[h3]King's Landing[/h3]

A day after the Lads crushed the Baratheon army ten times their size, a messenger reached Lord Kermit Tully and informed him of the death of King Aegon II. The war was over, but Kermit felt no relief or satisfaction. His father still lay dead, his friends still buried next to the field of yesterday’s battle, and the Riverlands still lay burnt and plundered. The war had become his life and his revenge. In his first battle Kermit was scared to death, barely able to keep his sword hand steady before the adrenaline kicked in. It did not take long for fear to be replaced anger as the war progressed. Anger soon made way for anticipation and even excitement as Lord Kermit began to long for battle and the opportunity to soak the ground with greens blood. 

Certainly friends and acquaintances who recognised his blood thirst were worried, but soon most of them passed away. At the Battle of the Kings Road, his moment of greatest glory, Kermit was no longer a young squire, or even a young knight, taking orders from wiser men. Instead he was Lord of Riverrun, leading his own army of veteran warriors, flanked by commanders his own age and even younger. Before the battle he had already become a good fighter and one of the key blacks commanders. After the battle word spread quickly of the exploits of Kermit and his Lads. His soldiers were skilled, disciplined and loyal. In a way Kermit regretted having to end his campaign.

The Lads linked up with the Stark host of untrained men and boys, but sent out part of their force back to the Riverlands to restore law and order. Kermit’s mother Lady Lanna and his uncle Ser Osryk would return with around 2000 men to remind all Riverlords of the continuing Tully dominion and all bandits of Tully justice. As the host reached King’s Landing, Kermit, his cousin Ser Erryk, Benjicot Blackwood, and 70 skilled soldiers left the remained of the troops camped outside and entered the city. If it wasn’t for the Tully banners few would have recognised the Lads, but even though they were met largely with silence, some hushed voices could be heard as they rode past. As they entered the Red Keep they were still clad in the armour they had worn during the Battle of the Kings Road with the blood and mud purposefully left on. 

After the Starks finished making small talk of wolves and arrests, Kermit Tully spoke up. Though the king was only a year younger than his friend and commander Ben Blackwood, it was clear that he was still a child and would have little say in what was to come. Despite this fact, Kermit’s pride kept him from holding his tongue. The Starks had come in clean and proper, their troops merely weary and muddy from a long journey. However, Kermit had instructed his troops to keep the blood on their armours and swords. In a sea of unbloodied and green northmen, the blood of the enemies would be a powerful symbol to show the sacrifices made by the riverlanders and the power of the Tullys. 

“My king.” He said with a smile. “It is good to finally see the man we put on the throne.”

“The responsibilities of a ruler are many, and much will be asked of you. Know that you will always have the support of the Tullys and the riverlands. Some will come asking for favours, others will even dare to come with demands.” 

Though he spoke in earnest, his words were meant just as much for the boy king as they were for the Starks and others still in the room. 

“Many men had to die in this war. Many I had to kill myself.” He continued as he dramatically gripped the hilt of his bloodied sword. “Wealthy nobles, powerful lords, intimidating men… or women” He said as he shot a quick glance at Sela Stark. “will use their power to sway you. As you consider justice and peace in the realm, consider too who are truly deserving of the favour of His Grace.”

The Northmen host had warmly welcomed and celebrated the Lads as the two armies linked up but for Kermit a certain tension remained. The green men and boys that missed out on their chance for battle seemed jealous of the riverland soldiers, but none seemed to understand the losses that they suffered. The Lads had not become commanders by choice but by inheritance. Entire villages were burnt down and entire families slaughtered. However, this was not what had worried Kermit. Too late for the war, the Starks would soon be in King’s Landing to do as they see fit, backing up their demands with their army. The young Tully lord had little experience in politics, but he would make sure that he would receive what he deserved.