The lights inside the lord's study at Storm's End still burned brightly deep into the night.
The room itself reflected the wealth and history of the Stormlands. Marble imported from Tarth decorated the walls, while magnificent stag sculptures carved from precious Rainwood timber stood proudly in the corners. Portraits of former Baratheon lords brought from Myr hung beside expensive furs and amber ornaments. The quiet Rainwood region was famous throughout the Stormlands for its timber, pelts, and amber trade.
At the center of the chamber sat Gendry upon a tall chair carved with the image of a crowned stag.
Around him stood Duke Stannis Baratheon, Barristan Selmy, Ser Cortnay Penrose, Melisandre, and several other commanders.
The next move for the Stormlands had already been decided.
North.
Toward the Crownlands.
"Our forces are currently spread too thin," Stannis said gravely while looking toward Gendry.
Gendry nodded calmly.
"Robb Stark's Northern army and House Tully's forces are already cutting off Tywin Lannister's supply lines in the Riverlands. I've ordered the Crabfeeder's men and the Vale army to land near Maidenpool. Once King's Landing loses its grain routes and Tywin's supply chain collapses, the Lannisters will begin to weaken rapidly."
"Even though our troops are scattered, we still maintain the overall advantage," Ser Barristan added thoughtfully. "The question is whether we should eliminate Tywin's army first or attack King's Landing first."
The old knight paused before continuing.
"The next wave of the Northern army, combined with the Vale and the forces from the Stepstones, should be strong enough to challenge Tywin directly. However, King's Landing is fixed in place while Tywin's army remains mobile."
Gendry considered the situation carefully.
"Tywin isn't the sort of commander capable of miraculous victories. If the pressure becomes too great, he'll retreat back to the Westerlands."
Tywin Lannister excelled at direct warfare and ruthless efficiency, but he was not a genius of unpredictable strategy. The current task of the Vale army and the Stepstones fleet was to harass and cut off supplies, which they had already accomplished effectively.
But achieving a decisive victory would be far more difficult.
Gendry doubted he could catch Tywin before the old lion withdrew westward.
The movement of armies from Highgarden and the Vale would take time, and Tywin was far from foolish.
"Moreover," Stannis said coldly, "we are advancing on three separate fronts. Dividing troops too much is a dangerous military taboo."
He looked directly at Gendry.
"As for Robb Stark and the Riverlords, without your coordination, I doubt they can truly stop Tywin from retreating home."
"Even if they cannot defeat him entirely, they can still delay him," Ser Cortnay argued. "If our Stormlands army captures King's Landing first, the war may already be decided."
Under normal circumstances, King's Landing's defenders would never withstand the combined strength of the Stormlands army and the Grand Fleet.
But everyone present knew the city possessed hidden dangers.
"If we attack King's Landing," Stannis said slowly, "every commander will have a different opinion."
"The younger Valyrian nobles will demand a direct assault. They'll want ladders, grappling hooks, and a bloody charge against the walls regardless of arrows or boiling oil."
"Meanwhile, older lords like my grandfather Estermont will suggest a blockade. They'll advocate starving the city into surrender just as the Tyrells once tried against me."
A hint of contempt appeared on Stannis's face.
"And men like Lord Caron will want to settle everything in a single glorious battle while wearing shining plate armor."
Gendry gave a faint smile.
"King's Landing itself is not difficult to breach. The true danger lies beneath it."
Everyone looked toward him.
"The wildfire buried beneath the city."
Ser Cortnay's expression immediately changed.
"Wildfire?"
The Mad King's final plot had never been fully revealed to the realm, so few understood just how much wildfire still remained hidden beneath King's Landing.
"Yes," Gendry replied seriously.
"King's Landing is already dangerous because it is desperate and starving. But the wildfire beneath the city, combined with Varys's spies, makes it even worse."
Ser Barristan frowned deeply. He had known about King Aerys's obsession with wildfire, but he had never learned the full extent of the Mad King's plans.
"The production of wildfire has likely improved after the appearance of the red comet," Maester Qyburn said thoughtfully. "Its creation may now be more efficient than before."
Melisandre nodded slightly.
After the appearance of the red comet and the return of dragons, even she had felt magic growing stronger throughout the world.
"If wildfire truly awaits us inside Blackwater Bay," Ser Cortnay muttered, "then our fleet cannot recklessly sail into the Blackwater Rush again."
"But if we avoid King's Landing entirely, people will call us cowards."
"Let them talk," Gendry said firmly.
"Winter is coming. Grain and people matter more than pride."
"First people. Then land."
"King's Landing will eventually collapse from hunger."
He stood and pointed toward the map spread across the table.
"I want Harrenhal."
"If I remain at Dragonstone, Uncle Stannis can establish himself at Harrenhal."
Dragonstone was too important to ignore. It stood between key locations and also served as the ideal place for dragons to mature.
Gendry's strategy was simple and practical.
Fortify.
Wear down the enemy.
Then pursue relentlessly once they weakened.
Stannis nodded slowly.
"That can be done."
"The enemies before us are clear," Gendry continued. "The Lannisters, the fleets of Lys and Volantis that I intentionally provoked… and the Ironborn."
"Theon Greyjoy is still our hostage," Ser Cortnay said in confusion. "Surely Balon Greyjoy isn't insane enough to attack us?"
By common logic, the Ironborn should have focused on raiding the vulnerable Westerlands.
But Balon Greyjoy was not governed by common logic.
Stannis gave a cold snort.
"Balon already lost two sons. I doubt he values the third very highly."
"I fought against the Ironborn before. Most of them are madmen."
Gendry pointed toward the map again.
"The Stormlands army will march north through the Kingswood in full force."
"Meanwhile, Uncle Stannis's Royal Fleet and my Stepstones fleet will divide into two groups."
"One group will pretend to threaten the Westerlands through the Stepstones."
"The second group will move toward King's Landing."
A dangerous gleam flashed in Gendry's eyes.
"I want to lure the Lysene and Volantene fleets into a trap and destroy them completely."
Stannis studied the map silently.
"A risky plan," he admitted. "But drawing the enemy deep into your territory before crushing them is effective."
He himself had once used a similar strategy during Balon Greyjoy's rebellion.
Back then, Victarion Greyjoy's fleet had sailed into a narrow strait only to be trapped between Stannis Baratheon's navy and Paxter Redwyne's fleet before being annihilated.
"But where will our fleet anchor?" Stannis asked.
Gendry's ambitions were far larger than he had first imagined.
This war would involve the strength of Lys, Volantis, the Ironborn, and the Lannisters all at once.
"A fleet may anchor somewhere in Dorne or the Reach," Gendry replied.
Stannis narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
"It seems the Young Wolf should keep a closer watch on his hostage."
Gendry had already warned Robb Stark about Theon Greyjoy.
But Robb still trusted Theon too much.
Whether Robb could handle that problem was ultimately his own responsibility.
Theon was one of Robb's closest companions and a skilled fighter. Removing him without proof would only create distrust between allies.
Eventually, the war council came to an end.
One by one, the commanders departed.
Stannis and Ser Cortnay left first.
Only Melisandre remained behind, her crimson eyes fixed on Gendry.
"What is it you wish to say, Lady Melisandre?" Gendry asked calmly.
The Red Priestess smiled faintly.
"Does even the mighty Storm fear a woman?"
Her voice carried an almost hypnotic warmth.
"If you welcome me fully… if you allow me to burn the shrines of the Seven on Dragonstone… then I can grant you miracles."
"Shadows can accomplish what thousands of soldiers cannot."
Gendry studied her carefully.
Melisandre possessed an unnatural beauty. Her copper-red hair shimmered beneath the torchlight, while the ruby around her throat pulsed faintly like a living flame.
"There is fire inside every human being," she whispered.
"Dragons are born of blood and fire. Humans are no different."
"So?" Gendry asked.
"Your uncle Stannis is strong, but his fire is fading. It can only burn twice more."
"Most others possess weak flames."
"But you…"
She stepped closer.
"Your fire burns fiercely."
"If you desire greater power, come to my chambers tonight."
"I can give you unimaginable pleasure and awaken the fire within your soul."
Instantly, Gendry drew Orphan-Maker and pressed the black blade lightly against her throat.
But Melisandre did not move.
"Lady," Gendry said calmly, "you are beautiful."
"But I prefer to rely on myself rather than surrender myself to gods or prophecy."
Melisandre only smiled wider.
"What a fascinating Storm you are."
Her crimson aura seemed almost unreal beneath the flickering candlelight.
"I seek only to stop the coming darkness," she said softly.
"You misunderstand me."
"I can offer you more than war and death."
"Enough," Gendry interrupted.
Melisandre tilted her head slightly.
"Now I understand why I could never see you clearly in the flames."
"Stannis is a man of fate."
"But you…"
"You are unfated."
Gendry frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"The future can usually be glimpsed," Melisandre explained. "Most lives follow predictable paths."
"But stronger beings create uncertainty. Their futures blur into countless possibilities."
"Stannis was dangerous."
"But an unfated man is even more terrifying."
Gendry sheathed his sword slowly.
"We can discuss philosophy another time."
"If you serve me well, I will respect your abilities."
Melisandre stepped closer once more.
"The world is built upon opposites," she whispered.
"Light and darkness. Ice and fire. Love and hate. Life and death."
"There are only two true gods."
"The Lord of Light…"
"And the Great Other."
"This war is not truly about Baratheons or Lannisters."
"It is about survival itself."
She took Gendry's hand gently.
"Do you not wish to become Azor Ahai? The savior reborn?"
Gendry's expression remained calm.
"I don't wish to become anyone's chosen hero."
"I am simply myself."
"Why should I obey gods instead of making gods obey me?"
Ser Barristan finally stepped forward.
"That is enough, my lady."
The old knight escorted Melisandre toward the door.
Before leaving, she looked back one final time.
"Storm… powerful knight… powerful king…"
"Will you truly walk the hardest path alone?"
Then she disappeared into the corridor.
Barristan exhaled slowly.
"My instincts tell me that woman is dangerous, Your Highness."
"She possesses strange powers… and a dangerous tongue."
Gendry nodded slightly.
"Perhaps."
"But winter is coming."
"And people like her may still prove useful."
As the two men exited the room, they noticed a middle-aged knight standing nearby.
Bonifer Hasty.
Ser Bonifer wore a plain purple tunic marked with the white diagonal stripe of House Hasty.
His face was solemn and deeply devout.
"Prince Gendry. Ser Barristan," Bonifer greeted respectfully.
"What is it, Ser Bonifer?" Gendry asked.
Bonifer lowered his head.
"We are all sinners, Your Highness."
"I, too, once carried sinful desires."
"But the princess is the last dragon."
"I wish to lead one hundred knights to protect her with our lives."
Gendry nodded appreciatively.
"Thank you for your loyalty, Ser Bonifer."
Bonifer was not a legendary warrior, but he was honest, disciplined, and just. The holy warriors under his command reflected those same qualities.
He would make an excellent administrator in peaceful lands one day.
As Bonifer departed, Gendry sighed quietly.
This was a tragic man.
A knight who had once loved Queen Rhaella with all his heart.
At that moment, Daenerys Targaryen arrived accompanied by Dacey Mormont.
Daenerys noticed the old knight staring at her with sorrowful eyes.
"My princess," Gendry said warmly while ruffling her silver-gold hair.
Wrapped in a white lion pelt, Daenerys looked both regal and youthful.
"Who was that knight?" she asked curiously.
"He looked at me so sadly."
Ser Barristan's expression darkened.
"He knew your mother."
"He knew Queen Rhaella very well."
Daenerys blinked in surprise.
"My mother?"
Barristan nodded slowly.
"Your mother was a kind and gentle queen."
"When she was young, a knight from the Stormlands fell deeply in love with her."
"At a tourney, he crowned her Queen of Love and Beauty."
Daenerys listened quietly.
"What became of him afterward?"
"The day your mother married King Aerys," Barristan said softly, "that knight abandoned worldly desires and devoted himself entirely to the Faith."
"He claimed that no woman except Queen Rhaella could ever replace the place she held in his heart."
Barristan's voice grew heavy with sorrow.
"But such love was impossible from the beginning."
"How could a mere landed knight ever hope to marry a royal princess?"
Daenerys fell silent.
At last, she understood.
When Ser Bonifer looked at her—
He was not truly seeing Daenerys.
He was remembering Rhaella Targaryen from decades ago.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)