Targaryens Enter The Westeros War (Page 79)

~~~(POV: Robb Stark)~~~

~~~(Location: Small Council Tent, The Riverlands, Westeros)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 21 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 301 AC)~~~

Stannis has started moving his army to the South. Hoping to avoid a direct conflict with Raenon. Word has spread the Dragon has left Dragonstone. His armies sail for Westeros. It's only a matter of time before his first battle in our lands.

His alliance with Monterys Velaryon has no significance at the present moment. That'll change in due time. Brynden and Edmure are waiting for my orders. If we're to follow Stannis into the South or stay here in The Riverlands.

I couldn't convince the last true-born Baratheon to wait. He's convinced if he doesn't get The Iron Throne now, he'll never get it.

He may be right...

A desperate man does desperate things. I've never seen what's so attractive about the throne everyone covets. Why so many are willing to die for it...

I wish my father were here so I could ask him. His death in Kings Landing sewed the threads of the wars we're in now. If Joffrey weren't such a fool, vicious, and cruel boy. We'd have a united Westeros against the Targaryen invaders.

The Tyrells have sided with the last Targaryens. I don't blame them for putting faith in a man that rides a dragon and has a legitimate claim to The Iron Throne.

"Have you come to a decision yet..."

Mother and I are in the tent alone. She's been wanting to go back to Winterfell to be with Sansa. My sister being back has sparked life in our family. Thanks to Sandor Clegane. Father would never approve of letting him live.

But we need him in our wars to come. If what I believe to happen comes, then we'll need all we can get. Once Raenon destroys Stannis and his claim. He'll turn his sights on the North.

On House Stark.

"If we head back North, our men will be too tired to defend. Let alone fight any battles. Following Stannis and his rushed plans will doom us to fire. The safest place for us is here."

I don't like waiting for time to solve my problems. That's what's happening no matter what I think to do. Dragonstone is a target no one can attack. Its three adult dragons make it impossible to raid and take.

There are no viable strategies to stop a fire-breathing flying monster. Rumored to be larger than anything man has made before.

"Brynden and Edmure are in agreement with you. It's actually nice to see that all three of you are thinking about the same things."

Mother has grown tired of talks about war and titles. She's grown tired of Brynden and Edmure.

It'll be a hard war for Westeros. No one wants a Targaryen on The Iron Throne again. The Lords and Ladies that do want Raenon on the throne don't know what a Targaryen's madness is. It doesn't manifest the same in every Targaryen.

~~~(POV: Tyrion Lannister)~~~

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

~~~(Current Age: 37 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 301 AC)~~~

The Greyjoys have agreed to help us. Turning away our rivals in the North. We've got a reinforced fleet to go against Stannis coming from the North. Varys has kept us informed of our enemy's movement and plans for the last few days.

My fears and concerns lie with Raenon and his advancing army. We know they're in The Vale. Probably on their way to The Eyrie to speak with Robin and Lysa Arryn.

The ancient castle won't stand a chance against Dragonfire. They'd be wise to surrender and join him. Even though it'd be easier for us if he did waste time and troops on The Vale. They're likely going South from The Vale.

We'll hear word from there when the time comes. Bronn is busy securing a letter I'm sending to a friend. I doubt I'll hear back from the mountain tribes, but perhaps they can assassinate Raenon before he ever leaves The Vale.

It's a long shot, but I have no other plans or hopes at the moment. Father is busy preparing the soldiers for Stannis. Whenever he's supposed to arrive. The Baratheon has learned his lesson from last time.

Coming from the sea won't do him any good, and that leaves only one other option. The bad part is he knows Kings Landing as well as any Lord worth the name.

"Only serious problems cause such a face on you, my friend."

The familiar voice of Varys enters my chambers, and he walks up beside me as I look out over on Kings Landing this beautiful night. The constant smell of shit takes away from the view. It's hard to believe there are over 500,000 people living in this shithole.

"All our enemies are marching on us, Varys... Stannis from the North and Oberyns forces waiting in the South for Raenon to send a raven with orders. We're boxed in."

Kings Landing can repel an attack from any ground army. The fire of dragons proves different. We have no defenses against an enemy of such power. Balistas and catapults prove too hard to handle for an accurate shot.

"Have you thought about leaving Kings Landing?"

My eyes shift to Varys as he looks over the city. That's not something I thought I'd hear from him. He knows that I hold little love for my family, and if anyone of us would leave, it'd be me. Jaime is still held prisoner in the North.

Only my father, nephew and I are here in Kings Landing. The only Lannisters left in the royal capital. There isn't any reason for me to stay...

"The thought has crossed my mind many times... But what about them?"

The slightly mocking tone in my voice makes Varys smile a little.

I indicate to the people outside The Red Keep. Varys can appreciate that I care for the Smallfolk. No matter how little it'd be. I'd not lay down my life for one of them. But out of anyone left in this place, someone should try to think about them.

War is all I've known since my nephew became King. It'd be nice to never have war again. No matter how this all ends.

~~~(POV: Stannis Baratheon)~~~

~~~(Location: Border Between Riverlands and Crownlands, The Kings Road, Westeros)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 37 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 301 AC)~~~

We've come closer to The Vale than I'd like. It'd only take a couple of days before Raenons forces intercepted us. That'd be the worse scenario for my armies. To come so far, only to be burned in Dragonfire.

Melisandre tells me that when I battle Raenon, he'll fall to me in battle. Everything she's said and had me do has come at a price. My daughter... Large portions of my army... My fleet...

As I'm riding on my horse, the morning sun is shining over the hill ahead. I can't help thinking this is a wonderful day. However, that feeling quickly disappears as we come over the crest of the hill.

On the other side, waiting for us... Atop the next hill...

Are thousands of Unsullied and Martell soldiers...

"He's cut us off... He was never in The Vale... He completely ignored it..."

The worlds leave me in disbelief. Everyone thought Raenon would attack The Vale since it'd be a perfect place to start his conquest. Everywhere else in Westeros wasn't ideal. The Vale is perfect since it's near all his enemies.

But he fooled us all...

"Your Grace!! What should we do!!?"

The sudden questions and panic start to set in.

But I notice something that gives me hope.

Raenon and his Dragon aren't here.

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

~~~(Current Age: 17 Years)~~~

~~~(Location: Flying Above The Border Between Riverlands and Crownlands, The Kings Road, Westeros)~~~

~~~(Date: 301 AC)~~~

Below me is the massive army of Stannis Baratheon. Varys has made sure to spread the false information that I was going to The Vale first. It's allowed me to set up this trap for Stannis on The Kings Road.

I knew he'd rush here if he believed his days were numbered. He'd get The Iron Throne before I could reach him. It was a gamble. I risked him staying in the Riverlands with the Starks and Tullys.

However, my plan worked. His timing couldn't have been better, either. He won't know I'm up here. Since it's early morning, Rhaenys doesn't cast a shadow on the ground below us yet. Only off in the distance.

Something Stannis won't see. He probably thinks I'm not there right now, and he's got greater numbers than the forces I have down there.

That's going to change soon as well.

~~~(POV: Daenerys Targaryen)~~~

~~~(Location: The Narrow Sea, Dragonstone, Westeros)~~~

~~~(Current Age: 17 Years)~~~

~~~(Date: 301 AC)~~~

The days have been hell for me, and the nights more lonely than I ever thought I'd be after my life before I met Raenon.

I can only imagine when the first battle will start. Margaery and I can only look out on the ocean and think about what he's doing.

"They're having fun down there..."

My sister-in-law's words take me from my thoughts, and we see Aly and Jae having fun on the beach. Caelex with them.

Vaelor flying high above them.