tyrells were to House Lannister was mitigated by the Tarlys. At least for the immediate future.

However, Randyll and his son Dickon were not the only Tarlys in King's Landing. His eldest son, Samwell, had apparently joined the Household of the Starks. Tywin was still unsure specifically how it had happened. But himself, and two women who appeared to be commoners were the only ones not of Stark blood to come with the Stark children. If not for his previous knowledge of Ned Stark, Tywin would think coming with so few retainers was an attempt to appeal to the Smallfolk.

'Another group to watch out for.' Tywin thought as he stood up and looked out the window.

Tywin briefly saw Sansa Stark in the hall. She appeared to be the kind of girl Margaery was only pretending to be. He had not seen Arya at all, only knowing she had the Stark look to her. Robb was the heir of Ned Stark, and for better or worse, appeared to be in spirit a mirror image of his Father, though none who looked could deny he looked so much more like his uncle Edmure, who was also here for the tournament, and it seemed scrambling to keep such a significant Keep under his House's rule. From what he could tell, Robb would simply be more of the same as his Father when he was lord of Winterfell.

That left only one member of House Stark to account for in the Capital. The most significant one, and the one that not just Tywin, but everyone in the game had an interest in.

Jon Stark, formerly Snow. The man who ended the High Sparrow, breaking the spirit of all the others in the Seven Kingdoms, making it easier for the lords of the South to deal with them.

Tywin had heard of Jon Snow, the bastard of Winterfell who drove a knife into the Stark-Tully marriage. But he had thought the boy would fade away, either as a soldier under his brother, or a brother of the Watch like his foolish uncle.

Lord of Moat Cailin? Legitimized? Hero of the North? No one could have predicted any of that.

If Jon did nothing else in his life, the singers would immortalize him just for plucking the Sparrow's wings. But if he desired to keep rising, perhaps he was aiming to take his brother's place as heir?

'A possibility.' Tywin mused. 'But I would need to learn more about him first. Could he have befriended Theon? Mayhaps he knows what the Ironborn are planning, and he would use it to get rid of his siblings in the chaos.'

Months ago, when the Breaking of Dorne ended, and Victarion Greyjoy came to represent Balon as they asked for rewards for their loyal service, Victarion had first come to Tywin, proposing a trade of hostages. Tywin would have Balon's wife, Alannys, while Ned Stark returns Theon to the Isles.

The moment Victarion made the offer, Tywin knew that another Greyjoy Rebellion would occur. Few Greyjoys ever bothered to play the Game of Thrones with actual politics. They just prefered to kill people to get what they want.

He was not alone in realizing this. Victarion may have thought himself clever, but anyone with experience in the capital realized what was brewing. Robert, Jon Arryn, Stannis, they all knew without Varys having to say anything. Even Janos Slynt was overheard to say the Greyjoys must be planning an attack.

The only reason Tywin had agreed to it was to avenge the humiliation the Westerlands suffered in the last one. If the Greyjoys thought of burning his fleet again, they would be in for a rude awakening. Better to let a fool think he is clever, so he will keep doing what is foolish.

However, despite their future treachery, even the Ironborn themselves came to participate and try to win the Twins. At the very least, the presence of Balon's daughter Asha, and his Brother by Law Rodrik should stay his hand for the tournament at least. One hostage, being a wife past her childbearing years? Balon would likely write her off without hesitation. One of the most powerful lords of the Isles, and his own daughter, who had not yet had any kids of her own? Balon would be even more foolish to risk it, especially knowing that the next rebellion would end in either victory or the extinction of the Kraken. Should Balon try to launch an attack while everyone was in the capital, Asha would be immediately arrested, married to a loyal bannerman, and her children would take over the islands once Balon and Theon were killed.

Tywin put aside the Greyjoys, and let his thoughts go not to any new players, but one who had been in the game since she was a young girl. Cersei.

Tywin's daughter was arguably his greatest achievement, especially compared to her brothers. She appeared to be everything a queen should be. Yet her own personality shows the gaps in her training that Tywin had been too blinded to see back during the rebellion. Somewhere along the way, Tywin had failed to impart the importance of choosing one's battles. She refused to lose on any front, even if it meant causing more problems in the long run. Cersei understood the threat and fear of power that Tywin had first cultivated with the Reynes, but when it came to alliance building, she refused to take any action she saw as beneath her. Cersei should have been helping noble ladies find appropriate husbands, binding the realm together and putting the families in her debt. It was what Rhaenys and Visenya had done after the conquest, as well as Queen Alysanne and many other of the best queens had done similar. While she may have risen the highest of his children, she only did the bare minimum and considered that to be enough to be praised for all of time.

'And now, when half the realm is in the city, she locks herself up, praising Joffrey's foolishness as boldness, and speaking ill of her own husband for punishing the boy.'

Joffrey was another issue that Tywin had tried to ignore for the moment, but kept coming back to. Tommen was too young to know for sure, and Myrcella took after Joanna more than Cersei in personality. But it was clear that he was far from ready to become King. Once his exile was ended, he would be talking to Robert about being given his grandson. Perhaps some time as a squire will humble Joffrey. Either to himself, Kevan, or perhaps Daven, if he wants to actually experience battle.

A knock interrupted Tywin's thoughts.

"Enter." He allowed, turning to see his brother Kevan walk in, a look of regret evident on his face.

"You lost?" Tywin asked. He expected as much. He knew that it was impossible that every Lannister he brought would make it to the next round. But it was still a blow he had to work around.

"Stannis got me. Took all the Dragons I had gained." Kevan explained.

"Well, at least you lost to someone significant." Tywin allowed. He could still use this. Stannis was likely to make it to the next round, so he had to prepare.

The fact that several knights had told him they had all lost to Baratheon men, proved that Robert was trying to knock them out as quickly as possible. But, he could still turn their losses into an advantage.

"So, what does the Lord Of Dragonstone use in his deck?" Tywin asked his brother. He planned to ask any Lannister who was defeated by those likely to ally with the Baratheons.

GENDRY

STREET OF STEEL- TOBHO MOTT'S SHOP

Before the sun had even risen, Gendry was hard at work making new horseshoes. Many lords or those in their company who came for the tourney found their old ones needed to be replaced, and came to the Street of Steel to do so. Some others came for new weapons for the Melee, later today, and others still just went to every market and store that was known to sell cards, hoping perhaps for the perfect thing to give them an edge.

It had been so busy that Gendry was unable to participate in the first day of the tournament.

'No. You did not compete because you don't think you can win. The amount of work that came with so many people is just an excuse.' He heard his own voice tell him.

'Bad enough I wasted that gold on such a gamble. I am not going to lose those two.' He argued against himself.

It was stupid. Sally, a whore who had lived across the street from his mother, back when she was alive, had told him that men who got a lot of money at once soon lost it. Now here he was, given gold by the King himself - Who Gendry still did not understand was so interested in him. It could not just be because they both have black hair? Could it?- had handed it over for the tournament, only to instantly regret it.

A nice piece of land, tools to open his own shop. He could have used it to set himself for the rest of his life. Instead, here he was, trying to get not a small home, but an entire CASTLE.

Or half of one. Gendry had never seen the Twins, but he guessed it was technically two different castles? Else how would two people share it?

In any case, it did not matter to him. As if he could actually compete against Lords who could buy whatever cards they needed for whatever deck they decided on. Gendry was lucky to have so many cards that went together, but that more came from working at the shop than anything else.

Even then, they were not exactly what Gendry had originally planned.

When he had heard of "Iron Core" cards, he had imagined that they would be perfect for a Blacksmith's deck. But as he slowly grew it, he came to realize that very few of them actually fit that idea. Not only that, but he learned firsthand just how important the actual Iron Core was. It severely limited the number of monsters he could use at a time. But it would take too long to find another strategy from scratch, so Gendry was stuck with it for the tourney.

It had been pure luck that he had even made it to the second day. No one considered him enough of a threat to take down, but also figured he may be too much trouble. But as the first round came to a close, more and more people would be willing to risk battling him.

And yet, part of him yearned for it. He wanted to prove that he was just as good as anyone else. The King himself had made it so he could participate. Surely that could count for something!

Gendry was thrown out of his internal debate by two people walking into the shop. Looking up at them, he saw they were women, around his own age.

"He is very busy. I am sure that he would want to see you if he could." One of the ladies, who was larger than the other, told her companion. Looking at them, Gendry figured they were a noble and a servant, as the lady speaking was dressed in finer clothing, but the other did not act like a servant from what Gendry had seen.

"I should never have come with you, Randa. Why would he want to see a bastard?" The other said, a bundle of nerves as though she had made a rash decision she was now regretting.

'A noble Bastard. That would explain the ease they speak to each other.' Gendry thought.

But what stuck in his mind was not her status as a bastard, but her appearance. Black hair, blue eyes. Despite those features being relatively common, Gendry thought he had seen someone like her before. Besides himself of course.

"Mya, if your father did not care for you at all, why would he order you to be kept safe. Besides, you were the one who asked to come to try to see him. We are already here. I am sure I can get him alone to meet you. I can be very persuasive, especially if his appetite is as legendary as it was back then." Randa said with a mischievous smile.

"No!" The now named Mya said. "You are my best friend. You are not going to attempt to seduce my FATHER!"

"Come on!" Randa complained. "I am a widow, and my husband didn't even do the courtesy of letting me enjoy our match. Can you blame a lady for wanting someone to show her what she is missing?"

"How did we ever get along." Mya muttered under her breath.

Nervous at the more… intimate then expected way the conversation was going, Gendry cleared his throat, drawing both women's attention to him. "Excuse me, Miladies. Is there a reason you came in here?"

Instead of an answer, all he got was the two women staring at him. They looked back at each other. Then back at him.

"Yes, apologies." Randa said. "I came here because my brother is going to participate in the melee. But ever since he was knighted, he has refused to care for his sword, so it got too rusted. I figured I could get him one as a gift. As for my friend here, I am sure she may be interested in seeing what cards you can sell.

Gendry nodded. "The Melee is only half a day away. Not enough time to make one from scratch, or to finish the ones we were going to make later. You will have to settle for the ones already done." Gendry pointed at the racks filled with blades. "As for cards, they are over here."

He beckoned Mya over, and the Bastard girl followed him.

He brought her to a table where the cards were laid out. This was where he himself had built his deck.

But while Mya had looked at what was for sale, she kept sending looks at him as well. It was starting to make him a bit nervous.

"So…" Mya began. "What is it like to live in the same city as the King? Have you actually seen him?"

"A few times." Gendry said. "He came here to buy cards back when this was all new. And he still comes a bit. I also make deliveries for the Red Keep. Last time was before the tournament started."

It felt strange to speak about his multiple meetings with King Robert. Some people had heard about it back in Flea Bottom and had started mockingly calling him Lord Blacksmith or something.

"You've been face to face with him?" Mya said, very interested in Gendry, and seemingly forgetting about the cards she came to see.

Gendry took a step back. "Sure, but it wasn't that big a deal was it? This is the best armory on the Street of Steel. Of course he would come here."

This was getting weird. Gendry had no idea how to respond.

After a moment, Gendry decided to get forceful. "Look, I am sorry, but if you aren't going to buy anything, then get out. We are busy."

"No, wait!" Mya said, she paused for a moment, before her eyes latched onto his Duel Disk. "Busy? Not too busy to ignore the tournament." She pointed out.

Gendry felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment. "That's... It was a foolish mistake." He said.

"But you are still participating. How about it? A duel between us. Sounds good?" Mya said.

'If it will get them to leave…' Gendry thought. "Alright. Let's go outside."

SANDOR

BRAVOS

Prince Joffrey may have been sent into exile for his idiotic actions, but he was still the Heir to the Iron Throne, and as such, should not have been able to argue about the luxuries he was allowed.

But if Sandor knew anything about the spoiled little git, it was that nothing was ever good enough for him.

"Dog!" Joffrey yelled. "I command you to find us a ship that will return us to King's Landing!"

"No." Sandor said, growling at the Prince, taking some pleasure in not having to listen to the brat.

Tywin and Cersei may have made him Joffrey's sworn shield, but he was currently under the King's orders to keep Joffrey in exile. To help him, came Ser Boros Blount, the singular most useless member of the Kingsguard. In addition to that, Sandor also had about a hundred men, roughly split between Baratheon, Lannister, and Arryn. Or so Joffrey thought. There were no Lannister men besides Sandor among them, instead just Baratheon and Arryns who wore red. The Brat didn't even realize they freely swapped who wore what color armor. He never cared to memorize their faces.

Currently, they were in Bravos, and would soon be departing to go to Norvos. Robert thought that if Joffrey could actually learn more about lands that he would not be ruling, it would help to humble him a bit. Instead, Joffrey just found everything, from their food to their clothing and customs disgusting. Worryingly, he sometimes seemed interested in leaving Bravos, just to see the cities that practiced slavery. He seemed to have a mind for buying his own slave, but Sandor was in charge of the gold, and it would not be happening. The last thing the little prince needed was someone he actually held power over.

Even Dueling, something almost everyone seemed to at least tried to familiarize themselves with, did not interest Joffrey. Sandor had seen him panic when the Cards first appeared, but he then started considering duels to be beneath him. He never bought new cards, never added to his deck, and never used it. Sandor was half convinced that Joffrey was the only person old enough to have a Duel Disk who had never used it at all. Even if he did, Sandor doubted he enjoyed being at risk so easily.

He pitied any girl stupid enough to want to be his Queen. Killing them himself would be a mercy. Joffrey was too much like Gregor to have power.

Gregor…

Sandor snarled, anger clear enough on his face for Joffrey to actually back down and leave him alone.

"I am the Prince…" Joffrey mumbled in complaint as he walked away, nursing his wounded ego and getting away from Sandor's wroth.

By this time, the Mountain should be dead. Had he known the plan, he would have volunteered to join up with the Dornish to do it. But he had not even heard of the plan until the day they left for Bravos, when Boros mentioned it after hearing them speak of it in a meeting.

Gregor was dead, but Sandor did not get to kill him. Didn't mean he wasn't happy the monster got what was coming to him, but still. All those years of hatred, and it was all gone. What was he supposed to do with it now? Even killing, one of the few things he could do almost as well as his brother, was lost to him with these cards.

He could go to Clegane's Keep. He should be the lord of it, unless Gregor named someone so distantly related Sandor did not know as his heir. He could leave the Prince, and just drink and whore his days away. A tempting offer. But he could make a decision once he was back in Westeros.

But that was still a long way to go. For now, they would be in Bravos. Then they would visit each of the Free Cities one after another. Still, hopefully Varys would send a letter saying Robert was calling them back sooner rather than later.

GENDRY

STREET OF STEEL

Tobho Mott had been understanding in letting Gendry leave to duel.

"You signed up for it, give it a shot!" The old master had said to him.

As such, Gendry found himself leading both the ladies to a more open part of the street. Normally teaming with smallfolk, it was too early for most of them to be out and about yet.

"Alright, one duel, then we part ways." Gendry called out.

"Unless I win." Mya said. "Then you tell me all you know about the King."

'What is with her obsession with him?' Gendry thought. 'Does she want to seduce him? She is a Bastard, becoming Queen would be more than she should be able to hope for...'

Gendry shook his head, getting rid of such thoughts. It didn't matter. He just had to win.

"Alright then." Gendry said as his Duel Disk appeared. Not a moment later, Mya's did as well.

G: 4000 M: 4000

"You challenged me." Gendry said as he drew his hand. "So I will go first."

He looked at his hand. He never learned how to read beyond a few simple things for recognizing numbers and names of weapons and armor pieces, but he could instantly understand what the words on the cards meant.

He was relieved to see not one, but two Iron Cores in his opening hand.

However, he was less relieved to realize he did not have an Iron Core monster in his hand.

'Gotta make do.' He thought as he looked for what he could use.

"I play a card face down, and I summon Stone Armadiller."

The large animal covered in reddish pink scales made of stone appeared on the field, guarding its body with its long claws.

"I end my turn." Gendry announced.

"My move then." Mya said as she drew. She cared little for the tournament. All she wanted was answers about her father, and apparently, this blacksmith apprentice had some. She needed to win.

"I summon Harpie Lady 1." Mya announced.

The field came to life as a winged woman appeared on the field. She was normal for the most part, with long flowing red hair and a beautiful face. At least until one drew attention to her wings and bird-like appendages, all equipped with claws and talons.

Before Mya could do anything else, Gendry interrupted her turn.

"I activate my trap, Automatic Laser!" He said, as he revealed a spell card in his hand.

Iron Core of Koa'ki Meiru.

Mya could tell what it was despite the distance between them being too much for her to actually make out what it said.

The trap card revealed itself, and a burst of light struck Harpie Lady 1 right in the stomach, before destroying her body entirely.

"Automatic Laser destroys a monster you summon, and all I need to do is reveal Iron Core is in my hand." Gendry explained.

'Aiming for an early win. Not letting me get much on the field.' Mya thought to herself.

She looked at her hand. She had another monster weak enough to summon, one she needed tributes for, a field spell that would do no good at the moment, and two traps that would not save her from taking damage.

'I suppose bluffing is the best I can do.' Mya figured. 'Just a small setback. Then I will learn about my father.'

"I play two cards face down, and end my turn." Mya said.

Gendry drew. "My turn."

He was in luck. A Koa'ki Meiru monster was now in his hand.

Ironically it was one that did not require Iron Core to stay on the field.

"I summon Koa'ki Meiru Hydro Barrier to the field."

Water appeared on the field and swirled into a tornado of water. From it emerged a green, scaled, and man shaped animal of some kind. A long beard flowed down, and a trident was in his hands.

"Now, both he and Stone Armadillar attack you directly!" Gendry commanded.

Both flew towards Mya, Stone Armadillar slashing at her with his claws, and Hydro Barrier swatted at her with his trident.

G: 4000 M: 2200

"With that, I end my turn." Gendry said.

"My move then." Mya said as she drew, putting the sudden disadvantage she was at outside her head.

"I summon Harpies' Pet Baby Dragon!" She said as a small flame erupted on the field. When it died down, in its place was a small dragon. Larger than most young dragons, if the stories of those who used to work in the Red Keep when their skulls were in the Throne room were true. But it still looked like it was too young to be considered a fully grown dragon. But that did not matter.

All that did matter, was that Gendry had no traps set, and that monster was stronger than both of his.

"Harpie's Pet will attack your Stone Armadillar!" Mya declared.

The baby dragon opened its mouth, and almost more like a cough than a roar, fire shot out of it, and burned Stone Armadillar to cinders.

G: 3600 M: 2200

"With that, I end my turn." Mya said. Next turn, she could begin to make use of her dragon's abilities.

"My move." Gendry said as he drew.

"I summon Koa'ki Meiru Crusader, in attack mode!"

The field materialized an armored beast of some kind, large enough to dwarf even the Mountain. A steel breastplate had a sigil shared by all Koa'ki monsters, and a blue cape covered its back. A greatsword was gripped in its right hand, while a blue shield was held in its left. It had 1900 attack points.

Mya paled at the sight of the monster.

"Now, he will destroy your Pet Dragon!" Gendry commanded.

Crusader raised its greatsword and charged. Harpie's pet baby dragon tried to fly off, but its wings were too small to get out of the way quick enough. A single slash tore it in two, and it fell down to the ground before fading, dragon blood glittering on Crusader's sword.

"And Hydro Barrier attacks you directly again!" Gendry commanded.

Hydro Barrier once again struck at her with his trident,taking away most of her life points in the process.

G: 3600 M:500

"With that, I end my turn." Gendry said. "Which means I must discard my Iron Core of Koa'ki Meiru, to keep Crusader on the field."

"My move then." Mya said as she drew, but she bit her lip as she saw just how hopeless the situation was for her. There was no way out of this. She was going to lose. She could see it. And any knowledge this blacksmith knew about her father- their father- would stay with him.

"I play a monster face down, and end my turn." Mya said.

"My turn then." Gendry said, but he did not draw. Instead, his Duel Disk's graveyard spat out a card. The Iron Core Gendry had just discarded the last turn.

"Crusader, attack her face down!" Gendry ordered. The Beast Warrior lifted his greatsword, still covered in dragon blood, and brought it down on the face down monster, which revealed itself to be Destroyer Golem, the blade plunging right into its stone chest, and reducing it to rubble.

"Hydro Barrier, attack her directly!" Gendry commanded, and the monster obeyed. This time, instead of just swatting at her, it threw the trident into her chest.

G: VICTORY M: DEFEAT

As the monsters faded from the field, Gendry let out a breath he did not realize he was holding.

He had done it. He had won a match in the tournament.

He stared at the deck. The one he had regretted making. It had gotten him through an actual formal battle.

Just as Gendry's thoughts went to accept his own skill, he felt something in his heart. A nervousness. He may have won, but that was only one match. He may have just gotten lucky is all. Or maybe Mya did not have much skill herself.

But a win was a win nonetheless.

He looked up, and saw Mya, who was not as upset about her defeat as Gendry would have been. But some sadness was still in her, he could tell.

Gendry did not know if he was supposed to comfort her, demand his reward, or just leave her be. But before it became an issue he had to choose, Mya stood up, Randa standing beside her, appearing to want to comfort her friend.

Seeing the look of disappointment on his opponent's face, Gendry suddenly felt a twinge of guilt. She was obviously sad, and it was him that made her that way.

"I… Sorry-" He began only to be cut off.

"I don't need your pity." Mya said, recovering from her disappointment. She pulled out her Gold Dragons, and handed them over to Gendry. "Come Randa, let's get back to the Red Keep. I am sure your brother will need his sword."

With that, Mya turned around, and began walking down the street, towards the Red Keep.

The lady named Randa tossed a bag of coins of her own towards Gendry. It was just then that he noticed that she had grabbed a sword from the rack while he was distracted dealing with Mya.

"I apologize for my friend's… overreaction." She said, "She has had a lot to think about. Maybe if she was more focused, the duel would have turned out differently."

Gendry found himself silently nodding, simply because he did not know how else to respond.

Once the two women disappeared from view, Gendry pocketed the money, and began walking back into Mott's shop. But, for some reason he could not explain, he stopped. He looked back around to the city. As if the streets were beckoning him to them.

"This is a terrible idea." He muttered to himself. With a sigh, he turned his back on the forge, and walked down the street, looking for other people wearing Duel Disks.

AN: Apologies again for the wait. Hopefully the next chapter comes out on a better timeline. I am actually planning to have the next chapter cover the Melee that has been mentioned for a few chapters, so it may not have a duel. Hopefully this will let the chapter come out quicker, as the duels are definitely the thing that takes the longest to write. It will also probably be shorter as a result, which may be a nice change of pace.

Tywin's thoughts on many of the other players of the Game of Thrones. This was a fun part to write, as I could use it to explore both Tywin's own thought process, and the possibilities and characterizations of the others in one fell swoop. He is not right about everything, of course, but he has more experience than nearly any other player.

Gendry and Mya were a duo that has no interactions in canon, and yet are closely connected. Mya realized their relationship right away, but Gendry has no clue. This duel was supposed to be longer, but I figured you had all waited long enough, and I was always planning for this duel to be a bit shorter than others. What Randa says is somewhat true, as Mya has Robert on her mind, even though they have yet to actually meet in the present.

Gendry's nervousness about his own deck is also a bit of a joke. I myself knew little about the Iron Core monsters, and going just by that name, decided to give them to Gendry. But once I actually looked at the cards, I realized they do not have the same theme as a Blacksmith. So a bit of meta humor there. I may try to give him a different deck later, but for now that is what he has.

Finally, we have Sandor's POV as Joffrey's guard. They are somewhat constantly on the move, but still in relative luxury. While Cersei may have made him Joffrey's personal protector, he is currently under Robert's orders. Also, his thoughts on the Mountain's 'death'. Of course, he is both relieved his childhood tormentor is dead, but wishes he could have done it himself.

With that, I have finished with 10 minutes to spare.

Hope you all enjoyed this Chapter. I wish you luck in your future endeavors.

See you Next Chapter.

Jaehaerys . Joestar