Maegor's Holdfast, The Red Keep
The city's defence following the torching of the walls seemed to have worked, with the Crakehalls that were inside being cut off from those outside, and with only two gates on which to exit...it didn't seem like the remaining forces within the city would last long, and the others were not indeed happy with what was going on, the sight of dragons enough to put fear back into the hearts of the soldiers, as Willas half-expected. That said, Willas knew the reality of the city in the aftermath of the walls taking fire, and that thousands of people were now dead, Reachman, Crownlander and Westerman. The people were already angry enough, but this would only make things far, far worse. The order to retreat the majority of the Retinues of the Reach deeper within the city had not been an easy choice to make, but it would at least let the city rot itself away, and the rioting minimize the damage against the Reach's forces that had pulled back. It would soon be street-by-street fighting, and it would be a need to quell this, though more soldiers were needed, soldiers that could come from an array of sources, be it the men of Tarth, or the Yunkish mercenaries.
Willas himself had cleaned up the blood on his armour, and had been detached from the rest of the Kingsguard, commanding Owain's forces in the field, and through the tight alleys, playing their tactical advantage. They had no ability to press the Westerman rout however, that would come down to the soldiers from Tarth that Willas had heard so much about- a Raven suggesting that they were now half a day's sailing away, and could sail straight up the Blackwater Rush, to intercept the retreating Westermen heading down the Goldroad, not north however. No doubt they would find it easy to cut those forces up going that way, but any coherent force that remained, such as Kevan's or Gerald's commanded forces would no doubt want to at least give themselves more land to run across, rather than a short-route back home. They had no idea of the mercenaries that were coming, and even at the same time, it felt that there was no real victory here today. The fleets closing in on King's Landing...it seemed that playing the bluff that they had no eyes on the sea had worked, Willas guessed, yet it was only a counterbalance, not a total victory. Though of course, he had still no idea of what had happened by the Dragonpit, and that all he knew, was that Drogon was now in flight, his distant scream audible from afar. The Tyrell had to visit Garland, he said to himself, in the aftermath of all of this, to establish what the hell was even going on. To find him at Maegor's Holdfast was the aim, and he knew full well that it was not all good news to present to him.
Coming in, Willas looked around, down at Garland again, a few of their guards mingling around as they kept an eye outside the holdfast.
"Uncle, it's good to see you again, I'd imagine you're here to tell me bad news if you're not busy commanding. Last I heard, the Crakehalls are divided, and some are routing." Garland simply said, shaking his head as Willas took a seat.
"Aye, but the city is in turmoil. It is hardly a moment of itself. Nobody won this fight. We're running out of time."
"I've thought it over. What in Seven Hells we're doing. I am of no use to anyone here. Advice, maybe. But politically, this city does not need me. I think we try something different."
"And what is that, Garland? We've set fire to the walls, killed thousands...we've given all we can, now what?" Willas said, as Garland looked at the Rose, and the note embedded within the central petals.
"I leave for Highgarden, but I'm going via Rhaenyra and Baela. They headed for the Stepstones, to get away from this mess. As for what they know, they did all they could to help...but we've got to solve these problems of ours. It will not change if I stay. By the time I return, I'll have recovered, and had her hand with mine." Garland said, as Willas shook his head, taking it off-beat at first.
"You mean, you're giving this up? What about me, Garland...this city will fall apart if we all go!" He said, as Garland looked back, clearing his throat.
"Not all of us, you are needed here after all! I want you to continue commanding, and you'll keep the Reachman contingent with you. Don't think this is a total withdrawal. But look around. I think I can pass my Handship to someone else. In fact...what was that handmaiden's brother, that Stanton? Hmm....considering I wouldn't think Lord Owain would do a good job...perhaps a man such as him might be what this capital needs in these times of strife." Garland said, his voice confident, growing a little towards his role, though it seemed like it only was cracking through in these moments.
"Theo Stanton? He's a good lad, but not a commander or a politician, he's a minor Lord's son!"
"Then he is Hand in my Stead, if he wants it. Someone who will do as I say, and will not go crazy with his power, lest he have his head taken by you. If he doesn't accept, give it to Jullon Tully as a stead...if he can't be a Kingsguard, then he can command, and hold authority in my absence. He'll bend the knee when I come back...actually, I don't think he has a knee to bend. Well, he'll have somewhere to sit and do something productive rather than lying in bed all day, like myself."
"I see, it's ambitious, that is, if you can keep that in check. You're sure?"
"Confident. You did a good job to help me. But you're right. No point trying to be a hero and hold this city together when the last thing it needs is a nice haired Lord like myself. It just needs someone to be active enough to rule the city, and deal with whatever comes attached." Garland chuckled, as he did stroke his long lock aside that hung over his face.
"A minor Reachman, as a Hand of the King. Well, it won't command respect, but if the Kingdoms are too paranoid of their own wellbeing, I suppose it won't go amiss until the end of these wars." Willas said, making his astute comment as the noise of what could unmistakably be the Targaryen's beast of a sigil made it's call outside.
Willas heard the shriek of Drogon, and it was close. In fact, it was in the courtyard, and already, he was standing. This wasn't good. Royce and Footly were there to get Aerys out of their on Drogon's back, out of the Dragonpit...yet it didn't sound good at all.
"Shit...I don't like that, Drogon isn't happy..." He stood, Willas looking across to Garland, as he heard the noise getting louder and louder. Running out, Garland watched on at his Uncle, a litle unsure of what the hell all of this meant.
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It was there that Willas Tyrell found Aerys on the door of the Grand Keep, and already, he was moving fast. The boy looked like the life was leaving him...he had a head wound, and another wound in his side, a sharp one. He was a boy, it would be a miracle if he survived this...then again, so had Garland, so had Jullon, after all that they had gone through. Looking down at him, he cursed, knowing he had already passed out, or worse still, passed away. A couple of the Tyrell guards followed Willas, but in that moment, he knew he had failed, or at least, he hadn't been there to stop what had happened. Looking down at Aerys, he cursed, looking at the young boy, in his black armour, dying right here. It wasn't the first time that Willas had to do this, he said to himself, as he reached over and picked him up, knowing it wasn't the blood loss that would kill him. He had to get him inside, to a Maester, no matter what. The boy may have had some traits that did not seem normal, but this was his King, and Willas and his guard knew exactly what that meant for them. If they had thoughts about what was going on after what Garland had said, it didn't matter, not for now.
"Men, find a Maester, now! We haven't got long!"
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Aerys's body now sat on a bed in the Holdfast, and even Garland had to say he felt better than the King right now, what with the fact that he could at least rest a little weight on his feet, though he wasn't going anywhere easily. Maesters were clustered around the King, and even the Kingsguard who had saved two lives knew that they had a far better abillity to judge what the hell had happened. His wounds had stopped, and it seemed that there was still life in the boy, albeit, he was incapable, and not moving at all, in a deep sleep, somehow removed from the reality that was around him. Garland knew it was not good, and the evening had closed in on the city outside, with the majority of the forces pulling back The city was in turmoil, and it was filled with unrest, apart from certain sectors that had been relatively peaceful yet swarmed with Reachmen.
"Well, now what?" Willas said to Garland, the Reach Lord fixated on the sight of Aerys . He didn't know what to say to Willas. Right now, they could kill Aerys, they could send the guard in, and murder their King, right here, right now. It would barely take a minute, that they could have the Boy-King gone and Garland as the only person that could rule in the absence of Rhaenyra and Baela, with a throne to himself, and not a single figment of power that could oppose that. Of course, the people would be angry, but it would take mere deception to tell the people that the King was just comotose still, and that Garland Tyrell was the King's Regent, and in all but name, King of the Seven Kingdoms. It would be so easy to do that, so simple, so effective, so...stupid. It was a way of placing the Seven Kingdoms into total anarchy, and that eventually, a facade like that could crack. It would be so easy to suspect the Tyrells of orchestrating it, that no matter what they said. Even if Aerys was said to be alive, it had served no wonders when he did not walk the streets, so it would be no different now. It would be a difficulty, and in the long run, keeping their options open, not acting on impulse, would work.
"Well, it's the same. Except well, we have no King that is concious. He'll learn of it either when we win the war, or by the time we make our decision. Poor Aerys...you did all you could, that you have to know." Garland replied, as Willas shook his head.
"Footly and Royce are dead, as far as I've heard the men say. Seven fucking Hells, Garland, now what?"
"You're the only man who protects the King, and the new Commander of the Kingsguard. So I'd get people in. You know the drill." Garland replied, as Willas himself stood, looking across.
"I'll do what I can. Not sure who, but the finest Knights of the Realm made a good choice to stay well away from King's Landing, it seems. I've called up Theo to the Keep, so he should be coming soon. As for the Knights, I'll work something out." Willas said, as the younger of the two Reachmen nodded, as he sat up in his chair, looking at Aerys. He sighed, knowing that whatever the hell was going to happen in the capital, it had to go onto someone's shoulders, and soon enough, they would have to bear a hell of a lot of unrest to keep things in order. It seemed that Willas had a lot on his mind already, and talking to Garland, he only knew that they had to work something out here, something that would eventually yield the city back to some sanity.
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Theo walked into the Holdfast with his helmet in hand all of his armour and face covered in soot from the fires that were still raging through the city. He was slightly coughing trying to take in as much of the clean air as he could, that was in the massive hall. He then noticed Garland and Willas talking to each other, close to a teen on a bed surrounded by maestors. Theo didn't notice the face but he figured that it could only be the new King. A tired sigh left Theos lips as he thought about this battle being for nothing if he died. "Ser." A quiet voice cherped up behind him. Theo looked around to see his squire with a bowl of water and a flannel floating on top. "I thought you might want to clean your face before you met Lord Tyrell." Theo let out a little laugh towards his young squire.
"Well Benn you do love to keep up my appearance don't you." He grabbed the rag out of the bowl and wiped his face quickly. "Thank you Benn." Theo smiled as he contined to clean his face and fill his hands with water and poured it on his head pushing all of his dirty blonde hair back. His two swords sat at his hip one of his hands went to lean on one of them, "Two more things Benn, will you just be able to go and get me some water that I can drink the battle as made me rather thirsty. The next give my swords a quick clean why I talk to Lord Tyrell and Ser Willas." Theo unbuckled the swords and handed them off. "I'll see you later." Theo smiled and then turned away and walked over to the two Tyrells. "I'm sorry to interupt your conversation my Lord but I was told you were asking for me?"
Garland and Willas both looked at Theo, watching on as he entered the room, cleaning the dust off his face and pushed his blonde hair back. It was still very Reachman like, and no doubt, Garland could tell that he had fought hard on the front. He was a good soldier, and while he was young, the Lord Tyrell could remember he was just as young when he was offered the spot. Youth did not carry wisdom with it, but then again, these were not conventional times, and the men of wisdom were dying very, very quick, it seemed.
"Ah, Theo Stanton. We did indeed ask for you." Garland said, as he sat up in his chair, Willas walking over to inspect Aerys again, still comotose as he had been hours ago, as Garland looked at the blonde-haired Stanton, his sapphire-coloured armour shining in the torch-lit Holdfast, the brushed armour truly a work of art. It seemed that Robert had the right ideas in mind, Garland said to himself mentally.
"I heard you did a good job out there, it seems the odds favour us today. The Crakehalls are broken in morale, and we've managed to win this fight?" Garland asked, as he shook his head, before Theo had the chance to reply.
"Well, I would imagine that's the response I'd know you would want to give, but the reality is that there is a greater war out there to win, and a city in peril. I hear there was dragonfire...but that traitorous scumbag, Gerald Crakehall, was already able to burn the High Septon. Alas. I think you're going to be very interested in what I have to offer. Before we continue on, some Arbor?" Garland asked, as he leaned in the chair, trying not to put pressure on his side, as he looked at Theo, knowing he was indeed, tired and out of the fire that had happened out there. No doubt the Dragonfire would have left him visually scarred, and it had been a hard fight out there.
Theo took a few moments to take in everything that Garland had just said. He was instantly intrigued at this offer that Garland had mentioned. "Yes..." Theo realized he'd taken quite a while to answer Garlands question. "Yes I'd love some of wine, thank you my Lord."
Garland nodded, as he sat up, Willas walking back over as Garland gave a simple nod. With that, they filled up two goblets, as Garland grabbed his, sipping it down a little provincially at first.
"Well....I think your service to the Reach is one we can both agree, works well. You're probably one of the more capable commanders and individuals that we have on our side, in this capital here. I remember being your age, when I was told I could be the Hand of the King to Aegon, Tenth of his Name." Garland said, as he cleared his throat, drinking a little more wine down as he put it back on the table next to him.
"I'm going back to Highgarden to finish this war, and I want you to be the Hand of the King, in my stead. To run this capital, and to be the Reach's Hand over these Seven Kingdoms until I return." The way that he said it was clear, crisp and daunting almost, straight after a little wine, his thoat did not mince a word, as he looked at the 19-year old, his squire behind quietly cleaning his swords.
"You're a lot like me, so I see that in you. Second son, never expecting to ever have even a plot of your own land, let alone the Heirdom of a Lordship.......so I suppose it'll come to a shock to you why I give you this offer, so much power for a little while. I would say you have time to think, but honestly, time is short. You don't entirely know how this game will work, but you know exactly who you are...and it's exactly why you're perfect to do this while I'm gone. To keep the peace, to keep things running while I go. For a little while...be among the most powerful men in this Realm." Garland added, as he didn't even sip his wine to that, a little quiet turning back to conversations in the Holdfast, as the Tyrell waited for Theo's response. It was perhaps an overstatement, but it did have truth to it, the Hand in Garland's stead would still hold some power, albeit a provisional, temporary one, more administrative than policy-making.
Garland's words had taken the breath out of Theo. He grabbed the goblet off the table and stared into the wine for a few seconds. He took a sip and the sip turned into a mouthful, Theo didn't realize how thirsty he actually was. "My Lord... I don't know what to say... Are you sure I'm the right person to rule King's Landing?"
"The others are dying, or unable. You're worthy." Garland simply said, as Willas nodded.
"If you aren't willing, then it goes to some other Noble that doesn't support anyone's interests, and that would leave your House far out of influence if the Reach's declined with it." Willas made his comment, as Garland nodded in response, the Young Rose looking back at Theo.
"The city out there is about to destroy itself, not unless someone does something actively, and I can't right now, not when I have recovery and a whole Kingdom to mobilize, going the long way home. It needs fresh blood, a stern commander and fighter, not a wounded Lord. Willas is protecting the King, and he'll also take your head if you decide to even wield the power in a way that betrays where you come from. But you'll do fine, lad." Garland added, a confident remark, one that he knew would at least be right in making. The decision-making behind it all was to him, one that could go wrong, but if it did, it wouldn't be his head on a pike this time round. Theo was capable of this, Garland was certain, he wasn't an idiot and he wasn't willing to play with fire to get his duty done, he may have been inexperienced, but all the experience in the world wouldn't tell you how to quell an angry mob...that only came from strength, confidence and co-ordination, and right now, Garland couldn't actively plan that out. It was the most important job in the realm, going to one of the most inexperienced. Total madness....well, to that madness there was some reason, and Garland knew that perhaps it would genuinely work out for Theo, hopefully at least.
"Remember, it's temporary. When I return, you will be rewarded appropriately. I would believe that the lines on the map need to be redrawn after this war ends as a little way of reminding Tyget he's not richer than the Seven, and Yellowmoor is on the frontier of the Reach with the Westerlands, correct? I would assume you'd like a few more fiefs, and if you serve the Reach faithfully, you'll get far, far more than you could want in power. Do you want what is best for our Realm, to quell those masses, or do you wish for some foreigner to let it all implode into fire and ash?" Garland's voice was sometimes provincial, but it seemed like he was political, and it held a weight, his voice reasoning, though the cynicism that came from growing up faster than usual and having to resign to the fact he wasn't walking and fighting as he once could for the moment being something that perhaps still pulled him down.
"Our King is injured, and we're going to help him. You're capable of that."
It was all happening so quick, Theo listened in silence trying to take in everything that Garland and Willas talked about. He was taken back the casual remark from Garland talking about getting beheaded. The last of the wine in Theo's goblet was finished in one massive gulp. "I am yours to command my Lord. I'm very honoured that you believe I am up for the task." He let out a smile to himself, not knowing that the Lord of the Reach and a member of the Kingsguard held him in such a high regard that they believed he might be able to manage the city. "And yes some of my Land does border the Westerland's, I wouldn't say no to expanding the borders." A little chuckle left his mouth, "I don't think anyone would say no to owning a gold mine!" Theo went silent for a second, the smile left his face. He'd almost forgotten about the battle. "I Just hope I can do right by the people." Clear memories of the battle flashed in his mind. The screams already haunted him. Theo knew he would never forget the screams as people on both sides of the war were being burned alive by dragonfire.
Garland nodded, knowing that while Theo was a lowly Knight, his work in this fight had yielded results, and whilst it was a minor part, it was greater than the proprtion given by Tumbleton, or any of the other Reachmen in the capital. It was enough to justify it, and compared to other Lords, it would work as a nice arrangement. Perhaps he would be unstable, but it would be enough to keep a Reachman in the position for the time being.
"You will, you're a man of the Reach, a man of the Seven, and a Knight, after all. You do wrong, and we all know Willas will do what he has to, after all!" Garland chuckled, as Willas gave a slightly less stern chuckle, everyone aware that it would of course, never come to that, not unless Theo did do something stupid.
Sitting up, he pulled the brass emblem from his side, above his bandage, and placed it onto the table, as he looked over at Theo.
"Well then. Looks like your work begins quickly. No time to waste, you best get to work on ruling this fair city....and when all of these Seven Kingdoms begin writing, tell them they now serve Aerys, Third of his Name, and the Hand of the King, Ser Theo Stanton, in the stead of Lord Garland Tyrell. Quell the riots, rebuild, restore the peace, use whatever coffers you have to use to get that done, and get the organization restored. Once that's done, the war will wage for a couple more months, and then we'll see Tyget's justice delievered, and hopefully, Aerys will be back." Garland added, as he sighed, shaking his head.
"You'll have to make some difficult choices. But remember, you're here for the good of the Reach, and your family's honour. You'll be the greatest Stanton to have lived so far if you keep your head off a spike. I'll bet you'll make it." Garland added, as Willas helped him up, another one of Garland's guards walking over to take his weight, Garland standing but his weight mostly off his feet, his body still weak...almost able to walk with a limp now, but he stil felt a strong ache in his chest.
"We'll have our things packed and be gone within the hour. So I would suggest you begin looking over the documents in the Hand's Tower, and restoring the peace, street by street, row by row, and making something of this. Get to work quickly, get some rest when you need it, but keep your strength for a little longer. The Dornishmen will help you, they support Aerys, and the Riverlands and Vale should soon be on side. The North will never be an ally, and as for any Stormlander, we're allied to them now. The Tarthmen will sweep up the rest of the retreating Crakehalls, so for now, I'm letting Willas command the city's remaining forces, and you an use them as best as you can." Garland stood, as one of his guards helped him, the two looking to Theo, as the Tyrell knew that it would now be on Theo's shoulders, if he was taking this forward. The green, gold and white tunic that Garland wore was clean, freshly washed it seemed and not like Theo's sapphire-blue armour, covered in a fine layer of soot, ash and blood, one that was now being worn by a man who Garland had to just put his trust into.
"So, I'm guessing going for a nice warm bath wouldn't be the smartest of ideas right now." Theo let out a small chuckle trying to make himself not look as nervous as he was actually feeling. "I'm going to get men to sweep the city, round up any surviving Crakehall men. Try and see if we can put out those fires, as soon as possible. I don't want my temporary reign as hand known for everyone dying from the fires and the smoke." Theo watched as Garland placed a small piece of brass on the table that represented so much in Westeros. He watched Garland struggling to get up, "Do you need any help getting to the docks?"
Garland shook his head, as he looked to his guard, before back at Theo.
"I'll be alright, thanks. Path should be clear for us, we've kept it explicitly open. Willas can handle the affairs of the soldiers and protect you, so you make sure you get the work that the Hand does to keep this bloody place from falling apart." Garland said, resting his feet on the floor a little, smiling at Theo.
"Theo Stanton, you are now the Hand of the King in my absence. You are the single most powerful man of your dynasty, you are sharing a title that Jon Arryn, Ned Stark, Tywin Lannister, Jamie Tyrell, and I have all had in common. We've kept our heads so far, so I'll trust that you'll follow the Reach's example." Garland said, leaving the Hand's brass with Theo on the table, as the rest of the Young Rose's men began gathering supplies, as he looked back once more, just before they left. Willas kept an eye inside, as Garland looked back. Garland had even made provisions about that gift for Baela, and while it was a two-fold gift, he had something a little more immediate in mind, in his supplies.
"You seem like a good lad....I'll tell you what Alerie told me. Try not to die."
As Garland headed towards the door, Theo shouted to him just before he left. All laughter had left his voice and the pain was clear in it. "Kill the dragons my Lord."
Garland had just heard it, and did not respond, as they headed out of the Holdfast, the Reach Lord knowing he would travel down with the next convoy to the Harbour, to board a ship for home....via the Stepstones and a couple of other locations, that was. The fate of the Kingdoms was now in some Lord's son's hands, and while Garland knew that Theo was unexpected, so was he. It was time to return the favour, and as silly as it would seem, he knew it was a plan that would ultimately work out for everyone involved, even Theo too. Well, apart from the Crakehalls, Garland thought to himself, as he was brought to the carriage. It would be a long wait, but they would soon leave, and be headed on an unmarked ship to join with the Redwyne Fleet, before heading south on the Narrow Sea, weeks from home, and weeks away from it all. "Kill the Dragons?" Garland didn't get it....well, perhaps he was scarred, he thought more and more about it, but at the same time, he didn't take it seriously. Not right now, at least.
Inside, Willas turned to Theo, the two Reachmen left to watch Garland leave, as Willas looked over at Benn, and the swords he was almost finished cleaning, before looking back at Theo.
"You're at least going to use the one of the fucking things soon with the way it looks... should be interesting to see a Hand fight a bit more often than usual. The city's got a few fires to put out, and they aren't just all flames." Willas's remark was not an empty one, knowing that if it came to it, Theo would be down in the city, and not just ruling from afar, if it did come to it...and Willas could only guess that a necessity would force that back into the young, blonde-haired Stanton to do a little more than Garland did in his tower.
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