Dragonstone
King Stannis Baratheon had assembled hundreds of warships at the ancestral Targaryen stronghold, filling them with ruthless pirates, paid Essosi mercenaries, and the few Dragonstone nobles still loyal to his claim.
Stannis's rigid and unpopular personality meant only a small number of traditional southern lords were willing to support him. Most had preferred the more charismatic Renly. Because Stannis could not provide solid proof that Joffrey was not Robert's son, few believed his accusations of incest; many dismissed them as a desperate joke.
Ser Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight, looked out at the disorganized army and listened to the chaotic mix of foreign accents and curses. He was deeply worried. He doubted such an undisciplined mercenary force could take the walls of King's Landing.
He also remembered with a shudder the night Storm's End had fallen. Stannis had ordered him to smuggle Melisandre to the castle in a small boat. Davos had witnessed the red priestess give birth to the demonic shadow assassin — an image that still haunted him.
He found Stannis in the map room and offered loyal advice. "My liege, now that Renly is dead we have the full support of the Stormlands lords. Why not wait a little longer? Let the new soldiers train and integrate before we strike."
"Besides," Davos added respectfully, "Lord Eddard Stark is your sworn supporter. We could wait for the Northern army to join us and attack King's Landing together in a pincer movement."
Stannis ground his teeth and shook his head. "Time waits for no one, Ser Davos. The Stormlands lords only back me now because I am the last Baratheon. Who knows what the Tyrells will do?"
"Lord Eddard is an honorable man," Stannis continued, "but right now the Northern army answers to Robb Stark. That green boy would rather watch us bleed each other dry. He won't send troops immediately."
Stannis gazed out the window toward Blackwater Bay, his chest filled with certainty. "Our fleet and army now hold the advantage over King's Landing. Tywin Lannister's forces were crushed in the Riverlands. Half his veterans are dead or wounded, and Roman Rivers is pinning down the rest. This is the perfect moment to strike the capital!"
Davos tried once more to dissuade him, but Stannis coldly dismissed him and ordered him to prepare the warships.
Sighing, the Onion Knight could only obey. The king had made his decision.
Still, Davos took some comfort in the fact that Stannis was right about their numerical advantage.
The Westerlands Border
Lord Tywin Lannister was in a foul mood. He had to guard against sudden attacks from the Riverlands, Robb Stark, and Roman Rivers while also trying to keep King's Landing supplied.
What troubled him most was that Roman's industrialized forces now blocked the Goldroad. Any Lannister troops attempting to leave the road were immediately attacked. Harrenhal's heavy cavalry wielded strange white-steel lances that could pierce even the finest plate armor. Their heavy infantry moved with unnatural speed and resilience.
Tywin was forced to sell golden treasures and hire unreliable mercenaries and pirates just to keep his shrinking army intact.
The Reach
In King's Landing, Kevan and Tyrion Lannister were frantically managing the city's starving population while secretly negotiating with House Tyrell.
Both men knew Mace Tyrell had always dreamed of entering the heart of royal power but had never found the chance. He had backed Renly, but now that Renly was dead, the Lannisters saw an opportunity.
Tyrion met with Mace Tyrell deep in the Reach.
"Your Grace, Lord Mace," Tyrion said politely, "it is a pleasure to see you in good health. I come to celebrate the friendship between House Lannister and House Tyrell."
"Friendship?" Mace snorted. "What friendship?"
Tyrion smiled and took a sip of Arbor wine. "That is exactly why I am here. I hope our two houses can set aside past differences and become royal in-laws."
Mace looked confused, but the Queen of Thorns, Olenna Tyrell, spoke up sharply.
"Does the clever Lord Tyrion wish to arrange a royal marriage? Which Lannister will you send, and which Tyrell child do you want?"
Tyrion admired the old woman's sharp mind. "Lady Olenna, we propose that the beautiful Lady Margaery marry His Grace King Joffrey to strengthen the bond between our great houses."
Mace grew agitated, having heard rumors of Joffrey's cruelty. "Let my daughter marry Joffrey? That would require—"
"Shut up!" Olenna snapped, silencing her son instantly.
She turned back to Tyrion with a calculating smile. "My sweet Margaery has just lost her husband Renly, and now you want her to remarry immediately? That seems rather heartless."
Tyrion kept his tone frank. "House Tyrell wants a seat at the center of power. We need help defending against Stannis and Roman Rivers. Everyone gets what they need. This marriage benefits both sides."
Olenna dropped her pretense and negotiated openly. In the end, House Tyrell agreed to the marriage. They would also send food and hundreds of thousands of troops to help King's Landing survive the coming attack.
In return, many Tyrells would join the Small Council, and the family would share in all trade between King's Landing and the Westerlands.
The terms heavily favored the Tyrells, but Tyrion had no choice. Survival against Stannis came first.
After Tyrion left, Olenna returned to her usual calm routine. Ser Garlan Tyrell approached her.
"Grandmother, now that we've allied with the Lannisters, what about our profitable trade with Lord Roman Rivers?"
Olenna smiled. "Did Lord Roman ever stop trading his industrial goods with us after the war began?"
"No, Grandmother."
"Exactly," she said, sipping her tea. "The golden lions need our help to survive right now. As long as trade with Roman continues, we will do business as usual and ignore King's Landing's opinions on the matter."
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