Trials and Tribulations of the Oathkeeper

Chapter 22: Hard Truths and a Dark Past

—At Storm's End—

Inside his own personal tent, the rival King Renly Baratheon was not having a good day. He had filled his cup yet again with more wine, his cheeks red from possibly having drinking too much of the Arbor gold. Why?! I'VE got the superior numbers, I'VE got the backing of the Tyrells, and yet somehow, I'm losing?! Damn you, Daveth!

Renly had clearly underestimated his nephew's tactical prowess and strategic decision-making. When the Oathkeeper formulated his battle plans, his ranking generals carried it out effectively and improvised to ensure it inflicted serious damage. Even after amassing an army of 100,000, Renly's forces were getting harassed left and right by Daveth's troops. Tywin Lannister was already marching towards him; Jaime Lannister and the Riverland forces were laying siege to Highgarden its surrounding areas. Word soon arrived that Robb Stark was leading a Northern vanguard of 20,000 men down the Neck and is stationed near the Trident outside the Twins. If things continue at this pace, he'll end up being surrounded on all sides and the war will be over before it has a chance of reaching its peak. What's more, even some of his own bannermen—both in the Stormlands and Reach—have begun to question Renly.

I'm their King! How dare they turn their backs on me!

Reports were pouring in detailing a number of defections in his ranks; making his once vastly superior army slowly dwindle when word of Daveth's many victories reached his ears. The once popular Renly Baratheon was finding himself losing support among the smallfolk, denouncing him as a power-hungry madman and proclaiming Daveth the true King before they fled to the gates of King's Landing with the intent to surrender. Renly appears to have placed his final gambit on the Redwyne Fleet as it makes its way around the Summer Sea to the island of Tarth in the Narrow Sea where he'll rendezvous with his 40,000 men. From there they'll sail to the Blackwater Bay and lay siege to King's Landing, hoping to overwhelm the capital's much smaller forces. He had hoped to spend more time with his lover Ser Loras, but the Knight of the Flowers still felt humiliated and being defeated by Brienne of Tarth in the melee as well as his opposition to Renly's decision to appoint Brienne to his Kingsguard.

"A member of the Kingsguard? As if I wasn't humiliated enough already," was what Loras told Renly in the King's bedchamber before he stormed out, no longer in the mood. In his defiance, Loras told Renly he was going to Tarth and lead the assembled garrison to wait for the Redwyne Fleet to arrive. He intends to lead the assault on King's Landing personally. Brienne of Tarth will stand watch over Renly in Loras's absence.

"I'm sorry, Loras..." Renly said quietly, feeling dizzy from the wine. "But I need every skilled warrior I can muster. I'll find a way to make it up to you, I promise."

As he set the cup down, the flap of his tend opened and Margaery entered. Renly turned to face her. One of the most beautiful maidens in the Seven Kingdoms, thousands of men had desired her but Margaery was promised to Renly. The outfit Margaery wore was a green, U-shaped gown cut at the chest so only her breasts were only half-covered. Any other man wouldn't be able to take their eyes off her.

"I should warn you," Renly said, "I've had quite a bit of wine."

"As is your right. You are a King," Margaery replied sweetly.

The two stared at each other for a while.

"You look very beautiful."

"Thank you, Your Grace."

"It's a lovely gown."

"You think so?" Margaery asked innocently. "I can't decide how I like it better," she stepped closer as she untied the front of her gown. "This way, or... this way." Opening it up, she let it fall to the ground, exposing her bare chest.