Behind every torch bracket stood a large, polished silver mirror, doubling the light. Delicate wood carvings adorned the walls, and fragrant rushes covered the floor. Lively melodies from flutes and fiddles drifted down from the gallery. A row of arched windows lined the south wall, but heavy velvet curtains covered them, admitting not a trace of light and shutting out the sounds of prayer and battle.
Almost all the city's noble ladies had been brought to Maegor's Holdfast, here with Cersei, along with a few elderly gentlemen and little boys. The mood was somber, and everyone was sorrowful. All the men had gone to fight Stannis and his nephew.
Cersei sat upon the dais, protected by a silent man who held Ice and wore a long coat of freshly oiled black mail.
"All rise and pay homage to Her Grace Cersei of House Lannister, Protector of the Realm and Regent Queen Mother!" the Master of the Household sang out.
Cersei wore a snowy white linen gown, as white as a Kingsguard's cloak. Her long, trailing sleeves revealed a lining of golden silk, and thick, bright golden curls spilled over her bare shoulders. A necklace of diamonds and emeralds hung about her slender neck. The white clothing lent her a peculiar innocence. Apart from a few blemishes on her face, she truly looked like a maiden.
"Be seated!"
Atop the walls, war horns began sounding without pause, and ballistae loosed iron-headed bolts a yard long. King's Landing's trebuchets began swinging their arms, hurling great stones or barrels of burning pitch toward the opposite bank. Water splashed up as royal warships flying the Lion-Stag Banner patrolled upstream in tense readiness.
The besieging army attempted attacks from several directions, and the battle slowly intensified.
Chapter 289: Chains and Wildfire
On the south bank