Chapter 297

SER LORAS TYRELL

"Are you sure it is wise to let Sansa Stark go back to Winterfell?" he asked as he readied his horse.

"No." Renly replied as he saddled his own horse. He was trying to put up a strong front but he could tell that Renly was nervous. He could understand. He was nervous as well. What they were doing was treason and there was going back from this. "But either that or fight against the Stark men and kidnap those two for hostage. That not only increases our chance of getting caught by the Red Cloaks but it will also make the Starks our enemy. I don't want that to happen if possible."

"So you're just going to allow Sansa to go back North?" he asked "You know very well that Lady Catelyn might be Lord Stark's wife but she's not as useful as a hostage as her young unwed daughter."

"I know." Renly said and let out a huge sigh before he turned to one of his men.

"Stephen."

"My lord?" the man asked.

"I have a task for you. A very important one." Renly said "Go to the mud gate and inform the Commander of the Gold Cloaks there that Starks are trying to leave Kings Landing. Tell him that they must not leave the City no matter what. Tell him to capture but not harm Sansa Stark."

"What about the Stark guards." Stephen asked.

Renly looked conflicted for a moment but he answered nonetheless "Do what them what you will."

Stephen nodded and quickly left the stable on his horse.

"What was that Renly?" he asked his lover who looked even more stressed and guilty from what he had just done.

"I… I cannot allow the Starks to side with my brother. But I know Lord Stark and know that he'll choose my brother over me because by the law my brother should be the next king."

He stayed silent and Renly continued "If the Lannisters have his daughter, then Lord Stark would definitely wage war against the Lannisters. While he's busy with the Lannisters, we'll deal my brother. And once… Stannis is dead, we'll help the Starks against the Lannisters and return Lady Catelyn Stark to him. Lord Stark will have no choice to support us after that."

"That… there's so much in that plan that could go wrong." He said.

Renly nodded "Perhaps. But it's better if Sansa is a Lannister hostage then if she's safe in Winterfell."

He nodded and finished saddling his horse.

"Let's pray to the gods that your plan works Renly."

Renly nodded and climbed on his horse as well.

A moment later, Lady Stark entered the stables with two Stark men who had her belongings.

She nodded and the Stark men quickly saddled her own horse for her.

Within an hour, they had left Kings Landing and were riding hard for Highgarden where they would gather their army and start the campaign to seat Renly on the Iron Throne with his sister by Renly's side.