"Besides those forces, another army traveled north by barge along the White Knife River. They transported knights and warhorses, and the one who hired them was said to be Gina Lannister—Tywin Lannister's own sister."
Karl's counterattack to retake White Harbor was swift and decisive. By late afternoon, the battle was effectively over.
All that remained was for White Harbor's soldiers to comb through the city, nearby villages, and the surrounding countryside in search of any surviving mercenaries.
Most of the sellswords had brightly colored hair and foreign features that stood out among the Northmen, making them easy to identify.
By the King's command, anyone captured was to be executed immediately, with their heads brought back as proof.
Inside the Merman's Hall, the throne that normally belonged to Lord Wyman Manderly was now occupied by King Karl. Without his own seat, Lord Wyman stood respectfully beside the throne like a loyal attendant.
As he listened to the report, Karl rested his chin on one hand while rhythmically tapping the armrest with the fingers of the other.
"Four mercenary companies in total," he said thoughtfully. "Hiring so many soldiers would have cost a fortune. Lord Manderly, do you think Gina financed them herself... or is she simply spending what remains of House Lannister's wealth?"
Lord Wyman leaned toward the latter possibility.
However, regarding the King's question, he had more concrete information.
He turned toward Scholar Siome, who stood quietly beside the hall.
"Bring him in."
The scholar bowed and departed, returning moments later with a large, heavily bound barbarian. Thick ropes wrapped around the man's body from shoulders to ankles.
He was enormous, broad-shouldered, with a massive beard, fiery red sideburns, and long braided hair.
Yet despite his intimidating appearance, he trembled like a frightened bird as two White Harbor guards dragged him forward.
The moment he saw the young king seated upon the throne, he threw himself flat onto the floor.
"Mercy, Your Majesty!" he cried.
"Great King Karl! Mighty Dragon Knight! Spare my life! I swear I'll become your most loyal servant!"
The man had always been cruel, bloodthirsty, greedy, and driven by lust and plunder.
But now...
He was terrified.
Earlier that day, while his men ravaged White Harbor, he had been amusing himself inside a tavern with women his soldiers had captured.
Then he heard the dragon's roar.
When he stumbled outside, he witnessed a nightmare.
Warships burned like children's toys beneath torrents of golden dragonfire. Flames rained from the sky, blazing even across the surface of the sea.
Then came the king.
Wielding a massive greatsword, Karl carved through the battlefield like death itself.
No one could stand before him.
Every soldier who faced him fell like wheat before a scythe.
Running was useless.
Karl moved faster than a galloping horse, and every swing of his blade harvested another life.
Only a week earlier, the mercenaries had mocked Gina Lannister by claiming that Karl was coming for them.
Now...
That joke had become reality.
No one understood fear better than the red-bearded commander.
Karl ignored his desperate pleas.
"Who is he?"
Lord Wyman answered coldly.
"He commands the Cat's Company—the largest mercenary force stationed in White Harbor. We found him hiding inside a tavern cellar."
His expression darkened.
"He is also responsible for the greatest atrocities committed in this city."
The usually cheerful Lord of White Harbor no longer bothered to introduce the man's name.
Hatred alone filled his face.
Karl understood immediately.
He looked down at the prisoner.
"Tell me everything."
"And don't lie."
The mercenary leader dared not resist.
Shaking uncontrollably, he revealed everything he knew.
"So... the Long Lances rode to Winterfell."
Karl nodded thoughtfully.
"It seems Gina Lannister's ambitions extend far beyond White Harbor."
According to the prisoner, nearly every member of the Long Lances fought as cavalry.
After capturing White Harbor, Gina left the remaining three mercenary companies behind while personally leading the Long Lances deep into the North.
Taking a mounted force toward Winterfell could only mean one thing.
She had another objective.
After piecing together Gina's movements, Karl looked once more at the man lying before him.
"His usefulness has ended."
Turning toward Lord Wyman, he asked calmly,
"How do you intend to deal with him?"
Lord Wyman smiled.
"As Your Majesty commands."
Karl returned the smile.
"Then here's my suggestion."
"Take him to the fish market."
"Nail his hands and feet to a wooden post using the large iron spikes used to repair ships."
"Find one of the fishermen's strongest nets and bind it tightly around his body."
"I imagine the people of White Harbor would enjoy carving pieces of flesh from the man responsible for their suffering."
"If they're careful with their knives... and someone keeps him alive with sugar water..."
"He might survive for three days."
The mercenary commander collapsed completely.
His face turned deathly pale.
He screamed in despair as terror overwhelmed him.
His trousers were already soaked.
The guards dragged him away toward the docks.
With the matter settled, everyone returned to discussing the larger war.
"Gina Lannister's true goal is most likely Tywin Lannister," Karl said.
"As far as I know, Balon Greyjoy has already rescued Tywin and taken him to Winterfell."
Lord Wyman immediately stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, allow House Manderly to accompany you. We wish to prove our loyalty."
Karl shook his head.
"No."
"Robb Stark remains their prisoner."
"The longer we delay, the greater the danger to his life."
He continued,
"Ten years ago, during the Greyjoy Rebellion, Eddard Stark caused Balon Greyjoy to lose two sons."
"Now Balon's only remaining son has spent years as Eddard's hostage."
"He may very well kill Robb Stark out of revenge."
Karl paused before adding,
"And Jaime Lannister died by my hand."
"There is every possibility that Tywin Lannister feels the same."
Karl had already considered every possibility.
With himself and Robert in the North, suppressing the remaining resistance would not be difficult.
But waiting for Lord Manderly to gather an army would cost precious time.
Once Balon learned of the destruction of White Harbor and the Iron Fleet...
He might become desperate.
A desperate man was impossible to predict.
Perhaps Balon would use Robb Stark as a bargaining chip.
Or perhaps...
He would kill Tywin Lannister before surrendering Robb alive.
Karl refused to leave that decision in someone else's hands.
When he came north...
He intended to eliminate every hidden threat before the Long Night arrived.
"Assemble provisions for Robert."
"And prepare a room for me."
"We leave for Winterfell tomorrow."
"The sooner this chaos ends, the sooner I can return to Storm's End."
Understanding the urgency, Lord Wyman immediately obeyed.
That night, after a lavish feast, Karl returned to his chambers.
But instead of sleeping...
He stood beside the window, staring silently into the northern darkness.
"It's getting closer..."
"Can people from that game world really be brought into reality?"
He sighed.
The next moment...
His body vanished.
The room became completely empty.
Outside the castle, Robert was happily devouring enormous quantities of food.
Suddenly, he looked toward Karl's chamber.
Confusion flashed through the dragon's intelligent eyes.
After a brief pause, he simply lowered his head and continued eating.
His master disappeared from time to time.
By morning...
He always returned.
Storm's End
Deep into the night, candles flickered throughout the great hall.
Stannis Baratheon stood before a massive table covered with a detailed map of Westeros.
Wooden pieces representing armies and fleets rested across its surface.
Behind him, footsteps echoed softly.
Melisandre entered carrying an oil lamp.
"We're safe here," she said quietly.
"We've made enough preparations to withstand a siege for at least three years."
She approached the map.
"But we're not here simply to hide."
"We need the boy."
"That is why we came."
Stannis remained silent.
"Karl Baratheon also practices sorcery," Melisandre continued.
"Perhaps he learned it in Essos."
"Perhaps he worships some foreign god."
"That isn't important."
"What matters..."
"Is that he serves an ancient god of darkness."
"The God of Black Ice."
"The God of Night."
"The God of Fear."
"His dragon grows unnaturally fast."
"And whenever I search the flames..."
"I cannot see him."
She looked directly at Stannis.
"Give me Edric Storm."
"With his royal blood, I can awaken the Stone Dragon sleeping beneath Dragonstone."
"Karl cannot enter Storm's End."
"This is our opportunity."
"With the dragon awakened... your power will become unmatched."
Only then did Stannis finally respond.
His voice was low and weary.
"Edric has done nothing wrong."
"He shouldn't have to die."
Melisandre smiled gently.
She placed the oil lamp beside the map and rested her hand upon a carved ship representing Dorne.
"The Seven Kingdoms have already accepted the false king."
"They kneel before the usurper who stole your throne."
"If you refuse now..."
"When will your true mission begin?"
"This is the path shown by our Lord."
"The cold winds have begun to blow."
"The Long Night is approaching."
She pushed the lamp toward him.
Instinctively...
Stannis gazed into the flames.
Snow fell endlessly.
Torches surrounded a wooded hill.
Dark figures moved through the blizzard.
Melisandre's voice echoed like a prophecy.
"Westeros must unite beneath its rightful king."
"The Prince That Was Promised."
"The Lord of Dragonstone."
"The chosen champion of R'hllor."
Stannis finally looked away.
He walked toward the window before speaking.
"Is it possible..."
"That Karl Baratheon is the Prince That Was Promised?"
Melisandre laughed.
Without the slightest hesitation, she replied,
"After a long summer, when the stars bleed, Azor Ahai shall be reborn amidst smoke and salt and awaken dragons from stone."
"You are the Son of Fire."
"The Warrior of Light."
"Azor Ahai reborn."
"The red comet announced your coming."
"You drew Lightbringer from the flames."
"Karl Baratheon fulfills none of the prophecy."
Stannis frowned.
"But he has a dragon."
"He awakened it from stone."
"And people say he wields a sword of light."
Melisandre's expression grew deadly serious.
"No."
"You misunderstand."
"That is precisely why Karl is the false king."
"He has stolen everything that was destined for you."
She stepped closer.
"I believe the foreign god he serves has allied itself with the ancient gods of darkness."
"All of it..."
"To stop you."
"He was born a bastard."
"A child of lust."
"A child of lies."
"Greed."
"Betrayal."
"Deceit."
"These are his true nature."
"His very birth was part of the conspiracy."
"The ancient gods prepared his path long ago."
"As for his dragon..."
"He obtained it through blood magic."
"He sacrificed your brother Robert."
"He stole Robert's blood."
"His life."
"His very soul."
"Do you truly believe the Faceless Men killed Robert?"
"If they had..."
"Would they have been discovered?"
"Captured?"
"Immediately after Robert exiled Karl from King's Landing... Robert died."
"Have you never questioned that?"
She sneered.
"And that famous sword?"
"They call it a sword of light."
"But where is the fire?"
"All anyone has ever seen..."
"Is lightning."
"He is the real murderer."
"He is the one standing between you and your destiny."
Melisandre's voice rose with fanatical conviction.
"If you wish to stop him..."
"Awaken the Stone Dragon."
"Complete the prophecy."
"Become the true Son of Fire."
"Become Azor Ahai reborn."
She stared directly into Stannis's eyes.
Her final words echoed through the silent hall.
"Stop him... Azor Ahai."
________________________________________
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