The Iron Throne of Ice and Fire

Stannis's gaze was profound: "Do you want me to learn from Targaryen? Go to the other side of the strait to invite wizards like Aegon III, the Dragonbane, or pray to the egg every day like Baelor I, who is blessed by the gods. Or make a dragon out of wood and steel like Aegon IV, or drink wildfire like Aerion Brightflame in an attempt to become a dragon?"

He looked at Queen Selyse coldly: "The mage failed, Baelor's prayers were not answered, the wooden dragon was burned, and Prince Aerion died screaming."

Hearing the ridicule and questions raised by Stannis, Queen Selyse's expression became more determined: "The reason why they failed is because they were not the chosen ones of the Lord of Light. There was no red comet across the sky that year, announcing that Asia The prophecy of Xia's ancient book came true; no one had the 'Light Messenger' back then, and none of them had the guidance of the King of Light..."

She spread her arms devoutly: "Ms. Melisandre received the will of the true God in the holy fire... Your Majesty, only death can exchange for life."

After a moment of solemn silence, Stannis gritted his teeth and forced out a cold voice: "The boy?"

"The boy." Queen Selyse took a step closer, staring at Stannis with a certain kind of madness in her eyes.

Sir Axel also echoed at this time: "That boy."

After a pause, Stannis moved, turned his back to everyone and looked down at the map of the Seven Kingdoms on the map table: "This filthy child made me hate him deeply before he was born. His name is like a roar in my ears, as if it covers my soul. A dark cloud.”

Melisandre followed, and she promised: "Please give the boy to me, and you will never have to hear his name again, Your Majesty."

Davos glanced at the red-robed woman. His lips trembled a few times, but he remained silent. It would be wiser not to speak until King Stannis had made a decision.

In Stannis's silence, the priestess continued: "Send the boy to the Lord of Light, and the ancient prophecy will be fulfilled. Your dragons will awaken, spread their stone wings, and win the Seven Kingdoms for you."

As soon as she finished speaking, Ser Axel knelt down on one knee and raised his voice: "I beg your majesty, awaken the dragon in the stone, and let the usurpers tremble. Like Aegon the Conqueror, you will be from the dragon Set off from Stone Island! Like Aegon the Conqueror, you will conquer the entire Seven Kingdoms! Let the entire Seven Kingdoms feel your fire and fury!"

"I beg you the same, Your Majesty!"

Queen Selyse knelt down on her knees in the direction of Stannis, clasping her hands together as in prayer: "Robert and Delina have polluted our marriage bed and cast a curse on our union. This child is ** Dirty Fruit, remove his shadow from my body and I will conceive many sons for you, I promise!”

She walked over on her knees and wrapped her arms around Stannis' legs: "He is just a bastard. It was your brother's desire and my cousin's shame that made him born."

"Don't hold me, woman."

King Stannis broke free from Queen Selyse's embrace and continued: "Maybe Robert did let our marriage bed be cursed, but he swore to heaven that he never meant to humiliate me, he was just drunk, and that day I didn’t even know which bedroom I entered at night.”

After a pause, he sighed slightly, and then said: "But what does this have to do with anything? No matter what the truth is, the child is not at fault, and he is my blood relative."

Melisandre stepped forward, gently grasped Stannis's wrist with her slender fingers, and requested: "The Lord of Light cherishes chastity and punishes corruption, so there is no more appropriate sacrifice than this. The dragon will be sacrificed from the king's blood." And born from pure holy fire, Your Majesty.”

Hearing that his king had no intention of harming the boy, Davos finally let go of the feelings he had been secretly carrying.

He raised an eyebrow when Stannis didn't pull away from Melisandre as he had done with his queen.

He understood that although the two women were also wearing red robes, one was old and thin, while the other was young and plump.

Blinking, Davos quickly retracted his disrespectful thoughts, and then lowered his eyes respectfully.

"..., I remember the first time my father took me to the Red Keep, and Robert had to hold my hand. I was no more than four years old at the time, and he was five or six. After we left there, we both agreed. Agreed, the king is majestic and the dragon (referring to the dragon in the throne room) is terrifying.”

Stannis traced his fingers across the hills of the West and continued: "Years later, my father told us that Aerys cut himself on the Iron Throne that morning, so the Hand convened a petition on behalf of the King, which impressed us so deeply. It’s actually Tywin Lannister.”

He turned to look at Melisandre: "It would be a magical thing for a rock to come to life, and to ride on a real dragon and spread its wings and soar over the Seven Kingdoms... that would be so..."

After hearing this, Davos, who was originally in a relaxed mood, shrank his pupils. He understood him, but his "god" was actually shaken? !

He wasn't the only one who noticed it. The eyes of everyone who encouraged King Stannis to sacrifice his blood relatives... had a strange look of excitement in their eyes at this moment.

No, his "god" will never shake his iron-hard impartial heart!

"King Stannis!"

Earl Davos rarely interrupted the king's words, stepped forward and said: "Please allow me to give you a few words of advice."

Stannis frowned. He stared for a while and then waved his hand and said: "Earl of Rainforest, if it weren't for listening to advice, how could I appoint you as my Prime Minister? Just say so."

Stannis's winter-like gaze made Davos' back sweat. He couldn't help but pray to the Seven Gods in his heart: Please give me courage...

"I don't know about dragons, let alone gods... and the queen just mentioned the curse, but I have to remind you that everyone in the Seven Kingdoms knows... whether it is gods or mortals, kinslayers will be cursed forever. King Stannis, if you..."

Melisandre's voice with the Jade Sea accent interrupted Davos' words: "Except for the Lord of Light and the ancient gods that mortals cannot speak of, there are no other gods in the world. And the curse you are talking about is actually something that tiny humans cannot understand."

Davos looked at the mouth Melisandre, with her lips pursed into a red line, nodded and said, "I admit that I am a small human being, so please explain clearly why the boy named Edric Storm (one of Robert I's illegitimate children) is needed to awaken the dragon in the stone." Melisandre's voice was low and hoarse: "Only death can exchange for life, and the great gift of the King of Light requires great sacrifice, Earl Davos." Davos's forehead wrinkles deepened, and he questioned: "What is so great about a bastard child, Lady Melisandre?" Melisandre took a few steps, and her slender fingers gently brushed across the brazier, and the flames in it suddenly jumped up. There seemed to be flames flickering in her eyes: "He has the blood of the king in his body, and even a little bit is enough to change the situation in the Seven Kingdoms. Have you forgotten that you are also one of the witnesses?"

Earl Davos's eyes trembled slightly, and he said: "I only remember that you burned three leeches to death."

Melisandre reminded gently: "The false king of the Iron Islands died because of this."

Davos frowned and said: "Balon Greyjoy fell from the bridge and died. What does this have to do with your leeches, Lady Melisandre?"

Melisandre's mysterious red eyes suddenly looked directly at Davos: "Are you doubting the power of the Lord of Light?"

At that moment, Davos even felt that the ruby ​​on the priestess's neck suddenly burst out with flames and pounced on him. He managed to maintain his calm on the surface with great difficulty.

His back was already covered with cold sweat. He did not doubt that in the cave that night...the living shadow stretched out its black hands to grab her thighs and crawled out of her **. He remembered it too clearly (Chapter 214).

He thought of Renly and Randyll, and warned himself to be careful not to become the next target of the shadow.

But thinking of Stannis who gave him the honor, Davos did not back down: "Even onion smugglers can tell the difference between one onion and three onions. This is a king, my lady."

Stannis sneered at this time: "Melisandro, he caught your sore spot. One onion and three onions are indeed different."

"Of course, my majesty."

Melisandro bowed slightly to Stannis and continued: "If Joffrey Baratheon and Robb Stark did not die in a seemingly accidental accident, but died in the heavy protection of the guards, 'Will they be under the protection of the Lord of Light? Will this convince you of the power of the Lord of Light? "

After a moment of silence, Stannis reluctantly nodded: "Perhaps."

Queen Selyse calmly and confidently announced: "They will definitely die."

Ser Axell also announced: "Perhaps they are already dead."

Hearing this, Stannis said disgustedly: "Are you well-trained crows, taking turns to nag at me?"

He turned around: "Enough, all of you leave."

After Melisandre helped Queen Selyse to her feet, they left together; Ser Axell glared at Davos before leaving.

After the others left, Davos approached the map table and coughed lightly.

Stannis looked up from the map, stared at the Onion Knight for a while, and said, "You should leave too."

Davos glanced at Stannis, cleared his throat, and said, "Your Majesty, I want to talk to you about Edric Storm..."

Stannis waved his hand impatiently and said, "Smuggler, spare me, I don't want to hear about this bastard anymore."

Davos opened his mouth and said, "King Stannis, his name is Edric Storm."

Stannis's face turned gloomy: "I know his name, and I also know that he is a bastard and has a noble birth. Are you satisfied, my Prime Minister?"

Davos insisted on continuing to speak: "As long as you have met him..."

Stannis' voice was disgusted: "I have met him, he is very Like Robert... my brother likes to leave offspring everywhere, and then ignores them after they are born. He is just one of them." His wrinkled hands swept across the map: "How many boys and girls are there in the Seven Kingdoms? How many men and women are there? Melisandre told me that darkness will engulf all men and women, and a long night will never end. Even if her prophecy is a lie, as a king, can I ignore her prophecy?" His teeth creaked: "Her prophecy... heroes born from boiling oceans, dragons hatched from stones... All the signs and omens she mentioned point to me. We cannot choose our destiny, but I must fulfill my duties. Whether great or small, everyone must fulfill their duties. I am responsible for this kingdom."

He snorted like a mockery: "She swore that she saw me holding up the 'Lightbringer' in the holy fire, resisting the terrifying darkness. Davos, but I assure you, on the Blackwater River, this dazzling light The sword does not help me any more than the ordinary steel sword."

His eyes were fixed on the position of King's Landing on the map table: "However... a giant dragon is enough to turn the tide of the battle. Aegon once stood here, just like I do now, looking down at this table. If there were no dragons, he could still be ' Conqueror'?"

Davos still tried to persuade the king to give up the dangerous idea: "Your Majesty, everything has a price, I must remind you..."

"That's enough, I know the price."

The firelight flickered, and Stannis's shadow enveloped King's Landing on the map table: "If the false kings are really dead... Compared to the future of the entire kingdom, what is the life of an illegitimate child?"

…………

…………

Before the storm of the little devil's single-handed killing of the Red Viper subsided, another news that shocked the Seven Kingdoms reached King's Landing.

Ser Amory Lodge, who was stationed at Harrenhal, was ordered by Duke Tywin to lead more than 500 Lannister sworn knights and more than 1,200 hired free riders to pursue the northern cavalry harassing the eastern region of Harrenhal (Chapter 340).

As a result, it was hit hard by a surprise attack from the Northern cavalry while resting near the King's Road at night.

Sir Armory hurriedly sent out cavalry for reinforcements, one man and three horses. The news was conveyed to Harrenhal the next day. More than 1,000 Lannister cavalry stationed in the city immediately went out to support them, but they encountered thousands of northern cavalry during the march. of ambush.

That night, the warriors following Robb Stark took advantage of the chaos and captured Harrenhal.

After this battle, almost all the Lannister cavalry in the Riverlands were wiped out, and Ser Amory, the governor of Harrenhal appointed by the Lannister, was killed in the battle.

Rumor has it that Varg Hutt, the leader of the warrior regiment, was appointed governor of Harrenhal by King Robb, and he led most of the cavalry to march eastward again before "disappearing".

At this point, the northern cavalry, which is good at running attacks, hangs in the sky above King's Landing like a sharp sword that can fall at any time.

…………

The sunshine that shines down on King's Landing is warm and dazzling.

Duke Mace shook his head and sighed: "To allow a little direwolf to cause trouble in the riverlands again, Lord Tywin... he is old."

In the training ground, Joffrey's crossbow arrows hit the target with perfect accuracy, and Margaery and her maids cheered for the king's bravery.

Green looked away and smiled: "If I were Duke Tywin, I would definitely ask you for advice on how to catch wolves immediately. Unfortunately, he is not me."

The Duke of Metz stroked his beard proudly.