WILOW-Ch.433: Siege Discussion
Reach Army Camp, Crownlands
POV of Domeric Bolton
"You said Ser Garlan was a jovial and charismatic man." King Aegon said as they rode toward the large tent where the Feast was being held.
Domeric shook his head in amusement at the situation. Only the Tyrells would hold a feast while holding a siege.
"He was. Back when he was known as Garlan the Gallant. Known for his good looks, his great swordsmanship, and his chivalrous attitude," He said, "All that changed when King Stannis snuck into their siege lines and stole Ser Loras and Lady Margaery from under his nose."
"After that event, a bard wrote a song for King Stannis in which he described Ser Garlan as a fool who feasted with the other lords while brave King Stannis stole his brother and sister away. Ser Garlan quickly found the bard and had him beheaded. But that only served to spread the song further." He said, "The Bard is dead, but the name stuck. Now, Ser Garlan the Gallant is known as Ser Garlan the Goof. Anyone whose name and reputation have been dragged through mud like this won't be in a pleasant mood."
King Aegon cringed. "Yeah. Losing his brother and sister, as well as his reputation. I can understand his bad mood now."
"Did you know how he gained the name Garlan the Gallant in the first place?" he asked.
"No." King Aegon replied.
"Guess." He said.
"Winning a tourney? Or maybe chasing off bandits or some Iron Islanders?"
"Not really." He replied, "Do you know that the Tyrell siblings have an uncle who is known as Garth the Gross for his flatulence?"
Aegon frowned. "Yes. I've heard of him. What does that have to do with Garlan?"
"Everything." He replied, "You see. Willas, Garlan's crippled elder brother, realized how important these names could be. And to make sure that such an indignity doesn't befall his younger brother, he named him Garlan the Gallant."
"Huh… I did not know that family members could give such names." King Aegon said.
"They cannot. Not really." He replied, "But the right amount of gold to the right bard. The right number of whispers in the right tavern, and soon enough, everyone will recognize that person by that name. After all, this is how monikers are gained in the first place."
He sighed and added, "Of course, all that precaution is wasted now that he is named Garlan the Goof. And believe me, most people would prefer the name Garlan the Goof to Garlan the Gallant. Especially the peasants. They love to drag the names of the high lords into the mud. It's one of their favorite pastime hobbies, in fact."
King Aegon frowned. "Why are you telling this to me?"
He sighed, "Tell me, Jon. What do you think of when you hear the name Garth the Gross? Would you really want to meet a man who is known throughout Westeros as gross?"
King Aegon grimaced, and he nodded. "And what do you think of when you hear the name Garlan the Goof? What kind of image does that name produce in your mind?"
King Aegon remained silent for a moment before nodding, "I see your point. Names and reputations have power of their own, right?"
"Yes, they do." He nodded, "And that's why we need to select a moniker for you before someone else does it for you."
King Aegon made a face. "Is it truly necessary?"
"Not really," he shrugged, "But would you like to be named as Aegon the long-faced savage from the North?"
"I don't think anyone would give me such a name."
He chuckled, "I don't either. But this is also based on the same principle." He said, "Don't worry. I'll do the work and see to it that you get a proper name after this siege."
King Aegon looked at him and nodded. "I… thank you, Your Majesty."
He chuckled, "Don't be so serious, or I might just name you King Aegon the Gloomy or King Aegon the Broody."
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Half an hour later, all the important people and lords were in the command tent.
The war council started with Ser Garlan informing everyone about the current situation.
Which was exactly the same as it had been a month ago.
Stannis still held the city. And the Tyrells still waited outside the city while maintaining the siege lines.
The only difference was that Stannis now had more than enough food to last three months.
He could see that the lords from the North, the Vale, and the Riverlands alliance were not happy with the fact that the Tyrells didn't do anything for the whole month.
The fact that the Tyrells were holding feasts and tournaments during the siege only served to piss them off even more.
A few sharp barbs were thrown around, and the tensions rose until Domeric grew tired of it and ordered King Stark and Ser Garlan to set things right.
Both Ser Garlan and King Stark put their foot down and reminded everyone that they were allies and fighting amongst themselves wouldn't get them anything.
There was still a lot of frustration about the fact that the Tyrells had not accomplished anything and had instead lost the King's betrothed as well, but they were able to move on with the meeting after that.
It was decided that the three allied armies would set up their siege lines in the North and East sections of the city and attempt to capture the Iron Gate, Dragon Gate, Old Gate, and Gate of the Gods.
Meanwhile, the Tyrell army will set up their siege lines to the South and West section of the city and try to take Lion Gate, King's Gate, and River Gate, also known as Mud Gate.
Domeric took the Iron Gate for himself, and he chose the Karstarks, the Umbers, and the Manderlys to join him.
No one said it outright, but everyone was expecting him to break through a gate before anyone else. Mostly because of his 'special forces'.
And Domeric had no intention of falling short of expectations in this siege and relinquishing reputation to others.
He added the Karstarks, Umbers, and Manderlys to his side because they were neighboring houses located near the lands of the Imperial Capital that he was going to establish.
Although not obligated to do so, Domeric wanted to build his Empire on sound policies, not fear, and this move would demonstrate this to everyone.
Ser Garlan and some other Reach lords also asked for his giants for the duration of this battle as well, but he outright refused them on the basis that the giants don't know them and are thus as likely to attack them as they are to attack the enemies.
These people were truly planning to be the first to break the siege. By using the giants from his army. And then claiming praise.
As if Domeric would allow it.
The meeting finished soon after that.
They decided to set up their lines for the rest of the day, prepare all the necessary siege equipment for the next three days, and then begin the siege on the fourth day.
But first, Domeric had to find a way to rescue Loras and Margaery.
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Ch.434: Infiltrating the Red Keep
Ch.435: Change of Plans
Ch.436: Granddaughter of Olenna Tyrell