22: The Golden Company Has Come

(Red Keep, King's Landing, Blackwater Bay, The Crownlands, The Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, Westeros, GoT Universe)

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(Cassandra Blackstark POV)

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Tywin Lannister was clever, Genna Lannister at least was able to ingratiate herself with Cassandra through their own bodies. Genna was curious about being with another woman and being with a man and a woman. Cersei Lannister would probably not be that willing, and she didn't know that Barthogan was bound to her sexual whims, he wasn't allowed to get anything but a mouth on his cock if she wasn't around to permit it. Ros was almost immediately brought to court and given modest holdings to lessen any scandal, but With Barth gone, Cassandra was accepting of enjoying the young body of Ros and the bountiful body of Genna Lannister.

A surprise arrival at court was Lady Ashara Dayne, a former suitor of Barth's, before being passed over for Cassandra herself. Barthogan admitted privately he had to determine if he would choose Ashara or her, and was thankful he chose Cassandra.

However, with a brighter future and the fact that they effectively shared Ros, Cassandra wasn't as opposed to Barth having a Second or Third Mistress outside of Genna or Ros, But as with anything with a Cunt had to get a final say from her. So while she'd be wary of Cersei Lannister, Cassandra wasn't opposed to Ashara Dayne. Ashara knew when not to bite the cock that fed her, and from what Barth told of Cersei, The young Lannister knew no such restraint.

Off the top of her head, Cassandra could think of maybe three others she was comfortable enough for Barthogan to take as a mistress, she'd have to ask him when he returned....

A Messenger burst in and handed her a Parchment.

''Ser Jaime.'' Cassandra called Her Kingsguard at the door.

''Your Grace?'' Jaime asks dutifully.

''Call the Banners the Golden Company has landed. The Twilight of The Dragon King's is nigh.'' Cassandra commands.

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(POV Shift: Barthogan Blackstark)

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Ned knew, he figured out Barthogan knew but rather than make a big deal he wanted to know why. For him, it was a relatively easy answer to give; What was he supposed to say or do? The Wolf's Blood ran rampant in their Brother.

Stood before him, Ned was digesting it they were in the Godswood.

''Do you know where the Wolf's Blood comes from? Our blood is distilled straight from the First Greenseer's, like them I am a Warg Brother. I Speak to Ravens, I can speak to other Animals but only while past The Neck. A Greenseer still lives, beyond even the furthest wildling settlements. His name was Lord-Commander Brynden Rivers, and he heralds the Old Gods Will. He tells of a child born of Stark and Tully Blood that will replace him. And of the Long Night come again.'' Says Barthogan calling a flock of Ravens to him to Demonstrate his abilities.

''They are your spies.'' Ned realizes.

"Outside the North yes, in it, my Powers are at their strongest. I could even Warg into you, however even the Wildlings find such a thing as vile as we do incest. But do not fear, my first concern has and always will be the North's ultimate and unimpeded prosperity. So long as you guard the North, we have no issues. I'll be sending a large number of Reach Men to the Wall. I'll also be funneling supplies and coin, I expect you to do the same. I want Greyguard, Woodswatch-by-the-Pool, Long Barrow, Westwatch-by-the-Bridge, Icemark, and Oakenshield rebuilt, garrisoned and maintained. You will focus the bulk of the resources into Westwatch, Woodswatch, and Icemark however. The Crown will focus on the others."

"Slow down Barth, you drop this wildfire in my lap and go straight to business? What am I supposed to do with that?'' Asks Ned, causing a chuckle to escape Barthogan's Lips.

''Sorry Brother, I just need stuff settled before the Golden Company arrives. The sooner this shit is dealt with means one less headache for Cassandra and I to endure after the Golden Company has arrived. You ever think back on Lya and Benjen growing up? The fire in Lyanna's eyes? And the Steeled Temperature in Benjen's?'' Barthogan asks eliciting a rare laugh from Ned.

Barthogan gave Lyanna secret Sword Lessons whenever she traveled to the Moat, took her Hunting with Cassandra, even once saw her as more than a brother should, before common sense quickly drowned the notion down and into hell.

As for Benjen, he idolized all his Brother's, but idolized Ned the most. Ned's qiuet nature controlling a room of rowdy Northerners as opposed to Brandon's Fiery Passions fanning the flames of Rebellion or Barthogan who sat alone simply observing and waiting to break a deadlock with a kern insight or bit of information. Each Elder Brother had their own way, and while Lyanna adored Barthogan most of all, Benjen admired Ned the most.

Perhaps it was in knowing this and the frequent successes of Barthogan that caused Brandon to ignore Barthogan's council when he should heed it the most. Barthogan never particularly liked Brandon after the Barbrey incident, forbidding him from entering the Rills under pain of Castration. Conversely Brandon liked to agitate Barthogan by flirting with Cassandra.

It wouldn't have been long before all those small things got thrown into the Pressure Cooker and blew up in theirs and everyone else's collectively unsurprised faces.

Still when Lya was taken Barth was upset, more at Brandon because Barthogan had never been able to speak plainly with his sister because whatever time he had to spare was eaten up by dealing with Brandon testing his patience through many little things.

If Barthogan had been more focused on Lyanna than Brandon maybe he would have at least managed to secure Northern, Vale, and Riverlands independence without any significant blood having been shed.

''Lord Stark, your Grace...word from the Capital. The Golden Company has taken up residence in the Stepstones. They've already begun securing the broken chain of islands for war.'' Says Maester Martin.

''Ah Fuck, alright, Ned Lockdown The North. Give our boys a chance of respite before Marching into Summerlands again. Maester send word to The Great Families, Tywin Lannister has the Van. I want Lord Bolton focusing on protecting the Heartlands of our City. And I mean the Crownlands. Last thing we want is losing the city after only just taking it. Ned Grab Robert, I'm putting his drunken ass at the front of the Force charging into the Stepstones.'' Says Barthogan quickly shifting to his War Mode.

''Yes, Your Grace.'' Says Maester Martin.

''They're probably baiting us.'' Says Ned.

''Most likely yes, but we'll see if the Mad King's Wildfire softens their resolve first....Why wouldn't they mass at Dragonstone I wonder? Viserys is their only hope of getting paid, so why strike from the Stepstones?'' Barthogan says, pausing to consider why the Golden Company was striking in a...oh those dirty bastards.

The Stepstones are common area for piracy. The Company is probably hoping to "Slip away'' when the Royal Forces arrived when they really had hid themselves among the Populace waiting to strike back. However Barthogan had something they didn't...his Fleet was large enough that if he split it between three separate goals, he'd suffer little.

Firstly he wanted all access to Dragonstone be it an entrance or exit point cut off. Secondly was the Defence of Every Major Port of which stood out three main places, White Harbor, Oldtown, and King's Landing itself. Thirdly was the complete and ultimately eternal subjugation of the Stepstones, Barthogan would install A loyal man there auto rule as Lord of the Stepstones, Knight-Protector of Grey Gallows and Bloodstone and etc, etc, etc.

The Golden has Come but then so is Winter.. FOR THEM!!!!!