9

Chapter 9 Retaliation

I do not own Harry Potter and Game of Thrones

I hope that I did not make you wait to long for this update? I hurt my hand so I had to wait for it to heal before I could continue with the story. Again thank you to everyone that has read the story and an extra thank you to those who review. You kept me going when I was flagging.

Well here it is and review responses are at the bottom as usual…enjoy!

Chapter 9 – Retaliation

For once Robert had actually 'honoured' the Small Council with his presence because of the recent attack on Old town. The king was also incredibly sober but everyone was too mournful at the subject that brought them here today to remark at the unusual occurrence. Renly spoke as he had received a very lengthy summary of the damage inflicted on the oldest city in Westeros from the Tyrells.

"The attack was vicious and without any mercy." Renly told them as he studied the message in front of him. "Much of the city was set ablaze and the Reachmen were forced to demolish many buildings before they were able to contain and extinguish the fire. Many buildings were plundered even the septs and other temples. So many dead or injured that they are having to dig mass graves. Children, young women and even septas taken to be sold into slavery." Renly said solemnly. "House Hightower and their city watch were badly hit by the attack but a relief force coming down the road from Highgarden led by Ser Garlan Tyrell managed to retake the city before many of the pirates could leave and the Redwyne fleet was able to prevent others from escaping once mobilised but some of the ships did manage to escape including that of Horus D'Artegan." Around the table the men bore solemn or angry looks but Pycelle looked very worried about something and asked with actual desperation.

"What of the Citadel?" His old eyes were for once honest in his fear for the order to which he belonged which had its headquarters in Old town. Renly decided to just tell him, however much he disliked Pycelle it was best to give him the bad news straight.

"There was a concentrated attack against the Citadel, it has been truly ransacked and many of the maesters within slaughtered in the most gruesome ways imaginable. Currently it is estimated that over a hundred and fifty maesters and many initiates lost their lives that day, including nearly all of the archmaesters." Pycelle's expression broke into one of grief and he said so mournfully.

"So many."

"However there is some good news." Renly said as he read the next few lines. "A group of Maesters led by Archmaester Marwyn were able to barricade themselves in the Citadel's library using the heavy bookcases so not only did they survive but so did all of the books. Also because Archmaester Marwyn was in the library the pirates were not able to access the vaults without his key. As you know Grandmaester Pycelle the only way to access the vaults of the Citadel is with all the Archmaester keys."

Pycelle did look somewhat comforted by those pieces of knowledge but still the loss of so many men of learning and new students would be devastating to the order, not to mention the damage to the Citadel itself. Ned despite not liking the man felt somewhat sorry for him but Robert immediately got up from his chair and slammed his large fist down on the table.

"This cannot stand." Robert roared. "Who were the attackers? I WANT THEM DEAD." He demanded of Renly but it was Varys that answered first looking very calm while Renly hesitated scared by his older brother's rage.

"It was led by a particularly vicious pirate and slaver known as Horus D'Artegan however many of his forces were not just other pirates but also sellswords and ships from Lys, Myr, Volantis and several other settlements throughout Essos. And my little birds have discovered that the raiders were able to bypass the city's defences based on information they obtained from Lynesse Hightower, who is currently a concubine to a merchant prince in Lys."

Ned instantly frowned at the name, remembering the woman that had driven the son of one of his most loyal banner men to sell people into slavery to pay for her extravagant lifestyle and who had fled before he could exact justice.

"My grace if I may." Tyrion said quickly seeing an opportunity to appease the king and bolster his own family at the same time. Robert and the rest of the Small Council turned to face him. "We might have caught a break. My older brothers and the Lannister army are currently at Tyrosh after they conquered the city. They are less than a week if they have the wind from Myr and given that they were planning to siege Tyrosh they already have the necessary siege equipment and supplies to attack the city. If you permit I will send your instructions to them and they will bring Myr to heel." Varys smiled slightly at Tyrion although the Lannister had no idea why.

"And the Tyrells are set on revenge also." Renly quickly added not wanting to be outdone by the half man. "They are assembling an army to launch their own attack on Lys."

"Good. About time those bloody lions and roses proved useful for something." Robert said feeling much happier about the situation. "They can keep the bloody cities if they capture them." Robert got up from his seat and left leaving the Small Council behind. Ned meanwhile had to deal with another issue.

"What about the maesters? Will the order survive this attack Grandmaester?" Ned asked Pycelle who looked very ancient indeed as he gave his answer.

"Possibly my lord hand, the repairs to the Citadel and Old town could take many years but if a suitable location for a temporary new Citadel could be established and recruits found…perhaps the order might survive this catastrophe."

"Perhaps that may not be the best way to do things." Tyrion said quietly as he pondered the situation and came up with an idea. "Part of the reason the order is in such dire state at the moment is because it was so centralised at the Citadel. If however a number of smaller institutions were set up all across the country with copies of the library held in each and the requirements of the order for entry lowered such as maesters not being permitted to marry and have families then potentially you may find more recruits to replenish your ranks."

Pycelle suddenly looked very unsettled at the idea and spluttered out.

"Preposterous! Tradition must be observed. The maesters have been the keepers of knowledge for hundreds of years and this tragedy will not change that." Pycelle said firmly but Tyrion told him with a sarcastic drawl.

"And tradition has left your order in this state. I will send a letter to the remaining Archmaester Marwyn to see what he thinks of my proposal but given the situation I believe he will accept."

Ned thought that Tyrion's suggestion was a good idea; centralising knowledge meant it could be easily lost or controlled he thought darkly but if it were spread out and more recruits gathered than it could be a real boon for the entire kingdom. Knowledge was the key to ruling a kingdom, just as important if not more so than martial might. Also by lowering the standards from entry it would give many who had never had a chance of pursuing a career in research and learning an opportunity.

That brought his thoughts to the Lannister who had suggested such a bold plan. Originally he had dismissed the dwarf son of Tywin Lannister as a whoring waster but as he saw more of the imp in action on the Small Council he was forced to revise his opinion. The short man's mind was as sharp of a Valyrian steel blade's edge and as his whoring and drinking lessened he made himself a formidable presence on the Small Council. Ned admired the man for his cunning and was more than a little afraid of him in reality. Tyrion was definitely more like his father and oldest brother than Jaime had been and that was enough to make Ned vow never to turn his back on Tyrion less he find a dagger stuck in it. Then the Lannister made another suggestion.

"My lord hand if indeed my brothers and the Tyrells succeed in conquering Lys and Myr then we will have added three new kingdoms including Tyrosh to the this nation. Rather than just call ourselves the Eleven Kingdoms I thought that perhaps there is another name that is more fitting." Tyrion said and what he suggested made Ned's eyebrows rise nearly to his hairline.

At his temporary lodgings in Tyrosh Hadrian received his youngest brother's message and called together his War Council and the rest of his bannermen. He frowned at the events his actions had apparently caused. He had never meant to cause something like the attack on Old town, so much death and destruction weighed heavily on him. However he resolved to himself that while he could not turn back the clock he could at least avenge those that had been lost although a small smile was brought to his face when he read of Tyrion's suggestion to the maesters. His brother was in his element, in a mess of political intrigue and power plays there was Tyrion sitting in the centre of it all pulling the strings. Hadrian was glad that his brother finally had the opportunity to put his incredible mind to work and become more of a driving force on the Small Council than the Lord Hand. Such service merited a reward and Hadrian had one in mind that he would present to his brother the next time he saw him.

But bringing his mind back to the present Hadrian sat in the large hall of the main palace at the head of a long table with the men that he had chosen to lead his forces in the war.

"An assault on Myr. Do we have the necessary supplies and equipment for that?" Ser Raphael Daniels the head of his personal guard and second in command said as he read the letter himself as they planned their strategy. Spread out on the table was a map of the local area and another of Myr itself. Hadrian had always intended to conquer Myr but he had never thought he would be forced to do it so soon and would have to think on his feet for this one rather than plan a more elaborate strategy.

"We have enough men to storm it and the necessary siege weapons for attacking Tyrosh, a far more formidable fortress than Myr and it is only a week or more sailing away so our supplies will be more than sufficient." Samuel Lannister, the General of the Army and their chief tactician said as he studied the map himself calculating the best possible point of attack and weaknesses in Myr's layout.

"And it is on more steady ground so we should be able to set up our siege weapons more easily and break through quickly as its walls are not as strong as those of Tyrosh." Ser Addam Marbrand the Cavalry Commander said as he sat back in his seat. Hadrian nodded and turned to Ser Lucion Lannister, one of his more distant cousins. A very honourable and dependable knight but also the chosen Infantry Commander and asked.

"Opposition?"

"Several hundred Unsullied, other slave soldiers and two sellsword companies totalling four thousand men in all. And they seem to have hired a number of Dothraki horselords to add to their forces giving them another three thousand. We easily outnumber them my lord with our forty thousand troops." Lucion answered quick as an arrow without hesitation. Lord Randyll Lannister the Admiral of their navy then added.

"Most of the Myrish fleet is away with the pirates that attacked Old town and the harbour has no wall or gate so we should be able to capture the harbour with ease."

The lords around the table were unified in their grins. Some of their second or thirds sons would have a chance to gain their own holdings and become the new nobility of Myr when they conquered the city and there was always the chance that one of them would be chosen to become its new ruling lord. Hadrian knew of their ambition and would reward his lords for their service when they were securing their hold on the new lands but like his actual war council who he had chosen for their skill and ability Hadrian knew that no battle even one with the odds overwhelmingly on your side was ever a sure thing. With that in mind they began to plan their move on Myr.

Many miles away in the North war was very far from everyone's minds. Robb was finally starting to get the hang of dealing with being Lord of Winterfell and the North while Catelyn was feeling marginally better now that Bran was back home. For Bran however it was with mixed feelings that he returned to Winterfell. While he was relieved and comforted by the familiar faces, sights and smells of home he felt somewhat sad that he had not been able to complete his education at Casterly Rock. He missed the Lannister children he had befriended and his previous mentor Lord Hadrian who had been calm and patient with him in magic, knight's training and learning to be a lord.

His present mentor however in the art of being a knight was very different. His great uncle Ser Brynden Tully also known as the Blackfish was a stern taskmaster and expected nothing less than perfection, up before dawn and in the training yard where he was ruthlessly drilled by Ser Brynden in swordplay. Today was no different as he parried another attack from his great uncle before narrowly dodging a following jab, delivered with nothing less than Brynden's full strength.

"You need to be quicker Brandon Stark." Ser Brynden said, his strong face haloed in his grey hair and his blue eyes like the ice that made up the Wall further north as he held the wooden practice blade in his hands. "Your enemy will not hesitate and neither must you. If you cannot defend then counterattack. Do not waste a single moment or it could be your last." He warned his young pupil before attacking with another jab which Bran sidestepped with practice learned from Lord Hadrian before surprising Brynden by dropping into a kneeling position and whacking his own training sword into Branden's unprotected left calf. Ser Brynden quickly recovered and went to strike Bran in his vulnerable position but Bran surprised him again by rolling behind him and then whacking Brynden in the back.

Bran waited for Ser Brynden to come at him again only for his mentor to smile and tell him.

"Good boy, well thought out. We will make a knight out of you yet." He put a firm hand on Bran's shoulder and was about to take him to the kitchens where they could get something to eat when a young girl walked into the yard in front of them. She was shorter than Bran but looked about roughly the same age as him. Her face was still rounded with youth but had strong cheek bones visible through it. She had very dark brown hair and eyes which instantly caught Bran's attention were a very deep and enchanting brown he thought to himself. A man could easily lose himself in those eyes but those eyes were at present full of disapproval and the unknown girl snapped at him.

"Well are you going to talk to me or just stare all day? Because I have other things to do." The girl said, her voice surprisingly stern and carrying an edge of powerful authority. Bran was momentarily taken aback while Ser Brynden smirked at his great-nephew's surprised expression.

"Sorry, I was just struck by your beautiful eyes my lady." Bran said embarrassed at being caught staring. The girl however went slightly pink at his calling her eyes beautiful while Bran was horrified at how he had thought that out loud.

Ser Brynden however let out a loud laugh at the two of them and said.

"Lord Brandon Stark, Lady Lyanna Mormont I will leave you two to get to know each other." Ser Brynden walked off still chuckling at the two youngsters.

Bran meanwhile was quickly going red in the face as he realised what an arse he was making of himself in front of his betrothed. She was very pretty he thought shyly to himself with signs of being a beauty in the future. Desperate to make amends he bowed in respect and said to her.

"My apologies Lady Lyanna I had no idea that you would be coming to Winterfell so soon."

Lady Lyanna however quickly recovered and gave him a small smile before telling him.

"I accept your apologies my lord although only once. Next time you might not be so lucky." She challenged him with a smirk and with that she walked away leaving an intrigued Bran behind. He would relish the challenge of getting to know his future wife.

In Slaver's Bay Jon was marching his new and expanded army towards the next major step in his conquest…the city of Yunkai. Unlike Astapor this city under the 'Wise Masters' was famous for training 'bed slaves' in other words prostitute slaves. Its walls were made of yellow brick with many buildings of a similar design to Astapor.

It would be hard to break through those walls but they had just received a set of siege weapons from Braavos which should make things easier. All along the road from Astapor after rooting out any remaining slavers and installing a strong leadership there they had been taking small towns and villages which often surrendered the slavers within them without a fight when confronted with his fearsome army. From those settlements he would sometimes pick up recruits and now had an army of over fifteen thousand. The city of Yunkai could field at most five thousand although they would not doubt supplement this with sellswords.

As the city came into sight Jon was solemn at the thought of having to send his men to their deaths storming those walls but if he wanted to be taken seriously then he would need to keep such feelings to himself. At his side Ghost trotted and as the direwolf had grown considerably Jon was able to lean down to pet his head, comforting the wolf without getting off his horse. Around his neck his young dragon clung to his shoulders and let out a screech of discomfort which swiftly turned to cries of joy and he petted the creature with his other hand. He had decided to call his little dragon Sunfyre after the dragon ridden by Aegon the 2nd said to be the most beautiful dragon ever to have flown. His aunt Daenerys who rode at his side petted her own dragon which she had named Daeron after one of the famous dragons flown by their ancestors. Rhaenys who was at this moment finalising her marriage to the son of one of the chief directors of the Iron Bank and a 'merchant prince' of Braavos had named her dragon Rhaegal after their father.

Later after the command tent was set up Jon called his council together so they could plan their strategy while his and Daenerys's dragons slept in baskets not far away with Ghost curled protectively around them, a sight that brought a bemused smile to the faces of those there.

"Astapor was caught by surprise. Yunkai is forewarned. They have gathered their army and probably provisioned the city in case of a siege." Ser Jorah told them as they looked at the maps spread out on the table. "In addition to their slave army of five thousand, the Wise Masters have recruited a sellsword company called the Second Sons. They only number a thousand but they are cavalry."

Jon nearly frowned but kept his face straight. That was bad news, although thanks to the Unsullied they had greater numbers, the freed slave soldiers were largely light infantry which against cavalry would mean they would take heavy losses in a straight battle, assuming of course that they would even meet them on the battlefield. They could easily just hide behind their city walls and then they would be caught in this slow battle of attrition which could go on for months and that was something Jon could not afford and he knew it. He could not lose time or men in a prolonged siege and worse it would allow the rest of the slavers in the area to rise up against them and they could not even leave the city to conquer the rest of Slaver's Bay either because if they did then it would give the other slavers at stronghold from which to strike back at them. They needed to end this quickly.

"So the way I see it we have two options." Ser Jorah continued saying. "One hope to meet them on the battlefield where our greater numbers should carry the day. Or we can try sieging the city."

"The Unsullied will fight on the battlefield or on the city's walls." Grey Worm said, his people knew no fear and were prepared to fight as free men wherever they their leader sent them. But Jon told him.

"I have no doubt of your people's skill in battle or loyalty Grey Worm." Jon said reassuringly but he then became solemn and serious. "But I have no intention of throwing away your lives on a field battle against cavalry. We need an edge." He said looking around the room hoping someone might have an idea. Unfortunately Ser Jorah, Grey Worm, Daenerys and Missandei all looked back at him with blank expressions. Jon really did sigh as his solemn nature gripped his face but then forced his face to become a calm mask as a soldier came into their tent.

"My lord." The soldier said. "Riders approach from the city. Three baring the flags of the Harpy and the Broken Sword baring the sign of truce." He told them. Everyone knew those were the flags used by Yunkai and the Second Sons respectively. Jon nodded and ordered.

"Allow them to approach. We shall meet them and see what they have to say." Jon said and feeling comforted by the weight of his sword and Ghost beside him he strode out to meet the emissaries of the city he was intent on taking. This would be his first time in such a role and despite his outwardly calm façade he was feeling very nervous. As he was approaching the place where they would meet face to face with the Yunkai emissaries he felt a comforting hand on his shoulder. He looked over to see Daenerys smile at him reassuringly. Knowing she had his back made Jon straighten his spine and stand taller.

As the emissaries approached the Targaryens and their entourage all took the time to study the men that had arrived to meet them and were not impressed by any of them. One was a fairly tall man but thin instead of muscled and was wearing expensive Dornish lace with a face like a rat. He was accompanied by two sellswords; one was tall like the other man but was heavily muscled with a big golden red beard. This man was Mero, the leader of the Second Sons, whose nasty reputation made it very difficult for the company to find work. The other man however was not known to them; he was tall too and with a beard but it was dark brown like the rest of his untidy hair. He had a grin on his face that was more charming than it was nasty and judging by the cut of his armour he was very well muscled. Jon stepped forward to greet them and the man in lace robes came forward apparently the leader.

"Jon Peverell. I am Grazdan mo Eraz one of the great Wise Masters of Yunkai. I am here to offer a considerable sum of fifty thousand gold marks and your choice of any bed slaves within the city in exchange for you leaving our city to its own ways and moving on." Grazdan said obviously not a man to waste time. Jon was slightly taken aback at the offer. A Golden Mark was Yunkai's currency and was roughly equivalent to the Golden Dragon in value, so he was being offered fifty thousand dragons just to go away and of course the choice of any bed slaves in the city. The idea of course repulsed him, owning human beings just to use them for his own pleasure when it suited him. He was about to reject the offer out right when he suddenly felt Daenerys' hand on his shoulder again and heard her soft whispers in his ear.

"Stall." She said quietly to him, he then saw her eyes flit over to the younger sellsword. "I have an idea."

Jon was not sure what it was his aunt was planning but he decided to respect her judgement. The money they had seized from the slavers in Astapor was easily far more than that pathetic sum so although it would be a useful addition to their war fund they could survive easily without it. So Jon told Grazdan.

"I will consult with my advisors and have an answer to your suggestion by dawn tomorrow."

"Please." Daenerys said quickly. "Feel free to a barrel of wine for yourselves and your lieutenants." She said and smiled sweetly at the younger sellsword who grinned back. The visitors soon left with their large barrel of wine and Jon as the moon was highest in the sky looked out on the city in front of them and saw the light of torches illuminating areas of the city. He heard Ser Jorah walk up to him. The two men were silent for a second before Jon said.

"You are in love with my aunt aren't you?" Ser Jorah did not even turn his head to face him before answering simply.

"Yes."

Jon feeling bolder somewhat then decided to say what had been on his mind.

"When I first learnt who you were I was against having you in my party." Jon said and that did get Jorah to look over. "I know what you did to those poachers in the North. But I want to hear from you why?" Jorah was quiet for a moment before he answered.

"Lynesse Hightower." He said although the name had once filled him with love now filled him with hate. "She was the most beautiful woman I had seen and I was intent on winning her hand. So I won a tournament in her name and she accepted my offer of marriage. At first things were absolute heaven." He said wistfully. "Then we returned home to Bear Island. As you know House Mormont is a poor house without much to its name. Lynesse however came from House Hightower, one of the wealthiest houses in all of Westeros. The things she wanted I could not give her; silks, perfumes and more. I needed the money to fund her lifestyle and selling the poachers seemed to be the easiest way." He said with regret at one he had done making Jon feel slightly for the man. "Of course Lord Stark found out and chased me from the North. Lynesse then left me to become a concubine to a man that could give her the things she wanted. It seems that I have a weakness for women that are beyond me." He said with a bitter chuckle and Jon felt some pity for the former lord. Yes he had made bad choices in lust of a greedy and superficial woman but otherwise he was a good man and a man he hoped would stay at his side so he said to the disgraced knight.

"No, you were blinded by a golden façade that masked a heartless creature of vices Ser Jorah. I think you are an honourable man who made some bad choices but now wants to atone and one that I would wish to have at my side when I return to Westeros." Jon told him and the words brought a small smile to the face of Jorah.

In the hours of the early morning as the camp rose to face what the new day would bring, a rider approached from the direction of the city. Jon in his armour prepared to meet the single rider. To Jon's surprise it was the younger sellsword from the day before and not only was he alone but it appeared he had three heads tied to the saddle of his horse. Jon's hand unconsciously went for Blackfyre but as the sellsword rode closer Jon relaxed as he saw the heads were not those of slaves sent as a warning but shockingly the heads of Grazdan, the Captain of the Second Sons Mero and his chief lieutenant Ben Plum. The sellsword arrived and threw the heads at Daenerys' feet before leaping off of his horse and knelt before her while she gave him a calm smile.

"My lady I have become smitten by your beauty and grace. As a token of my affection I bring the heads of your enemies and the city of Yunkai with the loyalty of the Second Sons. My men are now opening the gates for your army to conquer the city." He said and Daenerys caught Jon's eye as she looked down at the sellsword and asked him.

"Thank you for your most kind token of your affection but I would know your name before I accept it." Daenerys said as Jon and Ser Jorah who was gritting his teeth at the younger sellsword went to gather their army for a march on Yunkai now. The sellsword answered.

"I am Daario Naharis and from now onto forever I am yours." He said with a hot glint in his eyes which Daenerys smiled at.

And hour later the city of Yunkai fell receiving the same treatment as Astapor. Slavers were hunted down and killed, their wealth stolen and the chains on every slave broken as the Targaryens carried on the next stage in their conquest.

At Casterly Rock life carried on while its lord and army were away fighting to expand their family's holdings. The children learnt and the adults worked, life carried on.

Arya Stark however was taking some time to think in the gardens of the castle. She was sitting against a large tree with her newly arrived wolf Nymeria curled up at her feet. As she petted the wolf she found herself lost in thought. All the things she had been learning here; they went so far against what her mother and septa had taught her back home. They had allowed her to learn to fight and her skill with a blade was getting better every day as was her archery and horse riding but also she found herself overwhelmed by her other training. Reading books had long bored Arya who always preferred to be outside doing something else but the teachings she was being taught went against everything she had been taught in her earlier years however much she had gone against them she still found the difference disorientating.

Politics, diplomacy, strategy, history all this and more was being crammed into her skull and it was enough to make her head spin. She was often able to surprise herself by how fast she could assimilate it all, but she just did not know what to do with it.

"Deep thoughts?" A voice asked and Arya looked up to see Lady Genna Lannister looking at her from the other side of the grove. Arya was surprised to see Lady Genna here but Arya had no time to reason why as Nymeria let out a whine of protest as in her surprise Arya had stopped paying attention to the wolf. Arya resumed her petting of the wolf who relaxed against her mistress now she was content. Genna walked closer as Arya answered.

"I was never taught to be anything more than what my mother wanted me to be." Arya admitted to Lady Genna who gave the girl a sympathetic smile. "To sew, to dance, to curtsy and do as my future husband would bid. I hated every moment of it. It was like she did not see me, or even see my sister just what she wanted us to be." Arya said sadly. She did not like saying such things about her mother, she loved her mother but it was almost like her mother did not know her at times. "Everything I wanted was not allowed and while Sansa was content to follow my mother's direction I could not."

"And now you find yourself getting what you wanted and are confused." Genna said not coming any closer as she was somewhat scared of the large wolf the girl had as her protector. Genna decided to be truthful with the girl even if she hated her for it. "Your mother was raised in an old fashioned ideal. One that unfortunately she passed on to you and your sister. She loved you dearly but she could not see that her path was not for you, blinded by her old fashioned beliefs. We as women can be far more than breeding machines or good wives." Genna said and feeling somewhat braver she came closer to Arya and sat next to the young girl. She carefully held out her hand so Nymeria could sniff at it before the direwolf decided she was alright to be allowed to be near her mistress. Genna put an arm around Arya and told her pupil and whispered in her ear. "There is something else I think your mother might not have taught you, probably to scandalous for her tastes. Have you ever heard of the art of flirting?" Arya went pink in the face as Genna gave her a crash course in bending men around her finger.

One week after the Lannister army left Tyrosh they arrived at the coastline of Myr. The city was certainly larger than the city they had been in just before but nowhere near as intimidating as Tyrosh. Its walls were nowhere near as high and made of normal stone, far easier to break through although it would still take a concentrated effort. As the Lannister fleet dropped anchor and the army came ashore and set up camp the city was quick to close its doors and place its remaining army on the walls. Much of their navy had gone with Horus D'Artegan who had usurped them instead of sending the ships back leaving city defenceless with the exception of the small city watch and whatever sellswords they had contracted plus unruly Dothraki. The walls were the only thing that stood between the Lannisters and conquering the city.

As Hadrian stood looking out of his freshly assembled tent he studied the city ahead of him. It was an impressive city Hadrian had to admit. The buildings were very artfully constructed after all this was the most advanced of the Free Cities given all the Valyrian lore they had collected over the centuries since the Doom. If they could capture the city without causing too much damage that knowledge would be a major boon for Hadrian if he could make use of it. Not to mention the lace, tapestries, glasswork and other goods the city produced would make good coin for his house.

Once of course they had conquer the city and its smaller settlements first.

As they set up their siege weapons Hadrian looked over to his younger brother who was walking towards him with a boy of fourteen or so years. The boy was dressed in Lannister armour and it took a moment to recognise the boy as his much younger cousin Tyrek. He was the only child of Tygett Lannister one of Tywin's brothers and a truly great warrior who had fallen to a sickness some years ago. He had the traditional Lannister look but wore his hair in curls almost as long as a woman's just as his father had done. The lad had been a squire to Robert Baratheon so why he was here now Hadrian did not know but he intended to find out.

"Tyrek. It is good to see you cousin but what are you doing here as opposed to being in the capital?" Hadrian asked and Tyrek looking angry told him.

"Lancel convinced the king to send me home after I bested him in the training yard." Tyrek said angrily. Hadrian just shook his head in annoyance. Kevan's only son was an embarrassment to their family and not just occasionally but consistently and to get Tyrek dismissed like that was just petty.

"I will complete your knight training." Hadrian said deciding there and then that Tyrek would be his new squire. The teenager looked at him surprised and grateful at Hadrian's offer. Jaime too looked surprised but happy at his older brother's decision. In truth he would probably have done it himself if his brother had not offered. Tygett had always resented being in Tywin's shadow and given his father's death the boy had not had much guidance. So this was their way of making it up to the boy.

"Are the catapults set up?" Hadrian asked Jaime. Night was falling and if they were going to attack then their window was quickly closing. Jaime nodded and as he looked towards the dimming horizon storm clouds could be seen coming from the south.

"Looks like rain." Jaime said with a grin as the Lannisters prepared to take the city by storm.

As the storm was almost upon them, the Lannister army lined up for battle. Dressed in their red and black armour Hadrian, Jaime and Tyrek stood ready to join the fighting when it started. Turning to Raphael who stood nearby, Hadrian nodded through his helm and his long-time friend nodded in return before turning to catapults.

"Load." Raphael commanded and the men loaded the large catapults with the strange dark glass spheres which were handled with extraordinary care that Hadrian had brought to assault Tyrosh with if Ser Gregor and the Bright Banners had failed. He had hoped not to have to use this weapon but it would bring the walls down quickly. Seeing all the spheres in place Raphael who knew what was about to happen next although he was not looking forward to it gave the command. "Fire."

The catapults let their deadly cargo fly as one after the other they fired. The artillery men were deadly accurate with their shots from hours and hours of practice and the use of ironically Myrish glasses or as their lord called them telescopes. The dark glass spheres smashed against the large stone walls and the army were confused as to what was going on, having expected large stones instead of some greenish liquid which was now splattered over the walls. However some of the more experienced and educated men there realised just what the green liquid was and without even waiting the artillery men loaded an oil covered rock into their catapults and set them on fire. As the storm cloud gathered over head Raphael wasted no time in giving the command once the projectiles were set aflame.

"Fire." The statement would later be seen as incredibly ironic given what was about to happen next.

The fire covered rocks flew through the air and hit the areas were the green liquid was still dripping off of the walls of the city. The effect was immediate as the green liquid transformed into a ferocious green inferno that erupted all along the city walls. The Lannister army nearly backed away as the terrifying but strangely beautiful fire consumed the walls of the city they were sieging. Hadrian had hoped never to have to use wildfire, the deadly substance was terrifying in how dangerous it was but given the choice between a long and hard siege, a storming of the city walls against opposition and this, he would choose the wildfire every time. It was only because of the approaching storm that he had taken the risk of using it so soon however.

While Hadrian had disposed of nearly all of the wildfire from the Mad King's plot to destroy Kings Landing years ago he had kept small samples in secret so that his own alchemists or chemists as he had begun to refer to them could study the formula and learn to copy it. Working in secret in the large underground chambers of Castamere they and their families enjoyed a comfortable life while they built his most secret and powerful weapons. However the sound of cracking brought Hadrian back to the present as he studied the walls in front of him.

The crumbling of the walls was an incredible sight as the wildfire ate through the stone if it were paper. The screams of the men on the walls were a sobering sound to the men of the Lannister army as they watched. Normally the wildfire would have been blown back towards the city or towards the Lannister army however then the rain started. And not just a light drizzle but a torrential rainfall that bucketed down on all of them. The green fire which had become trapped by the collapsing stone of the walls was being smothered by the rock and water until it died out and left great holes in the city's defences. Drawing his sword Hadrian pointed his longsword towards the city and the Lannister army charged forward on either horseback or on foot rushing into the city. Raphael was slashing his way through slave soldiers obviously not used to actual fighting and were forced into it by their fat masters alongside the rest of their men.

As they were all pelted by the rain and the howling wind and lightning thundered in the sky above them the fighting began in earnest as the outnumbered city defenders threw themselves wildly at the attacking Lannisters. Now soaked from the rain Hadrian fought against a group of sellswords alongside his brother Jaime and Raphael while Tyrek stayed close to his side with Raga.

Hadrian lashed out with a series of deadly thrusts and jabs against his opponent, the sellsword was good and trained in the Braavosi water dance as he kept sidestepping away from his attacks while stabbing at Hadrian's vulnerable joints. This forced Hadrian onto the defensive as he blocked the quick but deadly strikes. Knowing he had to end this fight quickly before the sellsword managed to land a strike Hadrian began pressing the man forward into an alley which was too narrow for him to side step as much as he had before launching a series of thrusting jabs that the sellsword was not able to evade.

Jaime meanwhile was fighting against a dothraki wielding two swords meaning he had to move with blistering speed to block both blades as the horse riding savage snarled at him. Jaime normally would have laughed off the idea he could be bested by a dothraki savage but he had to admit that this one was good as Jaime could not find enough of a window to counterattack. He was being forced to give ground until the dothraki was so focused on Jaime that he stumbled as his foot became caught in a drain that he had not realised was there. This was the opportunity Jaime needed as he struck back and managed to take the dothraki's head.

The three men were given little reprieve as a squad of Unsullied ran straight at them in complete silence. The three knights raised their swords and met the charge head on using their utmost speed and skill to cut their way through the slave soldiers.

The night was long as the Lannister army and the city's defenders fought until the early morning dawn when finally the fighting was over and the Lannister flag was raised aloft in victory. The slavers and magisters of the city were rounded up and placed on the chopping blocks. Their children were loaded onto ships to be taken back to Westeros were they would be put in orphanages and educated to give them a fresh start away from the city where they might be a problem in the future. The chains on slaves were broken while stone masons began the work to restore the city walls and repair any other damage caused by the fighting. In what had been the ruling conclave building Hadrian set up his command post, dispatched smaller groups of the Lannister army once they had been rested to the smaller settlements around Myr. The distribution of those lands would be determined in the coming days as they secured their hold on them. Already the printing presses were running around the clock to reproduce as much of the Valyrian literature that they had found thus far. Although he had only had the chance to give it a brief glance at present Hadrian had seen some very interesting concepts in the information that Myr had been hoarding.

But as a figure entered the room Hadrian knew it was time to secure Myr itself for the Lannisters. He looked up to see a beautiful Myrish woman wearing simple cotton robes rather than silk.

"Sorrel." Hadrian said with a small smile which the woman returned. She was the daughter of the most powerful of the ex-magisters in the city and a violent thug of a man. He had murdered Sorrel's much beloved and gentle mother in front of her after she had dared question him about one of his many mistresses. After that it had been easy to convince the young woman to spy for him and now she would help him secure the city. "Are my men treating you with respect?" He asked seriously, there were always a few bad apples in the barrel somewhere so he intended to make an example of any he found to encourage others to toe the line.

"They have treated me as if I were spun glass." Sorrel said with a slight smile. She was not a great beauty but would be described by many as very pretty and she was very smart, a highly capable administrator although she was never given the chance to prove it. Hadrian then asked her.

"With the death of the existing magisters and their children now being removed from the city you are now the closest thing to a sitting ruler of Myr. Would you be prepared to marry my brother Jaime and rule Myr as its new Lord and Lady now you have seen him?" He asked her. In their recent correspondence he had put the idea to her and she had sounded interested but had said that she would only do it if she got a chance to meet Jaime first. Sorrel blushed as she thought of the handsome knight and hesitated before answering.

"Yes I think I would my lord, does he want to marry me?" She asked him and Hadrian gave her a little grin as another plan of his came to fruition.

"It is up to you to convince him."

Jaime completely obvious to the ramifications of the discussion that had just been held was sitting with his arms being bandaged after a sellsword had gotten lucky during the previous night's fighting was startled as a young woman appeared at the door to his borrowed room. She was pretty he saw immediately with sweet rounded features and a perfectly rounded womanly figure dressed in simple cloth. Although not a great beauty like Cersei had been in her youth, Jaime could not help but think a man would feel very comfortable with this woman on his arm.

"May I help you my lord?" She asked him in a soft voice that seemed to glide over him like a gentle summer's breeze. He nodded taking her for a maid and she smiled sweetly at him before she sat next to him on the bed and started carefully applying fresh bandages to his wounds. Jaime could not help but get hard as her gentle hands glided across his torso. Her grey eyes danced with mischief so he knew that she was fully aware of what effect she was having on him and he asked her to try and get some control back.

"What is your name my lady?" The girl did not think twice before telling him the truth.

"Sorrel my lord. My father was the leading magister, now I think your brother intends to wed me to one of his bannermen to ensure your hold on the city." She told him simply, Jaime found himself caring about this woman. She seemed to be sweet and kind, a person that deserved better than to be married off to an old fart. What she said next really surprised him however. "Your brother suggested that I ask you if you would marry me my lord. That we could rule Myr together. Would that please you my lord?" She asked him with a certain longing in her voice.

Her father had been planning to give her to a passing Khal as an incentive to not raid the city she explained to him causing Jaime to frown in anger at the idea of such a gentle woman being subjected to the Dothraki. A man like Ser Jaime who treat her with respect was an idea that she liked far better.

Jaime meanwhile was taken aback by the offer, he had no interest in ruling anything but he did want to find peace. Nightmares over his father's accusing eyes the night he had been murdered haunted him still and he could still feel the revulsion just the idea of Cersei's touch brought him now. He never wanted to see her again, she would never give up until he was in her bed again and that was one place he refused to be. It was almost like an obsession with her. To control not only him but everyone around her and use them for her own gain. Especially him he thought managing to suppress a shudder at the thought. Had it always been like them between them? He thought worried. Even during sex it had always been about her pleasure rather than his own. Going home would almost ensure meeting her again as either he would find himself called to Kings Landing or she would possibly come to him.

Staying here however he thought as Sorrel's silk like hands finished applying his new bandages would mean he would never have to see Cersei. He could build a new life for himself here with Sorrel, have children that he could actually have a hand in raising. The idea was alluring and he turned to Sorrel and before he could say a word she pressed her lips to his.

Over in Lys the battle for the city had only just begun as the Tyrell army led by Ser Garlan Tyrell and Lord Randyll Tarly stormed ashore. Taking a leaf of the Lannister book as it were they had managed bypass the sea gate to the city by using captured Lyseni ships from Old town packed with troops to sail into the harbour then seize the gates and open them for the rest of their army to gain entry to the city. The city like Myr suffered from having most of its forces away as forty thousand Reach soldiers hit the city with the force of a hurricane.

In the midst of the battle Ser Garlan was fighting against a group of sellswords on the side of the harbour, these were no master swordsmen however and he soon cut them down. He was not known as the greatest swordsman in the Reach for nothing although he would never say or think such a thing. Those were thoughts for others, he kept himself firmly grounded unlike his younger brother Loras training hard to maintain and improve his skills often against multiple men at once. If one did not push themselves, then were they ever going to improve? He thought to himself.

"You killed my men pretty boy." A voice sounded from nearby and Garlan turned around to see a huge hulking figure lunging right at him and he moved quickly to avoid the attack, feeling the air move around as he narrowly managed it. As he slid past him Garlan saw to his concern that the huge heavily muscled man was wielding an abnormally large Arakh, a curved dothraki style sword which was made of black coloured Valyrian steel. If he tried to take the huge man head on, that arakh would cut through his own sword like butter. Looking around he saw a tremendous amount of rope that would usually be used to moor a ship but it gave him an idea so he began to move towards the large stacks of rope while keeping the hulking giant that could easily have matched Ser Gregor Clegane in his line of vision. The man appeared to be of Dothraki heritage, he certainly had his hair styled in the way they did and wore similar clothes. The sword although exceptional given its construction was certainly their preferred weapon. But his style if it could be called that was very rough, exclusively focused on heavy cleaves and power blows to crush an enemy. It was quite cumbersome when facing someone who was fast on their evasion so that was what Garlan focused on as the huge man came in to attack him again. As his back touched the stacks of rope Garlan dived out of the way as the huge man attacked him again only for him to collide with the stacks of rope behind him. There was a crash as heavy thick ropes fell on the huge dothraki man who cried out as he became entangled in the mass of rope. As the man struggled, trashing wildly to free himself he became more tightly ensnared in the rope and was helpless as Garlan swung his sword, severing the head from his torso.

Garlan let out a sigh of relief as the man that could easily have killed him. He walked over and picked up the heavy sword. It was huge, much larger than should have been necessary but he could not deny it was very well crafted. But he thought with some satisfaction that now House Tyrell had some Valyrian steel of its own. Of course the sword at present was far too large to be useable and was the wrong shape for their style of fighting. However it was possible that the sword could be melted down and reforged into a new sword, in fact there was enough steel here for two normal swords at least given its sheer size.

However before any of that could happen, Garlan thought to himself as he strapped his new sword to his back he had a job to do. The rest of this city needed to be conquered so he walked off to continue his own part in the conquest.

He soon arrived at the city's conclave where Lord Tarly was already at work with his usual efficiency setting up a command post for them in the heart of the city. He looked up and saw Garlan entering the room and turned to face him and made his report.

"My lord we have managed to take most of the city with only a few pockets of resistance at the city's outer edges. I have already dispatched Lord Rowan and Lord Chester to deal with them and by the end of today we should have full control over the area." Lord Tarly said quickly and without emotion.

"Excellent. Your work is impeccable Lord Tarly, as always." Garlan added knowing how much his idiot of a father angered the vassal lord by taking credit for his achievements and Garlan wanted Lord Tarly to know that he was appreciated by other members of House Tyrell. Lord Tarly nodded gratefully before adding.

"While the majority of the magisters and other individuals have been found and brought to justice for their backing of the attack on our homeland, we have captured one of the central culprits that you will probably want to see judged by the king." He said motioning to his guards to bring in their prisoner. The guards did not waste time as they left the room only to return moments later with a woman bound in chains. She looked almost like a Targaryen with her alabaster coloured skin and very bright blonde hair but not quite as her hair was more golden than silver and her eyes were a shade of brown as opposed to purple. Garlan scowled as he recognised the woman, he had seen her many times before she had fled Westeros with her then husband Ser Jorah Mormont who she later cast aside to become the concubine after her lavish lifestyle had driven him to delve into slave trading. Lynesse Hightower, the woman that he told the pirates how to bypass the defences around Old town, betraying her own house in the process. He discounted torture as the reason why she had chosen to reveal such secrets to a vicious man like Horus D'Artegan who had disappeared after the attack, her body did not display so much as blemish through the extremely revealing silk. She did not appear to be unfed either and she seemed to be enjoying more luxuries than just food and silk due to the extremely strong smell of perfume that nearly made Garlan wretch.

"Ser Garlan." She said sweetly as she saw who he was smiling widely at him. "Would you kindly get these ruffians to treat a woman of my standing with some respect? I am the daughter of one of your strongest lords after all." She said affronted and Garlan realised that as of yet she did not know that they had discovered the role she had played in the attack on Old town. His expression turned cold and he told the soldiers that were holding her tightly.

"Take her to the ship and place her securely in the brig, she will face justice for her treason before the king."

The expression on Lynesse's face changed in a flash from affronted at these lowly peasants having the sheer audacity to manhandle her to fear as she realised they knew the truth. Garlan ignored her cries for mercy and went back to their conquest of Lys and its own small islands.

Some weeks later, the ship carrying Ser Garlan and his entourage arrived in Kings Landing after they had left Lord Tarly to put down any remaining embers of resistance in Lys. The people of the capital were waiting with rotten fruit at the ready as the party led by Ser Garlan moved through the city streets dragging the shacked Lynesse Hightower with them. The woman that had been dressed in silk and covered with perfume when they had left Lys was no more; now her long blonde hair was matted and greasy, sweat and dirt covered her formerly clear skin and she was dressed in simple, rough cotton garb. As she was dragged through the city streets the people of the city cried out viciously as they pelted her with rotting fruit causing her to cry out in fear and humiliation. Ser Garlan knew they would do the same to anyone that was being dragged through the city like this no matter who they were but given that the woman had betrayed her own family he could find little sympathy for her plight within himself. The gold cloaks made sure that the mob which had formed along their route to the Red Keep did not follow them into the palace. By now Lynesse was covered in fruit juice and bits making her look even more like a beggar rather than a woman born into privilege. They did not waste time cleaning her up before they arrived at the throne room where the royal court stood ready to pass judgement on the traitor.

The merry chatting and music of the court stopped immediately as everyone turned to look at the Tyrell party as it entered. They sneered at the bound Lynesse Hightower as she was dragged into the room and forced to kneel in the centre of the large hall. Garlan knelt before the throne however much it annoyed him to have to kneel to the likes of Robert Baratheon he knew that he had to or great offense would be caused.

"Your grace." Garlan said seriously. "I report the total success of the invasions of Myr and Lys respectively and I present you with one of the conspirators of the devastating attack on Old town…the traitor Lynesse Hightower."

Everyone in room looked at the cowering woman who was too scared to look up at the people around her and realise the true extent of her situation. Had she done so she would have seen the disgusted look of Lord Stark as he stood at the side of the King, his own distaste for the vain woman was palpable especially given how she had betrayed her own family leading to hundreds of deaths.

Tyrion Lannister stood with Bronn looking coldly at the woman, she had caused so much suffering that it would take years to sooth the wounds that had been left all for her own gain. Bronn just looked at the woman impassively not caring either way.

Speaking of her own family the new Lord of Hightower and Old town Lord Baelor Hightower stood at the side of the room looking at his own aunt with the utmost loathing. No one could blame him however, the information she had given the pirates on the defences of Old town had costs hundreds of lives, brought ruin and devastation to the city and killed several members of his own family including his father the previous lord of Hightower. When he had heard that Lynesse was being brought here he had journeyed to the capital to see justice done in person.

The king was impassive as he looked down on Lynesse but Cersei sneered down at the woman while Joffrey looked on with disturbing excitement as he waited for the woman to be punished for her actions. This was when Pycelle spoke as he looked on with a fierce determination that was so seldom seen in the old man that many wondered if it was someone else posing as the Grand Maester.

"Your grace I have the truth serum from Lord Lannister as you requested, a few drops of it and we should get nothing but the absolute truth from the whore." Pycelle said and many including Lord Stark were struck by the anger in his voice. He had never dropped his kindly and gentle old man act in sight of anyone before but the grand maester was so angered by the attack on Old town and the decimation of so many of his order that he could not find it in himself to care about his façade at the moment. Robert himself hesitated in surprise at the grand maester outburst before he gave him the order.

"Proceed Grand Maester, I will have the truth from the prisoner." Pycelle nodded and walked forward with a surprisingly straight back. Lynesse looked ready to struggle but the Tyrell soldiers held her down and Garlan forced her mouth open as Pycelle poured the truth serum down her throat. Then they forced her mouth closed until she was unable to resist swallowing. They waited a few seconds before Robert asked his first question.

"Did you willing co-operate with pirates and slavers to attack and destroy Old town?" He asked and Lynesse was about to deny everything but to her horrified surprise she spoke the last words she wanted to say…especially as they were the truth.

"I did your grace, I willingly told them everything I knew about the defences around Old town." Her hands flew to her mouth as if to stop the words that she was speaking. But the guards forced her hands away so Robert could ask his next question although before he could Lord Baelor Hightower yelled out furious.

"WHY LYNESSE? WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO US?! YOUR OWN FAMILY! YOUR OWN PEOPLE?" He looked ready to either burst into tears or draw his sword and cut his aunt in half. He was restrained by his wife Rhonda who was glaring daggers at the bound woman too. The king wisely ignored the outburst given how much anger and grief the man was dealing with at the moment and turned his gaze back towards Lynesse whose face was screwed up in concentration as she struggled against the effects of the truth serum only for her will to falter and she told the truth that she knew would damn her.

"My prince has grown tired of me of late as my beauty fades and I gain weight. I would have received great gifts and his eternal favour for giving him what he wanted and the chance to bare his child, securing me in luxury for the rest of my life." She said struggling not too but unfortunately for her…she failed. The crowd in the court started talking angrily about her words amongst themselves and Lord Stark and the King looked at Lynesse with the greatest distain.

"So you willing admit to you crime?" Lord Stark asked coldly. "You admit to assisting a brutal raid on the oldest and one of the most important settlements in all of Westeros that cost hundreds of people their lives and destroyed so much of the city it will take years to rebuild. Devastated the order that preserves knowledge across the entire country and sent many into slavery?"

"I do." Lynesse said as tears leaked down her face. She wanted to demand a trial by combat but then realised that there would be no one that would stand for her. She had nothing to her name and certainly no coin to pay someone and had burnt every bridge she had ever made even those with her own family. She had nothing to bargain with, she was not pregnant so there would be no stay of execution. This was the end she thought with a cold dread.

"Then you shall face the penalty." Robert said coldly and turned to his best friend. "Ned." He said and Lord Stark drew Ice from his side and walked down to side of the woman who shook with fear as she mumbled prayers to the Seven. The Tyrell men held her down as Lord Stark raised his sword above his head and silent swung down, cleaving Lynesse Hightower's head from the rest of her body.

Sheathing his sword Ned returned to Robert's side as the corpse was taken away and then looked at his old friend who nodded and Ned made the announcement that had him feeling very nervous.

"In light of the recent conquests, expanding the realm's territories far beyond what has ever been even dreamed of before. Seven, Eight or even Eleven Kingdoms does not appropriately convey what our nation is becoming. So at the behest of the King and his Small Council I hereby declare here today the foundation of the Westerosi Empire and name Robert Baratheon as its first Emperor."

The court was stunned into silence, this was truly historic occasion. Never had there been an empire started in Westeros and never a functioning emperor. Robert was looking proud as he sat on his throne while Cersei grinned with elation. With her husband as an emperor, that made her an Empress and one day her beloved golden lion Joffrey would become an Emperor himself and rule over a kingdom far more vast than she had ever dreamed. She looked over to her eldest son who was still enjoying the thrill he had gotten watching that whore get her head taken off. She gave him a big smile as she put her hand gently on his shoulder and led him out of the throne room so they could celebrate.

Garlan Tyrell was about to return to his ship which once provisioned would be sailing back to Lys. The city had been given to him at the insistence of his grandmother and brother Willas. He felt pride that such a good holding as Lys would be awarded to him, he would now be a lord with his own lands. Lands that would give him, his wife and children a good style of living and be of great value to his house. Not to mention that there was still the matter of the large Valyrian steel arakh that he had acquired. Despite his best efforts it had become common knowledge that he had acquired it and many suggestions and offers for it were apparently being sent to his father, the Oaf of Highgarden as he was known. He was about to leave the hall when Lord Tyrion Lannister approached him. It his calm but sly voice the Half man as he was known spoke to Garlan.

"I hear congratulations are in order for your victory at Lys Lord Tyrell and for your acquisition of a Valyrian steel weapon. Have you had any thoughts on what you will do with your most extraordinary find?" The man was probing for information possibly for his family Garlan realised but more probably for his own use. The reputation of Tyrion Lannister was well known across the land so Garlan was careful in his response.

"I have yet to decide. At present I have the mind to melt it down and forge the steel into a new sword for my family."

"Ah." Tyrion said with a small grin. "Then may I suggest you seek out the services of Tobho Mott? He is a blacksmith here in Kings Landing that has the knowledge of how to re-forge Valyrian steel. He was the smith that made my brother's own Valyrian sword you know."