Chapter 30: The Riot

Authors Note: Sorry about the wait, would have had it sooner but I had to find a new set of eyes after I doused my old ones with bleach. Anyway, just one more chapter to go before Blackwater. Until then Read, review and enjoy.

Tywin

"Ned Stark has over extended their lines," Kevan reported. "Between defending the North against the Ironborn and fighting us, his numbers grown thin, and now that summer is over, they will have difficulty feeding their ranks."

Tywin shook his head. "Ned Stark and his bannermen understand winter better than any of us, the cold won't beat them." Tywin studied the map. "Raventree Hall, Stone Hedge, Darry, Maidenpool, Ned Stark has liberated every castle we've laid siege to. Now I have heard that Robb Stark has taken Ashemark and is marching on the Crag."

A knock came at the door and a messenger appeared. "Lord Petyr Baelish for you mi'lord," the guard announced.

Tywin's mouth curled before he gave a curt nod. The guard stepped aside and the man in question stepped in. Tywin gave Kevan and Bella a look and they both exited the room leaving the two men to speak alone.

"Lord Tywin," Baelish bowed deeply.

"Baelish," Tywin said simply, he walked over and grabbed a pitcher. "Wine?' He offered Baelish a goblet.

Baelish nodded, "Thank you." Tywin poured the wine into Baelish's goblet.

"So," Tywin began, "What news from the Capitol?"

Baelish smiled, "Often I have found that a brief moment of chaos breeds opportunity and unless acted quickly upon, those same opportunities are lost soon after."

"Yes we all know a crisis is an opportunity," Tywin drolled annoyed, "What of it?"

"Even though many of the Reach lords have joined Roland, the Tyrells still command the largest host. Their land is the most fertile in the Seven Kingdoms and is the second richest house in Westeros after your own of course."

Tywin rolled his eyes, "Yes, yes everyone in Westeros knows these things, get to the point Lord Baelish."

Baelish took a sip of wine. "House Tyrell has not yet declared for any of the remaining kings. Ser Loras still wants revenge on Roland for Renly's death and Lord Mace Tyrell wants revenge on Roland for mutilating his son. As for the recently widowed Margaery-"

"-she wants to be queen," Tywin finished. He now understood what Littlefinger was implying, but the idea of joining with such a rival house made Tywin uneasy. "House Tyrell rebelled against the Iron Throne."

"As did you once if I recall," Baelish pointed out.

"Against my grandson," Tywin retorted.

Baelish nodded, "Indeed they did, and by all rights, they should be held accountable for such actions. But not now, not when there are other rivals flanking you."

Tywin frowned and looked at the map on the table, they needed more men and this was their best chance at gaining such men. "The Tyrell host has regrouped at Bitterbridge."

Baelish nodded "They have my lord."

"Can you ensure their allegiance?"

"Of course."

Tywin smirked, "Then we have an agreement, I shall send Lord Tyrell my reply immediately."

Baelish clasped his hands together, "That is excellent news, your Grace. I shall ride to their camp right away."

Tywin's eyes narrowed, "And you better deliver, Lord Baelish. Or all your finger rubbing will not save you from what I have in store for you."

Baelish stood up and bowed, "I would expect nothing less from you my Lord, I live to serve."

After Littlefinger left, Tywin took out quill ink and paper and started writing. Everything depended on time and he could only hope that his calls did not go unanswered.

A loud neighing could be heard outside, Tywin walked over to the window and saw that one of his men were trying to mount the black stallion the girl had ridden. The men were failing miserably, as the courser kicked, bucked, bit and squealed.

"That horse rode straight from Hell!" Kevan exclaimed, shocked at the beast's behavior.

Tywin headed down to the courtyard to inspect the troops. Despite his task, Tywin's mind was on the steed. He knew of only two horses with such strength and violence. Stranger, the steed of Sandor Clegane. Also Bane, Roland's horse.

Tywin remembered that Roland was ten when he received Bane. Renly had brought a black destrier, but it had died of a snakebite. While looking for a substitute, Renly came across a man trying to sell a young black courser. Even as a colt, Bane seemed to be 160 pounds of rage. Tywin asked Renly why he would have this wild courser instead of a well-groomed destrier. Renly only smiled and said he had a feeling Roland was going to like him. Renly proved to be right, the young prince was thrilled when he studied the colt as it tried to break down the gate of his stall. For two years Roland trained the horse, surprisingly he never bothered to tame his wild nature and even encouraged it. Finally just after his twelfth name day, Roland decided it was time to ride him. By this time Bane had just reached maturity.

When Roland opened the gate, the horse didn't hesitate to act and tried to run the prince down. Roland stepped to the side and wrapped his arms around Bane's neck. The horse did everything it could to shake Roland off, but the prince was determined and held on tight.

Finally, Bane came to a standstill, exhausted and beaten at its own game. Roland has dislodged his shoulder during the act but he gained a new companion. Bane acknowledged Roland as his rider and became one of his closest companions.

Tywin had once believed that Roland liked Bane because he was attracted to danger like his father, but then there was Shadow. Seeing that big black dog made it easy to forget that it wasn't always that way. When Roland found Shadow on the street as a pup, everyone including Tywin was thunderstruck. Shadow as a pup was thin, quiet and sickly. Cersei was horrified and Joffrey merely sneered. Nobody knew why Roland would take this pup from the street when there were plenty to choose from in the kennels.

For two years Roland cared for the pup. Everyone told Roland that Shadow would die and that he shouldn't waste his time. Roland refused to accept that and continued to care for Shadow. As the years went on Shadow's health improved and with age became larger, stronger and fiercer. By the time Roland was fourteen, Shadow had become the fiercest hounds in the Red Keep kennels. Becoming the 'pack leader' of the other dogs as well as Roland personal guardian.

With Roland's caring for Shadow and the taming of Bane. Tywin realized the connection between them. It wasn't the danger that drew Roland to do these things, it was the challenge. The boy had wanted to see if he could do it. If he could 'tame' Bane and make Shadow into a loyal guardian. This showed Roland's patience and determination and was what made Tywin absolutely sure that Roland would be able to manage Casterly Rock after his death.

As Tywin approached the stall that held Shadow, he found some men around beaten and bruised. Raynald Westerling, drenched in sweat took noticed of Tywin and bowed.

"Apologies my Lord," Raynald panted as he turned back to the stall. "None of us can calm him. The only people it let's get near him are the new blacksmith and your cupbearer. Some of us want to starve him, others to make an end of it. But I've convinced them otherwise."

Tywin nodded, "Good, I will not have this horse harmed. See if you can find some oats for it."

"What is so special about this horse?" Raynald asked.

"It belongs to someone I know well," Tywin answered and the tone he used was meant to end any debate.

Raynald nodded briefly, "As you wish my Lord." He turned back to give orders to the men.

As Tywin continued the inspection, he took notice of the blacksmith talking with his cupbearer, Bella. Though he couldn't hear what they were saying. From what he saw, the girl appeared to be trying to teach Gendry a fighting stance. Tywin almost smiled at the concept, if he were a different man and she wasn't highborn he would have adopted her, but while he couldn't adopt her, he may be able to do the next best thing.

Later that night Tywin caught Bella reading one of his letters while clearing the table.

"Who taught you to read?" he asked her. Bella jumped as she was caught off guard.

"My Father," she said quickly. Tywin had a feeling that was the truth. Fabricated stories are often more believable when laced with a bit of truth.

"I taught my son Jaime to read," Tywin confided to her. Bella looked at him as Tywin continued. "The maester came to me one day and said Jaime wasn't learning. He couldn't make sense of the letters and reversed them up in his head."

Bella stared at Tywin intently, he now had her full undivided attention as Tywin told his tale.

"The maester said he heard of this affliction and that I simply must accept it." Tywin scoffed loudly as if he was about to accept having an illiterate son while Tyrion could already read complex books. "So I sat with him for four hours every day until he learned. He hated me for it for a long time, but in the end he learned." Tywin was fond of the memory and connected it with Roland's own determinations with Shadow.

Tywin decided to change the subject to Bella, every now and then he asked her questions about her life to get a better understanding of her.

"A common girl who can read," he remarked. "You are a sharp little thing aren't you?"

Arya looked down to hide a smile, it was faint but still noticeable. "Did-did you know your father my Lord?"

Tywin couldn't help but be impressed by the girl's boldness. Commoners, let alone girls, shouldn't ask lords questions. Then again she was no commoner. At the mention of his father Tytos, his face faltered for a moment before he put up the sternness once more.

"I did," he said gravely as he turned and sat next to the fire. "I grew up with him and watched him grow old."

Tywin stared into the fire remembering the bitter memories of when House Lannister was at its lowest and the man that caused it. "He was a good man, a kind man, but he was weak. A weak man who nearly destroyed our House and name. Yet he loved us, he may have been weak but he loved us."

Tywin hated what his father had done, yet when he died Tywin did not celebrate it. Tytos may have been soft and toothless but he was still his father. Tywin knew that he would never have been able to marry Joanna if Tytos had been a completely different person so he owed his father that. The thought of his father's death sent an uncomfortable chill up Tywin's back. "I'm cold."

"I'll get some wood for the fire," Arya replied softly.

Tywin nodded, "When you're done, go see Raynald about getting something to eat." Tywin turned to her, "Your father is a good man, I don't know him very well, but it is clear he raised his children right." Arya looked at him confused as Tywin gave her an amused smirk.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Arya Stark."

Roland

The day when his siblings were to depart had come. While Roland knew that Tommen and Myrcella might be safer in the Braavos, there were too many variables. Too many things that could go wrong. So Roland decided that neither one of his siblings would leave Kings Landing.

A plan was devised. Once the riot was started, several of the Antler Men would set fires in different parts of the city. This, Roland hoped, would be enough to distract the garrison of the city long enough for them to storm the dock and take a number of the ships anchored- namely the war galleys.

Salloreon and the Antler Men had managed to gather about 2,000 men, all of whom were Black Supporters. He told Roland that the crew of the White Hart were also sympathetic to the Blacks. Roland had made a list of key ships he intended to take, but the one Roland wanted most was his father's ship, King Robert's Hammer.

Roland covered his face in a balaclava as he made his way to the Hook. The street that led straight from the Red Keep to the Harbor where the Braavosi ship was waiting.

Along the way, he found a horse apple on the street. Roland tore a strip of his roughspun cloak and wound up a makeshift sling. He set the dung inside and wrapped it around. Roland climbed on to the rooftop of a nearby building, watched and waited.

As the entourage rode through the Hook to the Mud Gate. A woman blocked their way, holding a dead infant in her arms. The sight of the dead baby nearly broke Roland's heart and he wished he could go to her, but it was a pointless gesture now and Roland could only watch as he gripped the cords of the sling. Joffrey ordered his men to drag the sobbing woman out of the way.

Seeing his chance, Roland unwrapped his sling and started twirling it over his head. After a few twirls, Roland let it fly saying "Hello brother". The dung hit Joffrey squarely in the face causing a commotion amongst the Lannister guards who had drawn their swords and formed a tight circle around the royal family.

"Fine aim my lord," Marcus remarked.

Roland smirked, "I was aiming for his mouth, it's all that comes out of there anyway."

Joffrey turned scarlet and he loosed the Hound and his sellswords onto the crowd. This proved to be the last straw for the people and their anger erupted. Several men were engulfed in the masses while the Hound managed to cut his way back to his King.

One sellsword pushed through the crowd in the direction that the dung came from. The unfortunate sellsword came face to face with a masked Roland who stabbed him in the neck. Roland lifted the man over his head to an incensed crowd.

"KILL THE GOLD CLOAKS," Roland screamed in a shrill voice. "GUT THEM, BURN THEM, TEAR THEM APAAAAAAART!"

"KILL THEM, KILL THEM, SKIN THEM ALIVE!" The crowd chanted. Emboldened by Roland's example, the already enraged crowd now flung themselves at the Gold Cloaks in a desperate attempt to get at Joffrey. Seeing the mob turn on them, Joffrey and his entourage fled back to the Red Keep.

Roland caught sight of Joffrey who was trying to hack at any smallfolk that came too close for comfort. Joffrey had pulled out two long knives and manage to kill a number of people.

Roland smirked, 'our confrontation might get interesting,' he thought.

In the surrounding chaos, Roland noticed a tuft of golden curls being swallowed by the growing crowd. Roland pushed his way through and killing those who tried to attack him.

The person Roland had spotted was cowering on the ground trembling. Roland pulled him up and he recognized the face of Tyrek Lannister.

Roland grinned, "hello cousin."

In order to avoid suspicion, Roland practically dragged the struggling boy down to a dark alley. Roland pulled Tyrek to his feet as Marcus stripped off his cloak and handed it to Tyrek.

"Put this on and keep your pretty little head down!" Roland ordered. Tyrek nodded meekly. He wasn't too eager to argue, it was either go with Roland or take his chances with the mob. Frankly, he liked his chances staying with his cousin much better.

Roland and his men headed for the Mud Gate with Tyrek in tow. All around them, hordes of angry people were grappling with gold cloaks and fires began. Though they tried to avoid much of the fighting, every now and then Roland and the Antler Men cut down several gold cloaks who tried to confront them.

Roland's prediction proved to be correct. With the riot deep in the city, the harbor was lightly guarded by a handful of Gold Cloaks. Outnumbered, the guards were quickly overwhelmed as the Blacks stormed the ships.

Roland and his renegades personally headed for King Robert's Hammer, the ship crews were cleaning the decks and making sure everything was in order when Roland's men stormed aboard.

Roland gave them a choice, either join them or get tossed ashore. This divided many of the crews which led to some joining Roland but most staying loyal to Joffrey.

Roland let them go ashore as his men prepared the ships to leave the harbor. Tyrek's hands were bound and sent to the lower decks.

Roland's newly acquired fleet sailed out of the Blackwater rush with the King Robert's Hammer leading them. As he stood at the bow of King Robert's Hammer, Roland noticed something new in the city, two towers on either bank of the river. These puzzled Roland, they were too narrow to hold siege weapons and too short to make good lookouts. 'What is their purpose?' Roland wondered.

Regardless he knew one thing for certain, they served a vital purpose, the question was what it's for.

Tyrion

"How many?"

"Ten, your Grace."

The riot of King's Landing left many residents of the Red Keep beaten and bruised but alive.

Though the guards and the city watch succeeded in protecting Joffrey's entourage. There were still casualties, among them was the High Septon and Lord Gyles Rosby. 500 men, most of whom were sellswords. The fires burned until the early morning when they found out about the stolen ships. Joffrey was fuming and was taking his rage out on a practice dummy, slashing and slicing with quick energy.

Cersei was also furious, and turned to Varys, "How could you let this happen? You're the Master of Whispers, how did you not learn of these conspirators?"

"My birds were unable to reach me during the riot," he explained. "By the time we learned what was happening at the docks, there was nothing we could do."

Cersei then rounded on Bronn, "How is it that Roland's men were able to steal ten of our war galleys right out from under our noses?"

Bronn looked Cersei directly in the eye. "We were trying to contain the riot and prevent the fires from spreading. At the time, the docks were the least of our concerns."

Cersei scoffed and took a deep sip of wine.

"Which ships did he take?" Jaime asked

"The ships taken include King Robert's Hammer, Lady Lyanna, White Hart, Ramshead, Lance, Bold Wind and River Arrow."

Tyrion shook his head, "Some of the best ships we have and they're now under Prince Roland's command."

"I guess this means the Lionstar is the new flagship of our little fleet now," Jamie quipped.

Even Tyrion smiled realizing how fitting it was.

"We must pursue them at once!" Pycelle exclaimed in a panic.

Jaime shook his head, "They already have a 12-hour head start. Even with our swiftest ships, the King Robert's Hammer will turn them to splinters."

After the meeting, Tyrion returned to the Tower of the Hand to study a map of the surrounding area while reading 'A History in the Great Sieges of Westeros'. Jaime and Bronn lounging in chairs as he read.

"You have to admit it was quite brilliant," Jaime said after a while.

Tyrion and Bronn turned to Jaime questioningly as he continued. "What better time to steal the fleet than when the whole city is in chaos?"

Tyrion nodded and a thought occurred to him, "Perhaps too brilliant."

Jamie cocked his head in wonder, "What do you mean?"

Tyrion set the book down, "Salloreon doesn't look like the type of man that can come up with such an elaborate plan. Something like this takes a much sharper mind behind it."

Jaime's eyes widened as he realized what Tyrion was suggesting, "Roland?"

Tyrion nodded, "Only five people other than me can come up with a plan like this Our father, Littlefinger, Varys, the Queen of Thorns and Roland."

"So Roland starts the riot and steals the ships while we're busy trying to restore order," Jaime concluded. He smiled slightly, "So what happens now?"

Tyrion took a sip of wine. "Roland will attack, that much is certain. The question is when."

"If we don't know when, then we should focus our thoughts on where," Bronn suggested.

Tyrion nodded and looked down at the map. "Roland and Stannis know King's Landing. They know which points are strongest and which ones are weakest." Studying the map further, Tyrion's eyes caught something. His finger found the point of interest. "The Mud Gate," he said finally. "A good ram can break it down in moments and it's only a few yards from the water."

Jaime who was also looking at the map also found something of interest. "What about here?'" He asked pointing to a certain gate overlooking the Blackwater.

Tyrion looked at what his brother was pointing at. "The Iron Gate?"

Jaime nodded, "It's also a short distance from the water, has more stable terrain for siege weapons and has more open space giving his superior numbers more room to maneuver."

Tyrion considered it and nodded, "A good possibility. Now we need to find out which one he will choose."

"He has the numbers so perhaps he'll try both?" Bronn offered.

'That would be a great problem,' Tyrion thought. 'We don't have the forces to protect both points, and if one group sets off my trap then the other will not fall into the same trick. That was when a horrible thought crossed his mind, "Oh gods."

"What is it?" Jaime wondered.

"All this time I've been so focused on the city's safety, I hadn't considered Roland's."

"What makes you think he will get hurt?" Jaime asked

"The Battle of the Kingswood has only confirmed how much Roland is like his father. He won't stand back and let the men do all the fighting. He will be leading from the front. Roland has tasted blood and won, he'll be thirsty for more."

Jaime nodded, "He is like his father in that regard, but you are forgetting Tyrion, he learned from you as well. Roland is a cautious boy and won't rush blindly into battle as his father would."

Tyrion was still unsure, "I hope you're right because if Roland is harmed because of my trap, I don't think even you can save me from our sister's wrath."

Thankfully Bronn broke the tension then, "We don't have many men, we don't have many ships, what do we have?"

Tyrion faced his brother and sellsword, "Jars full of pigshit."