Checkmate pt.3
Maekar
Castle Hayford
The night was pitch black, with only the faint glimmers of stars peeking through the thick canopy of trees above. Maekar led the Varangians, loyal knights that served his house, and the Goldcloaks they moved stealthily through the wooded parts north of Castle Hayford. The air was cool and filled with the sounds of rustling leaves and distant nocturnal creatures. Dim lights from their lamps flickered, casting eerie shadows on the ground and among the trees.
They moved carefully, each step deliberate and silent. Maekar raised his hand, signaling them to stop. He scanned the surroundings, his eyes narrowing as he tried to remember the exact location of the secret passage. The foliage was dense, and the darkness made it difficult to see the details. They had found the passage during the day, but now, in the dead of night, it seemed almost impossible to locate.
Just as he was beginning to doubt himself, he spotted the opening. Vines hung loosely over a rocky outcrop, partially obscuring the entrance. The rocks they had removed earlier were still piled nearby. He motioned for his men to follow, leading them towards the entrance. He was clad in the armor of the Goldcloaks, the golden cape flowing behind him.
The first part of their quest required them to move through the castle to the dungeons without raising the alarm. For this reason, he wore the armor of the Goldcloaks and planned to take the loyal Goldcloaks with him when they reached the cellar in the castle. His goal was to quietly rescue his sister Arianne and Ser Jaime, hoping to blend in and avoid suspicion.
He had missed a chance to use his Valyrian steel armor again. It would have been invaluable in the fight ahead, but stealth was their priority now due to this only a select few knew of his possession of such an armor—the Sand Snakes and his trusted Varangians as he had used it when they attacked Harte's cottage in the Kingswood.
As they arrived at the tunnel opening, he turned to the men assembled before him. The flickering lamplight illuminated their faces, showing a mix of determination and anticipation.
"Alright, listen up," he began, his voice low but firm. "We are about to enter the castle through this tunnel. Once we reach the cellar, the plan is as follows: I, along with the Goldcloaks, will move into the castle to locate and secure Princess Rhaenys, Princess Arianne, and Ser Jaime."
He turned to the Varangians and the knights. "You will wait in the cellar until we return with the princesses and Ser Jaime. Once they are safely outside, Edrick, you will signal our forces to begin the assault."
He paused, making sure every man was paying attention. "When the assault outside begins, we will launch our attack from within. Our primary goal will be to open the gates and allow our forces in."
He glanced around, meeting the eyes of the warriors. "Remember, the lives of the princesses and Ser Jaime are our top priority. Move swiftly, move silently, and follow my lead."
He led the Goldcloaks, Varangians, and knights through the winding tunnel. As they moved deeper, the tunnel became narrower for some distance , forcing them to hunch over and move in single file. The walls were damp and covered in moss, and the air grew colder with each step.
Their path was fraught with obstacles. A few feet in they had encountered a partially collapsed section of the tunnel. Large stones and debris blocked their way, making it seem almost impassable. He stepped forward, assessing the situation. With a determined grunt, he began to move the larger stones, his muscles straining under the effort. It took some time to remove them but they were able to clear the way.
"Let's move," he said, motioning for them to continue.
They pressed on, reaching a waterlogged area where the ground was slippery and treacherous. The tunnel floor was covered in a thin layer of water, making every step a potential hazard.
"Careful," he warned.
The men moved cautiously, their steps deliberate and measured. The sound of dripping water echoed around them, amplifying the tension in the air.
Further along, they encountered roots and debris blocking parts of the tunnel. Thick, gnarled roots had broken through the stone walls, creating a tangled mess that obstructed their path. He and a few of the stronger men worked quietly to clear a path, using their swords to cut through the roots and their hands to move the debris.
"You will need to be extra careful when we bring the princesses through here," Maekar noted, his voice low. "One wrong step and this whole section could collapse."
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of navigating the treacherous tunnel, they reached the cellar. He cautiously pushed open a wooden door, and they stepped into the cellar's dimly lit expanse. The air was thick with the scent of aged wine and damp stone. Barrels and crates were stacked along the walls, creating shadows that flickered in the faint light from their lamps.
They spread out, checking the corners and hidden spaces to ensure no one was there. The cellar was empty, much to their relief.
"All clear," one of the Goldcloaks whispered.
"If any one comes make sure they wont leave" he ordered the others before leading the Goldcloaks out of the cellar. The transition from the damp, musty tunnel to the stone hallways of the fortress was stark. The air was cooler here, and the silence was punctuated only by the distant sounds of guards and the occasional flicker of torches mounted on the walls.
He moved cautiously through the corridors, his senses on high alert. The Goldcloaks followed, their footsteps soft on the stone floor. They avoided patrols by slipping into shadows and alcoves, always keeping an eye on the path ahead.
Following the directions provided by the old servant Aegon had found, they navigated their way to the dungeons. As they approached, the atmosphere grew heavier, the air filled with the faint smell of mildew and decay.
Just as they rounded a corner, a Goldcloak loyal to Hayford stepped into their path. "Halt! What are you doing here?" he demanded.
"Which shift are you on?" he asked again.
"Who is your squad leader?"
Maekar was about to respond when one of the loyal Goldcloaks with him, Jace, stepped forward. "Oren, it's me, Jace."
The man now named Oren squinted in the dim light, recognition dawning on his face. "Jace? I didn't know you came with us."
"Of course I did," Jace said, trying to sound casual.
"Well, good to see you again, boy. Carry on," Oren said, nodding before turning to leave.
He turned to Jace and whispered, "Good work."
They continued down the corridor and soon reached the heavy wooden doors of the dungeon cells. The doors were reinforced with iron bands, and a small barred window in each door allowed for a limited view inside.
He called out to the guards stationed by the doors, "Hey! We're here to relieve you."
One of the guards looked confused. "But we just got here."
Without missing a beat, Maekar moved swiftly. He struck the first guard with a powerful blow to the head, knocking him out cold. The second guard barely had time to react before Maekar delivered a sharp punch to his jaw, sending him sprawling to the floor, unconscious.
"That was easy," he muttered, adjusting his armor.
The Goldcloaks with him quickly moved to secure the area, ensuring no one else was nearby to raise an alarm. He then turned his attention to the cell doors, ready to locate Rhaenys, Arianne, and Ser Jaime. The heavy silence of the dungeon pressed down on them, the next steps crucial for their success.
He entered the dungeons and was surprised to find it was very clean
'Looks like hayford has been treating them well'
'He could have just placed them in one of the many rooms in the castle' he thought as he walked in.
"Maekar," he heard Arianne's voice call from one of the cells.
He turned to the cell where the voice came from and saw Arianne's face through the small opening, her smile wide with relief.
"Brother!" Rhaenys called out from next to Arianne.
"Yes it's me," he said, breaking open the door lock with a swift, practiced motion of his warhammer.
From the other cell, he heard Ser Jaime's voice, "Who is there?"
"It's me Maekar," he said, moving to break that lock as well.
"Prince Maekar, you're here. Does that mean the castle has fallen?" Jaime asked, stepping out of the cell.
"No," he replied as he opened the door. "We have to leave quietly. Only then will we be able to take the castle."
"Give me a sword," Jaime said, looking around.
"What of your arm, Ser?" Rhaenys asked with concern.
"I only need one," Jaime replied with a smile.
One of the Goldcloaks handed Jaime a sword, and he took it with a nod of thanks.
As they were about to leave, Arianne spoke up, "I can't walk."
Rhaenys looked at her, surprised. "What do you mean you can't walk?"
"I hurt my ankle during the attack. Remember?" Arianne said, her eyes wide with mock innocence.
"You'll have to carry me," Arianne said, looking directly at him.
Rhaenys looked annoyed, her eyes narrowing at Arianne. "Why didn't you say anything earlier?"
Ser Jaime glanced at Arianne with concern. "Did you hurt yourself, Princess? Why did you not say before"
Rhaenys rolled her eyes, exasperated that the Kingsguard seemed to believe Arianne.
"I will carry her," Maekar said, sighing. "Ser Jaime, look after my sister."
"That is my duty, after all," the golden-haired man said, taking Rhaenys by the arm and leading her out.
He looked at Arianne, who was grinning widely. "Well, take me, my prince," she said with a playful tone.
"Hold on tight," he instructed.
"Oh, I will..." Arianne yelped in surprise as he picked her up effortlessly. She purposefully rubbed her breasts against his chest, leaning closely into him.
He couldn't help but notice how soft they felt against him, causing a fleeting distraction. 'Wow, those are soft,' he thought, before shaking the thought away.
"Well, are we leaving or not?" Arianne asked, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
He didn't reply but began walking out of the dungeon, his focus returning to the quest at hand.
He carefully led the group through the castle corridors, moving with practiced stealth. They moved cautiously, their footsteps muffled by the stone floors. Whenever they encountered guards, the Goldcloaks accompanying him dispatched them quietly and efficiently.
As they rounded a corner, a guard appeared suddenly, startling him. With Arianne in his arms, he couldn't reach for his weapon. The guard lunged at him, but he reacted swiftly, delivering a powerful punch to the guard's face while still holding Arianne. The guard crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Arianne giggled, her amusement at the situation clear. "Oh, my hero," she teased, her voice a whisper. She then planted a kiss on his cheek.
Rhaenys shot her an annoyed look but said nothing as they continued their way back to the cellar.
They finally reached the cellar without further incident. Ser Jaime and Rhaenys prepared to enter the tunnel first. He set Arianne down, letting her lean on him for support.
"Someone will have to carry Princess Arianne," he said, looking at the knights waiting in the cellar.
Instantly, the knights all stepped forward, eager to help.
But to everyone's surprise, Arianne stopped leaning on him and walked over to Rhaenys, her steps steady. "Oh, look at that, I'm all healed," she said with a smirk.
He blinked, stunned. "I... what?" he murmured, shaking his head. There was still work to be done, and he couldn't afford to be distracted.
He turned to his Varangians and selected five of them. "Escort them out to our camp."
The five Varangians nodded, understanding the gravity of their task.
Rhaenys approached Maekar, her expression softening. "Be careful, brother," she said, and to his surprise, she gave him a quick hug. "And thank you," she added before turning to leave through the tunnel.
He watched as Rhaenys, Arianne, and Ser Jaime disappeared into the tunnel, now he can end Hayford.
.
.
.
He waited with the rest of his men in the cellar, the silence punctuated only by the distant sounds of the castle settling and the occasional drip of water. Tension hung in the air, each man gripping his weapon tightly, ready for the signal from him.
They waited for some time. It would take time for them to reach the camp and then to begin the assault on the castle.
He stood by the entrance to the cellar when suddenly the distant clash of steel and the muffled shouts of men reached his ears. The battle outside had begun. His heart quickened as he turned to his assembled force.
"Men, it's time we take the castle," he declared.
A cheer went up from the assembled knights Varangians and Goldcloaks. They moved out of the cellar, emerging into the castle corridors. The dim light and shadowy corners provided some cover as they advanced, but soon they were in the open.
As they burst into the courtyard, they found Hayford's men and the corrupt Goldcloaks defending against the assault from outside. The defenders were caught off guard by the sudden attack from within, their surprise evident as they turned to face the force he was leading.
He led the charge, his warhammer swinging with brutal efficiency. The first man he encountered barely had time to raise his sword before the hammer crashed down, shattering his defense and sending him sprawling. He moved forward relentlessly, his gaze fixed on the gates.
The courtyard erupted into chaos. The clash of steel against steel filled the air, mingled with the cries of the wounded and the shouts of men locked in combat. Maekar's men fought fiercely, using the element of surprise to their advantage but it would not last long; he had to open the gates.
As he reached the gates, he found them heavily guarded. Hayford's men, realizing the importance of the gates, had concentrated their forces there. But he was undeterred. With a roar, he launched himself into the fray, his warhammer swinging with devastating power.
He struck down one guard after another, his strength and skill overwhelming their defenses. The Varangians fought by his side as the others held the force that was coming from the keep.
The gate mechanism was a sturdy construct of iron and wood, designed to withstand assaults. He did not hesitate as he brought his warhammer down on the mechanism with a series of powerful strikes. The metal groaned and splintered under the force of his blows. Each impact sent vibrations up his arms, but he pressed on.
With a final, mighty swing, the mechanism shattered, the gates creaking open. A cheer went up from his men as the gates swung wide, revealing the army waiting outside.
The Kingsgaurd and the forces of Houses Stokeworth, Buckwell, Rykker, and Staunton surged through the gates, joining the battle with renewed vigor. The tide of the battle turned decisively in their favor.
The courtyard of Castle Hayford erupted into a chaotic battle, the clashing of steel and the cries of men echoing off the stone walls. He led the charge, his warhammer a blur of deadly motion as he smashed through the enemy ranks. Beside him, Obara fought with her spear, her movements fluid and precise, each thrust finding its mark.
The sight of Arthur Dayne and Barristan Selmy cutting a path through the defenders was too much for the defenders as they began to surrender en masse.
One by one, they started to lay down their arms, surrendering to the inevitable.
He raised his hand, signaling his men to halt. "Enough!" he called out, his voice carrying over the din of battle. The fighting ceased, the sounds of clashing steel replaced by the heavy breathing of exhausted warriors.
He stepped forward, his eyes scanning the defeated men. "Lay down your weapons and you will be spared," he commanded, his tone firm yet merciful. The defenders obeyed, dropping their weapons to the ground.
"Move to the keep," Maekar ordered, his voice calm and authoritative. "Hayford is there."
As they began to move towards the keep he looked back and saw Rhaenys and Ser Jaime riding towards the castle seeing as it was taken.
'What are you doing Rhaenys the battle is not over yet' he thought but he had to keep moving Hayford was his to kill.
He headed toward the keep, his warhammer still in hand, his heart pounding with a mix of adrenaline and anticipation. As they approached, it became clear that a force had already breached the keep. The heavy wooden gates were shattered, hanging loosely from their hinges, and the sounds of fighting echoed from within.
"Aegon… I saw him ride ahead," Obara said, her voice laced with irritation.
"Of course he did," he muttered under his breath, a mix of frustration and resignation.
They entered the keep cautiously, him leading the way with Obara at his side. The air was thick with the smell of blood and sweat.
As they moved through the narrow corridors, he couldn't help but notice the bodies of guards strewn across the floor. Each corpse bore the telltale signs of having been killed after surrendering. Their weapons lay discarded at their sides.
"Look at this," Lord Rykker said, pointing to a guard slumped against the wall with his throat cut. "They surrendered. These men were executed."
His eyes narrowed as he examined the scene. "It seems my brother's forces took no prisoners," he said grimly. "We must find him."
They continued deeper into the keep, stepping over the bodies of fallen guards and innocent servants. The walls were spattered with blood, and the floor was slick in places where they had fallen. His anger grew with each step seeing many innocent dead, his grip on his warhammer tightening.
In the great hall, they found the remnants of the battle. Tables and chairs were overturned, and more bodies littered the floor. At the far end of the hall, Aegon stood with Ser Gerold Dayne and twenty other knights, surveying the aftermath.
He entered the main hall, his eyes narrowing as he saw Aegon and Gerold Dayne already there. Hayford was on his knees, cowering in fear. The hall was eerily silent, save for the labored breathing of the terrified traitor and the steady footfalls of Maekar and the men behind him.
"Ah brother you are finally here I was about to execute the traitor" Aegon said coldly.
Aegon then turned to Gerold and commanded, "Kill him."
Gerold drew his sword, his eyes glinting with a cruel eagerness. He stepped forward, ready to deliver the fatal blow.
"Stop!" Arthur Dayne's voice rang out. Arthur stood beside him, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Gerold hesitated, his eyes darting between Aegon and Arthur. " I have my orders," he protested, his voice tinged with frustration.
"We are to take him alive," he said firmly, stepping in front of Hayford to shield him from Gerold's blade.
Gerold's face twisted in anger. "The crown prince has already passed the sentence. I cannot disobey a command from a prince."
"And I am ordering you now," he replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Hayford will face justice in front of the king ." his gaze settling on aegon.
Aegon stepped forward, his eyes blazing with fury. "This man has committed the highest treason! He deserves immediate punishment."
Arthur shook his head, his voice calm. "Your father, the king, should be the one to judge and punish him. That is the law."
Aegon clenched his fists, his anger palpable. "The law? This man has betrayed our family, abducted my sister and cousin. He deserves to die here and now!"
The argument grew more heated, Aegon's voice rising with each word. Maekar stood his ground, his eyes locked with Aegon's. "We are not savages. We will take him to our father and let him decide his fate."
The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with the clash of wills. Just then, Rhaenys entered the hall. She looked at Aegon, then at him.
"Aegon, Maekar is right," Rhaenys said, her voice steady. "Father should be the one to judge Lord Hayford."
Aegon looked at her, his expression softening slightly, but his resolve remained. "Sister , this man—"
"I understand perfectly I was the one who was abducted by him after all," Rhaenys interrupted, her voice firm. "But if we start executing men without a fair trial, what does that make us? We must show mercy and justice, even to those who do not deserve it."
The argument continued, with the three siblings voicing their opinions. Maekar could see the lords and knights around them watching in silence, realizing not all was well between the royal family. Arthur, noticing the tension in the hall, stepped forward and raised his hand. "Enough!" he commanded, his voice echoing through the hall. "This is not the place for this."
Aegon remained silent for some time, looking between Maekar and Rhaenys. "I see how it is," he whispered.
"Come, Gerold," Aegon said, leaving the hall with his sworn sword in tow.
Rhaenys, maintaining her composure, turned to Arthur. "Take Lord Hayford away. He will face trial and be judged by my father," she ordered. "Ensure he is kept under close guard."
Arthur nodded, signaling to a group of knights to take Hayford into custody. "We will see to it, Princess," he said, his voice firm.
As the knights led Hayford away, Maekar felt a heavy weight settle on his shoulders. The battle lines had been drawn.
He looked at Rhaenys, who was standing next to him. "It was dangerous for you to come before the battle was over."
"I was safe, and it was a good thing I came, don't you think?" she asked.
He laughed, and they stood there in silence for some time.
"The upcoming tourney will be interesting," he muttered.
Rhaenys heard him. "Yes, considering how the tourney father planned last time ended. Let's hope this one…"
He didn't let her finish. "You know what is about to happen," he said, cutting her off.
"I know what you want and you know what I want, and Aegon is in the way for both of us," he said. Rhaenys looked shocked by his words and their directness.
He then leaned closer to her. She didn't shy away; her eyes were fixed on his. He put his lips to her ear. "There is also a way we can get what we both want," he whispered.
Rhaenys looked at him with wide eyes.
"That is…" she couldn't find the words.
"Think about it, sister. There is no reason for us to be enemies," he said before walking away.