A Book of Ice and Fire / Game of Thrones : Magic Network

The ministers all turned their eyes toward Lord Tywin.

Though they could see only his back, each man present could envision his countenance with perfect clarity: those cold, appraising eyes, that face carved from stone, every wrinkle as immutable as the ancient laws of gods and men.

Lord Tywin bowed with one hand pressed to his chest. "Greetings, Your Grace."

Joffrey smiled and inclined his head. "Grandfather, such formalities are unnecessary, as they are for you, Lord Eddard. Be seated, I pray you. We have matters of grave import to discuss this day."

With these simple words, a subtle ceremony confirming the true hierarchy of power reached its quiet conclusion.

The regents and ministers gazed toward the throne. The hundred-foot-tall Joffrey and the magnificent seat beneath him dominated the entire northern expanse of the hall. The king looked down upon them as a man might regard ants crawling across his boot.

"The southern rebels have already begun to move," Joffrey observed, "and the threat from beyond the North grows steadily nearer. Lord Eddard, what thoughts have you on these matters?"

Eddard responded with characteristic solemnity. "Thanks to Your Grace's assistance and the knowledge provided by the Children of the Forest, the wildlings' movements beyond the Wall have been thoroughly exposed. The Others still lurk in shadow, but the Night's Watch stands firm for now. The lords of the North gather their strength, mustering forces sufficient to defend the Wall."

The ministers maintained impassive expressions.

The intelligence Eddard offered was hardly revelatory—they had all been apprised of these developments some time ago.

This was hardly surprising. Lord Eddard had been absent from King's Landing for three weeks, visiting various lords to recruit soldiers for the Iron Throne. He had only just emerged from the Vale and had not yet reached the Neck. Without the God's Grace Light Screen, his knowledge of northern affairs would surely have been even more limited.

Eddard hesitated momentarily before continuing. "There is much discord among the lords of the Riverlands. Lord Hoster at Riverrun struggles to maintain unity. Though he strives to gather troops, their numbers remain below 10,000. As for the Vale..."

Eddard recalled Lysa's wan, suspicious face. "Lady Lysa appears to harbor profound misgivings regarding the royal family."

Joffrey understood perfectly. He had witnessed the entire meeting between Eddard and Lysa through the Light Screen.

In Eddard's presence, Lysa had made little effort to disguise her hostility and wariness. Fortunately, she had not dared voice her suspicions.

Regardless, King's Landing's strength had grown sufficient unto itself. So long as the three northern kingdoms refrained from outright rebellion and continued to send vital supplies, this war would unfold far more favorably than the War of the Five Kings from the original timeline.

Once Renly had been dealt with, if Lysa still failed to recognize where her best interests lay, the time would come to settle that account as well.

Lord Eddard studied the map spread before them. "Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands will not remain indifferent to chaos in the Seven Kingdoms. Even with Theon held as hostage, we must be wary of the Iron Fleet."

"The Riverlands and the Westerlands coast could both suffer attacks," Eddard added with evident concern.

Joffrey could not help but recall the events of the original timeline. Eddard likely never imagined that Balon Greyjoy would fixate so obsessively on the North.

But now, with the North's forces remaining firmly within their borders, perhaps Balon would show greater wisdom than to venture deep into those vast, inhospitable lands.

So where might the Iron Fleet strike instead?

Joffrey turned his gaze upon Lord Tywin. "Grandfather, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

Lord Tywin remained impassive. "The forces of Casterly Rock are more than sufficient to defend against attacks from either the Iron Islands or the Reach. The lords of the Riverlands can muster additional soldiers at need, so there is likely little cause for concern."

The Riverlands were Catelyn's ancestral home. Eddard wished to object, but the Riverlands' tepid response to the royal summons was indisputable. He could only maintain a stoic silence.

Tyrion sighed. "The Riverlands have ever been thus. I can well understand Lord Hoster's difficulties. I merely hope the Tully family will exert their influence to mediate these disputes and ensure continued grain shipments to King's Landing. The city's population swells with each passing day."

This represented a legitimate request. Eddard could only offer his assurance: "House Tully has always maintained its loyalty to the throne."

Old Hoster Tully lay abed, perhaps mere days from departing this world. Young Edmure Tully lacked his father's strength, and Lysa of the Vale, for all her outward bluster, possessed an inner brittleness. The true foundation of the Northern Three Kingdoms Alliance was unquestionably Lord Eddard, a man in the prime of his life.

Eddard's guarantee carried substantial weight.

Joffrey directed his attention toward the Stormlands. "Grandfather, what do you believe Renly intends next?"

Through God's Grace, all those present had gained extensive knowledge of the southern rebels: their troop deployments, commanding generals, and even their clandestine resolutions.

Lord Tywin spoke, his deep voice resonating through the chamber. "The intelligence we have gathered paints a clear picture. Renly feigns an attack upon Massey's Hook to burden King's Landing with refugees while luring our forces southward, where they might be ambushed at a moment of vulnerability."

"But this represents merely a secondary gambit in the rebels' strategy."

Lord Tywin indicated the Roseroad on the map. "Renly's army in the Stormlands clears the western route. The rebel vanguard from Bitterbridge has already been sighted near the Roseroad."

"The rebels intend to cross the Blackwater Rush upstream, thereby circumventing the disadvantage posed by their inferior fleet, and attack King's Landing from the north."

This analysis offered nothing new.

Joffrey sought more than a mere recitation of Renly's plans. "Grandfather, if this proves accurate, then the decisive battlefield will be at a ford upstream along the Blackwater Rush?"

Lord Tywin nodded once. "Indeed—should we elect to prevent the rebels from crossing the river."

If the rebels were permitted to cross into the Riverlands, some initial damage would certainly occur. However, this might ultimately allow for a more complete annihilation of the rebel forces after their inevitable defeat.

Joffrey surveyed his ministers. "So, shall we halt their advance at the river?"

Lord Eddard immediately spoke. "Winter is coming, and the grain growing in the Riverlands' fields represents the sole hope for countless souls to survive the long winter. Those lands cannot withstand the ravages of war."

Tyrion contemplated the winding course of the Blackwater Rush on the map and sighed. "Is Renly truly so arrogant, or is Lord Mace Tyrell overcome with pride? Crossing the Blackwater Rush may prove simple enough, but following a defeat, retreat would become nigh impossible. Do they believe victory assured?"

Jaime glanced toward Lord Eddard. "Destroying all rebel forces north of the Blackwater Rush would hasten the war's conclusion, bringing true stability to the Seven Kingdoms."

Eddard's brow furrowed with evident displeasure.

Alyn interjected before Eddard could voice his objection. "With the power of God's Grace bestowed by His Grace, where might we not vanquish these rebels? Why must we permit them to devastate the Riverlands?"

Hanna concurred. "The treasury stands empty, and our material reserves dwindle. We must seize the initiative."

Lord Tywin turned his gaze toward the throne.

Grand Maester Pycelle spoke with obsequious deference. "The advantages and disadvantages of each course are difficult to weigh. Might I inquire whether Your Grace has reached a decision in this matter?"

The ministers fell silent, all eyes fixed upon the king.

Joffrey cast a beam of light toward the Stormlands. "We need not wait for the rebels to unite their forces. When the Stormlands rebels abandon their castles and march westward, we shall immediately dispatch 10,000 troops to intercept them in the Kingswood."

Another beam of light illuminated Bitterbridge in the Reach.

"Should the Bitterbridge rebels move east to reinforce their allies, we shall commit additional forces for a decisive battle in the Kingswood. If they march north to cross the river, we shall intercept them at the ford. Should they attack the Westerlands, we shall pursue them with all haste. And if they remain stationary or withdraw, we shall simply ignore them."

Joffrey fixed his gaze upon Lord Tywin. "In essence, the Westerlands, the Riverlands, and the Crownlands shall not become battlefields."

Eddard finally released a breath he seemed to have been holding.

The Hound raised a practical question. "What responsibility shall fall to Lord Kevan's army?"

In the king's battle plan, Harrenhal in the Riverlands stood too far removed from the anticipated theater of war. Where, then, should Kevan's force of 20,000 men be positioned?

The ministers looked toward Lord Tywin.

Joffrey spoke with studied indifference. "King's Landing will inevitably suffer a shortage of defenders. Lord Kevan's army shall garrison the capital to address this deficiency."

Lord Tywin inclined his head slightly. "Kevan will be pleased to render such service."

Joffrey felt profound satisfaction.

With Lord Tywin's words of affirmation, this meeting had proven worthwhile indeed.

Regardless of their original allegiances, once these forces entered King's Landing, they could only serve as warriors of the throne and the gods.

The council in the Throne Room concluded.

Viserys, who led the way as the king departed, paused momentarily. "Your Grace, your mount is still fast asleep."

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