50 Prelude To Battle
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~~~(POV: Tyrion Lannister)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 35 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Balcony, The Red Keep, Kings Landing, Westeros)~~~
~~~(Time: 300 AC)~~~
The storms along the coast have slowed Stannis's fleet by a few days. We're lucky we have this time to prepare. My plans to use Wildfire and lock Stannis's fleet into the bay are almost complete, with no more than a day left until they're ready.
Father is with Cersei and Joffrey. Instructing them on what to do if we should lose this battle. Joffrey is to flee to Casterly Rock with his mother and two younger siblings.
Tommen and Myrcella are far better people than their older brother. If many could choose it, they'd have Tommen rule as King over Joffrey. The bastard boy is the reason we're in this mess. Killing Ned Stark... Starting war with The North...
Cersei is to blame for what Joffrey's done. If only she'd raised him better. My thoughts would continue, but a man steps up beside me and takes a single breath. Releasing a sigh a few seconds later. Varys has proven to be a great help.
His spies have kept us in the loop with Stannis and his coming armies. Without them, I doubt we'd have any advantage in this battle. Stannis has a larger army, a greater navy, and better soldiers. All we have for an advantage is high walls and rotten artillery.
"I hope you realize without the support of House Tyrell; it's unlikely we'll win this coming battle. If I were you, I'd have left by now. You're welcome to come with me; I've arranged safe travel away from Kings Landing before the fighting starts."
I'm not surprised Varys is planning to leave. There is little hope for our battle against Stannis. I'm resting my hopes in The Mad King's favorite pass time. Wildfire could prove to be what wins this battle. Burning Stannis's ships once they're trapped is how we'll beat him.
House Tyrell could've been a great help on this day. Father wanted to flank Stannis's fleet from behind with Tyrell's ships. Once they were locked in the bay, he'd make sure none would get away. Without House Tyrell's help, father can't use that plan.
Leaving us with far less than he'd want to against Stannis. Father was angry, fighting against Robb Stark. The Young Wolf proved a worthy foe. The same could be said for Stannis when he has what he needs. It's said he held Storms End with a skeleton crew.
He was barely an adult himself while doing so.
"I'll remain here, Varys."
That's all I can say in response to Varys offer. I don't have a reason or motive to justify staying. Well, almost. Father said if I stayed and helped win the battle, I could have anything I asked for.
My own greed is getting the better of me... Getting in the way of my survival... There are few and far chances where I can say I get to request anything from my father. This could be my one chance to get what I want. What I deserve.
"Suit yourself. If you happen to change your mind in the coming day, come to me. But once the battle starts, I'll be gone by then. Hopefully, I'll hear of your victory somewhere in the world. If not, I'll toast to a man who tried his hardest, despite the cards he was dealt."
Varys words sound like they're genuine, but I can tell there is little sentiment attached. The man turns and leaves the balcony I'm brooding on. I'm unsure what's in store for me if we lose this battle.
My hand finds its way to a cup of wine in time, and I'm quick to swallow most of it in a single gulp. If I could choose something, it'd be to live my days out somewhere in peace, with wine in my hand and women tending to my every need.
They'd have to be paid, of course. No woman worth more than a whore would love a monster such as myself. But I've already got a wife who's a whore and who loves me enough to pretend to love me. Which is something in itself.
"Even if we win this battle, it doesn't mean it's the end... Raenon Targaryen is out there, and he's coming soon... There is only a matter of time before we'll be under siege again..."
Now, I'm talking to no one. Nothing but the wind and air.
Smells like shit.
~~~(POV: Joffrey Baratheon)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 18 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: The Iron Throne, The Red Keep, Kings Landing, Westeros)~~~
~~~(Time: 300 AC)~~~
"If Stannis and his men breach the castle gates, you'll be taken to an underground tunnel that will exit out behind The Red Keep. There, horses will be waiting for you, and you'll be taken to Casterly Rock."
Grandfather is beating the drill of what we should do if Stannis and his men succeed. Mother is holding onto me tighter than she usually does.
"However, Joffrey. You shall remain here, in Kings Landing."
Before I can protest such an idiotic move, mother is already on her feet.
"Are you insane?!"
The hard and stern look my grandfather gives is enough to silence mother. A trick I wish to learn. His gaze shifts to me, and I can see him scrutinizing me even now.
"The soldiers must see they're King. If Joffrey is too afraid to face the enemy, why should our soldiers do the same."
I stand up and look my grandfather dead in the eyes.
"I'm not afraid of Stannis or his army."
I'm not afraid of anything. A small smile appears on grandfather's face. Contrasting the distressed look on my mother's.
~~~(POV: Varys)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 48 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Personal Study, Kings Landing, The Red Keep, Westeros)~~~
~~~(Date: 300 AC)~~~
The coming storm is one I'll be avoiding altogether. As much as I'd like to stay and remain Raenon's spy in King's Landing, I must ensure I survive. I won't be leaving until Stannis breaches the castle's gates. That will be the sign of The Iron Thrones' defeat.
My mind focuses on the letter that rests in my hand. One that I received from Lady Olenna. She wants my help in marrying Margaery to Raenon Targaryen. Surely, she knows how difficult this will be. But I can see the benefits of such an alliance for the realm.
A Tyrell and Targaryen alliance can make The Seven Kingdoms thrive after this dreadful rule. Joffrey Baratheon destroyed years of work when he sat upon The Iron Throne.
My quill is soon dipped into some ink, and I begin writing a letter back to Lady Olenna. She knows that Raenon's victory in Westeros is already won, and I know that too. I'm making sure of it.
It's a short reply. One that tells her all she needs to know. It's not long before I enclose it in an envelope and have it sent. My attention turns to the storm clouds and lightning outside. It's begun to rain on Kings Landing.
Winter will be starting soon. But for now, it's only water.
~~~(POV: Raenon Targaryen)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 16 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Manse, Yunkai, Essos)~~~
~~~(Date: 300 AC)~~~
"It seems that Robb Stark has won The North back from The Boltons and The Greyjoys. Not that it concerns your plans here in Essos."
Oberyn sits across from me as we read the many letters we've gotten from our contacts in Westeros. Most of them are from Varys, keeping us informed of what's happening. Apparently, Stannis is on his way to Kings Landing.
To press his claim on The Iron Throne. He has every right to do so, as well. He's the only brother remaining of Robert Baratheon. And since Robert has no trueborn sons, it leaves only Stannis with a rightful claim.
Robert won The Iron Throne through conquest. Any family he has left... They have a claim to the old chair.
"Much of my concerns are with The Smallfolk. They're the ones that really suffer when Lords and Ladies start waging wars. Soon, they grow tired of the fighting, and they'll rebel against whoever is ruling them. Be it Stannis, Joffrey, or me."
Never underestimate the power of starving and oppressed people. It's unavoidable something will happen in the coming months. Leaving The Smallfolk to rebel against The Lannisters or Baratheons leaves a place for me to enter.
It's a good way to let them welcome me with open arms. But Lannister propaganda is and will make that difficult. The Faith Of The Seven is already against Dany and me from the reports.
All there is left to do now is wait for the result of the coming battle.
"What do you think about attacking once Stannis and Tywin are done doing battle? Both will be weak. You can swiftly put an end to both of them."
As much as I'd want to, there are still problems that exist both in Essos and Westeros that I can't fix if I were King in Westeros. The only way to get rid of those problems is to let the people who made them deal with them.
"It would be easy, Oberyn. But I'd be taking a Kingdom that's filled with turmoil, strife, and rage. Getting problems I never created. It's best to let what The Lannisters and Baratheons created destroy them, and then we can move in."
That also gives me time to attack the final city of Slavers Bay.
Meereen is all I left to do in Slavers Bay.
