Chapter 32: Chapter 28
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Damian Blackheart.
It's been a month since I've been in Mourning Town preparing replenishment and managing the lands under my control.
A message from the "rightful king" I simply ignored. Told my boys, Lady Mary Mertins, and the already-arriving command of my new men from the Glorious Cavaliers. Mertins was afraid of Renly, for she'd sworn an oath to Stannis, and she'd already married Larry. Tandbury and Wilde told me a week later that they were laying on Renly. Tandberry would have lost everything he has to the Morrigens except us, no support at Cape Wrath. And Wilde surprised me by saying that he despised Renly for his "backhandedness" and he's a man of his word, if he swore allegiance to Stannis, swore to protect his rights and heirs, he will. And his only heir is his daughter. Even if his younger brother is next in line for the throne by law. So he's decided to be on the same side as me for now. In the end, I didn't lose any strength, I even gained a little with the new hired squad. Although, I believe this unit is on Littlefinger's payroll? But that's all right, I've sent them to help lay siege to Morrigen's castle anyway. Let them stay there for a while.
Officially, for the people, I'm taking a clear "Shireen is our queen and Renly is a c**t!" stance. And that's the way it is, you can't even argue with it. Besides, I've already supported active rumours among the people that Renly was involved in the strange death of Stannis, in general, conducted a policy of black PR among the people of Angry Cape as much as I could.
And by the way, the official version of Stannis' death on Renly's part is already out there. It sounds rather banal and stupid - "death in his sleep". He attributed it to his brother's poor health and nervous tension, which reduced him to the grave.
Dondarrion, Thoros and Mendon Moore were similarly supportive. Berrick lashed out and cursed the younger Baratheon and vowed to personally cut off the head of the "fratricide", Thoros is already like an appendage to Berrick, and as for Mendon, after talking to him I realised that he craves battles and doesn't like Renly. So he's already become a Kingsguard of the Shireen. And something tells me he's the only one so far. So he's his own boss and subordinate. He even joked that he doesn't know how to punish or reward himself, because he's like the Lord Commander of Queen Shireen now.
Shireen was on Dragonstone with her mother and perhaps, I understand Mellisandre is there as well. So I sent a raven there with assurances of "eternal love, loyalty and service...".
But no reply has yet been received.
What's more, no one from Renly's camp was in a hurry to march to Wrath's Cape and storm Mourningtown. There's been a strange lull about us, not even a ransom offer, not even from the Tyrells. But I was glad of that. After all, this way I had time to prepare a mass militia. If people were less willing to fight before, then after my real fame as an "invincible commander" and my reputation as a "man of honour" and a good and fair commander, people poured into the Cape of Wrath from every crevice. We had to prepare and even pick recruits in several places. Making multiple camps, drill and training schedules. It was more of a headache with the recruits than any other issue. It distracted me even from the women. It's scary to think about, but I haven't had a single woman in a month. I just don't have the time or the desire!
And in general this death of Stannis was very uncomfortable for me, although I found a way to "save face" and not make myself look like an arsehole in the eyes of the nobles and nobles - I'm an honest knight-lord-warrior-playboy who loved his king and wants to protect his offspring from the evil shithead Renly.
So morally I'm clean, and the fact that at the last Great OWLs it was decided that only men could occupy the Iron Throne, that was under the Targaryens, and we spit on the rights of the "rebel" Renly Baratheon.
A week after deciding our priorities, official position and forces, Berrik, Thoros and his men and a dozen of my special saboteurs, just in case, went to the Black Haven to gather men. His men haven't been involved in much of anything, and they're still a fresh force. Who are also angry at the Spacers. Garlan's men who fled were first in the Red Wasteland and then fled back to the Expanse, but on the way they looted the villages that belonged to Dondarrion, that's what our intelligence told us. So Berrik has a personal beef with the Summer Knights. It's more of a common soldier's prank, but the fact remains.
Varick kept in touch with me, but it was a little difficult. But he was loyal to me. Harrenhal was under his control, as was Harrenton and the whole county that belonged to the Wents. I ordered him to sit there and keep his head down for the time being, and to send everyone "Wolfwood" on any claims of "orders from the rightful king." My old man, Walder Frey, told Varick that he would secretly support them, but only secretly, so he took away a couple of hundred men that he had given him in his time. But he didn't take the militia, they weren't his men anymore. Tywin, Robb, Edmure, and other smaller figures didn't touch them. That was reassuring. Still, I gave the command that if there was no way to hold Harrenhal, then let them scram and return to Sorrowful Town. It might be nice to keep such a structure to myself, but where else would I get loyal and trained men?
Larry, Asgen and Rex, in addition to helping me manage my lands, were also looking for a new mercenary unit with a good reputation and experience.
A month passed in such worries, until one day several ships with the Seaworth banner - a ship with a bulb on a black field - appeared on the horizon.
It was Davos and Mellisandra who had come to us.
I welcomed them, even in my heart rejoiced in part at their arrival, but I did not yet know what to expect from this visit.
- Ser Davos, Lady Mellisandra, it is good to see you in my lands.
- We are also glad to see you Lord Blackheart is well. There are very few true men of the word left. - said the red priestess and I could see in her eyes Davos agreed with her.
- I'm just doing what I think is right, and I don't like Renly. I have a personal grudge against him, so I'll deal with him.
- I've been going through the same thing lately. I must thank you for your help in repelling the attack and breaking the siege on my castle and saving my family. - Davos said gratefully.
I nodded.
- It is my duty, and besides, we are on the same side. It makes no sense to ignore the threat and let the enemy run wild. But I guess you didn't come here just to thank me and tell me how good I am?
- That's right. - Davos confirmed and rubbed his pouch with his phalanxes, apparently remembering Stannis. - Queen Shireen and her queen mother, who became regent under her, are alive and well and continue the fight of the late His Majesty Stannis Baratheon. And though the number of Her Grace's loyal subjects has thinned since Storm's End and Stannis' death, they are there. The Bar-Emmons, Velaryons, Horps, Masseys, Seltigars, Sunglasses, Steadmons, Farrings, Penrose, and several minor knightly houses support Her Majesty's claim to the Iron Throne. When we heard and received confirmation of the rumours that you are still fighting for the late King and his heir, Her Majesty sent us here, to check things out once more and already offer something.
Is it funny they want to offer me something? What is it?
- I'm listening to you very carefully.
- Your fame as a great warrior and commander has already spread throughout the Seven Kingdoms. Queen Shireen even told me you're stronger and braver than Randyll Tarly. - Well, well, well, speak up Davos, though you do speak nicely. - Your victory over Garlan Tyrell has finally convinced the Queen Regent and the late king's closest supporters that you are more suited than anyone else to lead Queen Shireen Baratheon's men into battle, and the Queen Regent has appointed you Hand, if you're willing.
It's funny, I get something I want from a near-loser. And it works to my advantage. I won't get the actual power over Westeros, but legally I'm free. And, as they say, if you're a man, you're a man in the mud.
- I would be honoured to lead Her Grace Queen Shireen the First's Small Council. - I answered him calmly and confidently. Davos even let out a sigh of relief. Did he think I would refuse? Strange. It doesn't matter what his reaction is now, though. - May I know the state of our forces, the composition of the Small Council, and your thoughts on the situation since the death of His Majesty Stannis?
- Yes," Davos nodded. - You are Hand and also marshal of the whole army, which means all the lords have agreed to recognise you as their commander should they all need to act at once. You've proven your worth as a warlord, and King Stannis has spoken of you favourably, even thinking with Stark of appointing you, if you're up to the task at Wrathful Cape, to be Master of the Law. Or, at the very least, Master at Arms in King's Landing. The Queen Regent decided, as did several others, that you were fit for the honour. Few grumbled. - but they did. Oh, well, that's not really important. - I was appointed master of the law, hehe, a former smuggler and I hold that position. - I as well as Mellisandra appreciated those words and smiled as well. The situation is indeed amusing. - Lord Velarion is master over the ships, the rest of the seats in the OWLs were held by no one.
- Good. What about plans and forces?
- We still have most of the Royal Navy left. We have about 7,000 to 8,000 soldiers. But we are considering hiring men from Essos and the fleet of an old friend of mine, Salador Saan, who has experienced men and good ships in the amount of thirty. True, despite the favourable trade, we don't have much money. So, for example, we don't have enough money for the same Golden Swords, so we'll have to settle for something smaller. Or borrow from the Iron Bank.
- I see. What are the lords' suggestions for the campaign? Or have there been no offers so far?
I can tell by the look in both my eyes that they haven't. Well, that's fine, it's easier for me.
- Right. So while you've been filling me in, I've had a couple of ideas. To begin with, we'll have to find a groom for Her Majesty anyway. - they nodded, or rather Davos did, the rglorist was thinking about something of her own. - Of the kingdoms that have not yet entered the war, the only three options we have left to make an alliance with through marriage are the Iron Islands, but they're out, not even because Theon Greyjoy is Ned Stark's ward and in the enemy camp. Baelon won't go for it. He's not the man for it. There's someone else to negotiate with. Dorne... they're too willful, and even if they do get Her Grace's hand, they'll stall for help. They even got in the way of my plans a bit, and I had to rethink a lot of my battle tactics with Garlan Tyrell. So that likely leaves Robin Arryn, he is the son of Jon Arryn and Lysa Tully. The boy is connected to two houses and perhaps if his mother agrees to this marriage, she might try to drag his father, brother and maybe his sister to our side. Family's not an empty word to them, after all. The Vale will have 40,000 men at arms, a powerful army, with fresh forces, and even if the Tullys, Starks, Lannisters, and Tyrells are against us, the danger from the Vale will make the River Lords, the Northmen, and Renly think twice before doing anything and leaving some forces for the Vale. That's good for us.
Also, the little sucker is probably the bastard son of Petyr Baelish, and he wants Robin on the throne. And to be his own "grey cardinal." And such an alliance could go sour. Dorne and Spaceland are no allies. In any case, these are unlikely options, the Lannisters are not even funny. So that leaves Robin to marry either the Stark daughters or Shireen. And Shireen is the more convenient option for him. There's legitimacy and the Stormlands if all the male Baratheons die. Though maybe I'm missing something and I'm miscalculating somewhere. But I think it's worth the bargaining power for now. As long as Celysa doesn't argue.
- It's a reasonable offer. - Mellisandra snapped out of her thoughts and smiled her trademark smile. - I think we will give her your offer, Lord Blackheart, and she will accept it.
You can see who has influence over whom.
- Good. Now, about allies and manpower. I'm thinking of giving lordships to knight houses that will support us. Of course, I'm thinking of the Conningtons, the Darrys, the Fossoways of the Green Apple, the Osgreys, the Daines of Mountain Haven - although they're Dornish and not so clear-cut, but they're worth a shot. - and the like. They have powers like normal lords, but they were either stripped of their lordship under the Targaryens or Robert stripped them of their lordship. But at any rate, offering lordships and new lands to Her Majesty's loyal men will encourage some to come to our side.
- You have the authority to do so, my lord. - Davos nodded.
- Just Damian. I don't like unnecessary officiousness among my own.
- Then I am simply Davos. - he smiled.
- Good. Now, with new opportunities, I can deploy stronger and fight more effectively....
We talked for another hour or so about various details, I learnt from Davos and Mellisandra the moods and positions of all the lords on Dragonstone, and made my plans for the future. It didn't seem so ghostly to me now. It was complicated, dangerous, with a lot of difficulties, but it IS!
And I will not miss my chance.
Davos said that Velaryon's spies had reported that Renly and Stark and Tarly had decided to take King's Landing first, despite Mace Tyrell's opinion and his desire to free his sons. And Brinden Tully has departed for Riverrun and is probably talking to his brother about something right now.
All in all, there's hope that Renly will get fucked up in KG, and maybe even get killed by Wildfire if he's on a ship or gets hit by a stray arrow....
Man, now I'm rooting for the Lannisters, specifically Tyrion, who will apparently be in charge of the capital defence with Varys.
Davos also said that he knew little about Stannis' death, as he was not near the king, but on his ship, which was sailing to Driftmark on Stannis' errand. Mellisandra was at Dragonstone, after the swearing in of the middle Baratheon to a person like Eddard Stark, he finally gave up listening to the red priestess and she had no access "to the king's body", hehehehe. And most of the lords and their men who were there had already sworn to Renly. The rest barely escaped. That was the end of the news.
Mellisandra apparently wanted to talk to me again, but at the last moment she changed her mind, and citing fatigue, she left Davos and me and went to her own quarters, and soon the "onion knight" followed suit, but from fatigue and drunken wine.
I stayed at the table and looked at a couple of maps showing the Riverlands, Stormlands, Kingdomlands, and Westlands with the houses there.
At that moment John walked in to me and silently began to clear away the glasses and plates.
- John? - I called out to my squire.
- Yes, my lord? - I can't seem to get rid of that address.
- Fetch me paper, quill and ink. I need to draft a message to the lords, and get the Maester to send a message to Varick.
I didn't have to think long about a message for Varick. By the power given to me by our sweet queen, I will raise him to lordship and grant him the lands of old Went, and I will make him Lord of Harrenhal. It will be a good incentive for him to stay there. And I'll make him Marshal of the Riverlands. Larry has already become Lord of the Misty Forest after he married Mertins, Theon Tandbury has taken over the Rogers' place, so what's worse than my Captain of the Guard, Varick Hawke? Though someone else should be put in charge of the Guard now. Probably Bari Asgen as one of his deputies, who fulfils his function here and will be the new captain. He has experience, respect among his subordinates and is not stupid. He's a good fit. I'd also like to put my other guys in their places. Gerda, Marik, Lesho, Sigurd, Donald need some land. Theo already has some land here, but we can add some more, Martin is my half-brother... I don't know about him, he's up north of me. So I'll decide after I speak to Varick.
- Right away, my lord. - He nodded and left the study.
- John!
- John! Yes?
- How are you? - I haven't even bothered to talk to him all month about what's eating him.
- What are you talking about?
- The same thing, John. Your family. - he frowned and lowered his head. - I know you're a guy who's honest, loyal, never gives up on what's right. But you're still a man. And it's human to regret your actions and worry.
- Я...
- I know you have family on the other side. You've lived in the north, you're a northerner in spirit and in blood, even if you're half-northerner. You may be a bastard, not a legitimate son of Ned Stark. But you're bound by your service to me. And we're officially enemies with your father. I don't want to break your heart or the hearts of any other Northerners. So I'm doing this once and that's it. In three days, I'm marching with an assembly party to help take Morrigen Castle. In those three days, you and the other northerners must decide who they are for. I'm not holding anyone back. I do not consider you cowards, traitors or liars. I will release you from your oaths because I understand what kinship means. If you choose to continue to serve me, and if the others wish to do the same, you will come with me. If not, I will give you your wages, release you from service, give you a ship and a charter to leave this place. No-one will say a word to you. I just want to make sure that if I order you to kill a Northerner, if you encounter any of the Winterfell Guards, your hand will not waver, just like the other Northerners that are with me now.
- I will pass the word on to my countrymen. - John nodded, but with a gleam in his eyes and determination. - But for one northerner I will speak for now. For myself! My name is Jon Snow, I'm Ned Stark's bastard, and I've lived sixteen years under that name and with the knowledge of who I am. I was raised like my father's other children. And I was taught the same sciences, some I was even better at. - he allowed himself a smile and so did I. - But the main science I excelled in was the one my father put in our hearts. To be true to one's word, to one's honour, and not to disgrace oneself or one's clan by actions that one would later regret and be ashamed of all one's life. It is better to die with honour than to regret and languish because of one cowardly decision. I don't want to shed the blood of the Northmen, and I don't like to shed blood at all. But if I must, I'll spill it all over the battlefield, no matter whose it is. The Northerners will understand and even forgive me in a way. But I will not forgive myself. I swore an oath to serve you as your squire, as your man. I respect you and believe that despite what you say about yourself, you are a man of honour. I will follow you as I would anyone else already serving you or near you. Even if you release me from the oath I took, I will still consider myself your man, your squire. I cannot go back to the North. I'm with you to the end!
A little more and I would have been moved to tears of joy. The boy's a demagogue and not a wordsmith, but his speech moved even me.
Still, I wasn't wrong in my words and the construction of the conversation.....
- Thank you for your honesty. But you still have three days, like the rest of us. If you don't leave, I'll consider you with me.
John nodded and silently left.
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