He must choose a path

The Dancing Wolf Tavern, King's Landing.

Garrick was sat in the raucous tavern, but his mind was elsewhere. He was no scheming politician, but he understood the consequences the **** of the King and the execution of Lord Stark would have on Westeros. He knew war was coming, and so he had to decide his loyalties quickly. Each House would be gathering men soon, and those that got there first would get the best spoils and the biggest rewards.

To the North, the Starks would be gathering for vegeance, led by the new Lord of Winterfell, Robb Stark. The North was the largest of the Seven Kingdoms, but by no means the strongest, and if the other Kingdoms united against them any hope of rebellion would be crushed instantly. Of course, the North was not likely to be alone. Their biggest allies were the Riverlands, and potentially the Vale, if the new Lord Stark could convince the Arryns to join his cause.

In the Crownlands and the West, the Lannisters, where one of the greatest commanders of Westeros ruled Casterly Rock. Through clever political moves, Lord Tywin had married his daughter to the King and now his grandson sat the Iron Throne. Though with his eldest son a member of the Kingsguard, Lord Tywin's heir was Tyrion, a dwarf with a poor reputation but a keen intellect.

In the Stormlands and the Reach, Robert Baratheon's youngest brother had declared himself King, with the support of the wealthy and powerful House Tyrell. Renly's army was big and strong, but his claim was weak.

East of the capital, on Dragonstone, Stannis Baratheon, Robert's other brother, had made his own claim to the Iron Throne, and he had the naval strength to match it, though his army did not compare to his younger brother's.

The whispers of rebellion was stirring in the Iron Islands, and though the Ironborn were a harsh people, there was much opportunity for a man serving on their ships. If Balon Greyjoy were to name himself King, he would need men on his side.

And to the far east, in the furthest reaches of Essos, was Daenerys Targaryen. Rumours had spread about her marrying a Dothraki, but more rumours had come about his ****, and the details were unknown. Robert Baratheon had been King for as long as Garrick remembered, and he certainly had no memories of the Targaryens, but he knew from reputation that the last of the Dragon House would try to retake her throne some day, and she would reward those loyal to her.

Of course, there were more than just those rebelling or claiming the throne, there were sellsword groups across both Westeros and Essos who were always looking for more soldiers, and the other Westerosi Houses may have been looking for men-at-arms as well. If he wished to avoid the war altogether, there was also the Night's Watch, though a life a celibacy was not so appealing to the young sellsword.

Author's Note - Any chapter marked with X in the name is a path I have not yet started. Please be patient, it will come eventually! Whichever paths get the most interest will be the ones I focus on most.