Chapter 13: The Battle of Kings Landing
And soon enough Ned arrived. The talks between Cersei, Joffrey and Ned began. And soon enough Ned ordered the CW to turn on the Queen.
The Queen then nodded towards me and I gave a signal to the City Watch Commander. And they immediately turned their spears on the Stark men and the slaughter began. The Lannister men quickly came from all corners of the Red Keep.
I decided to stand back alongside Jon. I was sure my interests would be worked out with the battle. I had a messenger run immediately after the battle began and they signaled to the men outside. All 198, the last 2 were Jonnel and the other fighter. They alongside Jorgen had left for Sansa's quarters, they would protect her.
Quickly the battle began. In all corners of the King's Landing the factions battled. Even though the Stark Guards were the main part. There were members of the North faction all throughout the Red Keep being attacked from all sides.
The north supples were attacked and same with their entire backup team. The Westerlands faction was completely cleaning out the North, it was a smart move. Using the excuse of the north being traitors.
I quickly turned back to the battle. Baelish had put a knife to Eddard neck, and the north men were being killed left and right.
I quickly stepped down alongside Jon.
"Baelish, release him. He won't do anything anymore." I said while Jon drew his sword, ready for anything.
"Bracken eh, very well, I'm no fighter." Baelish said as he released him.
The CW also surrounded Eddard. Being 6 men. I then turned towards Cersei.
"I'll transfer him to the dungeons, My Queen." I said and she nodded.
Immediately after I left with my six buddies. 4 CW in the back, 2 in the front alongside Jon and me beside Eddard. Each of these 6 men were handpicked cause of their loyalty. And as a safe measure they were paid 3 times more.
"I'm sorry for this, Lord Hand." I said.
"Do you have no honor, Alexander? We Riverlanders and Northerners are meant to stick together." He said.
"Sadly, you would have never won this battle. Even with the CW. The Lannister are too strong. They would march on King's Landinf the second the battle was lost, they have too many connections in the city and the gates would be opened for them." I said
"You can't know that. Stannis could arrive in time and then Renly." He said.
"You're wrong there, Stannis has naval power but he barely has 5000 men who can't fight at Dragonstone. Renly has yet to call banners and therefore won't reach you in time. Many says Lannisters weapons are gold, while that is true. Their true trump card is their speed. The Lannister has an army within 3 days reach. They have the armor and reserves to man an army of 15.000 men within a week, and from Lannisport it's barely a week march to reach King's Landing. Renly will spend at least a month gathering his men, then they need to form up, it would take 2 months to reach. Which is enough for Lannister to gather 2 separate armies, and the reach would take even longer. And the north is even slower." I said
He then began thinking before saying.
"The Vale has an almost stationary army and the Riverlands have a large amount of semi-major houses. Surely they can gather and come." He said.
"The Freys won't come, the Mallister have a large navy but small military, the tullies have a bedridden lord and the Blackwoods won't do anything unless the tullies give something in return. Lady Arryn is different from before and will not endanger her son in any way. She will definitely not participate." I said
"Hmm, it seems I have truly been outmatched. I never should have made those noble decisions, but I do not regret them. They are what makes me who I am." Ned said
"Well, I have made sure both your daughters won't die today." I said, I interfered with Sansa but not Arya as she will escape either way.
"Thank you, perhaps you still have some honor." He said.
And with that we reached the dungeons where he was given to the guards there. And with that I quickly went back to the main part where some battles was still happening.
And with that I went back to my office where Jack came with reports. They had taken control of every Northern establishment and they all agreed to transfer as they would gain the same but not be accused of rebelling. Similarly the entire Nothern faction was rooted out. Sansa was brought to her chambers and protected by Jonnel, Jorgen and the other knight. The Hound attempted to approach but he was stopped by Jorgen. The Hound had already lost against him and therefore didn't attempt a second, plus we were allies.
Arya escaped, the CW suffered 3 casualties and my men none, the spread out and unsuspecting 50 Stark men didn't account to much against 200 elite troops and were annihilated.
The day after, I was in Cersei's office as they had the talk with Sansa. When she was to send the letter I decided to join in convincing her.
"Your Brothers and Mother would like nothing more than head from you. Even if it's not your words, the fact that you wrote it will assure them that you still live." I said.
"Yes, My Queen, Lord Alexander, I will be a good wife to Joffrey and I will prove it." And with that she left being determined.
After that we all left eventually. It took 1 week until Cersei called me to her chambers.
"The River Lords have joined The North rebellion, now what will you do?" She said
"And what are my options?" I asked
"Join us in fighting the River Lords and get LP when we win, join the River Lords and the North and we fight or do nothing and nothing will happen." Cersei said.
"Very well, I shall fight alongside the Lannisters. However you will not touch my lands, I will not accept any raids or forcing of my population, I will allow Lannister forces to rest on my lands, but they shall pay for it as anyone else." I said
"That's acceptable, Alexander." She said
"I shall lend you 1000 Heavy Cavalry, 1000 Light Cavalry and 20 River Galleys, with its following escort of 20 Longships." I told her.
"Very well, please send them to the crossroads upon my fathers arrival there. Alexander, we greatly appreciate your sacrifices for the good of the realm." She said.
And with that I turned around and left for my office. I had made a decision.
Previously I had 2500 Cavalry, 1000 Heavy Cavalry and 1500 Light Cavalry, 7500 Infantry and 2500 Marines, however I sat down at my office and sent a letter to Jaime, the Master At Arms, to recruit 1000 more Heavy Cavalry, I decided to steal something from the Vale, and instead of having a Jack of all cards military, I decided to focus on my cavalry.
Our coffers had only grow and we could currently easily maintain 3500 Cavalry, especially because of how many horses we had. We had more than 9000 young horses capable of war, and an additional 16000 older or work horses.
And with that the wars began.
Jaime Lannister fought Blackwood and Tully forces at Golden Tooth where he won, but they managed to retreat. The Mallister had also sent their small forces to Raventree Hall where the remainder of their troops regrouped. The Mallisters also sent their fleet to engage the Lannister navy.
And soon enough, the letters came from Lannister scouts, informing us of their passage through the Twins and the Frey's joining the Stark's.
At the same time the Lannister forces had reached the crossroads and our cavalry was already stationed there. However I had decided to also send an additional 4000 men to the crossroads. And with that we had 4000 Bracken men and 2000 Cavalry. Additionally I had stationed 20 River Galleys there, 20 Longships and 1500 Marines.
The Lannisters had very few capabilities to fight in River and therefore when they sieged riverrun the tullies was raiding their supply lines from both sea and mountains, soon enough Cersei came to me.
"Lord Alexander, the Tully Navy is annoying and slowing down our armies. Could you send your entire navy to remove their naval threat once and for all?" She asked.
"That is indeed more than you asked for, and what will I get from this?" I asked
"We will look the other way if you decide to let's say, annex another region other than the Riverlands. Additional I have heard that the Vale are a bit angry at their current Lord Paramount." She said
I understood her message perfectly. If we helped her with the North, she would not help the Vale if we decided to attack them.
"Hmm, very well. I would also request your permission to appoint Lords of my territory and they will be able to make Houses at my own will." I said
"Very well, I shall have Jofffey write you a royal letter allowing this." She said.
"Thank you, Cersei." And with that I took my leave.
Immediately after I sent multiple letters. Firstly I named Jack Lychester Lord of
Lychester Keep and House Lychester.
Secondly I sent a letter to Lord Karyn Vance, the newly appointed Lord of House Vance of Wayfarer's Rest. I promise them the keep of Pinkmaiden if they swear fealty to me. Additionally I promise to make them the only House Vance if they support me.
Thirdly I send a letter to Lord Smallwood of Acorn Hall, if he swears fealty to me as Lord Paramount of the Riverlands then I will assist him in breaking free of House Vance of Atranta and getting control of High Hearth.
I also sent a letter to House Darry, stating that if they swear fealty to me then they will be given a new Navy to build and support from us.
And the last House of Riverlands that gets a letter House Mooton, stating that the Lannister plans to raid Maidenpool and that only I can protect you from the Lannister, and that I will help them build a navy if they support me.
And at last I sent a letter to Harry Strickland, stating that if he came to the Riverlands with the Golden Company, I would give all his members enough money to settle down, as well as give him the Great Keep of Harrenhal.
Luckily the Whents would be destroyed by the Lannister after Jaime got captured.
With these letters sent. I sent one last letter to Daenar the naval fleet admiral and Jagnar Harlaw the instructor to launch an attack on Riverrun with 40 Galleys and 10 Longnships, the last 20 Longships defending the entrance to the trident.
And with that I went to sleep, things would soon happen.