DAVOS
The throne room had been cleaned. The king had ordered it cleared and scrubbed before holding court in it. Rather than the dragon skulls of the Targaryens, or the hunting tapestries of his brother, Stannis had made his throne room plain. Davos thought that it fit him well.
Just at the moment, Davos would have appreciated something to look at. He had been in the throne room for nearly three hours while Stannis rewarded those who had fought on his side in the Battle of Kings Landing. Lord Alester Florent was named Lord Paramount of the Reach and Warden of the South, besides already being Hand of the King. Dontos Hollard, for protecting the valuable hostage Sansa Stark, had been remade a knight and granted lands in the Crownlands. Lomas Estermont, as a cousin to Stannis, was made Lord of Storm's End but not Lord Paramount of the Stormlands. They had been calling names and giving rewards for such a long time, Davos had not been paying attention when they called his name.
"Father," Allard, his son, nudged him.
"Ser Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight, will you please step forward," the court herald called.
Ser Davos stepped forward.
"I plead your forgiveness, your grace," Davos said.
"Rise, Ser Davos. I have missed you, Ser. I have need of good counsel, and you never gave me less. I would name you my Master of Ships," Stannis said.
"Your grace, I am but a landed knight. I am lowborn, an upjumped smuggler," Davos reminded him.
"Do you swear to serve me loyally all your days, to give me honest council and swift obedience, to defend my rights and my realm against all foes in battles great and small, to protect my people and punish my enemies?" Stannis asked as Davos bowed.
"I do, your grace," Davos said.
"Then rise again, Davos Seaworth, as Lord of the Rainwood, Admiral of the Narrow Sea, and Master of Ships," Stannis declared.
For a moment Davos was too stunned to move.
"I am not fit, your grace," Davos said, finally.
"There is no man fitter. I will hear no more of it," Stannis declared.
Davos nodded and returned to his place among the courtiers. Allard was smiling.
Then the Lords of the Crownlands came forward, bent the knee, and were pardoned by Stannis one by one. That was, until, Lord Gyles Rosby came forward.
"Your grace, as a token of fealty from House Rosby, I present to you Myrcella and Tommen Baratheon, siblings to the usurper Joffery, as well as Ser Boros Blount, formerly the Kingsguard of the usurper Joffery," Lord Rosby said.
Myrcella and Tommen looked as if they had been crying. Ser Boros Blount had been bound and gagged.
"They are not Baratheon, Lord Gyles. They are abominations of incest," The red woman said from behind the Iron Throne. She had come quickly to Kings Landing after their victory.
"Indeed," Stannis said, "I have need of counsel. Take the hostages into the custody of my guards. Lord Alester, Lord Davos, come meet with me in the Small Council chambers,"
Newly made Lord Davos followed. The red priestess also followed the King, which made Davos uneasy.
The king began as soon as Davos shut the door:
"What should be done with the children?" Stannis asked.
"They are abominations born of incest and should be burned as their brother was," Melisandre said, immediately.
"They are children. They are not guilty of the crimes of their parents," Davos replied.
"Children who would be used by usurpers to take your throne, your grace," Lord Alester said.
"Your grace, you cannot think of killing them. They are innocent and frightened. Do you wish to make the first decision reached by you and your small council the burning of children?" Davos asked.
Stannis turned away from him.
"They will burn," Stannis said simply, and walked out.