Armies Gather (Page 90)

~~~(POV: Raenon Targaryen)~~~

~~~(Location: Flying, Nearing Targaryen Armies, Westeros)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 18 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 302 AC)~~~

The sun is in the middle of the sky as Rhaenys and I are basking in sunlight. The wind from the force she's moving at blows my hair back as I look at the lands below us. We'll be reaching Oberyn's armies soon.

My forces should've met up with him a while ago, and now all they're waiting on is me. The time I've used to be with my loved ones has given Tywin the time he needs to come up with a plan of his own.

I don't know what it is or what it entails. But of all the things I've learned regarding warfare and battle, believing you're prepared for the enemy leads to defeat. My many enemies have made that mistake.

Tywin won't.

He's likely to come up with some strategy to either deprive me of Rhaenys or outright kill her.

Gruu...

My she-dragon lets me know with a loving noise that she can feel my worry. Of all the people who could be my final enemy, I lament it has to be Tywin.

"It's a dark war on the horizon."

The words leave my lips without resistance as I close my eyes. The cold wind blowing against my face. My connection with magic and fire ward off the near-freezing temperature.

A few hours pass as we fly through the sky, but after some time I spot what I've been searching for. The massive gatherings of Oberyns and my forces. Thousands of tents spread across a large area.

I bring Rhaenys down and land a decent distance away from the majority of forces. As I hop off her, she waits in the spot we've landed as I make my way to the larger-looking tents where knights and nobles are likely to be.

On my approach, Unsullied forces meet me outside the cluster of tents. Escorting me to Oberyn's tent. As I approach, there are shouts and arguments from inside the tent.

After entering the tent, silence falls on everyone present. Oberyn's eyes slowly widen, and a familiar smile takes form on his lips.

"Raenon! Here I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow. I'm glad that you're here."

His eyes glide across the many nobles and ranking officials who seemed to be arguing before my arrival. I approach the table they surround and look at the map they've been studying. It's one of Kings Landing.

"The birth of my twins has shown me this war must end. Tell me when we can start marching on Kings Landing."

I want to get down to business, and my approach to the situation has many in the large war tent happy. Including Oberyn, but after a second, he takes on a slightly disappointed look as he looks down at the map on the table.

"As much as I agree with that, Tywin has prepared."

His finger traces along the entirety of the wall surrounding Kings Landing.

"Anti-dragon ballistas line all the walls of Kings Landing. We've counted 312 in total. Not to mention what our spies have been telling us."

Wow.

I wasn't expecting such defenses specifically targeting Rhaenys, but I did expect them regardless. So many of them are definitely a deterrent. Rhaenys has grown so large she's become an easy target.

An untrained individual won't be able to hit my dragon. Tywin won't allow such faults. He'll have people who know what they're doing manning the ballistas.

"Apparently, Tywin has taken to lining the sewers and Flea Bottom with Wildfire. The impact of your dragon's attack will ignite the entire city."

He's holding the people I plan to rule as hostage. It's a low and vile plan but clever all the same. Tywin is pushing for a battle between men. Sword against sword. Steel against steel. Hoping that I won't use Rhaenys, knowing Kings Landing will burn.

"It's not like we didn't expect Tywin to wait around and do nothing. What about the fleet?"

That's something I haven't heard anything about regarding our assault on Kings Landing. The Lannisters used Wildfire in their defense against Stannis. I wouldn't be surprised if they used the same tactics now.

"The same as the walls, your Grace. A large majority of the ships carry anti-dragon ballistas. The Iron Fleet stands with The Lannisters."

Tywin has fortified Kings Landing with Wildfire and the threat of killing my dragon. His ships and fleets make it to where I can't come up behind through Blackwater Bay unless I want to risk ship battles before land battles.

"What's the status of Tywin's allies?"

Aside from The Lannisters themselves, I don't know who's in Kings Landing. Defending it against our coming assault. Based on what I see already, this could become a siege that lasts months.

Using resources we don't have. However, there is one idea I've got.

"Tywin has the aid of House Arryn, The Iron Islands, and Mercenary groups he's hired out of Essos. The Burning of Braavos has proven to be of great help. All his connections and finances from the Iron Bank don't exist anymore."

It's nice to know the madness I indulged in a few years ago is showing its worth now. I don't want to know what kind of strong enemy Tywin would've been with their help.

"Can someone tell me the range of motion of the anti-dragon ballistas?"

There are confused looks on some in the tent, and others are shuffling through reports. Looking answers. Sadly, no one speaks up. A small sigh escapes my lips as people contemplate my question.

"If the anti-dragon ballistas can't fire at anything greater than a 60-degree angle. I can dive-bomb the walls from way above the city. Out of their firing range and motion of attack."

While I don't know if it's feasible at the current moment, I'd like to know. Oberyn and the commanding officers in the tent start barking orders to their subordinates to find out the answer to my question with more recon.

"There is one small issue."

As Oberyn says that, I already know it's not acutally small.

~~~(POV: Tywin Lannister)~~~

~~~(Location: The Red Keep, Kings Landing, Westeros)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 68 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 302 AC)~~~

I watch the setting sun in the distance. I've never been one for reminiscing, but now that Raenon has rejoined with his armies. It's time for the final chapter of this book to be written. Either I win this war, or I lose it.

In the end, I'm done. My family has failed me, my plans for the future have been ruined, and now the eve of war is upon me.

Joffrey is the only Lannister left in the Red Keep with me. To be here when the battle begins. To inspire the troops as much as he can. My daughter and son are at Castery Rock. Likely engaging in abomination.

It's unbelievable. Out of my six descendants, only two of them aren't the results of vile acts and curses.

All three of my grandchildren are the results of incest, and the dwarf is a constant reminder of my dead wife. Wherever Tyrion is now, I hope he's rotting.

"I don't know what possessed the Gods to curse me with this life, but when my time comes. I'll be sure to show them the world they've left behind."

A word consumed in Targaryen madness will burn.

That is a certainty.

~~~(POV: Margaery Tyrell)~~~

~~~(Location: Bedroom, Dragonstone, Narrow Sea)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 18 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 302 AC)~~~

I shift in the bed and turn my body around. My arm slings across the body of my sister. She sinks into my form instead of pulling away or shifting to another part of the bed. Given I'm a few inches taller than her.

My arms wrap around Dany, and she snuggles closer. I unconsciously kiss the back of her head in support. Rae has been gone for almost a week now, and we're feining for the husband who's gone off to war.

There are no words spoken between us as the light from the moon bounces off the ocean and into our bedroom. Lighting the area with a different kind of light.

The heat and softness of Dany's body is a sensation that I've come to enjoy during our activities with Rae. Having it to myself is different. We've spent each night like this since Rae left.

In a moment of desire and instinct, my hand glides down the side of Dany's body. Caressing her lovely hip. She doesn't stop me or resist. Since no obstacles present themselves, I brush my fingers over her lower lips.

A shiver goes through her body, and she turns her neck to face me. She's craned in my neck as she does this, and she surprises me.

Her hand captures the back of my head and pulls me in.

Our lips connect at the action.

We sink into the feeling and begin touching each other all over.

Our desire and need for Rae's touch and presence has become too much. Since we're wives and sisters, there isn't anything wrong in seeking comfort from each other.

I bet Rae would love to watch this.