|
|
Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 16, 2020 13:31:57 GMT -5
Randyll Tarly watched the proceedings unfold with more than a little distaste writ across his face. After the High Septon had left, he spoke to Mace, "My lord, if I recall, a not-insignificant portion of Lannister forces is likely still in the area somewhere, it might be best to send word to them, lest they burst into the city and attempt to relieve their beleaguered queen, putting everyone within the city, and those within the keep in danger." He reflexively gripped at Heartsbane's hilt over his shoulder, "And let us all pray that Cersei's behavior hasn't destabilized King Tommen's position." His face was grim, but that was hardly unusual.
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Jun 16, 2020 14:31:08 GMT -5
"Because, what would be the point, then?"He said. Stating the obvious. "I'd rather stay farting at the barracks waiting this to be over. If I screw you over this, Lord Tyrell, what do I stand to gain?"
He smiles, cruelly. "I'd just be inside with the Queen waiting for your thousands of men to slaughter me with a pig, which isn't my priorities, your Lordship"
Randyll Tarly watched the proceedings unfold with more than a little distaste writ across his face. After the High Septon had left, he spoke to Mace, "My lord, if I recall, a not-insignificant portion of Lannister forces is likely still in the area somewhere, it might be best to send word to them, lest they burst into the city and attempt to relieve their beleaguered queen, putting everyone within the city, and those within the keep in danger." He reflexively gripped at Heartsbane's hilt over his shoulder, "And let us all pray that Cersei's behavior hasn't destabilized King Tommen's position." His face was grim, but that was hardly unusual.
|
|
|
|
Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 16, 2020 17:25:09 GMT -5
(In response to Jokern and Axis mentioning about Devan's troops)
At dawn, the day before the sellswords exploded into the Red Keep, the presence of the Lannister host from Hayford arrived to the North of the city. Over ten thousand men arrayed themselves before the Dragon, Iron, and Old Gate, whose roads led into the Riverlands and the Westerlands. An encampment was made shortly after the show of force was made evident to the city and for the Red Keep to see. Devan, aided by Lord Brax and other Westermen nobles, were not fully aware of the city's situation. All they knew was that Cersei was under siege by many tens of thousands of Reachmen. What was the High Septon doing? Was Aegon the Pretender aware of this? Were their additional reinforcements coming to the city to aid the Queen or Tyrell? All these questions ran through their heads. Devan wasn't fool. Glancing at the gates, Devan suspected they were guarded by the Gold Cloaks, but whose side were they on? Otherwise, who would be defending the walls? Likely the Reachmen, considering their numbers.
Too many unknown factors forced Devan to keep his troops at a distance, but still visible to the city. The Westerlands was almost bled dry after all. This was their most significant force available and the flower of their nobility had slowly died from age, plots, and battle. Lannister had to utilize these troops well.
|
|
|
|
Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 16, 2020 18:27:11 GMT -5
The High Septon had yet to make his demands of Cersei, but given the rather immediate nature of the threat posed by Lannister troops, Lord Tarly elected to move on his own suggestion. Under a white flag of parley, he and a small company of household knights rode through the Dragon Gate and halfway towards the Lannister lines. There he stopped the company and held ground, waiting on a response from the Lannister host. He may have been a military man at heart, but half of being a warrior was knowing when swords should be kept in their sheathes, and at the moment, too many things were in the balance.
|
|
|
|
Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 16, 2020 18:35:38 GMT -5
The High Septon strode forward, surrounded by the Noble and Puissant Order of the Warrior's Sons. His small hoard of stars, his Poor Fellows, followed close behind them. He called up toward the battlements, Ser Wells having stopped him from approaching further, to stay safe from arrows. “By order of the Seven Cersei is to face trial today, tell her to put an end to this nonsense!” He bellowed, his voice rising over the crowd, the man had a truly impressive set of lungs from his countless years of sermons. “Mace Tyrell has sworn to stand aside, any that stand between the Queen and the gods’ justice will be judged by the Faith!” A scowl was etched into the man’s face. (+5 Charisma) From atop the walls, a knight of House Lannister, the commander of the Red Cloaks, steps forth and listens to what the little sparrow had to say. There was an evident scoff, by how his posture seemed to state. The knight then raises his hand, causing men on the walls to draw their bows. Stay back, Little Sparrow! We do not obey you nor the fat lord of the Reach! Our Queen is Cersei and our loyalty is to her! If she wants to come out, then that is her choice.The High Septon had yet to make his demands of Cersei, but given the rather immediate nature of the threat posed by Lannister troops, Lord Tarly elected to move on his own suggestion. Under a white flag of parley, he and a small company of household knights rode through the Dragon Gate and halfway towards the Lannister lines. There he stopped the company and held ground, waiting on a response from the Lannister host. He may have been a military man at heart, but half of being a warrior was knowing when swords should be kept in their sheathes, and at the moment, too many things were in the balance. A sentry came to Devan's tent, who was speaking with the nobles, reporting that a white flag had been planted, before the Dragon Gate. A household guard was there, with the colors and standards of House Tarly. Ser Devan went to the edge of the encampment and looked for himself. His eyes then warily glanced at the walls. He turns to Lord Brax. Prepare fast riders in case this is a trap.Devan orders before taking a household guard and heading to meet at this point of parley. Ser Lannister looks at Lord Tarly, for a moment, before the Warden of the West dismounts. My Lord Tarly. Were you sent by your liege, Lord Tyrell, or by the Queen.Devan recalled what the missives from King's Landing stated prior to his arrival.
|
|
|
|
Post by oznerol on Jun 16, 2020 18:49:58 GMT -5
"Because, what would be the point, then?"He said. Stating the obvious. "I'd rather stay farting at the barracks waiting this to be over. If I screw you over this, Lord Tyrell, what do I stand to gain?"
He smiles, cruelly. "I'd just be inside with the Queen waiting for your thousands of men to slaughter me with a pig, which isn't my priorities, your Lordship"
Randyll Tarly watched the proceedings unfold with more than a little distaste writ across his face. After the High Septon had left, he spoke to Mace, "My lord, if I recall, a not-insignificant portion of Lannister forces is likely still in the area somewhere, it might be best to send word to them, lest they burst into the city and attempt to relieve their beleaguered queen, putting everyone within the city, and those within the keep in danger." He reflexively gripped at Heartsbane's hilt over his shoulder, "And let us all pray that Cersei's behavior hasn't destabilized King Tommen's position." His face was grim, but that was hardly unusual. Osfryd swallowed a curse and turned back, looking at Tyrell furiously. AH, if he could just gut the fucker and leave him bleeding, but no. Baelish had given instructions, as he always did, using a whore, who wasn't a weird sight at the barracks. If all those fuckers knew who were they screwing. Littlefinger didn't only get his sweet money from every seed spilled outside wedlock in the fucking city, but also sweet sweet information. The Dwarf's Penny had been bad for bussiness, but it was booming again. You can only have so much money, no wonder Baelish was trading in more valuable commodities. He mounted his horse and thought of paying a visit to Humfrey Waters, that dirty bastard.
|
|
|
|
Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 16, 2020 18:54:49 GMT -5
"I come of my own volition, though I have been outside the castle among Lord Tyrell's lines for the duration of the siege. The two of them stand at odds like feral cats, and I would not see the city suffer for it, nor our forces in this time when we will need them most."
He swung from his saddle and extended a hand towards the Warden of the West. "Ser Devan Lannister, I presume? I do not believe we have met before, certainly not since your most recent appointment."
|
|
|
|
Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 16, 2020 19:01:05 GMT -5
"I come of my own volition, though I have been outside the castle among Lord Tyrell's lines for the duration of the siege. The two of them stand at odds like feral cats, and I would not see the city suffer for it, nor our forces in this time when we will need them most."He swung from his saddle and extended a hand towards the Warden of the West. "Ser Devan Lannister, I presume? I do not believe we have met before, certainly not since your most recent appointment." Devan looks inquisitively for a moment before his own hand extends and grips Lord Tarly's. Aye, I am him. I was on the field of battle when the appointment was made... the sorry siege of Riverrun.Damned Freys and their sloppy trenches! Devan could have besieged Riverrun in finer fashion and gotten some good credit if the Freys had persecuted the siege better. In the end, it was Jaime who got Riverrun to surrender and had Devan haul the fallen Riverlord, Edmure Tully, away to Casterly Rock. Babysitting more like it. I don't even need to guess who you are, Lord Tarly. Everyone knows of the man who broke Robert Baratheon at the Battle of Ashford.Devan crosses his arms afterward. I was merely called to aid the Queen, but... I knew the Reachmen were in great numbers. Be a fools errand to assault those walls. Still, had to show up.Lannister then clicks his teeth slightly beneath his thick beard. What is it you want to convince me to do then? You already made it clear that you don't want me to make the city suffer. Is that all?
|
|
|
|
Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 16, 2020 19:45:33 GMT -5
"Well, regardless of the circumstance, allow me to congratulate you. Not everyone finds themselves recognized for their efforts in any capacity." A wry smile almost seemed to haunt the veteran commander's face, growing further when Devan mentioned him as the victor of Ashford.
"I would prefer to enter into a partnership of sorts. The queen has some measure of trust in me, and I still retain a foot cleanly within Lord Tyrell's camp. With your voice and mine aligned we might be able to talk things down in there. As it stands, the queen cannot possibly prevail, but the Reach will lose precious soldiers in a head-on assault, or precious time in a prolonged siege. Your forces can attempt to intervene, of course, but you and I both know you will be beaten back," he continued matter-of-factly, "But again, you could drain additional resources from Lord Tyrell, both time and men." He looked back towards the city. From this far out, if one did not know what they were looking for, it might appear that nothing was amiss within the city. Only the unusual grouping of Tyrell banners at the base of Aegon's Hill suggested that things had come to a head. "Even now the Dragon could be marching from Storm's End with his sellswords, and false or not, he might begin to seem a more attractive prospect to the lords than this supposed power structure that cannot keep from betraying oaths at every turn and tearing itself down," He said meaningfully.
|
|
|
|
Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 16, 2020 19:57:33 GMT -5
Devan's eyebrow goes up slightly. 'Partnership?' thought the Lannister. Lord Tarly said he came of his own will, but it was hard to tell if he served the interests of the Queen, his cousin, or of his liege, Mace Tyrell. Tarly was definitely playing a game, one that the Westermen could not understand nor fully foresee. He was a soldier after all. He had better skills than Stafford, not as great as Jaime, but neither the brains nor resourcefulness of Tywin. The Lannister reaches to scratch his thick beard.
You're right about one thing, I ain't gonna attack that city. I still gotta show up and give the air of effort.
Devan may not be smart, but he wasn't stupid. This wasn't Riverrun where a few hundred men held the castle. This was King's Landing and there was an army of Reachmen in there plus how many number of zealots who followed the High Sparrow. Devan could march in there and find himself caught between two armies.
Partnership... what is the aim, Lord Tarly? And why do you speak of the Pretender in such a way?
Beneath his beard, Devan lightly grits his teeth. What was the old man's aim here? Damn his inability to see through people like Tywin could! Devan wasn't as stupid as most people, but he still wasn't exactly smart. Sure, the Lannister knew how to fight battles and besiege castles, but understanding people? Not one bit.
He is a Pretender, Tarly! An Essosi from across the Narrow Sea! How do we even know if he is a real?!
|
|
|
|
Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 16, 2020 21:00:35 GMT -5
"Trueborn Targaryen or bastard-born, he is certainly a pretender. I only point out that he may become a rather appealing prospect to some lords the longer we let this farce continue. For example, Lord Rowan was sent to maintain a siege on Storm's End, but curiously little word has come from him in some time." He shrugs, folding his own arms to mirror Devan's position.
"I can tell you from... past experience that Mace Tyrell's loyalty extends so far as his personal titles and prestige stand to grow," he said at last, with some unexpected candor, and began to count off events on his fingers, "We were Targaryen men when Robert rose up in rebellion against the throne, but after Rhaegar was broken at the Trident and King's Landing fell, we were sworn to Robert instead, and he stayed lord in Highgarden. Then the reach was for Robert, until he died and Mace raised up Renly and married his daughter to him to march on the capital - all with the promise of a hefty reward if Renly won the throne. He may speak of rightful succession, and Cersei's children being bastards, but rightful succession would have been Stannis in that case, and it certainly didn't stop him from offering to marry Margaery off to Joffrey to make nice with them as soon as Renly died. Joffrey died, and then it was time to offer Margaery to Tommen and now," he had landed on the fifth finger of his hand, "He holds the position of regent upon the condition that royal family he now openly opposes remain on the throne. How long until a raven flies in from this false dragon to the south and Mace Tyrell, with 40,000 troops in the city, sees opportunity again?" His wroth was plain at this point, clearly Randyll Tarly had seen enough of the twisting and turning of King's Landing politics.
He took a breath now, steadying himself, "Only yesterday, the Small Council sat for a meeting, Ser Devan, and agreed that Aegon's force to the south was the greatest threat and would require all of our attention. That very same day, the Queen Mother invited me for a private conference in her living quarters, and made overtures - not even subtle ones - that suggested the removal of Mace Tyrell and the establishment of my house as Lords Paramount at the Reach. By the time I had gone to Baelor's Sept to ponder this situation, one of them tried to kill the other, more than likely both of them, and open war was declared within this city we are supposed to be holding while a supposed Targaryen sits in Storm's End ready to push us out." He shook his head, "You seem to be someone like me, we are straightforward men, not suited to this sort of nonsense. And so I am telling you, warrior to warrior, that this is simply unsustainable. How are we to hold the capital and rule the kingdom if the powers that are supposed to rule as one are at each other's throat?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 16, 2020 21:25:56 GMT -5
Unlike other members of his family, namely Tywin and his children, as well as their uncle, Kevan, Devan had not been in King's Landing, ever. Not even to pass by its walls. Most of his life had been in the Westerlands and, more recently, on the field of battle. He had been with Lord Tywin when they fought in the Riverlands, he had reorganized his father's defeated soldiers, from Oxcross, at Lannisport, then returned to the Riverlands at the command of Cersei Lannister. He had only heard of the intrigues and plots of the court in King's Landing, but by what Lord Tarly said, things had really become confusing and complicated.
What didn't make sense to him was why his royal cousin had done the right thing and agreed to focus on Aegon, then sought to undermine Mace Tyrell, who provided the most soldiers, then proceeded to try and arrest Lord Tyrell, creating an armed rift between the two! Devan recalled Lucion stating that they needed to support Cersei, but, like Damion said, she had become a fool... she had ensured she was trapped in the Red Keep and likely would have ensured the death of thousands if Devan had been more reckless and sought to charge straight at King's Landing. His mind was more conflicted than ever now. Perhaps this was what Lord Tarly wanted in order to bring the Warden of the West over to his side.
My cousin, Damion Lannister, said that the Queen was being foolish. Hearing your words makes me... confused as to why the Queen would act in such a way.
Devan speaks, at long last.
It was so odd when I saw the raven's message, telling me to raise more troops and march upon King's Landing. I knew, from even before, we didn't have the means to fight the Tyrells.
Lannister knew it had been a fools errand. This was no Riverrun, there was no advantage in this field, except death more than likely.
If things are unsustainable, as you say, then with this partnership, what do you aim to achieve, Lord Tarly? If neither can be trusted to stabilize the Seven Kingdoms, then what is the answer? What must be done to ensure a lasting peace in the future and to see the Seven Kingdoms united once more?
Devan wondered, was this man a true royalist, seeking a new path, or would the Lannister be joining a would-be traitor.
|
|
|
|
Post by AxBrew Sunster on Jun 16, 2020 22:25:47 GMT -5
Tarly paused for a moment, then decided to leave whatever advantage he may have attained for the moment, a slight slump in his shoulders. "I am afraid that, I cannot say." He shook his head once more. "I do not know who we can trust to stabilize the Kingdoms right now. I hesitate to say it, but sometimes I wonder if a dragon from the south might not be better than the two cats fighting in there right now. But I know, regardless, that our first step is likely stopping bloodshed here. Can I at least count on your support in that much? And perhaps in working together we can come to better understand what needs be done next."
|
|
|
|
Post by Magnate Lucius on Jun 16, 2020 22:35:43 GMT -5
Ser Devan remains silent for a moment. He was Warden of the West, the commander of the Westerland's troops, and oversaw everything within the Westerman's homeland on behalf of Cersei. He was in a position to possibly do something. To safeguard the men who he commanded and ensure the Westerland was protected. After a moment, Lannister looks at Lord Tarly.
I am merely Warden of the West. I am just a commander, Lord Tarly. I can only do so much to help, but... I can at least stop the bloodshed and prevent it from happening
Devan could surely achieve that. He commanded the men and they would likely understand that to fight this superior foe would only lead to their deaths.
I do want to see the Westerlands live through this and see House Lannister prosper again. If there is any way that that can be secured, my Lord, you will have my friendship and my support. And through me, the men of the West will help in seeing the Seven Kingdoms reunited and peace restored.
Ser Lannister turns to his encampment for a moment before looking at Tarly.
I will remain with my men while you go back and speak with Lord Tyrell. I will see to it that they understand the gravity of what is going on and that our best option is to ensure a general peace without bloodshed. There are... greater enemies to defend against after all. Enemies who would want us weak.
Spoken like a true commander.
|
|
|
|
Post by Royal Joker on Jun 17, 2020 5:24:40 GMT -5
After the Aurane Waters' assault on the Red Keep...
Two figures appeared on the ramparts of the Red Keep, young women by the silhouettes. They waved and screamed, clearly distressed by something. They soon disappeared, followed shortly by the drawbridge lowering and the gates opening. Margaery Tyrell and Myrcella Baratheon walked out, followed by a few Lannister guardsmen. They were bruised, bloodied and dirty, much to the confusion of the Reach soldiers manning the battle lines. Marge fell into the arms of a Webber knight, sobbing.
The survivors were brought down to the camp at the foot of Aegon's High Hill, while Tyrell troops flooded the Red Keep to find any enemies. The wounded were quickly seen to by healers and maesters.
Mace met with Margaery and Myrcella in his temporary quarters. Father and daughter embraced each other. Myrcella seemed to be in shock from seeing her brother being dragged away screaming. Marge tried to explain what had occurred as best as she could, but it had all gone so fast and had been so chaotic that it was difficult to to get a full picture. One thing was clear, after reports from the Red Keep had been brought in - Queen Cersei, King Tommen, Loras, Meryn Trant, Osmund Kettleblack and Boros Blount had all been kidnapped by the unknown assailant.
Mace Tyrell called for a meeting with Randyll Tarly, Nymeria Sand, the High Septon and Devan Lannister.
|
|
