1 Prologue:
RUMBLE-CLOP, THUNDEROUS SHAKE,
SHUDDERING SLAM, SHUDDERING SLAM,
RUMBLE-CLOP, THUNDEROUS SHAKE,
SHUDDERING SLAM, SHUDDERING SLAM,
RUMBLE-CLOP THUNDEROUS SHAKE,
The deafening sound of galloping hooves filled the air, as tiny pebbles on the ground quivered and leaped.
A knight clad in resplendent armor held a bloodied spear, the impaled body at its tip flung onto the riverbank.
In the setting sun's glow, the red gemstone on his chest and the blood on his spear shimmered, making him appear like a god of war.
At this moment, he heard the sound of charging warhorses, lifting his head slightly in surprise, seemingly caught off guard.
Both sides of the skirmish were already exhausted when a troop of heavily armored riders in black plate appeared like a volley of crossbow bolts, brutally charging into the battlefield with unstoppable momentum. In an instant— Boom— Shouts and screams filled the riverbank, accompanied by the sound of blade piercing flesh and horses' bones being shattered.
Leading the heavy cavalry was a black-armored knight, built like a mountain. His face was concealed behind his visor, but through the narrow slits, one could barely see a pair of eyes burning with rage and his snarling, yellowed teeth.
Anyone who approached him could feel his fury, scattering and fleeing in terror. As the battle neared its end, this fully armed cavalry unit charged in, shattering the morale of one side of the war.
The black-armored knight, wearing a helm adorned with antlers, wielded a massive spiked mace that even two or three grown men would struggle to lift, charged directly at the commander's banner of the royal army.
He wanted to tear apart the man beneath that royal banner: the knight wearing the resplendent armor, the red gemstone shimmering on his chest.
He was the commander of the royal army, and a prince of House Targaryen. Rhaegar Targaryen. He had violated and abducted his betrothed. This was the catalyst for the rebellion that began in 281 AC. As a result of King Aerys II's cruel rule, the rebellion escalated by 283 AC, engulfing the entire continent of Westeros.
Four of the Seven Kingdoms under the Targaryen dynasty raised their banners in revolt: the Vale, the Stormlands, the North, and the Riverlands formed a powerful alliance against the Iron Throne. The black-armored knight, Robert Baratheon, using his grandmother's bloodline as the daughter of Aegon V, Rhaelle, became the leader of the rebels, openly vying for the throne.
Now— After a prolonged struggle on the battlefield, the once-fearless Prince Rhaegar was also exhausted. His silver hair clung to his sweat-soaked, handsome face, and his dark purple eyes, initially filled with surprise, returned to determination.
Prince Targaryen held his spear in one hand, and with the other, he drew the sword from his waist, fearlessly accepting his opponent's challenge. The commander at the center of the whirlwind of war engaged in a one-on-one duel.
However, when Robert raised his heavy spiked mace, the outcome was already determined. Boom— The powerful impact sent Rhaegar Targaryen tumbling off his horse.
His sword had pierced through a gap in Robert's armor and struck his thigh, but Robert's mace had viciously crushed Rhaegar's chest, collapsing the magnificent breastplate.
Shattered red gemstones, tainted with the noble blood of House Targaryen, scattered across the banks of the Trident River, reflecting a sinister light in the brilliant sunshine.
The exhausted soldiers from both sides, seeing this scene, stopped fighting, dropped their weapons, and swarmed the riverbank to claim the shattered fragments of the red gemstone.
Toot—
With a long, desolate horn call on the battlefield, the rebel army launched their final attack. The royal army was completely routed, scattering in all directions.
...
...
The Battle of the Trident had come to an end. The dreadful news quickly spread.
Tread, tread...
Hasty footsteps echoed throughout the Red Keep, as servants whispered to each other in the corridors.
King Aerys II Targaryen, seated on the Iron Throne, was furious. Although he had already received a secret message the day before, he still ordered the soldier who brought the news to be burned alive, loudly accusing him of lying about the state of the war and harboring ulterior motives. However, in addition to the smell of charred flesh, a heavy atmosphere still permeated the throne room.
All the councilors present knew what the death of Prince Rhaegar and the collapse of the royal army's main force meant at this time.
Though Aerys was dubbed the Mad King, as ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, he still had moments of clarity. After his rage, his face remained pale, and the veins on his withered hands bulged as he gripped the arms of the Iron Throne tightly.
Finally, Aerys seemed to make up his mind, turning to the young Kingsguard behind him, and with a low, solemn voice, he called, "Jaime!"
The tall, handsome, golden-haired knight standing behind the king hesitated slightly when he heard the king call his name, then quickly stepped to the side of the Iron Throne, resting a hand on his sword, and bowing to receive orders.
Clatter...
The sound of armor rubbing together filled the room.
"Your Grace."
He had not expected the king to suddenly call upon him. As the youngest member of the Kingsguard, Jaime Lannister had always been somewhat invisible.
He knew full well that King Aerys II had allowed him to join the Kingsguard not out of admiration for his bravery and loyalty but simply to restrain and humiliate his father.
However, he had forgotten that Aerys II's Kingsguard had already accompanied Prince Rhaegar to participate in the war to quell the rebellion, leaving only him.
Now, King Aerys had only him to rely on.
Though Aerys held no love for the golden-haired Lannisters, he had no choice but to rein in his emotions, as he still needed to count on Jaime's father, the Lord Paramount of Casterly Rock, to bring the Westerland armies to suppress the rebellion.
The white-cloaked knight, with his hand on his sword, bowed beside the Iron Throne, listening to the king's whispered instructions, his young face slightly tense.
He had not expected things to come to this point.
Although Prince Rhaegar had died in the Battle of the Trident, tipping the balance of the war in a terrible direction, the Targaryen royal family still had powerful forces. In particular, there was his father, the ever-ready Western army, which would not make it easy for the rebels to breach King's Landing.
However, he had not expected the king to begin preparing an escape route.
"What are you waiting for?"
As Jaime hesitated, the man on the Iron Throne, whose emotions had clearly spiraled out of control, fixed his gloomy eyes on the young Kingsguard, as if he wanted to see through his heart. Jaime swallowed slightly, then immediately straightened up, taking a step back, the armor rattling.
He would not forget that Aerys II's favorite way of dealing with subjects was to burn them alive.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Then he quickly walked from the passageway behind the Iron Throne and headed deep into the Red Keep to deliver the king's orders."
