Bab 42: Chapter 42: And the Bells Rang
Author's Note: Damn, this one is lengthy! Hope you all enjoy it. The war has finally started, and our boy is ready. I'm still not sure what the next chapter will be about; it will depend on my muse. It will either be a continuation of this chapter or one with different POVs showing what everyone else is doing, since Jon is at the Wall, Brynden has things to do, and there's a mess in the Red Keep. There's so much to cover, lol.
Kingslanding.
Robb Stark
Laughing maniacally, I observed my latest creation. This beetle had its stomach so fortified that I was sure it would be more than enough to consume the wildfire at the bottom of the city.
With it, I was sure I would obtain a nice upgrade in my power. What I was hoping for was to create insects that secreted this specific alchemic mix.
Having wildfire at my beck and call whenever I wanted would help with all my endeavors, from the war of the living to the battle against the dead.
Giving my full attention to the beetle perched on the bowl containing my future prized possession, I ordered it to start absorbing the wildfire. A big smile spread across my face when the insect didn't die on the spot and continued to consume the wildfire until it was full.
The first thing I noticed was the amount of energy I received from such a small amount of wildfire—it was by far the most significant increase I had experienced in all these years. Maybe it was its properties or something I didn't yet understand, but I couldn't help but marvel at it.
With this beetle template and the new energy I obtained, I started creating more bugs capable of consuming wildfire and left them to their devices until they couldn't continue. War would begin soon, and I needed a lot of energy for some of my more daring ideas.
The second thing I noticed was that I unlocked the ability to naturally create insects that secreted wildfire. This was a big deal because I could have an unlimited amount of it to use against whomever I wanted.
Satisfied with my gains, I exited my inn to check on the Red Keep. Jory knew I was protecting them from the shadows in King's Landing, but he was under my orders to act oblivious of it. I could see that he was confused by my order to keep it a secret from my father, but I needed him to learn his lesson.
I couldn't have him interfering with my plans for the war for the sake of his honor, and I needed him to be betrayed.
I saw him asking Baelish for help after his last conversation with the queen, and the king was preparing for his last hunt at that very moment. I could feel the excitement in my veins. Everything would start soon, and I could stop hiding and focus on reaching my true goal.
Near the castle, I pretended to buy things from some merchants. Conversing with someone while spying was easy, thanks to my overpowered multitasking ability. That way, I could listen to everything around me while acting like an average person.
Seeing the king galloping into the woods with his entourage, I prepared for the last steps of my plan. Right now, I needed to find Tyrion and tell him to prepare. After that, Just wait for the shoe to drop.
Tyrion Lannister
I could feel, deep within me, that something big was about to happen. I hadn't spoken much with my family since my father kicked me out of Casterly Rock, but Jaime sometimes took time to talk to me. Going from having more gold than I could use to needing to work for it was difficult, but I couldn't deny that I felt better when I spent my hard-earned gold.
Standing in my solar, beside Elyse's, I pondered Robb Stark's plans. They were mad, but I couldn't deny the thrill I felt when he told me about them. I had a backpack ready for whenever he gave the word.
I didn't know much about it since we were short on time when we had that conversation, but I knew it would happen soon. My spies had already informed me of the conversation between my sister and the Hand. I knew my sister, and I was sure this would be Eddard Stark's biggest mistake.
She was cruel and would stop at nothing to obtain what she desired.
Hearing a knock on my window, I wondered what was happening.
My office was on the second floor of this building, so it couldn't be a person knocking. I wondered if Joffrey thought ordering some of his sycophants to start throwing stones again would be funny.
Leaning in, I didn't notice anything unusual until I heard a sound behind me. Seeing something I couldn't have imagined, I shook my head. A message was dropped on my desk.
Looking around, I didn't notice anything unusual. The door was still closed, as were the other windows.
Approaching the parchment, I used a dagger to open it. I'd heard enough of Dorne's ways to send poisoned messages to avoid falling for something so simple.
Reading the message, I deadpanned—I was batshit scared of this kid.
The message only had one line: "It's time. Meet near the Sept of Baelor when the sun sets."
I had no idea how he was capable of some of the things he had done, but I was sure of one thing… This was the winning side.
At Dusk
Going over my belongings, I started fretting about everything. This was madness, and losing my head would be the least of my worries if someone found out about this.
"Come here," a voice called from one of the darkest corners I could see.
Approaching the person I suspected was Robb, I looked around nervously and adjusted the cowl I used for disguise. One of the positives of being a dwarf was that people would think I was just a child from Flea Bottom.
"How did you get that message into my solar?" I asked him, tilting my head in wonderment.
"It's a secret, Tyrion," he laughed while removing his mask.
Seeing him with black hair made me nod—it worked, as I wouldn't have been able to recognize him without careful observation.
He was famous in the North, and some of his legends had reached here, but aside from his Tully-colored hair, not much was said about his appearance.
"It's time to leave this place for your new life, Tyrion," Robb said with a smile. "Are you nervous? Excited?"
"A little bit of both, I guess," I nodded. "Afraid too… I could lose my head before I arrive where you're sending me."
"Ha! That's the spirit, Tyrion." Robb laughed. "Your sister just murdered her husband. It appears she fucked her cousin to make him drunk during his hunt."
"What?!?" I exclaimed. "The Hand's warning must have spurred her to act so fast," I mumbled.
"Indeed, my father's honor coming back to bite him in the behind," Robb shook his head. "Whatever, what's done is done. I just need to take him from the black cells."
"Are you sure you can do it, Robb?" I asked him. "I don't have much power there, but I could ask for some favors if you need them."
"Thank you for the offer, but don't worry," he declined. "I'm more than capable enough to take him out."
I wasn't entirely sure I believed him, but he knew best what he could do.
"Then, now what?" I asked him nervously.
"Now you start your next great adventure, my friend," Robb laughed. "I just need to explain a few things before I take you to the Manderlys' cog."
"Go on, Robb. Don't keep me waiting," I urged him, nervous about someone listening to us.
"Haha, don't worry. The people following you have been dispatched," Robb assured me.
"People were following me?" I asked, shocked.
"Indeed, the little birds of a eunuch," he answered.
"Well, let's begin. First, the Manderlys will take you all the way to Astapor. They will provide you with three thousand gold coins to start setting yourself up in your new life," Robb said calmly as if that wasn't a lot of gold, and he could give it to me without caring about the war.
"With that, you'll have enough to find a place to stay and buy some Unsullied for protection… The Manderlys aboard the galley will help you settle in before returning. They will be our way of communicating."
"How sure are you that the next queen will arrive there?" I asked him doubtfully.
"A hundred percent, my friend. You'll have a few months to use your head to gain a foothold in the city. There are two things you need to know aside from the message I will give you later," Robb nodded, showing me a parchment.
"First of all, Daenerys seems like a good kid, but she is ruthless, and I want you to advise her enough to be a better person for when we meet. And secondly, please, Tyrion, treat the Unsullied you buy or any other servants, well, Don't mistreat them. I want you to be loved by them by the time she arrives," he said seriously.
I just nodded in response—that wouldn't be difficult at all. I wasn't cruel, and being good to my servants seemed obvious.
"Anything else, Robb?" I asked him.
"Hmmm… no, everything needed is written in this parchment. Inside, you'll find information on the dos and don'ts and the people you cannot trust under any circumstances," he said seriously. "Trust me on this… You will encounter a bunch of vipers on your travels, but I'm sure you will be able to overcome everything."
"Understood. Thank you, Robb. For everything," I said sincerely.
"It will be hard, but I'm sure we will meet again in the throne room during our crowning ceremony," he laughed, and I wondered why he was so happy. "Now follow me; it's time for you to leave. I give it a few more days before it all goes to shit."
Following him to the port, I bade my farewell to the capital. I didn't know when or if I would be back, but I hoped everything worked out in the end and that my family would rot in hell.
"Can you do me a favor before we leave?" I asked Robb just as the galley and the crew started to sail.
"What's up?" Robb shouted.
Getting closer to the deck to be heard more easily, I shouted back, "Take care of Lady Elyse! She doesn't deserve anything happening to her under my nephew's rule."
I didn't hear a response, but I saw him giving a solemn nod. That was the last I would see of him for a while, and I was glad. The kid was scary as hell.
Sighing, I walked to the room they had given me to try and rest for the journey. My last thoughts before falling asleep were of Lady Elyse's smiles when she explained how to do something I didn't know.
Robb Stark
Seeing the galley leaving the port, I wished everyone luck on their journey. But after a moment, I started walking back, just as their travels began. I had a lot of things to do for a while.
The king had just arrived with his injury a couple of hours earlier, and I needed to ensure that things stayed the same so I could extract my people without much fuss.
Arriving at the Red Keep, I started my work. First, I made a copy of the king's dying will, just in case I needed it. It wouldn't hurt to have, even if I didn't think so.
After that, I went ahead to tell Jory to prepare. They wouldn't accompany my father to the throne room since I didn't want to put them at risk. My father would go, but I was sure he wouldn't be harmed much since he was a person of interest, unlike his followers.
Jory commanded the rest of the Northern guards to leave for the entrance of the city, where they would wait for us in the woods where the king was injured. I already had two horses ready for our retreat with my father.
Going over everything again, just double-checking to make sure I was ready, I heard the bells in the Sept ringing, signifying the king's death.
I wouldn't get to sleep today, but I had some insects that could help me with that.
Eleven Hours Later
I was already inside the Red Keep. Thankfully, with everything happening, their security was lax. Jory and the rest had already left, taking Lady Elyse with them after some coaxing.
Thankfully, the small friendship I gained with her during her stay in Winterfell made her trust me enough after Jory showed her a message I had written while he explained the happenings in the kingdom.
They left over six hours ago and were waiting for us in the woods. Now, the only thing happening was my father getting a little roughed up and dropped in the black cells.
He tried to do the same thing as in canon, and he was betrayed by everyone here. Renly left the capital and headed toward Highgarden with his lover. Varys didn't help, and Baelish put a dagger to his throat instead of supporting him to maintain his faked support of the new king.
Everything was going according to plan, and when they dropped him, I was ready to move.
Poisoning the guards since I didn't need to hide anymore, I approached the one with the keys to my father's cell. As I approached him, I took off my mask just for theatrics.
"Winter is coming," is the last thing he heard as he died, thanks to my insects. I quickly grabbed the keys and went ahead to my father's cell.
Opening it and double-checking with my insects that everyone here was dead or dying and that no one else was approaching this side of the castle, I entered the cell.
"I told you not to trust them," I said to my father while I helped him up with the chains.
"Aye, you did… Thank you for taking care of me, son," Eddard said while moving his limbs, trying to shake off the sleepiness.
"Everything is ready; we just need to leave," I said while moving. "Follow me quickly. I don't want to have to kill everyone here."
My father nodded and quickly followed me. As we went outside of the cells, we encountered more guards, but they couldn't do a thing to defend themselves before dropping dead.
Going over one of the exits, we reached the first snag in my plan. I didn't have a key for this door, and I couldn't go back to search every single body since we were running out of time.
Thinking quickly, I used my new creations and sent them directly to explode at the reinforced door. I marveled at the beautiful green color of the wildfire.
Waiting for it to melt the door so we could pass safely, we ran ahead without stopping, my father following close behind.
Reaching the inn where I had left the two horses, we mounted them and galloped away. We didn't need to fight since every guard in our way dropped dead before they knew something was wrong.
Slowing for my father to catch up, I started a conversation since we were out of danger.
"We need to reunite with the rest, then we'll go directly to Seagard to send some ravens. After that, we'll go directly to the North," I said lightly.
"I tried to avoid this," my father said shamefully, looking at the dead guards at the entrance. "I thought I was doing the right thing."
"You did the right thing, father," I said thoughtfully, patting him before continuing. "But as you can see, the right thing sometimes worsens things."
"Aye, I can see that," he nodded regretfully before looking straight ahead. "We'll need to prepare for war."
"Way ahead of you, father," I laughed. "I'll take care of it. You just need to protect Winterfell in my stead. That's my new order as Lord Stark. Enjoy home with your wife; Jon and I are more than capable of ending this farce," I joked to lighten the mood.
My father chuckled weakly, "You've grown up, Robb. But I'll listen to you… Lord Stark."
"Haha, I've missed you, Father. It will be good to have you at home. Everyone missed you a lot," I smiled.
"It will be good to be back home," he nodded.
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