personal6

Chapter 45

In their own hands

Samwell POV

Lord Edmure's proclamation and actions made a storm in King Renly's camp. Especially now when we heard of King Jaehaerys victory in Westerlands and his successes in Crownlands. I stood guard and said nothing as every lord of the Stormland and the Reach argued about actions we should take. All I could do was listen.

"He is a traitor to the Iron Throne. We should capture him now and make him answer for his actions," This sentiment was met with approval among the Stormland lords.

"If you have not realized, we are in open rebellion against the Iron Throne," Lords from the Reach thought differently.

"Enough, my lords, Lord Edmure Tully wants us to fight each other," King Renly tried to calm everyone. "We should rise above it."

"While we stand there and do nothing, the Seven Kingdoms fall to another King. We should ride to the King's Landing," My father was dissatisfied with our inaction, and now more lords agreed with him.

"Why should we rush, let the bastard fight the Lannisters, let them exhaust each other. Then we can swoop and take the victory under their noses," King Renly laughed, as my father's idea was foolish.

In theory, King Renly might be correct, but it was flawed thinking in practice. While Jon might lose men in continuous fighting, he will earn respect and more support with each victory he achieves. Many understood it, but King Renly's decision was final.

Many young men wanted to earn glory, and hearing the stories of a young King fighting and winning while we only fight in tourneys made them restless. Even older men who are veterans of previous wars started to complain. They began to see King Renly's actions as childish plays.

Even Lord Edmure staying a couple of days away from the camp put pressure on everyone. Nobody knew what should be done with him, King Renly ignored him, but others couldn't do so. If someone tried to attack him, he would see through it and leave.

Some didn't want to lose the chance to change sides, especially now when doubt was rising in their minds. Most of them were of the Reach, but those of the Stormlands started to dislike King Renly's favor for the Reach.

"My King, my King," Someone forced inside the tent and yelled out. "King Renly, Lord Stannis has sent a demand for you to meet him."

I felt that meeting with Stannis would be a mistake; I heard that he was a capable man. If Stormland lords see something in him, the doubt towards King Renly will increase. Still, I said nothing, for I was just a guard.

…

King Renly had not taken me with him. He took a few guards and lords with him. I was worried as everyone started to doubt him. I still believed he would be a good King. At least better than the last two.

"We should have taken the King's Landing long ago," Father complained. "Then Stannis wouldn't have much to entice anyone."

"He still doesn't," I replied. "The Stormland lords are loyal to King Renly."

"For how long?" Father asked. "People are starting to see that his majesty's hands are soft. He doesn't have the hands of a warrior. He doesn't want to dirty his hands either. Soon everyone will realize that he only looks like young Robbert."

I didn't know what to say back. When I served Lord Edmure, I saw every man's true nature, and then I was rebuked that every man is different. That what I see is what they want to show. I indeed saw King Renly as a kind and just man. Now I have to wonder what he doesn't show.

"We should not speak of King Renly so," I told father. "We are his loyal subjects."

"For how long?" Father asked me. "If the Vale joins King Jaehaerys, he will have most men. Something that King Renly likes to mention to everyone. It will only take one losing battle to break King Renly. What will we do then?"

"We will not lose."

"Then you still a naïve, foolish boy," Father told me. "Everyone loses at some point."

Everyone falls. I remember Lord Edmures words. No matter how strong you are, no matter how powerful or wealthy you are. You are still just a man, and men bleed. One arrow, one cut, or one fall that all it takes for you to die.

…

When King Renly returned, he didn't show any disturbance on his face. Still, I could see that the meeting didn't go as he wished. Once he entered his pavilion, I waited outside with ser Emmon Cuy. Inside, my father and lord Mathis Rowan were talking with the King.

I could hear parts of the discussion, especially my father's rather loud voice. He tried to convince the King to advance before dawn, yet it seemed the King had other plans. With every disagreement, I felt that my doubt was rising toward King Renly.

I wanted to believe in him, yet his actions had not provided any assurance. Even if Stannis' army was small, I knew that Stannis himself was no fool. There was a trap lying for King Renly, and he was walking straight to it.

After some time, my father left the pavilion with an angry face. Lord Rowan's face wasn't any better. To see even the ever-loyal Lord Rowan like this filled me with more doubt. If even he is starting to show such kind of expression, then how many more are angry at the King.

"Did you feel it, ser Emmon?" I asked, feeling a chill and hearing the tent's flap open.

"Feeling what?" He asked doubtfully, yet still looked around.

We saw nothing, but I felt something was wrong. Not wanting to risk the King's safety, I rudely entered the tent and called out for the King. I saw a shadow rising behind the King and Brienne, fasting a longsword to the King's belt.

"Your grace," I yelled.

Hearing my shout, the King and Brienne turn to me and the shadow. Ser Emmon rushed to the tent, but it was too late. The shadow stabbed the King with a blade. Pushing down the fear and disbelief, I cut down the shadow.

My sword went through it, hitting only air. The shadow dismissed me entirely and soon disappeared into thin air, leaving only King Renly bleeding in the arms of Brienne. Ser Emmon and I both were shocked.

Quickly regaining our posture, I yelled for help and tried to stop the bleeding. It was too late as I could see King Renly's eyes losing focus and light.

Tyrion POV

"I want them dead, all of them," Joffrey yelled at my father. "What good are you for? You can't even defeat that bastard."

Father looked at him, but Joffrey didn't care anymore as the Crownlands had started to fall. After Hayford had been lost, the other didn't even put the fight. Rosby, Sow's Horn, and Antlers have surrendered. Now King Jaehaerys was staying at Duskendale. And yet we didn't do anything.

"Your grace, please calm down," Grandmaester Pycelle tried to calm Joffrey down, but it didn't work.

"Don't tell me what to do. I am the King. They should do as I have told them."

Joffrey yelled for his rights, yet he hasn't given any solution to what we should do. His words were empty threats and nothing more. Not long after, my father ordered Joffrey to leave and rest. All of the council meetings ended like this.

"Father, we must raise our banners and ride to the battle," Cercei started to plead.

"Don't call me your father," He replied coldly. "I have no children."

With those words, he left. Father had become cold after the news of Jaime's confession reached us. He just took power over the King's Landing and met with Joffrey sometimes. He didn't do anything else. At least, that is what he wanted everyone to see.

I didn't like not knowing what was going on, but I couldn't get any information no matter how much I tried. Qyburn was working with my father, and I knew he was hiding something. This situation wasn't something that I liked.

"Tyrion," Bronn greeted me once I left the council room. "I had procured a ship and a smuggler."

"Good."

I knew better than hope for some miracle, father didn't trust me, so I didn't have any reason to trust him back. If defeat is unavoidable, I will make sure that I survive. I just needed to find an opportunity to act.

"Were you able to find anything?" I asked Bronn when we were alone.

"Your father has been seen working with an alchemist guild, but that is as much I could get."

Alchemist guild, huh? At least I have a lead. I will have to investigate it further. I alone knew how dangerous a lion could be when he is cornered. Dangerous not only to his enemies but to his allies too.

Oberyn POV

The Water Garden was tranquil as always. I still can remember how my daughters and Arianne played there under the concerned look of Doran. Even now, there he sits and watches the children play. It was the only place I could see him relax.

Before I could get close to my brother, his silent guard stepped in front of me. Areo Hotah is always loyal and always annoying. I looked at him and waited for my brother to notice me and tell his guard to step down.

"Areo, leave us."

"Tch, by now, he should know who I am," I commented.

"He knows. That's why he is cautious with you."

Doran looked at me, waiting for me to speak. I calmed down and looked at the children playing in the Water Garden. The day was hot, like most of them, but the breeze from the sea was refreshing.

"Are you done waiting?" I asked.

"Waiting for what, brother?"

"You know well enough. The Lannisters are almost defeated. Give me the command, and the King's Landing will fall."

"It will fall, either way. What I am concerned is to whom it will fall."

"So, you are worried about that bastard?"

"He played us," Doran said, letting out a sigh. "It was a long time since something so unexpected happened."

"More surprising than the incest under the Roberts rule. I still can't stop laughing when I heard the Kingslayer's confession."

"Yes, it isn't something just anyone could see coming. Yet, I have to worry more about a man claiming to be the heir to the Iron Throne."

"I said it before. You shouldn't have accepted that boy's proposal."

"No, accepting Edmure was not a mistake. He is no longer a boy. He has killed the Mountain and defeated the Kingslayer. Some would say he is the best fighter in the whole world."

"I won't believe that the Mountain is dead until I see his head."

"There is someone more deserving death than the Mountain."

"Yes, and yet you refuse to move."

Doran always knew what to say, I was not too fond of it, but I still waited for him to explain himself. It was time to take the revenge into our hands. I had enough of waiting, especially when such an opportunity showed itself to us.

"Will you fight for him?" Doran asked me.

"Jaehaerys Targaryen?" I asked, and Doran nodded. "He is why Elia died, yet he isn't the one who killed her. I won't mind him as long as he gives me the chance to kill the old lion."

"Good, I have sent ten thousand men to the Prince's passage. They will stay there. You will take your sellswords and five thousand men from the Sunspear. You will take all the ships and sail to the Dragonstone."

"Dragonstone?"

"Yes, Stannis is in Stormlands. Before he can raise more men for his cause, I want you to take the Dragonstone. From there, the King's Landing will be within our palms."

"Very well," I agreed with his plan. "I heard that Lord Stark is captive inside the Dragonstone."

"If he is still alive, save him. The North will be indebted to us. If he is dead, avenge him."

I nodded. The revenge I dreamt of was so close. I didn't care who sat on the Throne. I just wanted to take everything the Lannisters had and see where Tywin's face when he realized that his actions were his doom.