Stannis's gaze was profound: "You want me to learn from the Targaryens? Like Aegon III 'Dragonbane' who brought sorcerers from across the Narrow Sea, or like Baelor I 'the Blessed' who prayed to an egg every day, or like Aegon IV who built a dragon out of wood and steel, or like Prince Aerion 'Brightflame' who drank Wildfire, hoping to become a dragon?"
He looked coldly at Selyse: "The sorcerers failed, Baelor's prayers went unanswered, the wooden dragon was burned, and Prince Aerion died screaming."
Hearing Stannis's mockery and questioning, Queen Selyse's expression became even more resolute: "They failed because they were not the chosen of the Lord of Light. In those days, no red comet streaked across the sky, announcing the fulfillment of the Asshai prophecy; in those days, no one possessed Lightbringer, the hero's red sword. They also lacked the guidance of the Lord of Light..."
She devoutly spread her arms: "Melisandre received the true god's will in the sacred fire... My King, only death can pay for life."
After a heavy silence, Stannis gritted his teeth, forcing out a cold, hard voice: "The boy?"
"The boy." Queen Selyse moved a step closer, a certain madness flickering in her eyes as she stared at Stannis.
Ser Axell chimed in at this point: "The boy."
After a pause, Stannis shifted his feet, turning his back to the others to gaze down at the map of the Seven Kingdoms on the map table: "This dirty child was an abomination to me even before he was born. His name echoes in my ears like a roar, like a dark cloud covering my soul."
Melisandre followed, promising: "Please give me the boy, and you will never have to hear his name again, My King."
Davos glanced at the red priestess, his lips trembled several times, but he remained silent; it was wiser not to speak before King Stannis had made a decision.
In Stannis's silence, the priestess continued: "Offer the boy to the Lord of Light, and the ancient prophecy will be fulfilled. Your dragons will awaken, unfold their stone wings, and win you the Seven Kingdoms."
As soon as she finished speaking, Ser Axell knelt on one knee and declared loudly: "I beg My King, awaken the dragons from stone, and make the usurpers tremble. Like Aegon the Conqueror, you will set forth from Dragonstone! Like Aegon the Conqueror, you will conquer the entire Seven Kingdoms! Let all of the Seven Kingdoms feel your fire and fury!"
"I also implore you, My King!"
Queen Selyse knelt on both knees towards Stannis, her hands clasped as if in prayer: "Robert and Delena defiled our marriage bed, casting a curse upon our union. This child is their filthy fruit; remove his shadow from my body, and I will bear you many sons, I promise!"
She crawled forward, wrapping her arms around Stannis's legs: "He is nothing but a bastard, born of your brother's lust and my cousin's shame."
"Don't cling to me, woman."
King Stannis broke free from Queen Selyse's embrace, then continued: "Perhaps Robert did curse our marriage bed, but he swore to the heavens that he never meant to insult me, only that he was drunk and didn't know which bedchamber he entered that night."
He paused, let out a faint sigh, and added: "But what does it matter? Whatever the truth, the child is blameless, and he is my kin."
Melisandre stepped forward, her slender fingers gently gripping Stannis's wrist, and pleaded: "The Lord of Light values chastity and punishes depravity, so there is no more fitting sacrifice than this. Dragons will be born from the king's blood and the pure holy fire, My King."
Hearing that his King had no intention of harming the boy, Davos finally let go of the heart he had been secretly holding.
He saw that Stannis did not pull away from Melisandre as he had from his Queen, and one of his eyebrows even raised.
He understood... Although both women wore red robes, one was old and thin, while the other was young and full-figured.
Blinking, Davos quickly dismissed his disrespectful thoughts, then respectfully lowered his eyes.
"...I remember the first time Father took me to the Red Keep, Robert still had to hold my hand. I was no more than four years old at the time, and he was five or six. After leaving there, we both agreed that the King was very majestic, and the dragons (referring to the dragon bones in the Throne Room) were terrifying."
Stannis's finger traced over the hills of the Westerlands, continuing: "Years later, Father told us that Aerys had cut himself on the Iron Throne that morning, and thus the Lord Hand was holding petitions on behalf of the King, so the one who impressed us so much was actually Tywin Lannister."
He turned to look at Melisandre: "It would be a wondrous thing for stone to gain life, and to ride a true dragon soaring through the Seven Kingdoms... how..."
Upon hearing this, Davos, whose mood had just lightened, felt his pupils contract. He knew him; had his "god" actually wavered?!
He was not the only one to notice; a strange excitement appeared in the eyes of those who were inciting King Stannis to sacrifice his kin.
No, his "god" would never waver his iron-hard heart of justice!
"King Stannis!"
Lord Davos uncharacteristically interrupted the King, stepping forward and saying: "Please allow me to offer a few words of counsel."
Stannis frowned, gazing for a while before waving his hand and saying: "Lord of Rainwood, if not to hear counsel, why would I appoint you my Lord Hand? Speak freely."
Stannis's winter-like gaze made cold sweat break out on Davos's back. He couldn't help but pray to the Seven Gods in his heart: Please grant me courage...
"I do not understand dragons, nor do I understand gods... and the Queen just mentioned a curse, but I must remind you, it is known throughout the Seven Kingdoms... that kinslayers are cursed forever, whether by gods or mortals. King Stannis, if you..."
Melisandre's voice, with a Jade Sea accent, interrupted Davos's counsel: "There are no other gods in the world besides the Lord of Light and the ancient, unspeakable gods of mortals. And the curse you speak of is actually something that tiny humans cannot comprehend."
Davos looked at Melisandre, whose lips were pressed into a red line, nodded, and said: "I admit I am a tiny human, so please explain clearly why that boy named Edric Storm (one of Robert I's bastards) is needed to awaken the dragons from stone."
Melisandre's voice was low and hoarse: "Only death can pay for life, and the great gift of the Lord of Light requires a great sacrifice, Lord Davos."
Davos's forehead furrowed deeper, questioning: "What is so great about a child of bastard status, Lady Melisandre?"
Melisandre walked a few steps, her slender fingers gently brushed over the brazier, and the flames within suddenly shot up a foot.
Her eyes seemed to flicker with fire as well: "He has the blood of kings flowing in him, and even a little bit is enough to change the situation of the Seven Kingdoms. Have you forgotten that you were also one of the witnesses?"
Lord Davos's eyes trembled slightly, saying: "I only remember you burning three leeches."
Melisandre gently reminded: "The false king of the Iron Islands died because of it."
Davos frowned and said: "Balon Greyjoy fell off a bridge and died, what does that have to do with your leeches, Lady Melisandre?"
Melisandre's mysterious red eyes suddenly stared directly at Davos: "Are you doubting the power of the Lord of Light?"
At that moment, Davos even felt as if fire suddenly shot out from the ruby on the priestess's neck, rushing towards him, and he barely managed to maintain his outward composure.
His back was drenched in cold sweat; he did not doubt that in the cave that night... living shadows reached out with black hands to grasp her thighs, wriggling out from between her legs; he remembered it too clearly (Chapter 214).
He thought of Renly and Randyll, and he warned himself to act carefully, not to become the next target of the shadows.
But thinking of Stannis, who had bestowed honor upon him, Davos still did not back down: "Even a smuggler of onions can tell the difference between one onion and three onions. This is only one king, my lady."
Stannis then let out a cold snort: "Melisandre, he's got you there. One onion and three onions are indeed different."
"Of course, My King."
Melisandre bowed slightly to Stannis and continued: "What if Joffrey Baratheon and Robb Stark did not die from seemingly accidental mishaps, but died under the heavy protection of guards? Would that convince you of the power of the Lord of Light?"
After a moment of silence, Stannis reluctantly nodded: "Perhaps."
Queen Selyse announced calmly and confidently: "They will surely die."
Ser Axell also announced: "Perhaps they are already dead."
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