The Northern Dragon

CH 19: BRIGHT SUN

With Stannis Baratheon approaching King's Landing, everyone who had something to do with the Small Council was trying to come up with ways to protect the city from the siege. At least until Tywin sent reinforcements.

"Have you confirmed when Stannis will be arriving?" Michael walked up the stairs toward the Hand's chamber. Varys by his side with his hands together under the wide sleeves of his robe, "Not yet. We should be hearing news soon, however."

"I sure hope so." sighed Michael.

Other than when Tywin sacked King's Landing by entering as a supposed ally, the capital had never been defeated even after the dragons were gone. Unfortunately, Stannis was someone who knew the capital inside out and had a mind for war strategy while the capital was thinned out with most of their people fighting the North.

It was really not the best circumstances for them. And as much as Michael didn't want Joffrey on the throne, if Stannis won, he would not show anyone mercy. Neither would the witch he was serving.

While discussing, the two men arrived at the door and entered, greeting the two people inside. Bronn was standing by the balcony, still wearing his black armor rather than his new one as Commander of the Gold Cloaks, while Tyrion sat on his desk which was filled with books.

Michael walked in first, taking the seat in front of his brother. He took one of the books in hand, staring at it strangely. As many books as he might have read because of his father forcing him, it would be a miracle if he could even remember half of it by the time he was done.

The fact that someone, anyone, could read this many books with a couple hundred or many thousand pages and still remember any of it after was something that was really hard to swallow.

Varys followed the young lord to sit down, nodding in Bronn's direction, "I must compliment you on the Gold Cloaks' performance these last few weeks. Did you know there has been a marked drop in thievery?"

"I did not know." Tyrion was surprised to say the least, turning to Bronn, quite pleased about the news, "And how did you accomplish this marked drop in thievery?"

"Me and the lads rounded up all the known thieves."

The three lords froze, slowly moving their heads to face him as they noticed where this was going while still hoping they were wrong.

"For questioning?" asked Tyrion.

Unfortunately for them, wishing for something hard enough doesn't make it happen and therefore, Bronn answered just as expected, "No. It's just the unknown thieves we need to worry about now."

"We talked about this."

"Aye, we talked about it." Bronn didn't care much for Tyrion's expression, remaining as blunt as ever as walked across the room and sat down, "Have you ever been in a city under siege? Maybe this part's not in your books. See, it's not the fighting that kills most people. It's the starving. Food's worth more than gold. Noble ladies sell their diamonds for a sack of potatoes. Things get bad enough, the poor start eating each other. The thieves, they love a siege. Soon as the gates are sealed, they steal all the food. By the time it's all over, they're the richest men in town."

They might not like it, but the three were not that naïve and kindhearted. All things considered, Michael spoke up, "Forget about it. Since they do not care for their fellow people, this ending is fine for them."

The men remained silent for a moment until Varys noticed the book opened before Tyrion. Recognizing it with just a glance. "Ah. 'The Great Sieges of Westeros.' Thrilling subject. Shame Archmaester Ch'Vyalthan wasn't a better writer."