A Song of Ice and Fire Cut Short by Dust (RWBY in Westeros)

[ATP]

NSFW basically just means "graphic sex". You have to go really, really far with gore and torture etc. to get into NSFW territory (according to US standards, of course - Europe isn't really that weird, but the web tends to use US standards).

Click to shrink...

Agree.Most stories in NSFW section really are not NSFW,but author put them there to get attention.
It is really nice of you,that you do not followed them.

About chapter - now,it is obvious that Lyra worked for Queen,and could deliver poison for her.....but, who killed her? Queen? if so,who did it? Jaime?
Well,we would seein next issue!

P.S dealing with Tywin - just tell him,that they would go straight for him do not caring how many of his soldiers die if he start war - but do not support removing Joeffrey.

 

[Mike9650]

We're about to enter spicy waters.

Things are going to go from bad to worse.

Or is it?

The game of thrones have many dynamics.

 

[eager slacker]

Well if the two ladies-in-waiting end up dying in a similar fashion to Robert then that will definitely turn heads. I doubt it will be conclusive though because Kennet mentioned that Cersei did actually have rare historical supporters and if it was known that she committed adultery, incest, and murder then the historical myth would turn into the four Maidens of the RWBY order coming from the heavens to rescue the kingdom from some villainous queen that threatened to destroy the kingdom or something like that.

Meanwhile Oberyn is using the frighteningly brilliant strategy of winning by doing absolutely nothing. Nowhere in his possible dreams did he expect the Mountain be killed via trial by combat, Robert be poisoned, and have the Lannisters self destruct this wildly and openly.

 

[OriginTrainer]

She shuddered and unfolded Crescent Rose, taking a few swings to warm up - and to shoo away the raven who was sitting on the closest post. The silly bird needed to be more careful! Probably too used to people.

Click to shrink...

Ya know what?

I'm starting up a raven counter. Greenbeak over here is becoming too obvious.

Birb Count: 1

I'll go back to the first chapter and work my way down.

 

[Starfox5]

Chapter 23: Death

'The Succession started with the death of King Robert. In hindsight, most of the events that followed may seem predictable - some scholars even claim that they were obvious. That is obviously both arrogant and wrong. While in hindsight, many actions could be explained by prior events and decisions, that doesn't mean that those actions were the only possible consequences of said situations. Many different courses of action would have been explained by the same situations and events. So, coupled with the shock of the King's death, it shouldn't come as a surprise that few of the major factions were prepared for the Succession. Team Ruby was amongst them; some of my colleagues base their claims that they were anticipating such an event - a few even hint at involvement in the King's death - on the fact that the Ruby Order was quicker to react than others and ignore that it was far easier for four individuals at court to act than for someone who only heard about through messages by raven and who took weeks to react. Back then, information travelled as slowly as people, and so it took weeks, in some cases months, before most of the population was aware that the King was dead and his succession somewhat in doubt.'

• A Treatise On The Ruby Order, by Maester Kennet Bracken

*****​

The Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Westeros, 298 AC

…and I don't need to explain to you how much our family's fortunes are affected by this. A potential rift between the Starks and Lady Ruby and her friends, especially over a blatant attempt to remove Joffrey, Tommen and Myrcella from the succession, has the potential to change the game board. As long as they support your grandson, no one will dare question his claim to the Iron Throne.

Tyrion Lannister paused, moving his quill away from the letter lest it spill ink. Was that a bit too forceful? If he were to hear this said, Father would cut in and caustically remark that if Tyrion didn't need to explain something, he shouldn't waste his breath and explain it. Yet, he knew his father. The odds that he would believe the reports about Team Ruby's power were slim. His father was prone to making his own judgment and then defending it against any and all criticism, no matter how well-founded. And Lord Tywin Lannister wasn't the kind of man who would believe that a group of girls, foreign girls at that, without even a single retainer in their service or much money to spend, would pose a threat to a Lord Paramount, much less the entire realm.

Tyrion could only hope that the multitudes of reports Father must have received already would raise enough doubt that he would not call his banners without at least taking a look at Team Ruby himself. At the very least, even if he didn't believe that the four girls could wreck the entire host of the Westerlands - or any other of the seven kingdoms - he might not be so quick to dismiss their obvious influence at court, especially on the Starks and Baratheons. Father would realise at once what the charges levelled against Jaime and Cersei meant for the succession; he would not hesitate to exploit such an opportunity if he were in the Baratheon's place.

Adultery and incest! He clenched his teeth and grabbed his cup, then the bottle of arbor red to refill it when it turned out to be empty already.

What have you two idiots done? No, what have you idiot done, Cersei? Jaime was an idiot as well, but he would be following Cersei's lead in this. He would never go against her wishes, and the idea that he was the one to seduce her was laughable. Cersei would have, as always, led him in this.

Led him into her bed and her family to the brink of ruin. No matter whether the children were fathered by Jaime or not - and they did look a lot like Lannisters and not at all like Baratheons - even servants were already wagging their tongues about the affair. Joffrey's position as the heir was crumbling.

Heh, Tyrion couldn't help thinking that it would actually be better if there were a formal accusation of being bastards born out of incest; Lady Ruby would be their champion and soundly defeat whatever fool would fight for the court. The smallfolk would bow their heads to the judgement of the Seven Who Are One, and the courtiers would see Lady Ruby and her friends firmly backing Joffrey's claim. That would put most dissent to rest for the time being.

Which, of course, was the reason the Baratheons were not pushing their claim. Lord Renly, at least, was aware of the political realities and must have persuaded his brother and Lord Eddard not to push Team Ruby into the Lannister's camp.

Tyrion found his cup empty again - how had that happened without him noticing? - and refilled it once more. Most would already assume, should they know of the talks between the Starks and Baratheons and Lady Ruby's group, that Lady Ruby was allied with House Lannister. Tyrion knew better, of course. They were not allied with anyone. The only reason they were both supporting the accusations against Cersei and Jaime and defending Tyrion's nephews and niece was their sense of justice. Their very foreign sense of justice.

And that, to be fair, was as much a boon as a problem. If Father mistook their stance as currying his favour… Tyrion took another swallow of wine. Lady Ruby's mercy was astonishing, going as far as to force Lord Eddard and the Baratheons to spare his foolish siblings' lives despite Cersei's attitude and actions against Team Ruby. But like everything, it had limits. And Tyrion had a feeling, based on his extensive experience with his family, that both Cersei and Father could reach those limits. And once they did…

Tyrion didn't want to find out what Lady Ruby would do if pushed beyond mercy. It might make Father's more infamous actions pale. And if her friends followed her - and why wouldn't they? They were following her lead from the start - heads would roll by the hundreds.

He picked up his quill again and dipped it into his inkwell. He had to make Father listen to him. Him and Pycelle. And hope that all the spies Father employed at court were reporting the truth to him.

If war broke out, and if House Lannister was blamed for it, Lady Ruby and her friends would move against them. And Tyrion's family could not stand against their power.

His kin stood at the brink of ruin, and he wasn't certain if he could save them. But he would do everything he could to try. As many of them as he could. Even those who didn't deserve it.

Or brought it onto themselves, like his foolish siblings.

*****​

"Tyrion! You came!"

Even in his cell, Jaime was smirking, but Tyrion knew his brother, better than most, and could tell that it was fake bravado. Jaime knew he had gone too far and would now suffer the consequences.

"You fucked up, Jaime" he told him. "You fucked up worse than Father thinks I did."

Jaime winced, as he should. Father might publicly deny the charges, but he would rip into Jaime in private. He looked behind Tyrion.

Tyrion scoffed. "I arranged privacy." It hadn't been cheap, but he could afford it.

Jaime slowly nodded. "Yes, I fucked up. I know."

"Do you?" Tyrion raised his eyebrows. "Do you truly understand what you have done? You and Cersei?" Jaime shrugged, but Tyrion didn't let him answer. "You ruined your life and Cersei's. You ruined our family's reputation. You made Father a laughingstock."

Jaime winced again.

"You might yet ruin our family and plunge the realm into a war. A war we will lose."

"Father won't be as stupid as to call his banners when he has no allies at all and is facing four girls who can destroy his host without trying," Jaime replied.

"Father hasn't seen them. He has been told, by many, but you know him."

Jaime pressed his lips together and didn't answer.

"You fucked up so thoroughly, the only reason your life isn't forfeit is because Lady Ruby and her friends are more merciful than anyone else I've ever met or heard about. They insisted that neither you nor Cersei will be executed when you're found guilty. Despite everything Cersei did and said against them."

"The septons might be on to something with their claims of the four maidens being messengers from the Seven," Jaim quipped. "Not that you will see me complaining, of course."

"You better not!" He would likely complain a lot once he was at the Wall, Tyrion knew him. But he would be alive. Tyrion would even be able to visit him. And he would be so far away, not even Tywin's fury might reach him. Though Tyrion wouldn't put it past Father to travel to the North with the sole goal of scolding Jaime - Father could be terribly petty at times.

Jaime shrugged.

Tyrion shook his head, then sighed. "Why?" Why had he done this? He was handsome, skilled, famous - he could have had almost any woman he wanted. Tyrion could have found him a whore who looked like Cersei's sister, if Jaime had told him. Why had he endangered his family?

Jaime closed his eyes and sighed. "I love her, Tyrion."

Tyrion clenched his teeth. Of course! The fool! He took a deep breath before he schooled his features in a wry, suffering grin. "And not in a brotherly way."

Jaime snorted at the weak jape.

If Tyrion hadn't already known, this would have told him enough to realise that his brother was faking his usual attitude. He muttered a curse under his breath.

"So, how much longer will I have to spend here?"

"Not much longer. The trial will be soon," Tyrion told him. "A few days at most."

Jaime frowned. "That would mean Father won't make it to the trial." He sounded almost relieved.

"That's the idea, I believe," Tyrion said. At least for Lord Renly and, perhaps, Lord Stannis. Lord Eddard probably thought that justice shouldn't wait or something.

"So… I could be off to the Wall before Father arrives." Jaime shook his head and glanced at the door.

"Yes." Lord Eddard has probably already arranged transport, Tyrion thought.

"This might be the last time we can talk," Jaime said.

"You're going to the Wall, not to your death," Tyrion said. "I can visit."

Jaime shrugged. "Look after the children," he suddenly said,

Tyrion stared at him. Did that confirm what he suspected? Or was Jaime just concerned about the children? "Are they…?"

Jaime slowly tilted his head.

Tyrion closed his eyes. He didn't need to know that. Or he did. "As long as it can't be proven, Lady Ruby will defend them."

Jaime smiled. "She is truly too good for this world," she said, his smile shifting into a smirk.

Tyrion narrowed his eyes. That had been his brother's usual smirk.

*****​

"Monster! Traitor! Murderer!"

Tyrion winced. Not because the insults hurt - they didn't; he had heard much worse from his sister - but because Cersei's shrieking hurt his ears.

"You fell for the lies of those whores! You took their word over mine! And Jaime's!"

Should he mention that Jaime had confirmed the accusations?

"You let them drag me into this cell! Get me out of here!"

"I can't get you out, Cersei," he told her.

"You useless monster! You killed Mother, and now you want to kill me! What did they promise you to betray your own family? Did they sleep with you?"

That insult hurt. He had killed his mother - she had bled out after his birth. So he ignored it and shrugged. "I am quite happy to hear you think so highly of my charms, but no, none of Team Ruby slept with me." Except in his dreams, but that was neither here nor there.

"They did! And they set you against me!"

"They didn't set me against you." That was all your doing.

"You turned my children against me! Joffrey would never have abandoned me if you hadn't poured poison in his ears! Stay away from my children! I won't have you corrupt them!"

Tyrion didn't think he could do anything to corrupt Joffrey; it would do the boy good if Tyrion managed to persuade him to go whoring and drinking. It might mellow him some. And Tommen and Myrcella were far too young to be corrupted. Or far too good - they were nice children despite Cersei's influence.

"I explained to your children why you were arrested."

"You did? You fiend! You monster! Spreading filthy lies! You will pay for this! Father will punish you! He will teach you family loyalty!"

Tyrion shrugged. He was certain that his father would blame him for the mess - either for covering for his siblings or for not stopping them, depending on his mood, maybe both - but Tyrion had faced such scorn all his life. He was used to enduring it, and it had sharpened his wit. Besides, Father would step very carefully once he saw the Four Maidens spar. He might even be impressed that Tyrion managed to maintain cordial relationships with those terrifying girls and managed to keep his nephews in the line of succession.

And pigs might fly. He chuckled. "I have no doubt that Father is most unhappy about the whole situation, but I think his ire will be focused on you and Jaime first. Provided that you're still in King's Landing when he arrives."

"What do you mean?"

"They're holding your trial before Father arrives." The Baratheons didn't want to risk Father's interference. Tyrion had made some discreet overtures, but he wasn't his father - he could only offer so much.

She seemed stunned for a moment by the news, gaping at him without saying anything. He would cherish that memory for a long time.

"Father won't save you from this, Cersei," he said, smiling twistedly. "The only reason you won't be executed is that Lady Ruby insisted that neither you nor Jaime would be killed for your adultery."

He had expected her to be angry at that, but the sheer horror she showed on her face was surprising.

"The shrouds… No!" she whispered, before starting to scream at him. "No! NO! They will kill my children! You can't let them do it! Save them! SAVE THEM!"

Once again, he winced as his ears hurt. "Your children are safe, Cersei. Lady Ruby said she will be their champion if anyone should try to harm them." Close enough, at least.

"What? No! They plan to corrupt them, use them and then discard them to take the throne! And you're helping them!"

He clenched his teeth. His sister had lost her mind. If she didn't recover until the trial, it would be a farce. "I'm not helping them, Cersei. And they haven't seen the children."

She shook her head. "No… this is their plan… No!"

"Cersei!"

She looked at him, her face twisting into a sneer. "Go away, Imp! You have done enough harm to your own flesh and blood! Go!"

Well, he had tried. Tyrion gave her a mocking bow and left her cell without asking if she wanted him to pass on anything to Joffrey, Tommen or Myrcella. It would be pointless, anyway - it was quite obvious that his sister was truly mad.

*****​

The Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Westeros, 298 AC

"Yes, I saw the two of them sleep with each other with my own eyes. They were naked, and there was no chance of a mistaken identity."

Ruby Rose blushed as Blake explained what she had seen - gave her testimony - in front of Lord Eddard and the people in the Great Hall broke out in whispers and gasps. Doing it with your sister… Ew! She shuddered at the thought.

Lord Eddard nodded. Apparently, that was enough for him, but Lord Tyrion rose to ask: "When you say 'sleeping with each other', what exactly do you mean, my lady?"

"They were engaging in carnal pleasures, my lord," Blake replied, showing her teeth in a definitely not very friendly smile.

"She means they were fucking like rabbits," Yang whispered next to Ruby.

"Yang!" Weiss hissed.

Ruby rolled her eyes. She knew what Blake meant. She had peeked into those books as well - the characters in those books were the only ones who spoke like that, anyway.

"Ah." Lord Tyrion nodded. "Like husband and wife?"

"Yes. Exactly like husband and wife." Blake wasn't blushing at all.

"That means intercourse," Yang whispered.

Ruby elbowed her. She knew about sex. She knew why it was important that Ser Jaime and Cersei had had sex and hadn't just been fooling around.

"Lies!" Cersei yelled from her seat.

Ruby glanced at the Queen - former Queen, now that the King was dead, she reminded herself.

Ser Jaime had put a hand on her arm and was trying to make her sit down, but she tried to shrug him off. "You are lying!"

Lord Tyrion didn't even look at his sister as he asked: "How exactly did you happen to see them, my lady? Where did this supposedly happen?"

"It didn't happen, Imp!"

"I was climbing the broken tower in Winterfell, my lord," Blake replied. "I was teaching Lord Bran how to climb walls and wanted to ensure the wall there was safe. The tower was not in use, so I saw no harm."

"Until you did," Yang commented in a low voice, prompting another admonishment from Weiss.

"Do you make a habit of climbing towers, my lady?" Tyrion asked.

"I prefer jumping on them," Blake replied.

Yang snorted, and Ruby grinned, but Weiss frowned. Ruby knew what her partner was thinking - that people would now look out for Blake hanging on the walls outside before talking in their rooms - but that couldn't be helped.

She looked at Lord Baelish. Ah… the nobleman was frowning at Blake. Damn! He would be one of those checking his windows from now on. As if they didn't have enough problems already!

"Noted, my lady." Lord Tyrion nodded at her answer without changing his expression. "And why did you wait months until you told others what you had seen?"

Ruby winced. That was a tricky question. But they had thought of it.

"We had just arrived in Westeros and didn't know the laws of the land nor our place in it. But when we were approached by Lord Eddard, Lord Stannis and Lord Renly, who all suspected the queen of adultery already, we told them," Blake replied.

"I see," Lord Tyrion commented while the crowd whispered and mumbled.

"Do you have any further questions, Lord Tyrion?" Lord Eddard asked.

"Not right now, my lord." Lord Tyrion sat down again.

Cersei had been sat down again, but she was still trying to shrug off Ser Jaime's hand. And she could still speak. "What? Question her further! Expose her lies!"

Lord Tyrion still didn't look at her. Ruby winced. If one of her team were accused, she wouldn't treat them like that. On the contrary - she'd support them all the way.

Lord Eddard took a deep breath. "We have heard the testimony of Lady Blake. The next witness is Lady Jocelyn."

Ruby leaned back on her seat. They had been warned about this - there would be a lot of witnesses, even though they hadn't seen anything - but Lord Eddard, Lord Stannis and even Lord Renly insisted on hearing them all. Even though Ruby (who was no lawyer at all) could tell that just because Lady Jocelyn hadn't seen Ser Jaime and Cersei sleeping with each other didn't prove that they hadn't. Slept with each other, that was.

This was going to be a lengthy trial. And a loud one, she added when Cersei started to yell again. Yang's joke about being glad for the former Queen's temper and volume since it would keep them from falling asleep seemed pretty much on the mark.

*****​

"...and the court finds you, Lady Cersei Lannister, guilty of incest and adultery, and you, Ser Jaime Lannister, guilty of incest and oathbreaking," Lord Eddard stated. "As punishment, you, Lady Cersei, will spend the rest of your life as a Silent Sister."

Ruby clenched her teeth, but (to her surprise), Cersei didn't start shrieking about lies and injustice. She glanced at Ser Jaime and Cersei and saw that they were whispering together. Lord Tyrion was frowning at them. At least the children weren't present, though from what she had heard, that had taken some persuasion by Lord Tyrion.

Lord Eddard, who was also frowning, went on. "You, Ser Jaime, are sentenced to death, though you will be allowed to take the Black if you choose so."

Ser Jaime rose, glanced at his sister, who nodded, then turned to face Lord Eddard. "I demand a trial by combat for me and my sister."

Ruby gaped at him as everyone started to whisper and even talk excitedly. What was he doing? He had known he wouldn't be killed - he could choose the Black! Lord Eddard had said so! Why was he doing this? This made no sense!

While she was staring at him, their eyes met, and she saw he was smiling faintly for a moment. Then he glanced at Cersei again.

And Ruby realised that Cersei was smiling as well and also staring at her.

No…

"That bitch!" Yang hissed next to her,

"That fool!" Weiss snapped.

Lord Eddard nodded. "Very well. As its champion, the court chooses…"

"I'll be…!" Blake said.

"I'll be your champion!" Ruby said through clenched teeth as she shot to her feet, her hand on Crescent Rose and her eyes on Ser Jaime.

"Ruby!" Yang protested.

"We talked about this," Ruby replied without taking her eyes off Ser Jaime - the idiot. She took a step ahead, another, then drew and unfolded Crescent Rose. "I'll be the court's champion!" she repeated herself, slamming the shaft of her scythe down hard enough to crack the stone.

"And I will represent myself and my sister!" Ser Jaime rose as well.

What was he thinking? He knew he couldn't beat her! They had sparred often enough!

"Ruby! What are you thinking?" Weiss hissed as Lord Eddard ordered everyone to move to the yard outside - the same place where Blake had beheaded the Mountain.

"Ruby!" Yang was also angry.

Ruby frowned at them. "I'm doing what I said I was doing." She wouldn't let any of the others do this. None of them. She was the team leader; it was her responsibility to lead.

"Lady Ruby?" Lord Renly approached her.

"Yes. Let's step outside," Ruby said with more confidence than she felt when she started walking next to him. She would be facing Ser Jaime. Would kill him. But could she? Could she kill him in cold blood? He was no threat to her. And he wasn't a murderer…

The courtyard was already filling with people - more than had come to watch the Mountain's trial, or so it seemed. Ruby tried to ignore the crowd. And her friends, who were still trying to make her change her decision.

She couldn't! She had said she would do this! And she wouldn't let her friends do this!

She stepped into the ring and swung Crescent Rose around, limbering up. She didn't need to, but it helped her focus. She still didn't get Ser Jaime. Did he want to die fighting? Like some movie character? But why? He could just go and fight Wildlings at the Wall and get killed, couldn't he? And why had Cersei been smiling? Oh! Had Ser Jaime been sandbagging all this time? No. Ser Barristan would have said something - Ser Jaime wouldn't have hidden his skills before their arrival. He was far too proud for this.

Sooner than she had expected, Ser Jaime arrived, in full armour - though with an open helmet, not a closed one with a visor.

Ruby straightened when they handed him a sword and shield, and he stepped into the ring.

Both of them bowed to Lord Eddard. Then they had to wait while the High Septon led a prayer for divine justice. Ruby tried not to look at her friends or at the crowd, so she glanced at Ser Jaime. He was still smiling. Didn't he get that this could only end with his death?

Finally, the High Septon finished! Ruby turned to face Ser Jame, and Lord Eddard gave the signal.

Ser Jaime didn't charge her like the Mountain had charged at Blake. He slowly started to circle her, shield and sword up to guard himself.

She knew she could kill him with one blow - neither his sword nor his shield would stop Crescent Rose. Just one lunge, one blow… She clenched her teeth.

He stepped closer, close enough she didn't have to lunge, but didn't attack her. "You don't want to kill me, do you?" he asked in a low voice, still with that smile - that smirk - on his face.

"Why are you doing this?" she snapped, also in a whisper. "You knew - you heard - neither you nor your sister would be killed!"

"Yes." He still kept circling her, carefully putting one foot in front of the other as she mirrored him. "But we'd be separated forever. Unable to see each other. What man would I be if I did not risk everything for my love? Why should we be punished for this? We never hurt anyone."

The crowd was starting to whisper and mutter. She could hear them. They wanted her to attack. But…

"It's hard to kill, isn't it?"

He suddenly lunged - but it was a feint, a half-hearted one at that. Ruby parried it easily with Crescent Rose, and her follow-up strike, out of reflex, tore half his shield off.

That only seemed to amuse him as he backed off. "Just now, you could have killed me easily."

Yes! She could have! And he knew it!

"But you don't want to."

She clenched her teeth. How sick would you have to be to want that?

"But the only way this can end is with my death - or with the accusations withdrawn. What will it be, my lady?"

She blinked. Was he…? "That's your plan?"

He tilted his head slightly to the side. "It's not very honourable, I know." He smirked. "But I'd do everything for love."

He was… He expected her to… He was trying to force her - no, Blake! - to withdraw the accusations by threatening them with his own death? That was crazy!

The audience was muttering. More people called out for them to fight. The noise was covering their talk.

And yet, it would spare you from killing him, a small voice seemed to whisper in the back of her mind. No one would have to die. No one would wage war.

She shook her head. That wasn't… It was true, but… She clenched her teeth. Team RWBY had talked about this. Not exactly this, but… "You're taking yourself hostage," she said.

"In a way, yes." He tilted his head again.

"That was what you meant, back in your cell!" 'If only we'd have known!', he had said.

"I had not much else to do but think of a way out of this for me and Cersei." He smirked again. "What is a little risk for a man in love? Compared to spending the rest of my life in the freezing North, far from her?"

She blinked again. Her eyes felt wet. But… "And you'd do it again." Take a hostage. To get his way. To force Ruby and her friends to do his bidding. And even if he wouldn't do it, others would. People would suffer because of this. Because of Ruby. Because she didn't want to kill people. People would die.

She shook her head, blinking tears away.

He was still smiling, more confidently now. "You don't want to…"

Ruby moved before he could finish his sentence. Crescent Rose rose and fell, cutting through him, from shoulder to hip, through armour, sword, and arms, in one smooth motion.

She watched him fall, watched the blood splatter on the sand, the pieces dropping.

The crowd had fallen silent.

"No! Jaime! JAIME!"

She turned, bowed to Lord Eddard, then walked out of the ring and kept walking. The crowd parted before her while Cersei kept screaming her brother's name.

Ruby didn't care. She just wanted to get out of here. Away from this… this crazy, stupid mess.

A moment later, she was halfway to their quarters, trailing petals and tears.

*****​

Weiss Schnee stared at the pieces of Ser Jaime on the ground. Blood was pooling around them. With his mouth open and his dead eyes staring at the sky, he looked surprised. He probably hadn't even realised what was happening before he was dead. Ruby had killed him… Ruby needed her!

Yang was already running - the crowd of spectators, already closing again after Ruby had gone, quickly parted for her, Weiss noted with relief - she didn't think Yang would have been gentle in pushing through obstacles.

"Blake!" Weiss called out. When her friend, who had been going after Yang, stopped, Weiss flicked Myrtenaster and created a glyph in the air - facing the gates leading into the keep.

Blake flashed a tired but grateful smile, and both of them jumped up, at the glyph, which propelled them over the crowd to land at the gate.

It still wasn't enough to overtake Yang, but they saw her running ahead now as they charged through the hall, weaving around noisy servants and whoever else hadn't been outside watching the fight.

"He thought she couldn't kill him and would yield," Blake said, anger clearly audible in her voice as they sped down a hallway and up the stairs. "His plan was to take himself hostage."

Weiss felt fury fill her. "That scumbag!" she spat through clenched teeth. How dare he do this to her partner!

They reached the hallway leading to their room just in time to see Yang push the door open. A quick sprint later - Blake cheated with a clone - all were inside their room.

Where Ruby was sitting on the bed, cradling Crescent Rose in her arms and staring at the floor.

"Ruby…" Yang whispered.

Weiss bit her lower lip and closed the door, then looked at Blake, who was already checking for spies. There weren't any - which was good. Weiss didn't know if she could have controlled herself right now.

"The bastard tried to take himself hostage," Blake told Yang.

She gasped. "He didn't! I…"

Ruby's sniffle interrupted her. "He told me I couldn't kill him. That he was doing this for love. That they hadn't hurt anyone." She raised her head, and Weiss saw that she was crying. "But… If I had yielded, he would have done it again. Or someone else. They would have taken hostages!"

Yang sat down next to her and wrapped her arms around her shoulders.

Weiss clenched her teeth, then forced herself to relax and sat down on Ruby's other side, putting her hand on Ruby's - she was still holding her scythe - and squeezing gently. "I know, Ruby," she whispered.

Blake, still standing at the wall which hid the secret passage, hesitated a moment, then came over as well to stand in front of Ruby.

It's getting a bit crowded, Weiss thought, then had to suppress a snort at her silly and utterly inappropriate thought.

"You had no choice, Ruby," Blake said.

"I knew that!" Ruby blurted out. "I knew I had to kill him when he demanded a trial by combat. But I didn't understand why he wanted to die. Until he told me!" She sniffled again. "I didn't want to kill him! But I had to."

You knew that this was a possible outcome when you insisted on being the court's champion. Weiss didn't voice her thought - Ruby knew that as well. But she - and, to be fair, Weiss and their friends as well - had thought that it wouldn't come to this. "No one could have expected him to try this," she said.

"I should have expected it!" Ruby shook her head.

"No!" Yang growled. "You couldn't have expected this! Everyone was surprised - even his brother!"

"Not Cersei, though," Ruby whispered.

Weiss nodded. "She knew. She wanted him to do it. It might even have been her plan." And Weiss would never forgive her.

Ruby shook her head. "No… he told me it was his plan."

Blake nodded.

Weiss pressed her lips together. He might have believed that, but it wouldn't be the first time someone might have been manipulated by their lover into doing something without realising it.

"That bitch!" Yang either shared Weiss's suspicion or thought that going along with it was bad enough.

Ruby hadn't let go of her weapon, and Weiss hadn't let go of her hand. She could feel how tense her partner was, still.

At least Crescent Rose wasn't dripping blood - Ruby must have been too fast for that. Or the blood had been shed during her rush to their room. Either way, Weiss was glad. Blood stains on the floor - or, worse, the bed - wouldn't have helped at all.

"It's not your fault, sis," Yang said.

"I chose this," Ruby replied, still staring at the floor.

"He chose this," Weiss said. He and his sister.

"I killed him. Cut him apart." Ruby raised her head and looked at Blake.

Blake slowly nodded, and Weiss felt an irrational bout of jealousy. Ruby was her partner, yet Blake was the one who had killed like Ruby. She would know best how this felt. All Weiss could do was offer her support.

And she wanted to do more. Ruby needed more. She was the youngest of them. And the most… Some would call it naive, but not Weiss. Not any more. Ruby was… idealistic. Determined to do the right thing, to help people, regardless of the cost to her.

"Next time, I'll fight," Weiss said.

"What?" Ruby stared at her, blinking tears away. "Weiss! No!"

Weiss met her eyes. "I won't let you do this again!" She could handle it. She would handle it.

Ruby shook her head. "Weiss…" She trailed off. She must have realised Weiss wouldn't budge on that.

Weiss half-expected Blake to chime in, but her friend didn't say anything. Good.

After a moment, Yang chuckled, though Weiss couldn't hear even a hint of amusement. "Are we really arguing who gets to kill the next scumbag trying something?"

Weiss nodded. "Technically, we are." With benevolent motives, but… the situation was absurd in an almost comical way. She snorted.

Yang chuckled again, Blake made a noise that might have been a snort, and Ruby… still was sniffling but managed a weak giggle.

Weiss squeezed her hand again. They would get through this.

And if anyone tried this again… Weiss would deal with them.

*****​

Blake Belladonna's ears twitched. Still no sign of any spies trying to listen in. She looked at Ruby, who had fallen asleep between Weiss and Yang. This wouldn't have happened if Blake had insisted on fighting, as she should have - nominally, she had been the accuser. It had been her testimony that had proved the guilt of Ser Jaime and Cersei. Instead, she had let Ruby be the court's champion. And pay the price.

She bit her lower lip. She should have known the Lannister siblings would do something like this. She should have sneaked into the Black Cells to spy on them. They would have been ready for it. If she had known that Ser Jaime would call for a trial by combat, Blake could have taken Ruby's place - she had already done it once before, after all. She was already a killer. And she had lost her innocence the day she had joined Adam's cell.

But she couldn't dwell on what she should have done - she had to focus on what she needed to do now, with their plans so thoroughly derailed. If what they had heard about Lord Tywin was true - and she had no reason to doubt it, not with so many people, both his allies and enemies, even his own son, agreeing on it - then he would call his banners, as they called mobilisation here.

"I wish the rumours that new Silent Sisters got their tongues cut off were true," Yang muttered, Ruby still in her arms. "It's all that bitch's fault."

"Without her, Ser Jaime certainly wouldn't have committed incest," Weiss said.

Technically, that wasn't true, but Blake didn't think Ser Jaime shared Lord Renly and Ser Loras's inclinations. She certainly had never seen any hint of it. Not from Lord Tyrion, either, but she hadn't actually observed what he did during his carousing escapades. Still… "I wouldn't sell Ser Jaime short. According to his own words, he was the one who thought of this plan. That doesn't sound like he was a victim."

"While I would caution against underestimating Cersei, I do concur that the attempt to use Ruby's own idealism against her would have required an amount of empathy I doubt she could muster," Weiss agreed.

And it would keep Ruby from feeling even worse for killing a victim of Cersei's manipulation instead of killing a manipulating bastard.

"I still want to punch her head off. More than ever," Yang said. "Can't really make it worse now, can I?"

"You don't want that," Blake told her partner with a shake of her head.

Yang closed her eyes. "You're right. But break her legs?"

Blake snorted, feeling both mirth and a pang of pain at thinking of Nora. Their friends must believe them dead… She pushed the thought away. They had more urgent problems to worry about. "What do we do now?"

Weiss looked at Ruby, who was still cradling her weapon in her arms. "We'll have to discuss this once… everyone's ready. But we certainly need more information."

"I don't think Lord Tyrion wants to talk to us right now," Yang said.

Blake nodded. The noble would be blaming them for his brother's death, and not incorrectly so. Ultimately, Ser Jaime had chosen his own fate by gambling with his life and losing, but without Blake, Ser Jaime wouldn't have been in the same situation - he certainly wouldn't have faced a member of Team RWBY in the trial by combat, but another member of the Kingsguard instead. And after sparring with the knights for so long, Blake would've bet on Ser Jaime in a fight against any of the others but Ser Barristan. "And I think the others are a bit more wary of me now," she said.

"Yes." Weiss frowned. "That was inevitable, but it does restrict our options somewhat."

Blake nodded. She would have to be more careful - and sneakier.

"We need to talk to Lord Renly and Lord Stannis. And Lord Eddard. Once Ruby has rested some," Weiss said.

Blake understood what she meant. They would be checking the walls now, but she knew the secret tunnels leading to their rooms and offices.

*****​

"Isn't it ironic, Loras? After all that negotiating with Lady Ruby, compromising to let Cersei and her brother live despite their crimes, Jaime forces her to kill him herself. A mummer would love this twist."

"I would call it poetic justice, Renly. Yet, Cersei still lives."

"For now."

Hidden in a narrow passage - an air vent, probably once connected to a kitchen - that she had only managed to navigate thanks to her flexibility, Blake frowned. Would Lord Renly arrange for the murder of Cersei?

"Do you want her dead, Renly?" Lady Margaery echoed Blake's thoughts.

"I do. But I am confident others will take care of that problem. The Lannisters have made too many enemies for Cersei to survive this. I wouldn't be surprised if she's poisoned shortly afterwards."

"Do you think the Martells would risk that?"

"The Lannisters have lost all influence at court, and no one likes them. Tywin will call his banners and move against the throne."

"Will he, Renly? It would be suicide. He has no allies, and Lady Ruby and her friends would trounce him - and they know he would blame them for this. Lady Blake testified, and Lady Ruby slew his son."

"He is too proud to let this go." Renly sounded sure.

"I beg to differ," Margaery said. "Joffrey is still the Prince. If Tywin breaks the King's peace, he undermines his own grandson. Would he risk that when everyone already doubts Joffrey's legitimacy?"

"Tywin's pride will be his downfall. And Joffrey won't become king."

"Lady Ruby made it clear that she will defend him."

"In a trial, Loras. And because she won't let the bastards die. But do you think she will fight to put him on the throne? You've seen her after she killed Jaime."

"But she did kill him," Margaery pointed out. "As did Lady Blake against the Mountain. Do you want to risk it?"

"We don't have to. Sooner or later, someone will deal with him. Lord Eddard knows he's a bastard as well."

"He won't betray his oath as regent, Renly."

"No. But I bet he's already looking for an excuse to dissolve the betrothal between Joffrey and Lady Sansa and return to the North. He only came to serve as Hand for Robert, and he would only stay out of loyalty to Robert's children. With them being bastards? He'll be gone before the season ends." Renly sounded very sure of this.

"And then Stannis will become King."

"Yes. And he either needs a new wife to get a son, or the throne falls to you, Renly."

"Either way, we win."

Blake blinked. She wasn't surprised about the naked ambition - not any more - but it seemed quite a bit optimistic to assume everything would come out in your favour without doing anything yourself. At least, it meant that there shouldn't be any trouble from Lord Renly and the Tyrells.

When Lady Margaery excused herself, and Lord Renly and Ser Loras started to get intimate, Blake left the shaft. She could check Lord Stannis and Lord Eddard's quarters, but it was already late - Ruby had slept until dinner - and the odds of overhearing anything were slim.

Tomorrow, then.

*****​

Street of Steel, King's Landing, Crownlands, Westeros, 298 AC

"Lady Yang!"

"Yo!" Yang Xiao Long waved at Gendry as she entered Tobho's smithy.

"How are you? Do you have any news about the murder of m… the King?"

She snorted. "You can call him your father. He acknowledged you. And who would disagree with the King?"

"I know, but…" He looked around. "People are saying all sorts of things. In the Great Sept, some say that the gods prevented you from saving him because of his sins."

"What?" She growled. "I thought we'd set that nonsense straight!" And she had come here to distract herself from failing to protect Ruby!

Gendry winced. "People keep talking. Although some also say that the Lannisters killed the King, and that was why Lady Ruby punished them."

That wasn't what the trial had been about, which everyone should know! "If we thought that the Queen had murdered your father, we'd have accused her - and told you," she said. "But we don't have any news about that. They're still investigating." Despite all the torture, she added to herself. Well, there was the dead lady-in-waiting, possibly connected to the poison purchase, but… Best not mention that. If Lord Renly and Lord Stannis heard, everyone who knew her would get tortured.

"But why did Lady Ruby stay her hand? She could have killed Ser Jaime in the blink of an eye. She did, in the end. Was it to give him time to confess his sins?"

Damn. Yang wasn't about to betray Ruby's confidence. And the last thing her team needed was more people thinking that they could be pushed around with hostages. "Yeah, sort of," she said. "She wanted to know why he was doing this."

"And when she knew, she killed him. Because he showed no remorse and didn't repent." Gendry apparently was listening quite closely to those rumours.

Yang shrugged. "He thought he could win. He was wrong." No need to go into details.

"I've heard some criminals prefer to die rather than join the Night's Watch," Gendry said. "If you are used to living in luxury, it must be even worse, I guess."

Yang shrugged again. "So, what else are they saying in the Sept?"

"Ah… I mainly go to pray to the Smith, to ask for his blessings for our work here. I don't really talk much to people, my lady."

She raised her eyebrows at him.

"I've heard that the children of the Queen are born of incest." He grimaced. "But many say that the Four Maidens would have called them out if that were the case. Others say that Lady Ruby is only staying her hand because they are still children, and should the prince try to claim the throne once he is of age, he'll be struck down."

Someone had been busy spreading all those rumours. Not Lord Eddard, and Yang didn't think Lord Stannis would do this - though both had retainers who would - but this might fit what Blake had overheard when she had spied on Lord Renly.

She noticed how Gendry was looking at her. He obviously expected her to answer the unspoken question. "We haven't seen any proof that the King wasn't the father of Prince Joffrey and his siblings," she said. Only hearsay and conjecture, as Weiss called it. Oh, Yang was pretty sure that Lord Eddard and the Baratheons honestly believed it, but they had no real proof. Hair colour didn't prove anything - Yang and Ruby were the best examples of that. And Weiss too.

"Oh." Gendry nodded. "I'll tell the others when I visit the Sept next time."

"Which won't be for a few days, boy!"

Yang had noticed Master Tobho approaching them, but Gendry was startled. He needed better situational awareness. Even Jaune wouldn't have jumped like that. "Master Tobho."

"Lady Yang."

"The Smith is blessing us, Master," Gendry said with a pout. "Ever since I started praying, we have made much more progress."

Tobho scoffed. "That's because you focus more when you don't leave your thoughts wandering. But if the sept is full of rumours, you can't focus."

"I'm praying!"

Tobho scoffed. "Do it less often. We have a lot of work to do."

"Any trouble with…" Yang tilted her head and looked at the walls outside the smithy. "...unwanted attention?"

"Not that I'd have noticed, but I don't follow the boy outside."

"Who would waylay me on the way to the sept, Master?"

"Any assassin worth their pay, boy! If they can kill the King, they can kill you."

Yang winced at that. If they hadn't revealed Gendry to the King… But he had already been known by others, like Lord Eddard. "If you see anything or anyone suspicious, call us, OK? I mean, send for us." No scrolls here.

"Of course, my lady."

For whatever it would help.

"Now, can I take a look at your work?"

"Of course, my lady. Your tools are almost done."

"The Smith has been blessing us."

"Don't be a fool, boy! This is our honest work!"

Well, as long as Yang got her tools, she didn't care who did it. That would be one less thing to worry about. Maybe Ruby would cheer up as well if she could tinker a bit with those tools and the rest of the materials...

*****​

 

[Starfox5]

Agree.Most stories in NSFW section really are not NSFW,but author put them there to get attention.
It is really nice of you,that you do not followed them.

About chapter - now,it is obvious that Lyra worked for Queen,and could deliver poison for her.....but, who killed her? Queen? if so,who did it? Jaime?
Well,we would seein next issue!

P.S dealing with Tywin - just tell him,that they would go straight for him do not caring how many of his soldiers die if he start war - but do not support removing Joeffrey.

Click to shrink...

Tywin certainly will be torn between his pride and pragmatism.

We're about to enter spicy waters.

Things are going to go from bad to worse.

Or is it?

The game of thrones have many dynamics.

Click to shrink...

Well, today's chapter should have added to the spicyness.

Well if the two ladies-in-waiting end up dying in a similar fashion to Robert then that will definitely turn heads. I doubt it will be conclusive though because Kennet mentioned that Cersei did actually have rare historical supporters and if it was known that she committed adultery, incest, and murder then the historical myth would turn into the four Maidens of the RWBY order coming from the heavens to rescue the kingdom from some villainous queen that threatened to destroy the kingdom or something like that.

Meanwhile Oberyn is using the frighteningly brilliant strategy of winning by doing absolutely nothing. Nowhere in his possible dreams did he expect the Mountain be killed via trial by combat, Robert be poisoned, and have the Lannisters self destruct this wildly and openly.

Click to shrink...

A lot of historical figures have been slandered by contemporaries or later "historians". Like the story about Nero playing his fiddle while Rome burnt. And some people will support someone despite knowing better, for a variety of reasons.

Ya know what?

I'm starting up a raven counter. Greenbeak over here is becoming too obvious.

Birb Count: 1

I'll go back to the first chapter and work my way down.

Click to shrink...

 

[Tager Joseph]

He was still smiling, more confidently now. "You don't want to…"

Ruby moved before he could finish his sentence. Crescent Rose rose and fell, cutting through him, from shoulder to hip, through armour, sword, and arms, in one smooth motion.

She watched him fall, watched the blood splatter on the sand, the pieces dropping.

Click to shrink...

RIP bozo. The moral of the story is don't play chicken with superhumans.

Ruby absolutely made the right choice. This sets a precedent that while she and her team are nice, they are not so nice that they won't become human blenders if pushed. If you don't establish the Find Out half of the FAFO equation, the Fuck Around half will only continue to escalate.

 

[eager slacker]

Everyone knew that the situation is untenable. People that are aware of and acknowledge that RBWY is here for a pit stop before leaving knows that Jeffrey only lives because the team does not approve of child murder. Now people will try to milk a possible war with the Lannisters being wiped out as a competitor. Maybe Renly will try to maneuver the team to do something against the law to get Stannis more mad and oppose them and knock his brother out of the running. Kinda stupid for many reasons but Renly was always way too ambitious and not very responsible.

 

[ATP]

RIP bozo. The moral of the story is don't play chicken with superhumans.

Ruby absolutely made the right choice. This sets a precedent that while she and her team are nice, they are not so nice that they won't become human blenders if pushed. If you don't establish the Find Out half of the FAFO equation, the Fuck Around half will only continue to escalate.

Click to shrink...

Agree.If she let him go,she would face another situations like that later.
And Tywin here ,after loosing son,would propable start war and lost it quickly.

What next? Renly as King? Stannis? see in next issue !

 

[Spartan303]

I'd love for Team RWBY to investigate or learn of Valyrian steel. Get their thoughts on it and how it compares to Aura enhanced weapons. like, how would Longclaw compare to Crocea Mors?

on another note, Team RWBY could forestall the war entirely by going to the Westerlands or meeting Tywin in a Neutral Location. Make it a firm request (in order to get it over with). Tywin will not be able to resist a face to face meeting if only to get the measure of the women who have upended everything.