The Second Cult Uprising

The walls of the Red Keep shook beneath the furious roars of tens of thousands.

No one knew how many waves of assaults had already begun.

People carried massive logs on their shoulders, roaring as they rammed them against the iron gates.

Every impact came with the splintering wail of wood and the thunderous cries of the crowd.

From atop the walls, scattered arrows fell, claiming a few lives, yet they were like snowflakes cast into lava, instantly swallowed by an even fiercer rage.

"Kill the Usurper!"

"Avenge Prince Rhaegar!"

"Long live His Grace Aerys!"

Septon Yangsi stood at the very front of the crowd. His robes had long since been soaked through with sweat, and his face was smeared with someone's blood.

He stared at the immense fortress that symbolized royal power, fanatical flames burning in his eyes.

"Not enough!"

"We need another voice!"

"A voice loud enough for even the gods to hear!"

Someone in the crowd immediately understood what he meant.

"The High Septon!"

"Let the High Septon proclaim the tyrant's crimes!"

The idea spread like wildfire.

"That's right! To the Great Sept of Baelor!"

"Drag that fat man out here!"

The crowd began to split apart, and an even more violent torrent turned toward Visenya's Hill.

They no longer needed persuasion. They no longer needed incitement.

A beast had been unleashed in every heart.

Inside the Great Sept of Baelor, the High Septon knelt before the statue of the Warrior, his obese body quivering like a mound of jelly.

The cries of killing outside had terrified him out of his wits.

He repeatedly traced the Seven-Pointed Star, mumbling prayers and begging the gods to send down a miracle and quell this dreadful riot.

"Merciful Mother, please protect Your pitiful children..."

"Mighty Warrior, please strike down those