Trials and Tribulations of the Oathkeeper

Chapter 175: Revolution

King's Landing — Great Sept of Baelor...

At the Great Sept of Baelor, that magnificence in marble atop Visenya's Hill, Daveth, Sansa and their children attended the funeral services of Lord Commander Lucius Blackmyre of the Kingsguard; the Silent Sisters had removed the bowels and organs, drained the blood from his corpse and stuffed it with fragrant herbs and salts to preserve it and hide the smell of decomposition. Both parents remained calm and composed during the ceremony despite the saddening atmosphere, but their eldest two occasionally sniffled and cried quietly at such a loss. The little knot of several visiting mourners also attended to pay their respects to the hero who led the defense of King's Landing's civilians during the War for Westeros; some even started singing "Farewell, My Brother" – a sad ballad composed by Luceon of Tarth after the Dance of the Dragons still sung today.

Once the singing had subsided, the High Septa knelt beside the sovereigns in the center of the sept. "May the Father Above judge our dearly departed Ser Lucius of House Blackmyre justly, whose earthly body passed from this world after a prolonged struggle with a terrible illness," she intoned, beginning the prayer for the dead. Jaime Lannister stood with a stoic expression on his face, and Olyvar and Brienne had both lowered their heads to pay their respects as Rosyn continued her prayers.

After the septas and septons issued their sermons, the High Septa rose. "If there are any among the faithful who would like to offer a few words, let him or her speak."

Daveth was the first to stand. "We are gathered to honor the life of Ser Lucius Blackmyre. He came to us from High Hill. The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, a sworn brother of the sacred order, ever faithful. Born and raised in the Riverlands, Ser Lucius started his life as a farmer before ascending to knighthood," he began. "The people of King's Landing knew the Old Bull as a hero. The Kingsguard knew him as a brother-in-arms... and others a sage lending his counsel and experience to those who need it most. From the War of the Ninepenny Kings to the War for Westeros, Ser Lucius displayed loyal service and told hard truths – even if it's something we do not want to hear. Even in his advanced age, he put his life on the line through war-torn streets to protect the innocent and defend the weak." He glanced at Sansa, Lyonel, Cassana, Torrhen, and Rickard. "And more," he continued. "We all know the fruits of his labor. A lowborn farmer who defied the odds and rose to become a famed Kingsguard knight like Ser Duncan the Tall before him. Ser Lucius gave all he had and more. This nation owes him a debt that we can never repay." You've looked after me since I was a boy. Now... rest easy, old man. We will never forget you. He stepped back.

"Would anyone else like to speak?" the High Septa asked.

Sansa was next. "When I first came south from Winterfell with my father seven years ago, it was Ser Lucius himself who ensured a little Northern girl would feel welcome. He always had so many stories to share, even sad ones—from his misspent youth to his serving four Kings. Ser Lucius was like a grandfather to us all. Knights like him were hard to come by. But men like him? Even more so. On behalf of House Stark and the North, we thank you for your service, Ser Lucius. You will be sorely missed."

Jaime was next. He wasn't one for speeches and huffed a bit. "Huh. You know, it's almost funny to look back on it all," he mentioned. "I was never supposed to be on the Kingsguard. Oh, as a boy, I dreamed of the white cloak like all boys. I was only 15 when I first joined the order at Harrenhal. Ser Gerold Hightower and Ser Lucius raised me up, put the white cloak on my shoulders and looked after me even when the Mad King effectively treated me as his glorified hostage. I wanted to rip off the white cloak, but the Old Bull reminded me in his own... colorful way... that a Kingsguard serves for life – so I upheld my oath. I hated his constant lectures; I called him an 'old man', a 'fossil', but now... I think I now understood what he was trying to tell me all these years. Why he wanted me to succeed him. We fought side-by-side in fights. Looking back on it all, I think Lucius had it right. I suppose it takes getting old to finally put the pieces together."