After Renly died, many of his men went over to Stannis, including Stan Smith and Roger. Now Stannis was confronting Ser Courtney Penrose, the castellan of Renly's castle, Storm's End.

Ser Courtney Penrose wore no armor. He sat a sorrel stallion, his standard bearer a dapple grey. Above them flapped Baratheon's crowned stag and the crossed quills of Penrose, white on a russet field. Ser Courtney's spade shaped beard was russet as well, though he'd gone wholly bald on top. If the size and splendor of Stannis's party impressed him, it did not show on that weathered face.

The walls of Storm's End loomed high and thick. Stannis halted beneath them, a few feet from Ser Courtney and his standard bearer. "Ser," he said with stiff courtesy. He made no move to dismount.

"My lord," said Penrose. That was less courteous, but not unexpected.

"It is customary to grant a king the style 'your grace,'" announced Lord Smith. Somehow, everything he said sounded like an announcement.

Penrose ignored him, preferring to address Stannis. "This is a notable company. The great lords Smith, Estermont, Errol and Varner. Ser Jon of the green apple Fossoways and Ser Bryan of the red. Lord Caron and Ser Guyard of King Renly's Rainbow Guard… and the puissant Lord Alester Florent of Brightwater. Is that your onion knight I spy to the rear? Well met, Ser Davos. I fear I do not know the lady."

"I am named Melisandre, ser." Melisandre was the only person not wearing armor. "I serve your king, and the Lord of Light."

"I wish you well of them, my lady," Penrose answered, "but I bow to other gods, and a different king."

"The king you served is dead," said Stannis. "And he was not really a king. Renly's gone, Storm's End stands alone, and I am out of patience. One last time, ser, I command you to open your gates, and deliver me that which is mine by rights."

"And the terms?" asked Penrose.

"Remain as before," said Stannis. "I will pardon you for your treason, as I have pardoned these lords you see before me. The men of your garrison will be free to enter my service or to return unmolested to their homes. You may keep your weapons and as much property as a man can carry. I will require your horses and pack animals, however."

"And what of Edric Storm?" Edric Storm was another of Robert's bastard children.

"My brother's son must be surrendered to me."

"Then my answer is still no, my lord. You only want him so you can use him in your monstrous experiments."

Stannis clenched his jaw. He said nothing. Melisandre spoke instead. "May the Lord of Light protect you in your darkness, Ser Courtney."

"May the White Walkers bugger your Lord of Light," Penrose spat back, "and wipe his ass with that rag you bear."

Lord Smith cleared his throat. "Ser Courtney, mind your tongue. His grace means the boy no harm…"

"I'm not talking to you, Stan Smith," Penrose broke in. "A man who changes kings the way I change my boots. As do these other turncloaks I see before me."

"I'm not a turncloak!" Stan angried. "Stannis is Renly's rightful heir, as Renly was Robert's."

"If that is so, why is the Knight of Flowers not among you, who loved Renly best of all? And where's your daughter Hayley?"

"Hayley?" Roger laughed harshly. "She's the one who killed Renly!"

"A lie," Penrose said. "I knew Hayley when she was no more than a girl playing at her father's feet at Horn Hill, and I knew her still better when she came to Storm's End. She loved Renly Baratheon from the first moment she laid eyes on him, a blind man could see it."

"Maybe she was pissed at him for marrying Margaery Tyrell instead of her," said Stan. "My daughter doesn't take rejection very well. Whenever she gets dumped, she completely wigs out. I don't know why, but it's always been that way."

FLASHBACK

Hayley was in kindergarten. A boy named Jon showed her the front of his notebook, where he'd written "Jon 3 Hayley." She was pleased. But then the teacher introduced a new girl. "Class, we have a new student joining us today. This is Lynne. Look how cute she is. And new. You know, which is always appealing." Hayley saw Jon cross out her name and write "Lynne" instead. Furious, she proceeded to trash the classroom and kill the class hamster.

END OF FLASHBACK

"But I don't think it was Hayley," Stan continued. "I think it was Lois Griffin. No doubt she saw him as a danger to her son, and so removed him."

"It was Hayley," insisted Roger. "She as good as admitted it to me. And after she killed Renly, she attacked me too! Look, she kicked me in the leg and damaged my femoral artery." He held up his leg to show Ser Courtney.

"It looks fine to me," Ser Courtney said.

"Enough!" said Stannis. "The Lord of Light willed that my brother must die for his treason. It doesn't matter who did the deed."

"Not to you, perhaps," said Penrose. "I have heard your proposal, Lord Stannis. Now here is mine." He pulled off his glove and flung it full in the king's face. "Single combat. Sword, lance, or any weapon you care to name. Or if you fear to hazard your magic sword and royal skin against an old man, name you a champion, and I shall do the same." He gave Stan and Roger a scathing look. "Either of these would do nicely, I should think."

Stan Smith grew dark with fury. "I will take up the gage, if it please the king."

"Great. You do that," said Roger.

Stan looked at him. "I thought you were gonna volunteer too."

"Why would I put my own life on the line?"

"Nobody's putting their life on the line," said Stannis. "I'm not gonna name a champion."

Ser Courtney did not seem surprised. "Is it the justice of your cause you doubt, my lord, or the strength of your arm? Are you afraid I'll piss on your burning sword and put it out?"

"Do you take me for an utter fool, ser?" asked Stannis. "I have twenty thousand men. You are besieged by land and sea. Why would I choose single combat when my eventual victory is certain?" He pointed a finger at Ser Courtney. "I give you fair warning. If you force me to take my castle by storm, you may expect no mercy. I will hang you for a traitor, along with everyone else inside."

"As the gods will it. Bring on your storm, my lord, and recall, if you do, the name of this castle. Storm's End." Penrose gave a pull on his reins and rode back toward the gate.