Bound by Blood and Oaths

Chapter 60

King's Landing

Jaehaerys looked up at the city he grew up in. He could see the red towers of the Red Keep, the sun making it almost look like bricks of blood. If the books he read are to be believed, that may very well be true. Maegor the Cruel. He was cruel indeed, as he killed whoever crossed him. While a king must be able to punish, he must also know whom to punish. Those he killed to build this palace were not just.

"Is it as you remember, Your Grace?" Ser Baelor asked. "Unlike your sister, you grew up here."

"Not much, I'm afraid. It's been so many years, but I do remember the red towers of the Red Keep. The sprawling city I saw from my bedroom window. I can still see it at times; me leaning out of the window and watching the city from high above. It's all I can remember with certainty. The rest is all a blur. It has been more than two decades. I am sure much has changed. Ser Barristan said as much. Anyway, we will soon see the city and the keep again. How goes it at the other camps?"

Ser Baelor moved back with Jaehaerys into the commander's tent. The camp he was currently in was placed west of the river Blackwater Rush, facing the Lion's Gate. His camp was larger than the others, mainly because he was present within it. The other camps were commanded by Ser Barristan in the north and across the river, Grey Worm. King's Landing was surrounded on land by his armies.

The sea was also not an escape for anyone who wished to escape. It was swarming with the fleet of House Velaryon, making the sea blue with the sheer sails and flags of the surviving Valyrian house. The Lannisters had nowhere to go. Nothing would get past them. Ser Baelor explained as much, pointing out how the siege was going.

Jaehaerys could see there was nothing to worry about. Well, not entirely true, he worried about Dany and Jeyne back on Dragonstone. Both remained due to their pregnancies. Jaehaerys was not willing to put them in danger. Not even dragons can protect them from a lucky arrow. And he will not bring their unborn children into danger.

"Your Grace," a man's voice entered the tent, flanked by two Unsullied. It was one of the scouts. Jaehaerys insisted on having a constant ridership out to scout for enemy armies. They are weakened, the Lannisters, but surely not without resources. Only a fool would think so.

"Report, ser. What news do you carry?"

"Your Grace, an army approaches from the West. They carry the banner of the Golden Lion, House Lannister. Around twenty thousand strong."

"Who leads them?" Ser Baelor asked.

"I have heard it is commanded by the Kingslayer, Ser Jaime. They have also sent a message, Your Grace," the man continued, holding out a scroll. A seal of the Lannisters was pressed into red wax. What could the Kingslayer possibly want? Jaehaerys took the scroll and broke the seal to read the message.

To King Jaehaerys Targaryen,

I have returned from the Riverlands to restore peace to the land. Yet, I find myself met with an army laying siege to the capital. Personally, I have no wish to fight you. While our armies would be equal in valor and strength, let us avoid the shedding of blood. We can discuss on neutral ground about the siege and what is to come.

My reputation must be deeply tarnished. I will admit, I broke my vow to your father, the King, which has haunted me over the years. Yet I would do so again, as he would have burned thousands of innocents. If I had not done what I did, there would be no city here on this day.