Thank you to everyone who has favourited or is following the story.


Author's note: I'm afraid the last part might be confusing. Sorry about that.

So: Catelyn sent her letter to Robert. Days after she was informed about the King's death (as every House was informed). Soon after that she got a personal letter from Petyr who tried to please her with some confidential details (e.g. the boar).


Sword from the flames

Theon is not a follower of the Seven – or any god –, but the sight of the burning statues still bothers him. They were old and beautiful, witnesses of the Targaryens' rise and fall. Generations of men and women knelt before them and prayed to them only to be sacrificed to a new, more demanding god.

Almost everyone from the castle is on the shore. Theon watches the ritual with Davos, staying close to Lady Selyse and Shireen. Shireen's eyes are wide, she looks frightened, but her mother's gaze is shining like the flames. On the other side of the fire, Theon sees Vollys, Perra and their children. Light and shadow are dancing on the man's painted face.

"Lord, cast your light upon us!" Melisandre cries.

"For the night is dark and full of terrors," Lady Selyse and most of the men chants the words.

Theon keeps silent. Just like Davos.

It seems it is over, so Davos goes to his son, Daven. As for Theon, however, Stannis waves him to himself.

The new sword he pulled out from the Mother's heart is in his hand.

"Lightbringer," he holds it up. "The Red Sword of Heroes as the legends called it. What do you think?"

Now, being within reach, the sword's glow is blinding but Theon does not feel any heat.

"It's quite impressive, my lord… my king, I mean," he says.

Stannis narrows his eyes.

"Impressive, but?"

Theon shrugs.

"I saw a man at the siege of Pyke with a flaming sword. I just expected it to be something similar."

Stannis sheathes Lightbringer and immediately the night becomes much darker.

"That's no more than a trick, as I heard. My sword carries the power of a god."

"I'm aware of what Lady Melisandre said, but… I beg your pardon, my king, I don't believe one sword will win you the war, be it ever so pretty."

Stannis frowns.

"Lady Melisandre said more than you can be aware of. She promised me that this pretty sword will bring others to me, thousands of them."

Actually, Theon knows that. Poor, old Maester Cressen told him about it, on the day he died.

"How, Your Grace? If you fight under R'hllor's mark, you will fight against not just the throne but every person in the kingdoms who follows the old and new gods." Maybe he should shut his mouth, but once he started, he could not stop. "R'hllor can't give you what isn't his own. So how will he bring to you armies?"

Stannis' expression is always emotionless, but now even the rocks of Dragonstone looks more lively compared to his face. Before he could reply, Melisandre calls for him.

"My King! For a word."

Stannis turns to Theon once again.

"I appreciate you sharing your doubts with me. I shall keep them in mind."

He leaves then, but Theon does not stay alone for long, because Vollys steps to him with his family. He glances aside where lady Melisandre stands by the statues' smoldering remains.

"You shouldn't speak like that near her," he notes in a low voice. "I knew some red priests in Essos. You can end up on a pyre easily."

Theon gives him an amused smile.

"Patchface also promised me that."

"Don't you think that just in this matter you should listen to him?"

"He promised me a lot of other forms of death too. But I can die only one way, can't I?"

"And better be this one?" Vollys sighs and shakes his head. "Just… watch your tongue. Please."