Chapter 43 Chapter 43 Davos

Ser Cortnay Penrose wore no armor and rode a chestnut courser, while his standard-bearer rode a speckled dark gray.Above them flew the crowned stag banner of Baratheon, and the banner of House Penrose with white feathers on a brown field, the white feathers being two crossed feathers.Ser Cortnay's shovel-shaped beard was also brown, and he was completely bald.The king's huge and magnificent team surrounded him, but there was no trace of discouragement or panic on that weather-beaten face. The chain armor and plate armor clanged as the large group of men and horses ran.Davos wore the armor himself, and felt uncomfortable: his shoulders and back were sore and uncomfortable from the unaccustomed weight.He decided he must look cumbersome and stupid, and couldn't help but doubt the need for being here again.I shouldn't have questioned the king's orders, but...

Every one of the group was of better birth and higher status than Davos Seaworth.Under the rising sun, the great princes of the south shone brightly.They wore armor gilded and silvered, and their war-helms were decorated with silk feathers, feathers, or statues in the shape of family crests, with jeweled eyes.And in this group of rich and splendid teams, you can recognize Stannis at a glance. Like Davos, the king is dressed plainly, wearing only woolen clothes and leather armor, only the red gold crown on his head is particularly eye-catching.As the king moved, the sun shone brightly on the flame-shaped crown.

Eight days had passed since the Black Bertha returned and joined the fleet that blocked Storm's End, but this moment was the closest Davos and his king had come.As soon as he arrived, he asked to see the king, but was told that the king was busy.The king had been busy lately, as Davos had learned from his son, Devon, who was one of the royal servants.Now Stannis Baratheon was so powerful that nobles and lords surrounded him, buzzing like flies on a corpse.He did look like a half corpse, much older than when I left Dragonstone.Devan said that the king could barely sleep lately. "After Lord Renly died, he was haunted by nightmares," the boy confided to his father. "Not even the maester's medicines. Only Lady Melisandre can calm him to sleep."

That's why she lived in the big tent with him?Davos wondered.Pray together?Or use other methods to pacify him to sleep?This question is not only superficial, but he dare not ask it, even if it is not appropriate to ask his own son.Devan was a good boy, but his jacket was proudly embroidered with flaming hearts, and his father saw him praying before the campfire one evening, begging Allah, the Lord of Light, for the dawn.He is the king's servant, he told himself, and he ought to serve the king's god well. Davos had almost forgotten how tall and majestic the walls of Storm's End were, and it was only now that they approached his eyes again that he marveled at the majesty of this place again.King Stannis halted at the foot of the high wall, a few feet from Ser Cortnay and his standard bearer. "Sir," he said with stiff politeness, without dismounting.

"My lord." The other party's tone was not so polite, and the answer was as expected. "According to formal etiquette, when meeting the king, you should address him as His Majesty." Count Florent announced loudly.On his breastplate was carved a glorious red and gold fox surrounded by a circle of lapis lazuli flowers.The Earl of Brightwater City was tall, dignified, and rich. Among Renly's subordinates, he was the first to fall to Stannis, and he was also the first southern prince to publicly renounce the old gods and convert to the Lord of Light.Stannis left the queen and her uncle Ser Yasser in Dragonstone Island, but the power of the Queen's party has not decreased but increased. Both the members and the power have become unprecedentedly large. Among them, Alister Florent naturally Great credit.

Ser Cortnay ignored him, and went to talk to Stannis. "You are accompanied by great men. Noble Lord Esmond, Lord Errol, and Lord Varner. Joan of House Fossoway of the Green Apple Ser En and Ser Brian of the Fossoways of the Red Apple, King Renly's two rainbow guards - Lord Cullen and Ser Good... and of course our rich and rich Lord Alister of Brightwater Lord Florent. Is that your onion knight in the back? Good to meet you, Ser Davos. As for the lady, I'm sorry I don't know her." "My name is Melisandre, ser." She was the only one in the party, unarmed, in smooth red, with a big ruby ​​in her throat drinking the sun. "Serve your king and the Lord of Light."

"I wish you success in your work, madam," replied Ser Cortnay, "but I serve other gods, and serve another king." "There is only one true god, and only one true king," announced Count Florent. "Are we here to argue about theological theories? My lord, if you are willing to inform me in advance, I will bring monks with me." "You know exactly what we're here for," said Stannis. "I gave you two weeks to consider my terms, and you sent ravens to ask for help, but no one came to help you, and you won't No. Storm's End must stand alone, and my patience is at its limit. I give you one last chance, ser, and I order you to open the gates and give me back what is mine by right."

"Conditions?" Sir Cortnay asked. "No change," said Stannis. "I pardon the lords before you, and I will pardon your treason. Your men may join our army or go home as they choose. They may keep their Arms, and such personal effects as I can take. However, I will requisition all horses and cattle." "Where's Edric Storm?" "My brother's illegitimate child must be delivered into my hands." "Then my answer remains: No, my lord." The king clenched his jaw.Not a word. Melisandre spoke back for him: "May Allah the Lord of Light protect you, O mortal in darkness and obscurity, Ser Cortnay."

"May the Others sodomize your Lord of Light," Penrose spat. "Wipe its ass with your rags after you're done." Lord Alister Florent cleared his throat. "Sir Cortanay, please watch your words and deeds. His Majesty the King has no intention of harming the child. This child is not only his own blood, but also my blood relative. As we all know, his mother is my niece Dilina. Even if you can't trust Your Majesty , you should also trust me. You know me, I always seek honor—" "You have always been greedy for power!" Ser Cortnay interrupted him. "Changing gods and kings is as easy as changing my boots! You are no different from the bunch of chameleons in front of me."

There was an angry uproar around the king.What he said was not far from the truth, Davos thought.Not so long ago, the Fossoways, Good Morrigan, Lord Cullen, Lord Varner, Lord Errol, and Lord Ismond, all of Renly's men, sat in his tent and helped him formulate A battle plan, plotting how to overthrow Stannis.This lord Florent was among them - although he was Queen Selyse's uncle, but when Renly's star was rising, family affection could not prevent the Lord of Brightwater from bowing his knee to Renly. Bryce Cullen rode forward a few steps, the wind from the bay whipping his long rainbow cape. "No one here is a 'chameleon,' sir. My allegiance is to Storm's End, and King Stannis is the rightful master of this place now... our true king. He is Baratheon Last blood of the family, heir to Robert and Renly."

"As you said, why didn't the Knight of Flowers come with you? Where is Matus Rowan? Where is Randyll Tarly? The Countess of Oakheart? Those who support Renly the most Why not come? I ask you again, where is Brienne of Tarth?" "Her?" Good Morrigan laughed. "She slipped away, and she moved quickly. It was she who murdered King Renly." "A lie," said Ser Cortnay. "I've known Brienne since she was a little girl playing at her father's feet in Evening Hall. Then the Evening Star sent her to Breath of the Wind. Fort, I know her better. A blind man could see that she fell in love with Renly at first sight." "Exactly," Count Florent said, "the most poisonous thing is a woman's heart. How many innocent girls are cruelly murdering the man they love because they are rejected. But in my opinion, it is Lady Stark who killed the king. She came all the way from Riverrun to make this alliance, but Renly turned him down. She must have seen him as a threat to her son, and got rid of him." "It was Brienne," Lord Cullen insisted. "Ser Eamon Cue swore it before he died. I swear it to you, and I speak the truth, Ser Cortnay." Sir Cortanay said with extreme contempt: "How much is your oath worth? Look at you, you are still wearing this rainbow cloak. Isn't this what he gave you the day you swore to protect His Majesty Renly? Now others Dead, and you? You live your life!" He turned to Good Morrigan, "I'll ask you the same question, sir. You're Good Greenguard, aren't you? You're Not a member of the Rainbow Guard? Have you sworn to dedicate your life to the king? If I had this cloak, I would not be so thick-skinned to show off to the world!" Morrigan was furious: "Pangros, you should be glad that this is a peace negotiation, otherwise you speak so wildly, I will cut your tongue!" "Just like you eunuch yourself? Are you a man too?" "Enough!" said Stannis. "It is the Lord of Light's will that my brother should be killed for a heinous crime. It does not matter who does it." "To a man of your type, perhaps," said Ser Cortnay, "I have heard your proposal, Lord Stannis. Now take mine." He drew off his glove, and threw it, Right in front of the king. "One-on-one duel. Sword, spear, or any weapon you propose. If you are afraid to risk your magic sword and your body with an old man, you can name a proxy knight. Whoever it is, I will All right." He gave Good Mulligan and Bryce Cullen a stern look. "The way I see it, these little beasts are eager to try." Sir Good Morrigan's face was black with anger. "Please Your Majesty's permission, I will take care of him." "Me too." Bryce Cullen looked at Stannis. The king gritted his teeth. "I do not accept your challenge." Sir Cortnay did not seem surprised. "My lord, do you think the duel is unfair because you are so withdrawn? Are you afraid that you are too weak to raise your weapon? Or are you afraid that I will urinate on the fire stick and put it out?" "You think me a fool, ser?" Stannis retorted. "I have an army of 20,000, and you are surrounded by land and sea. When the final victory undoubtedly belongs to me, why should I choose to fight alone?" The king pointed at the opponent. "I give you a stern warning. If you force me to use force, you will not get any mercy. Our army will sweep the city like a storm. When the city falls, you and all your subordinates will only be regarded as traitors." hang a road." "Come, it is the will of the gods. The storm that will blow you, my lord—but if you have brains, please remember the name of this castle." Ser Cortnay pulled the rein and headed towards the gate. gallop away. Stannis said nothing, but quietly turned his horse and started back to camp.Others followed suit. "If such a fortification is attacked by force, I am afraid that thousands of people will be lost." The elderly Earl Esmond said worriedly. In terms of his mother's bloodline, he is considered the king's grandfather. "In my opinion, would it be more appropriate to risk only one life? Our request is justified, so the gods in the sky will definitely bless your proxy knight and bless him with victory." It is God, and there are no gods, Davos thought.Have you forgotten, old sir?We now have only one deity, the Lord of Light, Melisandre. Ser Jon Fossoway said, "Even if my swordsmanship is not half as good as Lord Cullen's and Ser Good's, I would gladly fight for you. Rest assured, Your Majesty, Cortnay has no surrogate knight. For Renly hasn't left any decent warriors in Storm's End, and the defenders in the city are either old men or young boys." Earl Cullen also agreed: "There is no doubt that this is an easy victory, and it is full of glory. Just imagine, winning the majestic Storm's End with a wonderful blow!" Stannis glanced over the crowd. "You twitter like a magpie on a branch, and more brainless than that. I want to be quiet." The king stared at Davos. "Follow me, ser." He kicked his spurs, leaving his entourage far behind, leaving only Melisandre to follow.She carried a huge banner of a flaming red heart, with a crowned stag embroidered on the inside, which seemed to have been completely devoured. Davos rode past the noble lords to catch up with the king, seeing people looking at each other.These people are not onion knights, they come from a prestigious and noble family, proud and powerful.Somehow, he realized that Renly would never have scolded them like that.The young Baratheon was a natural for courtly society, and his brother was sadly not at all. He slowed down as the horses came galloping up to the King. "Your Majesty." From a closer look, Stannis looked even worse than he had seen before.He was haggard, with deep dark circles around his eyes. "A smuggler must be very observant," said the king. "What would you say of Ser Cortnay Penrose?" "He's stubborn," Davos said carefully. "The way I see it, I'm afraid he's crazy about death, and dares to refuse my forgiveness in person. Well, now he not only ruined his own life, but also sentenced everyone in the city to death. Duel?" King He snorted disdainfully. "No doubt he takes me for Robert!" "I think he's just throwing everything at his fingertips. What else can he hope for?" "Of course not. The castle is bound to fall. Just how to speed things up?" Stannis was lost in thought, and Davos heard the faint crack of the king's teeth grinding through the rhythmic ding-ding of the horse's hooves. "My lord Alister insisted on bringing old Lord Penrose. He is Sir Cortnay's father, and you know him, don't you?" "My lord Penrose has been most courteous to me when I have been your envoy to the lords of the South," said Davos, "but he is old, my lord. He is feeble and sick." "What Florent meant was to show his weakness in public. For example, put a rope around his neck in front of his own son." It was dangerous to oppose the queen's party, but Davos swore to remain true to the king forever. "I think it's inappropriate, Your Majesty. Even if Sir Cortanay saw his father die in front of his eyes, he would never let anyone trust him with his integrity. Such behavior will do us no good. It's just a stigma to your career." "Stigma?" said Stannis angrily. "Do you want me to spare the life of a traitor?" "Didn't you just forgive the group of masters behind?" "Are you blaming me, Smuggler?" "I have no right to reproach Your Majesty." Davos feared he had said too much. The king was not forgiving. "You have a higher opinion of this Penrose than of the princes under my account. Why?" "Because he kept his faith." "Stay true to a dead usurper." "True," Davos agreed, "but in the end, he can hold on." "And the group of people behind us can't do it?" Davos had said too much in front of Stannis to be coy now. "They were Robert's men last year. They were Renly's men a month ago. They are all your loyal servants this morning. So who will they fall to tomorrow?" Hearing this, Stannis laughed.Laughter was like a sudden wind, the tone was rude and full of mockery. "Didn't I tell you, Melisandre?" he said to the red-robed woman, "My onion knight always tells me the truth." "You do know him very well, Your Majesty." The red-robed woman said. "Davos, I have missed you very much," said the king. "You are right, behind me, followed by a large group of traitors, my nose will not deceive me, my vassals and lords are in Capricious during the time of rebellion! I need them, but you know: I have punished noble people for lesser crimes, and now I am sorry to have to forgive their sins. You completely There is reason to blame me, Ser Davos." "You blame yourself more deeply than I want to say, Your Majesty, don't worry, you need these great princes to fight for your throne—" "They're just my fingers, that's all." Stannis grinned. Davos instinctively reached for the leather pouch around his neck, felt for the phalanges inside.Lucky charm. The king sensed his reaction. "You still have them, Onion Knight? You still read them?" "No." "Then why keep it? I've always wondered." "Because they remind me of who I am, where I come from, and your impartiality, Sire." "It is justice indeed," said Stannis. "Good deeds do not cancel out evil deeds, nor do evil deeds overshadow good deeds. Every deed has its own reward. You are both a hero and a smuggler." He glanced back at Florent. The earl and others, those rainbow guards and the newly surrendered lords, they are following in the distance. "Those lords who are pardoned had better think this through. Good men, true men, fought for Joffrey because they mistakenly believed he was the true king; With the same sentiments; but these people who fell to my brother knew that he was usurping the throne. They abandoned the legitimate king, for what? Isn't it just dreaming of power and glory, and I will always remember their deeds. Yes, I have forgiven them, I have forgiven them, but I have not forgotten." He was silent for a moment, thinking of his own justice, and then said suddenly, "What do the people think of Renly's death?" "They mourned him. Your brother was popular and loved." "Fools love fools," Stannis complained. "Although I am also very sad, it is the man I mourned as a child, not the man who grew up." He was silent for a while, and then said, "What are the people saying about the news of Cersei's incest?" "They chanted for King Stannis, of course, when I was there. But when my ship was gone, it was hard to tell." "In other words, you mean they don't believe it?" "When I was in the smuggling business, I learned a lesson: Some people believe everything, and some people don't believe anything. There are two kinds of people in the world. You know, there is another version of the rumor in-- " "Yes," said Stannis through gritted teeth, "some say that Selyse cheated on me, fell in love with a fool with bells, and that my daughter's biological father is actually a retarded jester! Absurd and shameless. I He used it against me when I met Renly. Only a lunatic with a patched face would believe such a lie." "That's what you say, Your Majesty...But whether you believe it or not, the common people always like to spread it around." In many places, the rumor even arrived before his ship, which made the facts he brought more credible. discount. "If Robert pissed in a glass and offered to drink, many people would gladly say it was good wine. I gave them pure cold water, and they squinted suspiciously, and whispered after drinking that the water tasted wrong!" Stannis gritted his teeth. "And if some day someone spreads a rumor that the pig that killed Robert was possessed by a spell, I think they'll believe it." "There are so many stories in the world, you cannot guard against them, Your Grace," said Davos, "but if you find the real murderers of your brothers and avenge them, all lies will be dispelled. " Stannis didn't seem to care half of what he had to say. "I have no doubt that Cersei played a part in Robert's death. I will get justice for him, and, well, Ned Stark and Jon Arryn." "What about Renly?" Davos blurted out before he could think about it. The king was silent for a long time before he said softly, "I have dreamed many times. I dreamed of Renly's death. It was a green tent with candles and screaming women and blood." Stannis looked down at himself. hand. "I was asleep when he died, as your Devan can testify. He tried to shake me awake. Dawn was approaching, and my vassals were waiting anxiously outside. Renly will attack at dawn , I should have been fully dressed and put on my horse, but somehow I was still lying in bed. Devan said I woke up flailing and crying, but what did it matter? It was only a dream. Renly died I was perfectly fine in my tent when I woke up and my hands were clean." Ser Davos Seaworth felt the itching of nonexistent fingertips.There must be something wrong here, the ex-smuggler thought, but he nodded and said, "Yes." "During the negotiation, Renly wanted to send me a peach. He laughed at me, provoked me, threatened me, and finally wanted to send me a peach. I thought he was going to draw his sword, so I held down my sword. Could it be that he To show me fear? Is this another of his silly jokes? Or when he talks about how delicious peaches are, does he actually mean something else?" The king shook his head vigorously, like a dog biting a rabbit's neck and shaking it. "Only Renly could bother me with a fruit like that. His treason led to ruin, but I did love him, Davos, and now I know. I swear I'll remember till the day I go to the grave." Brother's peach." At this point, already at the camp, they walked through neatly arranged tents, flags waving in the wind, and stacks of weapons.The stench of horse manure was thick in the air, mixed with wood smoke and stew.Stannis reined in his horse and dismissed Lord Florent and the other nobles directly, ordering them to come back to the Great Tent for a war council in an hour.The people bowed and dispersed, leaving only Davos and Melisandre to accompany the king to the central camp. The big tent is a veritable big tent, so that he can hold meetings with the princes; however, it is very simple inside.Like the tents of ordinary soldiers, it was sewn with canvas, and the golden dye had long since faded to dark yellow.Only the flag flying high on top of the tent indicated that it was the king's tent.Of course, there are also guards outside the tents that stand out: the queen's men are leaning on spears, and the flaming red hearts are sewn on their original family crests. The grooms came to help them off their horses.A guard took the cumbersome flag from Melisandre's hand, and plunged it deep into the soft soil.Devan stood by the door, waiting to lift the tent for the king, with the elder Bylan Farring beside him.Stannis took off the crown and gave it to Devan. "Take two glasses of cold water. Come with me, Davos. I will send for you when I need you, madam." "Follow Your Majesty's orders." Melisandre bowed and retreated. Compared with the bright morning on the field, the tent looked dark and cool.Stannis sat down on a simple wooden folding stool, motioning for Davos to do the same. "One day, I'll make you an earl, smuggler. Think how much it would annoy Celtigar or Florent. But I know you won't thank me for it yourself, because From then on, you have to attend these endless meetings and pretend to be interested in this braying." "If it doesn't work, what do you call a meeting for?" "Why else? Donkeys like to hear themselves bray, and I need them to pull my cart. Well, yes, a good idea pops up every now and then. But as things stand today, I think—ha, Your son brought water." Devan placed the tray on the table, which contained two filled clay cups.The king withdrew a pinch of salt before drinking; Davos simply raised his glass, imagining it to be wine. "You mentioned the combat conference?" "Let me tell you how the council will go. Lord Velaryon will push for a siege at dawn tomorrow, with grappling hooks and ladders against bows and hot oil. The younger donkeys will be in favor of that. Lord Ismond will I hope to set up camp and blockade them, and use hunger as a weapon to force them to surrender, just like what Tyrell and Redwyne used to do to me. It may take a year, but old donkeys have plenty of patience. As for Lord Karen and that What about the hot-blooded fellows, all eager to pick up Ser Cortnay's gauntlet and fight for victory. Everyone fantasizes about becoming my knight by proxy and making immortal fame for themselves." The king drank from his glass . "What's your opinion, Smuggler?" Davos thought for a while before answering: "March into King's Landing immediately." The king disagreed. "Leave Storm's End behind?" "Sir Cortnay did not jeopardize your strength. The Lannisters are different. The siege would take too long, the duel would be too risky, and a strong attack would entail heavy casualties, so it may not be possible to win. All of this is unnecessary When you dethrone Joffrey, this castle and the whole world will be yours. I heard in the barracks that Lord Tywin Lannister wanted to save Lannis from the vengeful Northmen. Hong Kong, has swung back west..." "You have a sane father, Devan," the king told the boy standing beside him. "He made me feel that I should have more smugglers and fewer lords and lords under my command. But you still have the wrong stake, Davos, taking this city is absolutely necessary. If I let Storm's End Stay behind unharmed and people will talk and think I've lost the battle. And I can't allow that. People don't love me like my two brothers, they follow me because they're afraid of me... …and failure is the poison of fear. This city must be taken." He gritted his teeth. "Yes, and fast. Doran Martell has recruited his vassals and is ready to go. Not only is he starting to strengthen the fortifications of the mountain pass, but the Dornish army is slowly marching towards the frontier. The power of Highgarden has not suffered much. My brother left the main body of his army at Bitterbridge with nearly sixty thousand infantry. I sent my wife's brother Ser Ellen and Ser Parmen Clane to take over, but there has been no reply. I suspect Loras Ser Tyrell was at Bitterbridge ahead of them, and took command of the army." "All this is urging us to take King's Landing as soon as possible. Salador Sann told me—" "Shalladhor Sarn counts only gold!" Stannis broke out. "All he can imagine is the treasure buried under the Red Keep. Don't let me hear his name again. If someday I have to let the Pirates of Lys teach me how to fight, I'd rather take off the crown and wear black!" The king clenched his fists. "Smuggler, do you want to serve me? Or do you want to argue with me?" "I am your man," said Davos. "Then listen carefully. Sir Cortnay's deputy is a distant relative of the Fossoway family, Lord Meidou. Although he is an earl and lord, he is only twenty years old and has never been on the battlefield. If Penrose unfortunately dies , the command of Storm's End will fall into the hands of this boy, and his Fossoway relatives assure me that he will accept my terms and surrender the city." "I remember the power of Storm's End falling into the hands of another young man at a time of crisis. He was only in his early twenties." "Earl Mei Dou doesn't have my stubborn stone head." "What difference does it make if he is obstinate or cowardly? Ser Cortnay Penrose looks to me as bright and healthy as ever." "It wasn't the same with my brother. He was talking and laughing the day before he died. But the night is dark and dangerous, Davos." Davos Seaworth felt a chill go up the back of his neck. "Your Majesty, I do not understand what you mean." "You don't need to understand. You just do what you're told. Ser Cortnay will die in a day. Melisandre has foresaw his death in the holy fire, and knows not only when he will die, but also when he will die." Needless to say, he did not die in a knightly duel." Stannis raised his glass, and Devan hurriedly poured water from the jug. "Her prophecy of the holy fire was never false. Once upon a time, she foresaw Renly's destruction, she saw it at Dragonstone, and told Selyse. Lord Velaryon and your friend Salador Thorn have been Advised me to go straight to Joffrey, but Melisandre said that if I came to Storm's End, I would win the best part of my brother's army. And it turns out she was right." "But—but," stammered Davos, "Lord Renly was marching into King's Landing to fight the Lannisters. If you hadn't besieged his castle, he wouldn't have come here at all, he would have -" Stannis shifted in his seat, frowning. "If it wasn't, it could have been, what are these words? He came and he came, and the fact cannot be changed. He brought his princes and peaches to this place to meet his destruction... This can be said to kill two birds with one stone for me. For Melisandre saw a different sight in the holy fire. She saw Renly in green armor coming from the south and crushing my army at King's Landing. There is no doubt that if I met my brother there, I would die. It will be me and not him." "You could join him against the Lannisters," Davos argued. "Why not? If she can see both futures, it proves...that both can be false." The king raised a finger. "You are wrong, Onion Knight. There is more than one shadow of light. Stand in front of the campfire and see for yourself. The flames change wildly and never stand still, so the shadows are long and short. Ordinary people can reflect There are more than a dozen shadows, but some shadows are fainter than others. You see, the same is true for a person's future. But whether he reflects one or more shadows for his future, Melisandre can see it." "You don't like the woman. I can tell, Davos, I'm not blind. My lords don't like her either. Ismond would not wear the flaming hearts, and he begged to fight for the crowned and stag banner. Ancient De said a woman was not fit to be my standard bearer. There were whispers that she was not qualified to attend the battle council, that I should have sent her back to Asshai long ago, that it was a sin for me to keep her in the camp overnight. You see, they Gossiping all the time...she's doing things for me." "What?" Davos asked, dreading the answer. "Everything that needs to be done has been done." The king looked at him. "And you?" "I..." Davos licked his lips. "I am your loyal servant. What is your mission?" "It's just something you know very well. Landing a boat under a castle in the dark of night, without anyone noticing it. Can it be done?" "Yes. Just tonight?" The king nodded slightly, "You only need to bring a boat, and you don't need Black Bess. But this matter must be kept absolutely secret, and no one should know about it." Davos wanted to protest.He was a knight now, no longer a smuggler, let alone an assassin.But when he opened his mouth, no words came out.This is Stannis, his just king, who gave him all that he has today.Besides, he had to think about his sons.By gods, what had she done to him? "You are silent," Stannis remarked. I should keep silent, Davos reminded himself, but he couldn't help it: "Your Majesty, you must take this city, I understand now, but there is another way. Cleaner way. Let Cortanay Sir keep the illegitimate boy, and he will surrender." "I must keep the child, Davos. I must. It is related to another scene that Melisandre saw in the sacred fire." Davos didn't give up: "To tell the truth, none of the knights in Storm's End can defeat Sir Goode or Lord Cullen. You have hundreds of other excellent knights under your command. This duel proposal...will it be Sir Cortnay intends to surrender in some honor? By sacrificing his own life?" A look of disquiet passed over the king's face, like a raging storm. "I'm afraid he's up to something. There's no duel, after all. Ser Cortnay was doomed long before he threw the glove. There are no lies in the holy fire, Davos." Still, it will take me to make it happen, he thought.Davos Seaworth hadn't been this sad for a long, long time. And so he crossed the waters of Shipbreaker Bay once more in the familiar night, in a small black-sailed boat.The sky is still the same sky, the sea is still the same sea, the air has the same salty smell, and even the sound of running water beating the hull is the same as before.Around the castle, surrounded by a thousand piles of flickering campfires.This situation is very similar to the siege of Tyrell and Redwyne sixteen years ago, but the difference is far and wide. Last time I came to Storm's End, I brought onions, bringing life; this time, I brought Melisandre of Asshai, bringing death.记得十六年前，在紊乱的海风吹拂下，船帆劈啪作响、噪声不止，最后他只得下令降帆，依靠沉静地摇桨，偷偷摸摸地靠近，心提到了嗓子眼。好在雷德温舰队的士兵因为无仗可打，早已松懈下来，他们才得以如柔顺的黑缎般摸过警戒线。而这一次，放眼四望，所有的船只都属于史坦尼斯，惟一的危险是城上的哨兵。即使如此，戴佛斯依然紧张得像拉满的弓弦。 梅丽珊卓蜷缩在横板上，从头到脚罩着一件暗红色的斗篷，兜帽遮掩下的脸庞一片苍白。戴佛斯喜欢流水：每当躺在摇晃的甲板上，他便容易入眠，而海风刮在索具上发出的叹息，在他听来远比歌手在琴弦上拨出的曲调甜美。然而，今夜连大海也无法给他安慰。“我闻到你身上的恐惧，爵士先生，”红袍女轻柔地说。 “那是因为有人刚告诉我，长夜黑暗，处处险恶。此外，今夜我不是骑士，今夜我再度成为了走私者戴佛斯，而您则是我的洋葱。” she laughed. “你怕的是我？还是我们的差事？” “这是您的差事。跟我一点关系也没有。” “不对，帆是你张，舵是你掌。” 戴佛斯默然无语，将注意力移向船只。岸边是团团纠结的岩石，所以他先让船远远地驶入海湾，避开礁石。他在等待潮汛变更，才好转变方向。风息堡在他们身后越缩越小，但红袍女似乎并不在意。“你是好人吗，戴佛斯·席渥斯？”她问。 好人会干这种事？“我是个男人，”他说，“我对我妻子很好，但也结识过别的女人。我努力当个好父亲，为我的孩子们在这个世界争取一席之地。是的，我曾经触犯过诸多律法，但今夜我才首度感觉罪恶。我只能说我是个复杂的人，夫人，我身上有好也有坏。” “你是个灰色的人，”她说，“既不黑也不白，两者兼而有之。是这样吗，戴佛斯爵士？” “就算是吧，那又怎样？在我看来，世上大多数人都是如此。” “如果洋葱有一半腐烂发黑，那便是颗坏洋葱。一个男人要不当好人，那就是恶人。” 身后的篝火已融入夜空之中，成为远方模糊的斑点，陆地几乎要消失不见。回头的时候到了。“当心您的头，夫人。”他推动舵柄，小船顿时转了个圈，掀起一阵黑浪。梅丽珊卓低头避开，一手扶在船舷，冷静如常。木头轻响，帆布摇荡，波浪四溅，发出刺耳的声音，换作别人一定认为城里的人将要听见，但戴佛斯并不慌张。他明白，能穿越风息堡硕大无朋的临海城墙的，惟有千钧浪涛在岩石上永无止境的拍打，即使是如此巨响，传到城内时也几不可闻。 他们朝海岸驶回去，一道分叉的涟漪在船后尾随。“您刚才说到男人和洋葱，”戴佛斯对梅丽珊卓道，“那女人呢？她们不也一样？敢问夫人，您是好人还是坏人？” 这话惹得她咯咯直笑。“噢，问得好。亲爱的爵士先生，从我的角度而言，我也算某种形式的骑士。我是光明与生命的斗士。” “然而今夜你却要杀人，”他说，“正如你杀了克礼森学士。” “你家学士自己毒死了自己。是他打算害我，然而我有伟大的力量保护，他却没有。” “那蓝礼·拜拉席恩呢？谁杀了他？” 她别开头。在兜帽的阴影下，她的双目如浅红的燃烛一般炯炯发亮。 "not me." “说慌。”这下他确定了。 梅丽珊卓再度大笑。“戴佛斯爵士啊，你正迷失于黑暗与混乱之中呢。” “那未尝不是件好事。”戴佛斯指指前方风息堡上飘渺摇曳的亮光。“您感觉到寒风有多凄冷吗？在这样的夜里，卫兵们会挤在火炬边。一点点的温暖，一丝丝的亮光，就是他们所能希求的惟一慰藉。然而火把也令他们盲目，因此他们将不能发现我们的行迹。”希望如此。“暗之神正保护着我们，夫人。保护着您。” 听罢此言，她眼中火光更盛。“千万别提起这个名讳，爵士。别让他黑暗的眼睛注意到我们。他并不保护任何人，我向你保证，他是所有生物的公敌。你自己刚才也说了，隐蔽我们的是那些火炬。火。这是真主光之王明亮的礼物。” “您怎么理解都好。” “这不是我的理解，这是真主无上的意旨。” 风向在变，戴佛斯觉察得出，更看见黑帆上的波纹。于是他拉住升降索，“请帮我收帆。剩下的路我划过去。” 他们合力将帆系好，小船则摇个不休。戴佛斯摇起桨来，在起伏的黑浪中前进。须臾，他开口道：“谁送您去蓝礼那儿的？” “没必要送，”她说，“他根本毫无防护。然而此地……这座风息堡是个古老的地方。巨石之中编织着魔法，影子不能穿过黑墙——是的，这里的力量或许古老，或许被遗忘，然而仍旧留存。” “影子？”戴佛斯浑身起了鸡皮疙瘩。“影子本就是黑暗的事物。” “你简直比三岁孩童还无知，爵士先生。黑暗中是没有影子的。影子是光明的仆人，烈焰的子孙。惟有最耀眼的火光，方能映照出最黑暗的阴影。” 戴佛斯皱起眉头，示意她静声。他们已再次接近陆地，声音很容易被对面听到。他配合波涛的节律，持续划水。风息堡的临海墙栖息在一片苍白的悬崖上，倾斜而险峻的白垩石壁几乎是外墙的两倍高。山崖低部有个口子，那里正是戴佛斯的目的地，一如他十六年前之所为。这个隧道直通向城堡下的洞穴，那是古代列位风暴之王的码头。 这条路很难走，只在潮水高涨时才可航行，即使如此，其中也是危险重重。然而他在走私生涯中学来的技巧仍旧不减当年。戴佛斯在参差不齐的乱石中灵巧地挑选道路，直到洞穴入口笼罩在眼前。他听凭波涛引领入洞。它们环绕着来客，撞击着来客，将小船掀得东倒西歪，把他们全身浸湿。一块礁石如忽隐忽现的手指，在阴沉的暗流中浮现，白沫纠结，然而戴佛斯用桨灵巧一拨，避开了危机。 然后他们便进了洞，被黑暗所吞没，连流水也沉静。 小船慢下来，缓缓打转。他们的呼吸声在洞中回荡，直到将他们完全包围。戴佛斯没想到这么黑。上次来时，整个隧道插满燃烧的火把，饥饿的人们从顶上的杀人洞目不转睛地瞅着下面。他记得，闸门就在前方某处，于是用桨放慢船速，桨边的水流出奇地温柔。 “除非您有内应开门，否则我们只能到这儿了。”他的低语声在水面掠过，划开一波纹路，犹如一只幼鼠伸出粉红色的小脚，在水中疾步奔跑。 “我们已在墙内了吗？” “是的。我们在城堡下方，但无法继续前进。前方的闸门从天顶一直插到水底，门上的铁条十分紧密，就连小孩子也挤不过。” 没有回答，只有一阵轻柔的瑟瑟声。突然之间，黑暗中出现了一道光芒。 戴佛斯伸手遮眼，喘不过气。梅丽珊卓掀开兜帽，抖掉一身紧密的斗篷。原来她什么也没有穿，由于怀了孩子，肚腹鼓胀。肿胀的乳房沉甸甸地悬在胸前，肚子大得像要爆裂。“诸神保佑，”他呢喃道，随即听到她浅笑着回应，声音低沉而沙哑。她的眼睛如火红的煤炭，皮肤上斑斑点点的汗珠好似能自我发光。哦，整个梅丽珊卓通体放光。 她喘着粗气，蹲下来，分开双腿。血液不住从她股间涌出，却黑如墨汁。她哭喊，说不出是痛苦还是狂热，又或兼而有之。不一会儿，戴佛斯看见戴王冠的小孩头颅自她体内挣扎挤出，接着是两只手，它们扭动、抓握，黑色的手指紧紧攫住梅丽珊卓血流不止的大腿，推，推，直到整个影子都进入到这个世界。他站起来，比戴佛斯还高，几乎触到隧道的顶部，好似小船上的一座巨塔。在他离开之前，戴佛斯只来得及看上一眼——阴影从闸门的铁条间穿出，朝前方的水面飞奔而去——然而这一眼，对他来说，已经绰绰有余。 他认得这影子，认得映出影子的那个人。