When Roman learned that the battle had finally erupted on the Blackwater Rush, he immediately began assaulting the remaining Lannister forces and seizing full control of Crackclaw Point.
With the Second Apostle Wilson now in Harrenhal, Roman had grown far more skilled with his new magical abilities. At the same time, Scholar Tom brought excellent news from the industrial sector.
"Lord Roman!" Tom said excitedly. "We discovered that mixing a rare mineral called dragonglass—imported from Dragonstone—with iron ore and then calcining the mixture with your white flame produces a powder that greatly improves modern steel!"
The new white steel was first used in the military. The reinforced barrels of Vanguard horse lances and a small number of elite shock infantry received the upgraded equipment.
After careful study, Harrenhal's scholars concluded that this steel was similar to ancient Valyrian steel, though with subtle magical differences. It was not yet perfect, but it could be mass-produced on an industrial scale. The metallurgists promised they would soon create materials equal to—or even superior to—Valyrian steel.
This breakthrough drew paranoid attention from the Citadel in Oldtown, but most Westerosi lords remained focused on the unfolding Battle of the Blackwater.
Crackclaw Point
Roman had originally planned to use the peninsula only for cheap timber and reeds for his papermaking industry. But the paved modern roads and subsidized ports built by Harrenhal's engineers lifted the entire region out of poverty. Free public education and affordable books then pulled the isolated inhabitants out of ignorance. Civilized industrial towns now dotted the rugged landscape, and its natural resources were being developed.
To prevent the newly educated locals from being tricked into marching to their deaths for King's Landing, Roman made a public visit. He had Fili send hundreds of ravens summoning the old nobles of Crackclaw Point to Harrenhal, where they reached a favorable political agreement.
Stannis had hoped to recruit tough soldiers from the region, but Roman's influence made that impossible. In exchange, Roman quietly provided Stannis with accurate intelligence on King's Landing's defenses and Tyrell movements, which helped Stannis feel slightly better.
Roman expected Stannis to delay his attack after learning of the Lannister-Tyrell marriage alliance. To his surprise, Stannis accelerated preparations instead.
"My lord," Fili reported, puzzled. "It seems Lord Stannis does not want to wait for the combined Lannister and Reach armies. He plans to strike first, take King's Landing, and claim the right of kings before the Tyrells arrive."
Roman frowned. The Baratheon brothers' obsession with the Iron Throne went beyond anything his modern logic could easily accept.
Still, if he put himself in Stannis's rigid position, he understood the desperation. Dragonstone alone could not withstand a joint Lannister-Tyrell assault. Stannis had to conquer King's Landing now or lose everything.
The hastily assembled mercenary army proved unreliable. Even with Roman's accurate intelligence about the Kingswood and Blackwater defenses, Stannis's forces rushed headlong into Tyrion's traps.
The defenders of King's Landing, led brilliantly by Tyrion Lannister, fought with desperate bravery. Both sides battled for survival.
The climax came when Stannis's fleet entered the mouth of the Blackwater Rush.
Tyrion had blocked the river mouth with a massive iron chain, trapping the fleet. He then sent small boats loaded with wildfire toward the Dragonstone warships.
But Stannis, thanks to Roman's prior intelligence, had prepared countermeasures. When Tyrion's wildfire ships launched, Dragonstone sent expendable interception vessels to block the middle of the river. The wildfire burned only the empty ships, leaving Stannis's main force unharmed. The warships docked safely against the mud.
The defense of King's Landing proved far more intense than Kevan and Tyrion had expected. They had counted on the City Watch to hold back the ragtag mercenaries, but the Gold Cloaks' cowardice exceeded even Tyrion's worst fears. The gold cloaks scattered after one bloody clash, forcing Tyrion to conscript terrified civilians to man the walls.
Looking at the sparse, frightened conscripts, Tyrion roared in fury at the absent commander.
"Janos Slynt! Where in the seven hells are you?! You only show up at brothels when it matters, and spend the rest of your time lining your pockets! If I were your father I would have drowned you in pig manure as a child!"
After venting, Tyrion demanded to know Slynt's whereabouts.
A trembling subordinate answered, "Lord Tyrion! Janos Slynt was found dead in a ditch in the slums—six stab wounds. It looks like the work of a professional assassin."
Tyrion paused. Who would kill the corrupt commander at such a critical moment? He could think of no one.
Then another urgent report arrived.
"Lord Tyrion! The Lannister camp is on fire! Many veteran soldiers have been killed and all the stored food has been looted! Lord Kevan is dealing with the chaos and orders you to hold the city gates!"
Tyrion's mind went blank. The wildfire failure, the collapse of the Gold Cloaks, and now the loss of veteran troops and supplies behind the lines—all struck at once, shattering morale.
"Lord Tyrion!" another guard shouted. "King Joffrey has fled back to the Red Keep, abandoning the men on the walls! The garrison is falling apart!"
Tyrion's eyes widened. "What?! That pathetic—"
He was so furious he could barely speak. For a moment he considered grabbing a small boat loaded with Lannister treasure and fleeing the burning city.
But Tywin's cold face appeared in his mind. He could not simply run. He still had to prove himself to his father. He still carried the responsibilities of a Lannister.
Tyrion climbed to the high command position on the wall and addressed the terrified soldiers.
"Brave men!" he roared. "You are not fighting for the king or some arrogant lord! You are fighting for yourselves and your families!"
"When Stannis takes the city," he continued, "your only fate will be death. Your sons will be slaughtered, your wives and daughters defiled by mercenaries and pirates, and all your wealth plundered! Is that the ending you want?"
"No!" the City Guard roared back. "We are not slaves!"
"Good!" Tyrion shouted. "Then cheer up—there is still a hard battle ahead! Everyone, back to your posts and strengthen the defenses!"
The garrison looked at the tiny dwarf and suddenly saw the immense spirit within him. With renewed respect, they returned to their positions.
High on the ancient city wall, an unassuming commoner dressed in cheap linen clothes watched the chaos below. A trained raven slipped from his hidden clothes and flew swiftly toward Harrenhal.
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