(1,200 words)
- Percival Bolton POV -
- Bravos - Free Cities - Essos - 282 A.D -
At the coming of the new year, Lyanna Stark was kidnapped by Prince Rhaegar Targaryen near Harrenhal. Her brother, Brandon Stark, was on his way to Riverrun to marry Catelyn Tully when the news reached him. Brandon rode immediately to Kings Landing with his companions: Ethan Glover , Brandon's squire, Elbert Arryn , nephew of Lord Jon Arryn and heir to "Eyrie" as well as House Arryn, Kyle Royce and Jeffory Mallister .
Brandon rode into the Red Keep, and outside its gates, unaware that Rhaegar was not present, shouted at him to come out and die.
King Aerys II had them all arrested for plotting to murder the crown prince and summoned the fathers of all the accused to court.
Lord Rickard Stark, my father Marlon's "friend," who was heading south with the wedding party for Brandon's wedding, went to King's Landing with two hundred men. None of them returned north. At Kings Landing, all the accused were executed, with the sole exception of Ethan Glover. But the thing is that this event marked the beginning of the event known as "Robert's Rebellion".
The deaths were especially cruel, so I can say that I like Aerys's style.... But the thing is that Rickard Stark died in a "Trial by Battle", a competition used in Westeros to tell if someone is innocent or guilty. It consists of the fight of two people, which can be the accused and accuser, or simply their representatives. But basically it is a wild card for the great families. But Rickard's opponent was not a person, but the fire itself. For he was simply burned alive, all while his son Brandon looked on with bloodshot eyes. Or so I believe... But from what the spies said, he died by hanging. But the important thing is that at this point, after "Mad King" sent an order to Jon Arryn, Lord of House Arryn and many more boring titles, to arrest his protégés, who were Robert Baratheon and Ned Stark, Arryn raised his banners in rebellion. And that has been the most recent of the events that have taken place.
"Are you going to leave for Westeros now?" asked Qybur beside me.
"Yes... Is everything ready?" I asked him, and he nodded smiling.
"It is... You made it clear that you did not want to expend your own forces, while waiting for future campaigns" he told me.
"That is correct, our forces are over 130,000 soldiers, but we must not be overconfident. Besides, we have to eliminate 5,000 seven times, which is the minimum number of soldiers that should be left in a Free City."
"That's true... You should never neglect defense. But just as you asked, there are 10,000 soldiers ready plus 20,000 mercenaries. That should be more than enough to make a mark in battle."
"Sure, that's more than enough. Though I don't plan to help much either. Just reap benefits" I replied, and set off in my ship.
Right now, even though I wouldn't be fighting, I was going to the battlefield, so I was taking all my bodyguards with me. The Clegane brothers, Syrio Forel and Harry Stricktan. Plus Davos Seaworth as the navigator for my fleet of 80 ships, since the mercenaries had their own ships.
The guys were nothing special as Golden Company, but they were pretty competent and that's what mattered. On my side, I wasn't taking Unsullied, but normal soldiers. Braavosi and Pentosi. But they had a similar treatment to the Unsullied, and they didn't really express emotions. They just followed orders. Product of three factors, brainwashing with propaganda, fear of losing their families, and drugs in all their meals.
Their armor was made of a very good metal, which was what Unsullied armor was made of. I used his own armor to make this one, because I had replaced the Unsullied's armor with an even better one made of materials from the modern world. A normal sword could not penetrate the armor even close. At most tear it, but by no means penetrate it. Although with very well forged swords, or with Valyrian Steel there could be problems. But only in specific cases. Although for the arms and chest, areas where the original armor did not cover anything due to mobility issues, there is a lighter and more flexible material. But despite being so, it is similar to the areas with real armor that occupied before. So it is an absolute improvement.
The ships also had hidden gunpowder cannons. Although only a few, which was something only to use in case of emergencies. But what they did have in abundance on the ships, were gunpowder explosives. That would serve to invade fortresses or that sort of thing. I had sacrificed quite a few more virgins to reinforce the curse I put on gunpowder a few years ago.
Since I had not read the book, I did not know the exact battles by far. The only thing I know, besides the origin and outcome, was about Battle of the Trident, where Robert Baratheon kills Rhaegar Targaryen.
I also know the shit that goes on at Tower of Joy, and it's clear to me that I'm going there first. I can't let the rightful heir to the throne live if I want to marry Daenerys or Rhaenys to claim the throne.
But according to my informants, the first showdown and movement in this war would be at Gulltown. Where the vassals of House Arryn who stayed on the side of the "Loyalists", opposing the "Rebels" and not going with their banner to support Jon Arryn, are taking refuge.
Does that make them traitors? Partly yes and partly no. They betray their Lord, but remain loyal to their King. It's a pretty complex dilemma, but that sort of thing doesn't really matter to me. They'll just be corpses for getting in the way of my goals. If I help them in the war, they won't do anything rash when I shelter the Targaryens in their given time. Only women of course. Viserys will die in a very... Unfortunate.
"My lord..." said Davos at my side.
"Yes?"
"Is there some special reason to support the rebels instead of The Crown?" he asked me.
"Motive? For justice of course" I said with a big smile.
"Justice? I don't want to question it My Lord, but.... Is justice worth doing all this for? Though many are mercenaries, we also have 10,000 men at stake" he said to me with a confused face.
"The righteous receive many benefits, Davos" I told him, and his face grew even more confused.
"But... If they do it for benefits... They wouldn't be righteous anymore, would they?"
"You're right in principle, but you have to be clear about something. Who defines the righteous side?" I asked him.
"The people?"
"In some ways, but not essentially. The righteous are those who history says are righteous. Nothing more, nothing less. And the ones who write history are the ones in power.... So the winners," I told him, and his eyes widened.
"So..."
"Yes. The righteous side, will be the side that wins the war."