"Whether that Aegon Targaryen is real or not, the moment he chose Storm's End as the starting point for his rebellion against the Iron Throne, he was already walking the path to death." Stannis stared at the map with contempt. "They probably only heard that Storm's End is the strongest castle in the world, but they forgot that no one alive knows how to break it better than I do."
"No one doubts that, Your Grace," said Robb Stark. "But according to our intelligence, the Reach has regrouped its forces at Bitterbridge and is marching east. Their vanguard has already reached the Kingswood. We must act swiftly to avoid being caught off guard."
"Hah... The Reach, of course. I would do the same if I were them." Stannis's face twisted with anger for a moment, then shifted to cold indifference. "If not for this so-called 'little Aegon' suddenly appearing and stirring chaos in the Stormlands, we would already be advancing on Highgarden. The Tyrells don't want me to pacify my rear too quickly and then turn against them... Naturally, I have to intervene in this conflict. How many men have they gathered?"
"About thirty thousand."
Laughter followed immediately. "Ha, the number is clearly shrinking. No one is stupid. After being defeated again and again, the lords of the Reach no longer have the enthusiasm they once showed supporting Renly."
Davos shook his head. "Fewer men doesn't necessarily mean weaker strength. Last time, Highgarden backed Renly's claim to the throne, so they had to send more men to assert control. This time, they are trying to prevent their House from falling into ruin... They will definitely deploy their best troops. And their commander is Randyll Tarly. Your Grace, if you had followed my earlier advice and declared a general pardon for the Tyrells after taking King's Landing, we could have waited. The Seven Kingdoms might already be at peace."
"Pardon the Tyrells? They supported Renly's conspiracy to usurp the throne and poisoned Lord Eddard Stark with the intent to murder him. Even if Your Grace agrees, the North will not."
Karstark was blunt and lacking in manners. Stannis disliked his crudeness and disrespect, but he agreed with him on this point. "The law is the law. Someone must pay the price for treason. If I forgive them now because the Reach is powerful, the next traitor will believe they can gamble and be forgiven too. The law must be enforced. At most, I can allow the ringleaders to take the black and avoid execution, owing to their noble birth. But they must come kneel before me and beg for it. There will be no pardon."
"Your Grace," said the Greatjon. "Let us deal with Randyll Tarly. The North has defeated him twice. We'll do so again."
"Robb, you will lead the army this time as well. But remember, do not underestimate your foe just because of past victories. Randyll Tarly's reputation for martial prowess is no idle boast." Stannis nodded. "I will personally reclaim Storm's End. Give me a month, and the Iron Throne will drive this so-called Golden Company back into the sea, just as it has every time before."
...
...
"As you command, Your Grace."
"By the way, how is your father... Lord Eddard's health?"
"After careful examination, the maesters concluded it was poisoning. Not just one type either... The dosage was small, but it's very difficult to treat. At this point, his life depends entirely on medicine," Robb Stark said with a frown. "Right now, the best thing would be to find Margaery Tyrell and determine exactly what kind of poison was used. That way we can prepare a proper antidote."
"That wicked woman. When I last saw her in the Vale, she looked sweet and charming. I never imagined she would harbor such a venomous heart!"
The Northerners were furious and wholeheartedly agreed. Margaery Tyrell was instantly cast as the embodiment of evil, the very face of corruption.
Amid the uproar, Davos remained skeptical. Was Margaery really the one who ordered the poisoning? What would she gain from it? The only purpose in poisoning the Hand of the King would be to pit the Starks and the Tyrells against one another...
If Lord Eddard had not been poisoned, the Northern army likely would have returned home after helping Stannis take King's Landing. Without the support of the North and its three kingdoms, Stannis would not be standing so firm in his dealings with the Reach. In that case, there might still have been hope for peace between North and South. But now... Davos shook his head. His instincts told him there was a deeper conspiracy, but since King Stannis had already decided to use the Northern army to recapture the Stormlands and punish the Reach, then accepting the claim that "the Tyrells poisoned Lord Eddard Stark" was the most convenient truth for now.
Compared to uncovering the real culprit, more urgent matters had to be dealt with. "The Dornish army is also advancing north along the Boneway and has now 'encircled' Griffin's Roost. If this little Aegon is real, he would be Prince Doran and Prince Oberyn's nephew. Dorne has broken with its usual silence and become actively involved in helping His Grace quell the rebellion. That's highly suspicious and must be guarded against."
"Indeed. I've sent a message to the Dornish host, ordering them to clear out the minor castles occupied by the Golden Company near Cape Wrath. They need not come north to Storm's End to reinforce me," Stannis said, his tone icy. "If they advance north without orders, don't hesitate. Treat them as enemies. I've arranged for enough scouts to prevent anyone from stabbing us in the back while I take Storm's End."
…
After retaking King's Landing, Stannis punished several officers in the garrison who had opened the gates during Renly's attack. At the same time, he used a mix of leniency and authority to bring the remaining forces in the Stormlands and King's Landing—those formerly loyal to Renly—under his control. Once he had purged the capital and consolidated his rule, he led the armies of King's Landing, the Stormlands, and the North—over fifty thousand men—southward.
Renly was dead. As the last living Baratheon male, Stannis had become the rightful liege of the Stormlands. All the lords along the way surrendered, offering provisions and supplies. This time, Stannis had more troops and better quality than his enemies. With the Northern alliance riding a streak of consecutive victories, logistics were no concern.
The prospect of ending the civil war and uniting the Seven Kingdoms had never felt so real, so close at hand.
The commanders of the royal host gathered around the war table, making the final arrangements for the march on Storm's End. Then the tent flap lifted, and a woman in red robes entered.
The tent quieted at once. Many turned to look at the woman who had interrupted the king's war council unannounced.
Melisandre asked, her face expressionless, "Your Grace, the Night's Watch sent you several letters requesting aid, but you concealed them from everyone?"
All eyes turned back to Stannis.
The king's face darkened. No matter the circumstances, he was the king now. To be questioned publicly, especially by a foreign woman was a grave insult to his authority.
"Who have I hidden it from?" Stannis glared at her coldly. "Everyone here knows the wildlings are attacking the Wall. I've already reached an agreement with the Northern lords. After this war, I will send them back north to deal with the crisis. We've even drafted detailed plans to aid the Wall. Is that what you call secrecy?"
"Yes, you did not hide the wildling invasion. But you buried the most recent letter reporting the Wall's situation under a pile of correspondence on the maester's desk. The Wall's defenses are crumbling, and yet you have brought the kingdom's elite forces south to fight in a rebellion that is in no hurry to be resolved!" Melisandre's brows arched in fury. "You left the true battlefield behind to join a squabble?"
"A squabble? Is that how you describe a war to destroy the last remnants of House Targaryen?" Karstark stood and barked. "And since when did a woman have the right to speak in a war council, let alone give commands to the king?"
Melisandre turned her head toward Robb Stark and the other Northern lords, then narrowed her eyes at Karstark. "Northerners, the cold winds are already blowing. The ancient, unspeakable gods are gathering their strength in the land of eternal winter—evil, terrible, and powerful forces that no ordinary mortal can resist. If no righteous men step forward now to uphold the faith of the Red God and confront the enemy of all life, the Long Night will soon come. Your lands and your people will be the first to fall."
Everyone present knew exactly what Melisandre meant. Though they were displeased at her intrusion and disruption of the war council, after having seen wights with their own eyes, none dared accuse her of speaking nonsense or exaggerating. They could only remain silent and watch to see how Stannis would respond to this challenge to his authority.
(To be continued.)