Chương 19: The Archer of Death
Lord Stannis and Robb Stark were terribly insistent when it came to chasing down the Lannisters. After only a few days of resting, the entire army marched all the way to the Golden Tooth where the Westerlands border lay. To effectively invade the Westerlands from the east, the Golden Tooth was a necessity considering the impassable mountains and overall harsh environment everywhere else.
It was an impressive stronghold, to be sure… but it could not hold that many men. It was no Storm's End or Casterly Rock, either. This type of fortress was certainly penetrable.
~
After making camp before the Tooth, Stannis held a council of the most prominent lords present in the royal army. Banners from Houses across the North, Vale, Riverlands, Crownlands and Stormlands soared in the air high and proud. With the Riverlands liberated from the Lannister threat, the royal army grew even more.
As crown prince… and with Robert's passing, I sat at the head of the table. It was no secret that I would be King barring any accidents. To my left was Stannis and to my right Robb Stark, followed by Rickard Karstark, Roose Bolton, Jon Umber, Brynden Tully, Yohn Royce and Gulian Swann across both sides of the table.
The person with the most authority and credibility seemed to be my uncle. He had experience leading armies in two great conflicts and was known to be a capable commander alongside the fact that he was Robert's brother.
Robb Stark is a fifteen year-old and I'm eleven… so it was already surprising that I was the one at the head of the table. Regardless, it didn't matter where I sat. I wanted to do everything I could to ensure a swift victory.
"What is the plan moving forward… do we… intend to attack?" The aged Gulian Swann questioned, looking around.
"We have them encircled from west and east." Stannis spoke with the same charmless, almost monotone, voice he always did. "They will want to negotiate, I'm certain of that. However… we should not give them a single inch. If we take the Tooth and capture the Lannisters, we've won this war and will be able to make our own terms."
"I agree." Robb Stark nodded with conviction. "My father and the King cannot be avenged if we barter with the Lannisters."
"Yes… we'll storm the bloody castle!" Greatjon Umber slammed his fist onto the table and stood up. "Lord Eddard Stark must be avenged!"
"And His Grace." Yohn Royce added, nodding "Both Tywin Lannister and Jaime Lannister must yield their heads for the sorrows that they've brought upon the Realm!"
Everyone was so eager for blood… and part of me was, too.
I stood up, taking a deep breath.
"If they wish to negotiate, we should hear out their terms first before risking the lives of so many of our men. If they are aware of their situation-"
"What do you know about war, boy?" Rickard Karrstark interrupted me, raising his tone. "When you were still long floating in your father's balls, I had already fought in Robert's Rebellion. We all know more than you… it would be better if you sat quietly and let the grown men fight this war."
'I am a grown man.'
Shew.
Rickard Karrstark observed the cut along his cheek. He had hardly blinked, looking back to see the knife which had cut him fall. He turned back and glared at Dorian who stood behind me.
"You would do well to address the future King with respect, Lord." Dorian had another knife in his hand. "He raised a valid point in not throwing your men into the fire blindly. Also, if we're speaking of experience at war, I've seen more wars and battles than all of you."
"And who the fuck are you?" Rickard Karstark frowned as he stared at him.
"Just a knife thrower." Dorian grinned slightly. "Next time, I might leave a scar."
"That means if you die, no one will bat an eye, is it?" Rickard Karstark drew his sword.
"I'll dig half a dozen knives in your skull before your sword can even come within a foot of my head." Dorian replied, tilting his head. "Would you like to try?"
I was getting pissed off.
"ENOUGH!"
My voice was not that of an eleven year old when I erupted. It was loud and thunderous, like thunder striking the earth. Everyone quietened after that.
"We're on the same bloody side… we all want to WIN this war!" I slammed the table and it violently shook, going so far as cracking slightly. "Yes, we have vastly greater numbers and yes, they are cornered like rats. Lord Tywin surely knows this just as well as we do… therefore, if they have terms, it would be wise to hear them out as they will greatly favour us unless they've lost their wits. We can win without throwing any more men into their deaths."
A messenger entered the camp.
"Lord Tywin of House Lannister wishes to negotiate peace." He took out a scroll and Stannis Baratheon stood up first, taking it. "He offers gold in reparations for the damage caused, the immediate fealty of the Westerlands to Edric Baratheon, builders to repair all that was razed in the Riverlands and… he offers his life so long as Ser Jaime Lannister may live."
"He asks that Robert's bastards be released and legitimised as Lannisters." Stannis frowned deeply. "What more should we give him, the crown?"
Honestly… hearing those terms aloud, I started to understand that there was little that the Lannisters could give which we couldn't just take. Even worse, they dared to bargain in such a situation.
"Let me see…" I walked over and Stannis gave the scroll to me. I skim-read through it and frowned the more I read it.
Though, at the same time, in theory, the terms weren't so bad. Lord Tywin practically would fix all the damage he did and I would have the swift allegiance of the Westerlands. Still, deciding to agree to these terms may very well be beyond my authority as of now… and make me very unpopular among most of my lords.
It was hard… being King.
I ripped the paper apart.
"Tell the old Lion that the young Stag will climb his walls and storm the castle."
"... My prince-"
"I'm not your prince. Fuck off to wherever you came from."
"You heard my nephew." Stannis Baratheon frowned and the messenger from the Lannister side scuttled away.
"They dared make demands in such a situation…" I chuckled, turning to my lords. "I admit my mistake in believing that Lord Tywin had something in his skull. Turns out it was just thin air! Let us make immediate preparations for a siege… and show them OUR fury! Let us avenge all the great men that died fighting against them! LET US crush the lions under our combined, overwhelming MIGHT!"
"AYE!" Greatjon eagerly agreed. "You have spirit, prince!"
Rickard Karstark smiled slightly. "Now I see Robert's son."
"It's settled, then." Stannis Baratheon nodded. "All are in agreement."
~
"I hear we're going to be under siege…" One of the guards atop the walls sighed. "Might never see my child."
"Have some pride, you're fighting for House Lannister!" An officer overheard him and turned to the guard. "This war may yet be won, you don't know what great plans Lord Tywin ha-"
Shew… BANG.
An arrow impaled his skull.
"What… was that?" One of the guards' eyes widened in shock. "From where!?"
Shew… BANG.
Another arrow impaled the other guard's skull.
"What in Seven Hells-"
Shew… BANG.
He also was sniped in the head.
The guards nearby gathered together to observe… and all they saw was the forest. No sign of a man.
"It's… it's… the Stranger… it has to be-"
Shew… BANG.
One after the other, the guards were fired upon from an unfathomable distance and with frightening accuracy. Even shields were futile in stopping the arrows. It got to the point that they were too frightened to even stand atop the walls… hiding in towers or bending down beneath the walls.
This mysterious archer, who was named the Stranger, moved all around the Golden Tooth, sniping guards from west to east. His mere existence terrified the Golden Tooth's garrison and their determination to fight couldn't have sunk any lower.
And that… was when the siege engines made their appearance.
…
The sun shined brilliantly as the royal army gathered, prepared to launch a full-scale assault across the entire Golden Tooth. All the banners from many Houses from half the Kingdoms swaying in the air looked glorious and majestic, the light shining off the plate armour of the knights, the sound of armour moving, the vast dots across the horizon… covering the hill road entirely in soldiers. The siege towers, trebuchets, rams and other siege engines… it was a sight to behold.
The gates opened wide as Lannister guards left, pushing forward a group of what looked like nobles. Soon after, the entire garrison seemed to have left the castle. This shocking revelation led to the royal army mustering forward… led by Edric Storm in his very notable armour. A smaller entourage led the two Lannisters forward while a lady stepped to the side.
"You damn traitor…" Jaime frowned at the lady, spitting in her face. "If I was not bound, I'd slit your throat in a second!"
Edric stepped forward with a larger and skilled entourage of guards behind him, including the Hound. He raised an eyebrow, observing the strange scene.
'Had they given up?' He thought. 'They can't possibly beat my greater forces in the field…'
"My prince." Alysanne Lefford stepped forward, bending the knee. She was a young woman with long straight blond hair, fair skin and bright green eyes. "I, Lady Alysanne of the House Lefford, Lady of the Golden Tooth, swear fealty to you from this day forward until my last. Lord Tywin, Ser Kevin, Ser Jaime along with any other Lannisters who took refuge in my castle are my gifts to you."
'Alysanne… what a coincidence.'
'It's all over?' Edric managed a smile, stepping forward. "I kindly accept them."
"This could be a trick." Robb Stark frowned, glancing at the lady in suspicion. "Hand them over first."
"I do not bend the knee carelessly." Alysanne Lefford smiled slightly as she glanced at Edric. "Although, I can understand your suspicion. Should you want to cross into the Westerlands, feel free to ask and the crossing will be opened for you. As for the Lannsiters… they are all yours."
"Thank you." Edric nodded. "You did the wise thing and avoided further needless bloodshed between our men."
"Hah… you're a bloody genius, Edric!" Jon Umber slapped his back. "They all shit themselves so hard they coughed out the Lannisters in fear!"
"Yeah… I didn't think the entire garrison would surrender like that. I thought my strategy would just lead to a swift siege. Alas, this is better for everyone." Edric smiled, turning to Tywin Lannister. "Except for them."
He tilted his head and the royal guards stepped forward, grabbing hold of the hostages.
"Thank you, again, Alysanne. You were wise."
Edric turned away.
~
I took Ser Jaime to my camp and dismissed everyone else, leaving just him and I. He was fully bound and without any weapon within arm's reach while I had my entire arsenal behind me. Though, I hoped it wouldn't come to that.
"Killing Robert was beyond stupid of you." I remarked, sighing as I sat next to him. "Do you know how many people expect your head?"
"... Playing both sides, Edric?" Jaime Lannister chuckled, shaking his head. "You had the choice to side with us but you did not. Now you pity me? Fuck yourself, you damned snake."
He spit on me.
That's a first… I've never been spitten on before. Not a pleasant experience, I can say that much.
"The only side I will ever play is the Realm's side." I wiped away the spit with my glove. "If I played the side of the Lannisters, this Realm would be in chaos and tear itself apart. Cersei would have find reason enough to get rid of me, besides… we would have Joffrey as King. You have no idea how terribly that would end."
"Do you think of yourself as a prophet now?"
"If it helps… I've seen it." I smiled slightly, shaking my head. "In truth, I'm beyond pleased that it didn't come to a proper battle. I do not want you to die… and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I admire you."
"Then release me." Jaime Lannister raised his bound hands. "If you care so deeply, you would do that."
"I can't do that just yet. You know, if I had a choice, I'd make a man of your talents my Kingsguard… but it's hard."
"A Kingsguard?" Jaime chuckled, tilting his head. "I've killed two of my kings already. Do you trust that you wouldn't be my third?"
"... I can't say for certain. However, I'd never give you a reason to raise your arms against me." Edric's eyes softened before he stood up. "Alas, I'll be King. To keep the crown, the admiration and support of my lords… I must do things that I do not approve of. You've slain the King, the same man you've sworn to protect, and broken the Kingsguard oath twice over. That cannot ever be redeemed in the eyes of everyone… everyone but me."
"You will be the King." Jaime Lannister frowned, looking up with his cat-green eyes. "A strong King follows what he believes is right, not what everyone else tells him to do. Otherwise… what more are you than the puppet of your supporters, a sheep?"
"One day, I will be strong enough." I nodded, managing a smile. "For now, I will do what I can to avoid your death. You must make sacrifices, too… by that I mean wearing a black cloak instead of the white one."
"... The Night's Watch?" Jaime chuckled, shaking his head. He even began to laugh. "Hahahaha… me? In the Night's Watch? Hahahaha…"
"It's the only feasible way I could retain your life. Even then, I would have to strongly plead your case and act with all the authority I have." I frowned, turning away. "It's that or a public execution. You… want to redeem your honour, don't you? Don't die as the Smiling Knight, Ser Jaime."
"If you're going to die… die as a hero."
"..." Jaime Lannister's eyes widened as I glanced back.
"Do think about it."
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