The Last Reyne

Tywin

The screams of the dying were fading and rain had quenched the flames that engulfed the castle. The captain approached him. "House Reyne is no more my lord." He reported. "The lord is spared as you commanded. What should be done with him?" Tywin jumped off his horse and adjusted his crimson cloak. "Lead me to him Harys, I shall see the traitor myself." Harys nodded. He didn't question why he wanted to be taken to him rather than the lord of Castamere be taken to him. Wise man, he knows me well enough. The old lord Reyne was proud, even when faced with defeat, bringing him out to Tywin with all his men surrounding will only strengthen his defiance. And then he'll have to kill them. He didn't want what pitiful remains of Castamere thinking of the man as some kind of martyr. He spat, besides he wanted to ask a few questions first before he had to kill Lord Reyne, he's more useful that way.

They weaved their away among the sorry remains of the halls of House Reyne. The men were claiming their plunder: mounting wenches and highborn alike or taking gold. Pigs. Tywin thought. But they helped him quench the rebellion of House Reyne. Let them have it, after all, a Lannister pays his debts. He found the lord of Castamere kneeling and filthy. All his glory rubbed off from him although his pride was still imminent in his bearings and in his eyes.

"Nice of you to pay a visit Tywin." Lord Reyne spat at him coldly. "Did you come here to mock me before you kill us?" Tywin affixed his gaze on the lord of Castamere calmly. "You mocked yourself Lord Reyne, when you imagined that you can stand against the might of my house."

"Your father was no liege lord worthy of my service. He was weak. He didn't know how to lead." The lord raised his chin higher. "Who is he that I must bow so low? We bear the same sigils: the lion. Only our coats were different. Red or gold, a lion has claws, and mine are as long and sharp as your father's."

Tywin's lips formed a straight line. "Take a look around you Lord Reyne. Does it look like you're winning? There is naught that remains of your kin. Once I take your life, your bloodline shall end." He searched the lord's face. It was filthy yes, and weather beaten, but there was no fear in his eyes. Nothing at all. A fool this one is. He hides something from me. Tywin thought. He was fairly sure of that. A genocide will scare the wits of any lord of any old house. Could it be...

"It matters not." The old lord smiled, his eyes full of mockery and pity. It made Tywin furious but he dared not show it. Not in front of this fool. He is nothing. "One day, someone will stand up to you. You'll fall when you least expect it."

"Spare me your threats. You're in no place to make them." 

"The gods will see to that threat I made young lion. You might be wise to take it from me. You're just a cub."

Tywin signaled for Harys and he pulled the lord's head backward, exposing his neck to the dagger he held. "The gods seem to favor me instead of shun me Lord Reyne, do you have any last words?"

To his surprise, the old lord laughed. "Slay me and be cursed."

"Not a quick death by iron Harys. Hang him. Beside his family."

Harys pulled the Red Lion of Castamere and dragged him outside. There the lord beheld his family, naked as their name day and hanging. Harys stripped his clothes and tied the noose around his neck and hanged him. As the lord struggled for his life, he lifted a finger to Tywin and seemed to speak something but his hand fell limp and he stopped moving. The crows were already cawing in the trees. Tywin mounted his horse and turned it around.

 "Our task here is done. Let us be on our way to the Rock, my lord father would like to hear about this."

"As you say so my lord." Harys began to shout commands as Tywin went on and mounted his horse. "And leave the corpses...until summer ends."

                                                                               ...........

"Well done my son." Lord Tytos boomed us Tywin knelt before him in respect .  "Arise now."

He stood. "The gods favor us father."

"Indeed." Lord Tytos said. "If it were not for you, House Reyne would have done the same to us what you did to them." Tywin nodded. Had it been the Reyne's that succeeded, he doubted they would kill each member of House Lannister. Genocide would make all the other houses to think twice before they dare to betray house Lannister. "Father... how many sons does Lord Reyne have?"

Lord Tytos raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You've killed his sons in battle I've heard, but I hear that his wife bore him another one some years ago." Tywin could not remember how many children were butchered nor was he sure if the youngest son of Lord Reyne was part of those they had killed.

"Grant me leave Father. There are some matters I have to attend to." The foolish bravery of the lord of Castamere and the information his father gave only strengthened his suspicion. That child was still alive. When his father granted him leave, he stalked off to his own tent. Someone will stand up to me eh? We'll see...