Chương 50: Chapter 33: The First Flight (Nyel)
2nd Moon, 8026
Courtyard of the Aegonfort, Kings Landing
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Kings Landing was in an uproar. Nyel could not say how the populace found out, but somehow the city had caught wind of the approaching force just hours after she had received a raven from Vaemond in the west.
The gold cloaks….it must have been Nyel thought to herself. When she had received word of the approaching Lannister host, she had ordered several gold cloak officers to the Aegonfort to order them to discreetly begin preparing defenses.
She knew she could not keep the news from the city for long, but at the very least she had hoped for a few days of peace, perhaps time enough to hear Vae had somehow caught up to them, but there had been no such luck, no doubt some drunken Gold Cloak officer had muttered it to some tavern whore while in his cups.
It was not lost on Nyel that the defense of the City fell to her and her alone. Rhaegar Tully, commander of the Gold Cloaks was a skilled commander and leader of men, but he had fallen victim to the same bloody flux that had ravaged the White Sword Tower of the Kingsguard.
There were other good men within the City Watch, but Nyel did not have time to appoint a new leader of the Gold Cloaks, and while Vae had left her with several thousand defenders within the city, not only the garrison but also the cities levies, he had taken the knights most suited to command with him west.
The city will stand or fall by my decisions Nyel thought, the knot in her stomach tightening. She was not afraid of the Lannisters, despite never seeing combat, she had always had a bold temperament, but at times she struggled with self doubt, and the idea that she alone was responsible for the defense of the city incited some of these doubts.
She let her hand fall to her hip and onto the hilt of Dark Sister, her mothers Valyrian Steel sword to calm her nerves.
I am the blood of the Dragon She thought to herself, the feeling of closeness to her mother causing the knot in her stomach to dissipate.
A small hand clutched her own, and she looked down to see little Laena, her daughter looking up at her with bright purple eyes.
''What is it?'' Nyel said, forcing herself to smile, running a hand gently through her little daughter's silver and gold hair.
''If the rebels take the city….will they break the castle father is building for us…the red keep?'' Laena asked matter of factly.
Nyel looked up to the high hill in the center of the city where the monstrosity that was the Red Keep was being built. It was a truly gargantuan task, but the castle was coming along well, its massive red brick walls covered in scaffolding and surrounded by wooden cranes.
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As one might expect, construction had ground to a halt when news of the approaching rebel army had reached the city, and the construction site, normally busy and noisy from work, which could be heard all the way from the Aegonfort was eerily silent.
Nyel turned back to Laena, still forcing herself to smile ''If they take the city I expect they would try Laena, but don't worry….your father will catch them before they even get close to us.''
That was a lie of course, the Lannister army had a good deal of time over her brothers army in the southern Westerlands, the Lannisters would reach the walls of King's Landing before he would catch them , but Nyel saw little harm in the lie, her daughter would not be here when the time came.
Laena looked poised to ask another question, but Nyel brushed her cheek softly.
''That's enough talk of rebels dear…are you finished packing?'' Nyel asked gently.
''Yes mama.'' The little girl answered dutifully.
''Then go and find your Uncle for me, I must speak with him.'' Nyel replied and Laena nodded and ran off.
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Nyel glanced at the city walls. It was clear that Kings Landing would have to withstand some form of siege. Due to the advanced warning the Gold Cloaks had stocked both the city and the Aegonfort with ample provisions and wagons were arriving from Hayford and Rosby from the north every day now. The City Walls had been improved several times since the city's founding nearly 30 years ago and, while not matching the other great cities of the Kingdom, were more than adequate.
The city can withstand a siege that is clear Nyel thought to herself.
But the looming question at the back of Nyels mind was if the city could withstand an assault. If Loren Lannister decided to siege the city, that would give time for Vae to arrive with his army, but if Loren decided to storm the walls with some 20000 men….
Nyel forced the thought from her mind, at least for the moment, there would be plenty of time for such thoughts later.
She turned and saw Matarys approaching, wearing a black doublet that was clearly too tight and strained against his stomach, his face was beet red and sweaty under the hot sun, behind him was Demerei Royce, holding little Jaekar in her arms, Laena trailing close behind.
Nyel took her brother's hand and led him to the center of the courtyard.
''I'm sending you on a ship to Dragonstone Matarys…. And im sending Laena with you…Demerei and Jaekar will go as well….Kings Landing will be under siege soon but the children cannot be here when it comes.'' Nyel said.
''And what about you?'' Matarys asked with shock.
Nyel was quiet for a moment before responding ''I will be remaining here Matarys….to hold the city…..Rhaegar Tully is dead….there is no one else.''
''That's not true….you have me, I won't leave you….you're my sister….what kind of brother would I be if I ran off and abandoned you….it is unthinkable.'' Matarys said with emotion.
''Laena and Jaekar cannot remain here….you know this….a city under siege is no place for children…they must go to Dragonstone.'' Nyel said gently.
Still her brother persisted ''My wife Demerei is more than capable of taking them to Dragonstone and watching over them, I won't leave you here.''
''You know I think of your wife as a sister Matarys, but she is not a Targaryen….the city will come under siege that much is clear, and…and there is the chance I will not make it…and even if I do there will be a great battle when Vae arrives..and we both know how he fights on the front…if something should happen to us…to both of us…you will be the only adult Targaryen left in our family, Laena and Jaekar are the future of our house….they will need you by their sides.'' Nyel said.
''Don't say such things Nyel….you won't fall…I know it….don't even think it…neither you or Vaemond.'' Matarys said, his voice distraught, and rising to the level it often did when he grew frantic.
Suddenly Laena, who had been eavesdropping, ran to her uncle's side and took his hand.
''We have to go uncle…if the rebels capture us they can use us to hurt my father.'' The little girl said.
Even in the midst of this difficult situation Nyel had to admire her little daughter's understanding, for a girl so young she possessed a remarkable intellect and understanding of the world.
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Matarys looked at her uncertainty.
''Demerei would you….'' Nyel said with a nod to her daughter and her sister in law gently sheparded Laena away from the two so they could continue privately.
''Matarys…..I can't force you to go, if you wish to stay the choice is yours….but as your sister I am asking you…..to keep my daughter safe….it's what Vaemond would want you to do.'' Nyel said, clasping her brother's hands.
She knew she had him then, Matarys was nothing if not dutiful to his older brother and Nyel knew he idolized and revered his brother.
Matarys nodded slowly, a tear forming in his eye ''I swear it Nyel….I shall keep them safe….you have my word…I will keep them safe.''
''I know you will little brother.'' Nyel said, kissing him softly on the cheek.
Two days later, Matarys, Laena, Jaekar and Demerei Royce sailed on a small galley towards the Targaryens ancestral seat of Dragonstone, Laena had been confused at first as to why her mother wasn't coming with them, but she did not cry and seemed to understand Nyels explanation that as Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, she could not abandon the capitol.
As Nyel watched the Black and Red sails of the galley fade into the distance, she remembered the tale her mother had told her half a dozen times, of her return from Essos with her newborn daughter, of the reuniting of their family at this very port over 2 decades ago.
I will see her again Nyel told herself, thinking of Laena and, yearning for a memory she couldn't even remember and wondering if her father had stood at this very port watching her mother leave all those years ago.
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25th of 2nd Moon
Council Chamber of the Aegonfort
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The council chamber of the Aegonfort was eerily empty. The foremost chair at the end of the table remained empty as Nyel had made no effort to claim it. She had been raised with a courtly education and knew that some men would bristle at the thought of a meeting being led by a woman, even their Queen, so she decided to seat herself to the left of her brother's seat, she did not want to create any unnecessary drama, they had enough trouble without the prospect of petty quarrels.
There were only 2 other individuals in the council chamber, both men.
The first was familiar to her, Nestor Royce's hair had gone gray since he took the position of Marshal of the realm 8 years prior, but the Lord of Runestone still looked to be a powerful man with huge shoulders and a drooping gray mustache, though his eyes suggested a certain kindness to the man.
The second man had been unknown to her prior to his arrival. Tanton Sunderland was the overlord of the Three Sisters, and son of the late Marla Sunderland, who had named herself Queen in a failed rebellion at the beginning of her fathers conquest.
He was a hairy man with a dense mop of golden hair and a bristly beard to match. His choice of garb, heavy chainmail with the surcoat of his house suggested the man was a warrior, though his paunch visible from under the surcoat suggested that not all his battles were fought in the battlefield but also at the dinner table.
They had arrived just four days after the galley with Nyels family had departed for Dragonstone and were a welcome sight.
They had come with some 50 galleys and 1400 men, a combined force of Sistermen and surviving levies from Runestone. The small force had captured 2 small island castles along the coast of the Vale, but when they received a Raven from Vaemond informing them of the Lannister force approaching Kings Landing, they immediately set sail to reinforce the capitol.
Nyel was content to let the other two take the lead in the council meeting, she had been educated in courtly procedure as a young girl, not warfare and both of these men were experienced warriors.
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''I think we best begin.'' Lord Tanton said, earning a nod from the Lord of Runestone.
Nestor Royce cleared his throat ''My Queen, with the Lannister host fast approaching I would ask you at least consider joining my daughter and your family on Dragonstone, you would be safe there as the rebels have no strength at sea…..if you remain I cannot guarantee your safety however….I fear siege trebuchets bear little distinction between defenders and noncombatants.''
''My brother named you Lord Marshal, if you think that is the best course of wisdom I shall of course bow to your counsel…..I should however like to hear your plan for the cities defense before I depart'' Nyel said, she had no qualms about leaving, it was not pride that kept her in Kings Landing but the knowledge that there was no one else to lead the cities defense, with the arrival of Lords Royce and Sunderland however, that burden was no longer hers to bear.
''Of course my queen.'' Lord Royce said courteously.
''What news of the enemy?'' Lord Sunderland asked, pouring himself a flagon of wine.
''They will be here within the week I fear….our scouts report they have split in 2 armies, into two forces of some 8500 men…..the first is at least two days ahead of the second, which is guarding their rear.'' Nestor Royce said.
''I was under the impression they had a host of over 20,000 men.'' Nyel exclaimed with surprise.
''The original report your brother received was false and taken before Loren Lannister played his trick, he sacrificed some 2500 men to distract the Tyrells at Peckledon and open a lane for his advance.'' Nestor Royce replied.
Seeing Nyels pleased expression, Lord Royce gave an apologetic look ''I fear we cannot be too relieved my Queen, 17000 men is still a significant amount, and the city is in real danger.'' he said not unkindly.
''What of our own defenses…..our manpower?'' Nyel asked.
''The gold cloaks have been levying men within the city to man the walls, many men have an obligation as they have borrowed grain from the crown, I believe at last count we had some 3200 peasant levies manning the walls, though chiefly they are under equipped and poorly trained.'' Lord Royce said before continuing.
''In addition we have some 3300 Gold Cloaks in fighting condition, the main part of our true strength however comes from the 1400 men myself and Lord Sunderland brought as well as the 1600 levies your brother left to defend the city, comprised of some 900 dismounted men at arms, 50 knights and near 300 mounted searjents.'' Royce concluded.
Nyel was encouraged by the count ''Is it enough.''
Lord Tanton ran a hand through his coarse yellow beard ''It may be….but in order to repel an assault of some 17,000 men, which would likely hit all 7 gates at once would spread our true soldiers thin and put much responsibility on the peasant conscripts….all the Lannisters would have to do is take one of the 7 gates to create a breach, I spoke with your Maester and he found the strength to tell me that the Kings Gate is especially vulnerable.''
Grandmaster Arlans presence on the council was especially missed in times such as this as the man had played an integral part in aiding in the construction of the cities 7 gates and fortified walls, possessing an astute understanding of architecture, but Arlan, now almost 70 years old had taken to his sickbed recently and Nyel feared he may never recover.
''Could we not conscript more peasants to man the walls?'' Nyel asked, Kings Landing had grown much in recent years and was home to well over a hundred thousand people.
Nestor Royce ran a hand through his mustache ''We could my lady, but I fear it would likely do more harm than good, those on the walls now are the best of them, chiefly volunteers and those with some training on how to garrison the walls due to their obligations….we could add more but they would be unwilling conscripts and I fear peasant soldiers are unreliable at best, if the levies forced into service began to flee the walls it may dishearten their bolder companions and so a trickle will become a flood, leading to a great slaughter…what we really need is more men at arms but I fear we cannot count on reinforcements until your brother arrives from the west.''
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Nyel studied the map in front of her, looking at the 2 golden lion statues upon the map, spaced apart and each representing 8500 men.
''I am untrained in the art of tactics my lords…but if what you say is true and both these armies are separated by more than a day's march then perhaps we could avoid a siege all together.'' Nyel said.
Lord Sunderland took her meaning at once, standing and studying the map ''Untrained in tactics you may be my Queen but the idea is sound…..their forces are spread out, if we were to destroy the first force and set them to rout….a siege may be avoided as the second host would likely abandon the plan to take the city with half their strength dispersed.''
Nestor Royce frowned ''I fear it would be a poor idea to abandon the walls…..it is true the first force is isolated, but they would still have the numbers on us, and they will have the quality on us, Loren Lannister will have a hardened contingent of Knights and Men at Arms in the vanguard, castle trained and drilled while our own force would be at least half comprised of Gold Cloaks….we would have no advantage in such a engagement I fear.''
A silence entered the hall before Nyel suddenly spoke before fully thinking ''We have Dragons.''
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''Dragons?'' Lord Sunderland said, raising his eyebrows.
''Well…a single dragon.'' Nyel corrected herself, suddenly feeling unsure of her idea.
The largest of the Targaryen dragons were not available to them, her mothers dragon Vhagar prowled and hunted around the Crownlands, while her aunts dragon Meraxes had flown in the direction of the narrow sea after her rider's death,and no word had been heard since.
Matarys's small dragon Aelesar had followed her brothers galley to Dragonstone and was too small to be of much use in war, while Vaemonds dragon Moondancer had accompanied her brother west, though Vae thought it was still too early to deploy it in combat.
That left only Narrah, Nyels dragon, who she had hatched on Dragonstone as a girl. Narrah was the oldest of the three younger Targaryen dragons and the biggest of them, measuring around 15 feet in length.
Nyel was an experienced rider, flying much in her youth, though her joyrides had lessened significantly with the birth of her daughter Laena and the war.
''Is your dragon big enough your Grace….forgive me for my bluntness but your parents Dragons were effective in the conquest in large part due to their size, I have seen your dragon flying over the city often and it must be said it is only a fourth the size of your mothers dragon and half that again compared to your fathers dragon'' Nestor Royce said courteously.
''Narrah is large enough to fly, as to her significance in combat that remains unknown.'' Nyel said, as usual referring to her dragon as a she, even though it was a well known fact dragons were genderless beasts.
''Be that as it may, it is well known that one cannot merely set a dragon upon their enemies from a great distance, it must be ridden your grace….true enough your Narrah could prove to be an advantage in a battle your Grace, but in order to be deployed you would have to participate in the battle personally.'' Lord Tanton Sunderland said to her, with a searching look.
''It may be the only way to avoid a siege, even if we are defeated, perhaps our attack will give them pause.'' Nyel said.
''Your dragon could destroy their siege engines….reports say they have built them ahead of time, which suggests an assault of the city is imminent, they know your brother is on their heels.'' Lord Tanton mused.
''Have you gone mad…this is the queen of the seven Kingdoms not a trebuchet, no advantage is worth risking her life…if she comes to any harm it would be our fault.'' Lord Royce said, his normally calm demeanor replaced with a quick outburst.
''You are right Nestor….she is the Queen of the seven Kingdoms, a Targaryen and daughter of Aegon the Conqueror at that….if she feels the risk is necessary then who are we to keep her from the front lines..'' The Sistermen responded.
Nestor Royce calmed ''I of course would not presume to command you your Grace…the decision is yours.''
Nyel was aware that both lords were looking to her for an answer.
She nodded slowly ''If we can destroy their siege weapons and force them to build new ones we can delay an assault, giving my brother time to engage them in a decisive battle….but if there is to be any chance of that my dragon is needed….I will join the attack.''
Nestor Royce bowed his head ''It shall be as you say your Grace.''
Three days later Lords Sunderland, Royce and Queen Nyel would depart the city with a host of some 6300 men to attempt to delay or defeat the first Lannister host.
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5 Days Later
Outskirts of Kings Landing
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Nyel began the decisive morning of battle by vomiting in her tent.
She knelt over the wash bucket in the corner of her tent and retched, holding her stomach.
Not now She thought to herself, but her body was indifferent to her pleas and she retched again.
It was not nervousness that afflicted Nyel, she knew herself well enough to know that much.
Though she had not received much of a martial education from her mother, she did inherit her mothers bold temperament and ability to remain calm under duress, and in the days leading up to the battle her anxiousness had been focused more on the battle's result than her impending participation in the battle.
She knew herself well enough to know that it was not nervousness, but pregnancy.
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Some time after her brother Vaemond had been wounded in the storming of Greenfield, and only a few weeks prior, he had flown to King's Landing on the back of Moondancer on a whim, without any guards. He spent two days in the capitol, meeting his new nephew Jaekar and reuniting with Matarys, whom he had not seen in almost two years, before returning back west to join his host in sieging another castle.
She had some cause to suspect she was pregnant, but she had only hoped she was late, but now she had the truth…she remembered the early morning sicknesses very well from the births of Aelyx and Laena.
She could not go to Grandmaester Arlan to confirm and drink a poultice for relief, and she had not brought her maids with her on campaign, not wanting to risk their lives, she was alone.
When the nausea had passed, she rose and paced the room slowly, considering her options. Nyel did not fear for her own life in the coming battle, but it was not lost on her that it was not just her own life at stake now.
I cannot leave Nyel thought to herself, the Lannister army was close and they would not be able to break camp and retreat back to the city in time, without her and her dragon the battle was surely lost and the siege weapons would remain intact.
We must be brave little one Nyel thought to herself, placing a hand on her belly before slowly making her way to the corner of the tent and donning her mothers light black leather armor, resplendent with red rubies and a silver belt, too flashy for Nyels taste but she felt close to her mother wearing her armor, following this she buckled on her mothers Valyrian Steel sword Dark Sister, she would have little cause to use it on Dragonback…or so she hoped, but she did not feel wholly equipped without some sort of weapon.
The clamor outside the tent showed that it was time, units were forming into their positions, and last minute inspections were being conducted.
Nyel pushed open the tent, raising a hand over her eyes to cover the unpleasant glare from the sun, soldiers and gold cloaks bowed respectfully as she passed and Nyel hoped she didn't look as sickly and unkempt as she felt.
Nestor Royce was mounted and armored in his bronze plate and rode to meet her.
''Lord Royce.'' Nyel said, greeting him
The Lord of Runestone bowed his head, ''My Queen, the rebels will be here within the hour, perhaps two….you do not have to do this…say the word and I will send my best riders to escort you back to the city.''
''I appreciate your kindness Lord Royce but I will not run…I will take you up on that escort however, it is time I found Narrah.'' Nyel replied.
With her escort formed, Nyel pushed the horse hard, feeling the wind on her face, and for a while her nausea was forgotten, there was no way to prepare for riding a dragon into combat but the ride refreshed her considerably.
She found Narrah where she had expected she would be, by the river two miles outside the war camp feasting on the deer which were plentiful as a small forest bordered the river, and judging by the large pile of burned skeletons her current meal was not the first course.
She approached the red dragon and Narrah turned to greet her. Nyel ran a hand down one of her bone white horns, a coloring which continued in a straight line from head to tail down her red scales, Narrah, always an affectionate dragon, nuzzled her face softly, and Nyel took comfort in the familiar rough scales.
Her escort stood back and watched astonished as Nyel attached a heavy leather riding harness to Narrahs back as the Dragon returned to its feast, unbothered.
''I thank you for your escort.'' Nyel said to her guards before climbing onto the saddle and urging Narrah to flight. It took a few tries as Narrah did not want to leave behind her kill but eventually they were airborne.
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Few things filled Nyel with such joy as the initial burst of wind and adrenaline that came from flying, but the sight in front of her reminded the Queen that today was not a joyride but instead a day of death.
From the sky she was able to see the approaching rebel host, marching towards her own army, the gold cloth cloaks and painted helmets of the city watch, who constituted around half of their forces glinting in the sun, she saw Nestor Royces banner flying on the left flank, while Lord Sunderlands was positioned on the right.
She gave another glance at the Lannister force, which even to Nyels untrained eye clearly had more light cavalry and heavy horse. She saw many smaller banners flying but the most prominent one was one she recognized, a black and white boar on brown, the sigil of Lord Sumner Crakehall, the father of Roland Crakehall who served on her brothers Kingsguard.
His banner flew in the reserve, behind his two flanks and consisting of a much smaller force than the other flanks, but behind his lines she saw the siege engines that had been constructed ahead of time, engines which would no doubt be used to launch an assault on King's Landing's 7 gates, she was pleased to see the mangonels, trebuchets, and scaling ladders were made of wood, and not even covered in wet pelts or other material, they would burn easily, and there were no traces of scorpions either.
As she got closer to the field, she heard shouts of alarm down below from the Lannisters as their forces spotted the small red dragon with the white horns and stripe, a promising sign as their scouts had clearly not spotted Narrah in the vicinity, she hoped that the appearance of her dragon, small or no, would cause no small amount of hesitation and fear within their ranks.
As she flew closer to the impending battle, a cacophony of trumpets and horns were heard down below as Lord Royce and Lord Sunderland sent their light horse forward in a charge towards the Lannister lines, who began to form their men at arms in 2 lines to meet them.
This had been part of their plan, Lords Royce and Sunderland had hoped that taking the initiative and offensive with a cavalry charge, the rebels wouldn't have time to form lines of archers which could endanger Nyel, nevertheless she knew she didn't have long, her two commanders were experienced men but a good deal of their light cavalry consisted of mounted gold cloaks, suited more for crowd control than pitched battle.
Nyel urged Narrah over the fighting, keeping high in the air between the two flanks, heading straight for Sumner Crakehalls reserves.
She was vaguely aware of the sounds of arrows and quarrels whistling through the air, but she blocked it from her mind, Narrah too, despite never being exposed to combat before, seemed to inherently know how to best avoid the arrows as they plummeted down towards the enemy reserves and siege engines, her own men at arms joining the attack below.
Nyel ducked downwards on her saddle grabbing hold of Narrahs neck to make herself as small a target as possible as a crossbow bolt whistled just inches above her, she didn't even need to give the command as Narrah bathed a bold column of men-at arms with throwing spears with flame as they stepped forward from their ranks, Narrahs fire almost as red as the crimson banners of the Lannisters. The unfortunate soldiers dropped their spears and screamed as they burned.
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Seeing her own men were close behind and joining the fray, Nyel urged Narrah up with her spurred boots, out of range of the approaching arrows.
As her own men battled below, she commanded Narrah past the fighting towards the rear where the siege engines stood, many of them attached by ropes and harnesses to large packhorses.
Narrah made another dive and upon Nyels kick of spurred boots, loosed a burst of flame at a wooden Mangonel, it took two more passes to fully set it alight as Narrah was a small dragon and her fire was significantly weaker than her predecessors, but once the Mangonel was set alight the fire began to spread while a bald quartermaster attempting to douse the dragonflame with a little bucket of water soon found himself aflame as well.
A throwing spear sailed harmlessly to her right as they dove again and Narrah let out a scorching burst of flame on a row of several small trebuchets and catapults, this time it only took one pass to set them alight as the hemp rope was very dry.
Seeing the guards assigned to the siege engines begin forming an organized line to shoot crossbows, Nyel ordered Narrah upwards again.
Sparing a glance to the other areas of the battle, she saw Nestor Royces calvary were pulling back from their charge and his infantry was in full retreat as the rebels ordered their flank to pursue them, Lord Sunderlands calvary fought valiantly on, but it was clear he would not be able to keep up the attack much longer either.
Seeing most of the siege weapons were burning, Nyel urged Narrah back to help her own men, who had caused the small reserve force much difficulty and were pushing them back towards the flames.
The sight of Narrah returning was enough to make many of the wiser rebels flee immediately, though a band of half a dozen had to be taught a harsh lesson with Dragonfire.
Returning to the skies, Nyel saw that Lord Sunderland calvary had been repulsed and his flank was joining Lord Royces men in fleeing the battle, her center flank had set Sumner Crakehalls reserves running, and Narrah had burned their siege engines, but if they remained much longer they would be trapped between the rebels side flanks.
She urged Narrah up to the skies and shouted Dracarys, the Valyrian command which prompted dragons to breathe fire on command, Narrah obeyed, albeit with some confusion and a plume of fire torched the sky.
Her soldiers below, seeing the signal began their retreat, with Westerman knights and light cavalry in hot pursuit of all 3 lines.
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Nyel stayed behind, though the air was rapidly filling with more and more arrows gradually getting closer as the rebels were able to form firing lines, but Nyel ignored them, she would do her part.
She urged Narrah to set the flatlands aflame, hoping that the obstacle would impede at least some of the pursuing knights.
Finally, even Nyel was forced to admit staying any longer would be foolish as an arrow embedded itself in the leather riding saddle near her legs.
She urged Narrah up one final time, flying high into the sky and out of range of the arrow fires…flying in the direction of Kings Landing, below her she could hear shouts and screams of the rearguard assigned to hold back the rebel heavy cavalry pursuers and allow the greater part of the force to retreat back to King's Landing.
It was a bloody sortie, Nyel had gotten the sense of that even from Dragonback, and by the time her commanders were able to do an inspection of their remaining forces who had limped back to the capitol, it became even more apparent that destroying the rebel siege engines had come at a heavy cost.
Some 1200 men were dead, while another 1200 were heavily wounded or captured by the rebel heavy knights that had pursued them following their retreat, among the dead were many gold cloaks, who despite not being trained for pitched battle had fought bravely in defense of their city.
The rebel casualties had been much lower, with Lord Sunderland estimating they had taken no more than 600 dead and wounded, but the primary objective of the battle had been achieved…the siege weapons had been destroyed and the rebel force would have to delay at least a few days to build new ones and regroup after their losses.
Nyel could only hope they had bought themselves enough time for her brother Vaemond to arrive from the west, for if the rebels had time to build new siege engines, the heavy sacrifice would be for naught.
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