Northern Conqueror

Chapter 31: Dagger and Sword

Chapter 31: Dagger and Sword

Jaime watched Cersei stare at the undead soldier hanging from Gregor Clegane's sword, clawing at her. Qyburn's eyes were wide as he watched Bronn put a torch to it, igniting the wight. It seemed to collapse off the sword, the exposed bones not held by rotted skin falling away from it.

Euron walked over, picking up the wight's skull. "What is dead may never die," he whispered before laughing. "Maybe the North is more interesting than I thought."

"And they say there's an army of these things moving south?" asked Cersei.

"At least a hundred thousand men, not counting the giants or animals among them."

Euron let the skull drop from his hand as he stood. "What else is there?"

"They're all lead by White Walkers and their Night King," Jaime told them. "Everything but dragonglass and valyrian steel shatters against them. Nothing else stops them."

"Dragons might help that," Euron said with a nod.

Cersei gripped the arm of her chair. "And that whore's surely sided with the bastard king."

"It's his son, Cersei," said Jaime. "I know it."

"So you say," she sneered. "And what are we supposed to do? Stand aside? Let them take the throne along with our heads?"

"He's asked us to help, but understands our reluctance. He's offered an armistice."

"So we just sit and wait?"

A hint of fondness colored Jaime's smirk. "He said we can decide who sits on the throne once we're sure it will still exist. If we agree to stand down then he's agreed to do the same."

"And what of the dragon whore?"

He seemed to contemplate his answer, but knew this might be a test if Qyburn's little birds already knew. "He didn't say as much, but I believe he had gone to meet her when I arrived."

"Do you think he's stepped down for her?" she asked, as if that would decide her thoughts.

Though uncertain, Jaime shook his head. "I doubt it. He seems intent on leading them through the Long Night."

Cersei thought for a moment. "Could we trust his word for an armistice?"

"He's still Ned Stark's son," Jaime offered with a shrug.

Cersei nodded, turning her gaze to Euron. "Do as I said. Send word once it's done."

Euron's pale lips curved into a grin as he gave an exaggerated bow. "As you wish, my queen."

"Write to the bastard king," Cersei told Qyburn. "Tell him he'll have his armistice. We'll even offer his armies passage through our lands so he can let them defend the North. Say we'll prepare a small company of men to join them once we can, as a sign of good faith."

"At once, your grace." Qyburn bowed his head, turning to flee the secluded courtyard.

Jaime eyed her as she moved to pour herself a glass of wine, leaving Bronn to take the wight away. "Should I prepare the men?"

Taking up her glass, Cersei turned to him with a smirk. "I always knew you were the stupidest Lannister." She took a sip as his brow sank. "The Targaryens and Starks have united against us and you want to fight along side them. Are you a traitor or an idiot?"

"You saw it with your own eyes," he said walking toward her. "You saw a dead man try to kill us."

"And I saw it burn," said Cersei. "If dragons can't stop them, if Dothraki and Unsullied and every Northern house can't stop them, how would our armies make a difference?"