Rebellion (part3)
4 994 of Renewal (282 AC or 16 years before the events of Game of Thrones)
The Trident, Riverlands,
Harry watched the river stretching before him with some trepidation. From his proud steed, he watched in the distance the royalist army which took its place on the other side of the stream which separated them. They were linked only by the Kingsroad, and any other passage was located at several miles east of the Trident on the Red Fork. Yes, this passage was a strategic point connecting the southern part of the Riverlands and Harrenhal to the northern part. Not to mention that this road led directly to Vale of Arryn and the North.
Beside Harry, Robert Baratheon dressed in shining armour with a stag tabard proudly wore and a helmet surmounted by two long horns bearing the likeness of the animal of his house. Standing straight, the hand tightening and loosening on the handle of his sledgehammer, everything in his behaviour betrayed the excitement which ran through the man who had declared this rebellion.
"I will finally be able to kill this dragonspawn!"
This phrase was repeated by Robert Baratheon with such fervour that even the most pious of believers would be inspired by him.
Quite the opposite of Eddard Stark, riding a mount as dark and brooding as his face. In the tradition of the men of the north, he was dressed in a long cape of wolf fur that skilfully concealed the plate armour he wore underneath. The only difference from Robert was his lack of helmet, which Harry did not approve one bit. An arrow could easily pierce his skull.
Finally, there were the two older men, Hoster Tully and Jon Arryn. These two veterans of the War of the Ninepenny Kings were unimpressed by the royalist army, having lived so much worse in the Stepstones when they faced the Blackfyre army on the beaches, under pouring rain and covered in sand and mud.
For his part, Jon Arryn observed with great attention the famous king of the elves. Hadrian Sunstrider was surely the most singular person he had the opportunity to meet. The Emperor was breath-taking enough to make the Targaryens green with envy. Despite his fine and androgynous features, he was still very powerful, and so dangerous that Jon's instinct cried out at him not to stand in his way. So much so that Jon knew that with the simple robe he was wearing now, he would be unable to defeat him. Oh, Robert had questioned the elven monarch's attire, but the elven monarch just replied that he didn't need an " iron straitjacket " to protect himself.
Jon knew the truth, having negotiated with certain nobles called " magisters " of the High Kingdom - The Emperor's clothes were enchanted, like all mages, to repel projectiles and never tear, which effectively resisted to the blades.
Finally, he looked at the one he did not know at all, if not for some whispers here and there. Jason Stormwater, a prince of the Empire rumoured to be capable of extraordinary martial prowess. A seasoned general, renowned strategist and legendary fighter. And Jon was inclined to believe those rumours just seeing Jason's rigid, military posture, clad in golden armour with shoulder pads depicting eagles with open talons. Only Jason's mount was interesting, a winged horse that the elves called Pegasus.
"A group of riders approaching, white flag raised for talks," describes Jason, advancing his mount, "we should go and meet them."
"I hope for them they come to surrender!" Robert exclaimed, ordering his horse onward.
"I would be surprised if they surrendered so easily, but a man can hope," Eddard replied, following his childhood friend.
The other army leaders followed closely behind Robert and Jason, only Harry took his time advancing slowly on Albus' back.
Yes, he had aptly named his mount Albus to make fun of the former Headmaster of Hogwarts. It was a one-of-a-kind animal, a cross between an Abraxan and a unicorn, and unfortunately the creature was unable to reproduce. The animal was huge, towering above the horses of at least three heads, with large white wings a golden horn in the centre of the forehead, able to skewer down any enemy.
The two groups ended up meeting in the centre of the river where the road allowed them to cross it. The royalists were four, Rhaegar Targaryen accompanied by three men dressed in white capes - Kingsguards. As far as Harry knew, there were only seven Kingsguards to protect the Royal Family, which he found utterly silly, seven being totally insufficient for any threat.
And among the Kingsguards, he recognized only one - Barristan Selwyn, a legendary hero of the War of the Ninepenny Kings. The other two he had no idea, although one of them had tanned skin and features like those of the Martells. A cousin maybe?
" Prince Rhaegar," Jon greeted the Targaryen.
"My lords," Rhaegar replied, "there is no point in continuing this battle which you already lost. Surrender and my father shall be lenient and merciful."
"As merciful as he was to my father and brother?" Eddard asked with growling anger, "I expect no mercy from the Mad King, and the North never forgets!"
"Give me Lyanna back, you incestuous freak!" cried Robert in a voice so loud that it echoed all around, "or I will flood this river with your blood!"
"How dare you speak thus to the prince?" Barristan asked, pretending to unsheathe his sword.
"He kidnapped my bride!" shouted Robert vehemently, "how can you defend him? Sir Barristan the Bold, are you not a defender of the innocent and maidens in distress?"
At these words, Barristan bowed his head slightly, shame flickering across his face. Harry smiled to himself, not everyone agreed with Rhaegar's behaviour. For his part, Selwyn Martell gritted his teeth when he saw the Emperor Sunstrider, who had been discreet. They hadn't planned on facing the elves.
Rhaegar was staring at Harry with some hatred. Once again, this fucking elf was coming to derail his plans, in addition to endangering the prophecy he had to fulfil. Never mind, he was going to put an end to these abuses and prove once and for all the superiority of the Targaryens.
"I'm not surprised to see you with this riffraff, elf," Rhaegar spat with a hatred that surprised everyone.
"Prince Rhaegar, would you still be mad at my refusal to forge an armour for you?" Harry asked with a smirk. "Or would you be annoyed that I once again get in the way of your plans?"
Rhaegar's eyes widened at hearing Harry's words. His anger was heightened when he saw the mocking smile of the elf he hated so much.
" Do you really think we didn't know about your little coup?" Harry asked.
"Coup?" Barristan asked, not understanding the term.
"Weren't you aware of it?" Harry replied in a falsely shocked voice. "Your beloved prince was about to betray his father at Harrenhal in order to dethrone him and claim power. Hm, that reminds me of the Blackfyres."
Barristan was in shock, not expecting such a response. Only Jon and Jonothor Darry (the third Kingsguard) did not seem surprised by the news. As for Robert ...
" Besides crowning my Lyanna ?" Robert spat with venom. "You have no shame, you filthy dragonspawn!"
"My father is mad!" Rhaegar suddenly exclaimed before pointing at Harry. "It was a necessity and a Great Council was to be was going to called, but you messed it up!"
"I didn't tell your father," Harry smirked, shaking his head. "Don't lay the blame on the innocent, and if you had to point out a culprit, then look on your father's side instead. A Volanteen they say, Master of Whispers knowledgeable of what I have been told, and you have not been discreet. Isn't it suspicious that an impoverished lord overnight staged the biggest tournament in Westeros history? "
Rhaegar didn't know what to say. The Emperor was right, and Aerys must have learned that Rhaegar was fully funding this tournament that all the Lords of Westeros attended. He might have been crazy, but not a fool.
"Enough!" Robert yelled in anger. "Give me Lyanna back and I'll grant you a quick death!"
"I won't be the one to die, Baratheon," Rhaegar replied. "It is obvious that you can't be reasoned with. "
It was by finishing his sentence that Rhaegar turned back with his escort to prepare his army. For their part, Jon, Eddard and Hoster looked at Harry with keen interest, realizing that the Elven Emperor knew more than he said.
" Jason, it's time to prove to our dear friends what we're capable of," Harry said looking at his constable who had been silent until then.
"As you will, your grace," replied the blond.
For his part, Robert walked briskly towards his army while yelling for the men to march. By mutual agreement, the armies on both sides marched towards the centre of the river where the battle would take place. The fate of the Seven Kingdoms would be decided during this battle.
Unsurprisingly, the loyalists sent their cavalry first while their hill-standing archers bombarded the rebel positions, the rebel armies having no pikemen or halberdiers able to intercept these heavily armed knights, they found themselves in a bad position. The Knights of the Vale could have intercepted them, but Jason had ordered them to bypass the Red Fork miles away so that they could flank the Loyalist army. They weren't very far.
Jason just made a sign to a magister who then cast red sparks in the sky. Suddenly bird cries rang out from the sky, and the loyalists howled. Hundreds of griffins and hippogriffs had descended from the sky, straight on the unprotected bowmen. It was carnage, and despite their best efforts, the loyalists were unable to retaliate against the aerial attacks. And it was not over.
With another wave of his hand, Jason ordered the arcane golems to stand in the front line to counter enemy horsemen, while the legionaries formed a protective barrier between the rebel army and loyalists, using their enchanted shields to block enemy arrows.
The enemy knights were quickly defeated, some still managing to destroy a few golems understanding that the crystal in their centre was their weak point. The few who made it past the golems were greeted with well-placed arrows, courtesy of the rangers behind the legionaries.
Of course, Robert Baratheon was not going to let the elves claim all the glory, and in a cry of absolute rage he walked out of the ranks, heading straight for the rapidly approaching enemy infantry. Sighing, Jason ordered the legionaries to abandon their defensive position to protect the future King of Westeros. They were quickly joined by the other leaders, apart from Harry who stayed behind to watch the battle. He had stayed behind, with the Magisters and Ballistae (which he knew he didn't need). Magisters could be heard around him chatting merrily, commenting on the battle and some even exchanging purses because of various bets. Even Harry took part in the bets, losing a small one with Fenrir who laughed like a hyena as he pocketed a large purse.
Suddenly a horn sounded, and it was not Elvish. Turning to the left, Harry saw an army of knights proudly bearing the Connington crest heading straight towards him and his people. Jason wasn't the only one who came up with the idea of getting his riders across.
"Gentlemen, they are yours." Harry smirked.
The magisters chuckled in concert before taking their staffs in their hands and unsheathing their wands. They would finally be able to let off some steam.
Eddard Stark whitened when he heard the horn, suspecting it wasn't the elves. When he saw the enemy army heading at full speed towards the elves who had remained in retreat, he decided to leave the ranks, signaling the warriors of the North to turn around. But it was useless, and the spectacle which presented itself to him was most bewildering.
Lights of all colors fell on enemy knights as the earth exploded, lightning struck and cannonballs and other objects materialized in the air before falling on the poor knights. Balls of fire and green lightning crashed forcefully into the enemy cavalry, the men screaming in pain and their cries making soldiers' blood run cold on the battlefield.
The spectacle was so captivating that for a while the fighting ended as everyone watched the Magisters decimate the House Connington cavalry (whose Lord was banished from Westeros). Animals had even appeared out of nowhere, lions, tigers and other dangerous creatures that swooped down on the horses, killing the poor beasts as their riders fell before being disembowelled by the bloodthirsty beasts.
In just a few minutes, what must have been two thousand horsemen were gone, leaving only a smoking pile of bones and blood. And a misfortune never comes alone, an elf horn sounds. The Farstriders and knights of the Vale appeared to the right of the royalist army, thousands of cavalrymen heading at full speed towards the enemy rear-guard to strike them head-on. Jonothor Darry died instantly, while Lewyn Martell was beheaded by Jason. The battle was almost over.
While Barristan Selmy was collapsed to the ground, trampled by the Farstriders, Rhaegar Targaryen fought Robert Baratheon in the middle of the fighting. Many soldiers stopped, the battle already lost, to observe what would become a duel of legend.
Robert's anger was such that he wielded his gigantic sledgehammer with one hand, hitting Rhaegar's shield head-on. Harry, who had then approached, smiled when he heard Rhaegar's cry. The blow was enough to shatter the bones in his left hand, and Robert was wearing a vicious smile. He gave another blow, and with all his might, slammed his sledgehammer on Rhaegar's chest, shattering his ribcage in one fell swoop while reducing the lungs to pulp. The rubies on the breastplate were seen to fly away and end up in the water, as Rhaegar fell to the ground while choking in his own blood.
Savouring his revenge, Robert placed his mace on the prince's chest, forcing him to stay under the water where he died while reaching out to the one who had just defeated him. Robert just spit on him. He then raised his hammer with a roar, and the rebels screamed in concert as the loyalists threw their weapons to the ground. The Battle of the Trident was over, and the rebels had won.
Soon after, the rebels returned to their camp, closely followed by the loyalists who had changed faction when they saw the heir to the throne perish. All swore loyalty to Robert Baratheon, but the latter glared at them with nameless hatred. He knew very well that they had sworn loyalty for the sole reason that their leader was dead, and not out of loyalty.
In a gesture that surprised many, he refused to be treated and asked that Barristan Selmy be in his place. There was one man who deserved to be honored, and it was that proud fighter. The elves offered to help, and several mediwizards came to quickly invigorate the troops so that they could immediately march towards King's Landing.
In the Main Tent, the leaders organized a meeting.
" I expected more casualties," Hoster announced in a surprised tone, "yet few men have perished, and the majority of the wounded have been saved thanks to you, Emperor Hadrian."
"No need to thank me, Lord Tully," Harry smirked, pointing to Jason, "this man is the real architect of this victory."
"In that case, let us congratulate you Prince Jason," Hoster smiled.
"I only did my duty," Jason replied stoically, "and these loyalists were no match for us."
"For sure!" Robert smiled holding a large mug of beer, "you've fucked them over. Ah, I loved the fearful look of the dragonwhore when your flying warriors crashed into their archers. And I'm not talking about your magicians!"
"Magisters, please," Harry corrected him. "Or mages or wizards, but not magicians. They are only conjurers whose vocation is to amuse the little people with sleight of hand and special effects."
Robert looked at him, slightly lost. He shook his head before continuing to smile. For his part, Jon asked aloud a question that many wondered.
" Emperor Hadrian, why didn't you take part in the battle?" Jon asked.
"It is true that you are the only one who has not fought," Eddard commented with a more peaceful face.
"It wouldn't be fair," Harry replied simply.
"Fair?" Robert asked, arching an eyebrow.
"What His Majesty means is that it would be unfair for the Loyalists for him to take part in the battle, just like for the Magisters," Fenrir explained, standing right behind Harry. "You can't imagine what he's capable of, if he wanted to, he could have destroyed the enemy army on his own. But hey, the magisters and our soldiers wanted to let off some steam and prove their worth to you."
"Destroy the enemy army alone?" Hoster exclaimed, shock showing on his face. "Do you mean you didn't need your soldiers?"
"I would love to see you fight!" Robert grinned.
"Maybe someday," Harry smiled back. "But shouldn't we set out for King's Landing before the end of the festivities? "
At Harry's words, the Westerosians exchanged glances. Festivities? What could he be talking about? Seeing their taken aback faces, Harry decided to light their lanterns.
" Lord Lannister is surely only a two-day walk from King's Landing right now," Harry explained.
"So you were telling the truth?" Jon asked with a slight smile. "He decided to join us after all."
"It's not very surprising," Eddard said, looking thoughtful. "The King never ceased to insult him, threaten him and openly laugh at him. He even appointed his heir as Kingsguard, thus depriving him of his favourite son at the expense of one he hates."
"Bah!" cried Robert with a loud burp. "I want to know why he didn't join us from the start."
"It makes sense, though," Hoster said. "Jamie Lannister is also a prisoner of Aerys, and the lion probably did not act earlier for fear of reprisals against his son. What really surprised me was this turnaround. Unless…" Hoster continued, his eyes widening slightly as he understood.
"Unless he hasn't publicly announced his support," Harry continued instead of Hoster. "King Aerys is convinced that Tywin will come and help him, and when the doors open, then he will quickly crush the last loyalists."
"It is not honourable!" Eddard suddenly exclaimed angrily. "Such behaviour ..."
"Honour has no place in war!" Harry cut him off. "Know that honour is only a notion invented by men to justify their weakness. A shield of words without interest, of vain and nebulous notions which aim to establish precise rules favouring the losers. Can't you see? It is not honourable to shoot a man down, it is not honourable to attack from behind, it is not honourable to betray your king. This notion of honour is a brake, a barricade that prevents you from winning."
"Honour is all that matters!" Eddard replied vehemently. "Honour is what separates men from beasts! Without honour, we are no better than bandits who plunder and ravage."
"Your honour is above all a weakness," Harry retorted, arching an eyebrow. "You have honour when it suits you, and at the slightest opportunity that is favourable to you, you throw your honour out the window! The bandits are certainly dishonourable, but the same can be said of your valiant knights. How many of them raped the women of the villages after having conquered them? How many have killed the children of these same women to prevent them from denouncing them? Your honour only exists when it suits you, admit it!"
Eddard Stark looked at Harry in astonishment. The Elven Emperor had spat his words with such venom, such truth, that he was unable to answer him. He knew very well that the soldiers took pleasure in seizing the spoils of war after each battle, women and even some children being regarded as objects dedicated to their personal pleasure. He was not blind, and knew that even northerners had participated in these abuses, the Boltons first. He looked away, silently admitting his defeat.
No lord of Westeros dared to intervene, under penalty of incurring the wrath of the Emperor. Robert was in full agreement, while Jon Arryn wanted to defend his honour. But the old man knew full well that it was impossible to defend the actions of his men, so he closed his eyes and nodded.
"In that case, let's march to King's Landing!" Robert cried to ease the tension.
They all nodded. It was time for them to seize the capital and put a definitive end to this war which had only lasted too long.