Capítulo 32: Chapter 32: Blackwater
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Blackwater
Roland
Roland Baratheon stood near the bow of his flagship, Robert's Hammer. Surrounding the flagship was Roland's massive fleet poised to attack King's Landing. Before him was the vanguard fleet of modified ships led by the ten ships laden in pitch. Behind him was the cream of his fleet, the 90 war galleys and the catapult ships.
After arriving in Dragonstone Roland began modifying his flagship. In place of the catapults and scorpions that lined the upper and lower decks respectively, Roland had installed medium ballistas in the lower deck made to pierce the hull and kill the rowers, and scorpions in the upper deck to deal with infantry. At the bow was a single large ballista on a swivel.
Despite having a substantial force at his command Roland brought with him only 20,000 men. Most of which hailed from the Stormlands. On Dragonstone. Roland's soldiers had divided themselves into two groups. Those that still followed the Faith of the Seven were known as the King's Men, while those that followed R'hllor became the God's Men. After several fights had started and were suppressed by Lord Stannis. Roland realized he needed to find a way to relieve the tension. To do this Roland removed most of the God's Men from Dragonstone and induct them into his invasion force. The less fanatical ones stayed in Dragonstone to safeguard Lady Melisandre and his Good Aunt Selyse. Roland then took the most belligerent of the God's Men to fight alongside him during the attack on King's Landing. Among them were Godry Farring, Clayton Suggs and Lord Sweet. Unsavory characters in Roland's eyes but many including Ser Godry were handy with a blade. so it would do to keep them close. The God's Men believed it to be a great honor to fight alongside the king and took it as a sign that he recognised them. Ser Bonifer Hasty had formed a force of one hundred followers of the faith to act as guardians of the sept. This Holy Hundred also stayed in Dragonstone
Roland smiled satisfied with his work, it would be only a matter of hours before they reached King's Landing. On the ships men cramped inside were feeling the effect of the tide that hammered against the bows causing the ships to rock. the motions and the foul air were making the men sick. Thankfully Roland had allowed the view ports to be opened and barrels set up for when they did get sick. Marcus came above deck and stood by Roland's side. "The tide is against the fleet," he said. "The men are anxious and their stomachs are churning."
Roland cursed and turned to the captain, "make sure those barrels below don't overflow. I don't want the rest of the men to be hurling their guts out once the attack begins." The captain gave a nod and relayed the command to the crew. "The Blackwater rush always had a strong current, it will be against us no matter what time you sail to the capital. Regardless the wind is on our side and that's all we need to blow us straight to the Iron Gate."
"Iron gate?" Marcus wondered, "What of the mud gate."
Roland frowned, "I don't think attacking the mud gate will be possible now?"
"What makes you say that?"
Roland turned to Marcus. "Do you remember the two towers we saw at the mouth of the river when we fled the capital?" Marcus nodded wondering where this was going. "I think those towers are holding a chain boom."
Roland took a moment to let that sink into Marcus' head. then Marcus' eyes widened as he remembered something. "Master Salloreon spoke of a giant chain being constructed."
Roland smiled, "He did, and now everything fits. The chain will bar our way into the rush leaving us with one less gate to attack. Now the question is how will he use what remains of my brother's fleet. Will he keep them in the rush or send them out into the bay?"
"I guess we'll find out when we arrive," Marcus replied.
Roland shrugged as he turned to the horizon, Marcus continued, "you're finally going back home."
Roland lips curled as he mentioned that and Roland looked at the deck, "yes I suppose so."
Marcus cocked an eyebrow, "that doesn't make you happy?
Roland smiled sadly as he turned back to Marcus. "Did you ever visit King's Landing?"
Marcus shook his head, "No, but I have heard things mostly from Prince Oberyn."
"What kind of things?"
"That it smells like a cow corpse got stuck in a privy pipe and then sprayed on by a bunch of skunks."
Roland laughed, "yeah that sounds about right." Roland looked ahead again as he continued. "I never liked the capitol, for that matter I hate it. Every time I observed it from my chambers, saw it, smelled it. All I could think was 'I don't get it,' how can anyone stand to live hear let alone call it the capitol of Westeros. One would think that considering the Valyrian's mastery of architecture, the Targaryens would have similar designs for King's Landing. When I visited Oldtown, I was in awe everything about it was right, clean, orderly, beautiful. Oldtown is everything a capitol is suppose to be, yet it was built by the first men. Can you imagine, something built by the first men, thousands of years later is superior to something devised by the last Valyrians." Roland turned to Marcus, "home is were family is or it's no home at all."
"You could change that when you become king," Marcus pointed out.
Roland scoffed, "that would be easier said than done. "My father manages to rack up a huge debt with the iron bank and this war is not helping matters in the least. "And with Winter coming. Rebuilding King's landing won't happen for some time if what they say is true about this one."
Marcus nodded, "then you will just have to do it one problem at a time. We will start once we reach King's Landing."
As he said this Roland and Marcus could make out the distinct sound of bells ringing, bells of alarm. "We already have," Roland said quietly. He whirled around and walked over to the drummer with Marcus in tow. "If they want music lets give them music." He gave a curt not to Marcus who gave the command. "DRUMS!"
Immediately the drummer on Robert's Hammer began to play. (And I will Kiss- Underworld). Hearing this the drummers on the nearby ships also began to play. Soon the entire fleet was giving off a chorus of war as the torchlights of the city came into view.
Jaime
In the Red Keep Jaime and Bronn watched as Tyrion's squire Podrick Payne fitted his armour. Both Lannister brothers had spent the last hour in the arms of their lovers. Jaime with Cersei and Tyrion with that whore. What was her name? Shae? "Look after our son," Cersei pleaded with him as they lay together. Jaime could help put notice over the years that while Cersei was pregnant she was wilder in bed.
Now the brothers were gearing up for war. Bronn and Jaime were already dressed in their armor and were waiting for the Hand of the King to follow. Seeing Tyrion in armor that fitted his size, Jaime couldn't help but be both amused and impressed at the same time. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?" He asked his younger brother.
Tyrion shook his head, "not in the least. But I'm Hand of the King and Father charged me with defending this city. I need to be out there to command the defense."
Jaime nodded reluctantly, he didn't like the idea of Tyrion so close to the battle. He had even chastised father about sending Tyrion to the front lines during the Battle of the Green Fork. He would never be able to forgive himself is anything happened to his brother but Tyrion was adamant. After finishing with the armor, Podrick handed Tyrion a battleaxe scaled down to fit his stature.
Bronn cocked an eyebrow, "Do you even know how to use that?"
Tyrion shrugged, "I chopped wood once." Tyrion saw the look of disbelief Jaime gave him. and he chuckled softly. "I lie, actually I watched Jaime chopping wood."
"Well, I saw you kill a man with a shield so you ought to do fine with an axe," Bronn quipped. Jaime looked at his brother in surprise. Tyrion never took a life before even though their beloved father and sister had tempted him multiple times.
Once Tyrion was ready the three set out toward the battlements. Along the way, they crossed paths with the king. Joffrey had a smirk on his face. "It's time to teach my little brother who the true king of Westeros is," he declared. Joffrey drew his newly made Long Knives and let them gleam in the fire light. "My new blades," he explained, "I named them the Hearteaters, for they will soon taste my brother's. The knives were about two feet long with 18-inch blades.
Tyrion smiled tightly. "Yes indeed, will you fight Roland yourself, your grace?"
Joffrey's smirk faltered slightly as he shifted his feet indignantly. "Of course I will, what of it?"
"Roland likes to lead from the front, he will likely be in the vanguard," Jaime said.
Joffrey scoffed, "If my brother is foolish enough to challenge me then I'll gladly ride out and greet him." His fingers toyed with the hilt of his blades.
Tyrion tried to hold back a laugh. "That is a brave choice, your grace, no doubt the men will rally behind your courage."
Joffrey's smile widened, "my brother always liked to smile." He drew one of his long knives and fingered the blade. "So I will give him a permanent one, red from ear to ear." Joffrey sheathed the knife and walked away as his uncles looked on.
"Imagine Roland's utter terror," Tyrion said his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"If only brother, if only," Jaime replied sadly as they moved to follow their king.
Before they could, however, Cersei came to bid them farewell. Then in a surprising move, she knelt down and embraced Tyrion. The touching moment ended almost before it began as she pulled him close. "If any harm comes to my son you will suffer tenfold," she hissed. Tyrion nodded abruptly, knowing full well that she would and could carry out the threat.
After breaking apart Cersei turned to her twin and embraced him. "Stay safe brother." she whispered softly in his ear. Jaime nodded and smiled at her reassuringly. Cersei returned the smile then it disappeared as she clutched her belly. She felt her baby move in her as water trickled down her gown and onto the stone floor
"Cersei!" Both brothers exclaimed at the same time. Cersei gasped as her handmaidens rushed to her.
She looked at her brother with wide eyes. "My baby is coming!" She cried as pain coursed through her body.
Tyrion turned to a few guards. "Get my sister to the Holdfast at once," he roared. The guards hastened to obey as they helped the handmaiden's escort the queen regent to her bedchambers in the Holdfast. Ser Arys Oakheart joined them.
Cersei was crying "no it's too soon" she cried. "It's too soon," the baby was not due for another month.
Jaime was white as a ghost as his brother looked at him. "She'll be fine," he assured him. "Cersei survived Robert, she can get through this."
"I won't be there," Jaime pointed out sadly as they rushed to the battlements. He had always been with Cersei during her previous pregnancies. Now he would be unable to help her get through this. Ahead they could hear the faint sound of war drums playing and behind them they could hear the screams of childbirth. "Well if Roland's drums don't scare the men in the city, my sister's screams certainly will."
Tyrion
It was a rare thing for Tyrion to be truly worried about Cersei. "What a time for a baby," He thought. Though the two hated each other, Tyrion did still care for his sister to a slight degree. He also knew that Jaime was especially worried. Such distracting thoughts could divert him from the matter at hand.
As the trio reached the battlements of the Iron Gate they saw Joffrey already there with the Hound, Karl Tanner, Ser Mandon Moore, Ser Preston Greenfield and the newest addition to the Kingsguard Ser Osmund Kettleblack. Tyrion didn't know him personally but from what he saw in the training yard he was capable enough.
Joffrey looked at his uncles visibly annoyed. "So glad you could join us," he snarled at Tyrion.
Tyrion ignored him as he looked out into the Blackwater Bay. In the distance, he could just make out the outline of the Black's fleet coming out of the fog. Below the wall, he could see his own vanguard sailing out to meet them.
Tyrion watched as the two fleets closed in on each other, he noticed that Roland's ships were widely spread out to take as much advantage of the eastern coastline as possible. It also gave Roland's ships room to maneuver. Tyrion had opted to use his hulks in the bay. 'At least the River has the chain boom,' he thought. 'And the narrowness would deprive Roland of numerical superiority. Hopefully the wildfire will discourage Roland from attacking the Iron gate and destroy much of his fleet in the process.'
Roland
Roland saw the enemy fleet and noticed that Tyrion's own vanguard consisted of Barges, ferries, fishing boats, merchant vessels and any watercraft they could get their hands on. 'An attempt to capture my ships no doubt,' Roland thought.
"Shouldn't we join in?" Marcus asked.
Roland shook his head with the frown, "In Cyvasse the rabble go first."
Roland then turned to the ships captain and spoke three words, "Light them up." The Captain nodded and gave the order to his men. The crew lit the heads of the scorpion bolts and took aim. Roland himself lit the bolt of the forward ballista. Upon seeing the weapons of the Robert's Hammer lite up, the crews of the nearby galley's followed it's lead. Roland held his hand up, "Hold," he commanded. and so they waited until the laden ships were practically on top of the Lannister vanguard before Roland brought his hand down. "LOOSE."
The ballista loosed first, followed quickly by the scorpions, and then by the scorpions on the other ships. The hail of fiery bolts was enough to light up the sky for a time before they came down on the front ships of Roland's vanguard.
When they fiery bolts touched the first ten ships they lit up instantly, it was then that Marcus understood, the ships filled with pitch and hay were fireships and they were sailing straight at the swarm of hulks.
When Tyrion saw the hail of ballistae bolts he was confused. 'Doesn't Roland know he will hit his own ships?' He thought. Sure enough the bolts struck the ten lead ships. Tyrion shook his head until the ships instantly caught fire. 'Ships don't catch fire so quickly like that,' He thought as the ten ships were engulfed in flame. Then Tyrion finally came to the realization 'fireships" he whispered to himself as he now understood his nephew's plan. 'Roland meant for them to scatter our fleet, leaving them open to attack from his own ships now they were headed straight for-.' Tyrion's eyes widened in horror '-the hulks,' Tyrion closed his eyes, not needing to see what was about to happen.
Sure enough one of the fireships crashed into a large hulk filled with wildfire. The flaming bowsprite landed on the other vessel setting off the volatile liquid aboard. The result was a massive explosion that obliterated both vessels but the display was far from over. Flaming debris from the destroyed vessels landed on the other hulks of wildfire and setting them off as well. The explosions created a series of near-blinding flashes that was seen by both the Blacks and the Reds. From the deck of Robert's Hammer Roland and Marcus reeled back in surprise as the Wildfire spread like a green flower blooming obliterating nearly his entire vanguard.
As Roland and Tyrion stared at the aftermath of the Wildfyre's devastation, both of them muttered nearly at the same time. "You clever bastard."
Screams of the dead and dying could be heard in the water. Marcus was staring at the burning vanguard in horror 'we might have been right in the middle of that conflagration' he thought as Roland turned to him. "That's why the rabble goes first Marcus," he said grimly.
Marcus turned to Roland, "did you know?" He asked accusingly.
Roland cupped the back of his head with his hand and turned to Marcus. "I knew they had wildfire," he replied, "I just didn't know how they would use it." Roland turned back to the flames, "now I do."
Tyrion frowned, his plan wasn't working as he had hoped, but at least he manage to destroy a portion of Roland's fleet. Realizing that Roland would not fall into his initial trap he turned to Bronn and gave an order. "Raise the chain." With that Tyrion Jaime and the King made their way down the battlements and headed for the Mud Gate. With the path to the Iron gate now blocked by Wildfire, the Mud gate would become the focal point of the battle.
Not all of the vanguard was destroyed by the wildfire, of the 60 ships in the vanguard about 20 survived being at the very edges of the formation. 'Forty ships lost,' Roland thought, 'thirty were crewed, almost 3,000 of my men gone in an instant.' Roland's eyes narrowed then he stepped back as the pieces fell into place before him. The winch towers, the chain, the wildfire, Roland realized what his uncle had been planning. As he slowly figured it out, the Fury came up along side and dropped a Corvus. Stannis crossed the bridge to see his nephew, and the two stared at the flames. "Lord Tyrion has played his little trick," he said finally. "But he can only play it once. His observation was met with silence and Stannis continued. "Should we prepare to land?"
Roland turned to Stannis and shook his head, "Not yet uncle, we wait till dawn, Tyrion caught me off guard I'll have no more surprises tonight." Roland pointed to the southern shore, "send what remains of the vanguard to the south bank." Stannis was confused until Roland continued. "There is a tower the Lannisters set up, I want it destroyed."
"What makes this tower so important?"
Roland explained the chain boom to Stannis and stressed the importance of it's destruction. Stannis nodded as Lord Davos came up alongside on the Stormrunner. Being his most accomplished sailor, Roland had given the onion knight command of his personal ship. Being small and their swiftest ship, The Stormrunner was the perfect scouting vessel. Lord Davos' three eldest sons were in the fleet each one captaining a ship in Roland's main force. Dale commanded the Black Bertha, Allard commanded the Wraith and Matthos commanded the Lady Marya. "My king," he began, "We saw what looks to be a chain raised across the rush, we can't get past it, and the Lannister fleet is waiting just behind."
Roland nodded knowingly and gave him an order. "Go to the vanguard and tell them to assault the tower on the south bank. And sent boats to search for survivors."
Davos bowed, "it will be done my king," he said. He boarded the Stormrunner and left to deliver the order.
Stannis turned to his nephew, "Roland, I must urge you to reconsider going out there. You know Joffrey will be aiming for you."
Roland gave him a small smile, "My father never shied away from a fight uncle. Besides my presence is good for moral, and they will need it after what has just happened."
Stannis nodded reluctantly, his nephew raised a point and he knew that Roland would not be swayed from this and forcing him could only make things worse. "You are your father's son, Roland, too stubborn for your own good."
Roland smirked, "perhaps, but it's hasn't killed me yet."
Stannis sighed, "if you insist on doing this, then I'm coming with you."
Roland shook his head, "no uncle, House Baratheon can seldom afford to loose two of it's leaders at the same time. Stay in the rearguard and make sure the fleet is ready in case things don't go according to plan. Don't worry I have my personal guard with me and Marcus, I should be fine." Stannis didn't like this but he agreed nonetheless, he hoped for all their sakes that his nephew was right.
Before long the remnants of the vanguard landed on the southern bank with 2,000 men. Here they were confronted by Tyrion's mountain clansmen. Despite catching the Blacks by surprise, the 300 clansmen were outnumbered nearly 7-1 and eventually the Blacks slaughtered them to a man at the cost of a fourth of their men. With the clansmen defeated, the vanguard began storming the tower. A raft carrying a ram was brought up as the men battered at the tower gate. The winch tower was not defenseless. Tyrion had about 100 defenders inside. Roland had a number of mantlets were rolled up so the Black archers could pick off those on the battlements.
As the vanguard dealt with the southern tower, Roland sent one of his catapult ships to deal with the northern tower. The massive ship then proceeded to batter the winch tower with heavy rocks. While the winch towers were being taken care of Roland's warships closed in on the mouth of the river ready to strike once the chain was down.
After a brief but bitter fight, the vanguard breached the tower and started destroying the mechanisms holding the chain in place. The chain was freed and it spilled out of the tower and into the Blackwater. As this happened the catapult ship was able to bring the northern tower crumbling down. Though they had succeeded Roland vanguard had been reduced to a fifth of it's original number.
Tyrion closed his eyes once he learned that the winch towers were being attacked. He had already sent his hill tribes to the southern bank, he could spare no more. The Chain Boom also prevented him from sending ships to destroy the transports. Tyrion watched as the winch tower in the south was destroyed, he knew that the winch towers provided only a temporary defense but at least it gave his own fleet time to prepare for the coming assault.
No sooner was the chain boom destroyed, Roland gave the command to attack. Led by Robert's Hammer, the Black fleet charged into the rush. From the bow of his flagship Roland saw the Red fleet approaching led by the Lionstar. The two fleets clashed in a mass of wood and canvas.
Roland fleet was doing rather well. Outnumbering their opponent two to one, Roland ships formed pairs and chose their targets. But some of Roland's ships were larger and had a larger compliment of men so they needed no second ship. The Black Bertha, Lady Marya and Wraith rammed and sunk, Joffrey's Godsgrace and the Prince Aemon. Elsewhere The Stag of the Sea and the Lord Steffon boarded and captured the Lady's Shame and the Lady of Silk respectively. The fastest ships of both fleets Roland's Stormrunner and Joffrey's Seaswift were locked in a duel. Stannis Baratheon aboard the Fury engaged the Queen Cersei and destroyed her.
In the battle, the Swordfish rammed the Kingslander with it's massive prow. The crew of the Swordfish didn't bother to board as the Kingslander quickly took up water. Unfortunately the attack left it open to attack from Joffrey's Flagship the Lionstar. As the Swordfish backed away, The Lionstar bared down on the slower ship. The Swordfish's greatest weapon had become it's great liability. The Lionstar rammed the Swordfish before it had time to turn and face it. Roland quickly directed his flagship towards the Lionstar while it was still busy with it's latest victim. As the crew of the Lionstar and the Swordfish engaged in vicious fighting, The Robert's Hammer charged the Lionstar. The captain of the Lionstar stared in horror as the monstrous warship bared down on his own. When the Robert's Hammer made contact, the force of the impact sent men from all three ships to the deck. Roland jumped aboard the Lionstar along with Marcus and a boarding party. The combined men from both the Swordfish and Robert's Hammer overwhelmed the crew of the Lionstar. Roland himself slew the captain in single combat. As the Swordfish and the Lionstar started to sink. the survivors of the Swordfish swarmed aboard Robert's Hammer. When everyone was safe aboard the Robert's Hammer back up and left the two ships to their watery graves.
After the loss of the Lionstar to Robert's Hammer, it didn't take long for the rest of Red fleet to fall. The Black fleet was able to capture a number of Joffrey's ships and what they couldn't capture they sunk. The Lannisters fought until the last ship fell, giving Roland complete dominance over both the bay and now the river. With the Blackwater rush now open, Roland was now free to sail his catapult ships up the river. King's landing had about 14 towers on its southern wall each tower was armed with a catapult. Now the Mud Gate was reinforced by 3 trebuchets, adding to the risks.
Roland deployed his catapult ships within striking distance of the walls. To shield them from the siege engines in the city, Roland had the remaining ships placed in front to act as shields. The vessels anchored themselves and began releasing their compliment of soldiers.
Seeing the remnants of his fleet fall Tyrion gave the order for the catapults to launch their projectiles at the Black fleet. The three trebuchets at the mud gate, known to the men as the Three Whores were the first to launch. A single projectile from any one of the Three whore could destroy a single ship. Because of this, Roland's catapults focused their efforts on the Mud Gate.
Daybreak had arrived as Joffrey and Roland's catapults pounded at each other. Roland climbed on the railing of his flagship preparing to board one of the rafts. Before he did so he turned to his men and raised a spear in the air.
"Remember, the men in that city will rain fire down upon us, so may no eager fool run the beach playing hero. Keep your eyes open and your shields up. Lions are Kings of the jungle, BUT THIS IS NOT THE JUNGLE. COME WITH ME AND TAKE THIS CITY.
The men roared in approval as Roland leaped aboard the raft along with his renegades. Aboard the other ships, swarms of boats filled with men were rowing swiftly towards the beach. At the mud gate a harrying party had come out to greet any who came ashore. At first they were able to decimate the forces on the first few boats. Still others were taken out by the city catapults. But as they came ashore in greater numbers. it became too many.
Roland rafts had scorpions on them. Roland himself took command one and they started losing their bolts on the crimson-colored figures on the beach. Many fell to the scorpion bolts which went through their plate armor like butter.
Roland's raft was one of the first to land. He leaped out with a spear and shield in hand and grinning. "Home at last," he whispered. Roland took notice of more harrying parties pouring forth from the mud gate to come and meet them. Judging by their equipment and lack of sigils Roland guessed they were sellswords. 'Excellent,' he thought, 'the lions have sent me fresh meat and my blade hungers.' The first man he he faced charged at Roland with an axe raised and his shield down. "Fool" Roland growled as he hurled his spear at the man's face killing him. With the loss of his spear Roland then drew his sword and charged. He raised his shield as a volley of arrows came at him. at least four got stuck in the shield and Roland used his stowed to cut the shafts off.
The next person he faced was a gold cloak. The man trusted wildly at Roland with his spear. Roland use his blade to parry the spear downwards towards the sand. Once the spear was out of the way Roland dazed him with a shield bash and finished him with a thrust to the face. No sooner had Roland dealt with the gold cloak that another one charged at him, his spear outstretched. Roland spun to the side as the man rushed past him. Roland released the grip on his shield and grabbed the man by his cloak causing the gold cloak to be jerked back. Thanks to the argive grip on. Roland shield remained secure on his arm. Roland pulled the man towards him and rammed his blade through the back of his neck.
Roland noted that the harrying party consisted mostly of sellswords and gold cloaks. 'Uncle Tyrion must have been desperate for troops,' he thought. As this happened two sellswords came at him. Roland bashed one with his shield the boss in the middle connecting with the man's face. Roland then swung the shield to the right hitting the second man in the jaw with the edge of his shield. The second men practically flipped on his back as the first man staggered around dazed. Roland wasted no time and beheaded the first man before splitting open the stomach of the second.
Around him, the Blacks were having simular luck. The fresh Goldcloaks and sellswords the Lannisters had hired were being cut down by Roland's men who were already battle tested from the Kingswood. Further away Roland spotted a man completely ablaze charging a large man with a helm shaped like a dog, 'the Hound,' Roland knew. As he cut down more Lannisters Roland looked around for his uncle Jaime wondering where he was. but didn't see him. 'Most likely defending my gallant brother,' at least that's what Roland hoped. The last thing he wanted was to face the kKingslayeron the field.
Advancing further, he saw a man with the sigil of house brune on his shield. The man cut down Ser Godry Farring and Claton Suggs before turning towards Roland. Roland found this strange. House Brune was one of his own bannermen, 'this man must be a turn cloak or from a different branch.' The two clashed for some time exchanging blows. Roland manage to knock the shield from the man's hand. The Brune Man responded by Roland sword away. In response Roland pushed the man back against the wall pinning hin there with his shield. He then drew his dagger and drove it into his right eye and through his brain. The man slumped to the ground dead. Roland turned around and snatched his sword up just in time to cut down two goldcloaks in a single swipe.
Nearby Bronn had joined the fighting he had already felled a dozen Blacks with his bow. But as he was about to loose another arrow to get a burning man, a longaxe shattered his bow. Bronn looked and saw a man dressed in strange armour. Spaulders, vambraces, and greaves, steel disks sewn to leather like scale over a byrnie. Bronn smirked, his opponent was as lightly armoured as he was, "this could prove interesting." The two broke apart before clashing again.
Marcus advanced with short jabbs to Bronn's legs, Bronn countered by parrying them downward. Marcus then started twirling his axe deflecting Bronn's counterattack. As the two locked weapons, Marcus used Bronn's sword as a pivot and struck Bronn in the stomach with the butt of his longaxe and followed through with a strike to the face, Bronn was able to duck the blade of the second strike by an inch. Bronn rolled away and got on his feet. "Whoever this guy is he has skill," Bronn admitted. Marcus had the advantage of range but Bronn was slightly quicker. To counter his opponent's advantage kept his distance swatting away the thrusts. Marcus then switched to twirling his weapon Now when the two weapons clashed the impact was much harder. A nimber of tumed Marcus came cloes to disarming Bronn the sellsword manage to recover however as he was backed further and further towards the wall. with a final sweeping Marcus knocked Bronn's sword from his hand He was about to deliver a final strike to the head when a sword knocked it out of the way.
Marcus turned in the direction of the blade and saw a knight in golden armour and a crimson cloak wielding a gilded sword. Jaime Lannister had led a second sortie against the attackers. Marcus Backed off and grinned at this. He had always wanted to face the Kingslayer one on one now was his chance. As Bronn went to retrieve his sword, Marcus Sand now clashed with Jaime Lannister. The Kingslayer was far more skilled than Bronn. Quicker, stronger, more precise. Soon Marcus found himself on the defensive this was added to the fact that Bronn joined the duel. Together they drove marcus back until Bron was able to pin Marcus' axe to the sand with his sword while Jaime brought his own blade down on the wooden shaft of the axe.
The blow cut the weapon in two and caused Marcus to stumble back. He regarded the shaft for a moment before tossing it aside. and faced down the two warriors. Both were grinning thinking that their opponent was now helpless. Marcus narrowed his eyes and drew his second weapon from his back. Dawn.
Jaime's eyes widened on shock when he saw the weapon the dornishman was holding. He had spent enought time with Arthur Dayne, the last Sword of the Morning to know the family's famed weapon. The sword gleamed white as milk in the sun as the wielder twirled it in front of him before holding it with the blade level to his eyes. 'Could it be,' Jaime thought in disbelief. 'Has House Dayne chosen a new Sword of the Morning?'
Not realizing the risk Bron attacked first, the two exchanged blows for a brief moment before Dawn cut through Bonn's sword like cheese. Bronn stared at the broken blade in shock as Marcus closed in with a thrust. He almost didn't see it and tried to move out of the way. This didn't stop Dawn from going through his armour and piercing his gutt. Bronn fell back clutching his stomach as Marcus turned on Jaime.
Jaime was far more skilled, but Marcus turned out to be far more deadly with the sword than he had been with that longaxe. Some say that Dawn increased it's wielder's prowness in the field. Thw two fought evenly for a while but even Marcus was no match for the kingslayer as the seasoned knight drove Marcus back. That was until several Renegades came up and joined Marcus in fighting Jaime.
The Hound had already cut down a good number of Blacks, a pity that the rest of his men proved to be utterly useless. As he struck down another man he heard an unhumane scream. Sandor looked up and saw a burning man making a suicide run towards him. Sandor looked in both shock and horror at the sight. He barely had time to react as the man decked him, sending Sandor spawling to the sand. The sight and feel of fire so close to him caused Sandor to panick as he tried to push the man off of him. Finally with one great shove Sandor Clagane manage to shove away the burning man and get back on his feet.
The Hound was trembling as he looked around the only thing he seemed to see was fire. Flames on the water, flames on the beach, ships on fire, men on fire. Sandor was taken back to that day, they day Gregor scarred his face. the hot coal pressing against his skin, the smell of his own flesh melting away. Seeing all this now was more then he could stand. Still in a state of shock Sandor turned and headed back towards the gate.
The Reds fought fiercely as they knew what was at stake. But gradually they were pushed back to the mud gate as more boats arrived filled with fresh Baratheon soldiers. Bit by bit they were driven back to the mud gate. when they saw the Hound flee from the battlefield, the men lost their courage and followed suit. Outnumbered by the Renegades, Jaime had no choice but to retreat back to the gate along woith the rest of the men.
Sandor stumbled through the gate still in a state of shock. "GET ME A DRINK DAMN YOU!" A squire handed him a flagon of water which he promtly spat out. "Fuck water bring me wine." The squire exchanged flagons and Sandor begn to gulp it down in haste. After handing the squire his now empty bottle Sandor trudged away from the gates when he was confronted by the Lannister brothers.
"Would you like some ice milk and a bowl of raspberries as well." Tyrion asked sarcastically.
"Eat shit imp," Sandor snarled As he tried to move past then Jaime clutched his should.
"What are you doing?" He demanded.
"Getting as far away from this shit pile of a city as possible," Sandor growled.
Jaime grabbed Sandor's arm, "You can't do that," Jaime declared.
Sandor wretched his arm away, "I lost most of my men out there." He gestured to the outside. "There's fire everywhere."
"You need to fight, you must," Jaime implored. "Otherwise Roland forces will take this city."
Sandor's eyes narrowed and he spat at Jaime's feet. "Fuck this city, Fuck House Lannister and Fuck youre damned king."
Jaime could only stare at the Hound in shock. "He's snapped,' Jaime realized, 'he's finally snapped.' Jaime was conficted about what to do. Sending him out their would do know good so long as his fears gets the best of him. Trying to apprehend him could cost lives they could ill afford to loose. Finally, Jaime raised his hands in the air in surrender. "So be it' he said quietly washing the hands of the matter.
With that Sandor mounted his steed and rode off as the Lannisters stared after him. Seeing one of their deadliest fighters leave depleted their moral even more.
On the battlements Joffrey was grinning he was loosing bolt after bolt at his brother's men with sur[rising precision. As Joffrey fired a crossbow his squire was reloading a second on at hand. So far not one of Joffrey's bolts had missed their mark. Every now and then he looked around for Roland but couldn't see him from his position.
With the harrying parties withdrawing to the safety of the walls it was now safe to bring the ladders and the rams up. Many more rafts had landed and mantlets were rolled up. Roland knew they the defenders would loose flaming arrows upon his men. Besides their lethality, flaming arrows served another purpose. The flames would lite up the beach allowing the archers on the walls a better view of the attackers. By waiting for daylight Roland gave his own men a good view of the archers.
By now the Three Whores and all the siege engines east of the mud gate had been destroyed by Roland's catapult ships. This success cost Roland the remaining ships of his vanguard but now the rest of his fleet could sail inland and use their scorpions to assist the soldiers on the beach.
The largest raft carrying the Turtle and Battering Ram finally came ashore. At the rear of the raft was a large horn. A dozen men carried the Turtle to the Mud Gate while a dozen more came with the heavy Battering Ram. Its iron head was in the shape of a big horned sheep. The archers on the walls rained volley after volley of arrows at the turtle to little effect. Once the Turtle was in position, the ram was put under it and latched on with chains. With the battering ram secured, the Blacks started pounding at the Mud Gate.
"Heave," (boom), "heave," (boom), "heave," (boom), "heave," (boom). Each time the ram struck the heavy wood on the gate creaked and cracked.
As the ram hammered at the gate, dozens of ladders were brought to the walls. They needed to secure the gatehouse so they could raise the portcullis. As the laddered were placed. the Blacked scrambled upwards braving a hail of stones and arrows from the defenders. Roland's scorpions were able to keep many of the defenders pinned down long enough for the Blacks to get up and over. Roland rushed to the Raft that delivered the ram and took command of one of the scorpions.
Joffrey had discarded the crossbows and drew his long knives. The first man that popped his head from the ladder got decapitated by the Lannister King. With Reds raining volley after volley of arrows and the Blacks picking them off bit by bit. Elsewhere the defenders fought viciously to drive off the ladders the knocked a few over but there always seems to be more.
Before long Roland's Ram had battered down the gate now it started working on the portcullis. "It won't be long," Roland thought. "The defenses cannot hold for long. Just then, a sentry rushed over to Roland panting heavily. "My king, we have armor cavalry charging our way thousands of them."
"Lannisters?" Roland wondered.
The sentry shook his head. "Tyrells my king.
Roland stared towards the west and could just make out heavy horse charging straight at them. Roland frowned and gripped his sword tightly as he looked around rapidly. Then he got an idea and started barking orders to his men. "Get these mantlets over to the ram," he commanded. "we'll form a barricade from the wall to the beach." Fortunately, there was already a large number of mantlets near the Mud Gate were the heaviest fighting was taking place. As quickly as possible, Roland's men started grabbing a number of the mantlets and wheeled them over to the ram and placed them side by side. From within the ram and behind the mantlets, Roland's archers fired at the cavalry. Other men came forward and bent their knees. They put their spears through the slits on the mantlets and ram. Roland turned back to his men and ordered the bulk of them to retreat
They finished just as the horses were upon them. Roland noticed that the one leading them was wearing Uncle Renly's armor. Some of Roland's men lost their minds and believed it was 'king Renly's ghost. Some fled until the other soldiers knocked some sense into them. The Tyrell cavalry crashed straight into the makeshift barricade. Some horses were impaled on spears others threw their riders off. With the momentum of their charge broken, the Tyrell vanguard dismounted and started pulling at the mantlets trying to overturn them.
Upon seeing the Tyrells, Jaime saw the chance they needed and led a final sortie with his remaining men. The Mud Gate opened and the Lannisters rushed forward. They made short work of the defenders behind the barricade.
Roland turned to the sentry he had spoken to earlier. "Give the signal to the catapult ships." the sentry nodded and rushed to the horn. The man took a deep breath and blew the horn.
Aboard Roland's fleet word was passed to the catapult ships to start launching their projectiles at the Tyrell army. Not needing to be told twice the men adjusted the catapults lit their projectiles and released. The balls of fire soared high in the air and landed in the midst of the Tyrell chargers. The intervention of Roland's catapults caused heavy casualties to the Tyrells and further disrupted their advance. The man in Renly's armor braved the volleys and led the Tyrells against the Baratheon lines
In the midst of the Battle Marcus found himself face to face with Brienne of Tarth on horseback. Marcus waited patiently for the right moment. Just as she was on top of him ready to cut him down, Marcus swung his sword at the torso of Brienne's horse. The blow nearly cut the animal in two and Brienne was launched from the saddle and into the sand. Marcus advanced intending to cut her down quickly. Brienne was able to draw her sword and blocked it in time. She rolled away and rose to her feet leveling her sword.
Meanwhile, Roland stared at the man wearing his late uncle's armor. Looking around for a spear of something to use against the man's charger it turned out fate intervened. a scorpion bolt hit the horse directly in the skull killing it instantly as it tumbled to the ground. Instead of flying off the dead horse. The man casually leaped off and landed nicely on the ground. The man towered over Roland as he drew his sword.
The two combatants circled each other t with their swords resting on the tops of their shields aimed at each other's eyes. Roland was taken back to when a similar thing happened with the Knight of the Flowers. But this time Roland knew he would be fighting a more dangerous opponent.
Garlan was as heavily armored as his brother had been Plate Armour over chainmail and leather doublet, but Roland felt sure that he has even less weak spots. Unlike Roland's shield Garlan had a heater shield with a center grip. Both had their advantages and disadvantages. The Argive grip allowed for more leverage and more force could be applied. But the center grip was more flexible, had a longer reach and was more easy to discard should it become useless.
"Hello Garlan," Roland said with a grin.
"How did you guess?" The Tyrell asked.
"Only a Tyrell would wear such flamboyant armor," Roland replied. "And you're the only Tyrell close to my uncle's large frame."
"You're going to pay for what you did at the Kingswood," Garlan declared. "You scarred my brother for life."
Roland let out a snort, "you should thank me, I think it's an improvement. Besides girls love scars on a man, oh wait I forgot. Loras doesn't like girls."
That enraged Garlan and he struck at Roland. From the beginning, Roland could tell that Garlan was indeed more skilled than his younger brother. His blows were stronger more precise. Roland knew he would be able to muscle Garlan like he did with Loras. Garlan was also more cautious and battle tested.
The two seemed evenly matched for the longest time. Back and forth, back and forth the two deflected and delivered blows equally. But with the protection, they both wore any wound received was minimal.
Marcus and Brienne continued to clash but it was clear Marcus had the upper hand. Even without Dawn, Marcus was simply more deadly. He was able to knock her helmet off and despite her being stronger than him He knocks her to the ground a few times. But she just got right back up and kept coming at him again and again. As they locked swords once more Marcus spat in her face startling her for a moment and giving him time to circle around and slice the tendon in her left leg. Brienne cried out in pain and Marcus knocked her out with a blow to the head. despite this being a battle Marcus didn't have the heart to kill a woman warrior or not. It may not be smart but that just wasn't his way.
Roland clung defensively as the Tyrell slashed at him mercilessly. Roland darted his eyes all over his opponent trying to find any form of weakness, in his armor or form. So far he didn't find any so he opted to remain on the defensive hoping to tire Garlan out. But Roland had been fighting all day clashed with a number of skilled warriors and was already exhausted. Garlan was still fresh and that was probably his biggest advantage.
Roland's eyes burned as sweat poured from his brow. His breathing had become heavy and weariness was finally taking its toll. Whenever they locked shields Garlan was able to shove him back with ease. Clashing again Garlan shoved his shield forward at Roland's shield arm knocking it to the side before following through with a heavy handed downward strike.
Roland was unable to get his shield up fast enough leaving his sword his only defense against the blow. He brought it up instinctively but it didn't stop the blow Garlan's sword pushed Roland's down as the blade scratched his helm just above his right eye slit. Garlan's blade found the opening and dug inside piercing the eye underneath.
Roland roared in pain as his vision was cut in half and he backed away. Garln took advantage of the Black Prince's state and drove his sword in an opening the spot between the cuirass and the cuisses protected only by chainmail. Garlan's sword goes through Roland's thigh just below the hipbone. Roland was still recovering from the loss of his eye when he feels a burning pain in his leg, the pain increased to unberable levels. No longer able to support his weight Roland's sword slips from his hand as he collapses into the sand. Garlan advanced on him and raised his sword in the air the tip pointed at Roland neck. he drove his sword in only for Roland to roll out of the way at the last second. Garland chased after him his eyes burning with rage at the one responsible for mutilating his brother. Vengence was inches away as he stabbed again and again his blade barely missing the Black Prince
Despite the agony he was going through Roland's head was spinning, out of the corner of his vision, Roland's remaining eye spots it an axe with a broken shaft. 'I have to time this right,' Roland thought, 'otherwise I'm a dead man.' Garlan stabbed again, this time Roland just turned sideways just enough for his hand to reach the axe. As Garlan pulled his sword out, Roland turned back around and swung the axe at Garlan as hard as he could. The backspike of the axe drove in between the vambrace and the gauntlet.
Garlan cried out in pain as Roland twisted the axe as much as he could. The sound of cracking could be heard as the axe ripped into Garlan's hand. However ,bl ood loss and exhaustion took it's toll on Roland and he released the axe and grabbed an hand full of sand which he threw at Garlan's face. With Garlan temporarily blinded, Roland crawled backwards to one of the rafts.
A number of Renegades rushed to assist their fallen King picking him up as a few other formed a semi circle around them. Lem and Greenbeard carried him to on of the rafts and sat him against it's mast. Marcus now stepped in front of Garlan, not to fight him but to protect his king.
"Our men on the Battlements are being overrun." Lem explained. "A scout reports that Lannister forces are entering the city."
Roland shook his head. "There is no more good we can do here. Order the men to fall back immediately."
Lem nodded and began shouting orders to the Blacks on the beach. "FALL BACK, RETURN TO THE BOATS." The Blacks didn't need to be told twice as they rushed to the boats and rowed back to the fleet awaiting them. Marcus hopped aboard the raft Roland was on Roland pulled himself up and stared at the Gatehouse where Joffrey stood. The two brothers locked hateful glares at each other.
Roland noticed a number of men staying on the beach one of then was Lord Sweet. "Go my king," he said, we'll hold them off as long as we can."
"What about you," Roland asked worried.
Lord Sweet smiled, "R'hllor awaits us all my king and we who stand by his right hand will be forever dwell in paradise."
Roland sighed and gave the man a curt nod. "Rhllor be with you Lord Sweet."
"To you as well my king," Lord Sweet replied as he charged into the fray.
Roland hmphed and he was pulled aboard Robert's Hammer. 'As a maester tended to his wounds, Stannis came aboard to check on his nephew. "They have won this day," he muttered grimly. To his surprise, Roland was smirking,
"They can have it," he replied. "For much more shall be done," Roland exhaled as he slipped into unconsciousness.
T he Lannisters and Tyrells watched the Baratheon's retreat and roared in triumph. His remaining men were either killed or surrendered.
"We-we did it," Jaime panted as he watched the Black fleet sail away, "We won."
Cheers could be heard on the battlements as the defenders inside started to celebrate their victory. Joffrey was grinning like a child with a slice of cake. Yet not everyone was smiling. Tyrion looked around at the slain defenders on the beach and the mass of half sunken ships on the river. "Yeah," Tyrion thought bitterly, "but at what cost?"
Cersei
Cersei panted in relief as her fifth child came into the world. This had been by far the easiest of her pregnancies. The child came out wailing and squirming frantically. "It's a girl my queen," the handmaiden said.
Cersei noticed the other looking at each other slightly worried. Cersei immediately sat up in her bed, "what is it, what's wrong with my child," she demanded.
"Nothing my queen," the handmaiden reassured her. "She's just small is all."
The child continued to wail and Cersei outstretched her hands, "Give her to me," She said softly. The handmaiden handed her the baby, as soon as she was in her mother's arms the wailing stopped. The Handmaiden was right, the girl was the smallest babe she had ever seen. Cersei pulled back the baby's hood and could only smile as she caressed the infant's ebony locks. "Cerelle," she cooed gently, "my little Cerelle."
Author's note: Phew that was exhausting. It took a while but I finally did it. Blackwater is finally finished. I hope you enjoyed it. I apologize if the ending disappointed some of you but I do have a reason for this. Peace Out.
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