WILOW-Ch.361: Ser Barristan Arrives at Riverrun
Riverrun Castle, Riverlands
POV of Domeric Bolton
"But you said that you'll leave Riverrun in two days," Ser Edmure said with a frown.
"I will." Domeric replied and pointed at another Lion piece beside Casterly Rock, "My spies told me that the Lannisters are gathering yet another army outside Casterly Rock. I'll go there and break that army before it can become large enough to pose a danger."
"And how do you plan to cross the Golden Tooth?" Blackfish asked.
"You can leave that to me." He replied, "Your task, on the other hand, will be to gather the lords of Riverrun and create another army and take Harrenhal from the skeletal garrison that Tywin left behind."
"Can't you just use those wyverns and throw some more wildfire at Tywin?" Edmure asked. "The Dragons burned Harrenhal. Can't your wyverns and wildfire do the same?"
"No," he shook his head, "The wildfire bombs I have are very limited. I cannot afford to be wasteful with them."
He noticed Blackfish relax a little at that piece of news, which was fake, of course.
The Alchemists had been working for him for the past few years, and by now, they had created enough wildfire for him to burn Harrenhal a hundred times over.
But there was really no point in telling these people that and making them fear him.
Domeric's use of the wyvern-wildfire tactic on the battlefield was to prove his strength to his Westeros and show them what they would face if they crossed him.
But using this tactic in every battle would only make him a tyrant.
It was a trump card for Domeric, and if he used it constantly, it would cease to be one.
The war council lasted a bit longer before it was decided that Edmure Tully would continue raising and training more men. At the same time, Blackfish would lead his own men to destroy the Lannister supply lines and sow some chaos in Tywin's army, while he would take his army and leave for Casterly Rock.
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Riverrun Castle, Riverlands
POV of Varko
Varko was teaching some of the Riverland knights how to hold their swords when there was a commotion in the gates.
He went outside and saw that the Riverrun guards were pointing their spears at two men.
A closer look told him that one of the men was none other than Barristan the Bold.
He moved forward, and the Riverrun guards bowed to him as soon as they saw him.
'Foolish men.' He thought.
They should never move their sights from the enemy. Ser Barristan could have killed them ten times by now if he wanted.
"Ser Barristan." He said with a frown, "I presume you're here to meet my lord."
Ser Barristan nodded, "I was promised answers."
"And you shall have them." He replied.
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Riverrun Castle, Riverlands
POV of Domeric Bolton
"Ser Barristan." Domeric said as he sat in the chair opposite the man, pouring coffee into a mug from his bottomless flask.
"Would you like some coffee?" he asked.
The old knight shook his head.
He shrugged and took a sip from the mug. The hot, chocolaty liquid entered his throat, and he let out a contented sigh before he looked at the legend in front of him.
"You have questions." He said, "Ask them."
"Is Prince Rhaegar's son still alive?" Ser Barristan asked. "He is." He replied, "Alive. Healthy. Educated and all that."
Ser Barristan narrowed his eyes at him, searching for any lie in his words while he sipped the hot coffee and let out contented sighs, wondering why everyone refused to share his coffee. It was so good.
"I was promised answers." Ser Barristan said.
"Were you?" he asked, "Because I don't remember making any such promise to you, Ser Barristan."
"Your man promised me. He works for you, does he not?"
"He does." He replied, "And so do thousands of others. Tell me, Ser Barristan. Should I go about fulfilling every single promise that the people working for me make on my behalf?"
Ser Barristan looked tongue-tied, so he continued.
"The man might work for me. But he does not speak for me." He said, "But… you've come a long way for answers. I suppose I would not mind answering your questions if you answer some of mine."
Ser Barristan clenched his fists, not letting any anger or frustration show on his face.
"Ask them, Lord Bolton."
"Why do you search for the son of Prince Rhaegar?" he asked.
"Pardon?" Ser Barristan frowned.
"I mean. After serving one failure of a king after another. You must be tired." He said, "So why are you doing this again? Why do you want to continue to serve one undeserving king after another?" He sipped his coffee. "I mean… don't you have anything better to do? Go to the summer islands. Fuck a few women. Raise some kids and spend the rest of your days in bliss. I'm sure that winning so many tournaments in your youth must have earned you more than enough gold."
"A Kingsguard's vow is for life, Lord Bolton."
"Then what are you doing here?" he asked. "Shouldn't you be in King's Landing? Serving mad king in the making?"
Ser Barristan clenched his fists and ground his teeth. Then he took a deep breath and calmed himself down. "The duty of the Kingsguard is not to judge the King but to serve him."
"How convenient." He drawled, "Is that what you told yourself when the Mad King burned Lord Rickard Stark and strangled his son to death. Or when he later returned to his chambers and raped his wife."
The anger brewing in Ser Barristan's eyes was now replaced by guilt. Guilt and a bone-deep exhaustion, and for once, the proud man looked aged.
Ser Barristan lowered his head and didn't speak.
"You want to know where the son of Prince Rhaegar is?" he asked.
The old knight nodded his head.
"That information has a price." He said.
"What price?" Ser Barristan asked, his voice tired from their talk.
"If I'm to be frank, Ser Barristan, then there is really nothing you can give me that I already do not have in abundance." He said, "So how about a bet instead?"
"A bet?"
"A bet." He nodded, "It's quite simple. We fight. I will not attempt to attack or harm you. I will only hold you back. But if you're able to cut me even once, then you win the fight, and I'll tell you about the son of Prince Rhaegar. In fact, not only will I tell you about him, but I'll also give you the gold and escort needed to get to him."
"And if I lose?"
"Then I'll still tell you about Prince Rhaegar's son. But instead of going to him, you'll serve me instead. How does that sound?"
Ser Barristan looked at him in the eye and nodded.
"I accept."
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Next Chapters' Name:
Ch.362: Leaving Riverrun
Ch.363: Restocking
Ch.364: New Ships from Yunkai