iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 350 The future of the kingdom

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 the ancient book of Xia 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 Axell echoed at this time: "That boy."

After a pause, Stannis moved his steps, 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."

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

In Stannis' 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."

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.

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."

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

No, his "god" will never shake his iron-hard heart of justice!
"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."

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

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, there was a strange look of excitement in the eyes of everyone who encouraged King Stannis to sacrifice his blood relatives...at this moment.

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 the pure holy fire, Your Majesty.”

"..., 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 throne room dragon) is terrifying.”

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 rise 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!"

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."

"I beg you the same, Your Majesty!"

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

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 the 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..."

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!”

Stannis's winter-like gaze made Davos's back break into a thin layer of cold sweat. He couldn't help praying to the Seven Gods in his heart: Please grant 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 that... regardless of gods or mortals, those who kill relatives will be eternally cursed. King Stannis, if you..."

Melisandre's voice with an accent from the Jade Sea region interrupted Davos's 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 little humans can’t understand.”

Davos looked at Melisandre, whose lips were pursed into a red line, nodded, and said: "I admit that I am a small human being, so I would like to trouble you to explain clearly why I need a man named Edric Storm (Robert One of the illegitimate sons of I came to awaken the dragon in the rock."

Melisandre's voice was low and hoarse: "Only death can exchange for life, and the great gift of the Lord of Light requires great sacrifice, Lord Davos."

The wrinkles on Davos' forehead deepened and he questioned: "What is so great about an illegitimate child, Lady Melisandre?"

Melisandre took a few steps, her slender fingers lightly brushed over the brazier, and the flames suddenly jumped up.

There seemed to be flames swaying in her eyes: "The blood of the king flows in his body, and even a little bit is enough to change the situation of the Seven Kingdoms. Have you forgotten that you are also one of the witnesses?"

Count Davos' eyes trembled slightly and 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 the flames suddenly burst out of the ruby ​​around the priestess's neck and rushed towards him. It was difficult for him to maintain his apparent calmness.

His back was dripping with cold sweat, and he had no doubt that in the cave that night... the living shadow stretched out its black hands, grabbed her thighs, and squirmed out of her vagina. He remembered it too clearly (Chapter 214 chapter). He thought of Renly and Lando, and warned himself to tread carefully and not become the Shadow's next target.

But thinking of Stannis, who had given him the honor, Davos did not flinch: "Even the onion smugglers can tell the difference between one onion and three onions. This is only one king, my lady."

Stannis snorted a sneer at this time: "Melisandre, he has caught your sore spot. There is indeed a difference between one onion and three onions."

"Of course, my lord."

Melisandre bowed slightly towards Stannis and continued: "What if Joffrey Baratheon and Robb Stark did not die from what seemed like a coincidence, but died under the heavy protection of the guards?" Does this convince you of the power of the Lord of Light?"

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

Queen Selyse declared calmly and confidently: "They will die."

Ser Axel also declared: "Perhaps they are dead."

Hearing this, Stannis said in disgust: "Are you well-trained crows, taking turns nagging at me?"

He turned around and said, "That's enough, all of you, please step aside."

Melisandre helped Queen Selis get up and left together; Ser Axel 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, please spare me. I don't want to hear about this illegitimate child again."

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 an illegitimate son and of noble origin. Are you satisfied, my Lord Hand?"

Davos insisted and continued: "As long as you have seen him..."

Stannis's voice was full of disgust: "I have seen him, he looks like Robert... My brother likes to leave seeds everywhere and ignore them after they are born. He is just one of them."

His wrinkled hands swept over 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 swallow up all men and women and descend into a long night that will never end. Even if she Her prophecy is a lie, but as a king, can I ignore her prophecy? "

His teeth creaked: "Her prophecies...the heroes born in the boiling ocean, the magic dragon hatched from the stone...the various signs and predictions she mentioned all point to me. We cannot choose our destiny, but I have to fulfill my duty. No matter how big or small, everyone has to fulfill their duty, I have a responsibility to this kingdom."

He snorted as if mockingly: "She swore that she saw me holding the 'Lightbringer' high in the holy fire, resisting the terrifying darkness. Davos, but I assure you, on the Blackwater River, this dazzling light The sword doesn’t 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 is no dragon, he can still become' 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 1200 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 1000 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.

(End of this chapter)