Winds were blowing up a storm and Oberyn wanted nothing more than to be part of that storm. Or watch it closely, at least.
The Water Gardens received him with the usual pleasant air. Sounds of childish laughter and relaxed conversation reached him and his retinue. The pink marble paving the courtyard was warm and welcoming, just as always, when Oberyn Nymeros Martell went to visit his brother and ruler, Doran, to discuss matters of great personal importance.
"Father!" his daughter called while running to his arms.
"My brave sun!" Oberyn lifted Obella off her feet and twirled her in the air. Her laughter brightening his day. "Were you waiting for me?"
"Me and Dorea both. But she got bored and went off to play in the fountain," Obella frowned her lips.
Oberyn let out a chuckle and put his daughter down. "No worries my bravest sun. I left Sunspear later than normal and I know my daughters are as restless as the wind of Dorne." As restless as me. He bowed and planted a kiss on her brows.
"But I stayed," she immediately answered.
"I know. And for that I thank you," Oberyn smiled at her. She returned his smile. "We'll have lunch together. Only you, your sisters and I. Would you like that?"
Obella was deep in thought, Oberyn recognized the same expression he had seen numerous times in all of his daughters.
He rolled his eyes. "Yes, my greedy sun, I'll give you your gifts then," he answered the unasked question.
His daughter gave him a look of betrayal, readying herself to deny his accusations. But, just like Nymeria at her age, she relented. "Yes, father."
With a chuckle, Oberyn left his daughter to her games in the pools with the other children and climbed the stairs to the terrace where his brother liked to spend his time. Areo Hotah, the captain of Doran's guards, gave him a nod in greeting, it seemed Doran was waiting for him, had it been otherwise, the dutiful captain would've blocked his path.
"Doran, it seems to me, you already know why I'm here."
His brother's gout had a tremendous effect on him. When he moved from Sunspear to the Water Gardens, he was still able to walk supporting his weight on a cane, now, a mere year later, Doran's knees were swollen and reddened like ripe apples. Oberyn had long grown used not to look at anything below his brothers chest, lest his eyes fill with pity. He wouldn't stand for an insult to the Prince of Dorne, much less coming from himself.
After a long pause, Doran sighed. "Please, take a seat, brother. The sun is gentle today, perhaps you'll be more inclined to hear me."
"We both know it's already decided brother," he said while taking the offered seat. "But who knows, perhaps after our little talk you may be inclined to side with me."
They both chuckled. Doran softly to not turn amusement into pain and Oberyn free and unrestrained.
"We are close Oberyn, close enough for the Lannisters to feel their family's foundation tremble. In a year or two, Viserys Targaryen will need a fleet to cross his army through the Narrow Sea. When that time comes, Dorne will have a fleet waiting for him. With that army at our backs, we'll get justice for our sister and her children."
Patience. The word tasted sour in Oberyn's mouth. More so after so many years had passed since his sister's murder.
"We don't need the Targaryen brat for our vengeance Doran. Can't you see? The lions lost the Riverlands to the Stark boy. Tywin doesn't command the respect he once did. His dwarf son is a captive and his heir is a brute who knows nothing of strategy. Stannis is using his fleet to block King's Landing ports but he'd sooner ground his teeth into dust before allying himself with the Tyrells, unlike King Renly." Not to mention… "Doran, a fucking boar killed Robert. When are we getting our revenge if it isn't now?"
Silence followed. Only the sound of rustle of the leaves was heard for a while.
"What would you have of me Oberyn? Do you want me to declare for Renly and prepare for war? Do you want spill Dornish blood for a king we don't even know the face of?"
Oberyn pierced his brother with his eyes. "We both know that's not what I want, Doran. I won't spill Dornish blood for my vengeance."
"Need I remind you that you are Dornish too brother?" Doran said somberly.
"Ah. It seems I misspoke then." He poured himself some of the sweet wine his brother was so fond of. "If I spill Dornish blood, it'll be only mine," he finished with a smirk.
Doran let out a long sigh. "I should've gone back to Sunspear the moment I heard of Robert's death. That way, you may not have read the last raven." His brother's gaze never left Oberyn's while sipping his cup. "I'm your older brother Oberyn."
And there were times, specially when younger, when Doran looked more like a father to him.
"It should be you, the one who buries and mourns me, not the other way around," Doran said with his gaze locked in his cup. "I was an only child for a long time. After Mors and Olyvar died in their cradles, I gave up hope of brothers. I was nine when Elia came, a squire in service at Salt Shore. When the raven arrived with word that my mother had been brought to bed a month too soon, I was old enough to understan that meant the child would not live. Even when Lord Gargalen told me that I had a sister, I assured him that she must shortly die. yet she lived, by the Mother's mercy. And a year later you arrived, squalling and kicking. I was a man grown when you both were playing in these pools. I am the oldest, don't make me the last Oberyn. I beg of you."
Oberyn leaned forward and took his brother's hand. "Elia loved you fiercely. She used to drag me around to receive you at the gates. When you were away, she told stories of our brave older brother to anyone who'd listen. Of how kind you were, of how gallant and cunning you were." His brother raised his gaze from his cup and Oberyn looked directly into his eyes. "I love you just as fiercely Doran, just as much I know you love me. Just as much as we love Elia. As such, I'm going to King's Landing, I'll make sure to remind the capital what Dornish revenge tastes like."
Oberyn saw a thousand demons pass through his brother's eyes until they settled in anger. "It is decided then. Does Ellaria…" Doran turned his gaze, eyes downcast. "No, I apologize. I'm sure she knows already."
Doran poured himself more wine, eyes deep in thought. Oberyn felt some guilt when he saw his brother this way, but there was no better time. Let it be known Dorne does not need of Targaryens to settle old and bloody debts.
His brother drank his wine with one swift motion. "So be it Oberyn. Tell me how do you plan to get to King's Landing?"
He gave his brother's hand a squeeze and returned to lounge on his chair.
"I'm taking a ship to Stonedance. I'll ride my way to King's Landing from there. I still haven't decided to present myself in court or to bother one of my friends for accommodations. After that, well, there'll be plenty of opportunities to murder a lion or two."
"Is that it?" Doran asked incredulous.
"That's it," Oberyn said. "I'll leave the plotting to you, I'm more of a warrior. I like simple plans."
"You are as reckless as ever. I'll sign you a letter, in case you decide to present yourself at court-"
"That would be lovely."
Doran huffed. "I'll station an army in our Reach borders, at Starfall or maybe Blackmont. That should slow Renly down and give you a little more time to act."
"I knew I could count on you," Oberyn said. "Can I ask for a favor?"
"Your daughters will not want for nothing. I'll make sure of it, even if-"
Oberyn cut before his brother nicked him with that sharp tongue of his. "Thank you, Doran. But I already knew you'd do that. The favor I want from you… is different."
Doran raised an eyebrow in response.
"It's Arianne," Oberyn said. "You have to include her in your plans," Doran's face didn't give anything away. That was the best he'd get from him today. "Also, give my sincere apologies to Quentyn. I've never been a good uncle to him."
There were a thousand things more he wanted to say, but saying those would only serve to burden his brother.
He got up from the table and turned to look for his daughters.
"Oberyn," his brother called him and Oberyn turned his head to hear him. Doran's coal like eyes burned while focusing on him. "For Elia."
Oberyn smiled. "For Elia."
###
When I finally saw the pink stone walls of Maidenpool in the distance with my own eyes, I moved through the line to arrange for prisoners to come up front as soon as negotiations with the garrison inevitably ended in failure.
They had six hundred men and stone walls. We had almost two thousand men. A frontal assault would mean a great amount of casualties for us. Which, I guess that is why Robb appointed me as the commander for this.
We reached the fields beyond the walls and my host moved to set camp for the siege. I took Perwyn with the king's banner and Hatten with mine to get close to the gates. Ghost followed just behind my horse, I didn't stop him, his fierce looks could help my cause.
We stopped just short of arrow range to convey our intentions for parlay.
The portcullis lifted and out came a fully armored knight with two companions. The knight's coat of arms was that of a copper dagger across a inverted black chevron on white. House Foote, my memory supplied.
The knight rode up to a couple of yards from us and inclined his head in my direction. "Bastard," he spat.
I raised a hand in Hatten's direction. "That would've been correct about a week ago, but you see…" I took off my helm and smiled at the knight. "My kingly brother legitimized me. How should I address you, ser?"
The man looked incensed, probably reeling at the insult to talk to a bastard. Or maybe at the reminder of a new king. Who was to say?
"You may address me as Ser Philip Foote, Lord Commander of Maidenpool." He looked over my shoulders before turning his hard gaze to me. "Is this were you threaten to hang those men? You have my leave boy, they are nothing to me."
"Threaten? No ser, you misunderstand, those men are to be given a trial each. It's just that in our quick march, we didn't found a proper time to set it. Let the laws of men and gods decide if they live or die," I said as placidly as possible.
"Spare me the veiled threats boy. I won't betray Lord Tywin's trust."
Ah, yes. Lord Tywin's trust. "Does Tywin hold you wife captive? Perhaps your sons?" The man's eyes became harder. "Hhmmm, so that's how it is… let it be known, King Robb is very generous with men acting under duress." I directed the last of my words to Ser Philip's companions.
"Let me hear it then boy." he said. "What is this heathen King of yours offering?"
Heh, maybe Robb also thought of this? "We won't storm your walls until the morning after the third night. Surrender before then and the criminals in your camp will be allowed to take the black, after a small punishment of twenty lashes for their crimes against the Riverlanders, of course. The rest will be put to work the fields as payment for your lord ruining the crops, King Robb will pay for their labor from his own coffers. Tiring labor yes, but nothing maiming I assure you. As I said, King Robb is generous with soldiers who were just keeping to their vows."
Did Robb send this offer in his letter? Not explicitly, but we did need the extra labor and I was sure the treatment we gave to the Green Fork captives could extend to all our captives.
"Those are terms for a defeated garrison," Ser Philip grunted. "Is-"
"Be it as it may ser, those are the terms we offer."
The knight's sword arm twitched. "Smash your army against my walls boy. I've got enough provisions to last me until Lord Tywin comes to lift the siege." Ser Philip turned his horse and left.
"How very confident of you ser!" I tried needling the delusional man as he left.
He turned, hand in sword, ready to draw. "I'll have your head before the siege is over bastard!" He trotted his party to the gate.
"Remember!" I cupped my hands around my mouth, to the garrison instead of the knight. "I gave you 'til the morning after the third night before I order the assault!"
The iron spikes of the portcullis buried themselves in the mud behind the knight's back.
As per Dacey's advice, or very vocal threat depending on how you see it, I've been completely honest in the treat. It was for the best, aside from preserving my brother's image, my treacherous face would've betrayed any lie.
Back in camp Lord Blackmyre brought me the first set of prisoners.
"Well then," I said. "Once our palisade is done, we shall begin."
###
A platform was built in front of Maidenpool's main gate, well beyond arrow range. There the first of the criminals was tied to a pole.
"Robin of Lannisport, you stand accused of raping and murdering multiple women in Apple Tree Village. How do you plead!?" Ser Ronel read the script I gave him.
Night had fallen upon us. Robin's face was reflecting the light of the torches in front. He didn't answer, he probably knew what was in for him.
"Let it be known Robin of Lannisport didn't answer!" Ser Ronel continued.
Of course this was all a farce. The men in this 'trials' were already found guilty, or innocent in a few special cases. This was a mummer's show. With the primary target the Riverlanders, to show that King Robb Stark was delivering justice to lands under his protection. The secondary target, the Maidenpool garrison.
"We have survivors from Apple Tree Village confirming the accused crimes," Ser Ronel said. "What is the honored jury's verdict?"
Lord Boggs stood from his seat as the spokesperson for the jury. "Guilty!" he declared.
The 'impartial' jury was made by Perwyn, Lord Boggs and septa Selyse.
"In the eyes of gods and men," Ronel said. "Robin of Lannisport has been found guilty for the crimes of murder and rape."
I picked up my halberd and moved to the platform for the final sentence. Two men untied the man and walked him next to the block.
As I walked to meet the accused, I prayed for my legs not to betray me nor my face to show anything other than cold indifference. How did Father did this?
We were in the south, here lords had headsmen. In truth, it would've been easier to just appoint one.
But I am a Stark.
Eddard Stark's son to be precise. "He who passes the sentence should swing the sword," he used to say. Sentencing someone should never be easy and I wouldn't insult Father nor my fellow Northerners.
With short and measured breaths I reached the block. "In the name of Robb of House Stark. First of his Name. King in the North and of the Trident. By the word of Jon of House Stark of Moat Cailin, Lord of Moat Cailin. I sentence you to die."
The man was forcefully put on the block, I raised a hand to the men at his sides. The man raised his eyes to look at me.
"Any last words?" I prodded. "Confessing and denouncing your sins may make the gods old and new spare you from hell."
The man's eyes filled with tears and he started talking.
"I confess! I confess, my lord! I was a fisherman in Lannisport when Lord Tywin raised his banners. I went to war for him." His sobs moved his shoulders in violent spasms. "I pillaged and killed my fellow men. I saw knights and lords rape and… and I did the same! I'm a wretch. I'm evil. Mother Above, forgive me!"
After that the man kneeled in the block without being forced. I raised my halberd and swung, hard. A thumping sound made me realize I had been closing my eyes. I opened them and returned to my place next to the jury.
From the walls, I could distinguish men watching. It was going to be a long night, rotations or not. Three nights still.
###
The third morning was about to greet us. The last of the 'trials' were in motion, it was about an hour before sunrise and the sky was clear from clouds.
These last nights had been a tiring affair. Even if we changed roles by turns throughout the night. Dacey, Lord Blackmyre, and me dictating sentence; Hatten, Ronel and Jorelle officiating. And the jury being made of three seats, two nobles plus a septon or septa.
Contrary to the garrison's expectations, we did found innocents. Well, rather than 'found', the innocents were prepared beforehand. I wanted to show the audience that the trials were not predetermined after all.
Some of the criminals asked to take the black. We allowed them, Robb's justice couldn't be questioned by any, and the Night's Watch is a place to recover one's honor. So, men ended up taking the black, after enduring ten to twenty lashes on their backs for their crimes, of course.
I expected some pushback when asking for the punishment before taking the black, but I received none. I believe it was due to what we saw done to the multiple villages we passed in our march. Dacey just nodded. "The Night's Watch will thank us for it," she said. The septons we asked to be in the jury accepted without grumbles. "The Seven-Pointed Star states all sins may be forgiven, but crimes must be punished, my lord," Septon Owen said.
I took the same group from the first day to have some words with Ser Philip, if he comes out that is. Given the fact that ten minutes already passed, that wasn't likely. That was just fine, I was expecting this from the delusional knight.
My men moved the platform closer, just shy of crossbow range to start the last trial.
"Ser Amory Lorch," said Ser Ronel. "You stand accused of multiple accounts of raping and murder all throughout the Riverlands. 'A monster in human skin' you were called. There are no doubts of these crimes as your fellow soldiers confirmed those charges."
"Guilty!" the jury declared all at once.
Amory looked haggard. His body growing weak due to his refusal to eat after my first breakthrough, back when we dealt with the Brave Companions. Thankfully he couldn't age much in a week or else his fellow Westerlanders may not recognize him.
"And yet," continued Ser Ronel. "Those are not the whole extent of your crimes are they? Sixteen years past, in the sack of King's Landing, you and Ser Gregor Clegane scaled the walls of Maegor's Holdfast looking for Rhaegar's children. You found Rhaenys and stabbed the two name days girl half a hundred times."
The soldiers from our side fell silent when they heard the manner of Princess Rhaenys' death. I couldn't blame them, the truth was revolting, much more so if you saw the events unfold in first person. An image of a little girl hiding under her father's bed struck me. Fuck you Amory.
"For the Father's justice, for the sin against the Mother and Maiden, for the insult against the Warrior. Confess Ser Amory!"
The soldiers in the walls were gathering en masse. Disorganized and interested in what Amory may say, but, the anointed knight didn't answer. He was all crumbled in the post, being only held by the rope tying him. That would not do.
With my halberd in hand, I moved from my position. Amory didn't react until I thumped my weapon in the platform.
Seeing him like this disgusted me. His hypocrisy, his weakness, his cowardice. A lesser man in truth.
Amory raised his eyes from the platform until he saw me. Terror invaded him and he started shaking his head repeating "please, please," in a whisper.
"Confess!" I ordered.
He stopped his mumblings and looked at me in confusion.
I clenched my hands into fists to not kill him on the spot. "CONFESS!" I repeated.
He gave a short nod. "I, Amory Lor-"
"LOUDER!" I hit his back with the butt of my halberd.
"I, AMORY LORCH SCALED MAEGOR'S HOLDFAST AND KILLED PRINCESS RHAENYS!"
"How did you kill her!?" I demanded.
Amory let out a cry. "Forgive me, forgive me, my lord."
"HOW DID YOU KILL HER!?" I hit his leg with my halberd.
A sob wrecked his whole body before he answered. "HALF A HUNDRED STABS! I KILLED HER WITH HALF A HUNDRED STABS! FORGIVE ME, forgive me."
"Who ordered you?"
"LORD TYWIN DID. A LANNISTER PAYS HIS DEBTS HE SAID! KILL THE DORNISH WHORE AND HER CHILDREN HE SAID! FORGIVE ME my lord, forgive me." Amory cried in the post.
The murmurs of the crowd erupted in full. Tywin may deny the crime but the common man now knew what he ordered. Let's add to the tally.
"What happened in Wendish Town!?"
Amory gave a quick look at my face and then to my weapon. "We…" he gulped. "We killed everyone, my lord."
I knew what was to come, but it needed to be asked anyway. "How?"
"We attacked and burned the holdfast, my lord."
"Louder."
He yelped. "WE BURNED THEM AND SHOT THEM!"
"Under whose orders!?"
"LORD TYWIN! BURN AND PILLAGE HE SAID!"
Images of people running in chaos hit me like a kick to the head. I saw part of it from this monster's perspective. It was Ghost who pulled me out before I saw the worst of it.
"What happened in Sherrer!?"
"The same, my lord. The same." I thumped my halberd next to his feet. "LORD TYWIN ORDERED TO KILL AND PILLAGE THE TOWN!"
"Lions sacked Sherrer and the Mummer's ford!" roared a man from behind. "Girls of six and seven years were raped, and babes still on the breast were cut in two while their mothers watched."
"IT WAS LORD TYWIN, HE ORDERED IT ALL!" was Amory's response.
I closed my eyes, thankful to not have seen that.
"Put him in the block," I ordered the two guardsmen.
Amory's piggish eyes went wide. "No! Mercy, mercy, my lord," he cried.
The ropes were cut and the knight was pulled to the block.
"I'll take th-"
A mailed fist stopped him from talking. The men dragging him were well instructed.
They pushed Amory to his knees and gave him another fist to the mouth.
I raised my halberd. "In the name of King Robb Stark and the people you committed your crimes against. By my word. I sentence you to die."
Once my halberd descended, the world was rid of a monster.
I raised my gaze to the walls, there the crowd had grown distracted. It was close to dawn and my army prepared the siege ladders.
I got off the platform and saw it being dismantled. Hatten was by my side in an instant, I gave him a nod.
We waited a few more minutes for sunlight. Once the first light of the day was upon us I gave the order, "Sound the warhorns!"
"Stark!" the soldiers roared and shielded crossbows moved up front.
The garrison responded in kind, shooting arrows and going back for their arms after the spectacle. Any minute now.
The Riverlanders who were the most hellbent on revenge formed up front with their shields high. From the ones who joined us before the Green Fork, to the ones who came from burnt villages and towns. They all wanted a pound of Lannister flesh and Ser Ronel Rivers gave them a purpose and training. They became the vanguard for this assault.
"Death!" the leader howled.
"Death!" the formation answered.
Just a little more time.
The Northerners started hitting their shields with their weapons. On each thump they echoed the Riverlanders. "Death, death," they said.
Lord Blackmyre came to my side. "The lions don't know they already lost, my lord," he grinned viciously.
As if to answer his words, there was commotion in the walls. This is it.
"Vanguard. Forward!" I ordered with my halberd raised.
"Stark!" they roared as they ran.
"Move!" Before the archers could react I ordered a general advance. Just enough for the archers to have more objectives, not enough for my men to be in much danger.
It wasn't needed, the gates opened half way through the vanguard charge.
Lord Blackmyre threw his head back in a laugh. "Crannogmen fulfill their promises, my lord."
The trials we conducted were a distraction, we made them loud to make the garrison focus on us. The first night served for the crannogmen to find a way through the currents to the beach. The second night was mere formality, they already had a way in. It was just that my promise to wait for the third day had to be fulfilled. Now, at dawn, they attacked the gate from behind the walls.
"It was a job of great beauty, my lord," I said.
"Aye, that it was. Come let's find a lion or two of our own," Lord Blackmyre roared in laughter as he moved to the walls.
The fight in the gate should've been bitter if not for the fact that having your gate open in the very first minutes of a siege should destroy the garrison's morale. I shrugged to myself and with Ghost close enough to bite my ankles strutted my way to Pinkmaiden.
The gate was completely ours when I arrived. My soldiers ran to aid the vanguard when the gate was open. Just as we planned.
Some lions threw their arms and surrendered. Some fought tooth and nail, but with their morale so low, the knights couldn't organize any resistance.
To the right, Ser Perwyn was commanding a formation. To the left, the Mormont sisters were accepting surrender after surrender.
And then, when I thought everything was done, a man in ash smudged armor came charging. "Snow!"
I didn't even had to move to dodge him. The knight tripped halfway and planted his knee to the ground. It wouldn't have mattered even if he reached me, my guards were blocking his path already. And Ghost, well, he was placidly by my side, not growling in the slightest.
"Ser Philip," I greeted the garrison commander. "You've come to surrender the city? I'm afraid it's a bit too late, ser."
My vicinity chuckled at the knight.
"You godless bastard! You lied! Yo-"
"I didn't lie, ser. I said I'd order the assault on the morning after the third night." I looked around lifting my hands. "It looks to me, it's the morning after the third night."
"You-" Ser Philip Foote stood up with great difficulty. "Single combat bastard! You and me, winner takes Maidenpool."
The logical action would be to deny him. Arrest him and be done with it. But seeing him, a mere knight, a lesser man from every angle, challenging me ignited rage from deep within me.
Ghost pushed me from the side before I could say any word. I clenched my jaws and petted my loyal friend to get a grip on my emotions.
"Look around ser. The city is already mine."
Ser Philip charged my position with a shout.
My guards easily battered him from both sides until he fell. And just like that, Maidenpool was under my brother's protection.
###
We found the Mooton family confined to the upper floors of the eastern tower of their castle. Lord Willian Mooton thanked us profusely and immediately swore an oath to his new king.
The man gave the oath way too easily for it to be sincere, at least in my view. The way his sons side-eyed him added fuel to the flame of distrust. Alas, I couldn't just imprison nominal allies with zero proof.
Due to my mistrust and the fact that I did have my brother's letter politely asking for the port, I pressured Lord Mooton to temporarily handle the port administration to the crown. Which in this case means me, or whoever I appoint.
It was an easy transaction, and I welcomed the afternoon from my new solar in the eastern tower. The fact that this room was just used for holding the Mootons as captives was a veiled insult, but at that point in time, I didn't care to play the stupid game. I'll just have to get payback from the bumbling fool of a lord some other way.
I left Dacey and Jorelle to administer justice in the town. It was an easy appointment, Dacey became more vocal since getting her squire and Jorelle will probably stop any excesses.
As for the Neck lords, I gave them the barrels of firewater my wagons carried for their efforts. I'll still need to recognize individual efforts and publicly thank them. Maybe a ceremony of sorts. My ever growing list of to-dos keeps increasing.
Perwyn and Ronel were taking care of finding any hiding lion still in town. It was an ongoing and slow task, but the brothers are competent enough to accomplish it.
The door opened and a servant came with a satchel full of letters.
"Here are the letters the maester kept, my lord."
"Thank you Robert," I said and the man bowed deeply.
It took me just a couple letters to find something extremely important. Shit.
"Hatten," I called my aide across the room. "Find me a rider, fast."
"Yes, my lord."
He ran out of the room, no questions asked. My face must show something fierce.
In my hands I had a letter signed by the hand of gods damned Tywin Lannister, Hand of the King.
I got up from my chair, this new information was problematic. The Harrenhal siege had its meaning changed, it no longer could end the war. The letter instructed Ser Philip to drag Lord Mooton's to King's Landing to swear fealty to King Joffrey.
I wonder how long has Tywin been in King's Landing, and how long took him to get himself appointed as Hand. In Riverrun, Robb should already know of this, ravens should've reached him, the rider to Harrenhal is just in case they didn't heard.
Fucking hell, these past days had been intense. For body and mind in equal measure.
I moved to the window, hoping for a breeze to refresh my mind. Dusk was falling. Things still felt surreal. We took Maidenpool in a day, it was-
Just as I was stretching I saw something odd in the sky. A red line cutting through it. A comet the color of blood greeted me as night fell.
###
Excerpt from "The Seven watch over us: An antidote for hopelessness" by Septa Leana. Seagard Press. 538 AC
Chapter 8
[…]
[…] Three nights of trials were conducted in front of Maidenpool. Wretched men and monsters in the form of men were judged with the Father Above as witness.
The now fabled nights, moved the hearts of men so, that at the third day, the garrison holding Maidenpool as hostage, bared their hearts open to the judgement of the Father Above and opened the gates on their own accord. Septons and septas present bore witness to this fact. Witnesses from inside Maidenpool corroborate this miraculous change of heart.
In subsequent years, Maidenpool inhabitants celebrate the 'Three Nights of Trial' as a festivity. They reenact the nights of trial, holding vigil outside of the pink walls of old. Actors recreate the most memorable of trials throughout the three nights of the festival.
In the third night, close to dawn, the most famous of the trials is held. The 'trial of Amory Lorch' finishes with the first rays of sunlight and the old gates open marking new beginnings and justice for Maidenpool, its inhabitants and the visitors […]
[…]
The trials may have been held by followers of the Old Gods, but no one can deny the steady hand of the Father Above guiding them.
In the next chapter we'll discuss more about how the Seven guide us, all of us, believers or not.
###
A/N: On the first draft, the 'first trial' went on for a little too long I think, I cut it mostly because I felt the chapter would've gone on too long, let me know if you would've preferred more of it.
Also, tell me if you liked the last bit of Septa Leana. Suddenly inspiration hit me for that last part. She's from a Riverlander branch of the Faith. Maybe we'll see from a Reach/Dornish branch later? (if inspiration hits me again lol.)
Next time, we have interludes from KL.
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