Ser Davos entered the Red Keep, looking up at the flag flying overhead. It didn't seem much different from when he had first seen it more than a dozen years ago.
Except for the addition of the fiery red heart, Ser Davos still felt the old flag was cleaner and purer.
He wanted to tell Stannis that the death of his parents in Shipbreaker Bay wasn't the fault of the Seven Gods; after all, everyone encounters storms.
But seeing Melisandre growing closer to Stannis and her status rising higher, Ser Davos knew his advice might not be very useful.
Besides, he didn't have much motivation to do it.
Not long ago, his title had changed from knight to lord, and now Ser Davos could be called the Onion Lord.
But perhaps he should be called the Lord of Blackwater Rush, because now Stannis had put him in charge of the Blackwater Rush waterway.
This captain could still vaguely remember the first time he saw Stannis, who at that time was just a seventeen-year-old boy besieged in Storm's End.
And he himself was a smuggler.
Who would have thought that fate would be like this? That boy with the calm face became a man and a king, and now he, a smuggler from Flea Bottom, had become a lord in the eyes of the common people.
Ser Davos sometimes wondered if his old man, who had perished at sea, knew that his son had come this far, he would probably be so happy he'd swim up from the sea bottom.
Never mind, better not let him know. Ser Davos thought happily.
Since Stannis had given him such honor, he should repay him accordingly.
Looking at the Seven Kingdoms, it seemed that only Jon had a similar fate, but Jon's fate was more legendary. But no matter what, Ser Davos believed that Jon should, like him, put loyalty first.
But halfway through, Ser Davos's brow furrowed again. He thought of what Varys had said not long ago—
Everything Jon has now is both granted by Stannis and earned by himself. In a sense, Stannis needs him more than he needs Stannis.
Especially since he mentioned that House Tyrell might corrupt Jon.
Ser Davos thought carefully and found it to be true.
Perhaps Jon is still pure-hearted now, but what about the future? Won't the Tyrells influence him?
Considering this, Ser Davos was a bit worried. Because from the beginning, almost everyone had been using this young man.
Up to now, what Jon has is only a title, with no land or a castle of his own.
As the first meritorious subject of the current iron throne, this is somewhat unfair. Of course, he has the name and has become a Stark, but Varys's warning made Ser Davos have to consider the possibility of Jon's future change.
He hoped to persuade Stannis that even if it was an empty promise, he should still try to get more for Jon and let Jon see the current difficulties of Stannis's court so that he would not easily change his mind.
Ser Davos thought, and soon he arrived at Maegor's Holdfast. The guard at the corner saluted him, and Ser Davos nodded, straightening his clothes.
Stannis was also paying attention to the battle situation in Casterly Rock. When Ser Davos arrived at the study, Stannis, Prime Minister Alliser, Varys, Finance Minister Adrian, and the even more aged Pycelle were all present.
I am late, Your Majesty.
It's fine, take a seat. Stannis said calmly.
Seeing that all the important ministers were present, Pycelle announced the topic of the day's discussion.
Tywin still refuses to back down. He insists———
Tywin is no longer a lord, Grand Maester. Ser Davos corrected kindly.
Oh, sorry. Pycelle gave Ser Davos a grateful look. After all, he had always admired Tywin and sometimes made slips of the tongue.
But fortunately, Stannis didn't mind and just gestured for him to continue reading.
Stannis actually wanted a younger Grand Maester, but according to the old rules, he couldn't easily replace the Grand Maester unless Pycelle died. But this old man was too tenacious and had outlived five or six kings.
Pycelle continued in his aged voice, Tywin still refuses to back down. He only agrees to waive three million gold dragons of debt for the royal Family. Additionally, his condition is to return Cersei and Jaime and require Jon's army to leave the Westernlands. Only then will he agree to pledge allegiance to Your Majesty.
Hmph, this old man seems to be unaware of the situation, daring to make such demands. Paxton disdainfully said.
He secretly looked at Stannis, whose expression was also not good.
It seemed that he was very dissatisfied with Tywin's almost provocative conditions. If he agreed to Tywin's conditions, what kind of just king would he be?
Especially since the Lannisters had done such things that tainted the royal Bloodline and honor, and Tywin himself led troops to massacre civilians in the Riverlands and joined forces with the Tyrells to attack his army.
Any one of these alone was a capital offense, but now he still dared to be so arrogant. Stannis was unwilling no matter what.
Since he has this attitude, let Jon continue to fight. Stannis's voice was like ice rain.
At this moment, Ser Davos suddenly thought of something and asked Alliser, Prime Minister, does Jon know about our peace talks with Tywin?,
Of course not. This is a direct dialogue between Casterly Rock and us. Alliser said as a matter of course.
Then shouldn't we tell Jon? Ser Davos looked at Stannis. After all, he is the one directly confronting the Westernlands on the battlefield. He just broke through Gold Mine City, and we should let him know.,
Ser Davos, Jon just needs to focus on fighting. He doesn't need to know about these things, does he? Alliser said.
Why shouldn't Jon know? Isn't his title of lord of casterly rock conferred by Your Majesty? Aren't we discussing changing his territory now? Ser Davos's voice was full of confusion.
Have you ever thought that if Jon knows we are negotiating with Tywin, will he still fight for Your Majesty?
As soon as Alliser finished speaking, he immediately felt the atmosphere was a bit strange.
Was it too dishonorable to scheme like this against a commander fighting on the front lines?
Alliser saw that Ser Davos was obviously a bit angry, while Varys still had an expression of indifference, looking away.
Your Majesty, this is not your intention, is it? Ser Davos looked at Stannis unwillingly.
Stannis did not answer, and Ser Davos felt that he was like that flag, changed.
Your Majesty, how can you deceive your subjects? This is completely exploitative! Ser Davos's voice was filled with disappointment.
Ser Davos! Watch your attitude when speaking to His Majesty! Alliser reminded, but Ser Davos paid no attention and stared straight at Stannis's deep blue eyes, as if seeking the answer he wanted.
Faced with his subject's persistent questioning, Stannis also felt a bit embarrassed.
That's right, I didn't plan to let Jon know, but do you think he can capture Casterly Rock? Have you been to Casterly Rock? I have!
In Casterly Rock, there are two hundred giant crossbows that are four meters wide and can shoot four hundred steps away! Their food storage can last for more than ten years, and their water source is rainwater. It can't be attacked, and it can't be besieged to death. What do you think should be done!? Stannis was also a bit unhappy. After all, the final decision not to tell Jon about the negotiations with Tywin was his.
But why don't you tell him? I believe Jon will understand you! Ser Davos's voice weakened.
Although Ser Davos had not entered Casterly Rock, he had seen it. It was a castle carved out of a stone mountain, the mountain was the castle, and the castle was the mountain.
A towering fortress more than two hundred feet (forty to fifty meters) high, he couldn't think of a way to take it down no matter how hard he tried.
Seeing that Ser Davos's voice weakened, Stannis continued, Since he has already broken through Gold Mine City, all the Gold Mines around Gold Mine City, and the Gold Mines in Craster, as long as he can capture them, I will give them all to him. And I will also grant him tax exemption! In the future, he will not need to pay a single gold dragon to me for ten years!
Stannis's voice was a bit excited, and Ser Davos also knew that his king was struggling internally.
On the one hand, doing so indeed did not conform to his moral values, but on the other hand, as a king, if he wanted the country to be stable, there was no other good way.
A bastard being able to get such a promise from Your Majesty is already a great fortune. Alliser helped.
Prejudice in people's hearts is a big mountain. Ser Davos suddenly remembered what Jon had said. He looked at Alliser and sarcastically said, At least this bastard didn't collude with the enemy for a piece of territory.
What did you say! Seeing his old secret exposed, Alliser also felt a bit embarrassed.
Enough! Stannis found that his court meetings were never pleasant.
This matter is settled. Let Jon continue to fight. If he can really capture Casterly Rock, I will not break my promise. Stannis stood up and left the court meeting alone.
Everyone else also quickly stood up and bowed slightly to Stannis.
Looking at Stannis's departing figure, Ser Davos really didn't know what to say.
He still thought that the matter of negotiating with Tywin should be told to Jon, rather than crudely overdrawing the trust between monarch and subject.
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