AN:
Before starting thoughts: Alright, let's hope this chapter is quicker than the last.
After finishing thoughts: (Apologetic Bow) I am so sorry for how long this chapter has taken to get finished. At first, I was just dealing with regular writer's block, and figured I would just focus on other things until it passed. Including where I want this and other stories to go in the long run. But unfortunately, that was just the start of this long hiatus. Every time I sat down to write one thing, or another just got in my way. And I now have a brand-new job. The money and location are great, but of course that means I can't write these as fast as before, the previous year notwithstanding.
I have lost any right to complain about GRRM's own progress on the source material.
Ironically, I was going to mention taking a break once this chapter was done. Instead, this chapter is my return from said break. Not sure if I will be able to return to my old schedule of roughly one chapter per 2 weeks, so don't hold your breath, but I will be trying to get these out when I can.
Some good news though: Since the start of the year, I have lost over 13% of my weight, (Gained some back, but that can be chalked up to the holidays and a cold forcing me to not work out the last week) and I have earned my Black Belt! So even when I was not writing, it was not all bad things. Training for the Black Belt test probably preoccupied me for a good month or so. And I have also taken up running on a treadmill almost every day. I still have a way to go, but I am hoping to keep this going.
But you didn't come here to hear me talk about my life. Well don't worry, you've waited long enough.
Let us begin.
KING'S LANDING FISH MARKET
YGRITTE
Ygritte recalled some far-off memories of her father showing her and Longspear Ryk how to ice fish. She had never gotten the hang of it herself, preferring the bow that let her catch far larger prey they could all eat. But on those days where her father had succeeded in fishing, she ate as much as she could get. The rarity of those days made the fish taste even better.
'So many.' Ygritte looked around at all the stalls selling fish. Did they all come from this Blackwater?
Ygritte could recall three, no four different kinds of fish her Father had brought home. But all of these were different. Some stalls sold different kinds, while others seemed to only sell specific fish. Some people yelled that they were fresh catches, while other, more roughly made stalls clearly sold the leftovers of the others.
The number of fish in the market would have been enough to feed her entire village for a moon. Maybe two.
She saw some stalls have writing on them, but most were just yelling prices. Few Smallfolk knew how to read, and they made up most of the people buying.
Ygritte herself knew how to read, but not as well as these lords. Mance had taught her, and some of the others, but they were supposed to keep that a secret. Back in Winterfell, she had to feign not knowing much beyond understanding what was written on the cards, which everyone somehow knew. That old man with a chain back at Winterfell offered lessons for the younger hostages- which was what they were, and they all knew it- and Ygritte and Dryn had gone as well, simply to have an excuse if they accidentally read something they shouldn't have.
Ygritte remembered when Mance had decided to change his plans. The Cards had come, and after realizing they could not fight like they used to, the plan to unite all the tribes to attack the bloody Wall became far less likely to work. Rather than risk it all, Mance decided to change tactics. When he heard that other villages and clans that had tried to raid down South ran into problems with even the usual weak farmers and women being able to duel, he put all his hope into this new plan.
"It is a game." Mance had said to her and Tormund when he called them in. "We can still use this. Show those Southerners that we are the same as them, and they can let us through, hopefully. If the worst comes to worst, mayhaps I can challenge the Old Bear to a duel to force him to let us pass, but that can't be our first try."
Mance set up his more amiable followers in a village that was near to being abandoned, and they treated with the Crows instead of killing them. The idea was not that outlandish. Many individual Free Folk traded with the Crows on their own, even if they would rarely admit to it to the others. But Mance said if an entire village did so, then they would have more power to make demands. And the Crows were all sick of Craster being their best ally in the North, almost as much as they had been of him being a Free Folk. Once the idea of a deal to send Tormund and the children down to the South was proposed, Mance knew his bet had paid off.
Ygritte was chosen, along with Dryne, so that Tormund could have reliable people to help. Gilly, Craster's wife and killer, was chosen because she was the least threatening of everyone Mance's camp had. She wasn't even a part of Mance's army, just picked up after she killed the monster that fathered her. Mance took pity on her and told her that no one down south would know who Craster was, or why it was bad for her to have killed him. He told her that as long as she didn't mention his name, she would have no issue making a new life for herself, even if the rest of them failed to make it.
Ygritte listened to Mance's plans and orders, but she could hardly care for them. Her village had been destroyed years ago, Longspear was the only one she knew for sure was alive. If it meant she could get South of the Wall, she didn't care what she had to do. She would be safe from those blue eyes, and that was all that mattered.
'And this is what it is like for these Southerners.' Ygritte thought. 'Plenty of food, but people were still starving, because they're too craven to just take it for themselves.'
'Is this pride in my freedom, or jealousy at their safety?' A voice whispered in her mind. She shook her head to silence it. She had a job to do.
When Jon had invited her along, at first, she thought he just wanted someone to fuck on the way there and back. When he handed her those Gold coins, and told her to enter as well, it was strange.
He knew nothing. She told him as much. Plenty of times in fact. Sure, he was a fine lay-especially what he did with his mouth- but he just trusted her so much after they fucked that first time. If he stayed that trusting, he would not last. She wanted to also think that he was a fool for taking Slifer out of his deck. It was his greatest card, yet he would not use it against others? She wanted to say it made no sense.
…Except, she had been there. She had witnessed Slifer be summoned, saw what he did to those Sparrows, both the High one and the rest who tried to avenge him. Something was different about the red dragon compared to all the other monsters. Ancient and powerful, she had learned just how insignificant her own life had been in comparison to the dragon. Ygritte would not confess it, but when Jon said he was not going to use it, she was relieved.
She also saw that one girl- Wylla? Wynafryd? - try to get his attention when they were in White Harbor for the night. She saw how nervous that made Jon as well. It was clear from the Moat that he had no prior knowledge of women, but to actually see him around others was funny.
She understood that there were more traditions than just fucking that made a man and a woman together in the South. In her mind, Jon was hers, and he was good enough that she wanted to keep him for now. But she understood it would not be good for her to make enemies of highborn ladies with powerful houses behind them. At least until Mance and the rest could come down.
She was thankful for Jon letting her enter. The thought that she could actually have a castle of her own was hilarious to her. She already beat two other men who thought she was a Southron peasant, and not a Spearwife of the True North. If everyone was going to be that easy, she did not think the Tournament would be very exciting.
Ygritte imagined herself in charge of a castle. All the kneelers doing what she said told them to, while her fellow Free Folk used her land as a safe haven.
First, they have to secure their lives, then they can secure their freedom.
That was how Mance had explained it to the more blood thirsty members who still wished to fight until the South was theirs and only theirs.
But Ygritte could care less about those cunts. Rattleshirt and the Weeper had lost most of their use when their strength was replaced with pieces of paper. They were more likely to hold Mance back from getting the rest of them to safety.
Her thoughts came to a stop when she suddenly heard a man shout. The fact that he also stepped right in front of her also helped grab her attention.
"So, the Bastard had the gall to bring his Wildling Whore to the Capital." The voice called out.
Hearing the Southerner's name for her people, she knew it was addressing her. Ygritte saw a lean bald man staring at her as if she had just run off with his daughter. On his waist was a sword strapped to his belt.
Ygritte knew she had never seen this man before, yet he not only chose her specifically, but knew who she was.
It had taken a while for the people of Winterfell to grow used to her and the others. But even now there were plenty who eyed even the youngest as dangerous animals. When she had arrived in the Capital, the sheer size had made it so Ygritte did not stand out too much in comparison, especially with people from all over coming as well to flood the streets. That this man was able to recognize who she was meant he must have seen her briefly in the Castle. That in addition to his clothes made the chance of him being some knight or lord extremely likely.
The man approached; hatred clear in his eyes. Soon, they were face to face.
"I had heard that Stark was thinking of abandoning his duties as Warden of the North. I did not think it was true, yet here you are. But to think his Bastard would dishonor a tournament in the Capital itself by bringing Wildling filth so far south. I see I was mistaken to think one victory against an enemy of the Crown would make him a decent man and wash away the stain of his birth."
'This man hates Jon?' Ygritte thought, even as she felt her blood grow hot at his insults to both her and Jon. 'No, he seems to have just heard of him. And whatever he has heard, he does not like.'
The number of people who were aware of the Free Folk living at Winterfell must have been larger than Ygritte expected. She figured Ned Stark would tell the King about it, but she had no idea who this man was. Just some Southern Lord who heard about them?
Whatever the case, it did not matter to her. This man had a Duel Disk, so he was in possession of the Gold Dragons as well. For now, that was all that mattered. She was already imagining the face he would have when he lost to her. He would underestimate her, just like the others had.
"You want to discuss Jon all day? Or you want to settle this how it should be?" Ygritte challenged the man.
His fingers clenched around his sword. "Unfortunately, the way it should be settled has become impossible. So, we will have to settle it with a duel instead. Count yourself lucky you have the Cards to protect you."
Ygritte reached into the pouch she kept the Gold Dragons in. She had seven. "How much do you want to risk?"
"Six." The older man said as he held his own out. "I will knock you out of this tournament. Then perhaps everyone will see your people for what they are. Savages and beasts pretending to be human."
Ygritte knew this man was trying to goad her into making mistakes. He wanted to control the fight right from the start. Still, she took pride in the fact that she had more Gold Dragons than this lord. "You won't knock me out. I ain't wagering more than you."
The man grinded his teeth, but nodded, unable to force her to give up before the Duel.
They walked apart from each other, and the onlookers cleared out to give them space, but stayed close enough to watch.
Y: 4000 R: 4000
"Alright then, I will go first." Ygritte said as she drew.
As she looked at her hand, she had to stop her face from giving her bad luck away. She only had two monsters, and they were unrelated to each other, so she could not use one to bring out the other. She would have to make do.
"I set this monster face down, and then I'll set two more as well. Your move."
Three cards appeared on the field, and Ygritte ended her turn.
Her opponent drew, starting his turn. "Should have known better than to expect an impressive start from a woman." He said as he did so.
"Since you have a monster and I do not, I can special summon the Elder of the Six Samurai, in Defence mode."
A box appeared on the field, with curtains pushed back to reveal an old man sipping some hot drink, while a black mask covered his face, though his eyes glowed red beneath it.
"Next, since I control a Six Samurai monster now, I can special summon the Legendary Six Samurai- Kizan, this time in attack mode!"
A man appeared on the field, draped in black Armor of some kind quite different from that of the knights of Westeros. Ygritte thought it was similar to the Armor worn by Jon's Masaki monster. Even the sword looked similar, being far smaller than any she had seen before the cards.
"Now, for my normal summon, I bring out The Six Samurai- Irou!"
Another warrior appeared on the field. This one wore a green cloth visible on just his right arm, which held a long thin sword. His left arm and his chest were covered in some form of Armor, while his eyes were covered by a blindfold.
Irou had 1700 attack points, while Kizan had 1800. More than enough to make up for the Elder's mere 400.
"Now, since there are two other Six Samurai monsters, Kizan gains another 300 attack points!" The lord revealed.
Kizan held his sword up and was enveloped in a black aura. Now it was even longer and sharper than before.
"Now then, Irou shall attack your face down monster!" The lord commanded.
Ygritte grinned as the blindfolded warrior moved to attack. Her monster was flipped over, and a giant rat just as big as the Lord appeared on the face, its back a large shield of scales that would break Irou's sword and deal damage to her opponent from the difference.
However, that did not occur. Irou feigned a strike to Prevent Rat's back, but at the last moment, tossed his blade into his other hand just as Prevent Rat let out a screech. Irou stabbed the monster rat through the mouth, and soon all signs of life left Ygritte's sole defender.
"Truly foolish." The lord said. "I shouldn't have to explain this to you, but I see I must. Irou's special ability allows him to destroy any face down monster he attacks. And since he does so before the actual attack goes through, I have no risk of taking damage. But now that he is done, Kizan can hasten your end right away with a direct attack!"
Irou's fellow warrior was suddenly rushing with his blade outstretched.
Ygritte had no time to waste. She activated one of the traps she had laid.
"Battle Instinct!" She yelled. Suddenly, out of the trap came forth a dog that intercepted Kizan's blade. This dog was not made of blood and bones, but of rocks and lava. On either of its front shoulders spikes of rocks jutted out. The roar of Flamvell Firedog was fierce, but it was not near enough to survive Kizan's slash. The two halves of Firedog's body hit the ground, and the rocks melted as they joined the lava on the ground.
Ygritte had still lost that battle, but she had managed to reduce her loss.
Y: 3800 R: 4000
"That's the most amount of damage you'll deal me all duel!" Ygritte mocked her opponent even as his gaze filled with more hatred.
"One face down and you can take your second turn." He declared. "It will be your last turn. Not just of the duel, but of your life if you can come to your senses. Even if you wish to stay South of the Wall, might as well just find one of Baelish's whorehouses and settle in. The Bastard won't be enamored with you forever."
Ygritte knew he was baiting her. Trying to get her to make a mistake so he would win easily. Part of her just wanted to grab her bow and shoot his tongue out already. It was getting old fast.
Ygritte drew, hoping it was something that could help her.
That Irou took any hope of playing it safe away from her. And her other face down, Howl of the Wild, was not one that could help her if he attacked her. She needed a monster. Not just any monster, but one strong enough to defeat these Samurai.
When she saw what she drew, she knew her hair was once again a sign of good luck.
"I summon Neo Flamvell Sabre!" Ygritte declared as she slammed the card on her Duel Disk.
A warrior in green Armor and with bluish skin appeared. In his hands was a sword lit aflame. A flame only matched by his own hair.
"Since you like effects so much, I'll tell you his." Ygritte told her opponent. "While you got less than four cards in your Graveyard, he gains an extra 600 attack points!"
The fire of Sabre's blade and hair both suddenly gained much strength, as his attack was raised all the way to 2100.
"Now he matches Kizan, but why should it be a tie? Personally, I always preferred range to a close fight. So let's give him a Burning Spear so he has more options!" Ygritte revealed the equip spell in her hand.
In Sabre's right was his eponymous blade. His left held the flaming spear with less skill, but it was still clear to all watching he was more dangerous even now.
Ygritte looked at the one card still in her hand. Should she use it now? Or keep it for later.
Holding off on it for now, she knew it was time to turn the battle.
"Destroy Irou!" She commanded Sabre. Rushing forward, the fire-based soldier slashed at Irou. Overwhelmed, Irou's blade was shattered, and he fell to his knees.
Ygritte's smile disappeared when the Elder of the Six Samurai jumped in the way and was beheaded.
Y: 3800 R: 3200
"Irou's second ability prevents him from being destroyed, so long as another Six Samurai monster can take his place." The Lord revealed.
As he said this, Kizan's sword stopped its ominous glowing, as there were not enough Six Samurai monsters to keep his additional attack.
"...I end my turn." Ygritte said through gritted teeth.
The Lord drew a monster, and Ygritte could finally see what a smile on his face looked like. It did nothing to improve it.
"First, I shall play Card of Sanctity, allowing both of us to draw until we have six cards. Enjoy it. That is the only boon you shall receive from those of us in the South." He revealed one of the cards already in his hand, instead of the one he just drew.
Ygritte grabbed the top five cards in her hand, surprised this Kneeler would let her get an advantage. This helped her more than it did him, but he did not seem to think that mattered.
Looking at her hand, Ygritte almost laughed for joy. Flamvell Guard, Flamvell Fiend, Behemoth King of All Animals, Salamandra, and Molten Destruction. All in her hand. She would be able to put up a fight next turn. Then this Lord would regret ever challenging her.
"Now then, since I have two Six Samurai monsters on the field already, I can special summon their Lord, Great Shogun Shien!"
Both Samurai stepped aside as a new figure stood between them. This one was completely covered in bronze armour of some kind. A black cape covered his back, and his open-faced helm shaded his red eyes, revealing only his beard. Some blue symbol was emblazoned on his armour, and his blade emanated a red aura that Ygritte would swear made her feel warmer.
It was truly a dangerous monster, but Ygritte did not feel fear. This Lord still had but one card in his graveyard. Sabre was his equal point for point. Even if they destroyed each other, she could at least survive until the next turn.
"I confess, I did not expect a Wildling to use Fire monsters. Did you gather them up thinking they would burn better before you learned how to use your Duel Disk?" The Lord asked. "No matter. They are fitting in a way. Just like the rest of your kind, these monsters you use share a weakness. One you and you savages share."
He held up a card and flipped it around.
Ygritte's eyes widened. She recognized it. How could she not.
Jon had it as well.
"I activate Sword and Shield!" He declared. "Now, like so many Wildlings before you, your inability to match whatever weapons you use to fight with a way to defend yourself will be your undoing. You did not say so, but Burning Spear raises your Sabre's attack at the cost of lowering its already meagre defence!"
It was true. Nearly all Flamvell monsters Ygritte had all shared 200 defence points. The exception in her hand, Flamvell Guard, seemed fit to cover for the other's weaknesses, but Ygritte found she barely used that one. She couldn't even figure out what it being a 'Tuner' meant, no matter who she asked. For some reason that info was not entered into her mind like the rules of the game had been.
But that mattered not to Ygritte. Instead, she looked on in horror as the flames covering Sabre's head and weapons dimmed to a soft glow.
Ygritte looked at her foe's side, and saw the Samurai were also affected, though obviously not by as much.
Kizan's blade shrunk as he went down to 500 attack points. Irou changed his stance as he was reduced to 1200 attack points.
The Shogun barely changed, his aura dimming only slightly, as he went down to 2400 attack points.
"Kizan, destroy Neo Flamvell Sabre!" The Lord roared.
Even with his smaller blade, Kizan was able to slash through Sabre's blade and spear both, before cutting him right down the center of his body, like Firedog had been killed the turn before.
Y: 3300 R:3200
"Irou! Advance" Another commanded sent to the monster by its master.
Irou was before Ygritte in an instant, and the next thing she knew there was a blade sticking out of her chest.
Y: 2100 R: 3200
Ygritte knew she could do nothing to defend herself as Great Shogun Shien was commanded to, in her opponent's words, "Show the Savage her place."
Shien raised his blade up, and slashed right at Ygritte's body.
As her life points depleted, Ygritte found herself being thrown to the ground by the force of impact.
Y: DEFEAT R: VICTOR
The Lord smirked as the monsters faded from the field.
Ygritte gritted her teeth in anger. How had she let herself lose to this Kneeler?
"You'd stay down there if you knew what was good for you." The lord said as he stood over her.
She reached for her coins and tossed them angrily at the Lord.
"You got what you wanted right? Well at least now I won't have to listen to your insults. Just fuck off already."
She moved to stand up, but the Lord made no sign of hearing her words.
"If you're the best that those savages have to offer, perhaps Stark was not so large a fool. Even my eldest son could cut through you all like you were a piece of cake. Even if that was the only bladework he had any skill at." The lord said, his face turning even darker towards the end.
"Come now Lord Tarly!" A voice called out. "I seem to recall a knight's vows involving defending women, not disparaging them."
Ygritte looked back only to see that same man who had greeted Jon and his siblings when they first arrived in the city. The King's youngest brother. And he finally gave a name to her opponent. Lord…
"Tarly?" She questioned. This hard man was related to SAM? It seemed impossible. This man was a right ass, but at least she could see his strength. Both as a warrior and a duelist. But Sam shared his blood? It made no sense that they could be kin, even if she did start to notice small features that looked similar to Jon's fat friend.
"She is no woman, Lord Renly." her foe said. "Only a northern animal that was lucky enough to be born in human skin."
"Come now Randyll. You know she is a guest of ours, right? Firstly, under Lord Starks, for the good behaviour of the Wildlings still up North of the Wall, and as a personal friend of the Hero of the North, Jon Stark. Why, from what I have heard, she was even there at Moat Cailin when he duelled the High Sparrow." Renly turned away from Randyll Tarly and looked at her. "Really, Ygritte is it? You must tell me that story before you return North. I and plenty of others are more than curious to hear the details of how Jon did that. Perhaps I can invite you and the others to dinner tonight? My old squire Loras will be there as well. Perhaps he can give you a better perception of what a Knight of the Reach is than our mutual friend here has."
"The only thing she should know of the Knights of the Reach is how sharp our blades will be when her treachery becomes even more apparent than it already is." Randyll said. His eyes looked at her with even greater disdain than in their duel. He turned back to Renly, and his gaze softened, but only by a fraction. It was clear that while he would prefer Renly to her, he still had issues with the King's brother. "And if I were you, I would concern myself with my own lands. When was the last time you actually issued orders from Storm's End? You've been at court practically nonstop since you became a man. In terms of age, if in no other way."
Renly seemed to falter for a second, but his smile returned quick enough to his face. "Oh, I can assure you that more than mere age has made me a man. True, I may not have any great victories like you and Blackmont, but I did my part for the war with my brother and the rest of the council deciding where you should strike. So, in some ways, I would say I share in your victories in Dorne. Other than that, you can hardly blame me for the relative peace in the realm since I became a knight. Hmmm… On second thought, feel free to credit me with the peace as well! It will just make me even more beloved! I am sure your Liege lords back at Highgarden would be more than happy to agree with you on that."
Every word seemed to reinforce his confidence in himself, and every word seemed to annoy Randyll Tarly more and more.
"You are a great friend of the Tyrells." Randyll allowed. "So, I should not hold against you the fact you inherited that boy Willas' weakness for combat. Mace did prefer feasts to fighting, and Willas' leg cost him the chance to restore honor to his house. Garlan and Loras are capable, I will not deny, but neither are the lord of Highgarden. If they are unwilling to do what is needed to bring the Reach to its true potential, then it must fall on others to do it in their place."
"Come now Tarly." Renly said. "I know how fun this must be, but I would be careful. Those words… Sounds suspiciously close to treason, do they not?"
"Treason is not answering the King's call for War." Randyll said. "His Grace will find no lealer banner in the Reach should he have need of me. I give him Horn Hill, and the best trained soldiers in all of Westeros. I WILL give him Blackmont, once I can actually meet with him to formally lay out my case, and with it, the ability to keep those Dornish traitors in their place. By the Tournament's end, I hope to give him the Twins, and all the resources it has. King Robert is no simple fool. He is a Warrior. He will understand that no matter how strong a rose will grow; an archer's arrow is much better to have than a small thorn."
Renly clenched his fist but let go. "Really, it's a wonder that Samwell managed to be his own person, instead of copying you." He said with a sigh.
Randyll's face shifted right back to showing his hatred and anger clear for all to see. Ygritte did not know a man could feel such hatred for his own kin. Even Gilly did not look that way when Craster was brought up. "What would you know of Sam? You never met him."
"Oh, but I did." Renly said. "I greeted him when he arrived in the city."
"...What."
The one word was said almost like a whisper, but it carried so much venom that Ygritte almost shivered.
"Oh yes." Renly said, taking Tarly's sudden change and jumping on it. "He has been a guest at Winterfell. And he arrived here for a chance to win The Twins, just as you did."
Ygritte would never claim to be friends with Sam. Most of her feelings towards him were more regarding Gilly's own opinion about him. That girl had gone through enough torment just being one of Craster's. If Sam could make her happy, then that was enough, otherwise Ygritte cared little for the fat little lordling.
Except now she could not help but feel sorry for Sam. Now his father knew he was in the city. She doubted this would end well for him.
"I see." Randyll said, recovering some composure. "Sam has always been a failure, but I thought I at least taught him better than to not follow through on his word. But I see I failed to instil even that into him."
"It appears so." Renly said, once again on top of the conversation. "And it would be wrong for you, who failed to teach such an important lesson to your son, to speak ill of the late Lord Mace and his care for his children."
Randyll very clearly wanted to continue to hurl insults, but he took the chance being provided for him. He nodded curtly and turned back to Ygritte. "Whatever it is you and your savage kin are planning, Westeros will not just stand by and let you invade unimpeded. Run back across the wall if you know what is good for you Girl. And unless you want to see your children's heads on spikes, you would do well to not even let the seed of your fellow savages enter you."
With that threat, Randyll Tarly walked off, no doubt in search of either his son, or another person in the tourney that he did not approve of.
"I do hope you will pass on my apology to young Sam." Renly said, turning to her. "I fear my revealing his presence to his Father may have dire consequences."
With the older Tarly out of her way, and her nerves recovered from the loss, Ygritte was in no mood to act like some southron lady and just do as she was told. "You got a mouth of your own, you can tell him yourself."
Renly, far from insulted, instead threw the same smile he had worn for the majority of the conversation at her. "Too true I suppose. But I was serious about the invitation to you and the Starks. I fear that for all of Eddard's honor, he may be a poor host to show off the splendour of the Kingdoms. You are the first Wildling in over a century to actually be welcome in the Kingdom. If you end up going back beyond the Wall, I hope you at least know our good points as well. Besides our soldiers' locations and training at least."
Like Tarly, he was bringing up the possibility of her being a spy for Mance. But while Tarly did so with the venom a traitor would deserve, he laughed it off as if it was a clever joke.
'He doesn't even consider us a threat to the City, let alone the entire Seven Kingdoms.' Ygritte thought.
Part of her was angry at that thought, but was it wrong?
When she had joined Mance, she thought that a former Crow that flew from the nest would be enough for them to succeed where they had failed so many times before.
But all the things she had seen since going south showed her that Mance still would have had a long and difficult path ahead of getting south of the Wall. Her first view of Winterfell had nearly left her breathless. For such a place to be so big, she thought that must be where this Iron Throne Mance mentioned must be. But instead, it was in this city.
It all confirmed to Ygritte that the shift from simply attacking the Watch to making connections was their best hope to survive.
She turned away from the King's brother. "I don't have time to be just talking with you. Unless you want to give me a chance to take your Coins, I'd let me be on my way to finding someone who will."
Renly let out a small laugh. "Fair enough. I have had enough fun for one day myself. I wish you luck. It would be quite interesting indeed if you win. Or at the very least, you can beat Lord Randyll in the next round. I know quite a few musicians, if it happens, I'll make sure to have them compose a ballad of your victory if it does turn out that way."
With that, Ygritte left the… Was he a Prince? He was called a lord, but he was the King's family. Either way, she left Renly, and continued looking around for a new opponent.
Randyll Tarly was everything she had been told was bad about the South all rolled into a single person. She would not let him think he convinced her to believe what he said.
If she did face him, perhaps Jon would let her borrow Slifer for the Duel.
As she thought that, she wondered how Jon would react if she did end up helping Mance in whatever his next plan was. Would he rage and fight against her? Look betrayed and do nothing but fall back into a similar gloominess as after he killed that Sparrow? Or just cut off any feelings he had and immediately go back to Wynafryd or whatever other highborn girl was closest.
Ygritte did not want any of those to happen, but the world was cruel, and she learned early on in life that the gods rarely allowed her to have what she wanted.
'One issue at a time.' She thought as she pushed those long-term thoughts down.
RENLY
As he walked back towards the Red Keep, he wondered just how much help Jon could be to him once he sat the Iron Throne.
'The Starks have mainly stayed to themselves, even after the Conquest. Aerys forced them into fighting, and the Ironborn are… Well, the Ironborn. But me against Joffrey? Ned Stark made no secret of his disdain for Tywin and the Lannisters. Will that be enough to keep them from rushing to aid Robert's son?'
Renly's support was steadily growing, even if even those supporters they did not realise the size of his ambitions. He of course had the Stormlands, as he was their liege. He also had the Tyrells, through Loras. At least, he thought he had them. He had panicked when Loras passed on the message that his grandmother believed it was more sensible to try to get Joffrey to fall for Margaery then to steal Robert away from Cersei. He said he would try, but luckily the boy's exile put an end to that for the immediate future. There was also the Florents as well, who would have been likely to side with Stannis, but now that Selyse was missing and Shireen unable to wake, they may fall in line. He may need to offer them something, but even if they opposed him, they would be only a minor hindrance.
Ser Robar Royce would likely be loyal to him. Second sons had to make names of their own or be forgotten. But a single second son would not win him the whole of the Vale. They were likely to be the biggest obstacle, unless he won more of them to his side. Renly had hoped that the chance to fight the Lions of the West would be enough for the Dornish to join him. But Oberyn's impatience won out, and Dorne suffered for it before he could do much to ingratiate himself to them. On the one hand, that was one less ally, but it also meant Dorne was likely too weak to stand against him when his turn to rule came. The Ironborn were clearly preparing for another rebellion, so they would need to be beaten into submission after Renly sat the throne. But if they repeated Balon's earlier bid for power, then they may at least help against the Lannisters.
That left the North, and the Riverlands as possible allies who had no reason at present to support him outright. But some would be easier to win over than others. Jonos Bracken would join easily enough, but that would mean Tytos Blackwood would be on the other side. And Edmure was getting closer and closer to holding Riverrun himself, rather than in his Father's name. Hopefully Renly could meet the Tully Heir for some private discussion before the tournament was done.
Renly understood that Edmure was desperate to make a name for himself to live up to the rest of his family. Helping Renly take his rightful place on the throne would elevate him in the annals of history.
Renly knew he needed as much help as he could get. No laws were on his side. Only common sense was his claim to the throne. Why shouldn't he be king? Robert spent all his reign getting fat and whoring. Stannis was too cold to inspire loyalty amongst the lords. And Joffrey was a monster, everyone could see that if they cared to look for more than five minutes.
Even so, he could not help but deflate when Lord Tarly said such things, knowing part of it was aimed at him as well. He had thought that Tarly would simply obey his liege lords in House Tyrell, but Loras had told him of Oleanna's ideas on what the Lord of Horn Hill-and self-declared Lord of Blackmont- would be planning if he won the Twins. He would leave that up to Loras and his brothers. They would remind Randyll Tarly of his place as their vassal, and he would go back to being their leal bannerman.
He knew that war was his weakness when it came to proving he was a good king. He had been but a boy during the Rebellion, stuck in Storm's End with Stannis. During the Greyjoy Rebellion, he had been twelve. Stannis asked that he be able to bring Renly as a squire, but with both Robert and Stannis going to fight, Jon Arryn had requested that he stay behind. Joffrey was only just three, and Jon feared what would happen if all the Baratheon brothers died in the fighting.
When the Cards first appeared, Renly believed them to be his way out. Wars would be impossible. Which was why he felt no need to lead the Stormlanders in the recent battles in Dorne, letting Beric handle it instead. But when they received reports on this "War Mode" Renly realised he had missed another chance to show his skill in battle. Not to mention the Sparrows who had been tormenting his kingdom without him even realising it. It was strange, seeing Robert and Stannis work together, and realising that he was both of their 'Least Favourite Brother' now. How in the Seven Hells had they managed to get over years of spite and hate and petty slights?
He thought the Cards were his salvation. But so far they were his greatest obstacle.
'No matter. I shall simply win over not just the High Lords themselves, but the greatest duellists as well. Fortunately, they shall all be in the city.'
It was clear that the next round would likely consist of sixteen participants. Assuming Renly made it, that left fifteen he could win over. Surely, he could manage at least a fraction of that number. Especially if the eventual victor could be among them.
'Robert, Stannis, especially Joffrey and Tommen.' Renly mused to himself. 'None of them would be even close to being as great a king as I shall be. When they write the history of my reign, they shall say usurping their place was the right thing to do.'
AN:
We pick up with Ygritte in her first POV chapter. Here, we see a lot of what has been going on North of the Wall with the addition of the cards. And her own thoughts about how the plan and life in the South have gone.
I really wanted to post this before the New Year, and the duel was the last thing I wrote, so I had to cut it down, so it is a bit more of a curb stomp than I originally planned. But I feel like I can make this work. I always had Ygritte start with a fairly bad hand, so now she still has most of her best moves and cards hidden for surprises for later. Though as seen so far, she largely uses Flamvell monsters. Something I thought works well considering the whole "Kissed by Fire" symbolism she represents to the Free Folk.
And that leads us to Mance Rayder and Ygritte's loyalty. We see in the books that the Free Folk are united more to live and escape than out of any sense of loyalty or shared sense of identity. So, if Ygritte can help the Free Folk get South? That's great! If she can't help them, but can save herself and believes the wall will hold for the rest of her life? Well, she tried her best, so she might as well enjoy her life.
And then there is her new relationship with Jon. I (Believe) I have said before that Romance is not my strong suit, so looking back, I feel I may have rushed their relationship too quickly after the High Sparrow's defeat. The way I see it, it started out just physical, but Jon's sense of Honor means he will stick by her, and they have slowly gotten closer emotionally. And of course, this is the reverse of canon, where Jon joined the Free Folk and hid his true loyalty to his brothers. Now Ygritte has to feign being separate from Mance's army, while also looking for any way she can help them convince the Seven Kingdoms to let them come South.
And then, we get Renly's POV. The last of the Baratheon brothers to get one.
Renly is often portrayed as a pawn to the Tyrells. Which, admittedly there is plenty of contextual evidence for. But I figured it would be interesting to portray him as the player more than a piece, at least in his own mind. Though I do want to say that his relationship with Loras is separate from his attempts for the throne. That is a genuine love, not just a way to get the Tyrell's support.
He's already planning his own reign, before he gets any hint about Joffrey's true parentage. Yet his great Charisma is basically his only usable skill. Unlike his brothers, he has no battle record outside of the occasional tourney to show off his skill. Of course we know in canon how many supported him, but he expects anyone not on his side to oppose him, so he can't count on Stark vs Lannisters weakening each other while he feasts and has fun.
Time (And Me) will tell how his plans bear fruit.
With that, I would like to once again apologize for my year long hiatus. Not sure when I will be able to next get a chapter out, but I hope you all remain patient with me.
Hope you all stay safe. I wish you all luck in all your endeavours.
Jaehaerys . Joestar