39 Chapter 38: Lions and Dragons P1

Time flowed like a river and it remained elusive for one Lothar Frey as he stared at the four dark corners of his cell. A few days ago he was drinking the finest of wines, the most exquisite spread was on his table and some beautiful women in his bed. Now, everything has changed since the dragon took his home. It was a bloodbath as he had woken up to the blood-curdling screams of his family. The enemy was not merciful. They killed anything that moved and Lothar had saved himself by hiding under his bed. 

When he was finally dragged out from under the bed his family was butchered like cattle and the survivors were left to rot in a dark cell. Ever since then, one by one the surviving members of his family were called to King Daeron's court for their trial. Not one of his family members returned to the cells and he feared the worst. The guards refused to talk to him so he was completely in the dark but he believed in his heart that his family was being executed.

Every day he had begged and pleaded with the guards to spare him but he only got cold looks from the Northerners. Some even spat on him from time to time. He survived only on a bowl of water and nothing else. He was starving and he was terrified of what awaited him. He was even more terrified for his wife and daughters.

'Did these Northerners take my daughters into their beds?' Lothar wondered with despair.

He prayed that was not the case. He had tried to get an audience with Tytos Blackwood but to no avail. He could have pleaded with the Lord of Raventreehall as they are kin through his mother. Lothar was half Blackwood himself so he had hoped to beg Lord Tytos to ask for some leniency from the King.

So far, he hadn't heard a peep from Lord Blackwood or anyone for that matter. The last bit of conversation he had was with some of his Frey brethren. Now, they were all gone and he strongly suspected they were all in the Stranger's grasp.

So, Lothar sat there in his cell staring into the darkness waiting for his turn on the execution block. He wondered how he was going to be executed.

'Would I be offered the rope or a sword on my neck?' Lothar wondered.

His ears suddenly picked up the clattering of boots drawing closer to his cell. Suddenly alert, Lothar stared at the iron bars and a dark figure stood on the other side.

"Release him. His grace shall judge the Frey."

Lothar gulped as he realized his time has finally come. The iron bars swung open with a grating sound and he was hauled out by a pair of guards. He squinted his eyes trying to adjust to the light as he was out of the dungeons. Frey banners were nowhere to be seen and instead the whole castle was filled with banners from the North.

Soon, he was hauled out into the feast hall and was promptly dropped on the floor beside a kneeling figure. Lothar recognized the other man as Maester Brenett who was missing half an ear. The old maester looked haggard and was sporting a bloodied nose as well.

"Maester Brenett. Do you recognize this man?" a voice boomed from the other end of the hall.

Lothar squinted his eyes and finally saw the King for the first time. He was expecting a pale-skinned man with silver hair but that was not the case. King Daeron Targaryen was dressed in the Targaryen colours of red and black. His cloak was of blood-red colour while the rest of his attire was dark as night. The Targaryen had his sword lying flat on his lap while facing the hall. Instead of silver hair, one of the classic marks of a Valyrian, Daeron Targaryen had black hair which was swept back neatly.

"I do, your grace. This man is Lothar Frey, son of Walder Frey and Alyssa Blackwood." Maester Brenett answered, bringing Lothar back to the proceedings of the court.

"What was his role in the Red Wedding?" the Targaryen king asked.

"King Robb's marriage was seen as a betrayal by Lord Walder. Lothar Frey was charged by Lord Walder to secure the cooperation of Lord Bolton. Lothar was the one who planned the Red Wedding. He was the one in charge of managing who was supposed to kill who. He was also the one to suggest disguising the mercenaries as musicians and to use 'The Rains of Castamare' as a signal for the slaughter to begin." Maester Brenett testified before the whole court.

There was a small interval of silence but that was quickly broken by the lords of the North calling for Lothor's head.

"Lop off his miserable head."

"Have him burned your grace."

"Silence!" the Targaryen king roared akin to the creature on his banner.

The room plunged into silence once more.

"Do you stand by your testimony and swear on the gods Old and New that you have spoken the truth?" the King asked, staring down at Maester Brenett.

"I do swear, your grace." said Maester Brenett.

"Do you deny Maester Brenett's testimony before the court?" the King was suddenly looking at Lothar making him gulp.

"My family…"

Lothar barely spoke before he was thrown to the ground courtesy of the stinging punch he received on his cheek.

"You will answer to the queries of this court and nothing more. I ask again, Lothar son of Walder. Do you deny these allegations?" the Targaryen king thundered from his seat.

Lothar groaned and spat out blood from his mouth. He saw the court looking at him with an increasing degree of hatred and he felt so small and insignificant all of a sudden.

"Please don't kill me. Please, I beg of you. I….ahuck…" Lothar choked as a foot clamped down on his throat.

"It is clear the Frey has no interest in court proceedings or is a civilized member of our society like the rest of his brood. So, I have no choice but to proclaim he is guilty and move on to issue punishment fitting for his crimes."

Lothar heard the Targaryen king say making him increase his efforts to break free from his current predicament. But, try as he might he could not break out of the choke hold.

"It is fairly certain we have here an unusual crime committed by an unusual man. Instead of dissuading his father from committing the sin of breaking guest rights as was his duty as a son and steward of the Twins, Lothar Frey aided and abetted in the murder of many good men and women. This is a crime that has struck a blow against the core principles that uphold the honour and dignity of our society and culture. For this reason, Lothar Frey's punishment must be of a scale that shall teach our future generations the cost of committing such crimes."

"As such, I shall not give him a death sentence. I nearby order Lothar Frey to be imprisoned for all his life. His death shall happen through starvation as he so carelessly insulted the gods and their laws by desecrating guest rights while guests were feasting in his home. Never more shall he know the taste of fine food or wine just as his victims who were cut down cowardly and cruelly."

Lothar was once again picked up by his arms and was being dragged out of the court.

"No. Wait! My daughters! What happened to my daughters?" Lothar mustered up his strength to scream out in panic.

"Their fates shall remain a mystery for you Frey. You shall starve to death in the darkness alone wondering what has happened to your loved ones. You shall suffer the pain of all the people who lost their loved ones due to your machinations."

Tears gathered in his eyes and Lothar began screaming obscenities at Daeron.

"Damn you! Damn you all. The Lions will come for you and kill you."

"I'm afraid the lions are burning in dragonfire as we speak Frey. House Lannister is finished." the Targaryen king declared, which made Lothar lose the last bit of will to fight.

He was thrown back into his darkened cell with his arms and legs covered in chains. Once again, Lothar was submerged in darkness drowning in despair.

XXXXXXX

Daven was tired as was his army. It could not be helped. Forcing his army to march as fast as possible was the only way he could come to the defence of King's Landing in time. The orders from the Queen Mother could not have come at a worse time. The recent defeat of Lannister armies at Riverrun and the consequent threats and events coming from this Daeron Targaryen has caused a schism of sorts in the Westerlands. His own mother's house, the Leffords, refused to send any troops despite a direct order from Casterly Rock.

And it was not just the Leffords. Houses Banefort, Sarsfield, Marbrand, Farman, Prester and many others have refused his call to defend the capital. He had sent raven after raven but many noble houses of the Westerlands answered with silence. If Lord Tywin was alive these lords would not have found the courage to defy an order from the Rock.

But, Lord Tywin was no more and he had to make do with what he had. Daven vowed that he'd not forget this insult by the noble houses of Westerlands.  At least, he could overlook the absence of Leffords. They were too close to the Targaryen pretender in the Riverlands. Should the Northerners invade, Golden Tooth would end up facing the brunt of the invasion.

However, the rest of the Houses will suffer the consequences of their actions. He resolved himself to teach them a lesson with the permission of the Queen Mother of course. Daven was under no delusions that his position as the Warden of the West was permanent. With cousin Jaime refusing the mantle of lordship and Tyrion turning into a kinslayer, the Rock belongs to Cersei.

Daven suspected this little tidbit of detail did not escape the lords of Westerlands. This may have also played a hand in their decision to ignore the call of banners. Even amongst those who answered the call and within House Lannister there is a great deal of resentment directed at the Queen Mother and Jaime. They blamed Cersei and Jaime for the death of their loved ones.

To rub salt into the wound, terrifying rumours were flying around claiming the capital was consumed by wildfire. Some claimed the dragon queen turned the city into ash while others claim the Seven was punishing the people of King's Landing for their sins. Another more scandalous claim would have him believe Cersei set the Sept of Baelor on fire killing the Septons and the Faith Militant. Rumours like these made many of the lords and knights even question the authority of Cersei. Many wanted Lord Kevan to take charge of the Rock. While Daven thought this talk treasonous he'd convey the sentiment to Lord Kevan. He didn't think for one moment Lord Kevan would entertain thoughts of usurping Cersei's authority. However, Daven won't protest should Lord Kevan take such a path. The future of House Lannister was at stake and Lord Tywin being a pragmatic man would have approved of such drastic measures in these troubling times.

A commotion outside his tent broke him out of his thoughts. Letting out a sigh, he poured himself a pint of wine while heated words were being exchanged outside. He waited patiently inside the tent nursing the Arbor gold and enjoying every drop passing down his throat.

'I'll have to thank Daeron Targaryen for taking care of the Freys. I can pursue Desmera Redwyne's hand in marriage now that I'm free from any obligations to marry a Frey.' Daven thought happily.

Perhaps, it was not honourable or chivalrous to see opportunity and gain in the destruction of an erstwhile ally. Considering the Freys were not so high on honour and chivalry he supposed he was afforded some leeway. Not to mention he doubted any Frey could come close to Desmera Redwyne's beauty. Just the thought of her luscious lips set his blood surging.

The tent flaps parted and Daven saw Ser Clement Greenfield enter.

"My lord. The scouts have returned."

Daven raised an eyebrow at the Greenfield knight expectantly.

"I'm afraid it is not good news, my lord. Targaryen banners were seen near the bridge across Blackwater Rush."

"What?" Daven was on his feet as he heard the news.

"The scouts saw foreign men with dragon banners guarding the bridge. Our scouts say the enemy is more than a thousand strong." Ser Clement reported.

Daven paced back and forth in his tent thinking of the situation at hand. If the Targaryen army was blocking the Goldroad then it could be possible that King's Landing was under siege.

"We were too late. We should not have wasted time in the Reach to gather more men." Daven muttered.

"It could not be helped. We were low on numbers, my lord. As it stands, we barely have enough knights. All we have are greenboys who have barely seen any conflict." said Ser Clement.

"I need to speak with Ser Garlan." Daven muttered before leaving his tent to seek out the Tyrell army that had marched out to support him.

Daven didn't know why Cersei thought the Tyrells couldn't be trusted. He also had no idea why Lord Kevan was not giving out orders but he dismissed that thought. He assumed Lord Kevan was engaged in the defences of the city. To Daven, the letter he received was full of warnings about traitors among the Reach. Honestly speaking, the Tyrells were more loyal than some of the bannermen of House Lannister. After all, Ser Garlan rode out with two thousand men despite the tremulous situation faced by the Reach.

'I'll be having a word with Lord Kevan and see whether Cersei can't be reined in.' Daven thought, while walking amongst the Tyrell camp.

He found Ser Garlan among a company of knights. Going by the looks the Tyrell knights looked quite happy.

"Ser Garlan. You seem to be in a good mood." Daven said, greeting the Tyrell knight with a friendly smile.

"Word from Highgarden. The Redwyne fleet smashed the Ironborn ships near Southshield. Troops can now be ferried to the island. It'll be a matter of time before we reclaim Southshield." Ser Garlan said, relief quite palpable in his words.

Daven was quite relieved to hear the good news. Finally, something was going their way in this war.

"This is good to hear Ser Garlan. But, I'm afraid I'm the bearer of bad news. The scouts…"

"I heard. There is another bridge a few miles north. It'll not be able to transport our supply carts but the men can cross." said Ser Garlan.

"What are you suggesting?" Daven asked. 

"If the Targaryens are holding the bridge I suggest we attack from both sides. I can have my men attack the Targaryens from the other side. We can trap them between our armies and finish them off." Ser Garlan suggested.

"We could attack them head-on. We have superior numbers." said Daven.

"The enemy can retreat safely to the other side and burn the bridge down to deny us entry. Or, we could split our army and take them from both sides. We can destroy the enemy between our two armies and force them to surrender the bridge." Ser Garlan suggested.

Daven took a moment to think things over in his mind. Ser Garlan's suggestion made sense strategically although he was sure he could dislodge the enemy from the bridge with a head-on attack. The Tyrells have more mounted knights and having the knights charge the bridge could penetrate the defences of the enemy.

Nonetheless, he didn't want Ser Garlan to be offended. And he understood the Tyrell knight was merely concerned about losing the bridge. Should something happen to the bridge it could delay their crossing as Blackwater Rush has a strong current this time of the year. It'd also be to his advantage to have the enemy surrender. A head-on attack may cost more lives and Daven was sure they'd need more men in the wars to come.

"Alright then. I'll have my men take the bridge from the east. I want your knights on this side and charge them while my men take them by surprise from their back."

"As you wish Ser Daven."

Having come to a decision Daven made his way to his camp to get the men ready. It was time for the lion to take the field once more. He hoped he could make his father proud and bring glory to House Lannister.

XXXXXXXX

The morning air was chilly than usual.

"Winter is coming. In the end, the Starks are always right." Tyrion said, rubbing his hands together to keep himself warm.

"Hmm. I always thought the Starks had the most sensible words for a Great House. Shame they forgot their words is a reminder to themselves more than a warning to their enemies." Varys said, securing his hands within the warmth of his sleeves.

"Prince Daeron seems to have taken this to heart." said Tyrion.

"Does he?" Varys raised an eyebrow.

"He has been very quiet after taking Riverrun and the Twins. I wonder what he is planning." said Tyrion, looking pointedly at Varys.

And Varys didn't disappoint him.

"He is splitting his army. The Knights of the Vale are moving towards Harrenhall as we speak."

"I see. An aggressive move aimed at our position." Tyrion noted with some concern. "Why would he move aggressively against us? We offered to conduct dialogue with him at Duskandale, did we not?"

"I suppose Prince Daeron has other plans." said Varys, fishing out a sealed roll of parchment that piqued Tyrion's interest.

"What does it say?" Tyrion asked curiously.

"It is a sealed message for her grace from her nephew."

Tyrion merely raised an eyebrow. "So. What does it say?"

"The prince wants the meeting at Harrenhall surrounded by his men and his dragon." said Varys.

"Smart of him to suggest that. Looks like he learned his lesson from his grandfather's and uncle's mistakes." said Tyrion.

"He also seems to have not learned from the mistakes of his kingly cousin. Winter is going to set in and the North suffers from winter far more than any other kingdom of Westeros. Negotiating peace should have been the priority, not his pride." Varys made his thoughts known, a displeased look adorning his face.

Before Tyrion could respond Missandei stepped out of the Queen's tent.

"Her grace will see you now." said Missandei, inviting them in.

Tyrion noted the map of the seven kingdoms sealed out on the table with all the pieces showing the positions of all the armies. The Queen was standing at the other side of the table observing the map and its contents. She had forgone her silk dresses in favour of boiled leather, khaki breeches and black boots.

"Your grace. The Tyrells have done their part and the army is ready. It is time." said Tyrion.

"Good." Daenerys said, looking up from the map. "We attack at dawn."

"There is one other thing, your grace. A message from Prince Daeron." said Varys, handing over the sealed parchment to the Queen.

Tyrion exchanged a look with Varys as the Queen read the parchment. At the urging look from Varys, he decided to expand on the issue.

"Prince Daeron is splitting his army in two. The Northerners are going towards Riverrun. I believe he intends to subdue Westerlands with the might of his dragon and his army. The Knights of the Vale are heading for Harrenhall. It is a tactic to put pressure on you. An army of this size in Harrenhall is a threat to the Crownlands." Tyrion said before falling silent waiting to see the reaction from the Queen.

A pair of purple eyes suddenly bored into Tyrion making him jump a little.

"What do you propose?" Daenerys asked.

"Agree to the meeting. But first, we take King's Landing. It is quite clear the prince wants the Iron Throne. Let's make sure his only way forward is to negotiate." said Tyrion.

The Queen nodded after taking some time to think making Tyrion pleased. Now, they could focus on taking the city.

'Father, I hope you are watching from the seven hells. I'm about to wipe your memory and legacy from the face of this world. It'll be as if you didn't exist.' Tyrion thought, looking to the south where the capital lay waiting for his Queen.