Chapter 24

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Tiene Sand.

Tiene hadn't slept for the third day in a row. At night she kept having nightmares about the biggest and bloodiest battle she had seen in her entire life.

The Battle of Burly Falls, or as the locals were beginning to call it in their own way, the Scarlet Lord's Massacre. Actually in honour of Damian Blackheart, who was already known here as a cunning, powerful, fierce and fearless warrior.

And here Tiena could agree with a lot of things, but she would add brutal and bloodthirsty. Though he had a lot of intelligence. When Tiena was ready to bet that she had studied Blackheart well, a new facet of his abilities and talents was revealed in front of her nose. Oh, and luck favours him. Few could boast of defeating three large Westerner units of nearly a thousand men with a combined total of three and a half hundred warriors.

The third snake is very observant and has already noticed how Obara has fallen madly in love with this scarlet-eyed demon who knows how to charm with his wild nature. What's to say when Nim and her new lover Gerda are just as keenly interested in him as a man, especially after this battle. Gerda is more taciturn and reserved than her sister and is more difficult to bring out, but Tiena can do it, for she has learnt this art very well from Obara in her time.

And what to speak of Gerda, if Obara seemed to be a bachelor to the bone, and wants Blackheart like a man thirsty for water in the desert. Though he had told her plainly that he would not marry her, and had made the boundaries of their relationship clear from the beginning. Obara accepted them, but as she confessed to her sisters after her arrival and meeting the scarred Damian, she wants a child with him. She basically doesn't care if he doesn't even acknowledge that the bastard will be from him. She just wants to raise his child. It was akin to a shock to Nymeria and Tiena that their sister decided to "settle down", though probably without the man she really loves.

Nymeria, on the other hand, wants him in her bed as another trophy, she was more interested in Gerda Barley, but with each time Tiena notices that her interest is smoothly increasing.

What can I say? She herself is not sleeping for the third night in a row, not only because of the "bloody battle", but also because of the image of that warrior, which crashed into her mind. And as much as she hated to admit it, just as Obara had said, Damian was like their father in some ways.

"Red Serpent" with black eyes and "Black Heart" with bloodshot scarlet eyes on the other side. Both of them: dark-haired men that are quite dangerous, cunning, clever, strong, ambitious, proud, self-assured, in their own way famous, both predators, both don't like to be told what to do...

Tiena threw the covers off herself and shook her tangled mop of wheat-blonde hair. She could go on with this list for a long time.

- I think I'm getting sucked into this pit just as much. - Tiena muttered and ran her soft blue, but snake-like eyes, like her sisters, over to Nymeria's empty bed.

Tiene was surprised, for she hadn't seen her sister slip out of her bed, but only for a moment, still she didn't pay much attention to it.

If sleep wasn't coming, fresh air might help. She dressed leisurely and left the tent she shared with her sister to walk around the camp. There were other tents and tents everywhere, not uncommon campfires with small groups of soldiers or knights sitting around them, and local game being cooked on the fires. It brought back memories from her childhood, when her father had taken little Tiena with him a couple of times on journeys through the Seven Kingdoms and they had sat around the campfire listening to the forest dwellers and looking at the stars. It involuntarily brought a warm smile to her face.

But when they reached Lord Blackheart's tent, where two Blackheart guardsmen were on duty, they heard the following.

- The king is dead - long live the king!

These strange words Damian said, laughing, to Varick and Obara when he learnt of the tragic and foolish demise of his suzerain.

But more than that, with news of the death of the "stag king," duplicated by the call to swear an oath to Robert's rightful king and heir, Prince Joffrey, came news also from Dragonstone, where the late king's right hand man, Eddard Stark, had suddenly found himself. He and Stannis Baratheon also sent their message to all the Great and Lesser Lords of Westeros with the news that the king had been murdered by the Lannisters, and that all the "king's children" were but bastards of the queen and her brother guardsmen. They turned out to be the product of incest and treason. And the rightful king is now Stannis Baratheon.

It seemed the outcome of this story was clear - the Lannisters were left alone against the Starks, Baratheons and Tullys. Against such an alliance the Old Lion, no matter how cunning he might be or how much wealth he might possess, could not resist. Not taking Stark and Stannis at their word about such a thing, those honour-conscious snobs, is like not believing the sun is yellow and the sky blue.

But it was the younger Baratheon who mixed the cards. Renly has decided not to swear an oath to his brother, but has declared himself king and is now summoning banners in the Stormlands calling on everyone to swear an oath to him. Tiena knew of the special "friendship" between him and Loras Tyrell and the fact that Sproat might side with the younger Baratheon is very likely.

Uncle Doran would not make hasty decisions, and the Iron Islands do not like both Lions and Stags and Wolves....

There was a question maturing in Teena's mind that remained unanswered - To whom would Damian Blackheart swear the oath? Who would he recognise as his rightful king?

He was no fool, he was a calculating fox that in mockery of fate had taken a lion's head for his crest. He would make the right choice... for himself. It wasn't certain that he'd make the right choice in the mess that was coming, but she liked Blackheart nonetheless.

He cut down the heads of many of Tywin Lannister's men, including the much coveted Grigor Clegane and Amory Lorch, who killed Elia Martell and her children. Two beasts that paid for their sins. And the ironic thing is that it wasn't them, the Martells or their vassals who did it, but a man who looks something like their father, but has nothing to do with Dorne.

Clegane's head was already perched on a peak in Mourningtown, and she had no doubt that her father would want to see it for himself. If he couldn't avenge the death of his sister and the Princess of Dorne, he would at least want to see the Blackheart trophy.

Suddenly her thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of her sister, Nymeria, from the canopy of Blackheart's tent.

Tiena was surprised, but outwardly did not show it.

Her sister was dishevelled, a little sweaty and content.

- I thought you had Gerda in your queue right now. Or did you have her laid out right next to Lord Blackheart? - The younger snake asked.

- Hmm. No. I had a different meal today. I suggest you do the same.

- What about Obara? Did she miss her turn?

- She got hers before I did. I replaced her. - Nymeria shrugged and put her arm around her sister. - You know, even in this state he can satisfy a woman.

- Oh! Why are you telling me this?

- Because I know you well, sister. - she whispered in my ear. - You wouldn't miss the opportunity to see firsthand what this beast is capable of.

- You didn't beat him up, did you? He's injured. - Tiena shook her head disapprovingly.

- He's got more strength than our uncle. Both of them can't move their legs now, but Damian's cock is as hard as a pike, and his hand, though only one working hand, is skilful and naughty, not to mention his tongue.

- What vulgarities you speak to me, sister. I'll have to confess to the septon because of your speeches. - Tiena feigned embarrassment. - And you and Obara need to repent. You are committing a great sin....

- Oh! Stop having a dialogue like your mother. You're not a septa and you don't have to play the "obedient maiden" role in front of me. Let's go back to our tent, we still have a small supply of Arborian. It will help us sleep.

Tiena said nothing, just smiling, went with her sister where over a couple of glasses of good Arborian they had conversations about men, including Blackheart.

She and Nymeria were woken up the next morning by a cheerful Obara.

- Wake up, you lazybones! We have a council in Blackheart's tent.

- Are the four of us going to "talk"? - Nim asked snidely, and Teena supported her with a laugh.

- Fools! Council of War. Blackheart has received some kind of message and now he wants us to attend it as well. It's something important.

- Okay, give us some time. - Nymeria said tiredly and got up from the bed, her naked body glistening.

Twenty minutes later Blackheart's tent was packed with all his officers, as well as Tiena, Obara, Nymeria, Martin Rivers, Lord Berrick Dondarrion, Lord Arwood Harlton, Thoros of Myr and, as it turned out, the commander of the Younger Sons, Daario Naharis, who had just arrived from Harrenhal, and the lieutenant of the Myrian crossbowmen who were also stationed there. Also standing near Blackheart's lodge was a dishevelled messenger and Jon Snow.

- All assembled. - concluded a smiling Blackheart with a twinkle in his eye. His bandage had been removed, and now a shallow, still-fresh scar ran vertically across his brow and part of his cheek. But the eye hadn't been damaged in the impact. Tiena even noted that Damian Blackheart even looked better in that scar than the others. - That's wonderful. We have a lot of news to discuss.

- What kind of news? - Theo asked.

- Well, in order, we've just had three messages from Harrenhal, this time from Renly Baratheon, Stannis Baratheon, and from King's Landing on behalf of Joffrey Baratheon. Although he should be referred to more as Waters. So, the message from "King" Joffrey is peppered with punishments and threats if we don't immediately release all captured Westerners and show up to swear an oath and justly punish him. Not the fact that Joffrey drafted it, more likely the queen. But it doesn't matter. I don't give a shit about the Lannisters' wishes. The second was addressed from the younger Baratheon. He also demands an oath to himself, but he has no rights, despite the fact that he's also backed by the Vale in the person of the Tyrells. The third was addressed to me personally from King Stannis Baratheon.....

Tiena grinned. She realised who exactly he considered legitimate, or whether he had simply decided to take his side.

- He wants me to stand before him on Dragonstone and kneel. And judging from the message, he wants to give me an assignment elsewhere. But still. We, or rather you, will not leave the Riverlands for the time being.

- And why is that? Gerda asked.

- I need you to knock the small Lannister bands out of the Riverlands. And then you will wait for my new orders at Harrenhal. Lady Went has sworn an oath to Stannis, recognising him as her king. So that's where this part of our army will be billeted. But as I said, I and some of you will come with me to Dragonstone. Daario and his squad, Obara and the Myrian crossbowmen will stay here. Gerda, you and those two hundred recruits will also stay in Harrenhall, Martin and Theo," he turned to his kin. - You will be needed here with your men, as you know the area very well and are quite clever. Varick? You'll stay here too and take charge of everyone. Just don't take any risks and use your head.

- I know I'm not going up against the Old Lion without you. But I'm going to feel the lions a little bit. - grinned the commander of his guard.

- Good. - Blackheart nodded. Lord Harlton and Lord Dondarrion are just as loyal to the rightful king of the Seven Kingdoms. But if Lord Berrick comes with me to His Majesty, Lord Harlton must stay here because of the threat to his dominions. And when he asks for help in repelling a Lannister attack, I hope you, as well as the other lords, will help him. Soon Sigurd will arrive at Maidenpool, and I'll send half of his men to you, Varick, but half I'll take back. Everyone I haven't named is also coming with me.

- Is that all the news? - asked the summer man who commanded Blackheart's archers.

- More important is the fact that at the Golden Tooth several Tully vassals made an unsuccessful counterattack and were completely defeated by Tywin Lannister himself. He is now concentrating his troops there. But it will be some time before he makes his move. But it's feared that some troops will come from King's Landing to help him. After all, the North and the Riverlands have already pledged allegiance to Stannis for the most part, though some Riverland lords south of us have been loyal to Joffrey. But they will be justly punished. Perhaps you, Varick, will have to take on that mission.

- Well, I will gladly punish the traitors. - smirked the Falcon.

Tiena was tempted to say that he would punish them not because they were "traitors", but because of his lust for profit. She had studied the Captain of the Blackheart Guard well, he was a fruit. Still, she had to admit that this fruit was quite cunning, strong, and savvy. There was a reason their employer had put his associate at the head of this already seemingly two-thousand-strong army.

- Other than that, I leave all the spoils and money I have to you. You'll need them more. Does anyone have any questions?

- What should we do if Lord Edmure wants to use us in a war with Tywin?

- We have the task, or rather you do now, of helping the river lords. But helping and obeying the son of the High Lord of these lands without question are different things. He's already commanded his vassals once and ruined many lives. He's no commander, and he may have the makings of a knight and steward, but no more, he's not his father. So, think for yourselves, no one here will worry about you, and no one will wipe your arse either. And if he pressures you in any way, you can refer to me and my orders. If he threatens you, if he presses you on something you shouldn't have, like your conscience, fuck off, you can even leave the Riverlands defiantly. A month at most and the North will come to your aid, and sooner than that, Brinden Tully and his men. They may be few in number, but they're tried and tested and battle-hardened men. If we met them in open combat, or in a night fight, I don't know who would win. He's very good, as long as he doesn't let his nephew get in the way.

Many people grinned. Tiena realised that they had either met Edmure before, in all their travels through the Riverlands, or during their brief service to the Freys in the Twins. Oh, and Teena herself had heard much about her cousin Arianna's possible unsuccessful fiancé. Arianna, if she had become his wife, would have spun the red-haired fool as she wished, but Uncle Doran had once again slipped her a "groom" in the form of another river lord, Walder Frey, Damian's father....

- Any more questions?

There was a friendly glance and silence in response.

- If there are no questions or suggestions, I think we can rest for now. Or rather, go about our business. In a couple of hours, those who are not staying in the Riverlands should be ready to leave for Harrenhal, where we will spend the night and go to the Maiden's Pond, and then from there we will go to meet the King to kneel. Until then, try to think and ask me any questions that interest you or make any suggestions about the campaign. After that, all problems and questions fall on Varick's shoulders. I think you're all free to go now.

Obara was unhappy that she was staying. Tiena was sure that her older sister was not only unhappy that she would be here without her beloved Damian Blackheart, but also that Nymeria and Tiena, who were also already looking at her lover with interest, would be by her side. And Nymeria has even managed to get into his bunk.

But she had no choice, despite all her emotions and desires, she was executive and clearly followed Damian's orders so she stayed with her men.

Soon when the time for assembly was up, Damian gathered everyone and they trotted to the old and somewhat ruined castle of Harrenhall. He was in the centre of a small column in a wagon, for his legs were still broken. Though Tiena was convinced, both from personal observation and from the stories of his men, that Blackheart was more resilient and stronger than most people. He heals like a dog.

They waited two nights instead of one at Harrenhal, the Younger Sons and most of the other mercenaries, including the Dornish, moved on to the temporary camp under Ser Varic Falcon. The younger Sand had no doubt he could handle the command, as did Gerda Barley, who was left with a gathering of a hundred experienced warriors from the Dornish and Younger Sons, and another fifty Frey to continue training the new recruits. Some of the mariners, wagons, and women freed from captivity were stationed here as well, to serve Blackheart's soldiers and the local population as laundresses, cooks, and maids, and sometimes to warm their beds of their own free will.

Then there was the somewhat long journey from Harrenhall to Maiden Pond, which stretched to nearly five days due to their commander's condition, the bad road and the weather. At Maiden Pond, they met a half-wild merrymaker named Sigurd Frostbite. Damian gave him some of his instructions in private and took half his men, then sent him to Harrenhall to join his own. Tiena noticed that Damian Blackheart was puzzled and thoughtful the whole way, she even caught him mumbling to himself in a language she didn't recognise and writing notes, which after writing and reading, he almost immediately burned and wrote new ones. So much spoilt paper, wooden planks, worked animal skin, she had never seen before. Blackheart was working and thinking hard on something, but the shrewd snake and the most experienced and cunning of the Red Serpent's daughters could not get him to talk. It hurt her feelings, and most importantly her dignity. He had even slept with a couple of not-so-nice maids on the road, but he blatantly ignored her, even Nymeria had earned a few compliments and smiles. And she was on the fringes of his attention. And that made her angry.

Then, when they all got on the ships, they travelled by sea to their destination, visiting on the way a couple of castles of the same Brune family, but of different branches - the Brunes of Lute's Lair and the Brunes of Brown Hollow. For some reason, though, they did not visit Stannis's loyal vassals, the Seltigars, on the Isle of Pinches. They travelled straight to Dragonstone.

To be continued....