CHAPTER 11. MELISANDRE

They are known as the Red Priests and Priestesses of the lord of light, because of their red garb, their fire god, and the red jewels they wear around their necks. "My brothers and sisters open your eyes…The Long Night is upon us…and with it comes the dead…" Her name is Melisandre and she comes to Westeros in search of the Prince who is Promised. She speaks to a crowd in the Storm Lands seeking the Prince among them.

A few people convert to her beliefs, but the Prince is nowhere to be found in the Stormlands. After a few months she travels to the Capital and requests an audience with the King. He invites her to dinner and she tries to convert him to her beliefs, but she fails. From his conversations with Melisandre Corren enacts the freedom of religion act throughout all of Westeros.

"Lady Melisandre…" Thoros of Myr says.

"Lord Thoros…"

"Have you had any luck with the King?"

"No…"

"So what brings you to Westeros?"

"The Long Night...The Dead are walking again…I came looking for the Prince who was promised…Only he can stop the Night King and bring dawn to the long night…"

Since Thoros is in King's Landing Melisandre heads west, passing by the god's eye lake and Harrenhal. While at an inn she hears the story of tourney at Harrenhal and as she listens Melisandre stares into the fire place and sees Rhaegar and Lyanna Stark. So she decides to head North. All over there is talk of the upcoming wedding between the Crown Princess Vivienne Basteel and the heir of High Garden Wylis Tyrel. She finally reaches Wintertown and starts sharing the faith of the lord of light. She manages to convert a few people, but not many.

JORY CASSEL

As she speaks Jory Cassel listens and when everyone disperses he leaves and heads back to Winterfell. "My Lord may I speak with you…"

"Of course what is it?"

"I recently heard from one of my men talk about a Red Priestess in Wintertown…So I went down to check it out myself and sure enough there she was teaching her Eastern dribble…Anyway locals were trying to shout her down…"

"And you are worried it may come to blood…"

"I ordered more men to patrol the town just in case…"

Eddard shakes his head, "The King's new edict opened the door for any fanatic to come calling…Bring her to me…"

MELISANDRE

Melisandre leaves her room and when she gets downstairs she finds five soldiers waiting for her. "Good morning My Lady…My name is Jory Cassel…"

"I know who are Jory of House Cassel…Take me to Lord Eddard Stark…" As Melisandre passes through the training yard she locks eyes with Jon Stark. When she enters the Solar Eddard Stark stands up.

"Leave us…Lady Melisandre please have a seat…"

"How can I be of service Lord Stark?"

"I am concerned about your presence here in the North…Your religion concerns me…"

"I am not here to cause trouble My Lord…I am here for the long night…When dead come calling…"

"You mean White Walkers…That is a legend…a myth…"

"You will know I speak the truth when a man deserts the Night Watch speaking of them with blue eyes…"

"I hope you are wrong…We execute deserters of the Watch…"

"Are you heading South for Royal Wedding?"

"I am…My sons wish to see the Tourney…Why do you ask?"

"No reason…" As Melisandre leaves she feels a shadow fall over the castle. Later she is invited to dine with the Stark family and afterwards she tries to convince Eddard Stark not to go south.