[The Vale]
Lysa Arryn sat on her throne in the Eyrie, her face hard and cold. The news of Petyr Baelish's death had shaken her to the core, well the woman was already shaken enough for that to be possible but whatever. Her love for him, now turned into rage. She called her banners and summoned the knights of the Vale to prepare for war.
Some of the lords tried to speak sense into her. "My lady," one of them said, "this is not our fight. Let the lions battle their own wars."
But Lysa would not listen. With tears in her eyes and anger in her voice, she declared, "The Lannisters murdered Lord Jon Arryn, my true husband! And now they have killed Lord Baelish, my only ally! We shall make them pay!"
She honestly didn't care whether it meant to put the entire Vale in danger, she would have her revenge.
Her mental state wasn't right to begin with. She didn't even bother double-checking Hugh's claims.
The knights, bound by oath, could do nothing but obey. Though many thought it folly, the banners of the Vale were raised, and the Eyrie prepared for war.
---
[Highgarden]
Far to the south, in the green fields of the Reach, Renly Baratheon was weaving a plan of his own. In Highgarden, he walked the golden halls with Mace Tyrell, smiling and charming as ever.
Technically the throne after Robert died belonged to the eldest son after the king, however, it was clear that Robert had none, so the throne then went to the eldest brother after Robert which Renly unfortunately wasn't. It was Stannis.
Renly didn't care though, he wished the throne for himself, that's why he wished to work with Ned and capture Joffrey back in King's Landing and when Ned refused he got out of the capital to make his own plans.
Renly spoke sweetly, "The realm needs a strong hand Lord Mace. Not a boy sitting on a false throne or a half-old lion with half a foot in his grave. I believe you'll make a great Hand, my Lord."
Mace Tyrell agreed quickly. It was not hard for Renly to win him over. The man had a reputation for being a dimwit and for good reason. It was Mace's mother who he really had to convince, which he was able to since he really did have a solid chance at getting the throne for himself. Soon, they spoke of marriage, and Renly promised to wed Margaery Tyrell, Mace's daughter, to bind the Reach to his cause.
Of course, if the Reach was putting its neck on the line then they would demand a strong position in the capital. What could be better than the next queen being from their line.
"We shall ride to King's Landing with the might of the Reach behind us," Renly said, his voice full of pride. "The Iron Throne will be mine, and the realm shall know peace again."
Mace smiled, already dreaming of greater riches and power for House Tyrell.
---
[The Stormlands]
In Dragonstone, Stannis Baratheon brooded over maps and letters. He trusted no one, speaking only to a few close men and the Red Woman, Melisandre.
"The Iron Throne is mine by right," Stannis said coldly. "By law, by blood, by all the gods, it is mine."
"There is only one true god," Melisandre spoke, making Stannis scowl at someone interrupting him but he didn't lash out. He by now had almost become used to it, no matter how much he hated to admit it.
"And what god would that be?" Davos scowled much like Stannis. Though he was more annoyed with the Red Woman's presence in general. He didn't like the Red Woman, it was a fact and not only him. There were many who didn't like her.
From her religion to the acts she acts to perform. It was against anything he or anyone in the Seven Kingdoms stood for.
"But of course, the one true god, the Lord of Light, R'hllor," Melisandre replied with a calm tone.
Davos seemed like he wanted to retort but Stannis interfered, right now he didn't have the time nor the patience for these two fighting over like usual.
His preparations were slow but sure. Every soldier, every sword, every ship was counted and made ready. Stannis cared not for alliances or sweet words. His path was clear and hard like iron.
Melisandre whispered of visions in the flames. "You are the Lord's chosen, my king. The one true king."
And yet he saw hesitation on the Red Woman's face.
Stannis said nothing to that, but his jaw tightened. His banners would soon be called, and he would march to take what was his.
---
[Casterly Rock]
In the great halls of Casterly Rock, Tywin Lannister sat behind a heavy oak table, reading letter after letter. His face, usually calm and cold, now showed signs of anger and worry.
Bad news came from all corners. The Vale was rising, the Reach was gathering under Renly, and Stannis was preparing for war.
There was no sign of what happened to Ned Stark and no concrete news from the North either. Not only had his idiot daughter let Ned Stark run away out of her hands but she couldn't even keep his daughters as hostage. Now they were missing.
A low growl left his mouth at this.
There was also the talk about this man, Thor—the man who had struck terror in the heart of King's Landing. Nothing but fantasies if someone asked him.
Someone calling down lightning and thunder, summoning storms and a flying hammer. Must be an utterly foolish attempt from his incompetent daughter to distract his attention.
"She'll answer for her incompetence regardless..." Tywin slammed his fist onto the table, making the candles shake.
He knew he had to act quickly. Vale, Reach, and Stormlands. King's Landing is surrounded by enemies right now and if the North also united against the crown, it would be the end of House Lannister's hold on power.
But he too was stretched thin, fighting war from all sides wasn't possible even for someone like him, just throwing more money wouldn't solve the issue. He simply lacked the manpower to withstand all the forces from reaching King's Landing.
His eyes darted to the laid-out map of Westeros in front of him.
"Riverlands will rally behind the North if North rises against the crown," he muttered, remembering Ned Stark's wife was a Tully.
If that were to happen, then he would truly be surrounded on all sides. His eyes started to roam around the map, trying to find a break point.
As soon as his eyes went to Dorne, another headache seemed to attack him. If there was one kingdom that would come after his legacy with vengeance, then it would be Dorne. Dornish still held a huge blood grudge against him for Elia Martell's death.
"That only leaves..." His eyes slowly went to the Twins and the Iron Islands. Both can't do much about other kingdoms but in time they can contain the North and perhaps even the Riverlands.
He didn't wait a second and started writing. Another form of warfare which many don't seem useful to indulge in.
However, he knew, many wars are won not on the battlefield but through playing one's hands right.
xxx
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