Loki: Storm of Swords

Chapter 72 - Forces Form

Ser Lancel Lannister had not been a great commander during the War of Five Kings and Targaryen Restoration, but now, he felt the thrill of leading legions. The Golden Company was his to command at the orders of the Lord of Light. "Thank, Lord Surtur, for your trust in me," Lancel Lannister said as he gazed over the ranks of the Golden Company as they marched south, towards Kings Landing.

"It is no actual level of trust I have in you, Westerosi. But, my priest is better suited elsewhere and I am no leader of mere mortals. I shall hold sway over my own giants as they come through the portal. You were the only other option," the Muspel king answered calmly and Lancel Lannister felt a sting. It still angered him to a degree that Petyr Baelish was the one with all the important tasks and missions. He would show his lord and master what he could do once they laid siege to Kings Landing. That was when he heard a gust of wind and turned to see Petyr Baelish standing beside them. He had blood drying on his face from his nose and was missing a portion of his ear. "I see both husband and wife left their marks on you," Surtur commented.

"And I intend to return the gesture in kind," Baelish said as he placed a smoldering hand to his ear. He hissed as his own magic cauterized the injury.

"And you shall, as I promised. Once I have crippled Loki's magic, you may dispose of him as you see fit. His wife and daughter are yours till you no longer have use for them. And his son? What plans have you for the heir of House Frostborn?" Surtur queried. Baelish chuckled darkly as he contemplated this.

"I think I shall search out the greatest reprobates in this world and in others. The boy shall be a slave of pleasure for the rest of his days," Petyr Baelish answered and Surtur nodded his head. Lancel Lannister looked mildly disturbed by this. Of course, he wanted revenge on Loki for decimating his house, but the type of revenge that Baelish wanted was monstrous. Lancel Lannister just wanted Loki dead and Daenerys deposed along with Tyrion.

"You mean to crush them? Good. As I mean to crush this world and remake it in my image," Surtur said, raising his flaming hands, the sword held aloft. The men of the Golden Company looked upon this being and felt their insides quake. They had been given the offer by Petyr Baelish, 'Join us, or die.' So, the Golden Company had been purchased, or coerced, into becoming the first part of the physical army Surtur was gathering. His own giants would form the second. Surtur smiled. "The Dragon Queen has locked her Hand away. The Hand and the Dwarf King are at odds; and divisions are happening in her court as we speak. In such a splintered state, they will crumble before me like dust in the wind. After Westeros, the countries on the other side of the Narrow Sea. And after I have conquered all of this world; I will set my sights on the Nine Realms once more!" Surtur declared and he raised his sword, resting it across his shoulders. Petyr Baelish grinned and his eyes drifted in the general direction of Kings Landing. Lancel Lannister just looked down over the heads of the Golden Company and wondered if there would be any glory left for him.

Sansa was not very happy when Rhaenar returned and told her what he had done. "You're only a child! These are matters for adults!" she scolded as Obara Sand stood at the door, her expression grim as she listened to the mother berate the child. Rhaenar just sat on a cushion and observed his mother, his eyes the exact mirror of her own.

"Adults were doing a wonderful job," the boy responded in a mono-tone of voice. Sansa spun around, her own eyes narrowed and her hands on her hips. "Besides, you're going to have another baby, Mother. Shouldn't you be playing it safe?" Rhaenar suggested. Obara's head flicked in Sansa's direction just as she placed a hand on her still flat stomach.

"How do you know that?" Sansa queried and Rhaenar tilted his head to one side, his eyes glowing green momentarily.

"His aura is purple, Mother. A dreamer, a caster of visions. A meditator. At least that's what Grandmother said," Rhaenar answered.

"Grandmother? I'm fairly certain that is not my mother you're speaking about," Sansa commented.

"Of course not! I'm speaking of Father's mother. At least his adoptive mother," Rhaenar said. Sansa nodded and chewed on her bottom lip. She loved Frigga very much. Even though she had obviously never met the woman in life, she had come to know her in death. Frigga was a kind and caring woman, and it did make sense that her magical son had been able to reach her as well.

"Rhaenar," Sansa said as she knelt before him and placed her hands on his shoulders, "your father is being held (of his own accord) and your sister is missing. We cannot show signs of weakness or our enemies will take advantage of that."

"You mean the other grandmother?" Rhaenar suggested and Sansa frowned. She did not trust her mother, and did not love her the same way anymore, and she would not put it past her to try to undermine Loki in any way she could. "There is always a way to permanently stop her, Mother." Sansa's eyes widened and even Obara looked shocked.

"You would have me kill my own mother?!" Sansa all but screamed. Rhaenar shrugged.

"It is the easiest option. Make it look like an accident, pretend to mourn with the rest of our family, and she won't be a problem anymore," Rhaenar said as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

"He does have a point, my lady," Obara agreed. Sansa ran her fingers through her red hair and paced the room.

"I can't believe this! My own son wants me to kill his grandmother," Sansa whispered to herself.

"She's no more my grandmother than Odin would be considered my grandfather," Rhaenar retorted seriously. It was clear he did not care for Catelyn Stark, or whatever fate befell her.

"I cannot in good conscience do that, or allow anybody in our employ to do that," Sansa rejoined. Rhaenar opened his mouth but that was when they heard cries of alarm come from outside their suite of rooms. Sansa looked to Obara and the Sand Snake stood by Rhaenar. Sansa threw open their doors and stepped into the hall. Pages were running around like chickens with their heads cut off and maids were weeping into their hands. Sansa frowned at the utter chaos that greeted her and snapped her fingers loudly. Everyone turned in shock to look at her. "What has you all crying like little children? Speak now!" she commanded.

"My Lady Frostborn, a raven has arrived from the Riverlands. The Blackfish reports that the Golden Company was seen on its way south. They're coming for us!" one maid answered.

"The Blackfish has confronted them, has he not?" Sansa queried, not about to believe that her uncle, the great general, was not going to stop an advancing enemy force.

"He did, my lady. The raven was sent from his sickbed. He was wounded in battle and he had to withdrew his forces to Riverrun to save what was left of his men," a page said.

"You all seem pretty well informed for mere servants," Sansa pointed out coldly. They all looked thoroughly ashamed.

"The apprentice to the raven keeper saw the message and spread the word. Now, everyone's in a panic!" the page admitted.

"Well, that was pretty damn stupid. That idiot should be flogged for his foolishness!" Sansa hissed angrily. She spun away from the servants and walked off down the hallway. As she stalked towards the small council chamber, four Unsullied appeared and flanked her. Sansa's head moved slightly so she could see them out of her peripheral vision. "If you are trying to arrest me, I won't go quietly," Sansa told them.

"We are not arresting you," one of the Unsullied said in the Common Tongue. "Orders from Queen Daenerys. No member of House Frostborn is to walk the halls without an escort. She is afraid of an attempt on your lives." Sansa nodded her head in agreement and continued her walk with the Unsullied beside her. Upon her arrival, instead of waiting for admittance, Sansa opened the doors and stood before the council.

"Sister-by-marriage?" Daenerys queried.

"I heard the news about the advance of the Golden Company. What are we going to do?" Sansa posed in return. Daenerys stood up.

"I have summoned the banners, but they haven't arrived yet. We'll have to put up a fight with what forces we've got," Daenerys answered. Sansa nodded and held out her hand to Daenerys. The Queen of Westeros took the hand of the Lady of House Frostborn.