17 A fortune smiles

A fortune smiles

Theon POV

Just as the sun rose, the gates of Harrenhal were opened, and I rode out of them. It was a short ride to the camp of the invading army. As I got close and people saw me, I stopped and waited for their reactions. It wasn't long before a half dozen men rode to meet me.

The Mountain was the obvious one to notice. The other ones were hard to recognize. Only the purple unicorn of the House Brax was quite known to me. The others, though, I had no idea who they were.

"I am Theon Greyjoy. I have come to speak with you in Lady's Whent name," I spoke first with an uneasy smile. "With who am I speaking?"

"I am Lord Ardos Brax. Next to me are Ser Gregor Clegane and Ser Amory Lorch," The man with a purple unicorn crested shield replied. "Speak of the reason you have come."

"Is there a reason to listen to him? Let's kill him," The Mountain spoke as he grabbed his sword.

"Well, I don't think you would want something to happen to ser Jaime Lannister, would you?"

"Enough, Clegane," Lord Brax spoke. "Tell me what Lady Whent wants."

"Well, she would like you to retreat," I told them.

"We both know that is not happening," Lord Brax responded.

"Then I will tell you the truth; Lady Whent is an old woman, who doesn't care about anything," I started to bullshit. "If the situation is hopeless, she will have no problem killing ser Jaime. On the other hand, I don't want that to happen."

"And you have something else to offer?"

"Yes, if ser Jaime dies, Lord Tywin won't stop hunting me until I die. I wouldn't want that, so how about we help each other?"

"Why should we believe you?" The Mountain growled. "I could kill you here, and now, the castle would fall soon enough."

"Why would I want to die? Because of my loyalty? Loyalty to whom?" I asked, ignoring the last part the Mountain said.

"The Starks," Lord Brax answered.

"The Starks? Why would I want to die for them? For holding me captive for almost ten years? Don't be ridiculous," I told them. "Listen to me; I will help you get the castle and you leave me alive. How about it?"

"How would you help us?"

"Right now, ser Willis Wode is mostly in charge, but he wasn't on the walls, as you noticed yesterday," I explained. "The men started to lose faith in him. I only need to get rid of him, and the men will listen to me."

"What do you need us to do?"

"Nothing," I answered. "Do not attack today. I will return as I have won a political battle and bought them another day. That way, I will win their trust even more."

"Hah, today is the day the walls will fall. We don't need your help capturing the castle," The Mountain laughed at such an idea.

"But you need my help securing ser Jaime," I told him. "Not attacking today, ser Willis will have to prove his worth tomorrow. Focus your attack on the western wall. Ser Willis won't like me to participate and put me to watch the gates."

"You will open the gates for us?" Lord Brax asked.

"I will. The men will be focused on protecting the western wall. Nobody will notice if a hundred men sneak around to the gates. There I will let you in and lead you to the castle. You will capture lady Whent, and everything will be under your control."

"How convenient," Lord Brax said. "But the question stands, how can we trust you?"

"Tomorrow, attack the western wall. You will see that all forces will be concentrated on them," I explained. "You won't see me there. That way, you know that I will be by the gates."

"And all you ask is the freedom to leave alive?"

"I am no fool. I see no hope in winning. And if ser Jaime dies, I know that lord Tywin Lannister won't rest till I am dead."

"Who would you want to lead a hundred men?" Lord Brax asked.

"Does it matter? Well, it would be better if the Mountain was attacking the wall. He is most recognizable and most intimidating," I answered.

"Very well, we do as you say," After a couple of minutes, Lord Brax agrees. "But If I see any falsehood in your words, I will kill you."

"Attack tomorrow, and you will see that every man in the castle will be on the walls. I alone won't be able to defeat a hundred of you. As I said, I have no loyalty for Lady Whent nor anyone else. Why would I die for them?"

"We shall see," He replied. "We will meet tomorrow, for your sake; I hope you keep your word."

I nodded at him and then looked at the Mountain. I pretended to be scared of him and not afraid of him simultaneously. Letting my hands shake but keeping an uneasy smile, I turned and rode back. The Mountain may not care much for the Kingslayer, but Lord Brax was chosen to secure him as I could see him being in charge.

Once back inside the castle walls, I was met with the expecting eyes of ser Willis and other men around him. He was doubtful of my plan, calling it terrible. Still, he was silent once I asked if he had a better one.

"So, how did it go?"

"We will see it soon," I answered. "If all goes to my plan, we only have one day to prepare. We will do what we should have done from the start. I want everyone to prepare for tomorrow."

"Everyone?"

"Yes, women, old women, children, everyone," I answered. "Everyone who can throw a rock, help with injured and bring water to the thirsty. We will need everyone if we want to survive the battle tomorrow."

"We should have trained them. Too bad we didn't do that from the start," Ser Willis sighed. "Of the trap?"

"We need to prepare it. Go to work. We only have a day."

Ser Willis nodded and left to inform Lady Whent. I went to gather oil jars, shovels, and arrows. Even if it falls, I will take at least a hundred men with me.

…

Once the sun rose the following day, I could say that the plan worked. After a day of rest, most men were in their best shape, and their morale was high once again. I, too, have prepared everything I could.

"They are coming, Theon," Ser Willis informed me. "Good luck."

"Good luck to you too," I replied.

Ser Willis left with most men to the walls, while I had a hundred men. We ordered every woman and child to help at the walls to boost our numbers. I hope the Mountain won't see through the plan. I hope he will see the walls packed with people and think that I did my part.

"They are coming, my lord," One of the men told me.

"About time," I replied.

The fighting started a few hours ago. I was about to send the men back to the walls. Coming to the gates, I took a peek through a small gap. I saw a group of men walking toward me. They had no horses and were cloaked in dark robes.

"Everyone go to your positions, you know what to do," I told them, and they scattered.

"Theon Greyjoy, it is us, open the gates."

It was Lord Brax who led the men. He was looking for glory in capturing the castle and rescuing the Kingslayer. My plan wouldn't have worked with someone who didn't want recognition and fame. So, I was fortunate that it was he who led the men.

"Lord Brax, I thought you won't be coming," I told him and opened the gates. "Come with me quickly. We don't have much time."

"It is my duty to ensure ser Jaime's safety as a vassal to Lord Tywin Lannister," He told me.

Yeah, a duty. More like you want to get into Lord Tywin's graces. Well, it was better for me. I walked next to him and led him deeper into the courtyard. Once we were in position, I stopped him. He looked confused at me.

"To tell you the truth, I am glad you came personally," I told him and took my Valyrian knife. "I never expected to have another hostage in my hands."

"What the meaning of this, Greyjoy?" Lord Brax asked. "You gave me your word."

"I did," I told him.

Lord Brax's men were furious. I took Lord Brax by his throat and dragged him to the castle doors. His men were too cautious about following. Once at the castle doors, I knocked with my feet. The doors opened.

"I have delivered you to the Lady Whent," I threw Lord Brax through the door. "Well, what are you waiting for? Come at me."

The Brax's men ran straight to me until they heard creaking. The wood broke, and men fell to the shallow pit with the tips of spears piercing their feet and legs.

"Loose."

I shouted, and fire arrows started to rain on them. The oil ignited, and screams began to pierce my ears. Taking my bastard sword, I motioned the men to follow me in, killing the rest. It was a short and bloody ordeal. They had no chance of escaping.

"Now to the other part of the plan," I said, and two dozen men come to me with horses prepared. "You know what to do."

The men nodded. I have gathered the best riders the castle could afford. One group was to go to the enemy camp and burn what they could. The others were to scatter to the closest keeps and seek help for us. They rode out of the castle. After I gave them my nods as they left. I closed the gates.