Interlude: King's Landing (Wartime)

As Stannis' Forces crept closer and closer to King's Landing, and the blockade of the City cut off food supplies from the rest of Westeros from coming into the Capital, unrest began to grow in King's Landing. A city of three-quarters of a Million People, King's Landing has swelled by half again its previous size in just the past few years. That growth has been lauded as a major achievement at the tail end of King Robert's reign, bolstering the local economy and the tax revenue of the City. It was now turning out to be a liability, as those mouths went hungry and turned to unrest.

In the Red Keep, however, food supplies were still quite well-stocked, the larder far from barren. This had been a necessity of King Robert's reign, as you never knew when the King would demand to hold a feast. This allowed the Garrison of the Red Keep, one thousand strong, along with the Royal Court and the Lannister Guards stationed in the Red Keep, to still be well fed. This was no secret in the City itself, as many of the Red Keep's Garrison had family in the City and smallfolk tended to gossip amongst themselves just as much as any Noble Courtier. The disparity fuelled the unrest further.

In the Small Council, a debate was being had about what to do about the unrest in the City. Lord Baelish, the Master of Coin, had a solution to the food issue to lay before the Small Council, while the newly-promoted Master of Laws, Lord Gawen Westerling, was giving an update on how the Gold Cloaks' suppression of unrest was currently progressing. Gawen Westerling had been promoted after Renly had decided to turn traitor, much like how Lord Sebaston Farman had become Master of Ships after Stannis had done the same. Meanwhile, Lord Tyrion Lannister sat presiding over the Small Council as a deputy of his father, the Hand of the King.

"We have been bolstered by Lannister Guardsmen, and so have largely been able to keep unrest from boiling over into rioting proper. It won't take much, however, for things to reach that level, My Lords. Flea Bottom is also going to be an issue when that time comes." Informed Lord Westerling.

"How so?" Questioned Tyrion.

"To be frank, My Lord, the Gangs of Flea Bottom are oddly well-equipped. Better than the Gold Cloaks, even. They have contented themselves with their small slice of the City and their illicit businesses so far, however, if it becomes more profitable for them to start a riot, then they will decide to do so." Answered Lord Westerling.

"I was given to understand the Gangs of Flea Bottom were too disunited to do much?" Queried Grand Maester Pycelle.

"That had been the case, but it seems that at some point in the last year, some outside force has backed one gang in unifying the lot. They've been well-funded and well-equipped ever since." Refuted Lord Westerling.

Turion turned toward Littlefinger who put his hands up in front of him in a placating manner as he spoke up in his defense. "Don't look at me, My Lords. My own influence is more along the river docks on the Blackwater Rush."

"Well, in the absence of any information around Skullduggery, I have always found it wise to blame Lord Seawynd." Spoke up Varys.

"Oh? Does your web not extend that far, Spider?" Asked Jaime Lannister, the current Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. After all, just this morning, King Joffrey had dismissed Ser Barristan Selmy.

"I'm afraid that my Little Birds have a habit of being shot out of the sky when they fly too closely around Lord Seawynd's operations. His own Spymaster is frighteningly competent." Admitted Varys.

"That is troubling, but not critical as of yet. I will detail men from the Red Keep Garrison to aid in Gold Cloak Patrols. That should allow you to send some men to keep watch over Flea Bottom. Perhaps that will allow us some warning should the Gangs there decide to cause trouble. Now, I believe Lord Baelish has a proposal on how to alleviate the food shortage?" Pressed Tyrion.

"Indeed, My Lords. Blackwater Bay may be blocked off, but Duskendale is yet free to trade. I have taken the liberty of purchasing a shipment of grain, salted fish, and vegetables to be sent to Duskendale from the Mooton Lands in the Riverlands. My Trade Company has already received the shipment and is transporting it here overland as we speak. It should arrive this evening via the Duskendale Road." Informed Littlefinger.

"And you used treasury funds for this?" Questioned Lord Farman.

"Of course, My Lord. It is for the good of the realm, after all. However, this is a proof of concept. We can bring food in via the Port of Duskendale and my caravans can transport it overland via the Duskendale Road to the City." Nodded Littlefinger.

"Very well. I dislike using treasury funds for that, but needs must. Lord Farman, how fares our efforts to fix the lack of ships after Stannis' treachery?" Queried Tyrion.

"Better than we thought they would, not as well as we had hoped. Between new builds and impressed merchants, we will have a small flotilla of perhaps two dozen ships to defend the Blackwater Rush in the next two weeks or so. Half are War Galleys armed with twelve, four-pound guns, while the other half are impressed merchants armed with whatever could be spared. Largely a mix of two-pound guns, ballistae, and the odd bombard. It's a motley mix of ships and I doubt they will be able to contest a determined attack for long. The real issue is the crews, they are quite green." Reported Lord Farman.

"That is unfortunate, but should the rebels attack via the Sea, we may have a trump card to play." Offered Varys.

"How so?" Asked Tyrion.

"The Mad King may have provided a solution that could be utilized to at the very least break up an incoming naval assault." Began Varys.

"You cannot be serious. That is like to blow back on the City as much as it is to destroy any enemy assault!" Scoffed Ser Jaime.

"What are you talking about?" Questioned Grand Maester Pycelle.

"Why, the caches of Wildfire that Aerys had squirreled away under the Capital, of course." Answered Varys.

"Aye. The Mad King's final spite. If the City were to be lost, he wanted to ensure the Rebels wouldn't live to enjoy it. His order to the Pyromancers to light the caches was the reason for my decision to run him through." Spat Ser Jaime.

"I had wondered why you were allowed to retain your white cloak, I had just assumed that Lord Tywin had used his influence there." Mused Littlefinger.

"Unlikely." Snorted Lord Farman.

"Yes, Lord Tywin would prefer Ser Jaime released from his oath." Added Lord Westerling.

"Regardless, this is an interesting resource. Grand Maester Pycelle, do you believe we can rig up a fire ship using this?" Queried Tyrion.

"Possibly. The Pyromancer's Substance is inherently unstable, however a fire ship should be fairly doable. The trick would be having the pilot abandon ship in time to avoid the conflagration." Mused Pycelle.

"Why not use a slow-burning matchcord as a fuse? We have Matchlocks so there should be plenty of matchcord." Advised Littlefinger.

"I cannot believe I am saying this, but I agree with Lord Baelish. Matchcord should do well as a fuse." Agreed Varys.

"If you can do that, and it works, my small flotilla should be able to at least stalemate what enemy ships remain, though we would have to engage further in the Bay to avoid the wind off the sea blowing the flames back onto the city. I will detail ships to keep watch in case of Stannis' ships entering the bay." Concurred Lord Farman.

Just then, a servant arrived with a pair of messages, handing one to Varys and one to Lord Baelish. The Spider and Littlefinger enrolled their messages and read them. From the frowns on their faces, neither of the messages contained good news. When they were finished reading, Tyrion spoke up, drawing their attention.

"Ill news, my Lords?" Asked Tyrion.

"I will let Lord Baelish go first." Offered Varys.

"My fleet in Cracklaw Point has engaged Lord Seawynd off Brownhollow. They have a decent accounting of themselves, sinking over a dozen enemy ships. However, they could not stop the onslaught. Brownhollow is now under blockade and siege by Lord Seawynd. He has thirty-thousand men and eighty-six Warships." Explained Littlefinger.

"As for my news, my Little Birds have Informed me that Stannis has landed in the Stormlands and is marching for Storms End as we speak with Thirty-thousand Men." Informed Varys.

"This is grave news. I'm afraid we must adjourn this meeting for now. The Queen-Mother and King must be informed. I must go to advise my Sweet Sister and Nephew." Intoned Tyrion.

Indeed, as the meeting broke up and Tyrion headed to inform Cersei and Joffrey, he could just imagine the reactions his sister and nephew would have to the news. Neither was particularly pretty. Unfortunately, Tyrion's instincts were right on the money there. Joffrey had started to rant and rave, showing disconcerting parallels to the Mad King in his disposition, while Cersei had immediately ordered that half the levies of every loyal house in the Crownlands be sent to the Capital to safeguard the King. It was a gross overreaction in Tyrion's mind, as the levies would be needed to contest the approaches to the Capital. After all, why defend the Capital when you might be able to keep the enemy away from the Capital? That was just how his Sweet Sister operated, however, unfortunately.

Fortunately, Littlefinger's purchased food shipments did indeed arrive that evening, which helped calm the smallfolk somewhat in a way that the constant Gold Cloak Patrols never could. As well as that, the next day, thousands of troops from the nearby Houses such as Rosby, Chelsted, Bywater, and Stokeworth arrived to bolster the Capital. Unfortunately, the news from elsewhere continued to worsen. Brownhollow fell two days later, and though one more shipment from Duskendale arrived at the city, the day after Brownhollow's fall, Duskendale was placed under siege and blockade by a force under Lady Brienne Seawynd, stopping all food shipments from that quarter.

The day after that, when the news filtered out to the smallfolk, the first of the food riots began. . .

XXXX

Lady Falyse Stokeworth was heading to greet her Lord Husband and his arriving troops. Lord Balman Byrch had recently come leading half his men as commanded by the Queen and Lady Falyse wanted to greet him. She'd recently taken an infertility treatment course of expensive Qartheen Ginseng Pills that she had imported at great expense from Qarth. Apparently, the pills were mixed by the House of the Undying with magics and worked to help barren women conceive. She had just received the pills before the blockade had gone up and had been taking them for a few days.

"Don't you really think the magic will work?" Questioned her sister, Lollys.

"Of course, Lollys They're magic." Scoffed Falyse.

"Magic from a foreign source." Sniffed Lollys.

"The Warlocks of Qarth are well-known, Lollys. They wouldn't be well-known if they were Charlatans." Insisted Lady Johanna Byrch.

"Still, I'd rather trust good Westerosi herbs than some queer foreign substance." Frowned Lollys.

Falyse sighed at that. Lollys was a bit slow and simple. That plus her trusting nature meant she was easily led by the nose by anyone who spoke authoritatively enough. Unfortunately, the Queen Mother had patronized a number of town criers in the past few weeks to help decry foreign influences, like those that supposedly championed Stannis' bid for the Iron Throne. Poor, simple, trusting, Lollys had swallowed those words whole-heartedly. It had caused a number of problems during dinners at the manse, especially since Mother had remained at Stokeworth and thus, wasn't present to soothe Lollys' recently-stoked fears of all things foreign.

"Still, I mislike having to leave the manse. There are a lot of armed smallfolk walking about." Mused Johanna Byrch.

"The Gold Cloaks are on the streets. We have naught to fear." Sniffed Falyse.

"Indeed, the Gold Cloaks will ensure we're safe." Echoed Lollys.

Once again, Lollys was simply mimicking the opinions of the people around her. Falyse shook her head at that. Perhaps father and mother had been too old when they had conceived Lollys. Something about having a child after the age of forty must cause simplemindedness. Falyse was certain the Maesters would have a word for it, but Falyse was not a Learned Maester. Shaking her head, Falyse despaired at ever having nieces or nephews. After all, who would wish to marry their son off to her simpleminded sister? If this Qartheen remedy did not work, House Stokeworth could well end with her and Lollys. Father would be horrified, were he still alive.

Unfortunately, caught in her thoughts as she was, Falyse was unaware of the goings-on around her until it was too late. Armed smallfolk became more and more of a presence on the street as they walked and soon, they outnumbered the patrolling Gold Cloaks. Falyse was too stuck in her thoughts to notice, right up until the attack started and she was suddenly shocked out of her inner monolog about her sister and the potential death of House Stokeworth. Somebody from the crowd shouted out something about the nobles hoarding food for themselves and then threw a stone. The stone sailed right into a Gold Cloak's helm, knocking the man to the cobbles. For a moment, nothing else happened. Then a shout from the crowd echoed out.

"There's some of those Noble Cunts now! Kill the Gold Cloaks and let's force them to show us their hidden larders!" Shouted the Anonymous Smallfolk from the crowd.

Falyse looked up in time to see the crowd draw weapons, meat cleavers, slings, pitchforks, and smithing hammers were present, the sort of thing you'd expect from a mobile of rioting smallfolk. They weren't alone, however, and plenty of cudgels, short blades, dirks, and so on were present as well. The Gold Cloaks were outnumbered, a patrol of eight against the swelling mob. They fought with spears and swords, killing over a dozen of the rioting smallfolk, but were eventually overwhelmed. Falyse was shocked out of her thoughts as the assault began. Now, she grabbed her Sister's hand and ran, dragging Lollys behind her.

"Damn it, Lollys! Run!" Hissed Falyse.

"B-But, where?" Stuttered Lollys, simple mind paralyzed with indecision and deferring to her older sister.

"Balman! Balman will save us! He's brought troops to the city, come on!" Snapped Falyse, even as Johanna went down to a Smallfolk man swinging an iron-banded cudgel into her knee with a crack.

Falyse and Lollys left Johanna behind, trying to slip into an alleyway and make it to the next street over. They found no sanctuary there, however, as the rioting had spread to the next street over as well. As they exited the alley onto the next street over, Lollys let out a scream and pointed to the right. Falyse looked just in time to see the butt of a pitchfork whistling toward her head. Then pain blossomed in her temple, combined with a sensation of falling. As Lady Falyse Stokeworth fell to the cobbles of the street, her last sight was of her sweet, simple, trusting, sister Lollys being grabbed by a burly smallfolk man in a leather Jerkin with a pair of dirks hanging off a leather baldric.

Then her head hit the Cobbles and blackness took her. . .

XXXX

A week later, the last of the rioters had been clapped in irons or put to the sword. Doing so had been bloody, hundreds of men, Lannister Guards, Gold Cloaks, Red Keep Garrison Men, and Crownlander Levies alike, had been wounded or slain by the suspiciously well-armed smallfolk. In that time, dozens of nobles had been attacked as well. Both Stokeworth Sisters, Lady Johanna Byrch, Elise Chelsted, and Myranda Gaunt, had all been caught up in the initial riots and raped. All were now with Child. Meanwhile, Ser Dontos Hollard had been slain during a trip to a tavern, which wasn't a major loss, but Ser Aemon Hogg, the heir to Sow's Horn had also been slain trying to cut his way out of a Whorehouse. That was a loss.

In the end, however, order had been restored, largely thanks to Tyrion taking personal command of the efforts to deal with the rioters. He had recognized the riots had been touched off by a combination of the lack of food in the City along with the increase in mouths to feed thanks to his Sweet Sister's proclamation and had used the recent loss to Stannis by Renly, who was backed by much of the reach, to purchase a large amount of food that had come up the Roseroad over the course of the week, which Varys had ensured the populace knew about. That had taken the edge off the riots as many rioters had simply gone home upon hearing that. The die-hards were then put down harshly.

Unfortunately, while his Nephew busied himself with the trials of the ringleader of the riots, often enacting punishments himself via crossbow, the bad news did not stop when the riots did. Not only had Duskendale been Taken, but so had Dyre Den. Stannis was marching up from the Stormlands, even as Lord Seawynd sought to break out of Cracklaw Point. Fortunately, Father had not been idle, and Tyrion had relieved a message from Harrenhal, one he now shared with his Sweet Sister. She was taking it about as well as could be expected.

"No! I will not give my Joff away to some Mooton Harlot who isn't good enough for him! Nor will I send Tommen away!" Hissed Cersei.

"Cersei, there's close to fifty-thousand enemies closing in on the City from all sides. We just suffered hundreds of casualties from the riots. We do not have the strength to hold the City against such a force until Father arrives from the Riverlands. Not without Lord Mooton's men." Insisted Tyrion.

"No! It's bad enough I was forced to send Myrcella away to some desert to keep the peace with Dorne! I won't do the same to Tommen!" Scowled Cersei.

"What if I were to go with him?" Queried Jaime.

"What? Why would you do that when we need you here to protect us?" Asked Cersei.

"It's been done before. Besides, there are Knights of the Kingsguard who are almost as good with a blade as I am. Ser Balon Swann, for instance." Offered Jaime.

"He's not your equal with a blade, Jaime." Huffed Cersei.

"No, but he's better with a Morningstar and Exceptional with a bow. Those are more reliable in a full-scale battle than a sword." Insisted Jaime.

"Our brother has a point, Cersei." Added Tyrion.

"Fine. If you're going to team up against me, I suppose I have no choice!" Spat Cersei.

"It's an order from Father, Sweet Sister. None of us had any choice to start with." Japed Tyrion.

"I think I've had enough of you for one afternoon, Tyrion. Leave now." Snarled Cersei.

"Of course, I have things to do to prepare for Lord Mooton's arrival at any rate." Nodded Tyrion, giving a mocking bow before leaving his siblings.

As he passed the Great Hall, he looked in on his nephew to see Joffrey loading a crossbow. About twenty paces further from the Iron Throne, a Smallfolk Man with a bushy brown beard and bulging arms was tied to a pillar. The giant splotch of red on his head signifying where he'd been smashed over the head with a mace during his capture. Bennard Smithy, one of the leaders of the fourth and final riot and who had tried to rouse the street of steel to riot after Tyrion's proclamation of grain from the Reach had gone out. Tyrion remembered being told of the Man's capture by Ser Jacelyn Bywater, who had been acting as his liaison to the Gold Cloaks for the rioting. Joffrey had his crossbow loaded and leveled it at the man, a mad glint in his eye.

"This will teach you to spurn your King!" Spat Joffrey with a vicious grin.

Tyrion turned away as Joffrey sent a serrated crossbow bolt hurtling into Bennard Smithy's stomach. The bolt punched through and tore into the Man's innards, serrated head shredding intestines into a bloody mess. It was a slow death and a horrific way to go, but his Nephew seemed to favor those these days as he turned imperiously to a pair of Red Keep Guardsmen and barked out orders.

"Take this filth to the black cells and let him die there!" Commanded Joffrey.

Tyrion shook his head and headed for his quarters in the Tower of the Hand. He fully expected to hear that Bennard Smithy had died a few hours from now in a slow, drawn-out, process. He couldn't think about that at the moment, though, he had preparations to make. He could drink the thought away later, and indeed that was what he wound up doing that evening. The next morning, however, his shipment of food from the Reach arrived. A few hours later, Tommen and Jaime left the City, headed for Sow's Horn.

That event was followed three days later by ten thousand men from Eastern Riverlands, led by Ser Ranald Mooton. Now, with twenty-thousand men under arms in the Capital, they would hopefully be able to hold out against Stannis when he arrived. Speaking of Stannis, he arrived the day after that and began setting up a siege camp. He was joined by Lord Seawynd the next day. The siege of King's Landing had finally begun.

May the Gods have mercy on them all. . .

XXXX

AN: So here we get a look at things going on in King's Landing. Predictably, Cersei got spooked by the success Stannis and Company were having on the battlefield and ordered a bunch of levies be sent to the Capital. The extra mouths, combined with Brienne taking Duskendale and the blockade, caused a series of Riots that only got sorted out by Tyrion being smart and dealing with them. Those riots in turn caused Joffrey to become fully mask-off unhinged.

All told it's not been a good time to be in King's Landing. The Court is paranoid and the riots killed a bunch of people, including a few nobles. Meanwhile, the smallfolk just had a bunch of them butchered thanks to the crackdown against the riots. Thankfully for the Lannisters, the Mootons brought a bunch of troops to bolster the defenses and Tywin is on the way with relief. If they can hold out until Tywin arrives, they might just win this.

At any rate, in the next chapter, we'll be back with Ricasso for Stannis' War Council.

Stay tuned. . .