A/N: Alright, welcome to Chapter Twenty-Seven. This is the part where Stafford escapes the King's Landing with Sansa, Odyn, and of course my boy Ser Barristan. Now, it may feel a little rushed, but honestly, I wanted to get this out of the way, so that we can get to Essos, check up on Ellion (If Ellion was a cannon character, and had an actor in show it would be Jake Abel, and we would have ADAM/ MICHAEL in ASOIAF, but that never happened in real life, so I just had to cast him in fanfiction), and more importantly after we get to Essos, which has been neglected for sometime get to the fighting. My collaborators have been editing, and I have been writing this for about FOUR months now, and I, especially haven't gotten a taste for what we've been waiting for the War of 'Four' Kings (It can't be five, because Renly and Stannis support Stafford). Thank you all for the support and hope that you continue to read the story as we get into the war.

Charles Ceaser: Thank you and I tried my best to update when I promised I would, so be on the lookout for every other day. Seniors get out early for break in my school, because of graduation, so I have plenty of time to write now.

Stafford

Surrounded. Line faltering. The chances of escape slim. Stafford looked over and saw Lord Eddard's headless body with Ser Ilyn standing over him. He had not accomplished the goal of saving Lord Eddard with his little gambit, but he wasn't about to die here either. The shield wall of his men at arms were crumbling, no doubt about it. The angry crowd was getting restless, as many were either fighting to get out of the streets or trying to get a good view of the fight. Sansa still shook, tried to run up to her father's body, thinking there might be a chance he still lived. But, Stafford saw it when it was too late. The Valyrian sword cutting off his head, and Stafford could do nothing, but watch. Stafford held onto Sansa as she tried to struggle from him.

"Let go! He could still live!" She shrieked while the fight continued to ensue around them. Odyn Sand, the Dornishman had proven useful, especially now that Stafford had his hands full trying to calm Sansa down.

"I'm not about to let you out of my sight to go check. Sansa, we need to get out of here," Stafford tried to convince her. But she still tried to persistently struggle.

"But my father…"

"Look, Sansa I'm sorry about your father. I really am. But if you continue to struggle, I could end up dead, and you'll end up captured by Joffrey. Do you want that," She shook her head no, but she still looked visibly shook by what just happened,

"We need to get moving, Stafford. We only have a very small opening, or our heads might end up on a pike as an example," Odyn stated. Stafford looked at him and then back to Sansa.

"Sansa, come on. I would have left with Renly if I knew you would be safe here. We both need to get out of here." Silence was exchanged for awhile. Stafford felt nervous and wondered if Sansa might not come with him. That would be a cutting blow to him.

"Ok…" She managed to say, before Stafford pulled her in close, which came to shock of a lot of the crowd.

"You won't regret it, Barristan, Odyn, everyone make the push out," Stafford boomed. Barristan turned, and with a vigor managed to use his advantage to send Sandor crashing down, and before he could recover, Barristan had him swarmed with some men at arms to distract them. They only had ten men, who would accompany them out of the Sept.

"The shield wall will not last long, but they have been told to hold them off for the escape," Odyn stated. With Sansa near him, Stafford managed to drag through the crowd as they managed to push to the unguarded steps. The gold cloaks must have noticed as many of them began trying to push to get to the small squad of ten that accompanied Stafford down the steps. The wall fought hard though, like a cornered animal with nothing to lose. They held as long as they could and when they descended the steps, Stafford could see they were still holding. Stafford and his group encountered gold cloaks as they pushed through the crowd. However, he used this to his advantage throwing bystanders at them. He used this method to navigate through flea bottom, and used back alley shortcuts to get to the port near Blackwater Bay as quickly as possibly. While pushing through the crowd, Stafford basically had to keep Sansa within arms reach, and fight away any attacker that tried to get to them. She grabbed onto his left non axe hand tightly, and Stafford made sure she felt as safe as she could while they fought through everything.

When they got to the port, they were already exhausted from the fighting. Stafford and rest of them finally saw the miraculous escape ready to culminate as they saw the Stag of the Sea, docked with some men ready to receive them. There were about fifty men, who were ready to fight off anyone, who tried to come near the ship. They had already defeated some gold cloaks, and Stafford was relieved to see that the escape route had finally been cleared. They had managed to fight through crowded streets, and managed to escape death more times than one. They were only down to three bodyguards, Odyn, Ser Barristan, and Sansa was still holding on tightly to Stafford's hand. The three bodyguards were also quite inexperienced and managed to get by on sheer luck in Stafford's opinion. Two were the squires Renly and Stafford had teamed up with during the melee, and they were one of the only people in Kings Landing that volunteered to be part of Stafford's bodyguard during this gambit. Stafford didn't really know why the two squires, the tall one, and the short one, really sided with him. They might have just done so to make a name for themselves earlier, because their only prerequisite for volunteering for what amounted to a suicide mission at best, to human shields if the job was taken purely at face value, was knighthood. Stafford promised it to them if they survived, and somehow miraculously the two survived. The gold cloaks were hastily following after them, but some of them had engaged with the meeting crew near where the ship was docked. They arrived and helped the meeting party out with finishing off the gold cloaks. The people went down easily, as Stafford, Barristan, and even the squires finished them off. Stafford had handed Sansa off to one of the crew members, who escorted her to the ship. Sansa was reluctant to let go of Stafford, but she went with the crew member to board the ship.

Stafford, the squires, Odyn, and Ser Barristan moved out and defeated some of the gold cloaks that now began to swarm them like flies. They were running into a grindstone as the group meticulously fought them back. Little to no casualties were happening on Stafford's side, but they continued pouring in. Suddenly he heard someone yell from behind him standing just before the wooden platforms used to make a bridge to the galley.

"Stafford! Let's go, we only have mere minutes before the Lannister's call in their ships and trap us at dock. The Stag of the Sea is fast, but not that fast," He heard the voice say. Stafford turned around and saw the stern face of Stannis Baratheon look to him, "I did not come all the way from Dragonstone, to get killed or worse get captured by the Lannister's alongside you. There's plenty of fight left to fight." Stafford smiled, but looked to the men, who were holding off the gold cloaks.

"What of the men?" Stafford asked Stannis. They were going to die if they just left while they were holding off the gold cloaks from storming the docks.

"They knew they were going to have to make sacrifices by volunteering themselves for the mission," Stannis stated sternly, "Now come on, take Ser Barristan, and what's left of your little host." Stafford although not with the most willing of hearts, nodded, and decided to signal the rest of his men off, to be replaced with some of the fifty men, who were now holding off a storm of gold coats. There were now the squires, Odyn and Barristan left out of the twenty five, who had set the stage for the ambush in the Sept. Stafford didn't know how they managed to get from the Sept to the docks with Gold coats chasing after them, Sansa accompanying them, and having to travel that amount of distance. The miracle gambit at King's Landing might work...if they are not cut short here.

"Get the galley in order! Let's move, we meet my flagship in the open waters where its safe, then were en route to Storm's End!" Stannis yelled. The captain of the ship repeated his orders, and everyone began to make preparations to get out of the doc. The galley was a ship made for war, but it was smaller and one of the fastest ships in Stannis' fleet. It wasn't triple decked like the Fury, but it was meant to be used with its sole purpose of out manuvering enemy ships and boarding them. Stag of the Sea was indeed the best one for the sort of job Stannis needed it to do when it had to pick up Stafford from the little predicament he caused when he decided to defy his brother on stage. Nowhere would have been safe for him in the Landing. The sailors frantically ran across the ship and the galley began to move. Stafford could see and feel them moving now, and when the ship got about three hundred paces away from land, he knew they were safe from any gold coats even trying to board the ship. Stafford did not see any ships preparing to pursuit them, and it was lucky. It took them a while before they got the dock, so they were just lucky they weren't blockaded in the land right now. The galley however would not slow down to find out if any ship would be sent after the Stag of the Sea. She reached full speed before Stafford could get his full bearings on the ship. But, Stafford knew that it was for the best, because he sure did not want to fall victim to any of the ships coming for him.

"We actually made it out of there!" He heard the Dornishman Odyn Sand proclaim. Stafford was more surprised in the fact that he didn't die while trying to fight it out in the Sept, or when they had to make a quick dash to the docks. Stafford knew that he could have easily met his end in the fight to get to the docks anyway and he thanked the Gods for watching over him today. I live to fight another day. The revolution shall continue and I shall claim the throne that my brother does not rightfully deserve.

"Well, there's plenty more hardship we have to go through. The battle is won today, but we still have a war to fight," Ser Barristan stated keeping his composure somehow after all the fighting he had gone through today. Stafford was surprised the old man still had enough vigor in him through the fight. And my brother tried to kick him out of the Kingsguard…

Stafford let out a sigh and thought about the events of the past few weeks. First his father dies, and leaves the realm in a state of chaos. Then, Renly somehow found out about Joffrey's parentage and with that knowledge came up with a plan to usurp the throne from Joffrey. Stafford thought his uncle was crazy the first time he broke the news to him, but in Stafford's heart he knew it to be true. Stafford had wondered what would bring his mother to do such a thing in the first place. But, even her demeanor during what turned out to be an execution changed. She did her best to stay in the shadows, but somehow, Stafford knew she was still protecting him even though they were fighting on different sides now. It will be more likely that Stafford will get branded a traitor by Joffrey and lose all his rights to anything. Stafford will have to fight for his throne. He had one more road to cross, one more risk to take. He had to live his life like there's one more move to make. This is life, and it is all Stafford knew. So this was his life.

"A lot happened today, and this is a great time to take inventory," Stafford stated. Odyn nodded and Ser Barristan did as well.

"I might suggest talking with Lady Sansa, she seems troubled by today's events to say the least. You did risk a lot just for her," Ser Barristan suggested, "In the meantime, I need to get some rest. I haven't been in combat like that for years, but of course I will take my rest while watching you. I am not about to let an assassin take your life while I am at ease,"

Stafford took his advice, and sure enough he saw Sansa staring off into the distance on the stern of the galley. Stafford approached her and she noticed him and glanced back at him. Stafford was still in his armor, and his hand axe was still sheathed inside him. Stafford could tell by her look that she was confused to say the least.

"He's dead isn't he? And it's all my fault…" Sansa managed to say, "If I hadn't been selfish and went to…" Her voice trailed off. Stafford went to her. Stafford didn't want her falling apart at a time like this. Stafford would rather she blame him for her father's death than herself. He could not stand to see her like this.

"Sansa...It's not your fault. The plan to try to rescue your and your father this way was my own creation. If I hadn't been so reckless and left him unattended, he probably still be here right now. If you're going to blame someone, blame me,"
"What's the point in that? He died, and I had something to do with it. I trusted the Lannister's enough to betray him and in the end that caused his death," she said shakily. She was visible shaking while leading on the railing on the stern of the ship.

"Don't blame yourself. That's not going to help," Stafford stated as he held her close. He could still feel her shaking while doing this, "What's important is we got you out of King's Landing. I failed my objective of also saving your father, but mark my words I will avenge him. He will not die without reason."

Sansa began to cry as she embraced him, and Stafford held her closer. Stafford felt like she was in a better place now though. She was free from King's Landing and being in the presence of her father's murderers. Stafford wished things could have turned out differently for them though. Stafford wished he could have saved Lord Eddard from execution, he wished he could have stopped Joffrey before he could make such a reckless decisions, as well. Until the storm is over, Stafford will continue fighting, though. Sansa depended on him to fight for them. It was all he was good for, fighting. He wasn't the smartest, he definitely wasn't the wisest, and he sure wasn't the most cunning. However, he was good with an axe, and a loud voice, so he had practically been born to live on the battlefield.

"I sure hope you're right, Stafford. But promise me, you won't ever abandon me like Joffrey did,"

"I promise," He told her, and this was a promise he intended to keep. He had broken enough promises in his lifetime to know that it didn't feel good when he broke a promise. It affected him and the person he promised the thing to. And Stafford knew that his word was unbreaking now.

The two were there for a little bit, till Stafford broke off when he saw the rest of the fleet bound for Storm's End waiting for them. Stannis immediately walked up to Stafford at that point.

"Alright, Stafford. Welcome to your new royal fleet. If we're going to fight a war, you're going to need a navy. And you have the privilege of having me lead them. Oh, and now that you're king you better get ready to be addressed as your grace from now on," Stannis explained. He said in a way Grand Maester Pycelle used to teach the history of Westeros to him.

"Your grace? Well, that's something to get used to,"

"Just remember I'm still your uncle, Stafford so I still have the right to address you by your first name, much like how I addressed Robert," Stannis managed to say, "Anyway, Stag of the Sea is yours. When we get to Storm's End it will be upgraded more to your tastes, with the probable three months we have to mobilize troops. There's an officer's quarters and I'm sure you and your lady wouldn't mind sleeping in the same bed. Unless she wants to sleep with the rest of the crew in the midship holds." Stafford could see Sansa turn red at thought of having to sleep in the same bed as him. Stafford didn't entirely feel comfortable with idea either, but he really just needed to rest after all that had happened during this day.

"Don't worry, Sansa none of that is happening. We're not even married yet,"

"You thought I was thinking of that?" She said turning even redder. Stafford always had a way of making this more awkward than they should have been.

"Anyway, I'll be boarding the Fury. We'll stay for about an hour, then we'll be on our way to Storm's End. And I'm sure Renly has plenty to discuss with you before then." Well, we might lose this war, but at least it will get interesting.

Before long, they had finished boarding their respective galleys and were on their way to Storm's End. At the pace Stannis was making them go at, making the galley oarsmen work in shifts, where they would not even stop at night, and with the fortuitous winds, they would be able to reach Shipbreaker bay and get to Storm's End. Stafford just hope he doesn't die of shipwreck before they get there, but with the amount of miracles the Gods had provided him in the escape, he was sure not even a storm can him get to Storm's End safely.

Stafford was now in the galley's officer's quarters, staring blankly at his journal, not knowing what to write in it. It was his third journal, as he had left his first one in Winterfell, and wondered where that even went to. Sadly his second journal, was back in King's Landing, and he couldn't really go back to get it now. Stafford was alone inside the officer's quarters with Sansa, who was still silent possibly lamenting on what had just occurred. Sansa was sitting on the medium sized bed provided in the officer's quarters. Stafford not really knowing what to do now, probably tired of the way things had turned out now. So, Stafford got up and turned to Sansa.

"Well, I'm going to get some rest, a lot has happened today…"

"Oh...okay," Sansa managed to say, still probably flustered that they had to sleep in the same bed. Stafford didn't exactly feel right about it, but there were no other beds in the ship...unless she wanted to sleep with the rest of the men in the midship hold.

"I could sleep on the floor if you're not comfortable with the little arrangement, Stannis gave us. Probably Renly, up to his old tricks again. This might have been his idea, and Stannis was just too blind to see what he's trying to do," Stafford stated.

"It's fine, I just haven't," She paused, "Ever done this with anyone before,"

"Don't worry, I won't try anything. That's just not the person I am to be honest," Stafford sighed and crashed onto the bed. Sansa sat next to him on the bed now in a nightgown Stannis had given her before he left for the Fury. Stannis sure knew how to prepare for this, but she took her time dressing as Stafford stood outside of the officer's quarters for what seemed like hours.

Stafford lay on his back for a few moments trying to soak in what had happened to him. Sansa had even decided to lie down next to him, though much farther apart. Stafford respected her space, and began to drift off himself, before he heard her speak.

"Stafford," She said

"What is it?" Stafford stated turning to her. She had a bleak expression on her face.

"What if I was still in King's Landing right now. What would happen to me then?"

"It's best not think about it, There's plenty of things that could have happened today, and while there were events that were less than favorable that happened today, we're still alive aren't we?"

"If I hadn't come to King's Landing or your father never appointed my father as hand, he could still be alive today," Sansa sighed and unexpected she shifted over to where she literally put her head on Stafford's chest. Stafford didn't really know what to think of what was happening right now, "But I wouldn't have been able to get to know you or even meet you for that matter."

"That's true," Stafford smiled, "And I wouldn't have been able to fall for you Sansa Stark."