iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 393 Dragonstone

After Myrcella left, Lord Kevan gazed at the sparkling sea outside the terrace and said, "Please tell me, what is your real purpose? You may know better than me how Cersei will respond."

Green took a sip of summer red and said, "What I'm really waiting for is a response from Prime Minister Tywin. According to her character, she will definitely go to him."

Yes, Cersei will definitely go straight to Lord Tywin and make a big fuss regardless of the consequences.

Thinking of this, Lord Kevan's eyes trembled slightly. Could it be that Lord Green clearly stood on Cersei's side in order to use her to divide the Lannisters?

If this was really Crabbe's plan, it would be "regrettable". In the Lannister family, no one can disobey or dare to resist his brother. Perhaps Lord Tywin has to temporarily tolerate some things for the stability of the family, but he will never tolerate anyone damaging the interests of the family.

Earl Kevan's deep green eyes moved slightly. He glanced at the young duke beside him, sighed slightly, and said, "The result is obvious. You should know that if you do this... all that will happen is quarrels between father and daughter, or even..."

After a pause, he sighed slightly and added: "It could be hatred."

Green frowned and stared at him suspiciously for a while before he spoke: "Lord Kevan, although it seems that the marriage with Myrcella can easily lead to peace talks with Martell, with Lord Tywin's wisdom, how could he not see the pros and cons and send his precious granddaughter at this time?"

After a pause, he continued, "The Dornishmen...are now the most hostile to the Lannisters. With just a little spark, I think the fire of anger there will burn fiercely."

Kevan couldn't help but glance at Duke Green beside him again.

After a pause, he slowly said: "Precisely because of this, for the stability of the Seven Kingdoms, the royal family and the Red Keep need to show more sincerity to appease the people of Dorne."

Grimm turned his gaze away from the blue sea and looked at Lord Kevan. He said, "I hope Queen Cersei will understand Lord Tywin's dilemma as soon as possible. Although they are father and daughter, one is the Queen Regent and the other is the Prime Minister. If the misunderstanding between them deepens, it will not be a good thing for the Seven Kingdoms, which have just seen hope for peace."

He raised his glass to indicate, "The lioness will roar for her cubs. At this point... we still have a chance to keep her sanity, don't we?"

Lord Kevan did not move his gaze towards Green again, but his expression became complicated, and he silently took a sip of the summer red.

After a long while, Lord Kevan put down his empty glass and suddenly asked, "Do you love her?"

Green glanced at him and nodded silently.

Seeing this, Kevan's green eyes moved: "Since you love her so much, with your strength and ability...why didn't I see your sincerity towards her? Your behavior is not like a normal Westeros man."

Green rubbed his head, sighed softly, and said: "Lord Kevan, love is not just about possession."

After a pause, Lord Kevan reached out and picked up the silver wine jug, poured wine into Green's glass, and his eyes gradually became kind: "If you have any concerns, you can tell me, maybe I can help you."

Looking at Green who nodded in thanks, he finished pouring the wine and his eyes narrowed slightly: "Or maybe you have other purposes, and you don't want my active help."

Then, he said in a kind and sincere tone: "My brother is 59 years old, and I am 57 years old, Mei..."

He moved his lips and continued, "The heir of Highgarden, Willas Tyrell, as far as I know, he likes to study and is well-educated, but to be honest... his body does not allow him to lead troops to war. Jaime of Casterly Rock... you are good friends, and perhaps you know my nephew better than I do in some aspects... I said this to tell you that you are destined... In the future you will rule the Seven Kingdoms like Lord Tywin, and Lord Tywin will not entrust a turbulent kingdom to you. So, I want to tell you that you don't need to be too wary of the Lannisters, and we can be friendly forever."

Green opened his mouth slightly. Kevan's sincerity seemed to surprise and move him.

He exhaled softly: "Thank you for your kind advice, I will remember it, I think we can really have a good talk..."

Afterwards, the atmosphere between the two became more harmonious.

During the pleasant conversation, Green even promised to send the Crab fleet from Mermaid Harbor to escort to Dorne.

But until the end of the conversation, regarding the question of Myrcella... Lord Green still tactfully insisted on waiting for Cersei's reply.

This almost made Earl Kevan overturn his previous speculations.

After the lively dinner at Mermaid Harbor was over, Lord Kevan was woken up just as he was falling asleep.

The reply from the Red Castle arrived much earlier than expected.

However, black wings brought black news.

Looking at Kevan Lannister who was speechless with grief, Green silently left the room and closed the door softly.

…………

…………

Night, Dragonstone.

The Third Onion (Chapter 349)…

The letter that Maester Pylos had just delivered was tightly held in Davos Seaworth's hands.

Seeing Davos's expression suddenly become serious, Maester Pylos asked uneasily: "Prime Minister, is there anything I can do for you?"

"Have you read what's in it?"

Seeing Maester Pylos nod, Lord Davos stared for a while and slowly said, "Maester, I hope you can forget about this for the time being. This is the order of the Prime Minister."

After a pause, he added: "This is also my request."

After a pause, Maester Pylos smiled, bowed, and said, "I am at your service, Prime Minister."

The Night Fire burned in the gathering darkness, like a huge, bright monster, its shifting, flickering orange light casting a shadow more than twenty feet long across the yard.

Lord Davos looked down from the arched window of the gallery and saw the red woman and Melisandre raising their arms as if to embrace the flickering flames.

Her voice was clear and loud: "Lord of Light—You are the light in our eyes, the fire in our hearts, the heat in our bellies—Your light is the sun that warms the day, and your light is the stars that protect the night—"

Queen Selyse Florent's pointed face was full of enthusiasm. She led everyone in chanting: "Lord of Light, protect us. The night is dark and full of dangers."

King Stannis stood beside Queen Selyse, but did not join the others in responding.

Princess Shireen stood between the king and queen, the gray spots on her cheeks and neck almost black in the firelight.

Melisandre's voice rose up like the sparks from the pyre into the purple night sky.

"Lord of Light, please lead us out of darkness. Lord of Light, please fill our hearts with flames so that we can obey your shining light."

"We thank you, Lord of Light, for bringing life—"

"We thank you, Lord of Light, for bringing the day—"

Queen Selyse and the others whispered back, "Thank you for the sun that warms us, thank you for the stars that protect us. Thank you for giving us hearths and torches to keep out the relentless darkness."

Melisandre turned and cried, "Thank you for giving us Stannis, the Righteous King. Thank you for his heart as pure as fire, for his red sword as a hero, for his love for his people."

She spread her arms and said, "Please guide him, please protect him, King of Light, please give him the power to defeat his enemies." Queen Selyse and the others responded enthusiastically in unison, "Give him strength, give him courage, and give him wisdom."

On the corridor, Davos's valet reminded him softly: "My lord, the time is almost up."

Melisandre lit a fire at sunset each day to thank R'hllor for the day that was ending and to ask him to bring back the sun the next day to drive away the gathering darkness.

As is customary, King Stannis, Melisandre, and the Queen's Party (Chapter 381) pray for more than an hour.

Lord Davos retracted his gaze: "Yes, time is running out."

He turned away from the window and quickened his pace, followed closely by several of his fellow "Royalists".

Edric Storm was reading when Davos pushed open the door.

Edric raised his head and asked the sudden intruder in confusion, "Sir, good night?"

Maester Pylos came out from the back and said, "Edric, go get your cloak. You must go with the Prime Minister."

"me?"

Edric stood up, pursed his lips stubbornly, and said, "Where are you going? I don't pray to the Lord of Light. I believe in warriors, just like my father."

Davos reached out and touched the boy's head, saying, "Not to pray. Come, child, there is no time to waste."

Edric pulled on a thick, hooded woolen cloak, and Maester Pylos leaned over to fasten it for him, pulling the hood up over his face.

"Maester, won't you come with us?"

Pylos shook his head slightly, touched the maester's necklace around his neck, and said: "My duty is here, on Dragonstone. Follow the Prime Minister and do as he says. Remember, he is the Hand of the King. What have I taught you about the Hand of the King?"

Edric quickly replied, "The Prime Minister issues orders on behalf of the King."

Maester Pylos smiled and said, "That's right. Let's go."

After leaving the city wall, Edric looked at Davos curiously, and finally couldn't help asking: "My lord, where are we going?"

Davos looked back at the boy and said, "Go to the seaside. There is a ship waiting for you."

"Boat?"

Edric suddenly stopped and looked over.

Lord Davos also paused, nodded, and said, "This is the ship of Salladhor Saan (Chapter 203). He is Salladhor and my good friend. Don't be afraid. I will send my servants to accompany you."

"I'm not afraid!"

Edric made an annoyed statement before whispering, "Will Shireen come too?"

Lord Davos shook his head slightly and said, "The princess must stay here. She wants to be with the king and queen."

"We agreed to do arithmetic together tomorrow."

Edric was a little sad: "She will be sad...Are you sure I have to go? Why did my uncle want me to leave Dragonstone? Did I annoy him? I dare say I didn't do it on purpose!"

The boy showed his stubborn expression again. "My lord, I request an audience with my uncle. I want to see King Stannis."

If the boy was burned to death, the princess would be even more sad...

"His Majesty does not wish to see you, Edric."

Davos glanced into the distance. Time was running out, so he had to choose a white lie.

"I am his Prime Minister. Do I have to report to the king? Are you unwilling to obey orders? Do you know how angry that will make him? You have never seen him angry..."

He took off his gloves and showed the boy his four fingers that were cut off: "But I have seen it."

"He shouldn't do that." The Onion Knight's threat achieved the desired effect, and the boy acquiesced to letting him lead his hand.

Crash—crash—crash—crash—

On the beach, as far as the eye could see, there was only darkness and emptiness.

Davos combed his thinning hair with his short fingers. Smugglers must know the tides and know how to catch the wind. The boat with four oarsmen would carry the boy to the large ship parked in the open sea and set sail away from the darkness.

Davos wondered if he should get a haircut and shave first. Although King Stannis was iron-like in his justice, when he met the king, he might be punished for his presentable appearance.

Davos walked slowly, his footsteps echoing between the black walls and stone dragons. He had never felt Dragonstone was so dark and terrifying.

I hope the dragon in the stone will never wake up...

The Stone Drum Tower towered ahead, and as Davos approached, the guards standing at the door hurriedly separated the crossed spears for the King's Hand.

At least when he entered, he was still the Prime Minister. I don’t know what he will be like when he comes out, if he can really come out.

Perhaps because Davos was too tired tonight, he suddenly felt that the stairs he climbed seemed longer and steeper than before.

As a child, he dreamed of becoming a millionaire, but when he grew up, he just wanted a piece of land to feed his family, a house to live in when he was old, and a good future for his sons.

The Blind Bastard (a Tyrosh sea smuggler and pirate) had told him that a smart smuggler would not overreach and draw too much attention to himself.

Land enough to eat, a wooden castle, and the title of knight, he should have been content long ago.

If he could survive this night, Davos decided to take his sons back to Cape Wrath, return to his gentle wife, and no longer care about the king and power.

King Stannis was still with Melisandre and the queen's party by the nightfire when Lord Davos entered the Table.

The flames swirled and leaped in the fireplace, and the wood crackled.

Lord Davos leaned against the windowsill, breathing the cold night air. He waited for a long time, and finally heard the sound of boots stepping on the stone steps.

Soon, the king's voice was heard: "...It's two, not three."

Then came Melisandre's voice with a Jade Sea accent: "It must have been three. I swear to you, my king. I saw him die and heard his mother's wailing."

(End of this chapter)