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Chapter 46

Red comet

Edmure POV

A red comet appeared in the sky tonight. I hadn't even realized that it was time for it to appear. Maybe it was there for a couple of days or weeks, but it was the first time I saw it. Only now did I realize how much time I have spent fighting.

I didn't go to sleep that night but instead wrote letters to my children and my wife. I don't know what came to me, but I felt sentimental. For some reason, I knew that I wouldn't be coming home soon. Once I finished with the letters, the outside started to brighten.

"My lord," Ser Alan came to me in the morning. "A scout has reported a disturbance in King Renly's camp."

"So, it is the time," I muttered. "Wake everyone up. We are going to see lords of the Reach. And bring me the scout. I want him to report what he saw to me personally."

"As you command, my lord," Ser Alan left to bring me the scout.

"My lord, you asked for me," A rough man came to me.

"Tell me what you saw and when you saw it."

"I had infiltrated the camp, as, by your orders, my lord," The man began. "I don't know exactly what happened, but King Renly met with King Stannis four days ago. Later that night, a commotion fell on the whole camp. There was fighting among the lords, and Lord Tarly had almost crossed swords with Lord Tyrell."

"Thank you. You can go and rest," I told him.

There were only a couple of reasons why a commotion would happen in Renly's camp. The first reason would be that he died. The second, the lords of the Reach, got tired of Renly and are infighting. No matter the reason, it was time to give them the chance to join my side once again.

"Have you seen the red comet, Lord Edmure?" Lord Blackwood asked.

"I have," I replied. "Has it been here a while, or did it appear out of nowhere?"

"Some men said they saw it a couple of days ago. I personally only saw it today," Lord Blackwood answered. "Men are talking, saying it represents you, Lord Edmure."

"Me?"

"Yes, they call it the Redfish tail," Lord Blackwood replied. "They think it represents your impending victory."

"Everyone will refer to it differently. I wouldn't put much thought about it."

Once everyone got ready, I put on my armor with the help of Edmund. He worked hard as my squire, going beyond what was asked of him. He was a young and curious boy, only eleven years old. If he continued to work hard as he is now, he would be a great knight one day.

Speaking of knights, ser Alan was quite a capable man. I should keep him around. In these times, it was hard to find such a man. Once the war is over, plenty of newly risen knights won't have anywhere to go or do. But not many will be trustworthy.

I led a thousand men I had through the plains of the Reach. It would take a full day of riding to arrive at Bitterbridge. I wasn't worried, the lords had heard of my offer, and they were probably already looking for a chance to change their side.

"The King Jaehaerys has taken the Crownlands," Lord Bolton commented once we stopped by a pond for horses to drink. "What do you think of it, Lord Edmure?"

"It is unexpected, but not unwelcomed," I replied. "If we can convince the Reach to serve the King Jaehaerys, we can ride straight to King's Landing and join our forces."

"Do you think the war will be over once we take King's Landing?" Lord Bolton asked.

"There will be plenty to clean up," I answered. "But most Lannisters are in King's Landing, so only King Stannis alone will stand against us."

"What will happen to the Westerlands?"

"That is for the King to decide," I replied to him. "Still, there will be plenty of empty castles and lands for someone to manage."

I knew what Lord Bolton was trying to do, and I let him. I wanted him to get closer to me, and he wanted to do so by himself. I have nothing to complain about. Once he starts to trust me, I will strike. In my future, there is no need for house Bolton to exist.

"My lord, a rider is coming close," Ser Alan came to me and reported.

I held my sword's handle with my right hand and walked to see who had come. It surprised me to see Lord Randyll Tarly himself riding to me. The first thing I saw was a banner of a red huntsman in the green field. But it was his bold head and severe expression that gave away who he was.

"Lord Edmure Tully," Lord Randyll dismounted his horse and greeted me.

"Lord Randyll Tarly," I greeted him back. "I didn't expect to meet you there."

"Neither did I. I thought you were staying further away," Lord Randyll replied. "I come to you to accept your offer and serve King Jaehaerys Targaryen, third of his name."

"I see. Tell me, Lord Tarly, is Renly Baratheon dead?"

"It seems that there is a reason why you are so close to the camp. Yes, Renly Baratheon was killed."

"Who Tyrells are blaming for his death?"

"My son, Samwell, ser Emmon Cuy, and Brienne of Tarth are blamed for killing Renly Baratheon."

"Very well, I accept you in the name of King Jaehaerys, third of his name, to his service. Now, come, we need to reprimand the Tyrells for trying to accuse the heir of our King's vassal."

My intention was clear, and it was precisely what Lord Tarly wanted. I had no love for the Tyrells. House Tully was as rich as they are, and Riverlands, under my reformation, yielded almost as much food as the Reach. There wasn't anything Tyrells could offer us that we didn't already have.

…

The camp at Bitterbridge was in an uproar. Several men were arguing with each other. I didn't see many men of the Stormlands. They had already left to join Stannis or were done with the Reach. Nobody even questioned me as I galloped into their camp with thousand men.

Soon enough, I arrived at the center of the camp. There it seems that Mace Tyrell was trying to appease his lords. I could see him sweating, trying to explain something. I rode through the men, and they let me through. I looked down on Lord Mace Tyrell from my horse.

"Lord Edmure, what are you doing there?" Lord Tyrell asked.

I ignored him and turned my horse to face the other lords. I looked at them to see who they were. Only house Florent from the Reach I didn't find. Of course, there was nobody from the Stormlands. Mace Tyrell tried to say something to me, but I spoke first in a loud voice for everyone to hear.

"I, Edmure Tully, Lord Paramount of the Trident, come, in the name of King Jaehaerys Targaryen, third of his name, to offer you a chance to kneel to him and serve him. This is your last chance to do so, as I won't ask you the next time. I will accept everyone, no matter their status or previous allegiance."

"It was you," I heard a shout from behind me. "You killed King Renly."

"Ser Loras Tyrell," I said slowly. "You will die if you accuse me once more of something you have no proof of."

"It was Samwell Tarly, a man you sent to kill King Renly," Loras Tyrell didn't listen to my words.

"Lord Tarly, I want you to prepare your men," I said coldly, "For those who won't follow me, I advise you to prepare for a battle."

"You think you can just come there like nothing after what you have done," Loras Tyrell drew his sword.

"I have no patience to speak with children," I dismissed Loras and turned to Mace Tyrell. "Is this the final stand of House Tyrell?"

"Well, you see. You have to understand, Lord Edmure, that we can't," Mace tried to say something intelligent.

"House Tyrell will stand with King Jaehaerys Targaryen, third of his name," A young voice replied instead of Mace. "Lower your weapon, Loras. I, Garlan Tyrell, apologize for treating you so poorly, Lord Edmure."

"Let's talk inside," I motion for him to lead me.

Ser Garlan Tyrell led me into the central pavilion of the camp. There awaited me, Lady Olenna Tyrell and Margaery Tyrell, sitting by the table. I greeted them and sat with them. Garlan and Mace joined me.

"Lord Edmure," Garlan began. "Let's talk about the conditions of us joining you."

"Joining King Jaehearys," I corrected him. "The conditions to you are the same as any other lord."

"Surely we are worth more than any other lord," Olenna replied.

"And what can you bring more than any other lord?" I asked. "I will answer, nothing. You lost the game, be glad that you are not kicked out of the board."

"We have men," Mace Tyrell told me.

"The men I don't need," I replied. "At this point, at least half of the Reach will submit to serve King Jaehaerys, with you or without you."

"I already said we will serve King Jaehaerys," Garlan responded.

"Then is there to speak of something more?" I asked.

"King Jaehaerys is young and not promised to marry anyone," Olenna commented. "My granddaughter is a similar age as the King."

"It isn't to me to decide his marriage. You will have to talk to him personally," I replied. "Lord Tarly has a daughter of similar age too."

"How can you compare my daughter to someone," Mace started to rant.

"Enough, don't play your games with me. As I said before, it is for King Jaehaerys to decide on his marriage," I stopped Mace. "Now I sure that you heard of King taking the crownlands. Will you join me and ride to meet him, or should I tell the King that you refuse?"

"When are we leaving?" Ser Garlan asked.

"As soon as possible, there still Stannis left to take care of after Lannisters. I don't want to give him a chance to turn the situation in his favor" I told them. "And where is Lord Tarly's son?"

"He is awaiting his trial," Loras Tyrell answered. He has calmed down by now.

"Tell me of what happened," I sighed.

After ser Garlan told me what had happened, I wasn't surprised that Samwell took the blame. Still, I wouldn't let anything happen to that boy. No matter what Tyrells wanted, I held more power than them.

"So, you saying that three of seven Renly's guards plotted to kill him?" I asked. "Three people of different upbringing and places and not even the same gender plotted to get close to Renly as his guards and then kill him. Somehow their story of a shadow with Stannis' face sounds more believable."

"You can't be serious about believing in some magic?" Mace asked. "It is ridiculous."

"Is it? Have you never heard of the shadow binders of Asshai?" I asked him. "And it so happens that a priestess of Asshai is working for Stannis. Now, you will release them and be happy that you won't need to apologize to them."

Ser Garlan agreed with me, and no matter how Loras complained, it was already decided. It was time for my informants to work and spread rumors of how Stannis used dark magic and killed his brother. Not many will believe it, but many will consider it as long as Melisandre is by his side.

Once I left the pavilion, I still could see the red comet in the sky. The comet meant only one thing. The magic had returned to the world. I feared no man, but magic is something I don't understand, so I will have to be watchful of it.