King's Landing, night. Fires raged through the city, and the clamor of people was deafening. Outside the city, pieces of wildfire floated on the water, spiraling upwards in scorching green flames. Further away, the sounds of horns and shouts faded, as if into emptiness and desolation.
Varys, the master of whisperers for the Small Council, "The Spider," stood on the highest point of a Brothel in King's Landing, carefully observing the situation within the city. The Brothel's doors were locked, guarded by Mercenaries, and the rioting mobs dared not attack for now. Even so, all the staff inside were hiding in the cellars, leaving the building empty.
The entire city of King's Landing was plunged into a frenzy that night. The mobs indulged their desires, hungry and angry, on the verge of collapse from The Imp's curfew policy and the impending famine in King's Landing. Gold Cloaks Rose up and killed their officers, while rioters looted shops.
"Autumn has arrived, and perhaps a long winter will follow. Only winter and summer are long; spring is always fleeting," Varys mused. He was disguised as a plump woman, smelling delicately of lavender, wearing silk slippers, and toying with a crossbow in his soft hands.
"Discretion and sweet words are my disguise, but after King's Landing falls, where will I go?" Varys wondered. He seemed to be just a small part of the Small Council, with no family, no heirs, and no lands. When intelligence was needed, nobles would disdainfully contact him, treating him like a clown. But this was Varys's way of survival.
Varys knew in his heart that once the Battle of the Blackwater failed, with Volantis's army intervening and the Rose attacking the lion, Lannister's defeat would be irreversible. But in the aftermath, how would he preserve his chess pieces?
"It's the Northmen!" First, golden banners and a black tide swept into King's Landing. "winter wolf" troops in fur coats and crabfeeders men, full of fighting spirit, charged through the ruins of the Old Gate into King's Landing, unleashing a thunderous storm of slaughter. The mob's rampage, which had lasted only a few hours, began to die down.
"Long live King Robert!" "Long live the Storm!!" The Northmen and the Claw Peninsula shouted at the top of their lungs. After the horns and drums signaling the curfew, they began to clear the street thugs one by one, opening paths to The Red Keep and other strongholds. The first men's enforcement was bloody and decisive. Roose's captain, "Iron Leg Warton," led the cleanup, joined by veterans from House Clebb of the Claw Peninsula. In the past, there might have been distinctions between hanging, hand-cutting, or nose-slitting, but today it was swift justice.
"Kef, lead a squad to secure the Great Sept of Baelor."
"Tauha, lead a squad to open the King's Gate and let the western army enter."
"Gabbert Glover, lead a squad to open the eastern city gate and allow Duke Stannis to bring in the taxi soldiers." Roose Bolton commanded. The first men of the North revered the old gods, so controlling the Great Sept was more suitable for the people of the Claw Peninsula.
"The rest of you, come with us to The Red Keep," Clebb shouted.
Varys saw the banners in the hurried torchlight: Gendry's golden storm quartered banner, House Stark's direwolf of the north banner, House Bolton's pink Flayer, House Clebb's riding bull, the giant waving a pine tree banner, and so on.
"Damn it, all that wildfire was used up, at the Old Gate, on the Blackwater Rush. But it didn't bring me the death of any important figures. Not only did it not blow up Gendry, it didn't even get one or two great Lords. My eager hopes are now in vain. The Imp is still useless, or perhaps Gendry is too cunning," Varys thought furiously, his eyes almost bursting. Varys put down his crossbow.
Varys greatly admired The Imp's wildfire strategy. wildfire might not have hit Stannis, but there was a good chance of hitting Gendry. Because Gendry, like Robert, was full of a desire for battle. The Stormlands' fighting style was to lead from the front, focus on scouts and formations, and adapt to circumstances, essentially dancing on the edge of a blade with elite troops. This was completely different from the style of Tywin Lannister and Stannis Baratheon, who commanded from the rear, directing reserves.
"The lights of The Red Keep are about to go out, and the Lannister here are destined to lose their heads. So what do I need to do? I didn't expect my schemes to be ruined by my own good intentions. I should have let Cersei discover this Bastard back then," Varys muttered. "No, I will not allow others to ruin my work. The Stormlands is a threat; he wants to reconcile other Lords, attempting to unite the Seven Kingdoms to support himself. What a glorious empire, but, but it also has a fatal flaw. As long as The Stormlands can be eliminated, this matter has the possibility of being manipulated. The Starks don't like Stannis, Highgarden hates Stannis, and there's only a lone Targaryen girl left. Then I will raise Aegon's banner."
Many things were beyond Varys's control. Everything about grand wars, such as the hunger in King's Landing, the sudden riot of the mobs, the overwhelming tide of events. But the secret tunnel and spies in King's Landing also offered Varys a potential solution: direct assassination.
"What a pity," Varys thought. "A young man, a young man who conquered the world. He will proudly welcome his victory, welcome his coronation. Victory in war, a beautiful woman by his side. This will be his most glorious moment, and also his most relaxed."
"Get to work," Varys said, pulling out a handful of candy-like objects from his embrace. A Child emerged from the shadows. A pale-faced boy in ragged robes, no more than nine or ten. Another boy appeared from behind him; in total, six children surrounded him, with pale faces and dark eyes, both boys and girls.
The Little Birds reached out their hands and took their candy. After the children finished their candy, they disappeared back into the attic.
At the attic door stood a slender female attendant in an overly loose leather robe, silently watching the scene unfold.
"Next, we must take good care of Lord Eddard; he is very valuable. The Black Cells are quiet now, and I have prepared for his transfer. That floor is still under my watch," Varys told the attendant. Varys also had another identity: a Jailer in the Black Cells.
After the attendant nodded to Varys, she also left. Only Varys remained alone in the attic, his shadow stretching long in the darkness.
"The Queen Mother in Maegors Holdfast is feigning composure; her beautiful head might fall today. I must prevent this from happening. Queen Mother Cersei should continue her good deeds, whether in King's Landing or Casterly Rock." Varys made up his mind and descended from the attic.
"Cersei Lannister and Eddard Stark, alive. Gendry, must be eliminated." Varys appeared in the deserted stables in the dark, then found the entrance to a secret tunnel and slipped inside.
Varys was heading to Maegors Holdfast to assess the situation with Cersei... The northern sky reflected the raging fires below, constantly changing vivid colors. An eerie green tide flowed through the clouds, and orange light spread across the horizon. Ordinary red or yellow flames and emerald green wildfire competed, waxing and waning, giving birth to countless fleeting shadows.
In the night, apart from the damaged ships, the fleets of Volantis and other slave states largely surrendered. Duke Stannis Baratheon, with his fleet, attacked from the east of King's Landing, and Ser Garlan Tyrell, with a contingent from The Reach, enveloped them from the west. Lannister's cause was lost.
The camp by the Blackwater Rush had become a sea of steel, fire, and shining armor. Banners of all colors fluttered in the cold night: Gendry of the Storm's golden war banner, Baratheon's ancestral banner, and banners from the Stormlands, the Vale, the Claw Peninsula, and The Reach. The charging Stag on a gold field, the golden rose on a green field, the blue and white crescent falcon, and so on.
Lords and Knights gathered there, standing by the braziers, a dense crowd. Although no grand celebration feast was held, awaiting the three armies from the city to bring the heads of Cersei, Joffrey, and The Imp, victory was already assured.
Every Lord and Knight was overjoyed. The Westerlands was an extremely wealthy region; completely crushing Lannister would not only mean not having to repay debts but also gaining a substantial profit. The Stormlands had already won the Battle of the Blackwater, decisively defeating Volantis. King's Landing was about to fall, and even if Tywin wasn't captured, it wouldn't affect the overall situation.
Around a simple large oak table, great Lords, renowned Knights, and celebrated heroes gathered. These individuals now could only sit on a folding military chair, but each felt it was a symbol of status, being close to the center of power.
Gendry sat above everyone. He wore no jewels or crown, only simple black leather armor with a golden cloak. Beside Gendry was the Valyrian greatsword, Tiger Roar.
"I have already sent troops to drive away Lannister, Prince Gendry," said Duke Mace Tyrell. He was burly, even a bit stout, but still handsome. Noble families generally improved their lineage well, with many handsome men and beautiful women.
"No, it was I and Lord Matus who moved first. You were waiting, Lord Mace. We moved first, and then you acted. That's why Tywin escaped," protested Lord Alister Florent of Brightwater Keep. Alister Florent was a tall, slender elder with silver-grey hair and a long, pointed beard framing his refined, noble face. One of his sons-in-law was the Old Man of Oldtown, and the other was Lando Tarly, while his niece Selyse Florent was married to Duke Stannis.
House Florent believed their claim to succession was superior to other families, and that they had more right to inherit Highgarden. Thus, House Florent often complained and questioned House Tyrell's leadership.
"Nonsense, Lord Florent," Lord Mace's face flushed. "At that time, I was preparing a large army to attack! Tywin and I are mortal enemies, and all Lannister are traitors."
"But I know you only moved when you saw the trebuchets, when you saw us charging," Lord Florent countered directly. "Lord Matus also knows this."
Matus Rowan remained silent. He wore a snow-white tunic with a large tree embroidered in gold thread on his chest. He and Florent had attacked Tywin together, but Matus did not speak now. Matus was wise, cautious, and widely beloved.
Gendry looked at the two. Florent, as a relative of Stannis and always defiant of Tyrell, launching a fierce attack was understandable. As for Rowan, Gendry only understood their hatred through their interactions; Matus had always harbored resentment over Tywin killing Rhaegar's Child years ago.
"Enough, let's not speak of this anymore. Lord Mace is still a loyal and capable minister," Gendry replied. "Is it confirmed that Tywin has escaped?"
Mace sat there huffily. Although the Lords of The Reach were powerful, each had their own agenda.
Gendry was not particularly surprised by this news. Tywin commanded the general reserves, and if the situation became unstable, he would have a chance to escape. Moreover, The Reach's slow action had given the Westerlands some time to prepare.
"Yes, Your Highness. We spent some time utterly defeating the Westerlands army, but by nightfall, Tywin still escaped with the reserves and some important figures," Lando Tarly said with a bow. He was tall and bald, with a jeweled scabbard greatsword, heartsbane, strapped across his back, passed down through generations.
Tywin's army formation was still quite disciplined. Seizing the arrival of night and the chaotic heavy assault from The Reach, he found a way out with his reserves. Even so, the Westerlands army was severely weakened.
"Let him go. Perhaps he will die on the Red Fork, but it would be best if I killed him myself. I had planned for another trophy in the Battle of the Blackwater. Of all these heads, only Tywin's head and the spoils from Volantis would make me happiest," Gendry said. "On the list of traitors, besides House Tywin, there are also the Royal Councilors of King's Landing."
Besides Lannister, Gendry was most wary of Varys, and also the Red Priest with Marajo, who seemed to have vanished into thin air. Although The Spider's network was extensive, Gendry also had his own plans and methods.
Lando Tarly said nothing more; he understood that the spoils from Volantis meant Marajo's head.
Mace also felt some shame. It was a battle, and the people of The Reach, numerous and powerful, surged forward. Although he had gained something in the Westerlands, his achievements could not compare to Gendry's, let alone the honor of a successful beheading in battle. If not for that, Garlan would not have needed to lead Loras in a late-night assault on King's Landing.
"Where are the people of House Hightower?" Gendry asked Lord Mace. He looked around but did not see any important figures from House Hightower, Leyton's children.
"House Hightower sent troops, but not the main branch," Lord Mace looked around and said softly. Although House Hightower had sent a few people, none of the key figures came. Mace also couldn't control Hightower well.
Gendry nodded. House Hightower, as an ancient, wealthy, and powerful family of The Reach, was also very stubborn and deeply entrenched. But Gendry would not easily overlook them.
"After tonight, we will take King's Landing," Gendry told everyone. "Though the war is brief, the glory is everlasting."
The Lords all nodded. How sweet the fruits of victory were! The glory of victory could not be enjoyed by one person alone.
"However, King's Landing is also a hungry city," Gendry's tone shifted.
"I am willing to send grain to King's Landing," Mace promised through gritted teeth. His direct confrontation with Tywin had been too haphazard; he could only show his loyalty by offering money.
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