51 The Battle Of Blackwater
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~~~(POV: Stannis Baratheon)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 36 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Flagship The Fury, The Narrow Sea, Closing In On Kings Landing)~~~
~~~(Date: 300 AC)~~~
Darkness rests upon the water, and in the distance, I can see the burning candles of Kings Landing. We're making our way into Blackwater Bay. My eyes catch the movement of soldiers and weapons on the walls that keep me from my prize.
Ser Davos stands next to me as more ships sail ahead of us. I want to lead the battle, but it's best to let my officers handle the initial charge. Once the gate is open to us, I'll make landfall.
"Your Grace, I've got a bad feeling about this..."
He's not the only one. From all the reports I've been getting over the months, Kings Landing has been preparing for my siege. From here, it barely looks like they have enough men to ward off bandits attacking the city.
My ears pick up the sounds of battle on the beach. My troops have reached land, and now I must wait. Most of my ships are in the bay. Ser Davos turns behind us and walks to the edge of the ship. Looking out over the edge.
That's when I start hearing the sound of heavy chains being lifted and pulled. I make my way next to Ser Davos, and that's when I see a massive chain being lifted out of the water.
"What the hell..."
The words escape my lips as I piece together what's happening. We've been lured into a trap, and now there is no way out. None of my ships will get past a chain that size.
A familiar smell enters my nose, and I see Ser Davos looking down at the water. My eyes turn to the water, and the cursed liquid of Wildfire is below my ship. I follow the trail in the water, and it's spread throughout the entire bay.
"Your Grace!! Get off the ship!"
I barely have time to register what's really happening before Ser Davos grabs me and pulls me to the other end of the ship. Tossing me overboard.
"Everyone, off the ship!! Swim for the beach!!"
Soon, everyone on The Fury is jumping into the water, and we're swimming for the nearest shore. I stand up and catch my breath. The soldiers on my ship make their way to the same beach I'm on, and they line up next to me.
A single arrow that's doused in fire travels through the sky from the other side of the bay. It lands in the water, and the Wildfire ignites. Destroying ship after ship. The green explosion crushes many vessels that still have fresh troops on them.
Ser Davos turns his head in my direction in worry. Waiting for orders on what we shall do. This is a moment where I'm supposed to retreat, knowing that my odds of winning are slim to none now.
"Press forward; today, we'll either take Kings Landing. Or die trying."
My mind is made up in the end. My claim to The Iron Throne will either be lost or won on this day. I've killed my brother, stole his army, and planned ages for this siege. I'm not running away now that my goal is so close.
This is where the battle begins.
~~~(POV: Tyrion Lannister)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 35 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Wall Overlooking The Bay, Kings Landing, Westeros)~~~
~~~(Time: 300 AC)~~~
The Wildfire explosion stops all battle for the time being. Everyone's eyes are on the green flames as they burn the waters. Stannis's Flagship takes enough damage to begin sinking.
Joffrey is staring in fascination at the events transpiring. Father has a satisfied look on his face as if the battle is already won. My attention is caught on the shoreline closest to The Fury. I'm willing to bet Stannis is alive and right over there.
"I can see why The Mad King preferred Wildfire so much. After this battle, I'll be sure the pyromancers continue making the wonderful stuff."
My nephew has no idea how disturbing he sounds the majority of the time. A vicious idiot King is what we're left with after Robert's death. War throughout our lands is his legacy.
The day isn't won yet, and I see that father has spotted Stannis. He's making his way to join the battle, and with the Baratheon troops fighting alongside their King. I can see them pulling out this victory even with their fleet destroyed.
We're undermanned and struggling as it is. As I'm about to say something to Joffrey, my eyes catch the retreating form of Sandor Clegan. He stops in front of us and calls over a squire.
Taking a swig of wine as he does so.
"Are you insane? Get back out there and fight!"
I make sure not to yell at the giant of a man. Only emphasizing my anger. My father is standing next to me as I do this, and he's wearing a similar expression.
"Fuck off, dwarf. I'm done."
This isn't going the way I planned.
~~~(POV: Cersei Lannister)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 39 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Throne Room, The Red Keep, Kingslanding, Westeros)~~~
~~~(Date: 300 AC)~~~
I hold Tommen in my arms, and Myrcella remains next to me. The sounds of fighting have only gotten worse since the beginning of Stannis's siege. I hold a vial of poison in my hands in case Stannis is the one to walk through those doors.
It'll be a painless and quick death for Tommen and Myrcella. After a few more minutes, the sounds of fighting ends. My heart nearly jumps out of my chest as the doors swing open and men start walking into the room, but my eyes land on father.
"We have won!"
A smile takes form on my face, and I kiss the side of Tommens head. Father always comes through in the end. Today is the day Joffrey's reign is solidified in the eyes of everyone. Stannis was the only one left in Westeros with a claim.
And he's lost the battle where his claim would've been won.
~~~(POV: Sansa Stark)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 14 Years)~~~
~~~(Locations: Horse Back, Outside Kings Landing, Westeros)~~~
~~~(Date: 300 AC)~~~
My eyes are locked on Kings Landing in the distance. It was hell for me in that place, and when The Hound offered me a chance to escape, I took it.
"I'll be taking you back to your brother, little bird."
Robb's victory in retaking Winterfell sprang hope in me that I'd see him again one day. That I'd see Winterfell. I miss my home.
"How long do you think it'll take to reach Winterfell on one horse?"
I've only made the trip once, and that was with an entourage of troops, carriages, and horses. I would think it'd be faster, but I don't know. It took a while to reach Kings Landing when we left Winterfell, and I don't want it to take that long again.
All I get from The Hound is silence. At first, I thought he was nothing but a beast. Cold-hearted and empty. But over my time with him, I've learned that he's not all bad. He's always done his best to protect me when he could.
"I'm only taking you to Winterfell for a reward. The Lannisters don't have anything to offer me anymore. I'm done with their shit."
I can understand that. I just hope that my brother doesn't kill him after getting me back. That isn't how I want The Hound to be repaid for saving me from Joffrey. Tywin was going to have me marry Joffrey since Margaery was off the table.
Now, I'm free from that fate.
~~~(POV: Ser Davos Seaworth)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 40 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Run Down Ship, The Narrow Sea, The Coast Of Westeros)~~~
~~~(Date: 300 AC)~~~
Stannis hasn't left the captain's quarters since we procured this ship. It was one of the few left standing from the attack. It was outside the chain that locked us in Blackwater Bay, but the Wildfire still damaged it.
It's barely held together this far. We've lost about half our army; the rest is still at Dragonstone. Stannis believed all we'd need was half. In the end, it turned out he was wrong and right at the same time.
Thanks to his decision, we only lost half our army. But we're returning with few survivors. He was wrong to think he could win with half, but I believed the same at the time. The Lannisters were supposed to be weak.
Kings Landing was supposed to be Stannis's. But no one could've anticipated the Wildfire.
We'll need an ally. Someone strong and a proven winner. I think it's time we reached out to Robb again.
~~~(POV: Raenon Targaryen)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 16 Years)~~~
~~~(Location: Manse, Yunkai, Essos)~~~
~~~(Date: 300 AC)~~~
The report is resting on my desk, and Varys has informed me that Stannis's attack failed. He'll remain in Kings Landing. I was hoping Stannis would win that battle for The Iron Throne. That would remove The Lannisters from the board entirely.
But if history and time have proved anything, Lannisters are the ones that are the hardest to kill. Dany enters the room and makes her way to me. A smile on her lips and a pitcher of wine in her hands.
"How about a drink to take your mind off things?"
That would actually be nice. After all, we'll be moving on to Meereen soon. But my thoughts are halted as I catch a glimpse of Dany's breasts as she bends over my desk.
My lack of response causes her to look at me, and a smile appears as she catches me looking at her.
"Well, we can always do something else to help you relax a little..."
That slow, familiar, sultry voice completely removes my mind from the war.
