Boon to us All

[Training Grounds]

"Thrust!, you all must thrust like it means something!"

Damon Lannister shouted to everyone, the extra 500 men that were recruited into the Watch. Some were young boys on the borders of manhood, others were thieves and paying for their costs, and the last few were simply those that had nothing to give the city beside a fighting arm. His cousin charged him with getting these men ready to fight Renly Baratheon, he's the larger threat.

"Water, no wine. Don't have time." He told his squire, Janos's third youngest boy, Jothos was his name and is doable for a squire until his service to the acting Hand is done.

When he heard the news of the Battle of Oxcross, of his fathers death. He swore to kill the one who did it, some Karstark he couldn't care for the name, but he does care to kill him. For that, he swore to never shave his beard until his sword pierces the man who took Stafford Lannister's life. But first must come the deaths of Renly and Stannis.

Hours pass on as he watched the men try to use a weapon right. They would be trained in the spear, the sword, the dagger, and the bow, hopefully by the time that the rebels come that they will be ready to fight them back. He had to knock a few of them around to show them that this is real, combat is a matter of life and death and if you aren't quick enough, you will perish in the end.

He looked up the sky and saw that most of the day was over, Very well, then. "Gather!, the day is over, but the training is not. Tomorrow I want each of you to be here before I arrive, if any of you dare be late, punishment will be met out. Dismissed!" He commanded and the recruits didn't waste time in scurrying away from the grounds and leaving him to himself beside Jothos and other guards. "You too, boy. Go on." He said to Jothos who quietly went to the barracks like the others.

The next three days pass on, the same routine over and over until the men began to show some competence in their traits. Loren got daily reports of their progress, just today his cousin said they still need more time, his cousin is a fickle person and as children, he was quiet and spoke only when it was appropriate, just like the man that conceived him, Tywin should be very proud.

His cousin is a good commander despite the young age, a decent Lord when Tywin left to tour his lands, and even now his cousin takes to power like a lion to its prey. He could see him being almost a cunning as Lann the Clever with how he runs Joffrey's court, manipulating the people, with his brothers help, of course, he even saw him on the throne, like he was meant to be there.

It was midday when he was visited by Loren inside of the lord's chamber in the barracks. Loren was wearing a dark red uniform with Wilhelm at his back, the Hands pendent on Loren's breast.

"Damon!, How goes the day?" His cousin asked him and took a seat in the chair, the better question is to see why his cousin was in such a mood, he never smiles widely.

"What happened?" He asked Loren whose smile left him and the thin line on his lips reverted.

"Just enjoying the day, Lord Rykker has arrived, along with the other lords and their levies, close to 4000 men at arms." So that's why he is so happy. 4000 Crownlands, 6000 Westerman, 2500 Gold Cloaks, and 300 Mountain Men. 12,800 men now enforce the city and are defensible against the coming armies of both traitorous brothers, that is some joyous news indeed.

"How is Tyrion?" He asked and Loren laid back and tapped the table for a couple moments.

"He said that the city is too dangerous for Myrcella, and we need allies. He suggested she be sent to Dorne to get House Martell's neutrality if not their allegiance, then there is the defense of the city, Renly will strike mostly on land, but Stannis could strike on open water with the fleet." Sending the Princess south is terrible, she would be a hostage to a family that has a hatred for them. "So, do you think we can win?" the fellow lion asked him and for several seconds he could only see this ending badly in one way or the other, or that could be his own paranoia towards people.

"As long as we fight harder than our foes, that's all we can do."

Four days after that conversation he was called to a meeting. It must have been important because Loren sent his best guard to round them up. Everyone was there and so was the King, though that isn't quite a surprise anymore as Loren really took hold of the boy who was rampant until they had arrived in the city, the boy also began showing signs of calmness from Loren's teaching. He took a seat on Cersei's right and the last to enter was the Hand of the King and the Spider themselves, and another strange smile was on his face and Varys quickly sat down.

"Why did you call a meeting uncle?" Joffrey said with a tone that was appreciative of being told what to do, not like he can say or do anything until he is a grown man he is in need of a regent and right now Loren is that regent. Loren sighed and pulled out a letter that was small, from a raven.

"Lord Varys has learned that Stannis and his fleet are sailing to the Stormlands to attack Renly. The brothers will be fighting each other soon."

The news shook the table and applause was sounded from Tyrion, Cersei, and a laugh from Joffrey. It was a boon to the cause, with Stannis and Renly at each others throat, this could affect who will strike King's Landing first. He would have thought Baelish would say something but the man is currently bringing the remains of Ned to Catelyn by Tyrion's orders, the Imp wanted to at least put some good faith for Jaime's sake as a prisoner. And Pycelle was found out as a traitor and put into the Black Cells, also made possible by Tyrion. Lord Rykker and Buckwell will fill the seats.

"Then we should strike back at Robb, to aid grandfather!" Joffrey put forth and Loren shook his head and ordered for a map to be brought and pieces to his side.

"Father has Robb, we keep to the plans. We have thirty ships in the harbor, I had the men begin building a new fleet. These ships will sail to Dragonstone." His cousin's plan seems strange.

"Why there?, The army needs to remain here." the Queen insisted and in a tone that was irritated and confused. Loren, on the other hand, had a smirk on his face.

"I only need 2000 or 2500 men. Stannis will want to seem strong so he will take his full strength to fight Renly." Cersei still didn't see the reason in taking Dragonstone, but he did.

"You mean to... " He trailed and Loren's playful tone became deadly as he took the stag statuette on Dragonstone and gripped it in his hand.

"Yes. I mean to add a doe amongst our hostages, I mean to capture his home and his daughter."