iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 431: Under the Rushing City 8
After Melisandre finished speaking, Old Xiong and the others became slightly excited, and Tyrion's one black eye and one green eye trembled slightly.

Sunlight streamed in through the dilapidated windows. Maester Aemon looked at Melisandre with cloudy eyes. "My lady, are you referring to the Battle of Dawn?"

The Battle of Dawn was the first battle against the invasion of the White Walkers during the Long Night. According to legend, the White Walkers came from the Far North and resurrected the dead to fight for them. The Children of the Forest and their allies, the Ancients, fought bravely against them, but were defeated. Later, Azor Ahai, holding the "Lightbringer", led humans to victory.

After the White Walkers retreated to the land of eternal winter, Brandon the Builder built the Wall of Despair using ice, gravel and magic to resist the White Walkers' invasion again.

The prophecy claims: After the long summer, the stars will weep blood, the White Walkers will come to the world again, and the prince in the prophecy, Azor Ahai, will be reincarnated and lead mankind to defeat darkness, bringing a never-ending long summer to the world.

In addition to Master Alliser, several other Night's Watchmen including Old Bear couldn't help but feel a little excited. For them... there was one more great noble from the Seven Kingdoms who believed in the invasion of the White Walkers, which meant that the Night's Watch would get more help.

Before, Old Bear had not dared to mention that they had seen the wights with their own eyes, for fear that Stannis would misunderstand that the Night's Watch was deceiving him.

Looking at the Night's Watchmen who were whispering to each other from time to time, Melisandre spread her hands and said in a hoarse and low voice: "The one true God, the Lord of Light, guided by the blazing flames, the great King Stannis chose to stop suppressing the rebellion and head north to resist the invasion of the cold darkness."

The old bear who believed in the old gods could not help but frown. Maester Aemon said at this time: "If the fire can guide, I want to know where the prince in the prophecy is?"

"He is standing right in front of you."

Melisandre stretched out a hand to her side and spoke loudly, "Stannis Baratheon is the Son of the Flame, the Warrior of Light, reincarnated Azor Ahai. The prophecy of the Book of Asshai has been fulfilled in him. The red comet in the sky announced his coming, and he possesses the hero's red sword, Lightbringer."

Everyone's eyes were focused on him. Stannis's expression became even stiffer. He gritted his teeth and said, "Night's Watch, I don't like endless negotiations. You asked me for help, and I arrived in time. Now you can only accept my proposal."

Old Xiong looked around at the Night's Watchmen around him and said, "Your Majesty, the grantor of the Night's Watch's increased territory is the Stark family. Even out of courtesy, I should discuss this with the Duke of Winterfell..."

Stannis waved his hand. "I sent my own letter to Lord Eddard before I came here. He will soon be in the presence of the rightful king."

As Stannis spoke, the king's squire, Davon Seaworth, fifth son of the Onion Knight, wordlessly brought a crudely made chair and placed it behind him.

After a pause, Stannis sat down with his back straight and continued, "Lord Commander Mormont, you belong to the Night's Watch and the Wall, which are independent of the Seven Kingdoms. Think carefully about my proposal. I will give you three days to consider it."

He rubbed his chin with one finger. "When Lord Eddard arrives, I will hold a war meeting at the Wall. I will arrange all the defenses until we defeat the wildlings and the White Walkers."

Hearing this, Maester Aemon glanced at the slightly stiff old bear and said, "Your Majesty Stannis, can you give the Night's Watch a great honor and let us see the legendary hero's sword - Lightbringer?"

"can."

Stannis took the sword handed to him by squire Davon and pulled it out of the scabbard with a clang.

Suddenly, the dim hall was filled with light. The gold, orange and red lines on the sword flickered and changed. The jumping colors were as bright as flames.

The Lightbringer Stannis displayed was like a torch without a flame. Tyrion moved closer to the gleaming steel, then he raised an eyebrow... He felt no heat.

Just a sword that glows by itself?

Tyrion had read the "An Outline of the Jade Sea" written by the Volantene adventurer Cloqua Ferta, and the chapters about Azor Ahai mentioned his sword, Lightbringer.

The Lightbringer was forged by Azor Ahai with the blood of his wife. Its blade burned like fire, and any enemy it stabbed would burst into smoke and steam from their mouths, their melting eyes would flow down their cheeks, and finally their entire bodies would burst into flames.

Therefore, the “Light Messenger” should not be a cute little thing that can only glow!
Stannis sat upright with a glowing sword in his hand. Tyrion glanced secretly at the pious red-robed priestess beside the king, and a hint of suspicion flashed in his eyes.

Just as Tyrion was thinking of finding an excuse to touch the sword to confirm his guess, Stannis sheathed the sword.

The dazzling light suddenly disappeared, making the hall look very dim.

He glanced at the people present with his deep eyes and said, "Now that you have seen it, you should go and perform your duties. Lannister, please stay for a moment. I have something to ask you."

The old bear shrugged and left with the Night's Watch. Ser Bronn, who had agreed with Tyrion to stay together, said "I'll wait for you outside the door" and left with the crowd.

Soon, Stannis, Melisandre, and Tyrion were the only ones left in front of the fireplace.

Stannis was staring at him, and Tyrion felt the same sense of oppression from the man opposite him that the old lion had once brought to him.

Well, although Stannis is much younger than Tywin, he looks older and weaker.

Tyrion's eyes turned slightly, and a deliberately flattering smile appeared on his face, breaking the solemn silence.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me for being so presumptuous. You seem more like the master here, while the real master, the night watchman, seems more like a servant you order around at will. This will breed many people who are dissatisfied with you. I am extremely worried about this."

Tyrion rubbed his hands ingratiatingly. Stannis stared at him for a moment and said, "Don't give me that false smile."

Hearing this, Tyrion, who was smiling all the time, suddenly froze.

Stannis continued: "If I had considered them servants, I would have executed them long ago. The Night's Watch is the master of the Wall, and everyone knows it. But they have failed to fulfill their duty, as evidenced by the many holes in the Wall's defenses."

His eyes were deep. "Tyrion Lannister, tell me, in this situation, as the legitimate king of the Seven Kingdoms, how should I treat them? I have shown them the best patience in my life."

Tyrion curled his lips: "Perhaps the bad environment has restricted Lord Mormont's hands and feet."

At the same time, he suddenly felt that Stannis was quite cute.

"There's no need to waste your time on hypocritical words in front of me. I heard about what happened to you in King's Landing..."

Stannis looks directly at Tyrion. "... Tell me how you escaped from the dungeons of the Red Keep. I want you to tell me the truth."

A conflicted look appeared on Tyrion's face, and Melisandre's voice came over: "Brave little lion, the Lord of Light is watching you." Tyrion saw Melisandre gently raise one hand, and her slender white fingers moved slightly. The flame in the fireplace that had been burning quietly seemed to be awakened by an invisible force.

The flames suddenly became vigorous, growing larger and rising. The hot flames leaped and the dancing flames reflected strange light and shadows.

Tyrion's little body couldn't help but tremble, his Adam's apple rolled, and he said, "Yes... Jaime, my brother saw that my father was not going to let me go, so he secretly took me out of the dungeon."

The shadow cast by the firelight obscured Stannis's eyes. His voice, like the cold winter, rang out: "Everyone knows this. What I want to ask is how you came to the Wall?"

"oh oh!"

Tyrion's eyes moved slightly. He stretched out a finger and scratched his cheek. He said, "My former captain of the guard, that is... well, you just met him. His name is Bronn. He used to be a sellsword."

After a pause, he continued, "He is waiting for me outside... We originally planned to take a boat to the other side of the strait, but my generous reward came faster than I thought. In addition to the Dornish nobles, Cersei Lannister also wants my head very much."

He shrugged. "Later, Bronn and I discussed for a long time, and then we found out that my only safe place was the Wall. Later, we found out the whereabouts of the Wave Crow... Well, as you know, the Night's Watch is very short of manpower. They didn't mind my short legs, and they also welcomed a guilty person like me who took the initiative to put on black clothes."

Melisandre walked towards the fireplace with light steps: "Little lion, what is your relationship with Duke Green."

Tyrion couldn't help but secretly admire the graceful figure of the priestess. A look of pain appeared on his face. He gritted his teeth and said, "He and I are good friends, but to be honest, I actually hate him a little bit."

Stannis stared at Tyrion for a moment, then said coldly, "The reason."

Tyrion thought for a moment and replied: "The only thing I can show off is my smart brain, but Lord Green's brain is a little smarter than mine..."

He stretched out the thumb and index finger of his right hand, with the tips of the two fingers almost touching each other.

Then he grinned: "I am a despicable dwarf, and the hatred of dwarfs is always so inexplicable. I guess this is why my father can't wait to chop off my head."

Stannis looked away. Melisandre nodded slightly. She smiled gently at Tyrion and said, "Your Majesty, our little lion... He is surprisingly honest."

Stannis nodded his chin slightly, and his eyes turned back to the person in front of him, saying: "Tyrion Lannister, under the just laws of the kingdom, everyone in this world has their value, including the dwarfs who you said are naturally hated by people. And you..."

He pointed a finger at Tyrion and said, "You almost single-handedly turned the tide of the Battle of King's Landing. You are a dwarf, but you are the only man who has ever made me feel despair. In my eyes, you are more valuable than those nobles who only know how to be hypocritical."

Tyrion couldn't help but look surprised after hearing Stannis' still blunt words.

When Tyrion came to his senses, the charming Melisandre had come to his side without him noticing.

Melisandre's palm was warm and soft. She gently stroked Tyrion's hair and said softly, "You destroyed the king's fleet with wildfire, which impressed him. Now, His Majesty invites you to ignite his wildfire. This is all guided by the Lord of Light."

As she spoke, Melisandre bent down, first gently kissed Tyrion on the top of his head, and then... her somewhat fiery hands grabbed his cheeks, and her eyes met his.

The distance was very close, and Tyrion caught a glimpse of the fine hairs on the beauty's face and her extremely delicate white skin from the corner of his eye.

Tyrion dared not move his eyes in front of her scarlet eyes. He swallowed nervously and finally managed to squeeze out his voice: "It is a great honor to serve your majesty."

Melisandre stood up slightly, touched Tyrion's forehead with her thick red lips, chuckled, and said, "What a cute little lion."

Tyrion's nose tingled slightly. Under her hood was a silk robe of the same bright red color, with nothing underneath... He accidentally admired the white patch.

With a polite smile common among nobles on his face, Tysa Tysa Tysa... Tyrion repeatedly repeated the name of his beloved wife in his heart, and successfully suppressed his body's reaction.

He suddenly thought of his good sisters. They were both extremely charming. Cersei was a stupid lioness who could only show her fangs and claws, while Melisandre was a flame that could devour lives at any time. Her beauty was very deadly... Tyrion kept warning himself in his heart.

Stannis nodded with a slight satisfaction and said, "Lannister, no one in the Seven Kingdoms knows how to use wildfire on the battlefield better than you. I will select a group of knights and soldiers to hand over to you. Your first task is to train them and make wildfire my sharp sword."

Tyrion's eyes twitched as he thought of another identity given to him by Green—the adjutant of the Burning Legion.

He moved his lips and bowed with a hint of emotion. "As you command, King Stannis."

After a pause, he said hesitantly, "I'm sorry, before I met you, the commander-in-chief had already appointed me as his affairs officer. How should I explain to him...?"

Stannis simply waved his hand and said, "You are still a member of the Night's Watch. My appointment does not affect the traditions of the Night's Watch. You will serve me in your original capacity until I win this war. I will inform Lord Commander Mormont of my decision."

His teeth grumbled. “By the way, ask him to compile a list of the ruins to be rebuilt as soon as possible.”

Tyrion shuddered at the sound of bones breaking. He said obediently, "As you command, my Lord."

Before leaving, Tyrion caught a glimpse of Melisandre's meaningful look. She seemed to see through everything, which made him feel a little uneasy when he thought he had successfully slipped into Stannis's camp.

…………

…………

The Tyrell camp below Storm's End.

During the lively banquet, the Duke of Metz stroked his beard and read the letter, with a look of relief on his face.

This is the intelligence that has just been delivered about Riverrun, which mentions that Green is also building catapults to support the Lannisters' siege.

(End of this chapter)