Chapter 53: Robert's Rebellion: Near the End

(1,200 words)

- Percival Bolton POV -

- Stoney Sept - Westerlands - Westeros - 283 A.D -

My arrow had been launched, and it had no chance of missing. So at the moment of contact it stuck in Jon Connington's head. Killing him on the spot.

He's not a character that appears in the series, so I'm guessing; either he was unimportant, or he died before the events of Robert going to Winterfell.

"Percival Bolton..." said Robert as he coughed up some blood and stood up with his hammer in his hand. My men went to confront those who guarded Connington and absolutely slaughtered them. They were already wounded and tired, mine were fresh.

"Robert Baratheon... It's good to see you," I said smiling, and he smiled too.

"Thank you for finishing him. He's an important commander of the enemy."

"I keep my bargain" I told him, and he let out a chuckle.

"Whatever you say" he replied as he stood up and turned back to the battlefield. The man is a true beast.... Even wounded he will fight to the front. But that's what makes him a fool too. It's amazing to think how someone fierce, strong and brave, ended up being killed by a wild boar on a hunt while he was a morbidly obese creep. I mean, the guy was a whore.... A king whore who tried to sleep with everyone he saw.

Why yes... What's the difference between being a whore king and a champion king? The whore king sleeps with everyone he sees. The champion king, even if he has a lot of sex, they will all be beautiful women. I mean... I still remember in season 1 when he kisses a fat old woman in Winterfell while he has his beautiful wife watching. But that doesn't matter... The thing is, we had already won this battle, and "The Battle of the Trident" was coming, where the war would reach its climax.

Since here, in addition to Crownlands, the forces of The Reach will join, although part will continue with the siege. Because well... If they didn't continue with the siege, it would be quite difficult the battle. The Reach has more than 100,000 soldiers at its disposal, so it will only be a percentage of that. But not only Reach, as Dorne will also become a more active player. They made a few skirmishes to Stormlands, all for Elia Martell, but for that very reason they didn't make a key move. She had been locked up in the tower along with her only daughter Rhaenys. Why yes... Aegon Targaryen, Elia's son, doesn't exist here. Which made things much easier.

- The Trident - Riverlands - Westeros - 283 A.D -

"What are our numbers?" asked Hoster Tully with a frown.

"The North has 20,000, The Vale 25,000, Stormlands 15,000, Riverlands 15,000 and Lord Percival's forces of 24,000" said Jon Arryn. It's not that so many people necessarily died. In fact, more than half of the reduced numbers are still alive. It's just that they're not available to fight because of wounds or exhaustion. This gave us an army of 99,000 soldiers out of the initial 140,000+. That's not counting Robert's forces of course, who had been soundly defeated by Randyll Tarly.

"The enemy numbers?" I asked with a frown. The numbers were not so much in our favor I sensed.

"That..." said Arryn with a twitching lip. "Crownlands only has 15,000 soldiers out of the initial 60,000. But you add 60,000 from The Reach and 15,000 from Dorne," he said, and I frowned. Our numbers were about equal, so I would have to occupy the men I hoped to save. The good thing is, between the battle at Stoney Sept, along with other skirmishes. I had managed to capture 15,000 soldiers that I intend to enslave. I had been able to send 12,000 on ships and return with my men, but 3,000 were still captured here in Westeros. Imprisoned in different places. This made that I have gained at least 14,000 soldiers, so there is still profit. But not that much either. Although those men would need at least a couple of years of conditioning to be functional.

"Rhaegar must be killed" I said, and Robert nodded as he angrily crushed the wood with his hands, drawing a little blood with his hands.

"Easier said than done" Ned commented. He still didn't seem to like me.

"With a bow I could do it no problem. But I don't know if a bow would produce the desired effect. It's much more exciting to finish him off with a sword. And our idea is to make them surrender" I said.

"You're right about that..." murmured Arryn.

"But on the other hand, we might as well make sure. Even if we lose more men in battle, we secure the support of Tywin Lannister and the Greyjoys. With that we already have victory," I added, and everyone nodded. Our agreement was to do just that. Although first we would look for a fight between Robert and Rhaegar. But if that doesn't work I would use my bow.

On the other hand... As escort I only had the Clegane brothers. Since my other two escorts were traveling with a group, including Davos, on a mission to infiltrate Red Keep to rescue Elia Martell and her daughter. This would give me the favor of the Martells when it came to taking the Iron Throne in the future. Then I had only to strengthen my army in the years to come, and follow in Littlefinger's footsteps to weaken Westeros.

"My Lords!" shouted a man as he entered with a letter in his hand and passed it to Ned Stark who was closest to the entrance of the tent.

Ned began to read the letter, and his expression became a little grim. Until his face was almost completely transformed.

"What is it?" asked Lord Hoster impatiently.

"They..." said Ned with annoyance. "They hired Golden Company," he said, and everyone, even me, showed annoyance on our faces. I wasn't expecting this shit.

"But how? The Crown shouldn't have this much money" I said.

"It has to be a loan" Ned replied.

"No... It's impossible" I replied.

"Why?" Robert interjected.

"I own all the banks in Essos, including the Iron Bank. Obviously I won't lend money to the enemy. So it must have been the Tyrells. But they wouldn't risk everything for the queen. They must have promised them a royal marriage. Maybe Mina Tyrell or Mace's children," I said, and they all nodded. Though the truth is, I'm surprised Golden Company would agree to face me in battle. While they don't have an established base, they mainly move through the territory I control.

"So..." said Jon Arryn, and this was becoming a real problem. "We could get the Martells on our side" he added. And even if he hid it, he was showing a lot of annoyance. If that happens my plans aren't going to work.

"I see it difficult" I said,

"Why?" asked Ned.

"If Rhaegar dies, House Lannister will want to have a queen. And Tywin won't leave any Targaryen alive for that" I said, and Hoster along with Jon nodded. "Dorne is not going to join us knowing that if they lose, Elia Martell will die. We'll have to fend for ourselves."