The negotiation site lay upon a vast green grassland scattered with gray-white mushrooms and freshly cut tree stumps. The air carried the damp scent of earth mixed with the salty breath of the eastern sea.
Although the ocean itself could not be seen from here, its presence lingered everywhere.
A cold morning wind swept across the Stormlands, rustling banners and cloaks alike.
On one side stood the forces of Stannis Baratheon.
On the other stood the army of Renly Baratheon.
The two brothers faced each other across the field, separated by only a short distance but divided by ambition, pride, and destiny.
Though Stannis possessed fewer soldiers, his fleet gave him a tremendous advantage. With command of the sea, he could land his troops anywhere along the coast of the Stormlands whenever he pleased.
As Catelyn Stark and her escort rode carefully between the two armies, Harris Mollen tightened his grip around the long spear bearing House Stark's direwolf banner.
"We arrived first," he muttered quietly, "but I doubt we can stop these two brothers."
Beside him, Ser Wendel Manderly sighed heavily.
"War cannot be stopped so easily," he said. "Even if we bring the heir's decree, I doubt either uncle will willingly obey it."
He glanced toward Catelyn with concern.
"I understand why Lord Gendry and Lord Robb did not wish for you to risk yourself personally."
Catelyn rode calmly despite the tension surrounding them.
"We are already taking a risk," she replied. "If there is even the slightest chance for peace, then we must try."
She looked toward the distant silhouette of Storm's End.
"Gendry and Robb entrusted me with this mission. Since I came south to speak for them, I must fulfill my duty."
Across the rain-soaked fields and rugged hills, Storm's End stood tall and immovable beneath the cloudy sky. The massive castle blocked the view of the sea itself, appearing like a dark giant watching over the Stormlands.
"Lady Stark," Hal Mollen suddenly called out.
"Those must be Lord Stannis's men."
Two riders had emerged from the small but orderly encampment north of the castle and were slowly approaching.
Catelyn narrowed her eyes.
The banners of House Baratheon fluttered proudly above them.
"Indeed," she murmured.
Renly had not yet arrived. That alone told her much.
Renly had always disliked being the one who waited. Even now, he treated this negotiation almost like a game.
Childish, she thought bitterly.
Stannis, however, had already arrived.
The stern and unyielding lord was exactly as she remembered him.
Stannis Baratheon wore no crown upon his head.
His clothing was simple and practical—a plain tunic over studded leather armor, worn boots, and rough brown breeches. Only the gemstones decorating his belt and sword hilt hinted at nobility.
The famous Baratheon banner behind him had changed as well.
The crowned stag remained, but now it was surrounded by a blazing circle of orange flames.
Catelyn's gaze shifted toward the standard-bearer standing nearby.
It was a woman dressed entirely in red.
Her crimson hood concealed her face, but there was no mistaking what she was.
A Red Priestess from across the Narrow Sea.
The religion of the Lord of Light had spread throughout the Free Cities and the eastern lands, yet it had never truly taken root in Westeros.
Now, however, Stannis seemed to have embraced it completely.
Catelyn studied him carefully.
No wonder Robert had never truly loved this brother, she thought.
Stannis was like cold iron—hard, rigid, and joyless.
Where Robert had been warm and charismatic, and Renly charming and flamboyant, Stannis possessed only harsh determination.
"Lady Stark," Stannis greeted coldly.
His thinning hair and severe expression made him appear older than before.
"Lord Stannis," Catelyn replied politely.
"I did not expect to find you here at Storm's End."
"Nor did I expect to return here myself," Stannis answered.
His voice carried no warmth.
"I regret your husband's death, though Eddard Stark was never my friend."
Catelyn almost frowned at the bluntness of his words.
Only Stannis could offer condolences in such a manner.
"He was never your enemy either," she answered firmly.
"When Lord Tyrell and Lord Redwyne trapped you in this castle during the rebellion and nearly starved you to death, it was Eddard Stark who came south and relieved the siege."
Stannis's expression barely changed.
"He came because Robert commanded it, not out of affection for me."
Still, after a brief pause, he added:
"Eddard Stark fulfilled his duty. I will not deny that."
Then his face hardened once more.
"But have I not fulfilled mine as well?"
"I should have been Robert's Hand."
Catelyn felt uneasy hearing the bitterness in his voice.
Stannis's resentment ran deeper than ambition alone.
Robert had loved Ned like a brother while overlooking Stannis time and time again.
"That was Robert's decision," Catelyn replied carefully.
"Ned never sought power or glory."
"Yet he accepted it," Stannis said sharply.
"And that office should have been mine."
He stared directly at her.
"Even so, I swear this much: I will see justice done for Eddard Stark's murder."
Catelyn lowered her eyes briefly.
Every lord promised justice.
But justice alone could not return her daughters.
"I spoke with Renly," she said quietly. "He promised the same thing."
"What I truly want is my daughters back."
"Sansa remains in Cersei's hands, and Arya vanished after the king's death."
Stannis remained silent for a moment before speaking again.
"I originally intended to rescue your daughters after taking King's Landing."
"Whether alive or dead, I planned to return them to you."
"But circumstances have changed."
Catelyn's heart skipped.
"What do you mean?"
"Your eldest daughter has already been rescued."
"She is currently safe in the Eyrie."
Catelyn froze in shock.
"At the same time," Stannis continued coldly, "your sister Lysa Arryn and Petyr Baelish are dead."
"What?!"
Her voice trembled with disbelief.
Stannis handed her a sealed letter.
"There is written proof from Gendry."
"Sansa Stark was rescued successfully, but Petyr Baelish and Lysa Tully were thrown through the Moon Door."
Catelyn accepted the letter with shaking hands.
Around her, the Northern soldiers looked overjoyed.
If Sansa was safe, then the North could finally fight without hesitation.
Tears filled Catelyn's eyes.
"Gods be praised…"
"My daughter is alive…"
The emotions inside her became impossibly tangled.
Relief.
Joy.
Grief.
Confusion.
Littlefinger was dead.
Her sister was dead.
And Sansa lived.
How strange fate truly was.
"If my daughters are safe," she whispered, "then perhaps I should return to Winterfell."
Stannis ignored the emotional moment and continued speaking.
"King's Landing itself is already beginning to starve."
"Gendry's forces are sweeping through Rosby and tightening the blockade."
Despite himself, there was faint admiration in Stannis's voice.
Once, he had considered himself one of the realm's greatest commanders.
Yet now even he had been overshadowed by the younger generation.
"Lord Gendry is offering you an opportunity," Catelyn said carefully.
"Just as you once obeyed your family during Robert's rebellion."
"You still have a chance to unite with him."
Before Stannis could answer, the Red Priestess suddenly spoke.
"Lord Stannis is the chosen champion of the Lord of Light."
"He is destined to save the world."
Her voice carried absolute conviction.
Stannis ignored her dramatic declaration.
"No matter who sits the Iron Throne," he said coldly, "Renly remains a rebel."
"I require those armies."
"They belong to me by rights."
Catelyn tried once more.
"According to the king's decree, the nobles should support Robert's lawful heir."
"If you and Renly would kneel and recognize the succession, House Baratheon could remain united."
"The heir would surely show mercy to his uncles."
Stannis frowned deeply.
"Lady Stark, your nephew may be legitimate and talented…"
"But by law, I am still Robert's rightful heir after him."
Catelyn's heart sank.
This man would never compromise.
Before she could continue, another voice echoed behind them.
"And brothers."
Renly Baratheon had finally arrived.
Unlike Stannis, Renly appeared magnificent.
He wore green velvet and a luxurious cloak lined with squirrel fur. A golden crown rested upon his head, and emeralds glittered around his neck and sword belt.
Where Stannis looked like iron, Renly looked like a king from a song.
Behind him rode Brienne of Tarth, hidden beneath heavy armor while carrying Renly's standard.
Catelyn watched the two brothers carefully.
Together, they reflected different pieces of Robert Baratheon.
Renly had inherited Robert's charm and beauty.
Stannis had inherited his stubborn strength.
Yet both lacked something their elder brother once possessed.
"Lord Renly," Catelyn greeted.
Renly smiled brightly.
"Actually, it's King Renly now."
He looked toward Stannis mockingly.
"That truly is your banner, brother?"
"The flames make it difficult to recognize from afar."
"The banner bears the holy fire of the Lord of Light," the Red Priestess declared proudly.
Renly laughed lightly.
"Well, that certainly avoids confusion."
Then his expression sharpened.
"Lady Stark speaks of peace, but I see things differently."
"That blacksmith boy has already taken enough from House Baratheon."
"He stole our rights using Robert's dying will."
Stannis's jaw tightened.
"You dare call yourself king while Robert's lawful heir still lives?"
Renly shrugged carelessly.
"Perhaps Robert was confused near the end."
"Or perhaps others manipulated him."
Catelyn immediately interrupted.
"The king's will was lawful."
Stannis spoke again.
"The contents are genuine."
"Jon Arryn and I discovered the truth before his death."
"The poison that killed him came not from Cersei, but from Petyr Baelish."
Catelyn felt another shock run through her.
So Lysa's accusations had all been lies.
The realization made her feel sick.
Still, she tried desperately to stop the conflict.
"The Lannisters are already cornered," she argued.
"Tywin struggles in Harrenhal."
"Cersei hides in King's Landing."
"The realm bleeds while all of you fight among yourselves."
"Can none of you endure for the sake of Westeros?"
Renly sighed dramatically.
"That blacksmith boy has simply been lucky."
"I will win far greater victories."
"Highgarden will soon support me fully."
"With their strength, I can crush both the Lannisters and the North."
"You are mistaken," Stannis replied coldly.
"The Vale has already pledged support to the Northern cause."
Renly's smile faded briefly.
The situation was moving too quickly.
He could not afford to wait much longer.
Then, suddenly, Renly changed his tone entirely.
"Brother," he said smoothly, "perhaps we should unite instead."
"I can make you my Hand and Master of Ships."
"Storm's End can return to you."
"My heir Edric Storm can marry your daughter Shireen."
"It is a generous offer."
Stannis stared at him silently.
"What must I do in return?"
Renly smiled.
"Simple."
"Kneel."
Stannis's face darkened instantly.
"You will never have my loyalty."
Renly laughed.
"You served Robert."
"Why not serve me?"
"Robert was my elder brother," Stannis answered coldly.
"You are merely my younger brother."
Renly grinned mockingly.
"Yes."
"And younger, braver, and far more handsome than you."
"Rebel," Stannis growled.
"Usurper."
The tension between them became unbearable.
Then Renly crossed the final line.
"If my wife were as ugly as yours," he sneered, "I'd rather send a fool to warm her bed."
"Enough!"
Stannis roared furiously.
For the first time, genuine rage appeared on his face.
"I will not tolerate such insults!"
The negotiations had officially collapsed.
War was now inevitable.
"At dawn," Renly declared confidently, "we settle this."
Stannis mounted his horse once more.
"I only pray your new god shows mercy to you, brother."
Without another word, he turned and rode away.
The Red Priestess lingered briefly before following.
As Renly watched them leave, his expression gradually hardened.
"Tell Loras the preparations are complete," he quietly ordered Brienne.
The armored knight nodded.
Renly had no intention of waiting until dawn.
Stannis's army consisted largely of sellswords, smugglers, and hardened survivors.
Though smaller, they were dangerous.
To guarantee victory, Renly intended to strike first.
A surprise attack.
As he rode back toward his camp, he deliberately kept his distance from Catelyn.
At this moment, he trusted no one completely.
Still, Renly smiled to himself.
Once the night attack began, everything would be decided.
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