Chapter 157: A Night of Chaos (Part 2)
The full moon and the crimson comet hung side by side in the eastern sky, ensuring the nights in King's Landing were far from pitch black. Leading his guard squad, Egger set out from the east of the city. He deliberately chose back alleys under the cover of night, descending the gentle slopes of Rhaenys's Hill from the upscale districts along Flour Street and plunging straight into Flea Bottom.
This was the slum of King's Landing, wedged between Rhaenys's Hill and Visenya's Hill. Whether in terms of elevation, living environment, or the social and economic status of its residents, it was the lowest point in the city—inferior even to the shantytowns and tent cities outside the walls. Under normal circumstances, it would be extremely dangerous for a young woman like Nina to traverse this labyrinthine maze of thugs and cutthroats after dark. However, the presence of her brother and twelve fully armed soldiers clad in black changed the dynamic entirely. Residents, passersby, and streetwalkers scrambled to get out of their way, each terrified of being cut down for accidentally obstructing a group moving with such grim purpose.
...
"Master, we are being followed. We cannot outrun them like this." Jaqen played his role as a Night's Watch operative perfectly. As he kept pace with Egger, he constantly scanned their rear and quickly reached a conclusion: "Someone must stay behind to stall or eliminate these tails."
"Harvey, Myron, Pady, Lyon—stay to guard the rear! Block this intersection and stop anyone following us from the north!" The squad leader issued the order without hesitation before Egger could even speak. "The rest of you, continue escorting Master Egger to the River Gate!"
"But Sergeant, what if they are just passersby?" one soldier asked hesitantly.
"I said everyone! Draw your steel. Let no one through until dawn!"
"Yes, Sergeant!"
Four steel swords cleared their scabbards in the night, the sound crisp and melodic. Training via modern military methods had, naturally, produced a modern professional force. While the "Guard Squad's" raw combat prowess was yet to be fully tested, their excellence in execution and obedience was already apparent. Without further dissent, the four rear-guard soldiers remained at the center of the road, swords drawn, blocking the path of the pursuers.
In the distance, atop Visenya's Hill, the Great Sept of Baelor came into view, its windows glowing with soft, eternal light. The remaining ten people continued along Muddy Way, weaving through alleys to avoid pedestrians and Gold Cloak patrols on the main roads. After panting through a trek that lasted an hour or two, the dark southern wall of King's Landing finally appeared. The silhouette of the River Gate, standing slightly taller than the wall and bristling with torches, was clear in the night. They left the alleys for the main road, quickened their pace, and finally entered the garrison of the River Gate City Watch.
"Slynt moved against you?" Inside the River Gate garrison, the escort squad and the siblings, Neil and Nina, were settled in while Egger was invited into the sub-commander's office. After hearing the story, Jacelyn Bywater arched an eyebrow in surprise. "How are you certain it was him?"
"A dozen men with weapons chased me through the streets, and two of them even carried crossbows. Are you suggesting they were just common brigands looking to mug me?" A crossbow was no mere bow; in Westeros, such a weapon appearing in the hands of street thugs was the equivalent of a heavy machine gun appearing in a gang war. The implications were self-evident.
"Crossbows? Hmm... then it is certainly Slynt. Most of the Watch is equipped with longbows; only the armory in the East Barracks holds the dozen or so crossbows gifted from Myr."
"Now is not the time to discuss the inventory of King's Landing's armories. If you wish to equip your men with such weapons, the Night's Watch industries can sponsor a few later. But for now, Ser Jacelyn, please open the gate and let me out of the city. Every moment I stay is a moment of danger!"
"The seven gates of King's Landing are not to be opened after dark without the command of the King, the Hand, or the Lord Commander of the City Watch. Opening the gates privately is a capital offense akin to treason."
Since when did he become such a stickler for the rules? However, the man's logic was sound. Egger didn't dare show his irritation, so he changed his request: "Then have your men lower me from the walls in a winch basket."
"It is the same logic; it is a violation of protocol." Bywater fitted his iron hand and yawned. "Why the panic? Stay here. I guarantee your safety."
If he hadn't known for a fact that Ironhand was not one of Slynt's men, Egger would have thought he'd walked right into a trap. "How can you guarantee it? Since Slynt has already struck, he isn't considering the consequences. If I fall into his hands, I'll end up 'dying of natural causes' or 'committing suicide out of guilt'!"
"Will I let you fall into his hands?" Bywater glanced at him, snorting. "The River Gate Watch is not only responsible for the gate, but also for maintaining order at the Blackwater docks outside. To manage both, we have always been the largest contingent among the seven gates and the various barracks—larger even than the East Barracks under Slynt's direct command. I guarantee your safety with the nearly two hundred brothers under my command. Is that sufficient?"
"But Slynt is your superior officer. If he brings men here and orders you to hand me over, would you dare refuse?"
Ironhand looked up at the Night's Watchman and countered, "Why wouldn't I dare?"
...
Egger was confused by the unexpected response. Where was the Jacelyn Bywater who had previously insisted on "safety first" and refused to stick his neck out before seeing the "Big Players" move? Why the sudden change of heart?
"Have you forgotten my words, or do you take me for a coward?" Bywater stretched, the fatigue suddenly vanishing from his face as a surge of boldness took over. "I told you: 'Once I see signs of movement from your allies, I will cooperate with all my strength.' Now that I see their moves, I will assist—which naturally includes protecting the safety of you and your partners. If Slynt were silent and still, I might fear him. But the more desperate he is to kill you, the greater the trouble he faces. That makes me all the more willing to oppose him. Do you understand?"
Egger understood. Bywater was ready for a showdown with the Commander. While Slynt nominally held command over the entire City Watch, Egger was no longer defenseless within the city walls!
Previously, Egger hadn't prepared much for Slynt flipping the table because he believed that Tyrion's swift political offensive would take the man down before he could react. Who could have guessed that by some unknown channel, that mad dog Slynt would get word by the second day and launch a desperate counter-attack? Egger had indeed been caught off guard by the assassination attempt, but the tide had turned. With Tyrion and the Crownlands lords leading the charge, and Hand Eddard Stark's uncompromising investigate to the end attitude... with Slynt's downfall imminent, those who had long held grudges against him were no longer waiting on the sidelines. They were stepping up to oppose him. This struggle had reached its final showdown!
If he could stay safe in the River Gate barracks until dawn when the Red Keep opened, and once Eddard received word and intervened, the power struggle would be settled!
"I understand. My thanks to you, Ser Jacelyn, for your honorable assistance... but is this risk necessary? If I leave the city, I am safe. If I stay, and Slynt loses his head and orders an assault on this barracks, a civil war within the City Watch could lead to casualties... that would be disastrous." Not causing trouble for the King was a top priority in this operation. "I appreciate your kindness, but please, just send me out. I don't want to bring trouble to the brothers of the River Gate."
"Slynt will know you came to me soon enough..."
"My men blocked the tails."
"You think blocking a tail is the end of it? I know I wasn't the one ambushed, but please, calm down and let me explain." Ironhand shook his head. "You entered through the main gate; how many people saw you? Someone will surely report to Slynt. Whether I open the gate or use a basket to lower you now, he will find out. Afterward, even if Slynt falls, I wouldn't escape punishment, and neither would you as the involved party. Furthermore, if you flee to your own territory, Slynt would surely lead troops out of the city to chase you. Do you intend to order your security team to engage the City Watch in battle?"
Of course he couldn't. No matter the personal character of the Commander, the Gold Cloaks represented the King. Open confrontation would be rebellion, a stain no excuse could wash away.
"But of these nearly two hundred brothers at the River Gate, how many are willing to follow your lead against Slynt?"
"I wouldn't presume too much, but there are always a hundred and fifty," Bywater explained confidently. "True, he is nominally the highest officer of two thousand men in this city. But of those two thousand—excluding my two hundred—how many of the remaining eighteen hundred would actually obey a command to come here tonight, surround this place, and arrest you? Even if he loses his mind and orders a forced entry, how many of those 'brothers' would be willing to face the brothers of the River Gate, also wearing Gold Cloaks, with naked steel?"
"I'll tell you: not a single one." Ironhand held up a finger, revealing the answer. "Unless that coward dares to lead the charge himself, tonight the River Gate is destined to be noisy, but there will be no actual fighting. Before dawn, the Hand and the King will know of the situation. Once the people from the Red Keep arrive, whether I hand you over to Lord Eddard or King Robert, you won't have to worry about Slynt threatening you ever again."
"If I secretly send you out of the city, I've committed a crime—I could lose my job or my head. But if I keep an 'informant against the Commander' in my barracks for protection, I break no laws. Since we have already won, why sacrifice me unnecessarily?"
Egger, after all, had never served in the City Watch. It would have been impossible for him to analyze the situation and predict its development as Bywater just had. Now that the man had explained it plainly, however, it wasn't hard to grasp. After reflecting for a moment, the Chief Logistics Officer quieted down and decided to trust Ironhand. "Since you put it that way, Ser Jacelyn, I shall trust you. My life and safety are in your hands tonight."
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