By the end of 261 AC, the power struggle in the Westerlands had reached a fever pitch.
The grand reconciliation and friendship did not last until the end of time; it shattered in less than a year.
Ser Tywin did not participate in the Red Lion banquet; in his heart, there was only hatred, ruthlessness, and iron resolve.
The good days for House Reyne of the red lion—and their in-laws, House Tarbeck—were over.
Rhaegar sat in the Council Chamber, accompanying King Jaehaerys II.
Currently in the Council Chamber were the King, Duke Monder, Prince Aerys, and Rhaegar, along with a White Knight guard.
The raven brought back a message from the White Bull: Tywin Lannister had exterminated House Tarbeck and was currently pursuing the survivors, laying siege to Castamere.
Rhaegar slowly read the White Bull's letter, his articulation clear and without omission. His aptitude was naturally better than ordinary people, and coupled with the attribute points he added, everyone had grown used to Rhaegar's precociousness.
The Reyne-Tarbeck alliance collapsed faster than it did historically, and Jaehaerys II and Duke Monder listened slowly.
"Your Grace and Hand, since I arrived at Casterly Rock leading two hundred cavalry, I have completed communication with Ser Tywin; the matter of the Westerlands can proceed. First, Ser Tywin summoned the two Lords to Casterly Rock at the end of the year to bear responsibility for their crimes. I, representing His Grace, summoned Lord Roger and his brother-in-law to Casterly Rock for arbitration. Lord Roger replied only with violence and broke his oath of fealty to House Lannister. Houses Tarbeck and Reyne are unforgivable traitors; I have publicly read the Edict of Treason."
Rhaegar thought that this was the Anti-Lannister Alliance's last chance, but unfortunately, the two great houses did not cherish it. Because the Dragonlords' first three attempts at mediation had been fruitless, the Red Lion had dismissed the King's decree, and had even killed Tywin's maternal grandfather previously. Moreover, anyone with eyes could see that the Golden Lion and the Dragonlords were in cahoots, clearly here to take sides.
The White Bull first backed Ser Tywin, stating that the two Lords should come to Casterly Rock to be forthright, as this was necessary for the Kingdom's loyalty and order, otherwise they would be disregarding the King's command. Seeing the Anti-Lannister Alliance deploy troops to resist, the White Bull publicly read the Edict of Treason at Casterly Rock, and the Lannister vassals fought with renewed vigor.
Rhaegar continued reading, "The traitors are unforgivable. Due to the Edict of Treason, Ser Tywin's military might greatly increased. Ser Tywin led five hundred of his own knights, three thousand infantry and crossbowmen, and later joined forces with his vassals, raising a total of nine thousand men. I led my army to join Ser Tywin, and we have already exterminated House Tarbeck. The red lion, who came to reinforce them, was severely wounded and fled back to Castamere in a panic. Our army has now marched on Castamere, with another nine thousand soldiers joining us, and Castamere is now completely surrounded. House Reyne has fled underground, and the red lion is undoubtedly doomed."
Rhaegar read the words on the letter, which smelled of blood, tears, and slaughter. Even separated by a thousand miles, it felt as if it were happening right before their eyes.
Hearing that House Tarbeck had been wiped out and the red lion was fleeing for his life, the expressions of the few people present brightened.
Jaehaerys II and Duke Monder both understood that Ser Tywin possessed talent and courage, but they never expected him to be so vicious and resolute.
This boy is truly capable.
Only Prince Aerys maintained his carefree demeanor. The contrast was stark.
What also shocked Rhaegar was the size of the Lannister Garrison. Tywin had still managed to summon three thousand five hundred soldiers despite his father's objections. The King's Landing Garrison and the Oldtown Garrison were quite famous and well-trained. However, the King's Landing Gold Cloaks numbered less than four thousand, and most were mere rabble; the Dragonlords' current military strength was truly fragile.
"There is only one minor detail that needs emphasis: Ser Tywin is extremely ruthless. He is cold as iron, unbefitting his age. In him, I seem to see the shadow of his grandfather, Lord Gerold.
Currently, almost the entire census of House Tarbeck has been sent to meet The Stranger. Count Walder Tarbeck and his sons, along with cousins, nephews, and sons-in-law, even those whose shields and surcoats bore the blue-silver seven-star sigil, have been beheaded. The Lannister army impaled the heads on spears and swept through Tarbeck Hall. Lady Tarbeck, whom Tywin resented the most, and her son Tion Red, have been buried under rubble. Tarbeck Hall has been put to the torch by Ser Tywin."
Inside the Council Chamber, a chill wind seemed to blow through, making everyone feel cold. It was as if icy fingers were tracing their spines.
Ser Tywin was vicious and merciless, something the King had not fully anticipated.
King Jaehaerys II and Duke Monder exchanged glances at Aerys. Although he was a friend, both agreed that compared to Tywin, Aerys was truly lacking in ability.
The Prince possessed no outstanding martial skill, and his political talent was mediocre... Outside Castamere, banners of various colors fluttered. The most numerous were a sea of red.
Lannister soldiers in red robes, fine armor, and lion-crested helmets had long since pitched their tents, completely surrounding Castamere. Only abundant financial resources could sustain such an army.
From time to time, the figures of miners could be seen.
The Lannister vassals also all joined the siege warfare. Everyone had seen the fate of House Tarbeck, and with the King's special envoy, the White Knight White Bull, holding the line, the vassals were extremely enthusiastic.
The siege of Castamere was now a foregone conclusion. The castle outside Castamere had been completely destroyed.
It appeared to be a small, unremarkable castle from the outside, but the essence lay in the mine shafts dug inside.
The main entrance to the mine shafts was narrow, making ordinary attacks difficult to breach, and the oak and steel door could not be broken through, but for Tywin, none of this was a problem.
There were many men, many miners, and they were well prepared.
House Tarbeck used a defensive maneuver, retreating entirely into the mine tunnels, which only served to delay the inevitable by a few days.
Since a frontal assault was impossible, he would use water—Tywin was determined to eliminate them root and branch.
First, the mine shafts were sealed. Tywin thoughtfully had the miners use iron hoes, axes, and torches to dig up countless tons of stones and earth to cover the mine entrance. After completion, he spent a few more days diverting the stream near Castamere toward the nearest mine entrance.
The sounds of horses, men, and drums and horns now subsided, leaving only the rushing stream pouring into the mine tunnels.
Lannister soldiers stood on higher ground, surrounding Tywin and Gerold Hightower, like stars surrounding the moon.
Many vassals looked at Tywin with more fear than gratitude. But politics is like fire and water; fear is also a form of power.
The blue stream surged over gray stones and seeped into the mine tunnels. The water flow increased, and the underground of Castamere was now a swamp.
Red war robes, black battle armor, pale blue river, gray rocks, soil.
Tywin slowly appreciated the movement of the water; the sound was truly wonderful.
He recalled those days—the days of being humiliated and looked down upon were now fleeting clouds. What a man must obtain is nothing but continuous victory.
Today, the lion finally had his heart's desire.
"Ser Tywin, the stream has flooded the mine tunnels. House Reyne has nowhere to escape," said the White Bull, Gerold Hightower.
House Reyne, with its long history, was now a dead lion.
The White Bull looked at Tywin, his thoughts shifting. The Westerlands had entered the fast lane of centralization; under strict command and prohibition, the Lannister power would become even stronger.
"Thank you, Ser. House Lannister will remember your friendship." Tywin clapped his hands, and some gold and silver jewelry was brought over: gem rings, pearl necklaces, and gold badges bearing the sigil of House Tarbeck, some still stained with blood.
Ser Gerold recalled that the gem rings and pearl necklaces looked familiar—they had all been stripped from the corpses of House Tarbeck. Especially the gem ring, which looked like it was taken after Lannister soldiers had hacked off the finger of the Tarbeck Count's son-in-law.
But Ser Gerold was an astute man and said nothing more.
The King's Landing knights were beaming with joy. They now considered Ser Tywin the best noble in the world. Even if the money smelled faintly of blood, it didn't matter; gentlemen weren't afraid of curses.
"Ser Gerold, I have a younger brother who also joined the suppression of the rebellion. I hope you will knight him."
The White Bull naturally agreed readily.
Castamere was now completely submerged.
Cold light flashed in Tywin's eyes. House Lannister had been disgraced by Houses Tarbeck and Reyne; today, he had collected that debt.
The Westerlands have all submitted; the mountains and rivers know my name.
The Rains of Castamere have begun to play.
Because a Lannister always pays his debts.
more chapter available in p@tréøñ(Atoki_29)