Chapter 28 Tyrion

Bronn was right that it was some foolish thing that set the wildfire off, but it wasn't done by one of his men, or any of the gold cloaks, and any Lannister guards. It was Stannis' men, and it all happened quite by accident. Bronn had guessed right about one thing. Petyr Baelish had told Stannis about some secret ways into the city. He knew one spot in particular, a small hidden door concealed by stone and brush near the shore by the Iron Gate. This information partially helped Stannis decide to attack there in the first place. A picked party of thirty men were selected to find the door, get in, and get up and inside to take the party of gold cloaks by the Iron Gate by surprise and open the gates before anyone knew what had happened. It might have worked except for two things. The men got lost once inside. And the two commanders in charge hated each other. One was a Stannis man and a lover of the Lord of the Light. The other was a former Renly man and a follower of the Seven.

"It's this way," said the Renly man to the Stannis man as they came to a fork in the tunnels. One led left and one led right but they were hopeless lost already and had no idea where the Iron Gate was.

"No, it's this way," said the Stannis man with the fiery heart on his breast plate armor. They stood stooped in the cramped tunnels, lit torches held by several men giving them light.

"Piss off that way if you want," the Renly man snarled. "Bugger you and your Lord of Light."

"His Grace will hear about this insolence!"

"Good," said the Renly man. "Me and the lads got grievances. Now piss off." With that he and half the men turned to the left and the Stannis man cursed at them and then led the other half of the group to the right.

The Renly man's group moved fast and then found some stairs and climbed a bit and then came to a long cool tunnel made of solid brick. It was higher and they could stand upright and had plenty of head room here. At the end of the tunnel was a small light. As they approached someone shouted to them.

"Halt!"

"It's all good," said the Renly man. "The Imp sent us down here to relieve you lads."

There were two guards in Lannister colors, outside a thick door. They had a heavily shield lamp for their only light and they peered in the gloom trying to see who was coming down the tunnel.

"You fools!" shouted one suddenly. "Put out those torches!"

"Right," said the Renly man and then two spears were flung down the tunnel and the two guards were skewered and dropped with screams. The men ran up and finished them off with sword blows.

"This must be the way up into the city, lads," said the leader after they finished dragging the bodies aside. "Why else would they guard the door?"

It took three of them to turn the large rusting handle on the door and open it. The leader held up his torch and looked inside and saw a large vaulted room with many clay pots.

"Fuck, it's just some storage room."

"What is it?" asked another eagerly. "Gold?"

"No," said the leader as he moved his torch closer to one of the pots. "Just filled with some green shit. It's dripping out everywhere." And that was the last thing he ever said. His torch's heat lit the first pot of green wildfire and it exploded in his face and sprayed more on the man beside him. As they screamed in agony the other men tried to flee back down the tunnel and more pots began to cook off. Soon the room was a raging conflagration. Just as a secret trap was triggered above to release a ton of sand into the vault, the wildfire reached critical stage and the whole mess of several thousand pots exploded in one flash of fiery hell.

The sand prevented some of the force and fire getting out but in their haste to please the Queen the pyromancers had made too much of the stuff and had made it very well, their skills never as good in so long. The potent brew and poor shielding led to a disaster. The explosion ripped up and out through the street running from the Iron Gate to the Red Keep. High into the air the force and fire came like an enraged green demon. Many pots on fire, but not yet exploded, went arching high into the air, across the city, over the walls and into the sea and down by the Iron Gate where Stannis' army was trying to force the gate.

On top of the drum tower of the Red Keep Tyrion Lannister saw it all happen. They were just cheering as a large stone hit one of Stannis' ships down below when the catastrophe struck.

Joffrey was leaning far over the battlements, looking over at the ocean side, with Ser Boros and Ser Meryn standing near him trying to convince him to be careful, when the explosion happened. The King just had time to say, "Oh!" when the blast of wind hit him and his two bodyguards. With yells the three of them went into the air and over the walls.

"The King!" yelled Ser Arys as the blast buffeted him and slammed him into the battlements. Podrick and Tyrion and Lancel and the catapult crew were not so close and only got shaken up and knocked to their knees. As Podrick helped Tyrion up he looked in awe at the green column of smoke and fire that was rising into the air as high as the tower they were on. One pot of wildfire came hurtling towards them but it just cleared the far side of their tower and went off towards the sea below.

"The King!" Ser Arys yelled again and then Tyrion realized something very bad had happened. He rushed to where Ser Arys was looking.

"The King went over!" he said in anguish. "Ser Meryn and Ser Boros are gone as well."

Tyrion could not believe it for a second and then he knew it had to be true. Joffrey was no where in sight and Ser Boros and Ser Meryn were also gone. And he instinctively knew all three of them were dead. Well, he thought, that solved his Joffrey problem. Problems. For just a millisecond he felt a touch of guilt for feeling glad his nephew was dead and then he remembered what a cruel little shit he was and that someday someone would have to kill him anyway before his cruelty destroyed the kingdoms. Better he fell in battle defending the realm.

Then Lancel was by his side and so was Podrick. All four of them looked and could see nothing but the rocks and sea below and the ships filling the bay.

"We have to get down there!" Lancel shouted at Tyrion.

"The King is dead," Tyrion told him calmly. "No one could survive that."

"He's right," said Ser Arys reluctantly. "We have failed in our duty." Then he stood straight and tall. "Prince Tommen is king now. We must go to him and give him this news."

"Say nothing to anyone," Tyrion warned them. "Let me do the talking or we'll have a panic."

"Too late, my lord," said Podrick. Far out in the city fires were already spreading and the people were running for their lives. Down by the Iron Gate Tyrion could just make out a large crowd fleeing from Flea Bottom and surging towards the Iron Gate. Slynt was down there with almost three thousand gold cloaks, on the walls, and behind the gate. But soon they would be outnumbered ten to one, inside and outside.

"It is time to go," Tyrion quietly told them. He looked at the catapult crew. "Why have you stopped firing? Get to work!"

The men just gapped at him. "But, my lord," said one. "The King…"

"The King is dead," Tyrion told him. "But Prince Tommen is the new king and the city is still at war and you have your duty. See to it."

"Yes, my lord!"

The men were loading the catapult as Tyrion, Lancel, Pod, and Ser Arys left the tower.

"What do we do?" Lancel asked once they were inside the tower stairway.

"Where is Tommen?" Tyrion asked Ser Arys, ignoring Lancel for the moment.

"In Maegor's holdfast with the Queen and the high born ladies of the city."

"That is where we go," Tyrion told him. "Pod, you get to my quarters. Find Shae. Take her to the spot we discussed. Lord Varys should be there already. And please tell him to wait for us before he dashes off to save his own hide."

"We're running?" Lancel asked, as if it was shameful to do such a thing.

"No, dear cousin," Tyrion told him, with more than a hint of irritation in his voice. "We are securing the future of the kingdom. With Joffrey lost, all depends on Tommen now. This city will fall. There is nothing we can do about that now. And Stannis is welcome to the pile of stinking humanity, if there is anything left of it by morning. Come if you wish or stay and fight. I am going."

Tyrion didn't wait for an answer he just started down the stairs again and he knew the rest were following. A long time later, through many corridors, across courtyards and a drawbridge to the Maegor's holdfast, they came to the room where Cersei was attempting to be civil to the high born ladies of the city. As soon as Tyrion came into the room she walked with steady strides right over to him, Ser Preston and Ser Mandon right behind her.

"What was that noise?" she asked right away. "It shook the very foundations of this castle."

"That was my…our…wildfire out of control," Tyrion told her. She stared at him with wide eyes. Then she saw who was with him, and who wasn't, and she turned her attention to Ser Arys.

"Where is the King?"

"Your Grace," Ser Arys began, but he could not say it.

"The explosion, Your Grace," Lancel told her, not looking her in the eye. "He was leaning over the battlements…the force…"

"He fell into the sea," Tyrion finally said.

Cersei stood there and the look on her face was shock, Tyrion knew. This was much worse than when he told her father had died. "He fell…into the sea?" she repeated. "But…"

"No, Cersei," Tyrion said as gently as he could. "It is over one hundred feet high. If he did hit the water and lived, he was wearing heavy armor. It would take him under."

Cersei's fell back into a chair and her face seemed to be crumbling and she was on the verge of losing total control. Tyrion grasped her left hand tight. For once she didn't recoil from his touch. "We must maintain our composure," Tyrion told his sister in a whisper. "The city is in a panic, sister. The people are fleeing. The gates will soon be opened by them and Stannis' army will pour through. The city will fall. We must protect Tommen and get him out of here."

With this her eyes lit up and she stood. "Yes. Where is Tommen? Tommen!" The little boy came running over to them.

"Yes, mother?" he asked and she hugged him tight.

"Tommen my son, my…prince. We are going."

"Where?"

"With Uncle Tyrion," she told him. "I will explain later. Come."

"One at a time," Tyrion said. "We don't want to cause a panic. Lancel, go first."

Lancel left, and then Ser Arys soon after. After a moment Tyrion decided it was time for rest to go. As they were about to leave some ladies came over to ask for news and Tyrion told them all was well. The King wanted to see his mother to share in the sight of Stannis' fleet burning and they were going up on the battlements to watch it all. A lie, of course, but Tyrion did not need a mass of panicky women following him through the tunnels. They had a better chance of surviving in here anyway. The Red Keep was surrounded by a moat as was the holdfast. It was solid stone. They might be raped later, but at least they wouldn't burn. Then he noticed Ser Ilyn Payne standing by a wall like a statute with his executioner's sword on his back.

"What is he doing here?" Tyrion asked Cersei.

"Guarding us," she answered as she griped Tommen's hand.

"Then he can stay and guard them. Time to go."

Ser Preston marched ahead of them and with Ser Mandon behind they walked out the doors. Twenty long minutes later they inside the Red Keep's lowest levels. Already waiting for them was Varys and Shae and Podrick.

"Your Grace," Varys said solemnly to Cersei. "I have heard the dreadful news. You have my condolences."

Cersei stared at him. "We don't know if he is dead. He only fell."

"Yes, Your Grace," Varys replied. "Anything is possible. Come, we must hurry."

But Cersei stopped them and looked at Shae. "Who is she?"

"My serving girl," Varys told her quickly. "Her name is Shae. I could not leave the poor thing behind for Stannis' men to abuse."

"Introductions can surely wait," Tyrion snapped in irritation. "Unless you all wish to wait for the city to fall."

Varys pressed on a stone by a torch bracket and a door swung in next to it. Varys took the torch in the bracket and went inside first. It was a narrow fit and Varys and the Kingsguards men barely squeeze through. Once inside, Varys closed the door behind them. He then handed torches to Pod and Lancel and lit them.

"Ser Arys, go first behind Lord Varys," Tyrion told him. "Lancel and Pod stay close to the Tommen and the Queen and…what was your name?"

"Shae," she said to him with pursed lips.

"Yes, Shae," Tyrion replied. "Stay in the middle. Ser Preston and Ser Mandon form our rear guard."

"Come," Varys said. "It is far to walk but it is safe under here."

"The Iron Gate is not an option now," Tyrion reminded Varys as they walked. "The Lannister army is near the Lion Gate."

"Then we shall go there," Varys answered.

"Where are we?" Tommen asked as they kept walking.

"Under the city," his mother replied. "We are going to find your uncle Jaime and Ser Kevan. They will help us win."

"Where is Joffrey?"

"He's…he's still fighting," Cersei told him.

No one spoke after that for a while, except for Varys to tell them to turn here or wait here. They went up stairs, and down stairs, through archways and old and rusted doors that squealed in protest when opened. Then Tyrion sniffed and smelled smoke.

"Fire is somewhere down here," he said in worry. Soon they all smelled it and they could see the smoke coming from a tunnel ahead.

"That leads toward the Iron Gate," Varys told him. "We must get by here quickly or we will suffocate."

They picked up the pace and were almost running. The smoke was getting thicker and was soon causing them to cough and set their eyes streaming with tears. At last they made it past the spot and the air began to get clearer. Tyrion began to feel they would escape when suddenly there was a shout behind them and he heard the clash of steel on steel.

"Run!" Tyrion told Cersei and she needed no encouragement, as she and Shae and Tommen ran forward. Ser Arys stopped and Tyrion glared at him. "Stay with the Prince!"

Tyrion and Pod and Lancel turned back and saw Ser Preston and Ser Mandon fighting in the narrow tunnel. Two men lay dead at their feet in seconds. Tyrion ran back to them and looked at the dead men in his torch light. They both had the fiery heart on their armor.

"Stannis' men," he said.

"How did they get here?" Lancel asked in worry.

"Never mind that," Tyrion told him. "Let us get away before more come."

They moved back to where Lord Varys had waited for them. They were in a small circular room and five doors led off it. Varys pointed to them one by one. "Old Gate, Gate of the Gods, Lion Gate, Kings Gate, and Mud Gate. Each leads to a tunnel that comes to the walls. Then you walk inside the walls a bit and there is a hidden door to the outside."

"Lion Gate," Tyrion said at once. Then they could hear footsteps running from where they had come. Varys opened the door and went in and was quickly followed by Cersei and Tommen and Shae and Ser Arys.

Almost as soon as they were inside, six men burst into the circular room, all with the fiery heart on their armor. Tyrion had a small battleaxe and now dropped his torch to the ground and wielded his axe for the first time that day. Pod and Lancel took out their swords as well and the five met the six with a clash of steel. Tyrion ducked low and his adversary's sword swipe went over his head and he slashed at the legs of the man. The axe bit deep into the shin and calf and the man screamed in pain and fell and Tyrion smashed his axe into his chest but the armor protected him. The man tried to lift his sword for a counterattack but Pod was on him then and drove his sword into the man's face.

As Tyrion looked up, Ser Preston finished his man with an upswing of his sword which took the man under the chin and near cut his face off. Two still alive ran away. Just as they were congratulating themselves four arrows came into the room from the tunnel and one found Lancel in a weak spot in his armor under the right arm pit. He yelled in pain and collapsed and they dragged him to the side as more arrows came in. Then it was quiet for a moment, but down the tunnel they could here men whisper and planning

"Get Lancel out of here," Ser Preston said to Tyrion. "You three get away. Protect the Prince and the Queen. We will hold them here."

"Yes," Tyrion said at once, having no wish to end his days in a dark tunnel under this dismal city. He picked up his torch again and Pod lifted Lancel up. Ser Preston and Ser Mandon blocked the tunnel with their heavily armored bodies. More arrows came but bounced off their thick armor. They heard someone shout. "They're the bloody Kingsguard! The bastard king is down here! Get more men!"

Tyrion did not hear the rest. He and Lancel and Pod slipped into the Lion Gate door and Tyrion slammed it closed behind him. He had a strong feeling those two would die back there but that is what they asked for when they agreed to join the Kingsguard.

"I can walk," Lancel said, as they started up the tunnel.

"Good," Tyrion told his cousin, but they hadn't gone a hundred feet when Lancel sagged and dropped and Pod had to help him.

"I can't stand it," Lancel groaned as he fell once more. "Take the arrow out,"

"No, ser," Pod said at once. "It will bleed more. We need a maester."

They moved a bit more, and then they turned to the right and then to the left and passed a door and then they found Varys and Cersei and the others.

"Why have you stopped?" Tyron asked.

"The tunnel is blocked, my lord" Shae told him. In the flickering light Tyrion could see that many stones and earth had fallen into the tunnel.

"I suspected some construction above us," Varys said.

"Some idiot lord and his new manse," Cersei growled. Then she saw Lancel was injured.

"You were attacked?"

"Yes," Tyrion replied. "Our friends from Dragonstone have returned. Our gallant knights are protecting our rear but how long they can stand I know not."

"Go back," Varys said. "The door we passed leads to a certain one of Littlefinger's establishments. It is between the Lion Gate and the Gate of the Gods. We have to go the rest of the way through the streets."

In a few minutes they were climbing a short set of stairs and then came into a small room and then a larger one. The house was empty. Out on the streets they could see the flicking of the fires and smoke was in the air. Varys led them outside and Tyrion now saw the full extent of the damage. Fires raged everywhere and down the street people were fleeing. Smoke was in the air and they all starting having trouble breathing.

"This way," Varys said as he gasped for breathe. He led them towards the wall that Tyrion could now see ahead. They hurried directly to the wall and then they walked along it to the right. Varys was looking for something and then he found a spot on the wall and down at it's base he reached and he dug into the dirt. Tyrion held his torch close and Varys found a metal handle that was buried in the ground there.

"There is a small door here. We must dig around here," Varys said. Pod and Ser Arys got on their knees and dug with their helmets and swords. All the while the others waited anxiously, coughing from the smoke and looking back towards the city with worried eyes.

"It's all your fault," Cersei suddenly said to Tyrion. "You and you wildfire."

"Me?" he replied in indignation. "You, dear sister, started the pyromancers making it again."

"And you wanted it and I gave it to you!" she spat back. "Father warned you it was dangerous. But you had to have your way. Look what it has done! It has burned our capital and has given Stannis his victory! And...and...Joffrey. We must find him!"

"Cersei," Tyrion said quietly. "He's dead."

"He's not dead," Cersei retorted. "He is still King until we find his body."

"Who's not dead?" Tommen asked. "Mommy…who died? Is it grandpa?"

"No, my son…my prince…my love," she said, bending down to him with tears in her eyes. "Joffrey…he's missing…he got hurt."

Now Tommen started to cry as well. "Is he with Maester Pycelle?"

"I…I hope so," said Cersei. "He will take care of him."

She took Tommen in her arms and hugged him tight as if she never wanted to let go again.

Shae looked at Tyrion. "How are you, my lord?" she whispered.

"Tired," he said, as he looked out on the burning city. "Of all this. I just want to go somewhere where no one is fighting and the wine is sweet and I can sleep all day and…well, you know what I like to do all night."

"Yes, my lord."

"It's enough," Lord Varys said suddenly. He jumped down into the narrow pit they had dug, pushed on the door handle, then pushed in and it opened. The way was small and narrow and again Varys and Ser Arys had the most trouble getting through, but soon they were all inside the thick walls. Varys again led the way with a lit torch and soon they came to another door, and he pulled on its handle and it pulled in and fresh air came to them from outside. Varys squeezed through and then Cersei, Shae, and Tommen went, followed by Ser Arys and Pod helping Lancel out. Tyrion was last.

They staggered away from the walls, all of them tired from their ordeal. Tyrion looked for the army but it was nowhere in sight. Then he saw men coming towards them from along the walls to the north.

"Our men?" he asked Ser Arys.

"No," the knight said. "Stannis'. We are outnumbered, my lord. Best you and Pod run with the Prince."

"No…we…"

"And then I heard you shouting 'IMP'," Tyrion told Bronn as they sat in a tent getting very drunk. "And well, you know the rest."

"Aye," said the sellsword. "I still say my story is more exciting."

"All right, you win," Tyrion said and he filled Bronn's cup again. "Charging enemies on horseback, throwing wildfire over walls, and having a galley crash into a boat does seem more exciting then waddling my way through tunnels."

"At least you killed a man."

"No, Pod killed him. I just disabled him."

"How in fuck did they get down there in the first place?"

"I bet it was Baelish," Tyrion replied. "He may have known of some ways into the tunnels."

"The Queen can't refuse to hang him now."

"No, she can't."

Just then the tent flap opened and Tyrion could see night had fallen outside. It had been two days since the battle and they had not moved from near the first bridge. The army rested and prepared for more battle. Scouts had come in to say the large Lannister host from the west was not a day's march away now. Ser Gregor had returned with much booty and many high born prisoners and good horses from his defeat of Stannis' cavalry. They had found some supplies and intact tents back at the old camp. Even Shagga and Timett and the others had come back, a few less in number, but with some booty they had taken that Stannis' men had left behind when they had moved to their ships.

On a sad note, he learned Ser Jason was one of those who fell in the battle with Stannis' cavalry. His body was being prepared by the Silent Sisters to return to his family in the west. They had lost over a thousand men killed, and about the same number wounded, plus some prisoners, but not many were missing. Most of the casualties were in the cavalry.

As for the city, it burned all the next day after the battle and smoke filled the eastern horizon. Then on the second night heavy rains came and by morning the smoke was much less. As of yet there was no sign of Stannis' army. Scouts reported that some men were camped near the Lion Gate. There were calls for a sudden attack on them but Ser Kevan told them to wait and rest and recover. He also feared a trap and such a small force might be bait to draw them out.

As the tent flap opened Ser Preston came in. His armor was still dented but at least it was clean now. "The Queen," he said.

Cersei came in after him and stood there. Neither Tyrion or Bronn moved to get up or show her any courtesy. She snorted. "I should have known you two would be in your cups."

"Come, join us, dear sister," Tyrion said jovially. "I was just regaling Bronn with the story of our escape from the city."

"I need words with you Bronn," she said at once and Bronn and Tyrion both raised their eyebrows in surprise.

"Aye, Your Grace," he said and Tyrion was glad he had the sense to address her properly.

"Ser Jaime is reluctant to tell me how Joffrey was found," Cersei said as she remained standing. Then she took a deep breath. "I will have the truth of this."

"Ah, well, it's a bit gruesome," Bronn started and Tyrion winced.

"I want to know," she said again, with more force.

"As you wish, Your Grace," Bronn said and he drank from his cup once more and spoke. "His head was off, on a pike, stuck in the sand. His body was hung up on a crossed pole and Stannis set some brush at its foot on fire. Then the body burned. Last thing I saw."

Gods, he was so direct, Tyrion thought as he watched Cersei's face struggle to maintain its composure. Tyrion filled a cup of wine and handed it to her and she drank it swiftly and then stuck it out for more, still not saying a word. He filled her cup again and then Bronn stood and Cersei moved to his seat.

"Was he alive when they found him?" she finally asked.

"Don't know," said Bronn as he drank some more. "What I saw I told you. We found Ser Meryn. He hit the rocks and was a mess."

"Not a way a knight should die," Ser Preston commented.

"No, indeed not," said Tyrion, but he knew Ser Meryn was no true knight, a man who hit girls. Jaime had said the gods were paying him back and Tyrion had to agree.

Cersei was looking at Tyrion. "Is there any word from Harrenhal?"

"Ravens can't find us here," Tyrion said. "They would go to Pycelle in King's Landing. If he still lives."

"Pycelle," she said in disgust as she drank some more. "No doubt sitting beside Baelish on Stannis' new council."

"He is a maester," Tyrion reminded her. "He serves, does not follow."

"He followed father for years."

"I know. But if he lives he is under Stannis' power now."

"Then he will tell Stannis everything. He will know Myrcella is at Harrenhal."

"Uncle Kevan has already sent one thousand men to reinforce Harrenhal," Tyrion told her. "And the thousand with Ser Amory were to return there once they ran the Goat to ground. The Hound is there, Ser Robyn and his men are still there and the walls are high and thick. Myrcella is safe. No one will take Harrenhal."

She snorted. "You two took it, didn't you?"

"Aye, Your Grace," said Bronn. "But we got lucky. And only a few guards were there."

"I am returning to Casterly Rock," Cersei said suddenly.

Tyrion knew this was coming. "With the King?"

"Of course!" she snapped. The she stared at him hard. "You are no longer Hand of the King."

Tyrion expected it, and in his very drunken state he smiled. "Good," he said and that angered her.

"You failed the last King," she snarled. "I will not have you destroy Casterly Rock and my last son as well."

"No, I suppose that would not do. Tell me, Cersei, who will you convince Tommen to name as Hand?"

"Jaime."

Tyrion raised his eyebrows. "Oh, and Jaime will agree to this you think?"

"No," she said and then her demeanor changed and she smiled. "You will convince him to accept."

"Me? How? And better yet, why should I?"

She smiled in her sickly sweet way and he knew she had something up her sleeve. "If you don't I will bring formal charges of incompetence against you for burning the capital. You improperly stored the wildfire and your men were not trained properly." She looked at Bronn. "I suppose I should add your name to those charges."

Bronn had the sense not to reply but just stared at her and after a second she looked away.

"Now, dear brother," Cersei said as she stood. "Do what I ask and all will be well. Jaime must resign as Lord Commander. He must become Hand. He must come to Casterly Rock. Or I will see you and your pet here imprisoned or hanging from a gibbet. Your choice."

Tyrion grinned and then laughed and that angered her more but he was quicker off the mark and said what he had wanted to say for years. "You know Cersei, I have always known you were a cunt. How big a cunt, I never knew until now."

Her face turned red and she exploded. "You vile little worm!" she snarled and threw the remains of her wine in his face. She then turned and was gone and Ser Preston followed.

Bronn sat again as Tyrion wiped the wine from his face with a cloth. "More fun," Bronn said as he filled their cups again. "I think I will be gone by morning."

Tyrion snorted. "Fear not. She will be gone soon. She fears the loss of her last two children more than anything else. The last three Kingsguard will go with her to the Rock but Jaime will remain until the war is done. And he will never agree to be Hand. There will be plenty of time to run away later if needs be."

"Aye," Bronn said, but he brooded. "Blaming us for burning the city? She ordered the pigshit made in the first place."

"That's the trouble with Cersei," Tyrion replied. "She remembers things only as she wishes. Anything that doesn't fit into her version of events is easily forgotten. Especially if it would cast blame on herself."

"She is a cunt," Bronn said and they both had a long laugh about that.

Later as Tyrion lay on a hard thin mattress of straw on the floor of his small tent they had salvaged from the first camp, Shae came to him and made him feel better. As they lay there afterwards, they talked on many things.

"What do I do now?" Shae asked him after a while. "Soon, your sister will know who I really am."

"Not to worry she is leaving soon for the west. You can stay where you are if you enjoy being Lord Varys' serving girl."

"It is easy work. And he is very funny. We laughed all day today. Many people come and go and he is busy but he is still making me laugh."

"What secrets have you learned?"

"None. He is good at keeping secrets."

"Yes, he would be," Tyrion said. "I wonder if he still has people in King's Landing."

The next morning at the commander's meeting, Tyrion's question was answered. Lord Varys gave them a long report on conditions in the city. Everyone in the command group was present except Cersei and Tommen, who were preparing to leave for Casterly Rock this very day. That was good, Tyrion thought. He needed to speak to Jaime and his uncle about her. Alone.

"The fires are out at last," Lord Varys said to begin. "About two thirds of the city is in ashes. The Sept of Baelor is gone, as is Flea Bottom, and most of the Street of Steel and many other neighborhoods. The Red Keep suffered some minor damage but still stands."

"And what of Stannis' men?" Ser Kevan asked. "Did they loot and rape?"

"Only a little, my lord," Varys told him. "They were too busy fighting fires, controlling the panic. As for Stannis Baratheon, he has moved into the Red Keep. Already has had a septon crown him King on the Iron Throne. Apparently his red woman did not like this but Stannis insisted a septon do the rites to make it legitimate."

"We need do the same for Tommen," Jaime said at once.

"When he gets to Casterly Rock," said Ser Kevan. He turned back to Varys. "What of Slynt, Pycelle, and Baelish?"

"No one knows what happened to Lord Slynt. He has disappeared, most likely killed in the chaos by the Iron Gate. Pycelle is alive and doing his duty for the new King, which mainly consists of caring for his wounded for now. Baelish is there as well, the master of coin for the new King."

"Traitors," growled Ser Gregor. "Both of them."

"Pycelle is no traitor," Tyrion told them. "He must serve whoever is King."

"I still call him traitor," the Mountain replied.

"Baelish, yes," said Ser Kevan. "But Tyrion is right. We cannot fault Pycelle. He is a servant of the Citadel and must do his duty for whoever sits on the Iron Throne." He turned back to Varys. "What news of his army and his plans?"

"His army is camped outside the city near the Iron Gate and near the Lion Gate, the bulk on the small plain between the Dragon and the Iron Gates. They are building earth works and other fortifications. He is supposedly bringing in many supplies by sea from Dragonstone and the Free Cities."

"How will he pay for it all?" Tyrion asked. "The realm was bankrupt and in debt to the Iron Bank."

"Baelish will find a way," said Jaime. "He always does. Or maybe Stannis will tell the Iron Bank to go to hell."

"They are not forgiving of debts," Tyrion observed.

"What of his plans?" Ser Kevan asked Varys, getting back to the main topic.

"Of his plans I know a little," Varys reported. "He has sent a small force to Rosby to accept their allegiance. I suppose Pycelle is writing letters to all the major houses asking for their allegiance. Oh, and he has the Tyrell siblings in King's Landing, under guard in the Red Keep. The Reach will not come to our assistance."

"If only we could rescue them somehow," Tyrion mused. "Then Mace Tyrell would give us the full support of Highgarden."

"Rescue them?" Jaime said with a look to his brother. "What a grand idea."

"Be my guest, dear brother," Tyrion replied. "I will never set foot in that city again as long as Stannis is there. He still wants our heads."

"And I want his," Jaime shot back.

"There will be no rescue missions," Ser Kevan said sternly. "I have great need of both of you yet."

"Cersei thinks not," said Tyrion. "She says Tommen no longer wants me as Hand."

"That is something to be discussed later," Ser Kevan replied. "Now, my lords, what are our options?"

"Attack," said Jaime and the Mountain almost as one. "They are hemmed into this narrow plain, by the Rosby Road," Jaime continued. "We can force them into the sea."

"Their fortifications will be strong," Ser Addam observed. "Not a place for cavalry. It will be a foot soldier's slog. And their ships will stand in and support them. It will be costly."

"Too costly," said Ser Kevan.

"Then we should strike at a gate," said the Mountain. "Break into the city and retake it and kill that bastard and let his men bend the knee to us."

"Ah…there is one problem with that," Lord Varys told them. "I have received some reports of illness in the city."

They all stared at Varys. "What illness?" Tyrion asked.

"A loosening of the bowels resulting in a bloody flux," said Varys. "It seems that thousands of bodies remain unburied and are in the rubble, causing the spread of the illness. The water storage areas are befouled and the people who have returned are starting to get ill. My lords, I think we should avoid King's Landing until this passes."

Tyrion knew illness could destroy their army faster than anything.

"Then it is apparent we are in a waiting game," concluded Ser Kevan. "We will not go near a city in the grip of sickness. Any civilians who come this way we must turn back. If they refuse…kill them. Ser Gregor, see to the orders at once."

"Yes, my lord," Ser Gregor said and left the command tent.

That was ruthless, Tyrion thought, but necessary. He knew his father would not have hesitated to give the same order.

"Lord Varys, is there anything else?" Ser Kevan asked.

"Just one more item. Apparently Robb Stark has married and the Stark host is moving up the Neck towards Moat Cailin."

"Do you think we should send Robb Stark congratulations and a gift?" Tyrion quipped.

"Yes," Jaime answered. "Along with my sword in his belly."

"One enemy at a time," said Ser Kevan. "Do you think Stannis will demand the Starks return to the field, now that he has proclaimed himself King?"

"Hard to say, my lord," Varys replied. "Ned Stark and Stannis Baratheon were cordial to each other but were never friends. And the Starks have enough worries in the North for the moment. I would say he will delay, rather than outright refuse. Others may not feel strong enough to refuse. The Riverrun lords may come to his aid. By now Stannis has sent out word that Joffrey is dead. The people will seek a new king. A king who has the Iron Throne."

"Then we must establish Tommen's new seat in Casterly Rock quickly," said Tyrion. "We need discuss that other matter now, uncle."

Ser Kevan told the other commanders to leave but asked Varys to stay with Jaime and Tyrion.

"This business with dismissing you, Tyrion," Ser Kevan began. "I think it is unwise. Cersei needs someone as Hand who is not afraid to challenge her."

"That she does not want," Tyrion answered. "She wants to run it all and have some puppet she can control as Hand."

"Who did she say she wanted as a replacement?" Jaime asked.

"Why you, brother," Tyrion said with a smirk and Jaime just groaned. "Has she not mentioned this?"

"No," he said with anger. "She certainly has not because she knows I will refuse. I have my position as Lord Commander and with the army."

"She actually asked me to persuade you," Tyrion continued. "Threatened to have me arrested for burning the city if I failed to convince you."

"She has gone too far," said Ser Kevan with some heat. "You are no more to blame for that than she is. Tyrion, you must go to Casterly Rock. You must take charge of matters there."

"She won't allow it and she will convince Tommen to replace me or arrest me," Tyrion said. "And frankly, uncle, I have had quite enough of my sister for the moment."

Varys had said nothing up to now but then spoke. "My lords, it is apparent the Queen has had enough of Lord Tyrion as well. If he goes west she may contrive some way to see him arrested as he fears."

"There," said Tyrion. "Even our master of whispers agrees with me."

Jaime was disturbed by all this, Tyrion could see, and came to Cersei's defense. "She is not well right now. She has lost her son and her father in a matter of days."

"That is what worries me," Tyrion replied. "She is seeking to blame someone, to lash out. I don't want to be around when that happens."

Ser Kevan sighed. "Very well. Then you will agree to be dismissed."

"Who will replace me?" Tyrion asked.

"I am sure she will name me," Jaime said. "And when I refuse, what then?"

"She will come to me," Ser Kevan replied. "But I will only take the position if she steps aside as Queen Regent."

That surprised the others. "She will never agree, my lord," said Varys. "Forgive me, but may I speak plainly?"

"You may," said Ser Kevan.

"By all means," Tyrion added. Varys looked to Jaime and he nodded curtly.

"I have watched the Queen for many years now," Varys began. "She despises the way she is treated because she is a woman. She desires power, but sadly for the sake of power alone, so no one can tell her what to do. Once she has this power she does not have any idea how to use it wisely. Power without purpose or direction is a dangerous thing."

"What do we do?" Jaime asked. "She is strong willed and will refuse anyone but me as the new Hand."

"We find her a new husband," said Ser Kevan at once and Tyrion quickly looked at Jaime, who just laughed.

"Better chance of Stannis' wife producing a son than of Cersei marrying again uncle," Jaime quipped.

"Your father had planned this already," Ser Kevan told his nephew. "He planned to wed her to Willas Tyrell, heir to Highgarden."

Jaime's face hardened into a grimace. "She will never accept a lame animal trainer for a husband." Then he stalked out of the tent.

Ser Kevan dismissed Varys and when he was gone Ser Kevan looked at Tyrion. "Tell me the truth, Tyrion. Are the stories about them Stannis has spread true?"

Tyrion stared at him. How to answer? Tell the truth and if Jaime and Cersei find out he was a cooked goose. Lie, and well, his uncle may believe him. Or he may not. A more neutral stance was needed. "You best ask them. It is not my place to answer such a question, uncle."

Ser Kevan nodded. "You already have. Thank the gods their father died before he knew the truth."

Tyrion did not deny it and therefore confirmed it even more. "She is out of control," Tyrion said after a moment.

"Yes," his uncle replied. "But she is going west and the war is here. She can do us little harm."

"She'll find a way."

"Maybe. Therefore, I need you to do something."

"Yes?"

"If Cersei does not want or nor need your talents I certainly still do. I need you to return to Harrenhal to take charge there."

That surprised him. "Harrenhal? Why?"

"Stannis may try to convince the Riverlands lords to rejoin the fight. Harrenhal is our only base there."

"I know Ser Edmure and the Blackfish. They will not rush to join Stannis. Especially not when our army is still in the field and we still owe them gold and have some of their lords prisoner at Casterly Rock."

"They still despise us," said Ser Kevan. "Stannis may also be feeling out the Dornish. And you know they have no love for us either."

"Apparently we are friendless."

"Yes. That's why I need you at Harrenhal."

Tyrion sighed and nodded. "I will go. Bronn and Shagga and the others will join me."

"Good. Take charge there. Let the Riverlands lords know we are still a force to be reckoned with. Keep the peace, but prepare for war."

"Of course."

"And by all means do not send Myrcella on the western road to Casterly Rock until we know what is afoot at Riverrun."

"I will keep her safe."

"Good." Ser Kevan stood. "I must see Lancel."

"How fairs he?"

His uncle's face clouded over. "Not well. The maesters have stopped the bleeding but a corruption has set in. He will be lucky if he lives."

"I'm sorry."

"Many other men have lost their sons in this war," said Ser Kevan heavily. Then he brightened a bit. "But I have had good news from the west with the latest dispatch rider. My son Willem has been ransomed from Riverrun. He is safe at home now."

"That is good news indeed," said Tyrion as they came out of the tent.

A long hour later Cersei and Tommen, with the three Kingsguards and one thousand soldiers, prepared to move west. Tyrion saw Jaime and Cersei exchanging words by her horse she would travel on. She was very angry he could tell but kept her temper in front of the rest. Tyrion approached the new king, who was standing beside a small donkey they had found for him to ride. Nearby were Ser Arys and Ser Mandon.

"Your Grace," Tyrion said with a slight bow. "You have a fine animal here."

"Isn't he grand?" King Tommen said with joy. "I wanted to name him Joffrey but mommy won't let me."

Tyrion couldn't help but laugh at the idea of an ass named after his hated nephew. "Listen, Tommen. You are the King now. You can name your donkey anything you want."

Tommen grinned, then his face fell a bit. "I am sad Joff has died."

"I know."

"He was my brother."

"Yes."

"But he was bad."

"Oh?"

"He used to do bad things to me and Myrcella."

"Such as?"

"I can't say," he said in a little boy's voice now. "I promised Cella I would never tell."

Tyrion felt a cold fury grip his stomach. "Tommen," he whispered. "Did he hurt you?"

The little boy nodded quickly.

"He can't hurt you anymore," Tyrion told his nephew.

"No, he can't" said Tommen brightly, his voice stronger. Then he whispered. "I think 'Joffrey' is a good name for a donkey, don't you, uncle?"

Tyrion could not help but laugh out loud and many people looked his way. "Yes, yes, indeed. Come, it is time to go."

Tyrion helped him get on his donkey. Cersei walked over with her horse to where they were. "Tommen, tell him."

Tommen looked at Tyrion. "I am sorry, uncle. But you are dismissed as Hand of the King." He said it formally, like he had rehearsed it.

"I humbly agree with you wishes, Your Grace," Tyrion said with a bow.

"Very well," said Cersei. "Ser Arys, Ser Mandon, go with the King."

Soon the three moved off and Cersei mounted her horse. She looked down on Tyrion with disdain.

"You have told Jaime I threatened you," she said, her voice cold.

"You gave me no choice," Tyrion replied. "He will never be Hand and you know it."

"And neither will you, ever again."

"I never wanted it in the first place."

She glared at him. "This isn't over."

"I know you hate me, Cersei, for our mother and many other things. Don't let your anger cloud your judgment. I am not your enemy."

She snorted. "Everyone is my enemy."

Then she turned and rode to where Tommen and his Kingsguard were. Ser Kevan came over and had words with her but Tyrion could not hear and cared not anymore. He was weary of her. She gave one more look to Jaime, said a final word, and then she ordered the column to move out and soon they were heading west.

Tyrion found himself suddenly relaxing. She was gone and he was going to Harrenhal. With luck he would not see her for a long time. I need a drink, he thought, and just as he turned, Bronn was there.

"Where have you been all morning?"

"Dicing with Timett and the lads," Bronn told him. "Lost some of that gold you promised me that I ain't seen much of yet. Do you have it? They like payment rather quick or I might lose a finger or two."

"I am sure I can find some to pay your gambling debts."

"Good. I see the cunt has finally decided to leave us."

"Yes, and good riddance."

"What news of the war?"

"All is static here. But not for us."

"Oh?"

"We're going back to Harrenhal."

"Oh, shit."

"Quite."

"And what are we to do at Harrenhal?'

"Make sure the Riverrun lords don't take up arms for Stannis."

"That doesn't sound so bad. So you are no longer Hand?"

"I have been let go by the King. Did you know he named his ass 'Joffrey'?"

Bronn had to laugh at that. "Might be he'll turn out to be a good little king."

"Yes, if his mother doesn't ruin him first," Tyrion said and then his face clouded. "Stannis still wants to kill him. Myrcella as well."

"Best we get to Harrenhal then."

"It will be dangerous. The road is long, the people hate us, and Harrenhal will have but a few thousand men. If the Riverrun lords or Stannis besiege us we will be in for a lot of trouble."

"Aye."

Then Tyrion looked at him. "Still like the color of your cloak?"

"Keep asking me that and someday I just might change it to spite you." Then he spat. "I need a drink." He stalked off and Tyrion waddled after him, chuckling the whole way.