The good news doesn't last.

I was brought back to the camp and laid into my tent by Patrek before he went to look for a healer. My body was tired, and it hurt like hell. The healer came not long after. He ordered my squire to help him remove my dented and broken armor and my torn clothes.

The healer was an older man who was a Septon too. I saw him a couple of times in the camp praying with some men or giving sermons. He looked kindly with his short grey beard and balding head. He wore a dirty white robe.

"Tell me when it hurts, my lord," The priest told me as he started to touch my body.

I didn't need to say anything as my painful hisses spoke everything he needed to hear. Looking down at my own body, I saw how many nasty bruises I had sustained. I guess I should be grateful to the gods for managing to survive this ordeal.

"Three broken ribs and the rest are probably fractured, my lord," The priest informed me. "Good news is that you don't have any internal injuries."

"What is bad news?" I asked.

"How pessimistic, the stab wound in your shoulder is troublesome. I suggest not trying to lift anything for at least a month," The priest told me. "It will take a month and a half for the ribs to heal fully. So, I suggest not moving much in that time."

"Is that all?"

"It seems that your arm and leg bones a bruised, but nothing too serious. Your head didn't sustain any injuries. You should count yourself lucky, my lord," The priest gave his report. "I could make some nightshade if you have difficulty sleeping."

"I will be fine," I replied. "Edmund, tell me what happened to the camp while we were gone."

"The Lannisters tried to attack us, but His Grace predicted it and managed to defend without too many loses."

At least some good news. It seems that Jaehaerys took my words seriously. If Lord Karstark manages to catch Stannis, the victory will be ours. I wanted to go and talk with Jaehaerys, but Edmund stopped me.

"The healer said you should rest, my lord," Edmund told me.

"There is no time for this," I tried to push him away, but I didn't have the strength.

"You should listen to your squire, Lord Tully," Jaehaerys came inside my tent. "Would you leave us, Edmund?"

"As you wish, your grace," Edmund bowed and left.

"You were right," Jaehaerys said.

"Right about what, your grace?"

"You should address me as Jon, at least while we are alone. I don't want to forget who I am."

"You are King," I told him.

"It is just a title. Anyway, Stannis' camp was a trap. The pits and spikes hidden behind mud would have stopped your horses if you went inside. I heard the report from ser Patrek. If you have not lured Stannis of his camp, we would have lost a lot of men."

"I heard Lannisters tried to attack you."

"They tried. In the end, they had no choice but to retreat. The ground is too soft for a prolonged battle, and our defenses stood firm."

"What of Stannis' camp?"

"Lord Karstark left portion of his men to clear it, they put on the fight, but in the end, we took it. We captured some Florents, the Red Priestess, and a few knights left behind."

"And?" I asked.

"It seems that ser Davos Seaworth, with a couple of hundreds of men, had taken the good ships and escaped."

"Back to the Dragonstone," I guessed.

"Probably, well, it doesn't matter; Stannis' host is defeated."

As long as Stannis was captured, we could use him to get Lord Stark from captivity. There wasn't much I could do to help Jaehaerys with anything. I can only leave the rest to him and hope for the best.

As the day started to end, Jaehaerys left after informing me everything I needed to know. It was a long day. Tomorrow we will begin besieging King's Landing in full force. I stayed in my tent for the night, but I knew that I couldn't afford to rest.

…

I lay in my tent for three days, doing nothing but resting. But when I heard Lord Karstark had returned, I had to get up even when Edmund protested. With his help, I walked to the King's pavilion. There I saw Lord Karstark with Lord Tarly greeting the King.

"Your Grace, I present you Stannis Baratheon," Lord Karstark dragged Stannis.

"You have done well, Lord Karstark," The King commented.

"The credit can't be only with me, your Grace. Lord Tarly was marching to King's Landing and intercepted Stannis' escape."

"Lord Tarly, thank you for your services," The King said.

"It was my duty, your Grace," Lord Tarly replied.

"Lord Stannis," The King turned to the captive. "I asked you before you corporate with me to fight against the Lannisters, and you refused. Now you are there before me, defeated."

"Do with me as you wish, boy."

"Knee to me, proclaim me as your king and renounce your claim on the Iron Throne, and I will give you a choice to join the Night's Watch."

"I am the rightful King. That didn't change even if I am defeated."

"I giving you a chance to let your daughter live. Renounce your claim, and your daughter can rule as Lady of Storm's End, as long as she kneels to me. I won't give you another chance."

"My daughter is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne after me. Kill me, boy, but justice will prevail."

"Justice? I told you, I don't hate the house Baratheon for what they did in the past. I wouldn't blame your family for the death of my siblings, even if Robert Baratheon himself laughed and insulted their bodies. But now you spit on me, so be it. I will keep you alive until my uncle returns to us, but I will personally behead you once he is. Take him away and keep him locked."

Two Karstark men took Stannis away. Many discussed with each other. Many were surprised that Stannis didn't take Jaehaerys' generous offer. I wasn't. Stannis is a stubborn man who only believes in justice. He doesn't realize that justice is something men decide upon.

"Your Grace, the Red Woman wants an audience with you," A messenger came to inform the King.

"Very well, bring her here," The King said.

The Red Woman had unimaginable power that could help us in the future. She would be a great asset in the court, but there were too many disadvantages to having her serving the King. The King himself is of the North. The faith will make a fuss over religion if we push it further.

Soon the Red Woman was brought to stand before the King. She was beautiful, with long, vibrant red and orange hair. Her eyes were captivating red, as were her lips. She stood tall with a slender body. Many were impressed with her beauty. I saw many looking at her breast with lustful expressions. Yet the Red Woman only looked at me.

"You wanted to see me?" The King asked her, trying not to look at her revealed pale skin.

"Yes, your Grace. I saw in flames as a hero reborn who will lead us in the victory against The Great Others."

"Your champion is already defeated."

"I was mistaken. He was no champion," She replied and then again looked at me.

"Edmund," I called for my squire.

"Yes, my lord."

"Bring my sword."

My squire quickly left to do as I commanded. I knew what I needed to do. The Red Woman spoke with the King as I waited. Once Edmund brought my sword, I walked to the Red Woman. Everyone saw me, and the King looked at me curiously as if asking what I wanted.

I didn't answer, and just as the Red Woman was about to speak to me, I drew my sword. The lords and knights were surprised, but I swung my sword before anyone could say or do anything. The Red Woman's head flew from her shoulders.

"Lord Tully," The King shouted. "What is the meaning of this."

"I am sorry, your Grace," I bowed my head as the head of the Red Woman rolled on the ground. "But this woman is too dangerous, a priestess of Asshai, and she can use blood magic. For your safety, I deemed it necessary to kill her."

What the King wanted to say next didn't leave his mouth, as the Red Woman's body disintegrated into dust, and only a neckless was left behind. I picked the neckless with my sword. I didn't know what it was, but it needed to be sealed and never see daylight again.

"I will forgive you for this transaction as it seems you are right about her," The King broke the silence. "But I won't be so generous the next time."

I bowed again, hiding the pain in my face. My chest hurt like hell just from a couple of movements. When a young man barged into the tent, I was prepared to ask to be dismissed. Everyone drew their swords as they were already tense, and now someone unknown came.

"Your grace," The young man breathed heavily and barely could speak between his breaths. "I bring grave news."

"Speak," The King demanded.

"The Ironborn, they have attacked the North."

"What?"

It wasn't only the King who was shocked. Probably the only one who wasn't was me. I knew they would strike someday. What better time to attack than when everyone concentrates on the King's Landing?

"The Iron fleet tried to take the Moat Cailin, but they were repelled."

"Where are the Iron Fleet now?"

"They regrouped and now are going for Deepwood Motte."

"How dare these bastards," Lord Glover yelled.

"Calm down, Lord Glover," The King tried to calm the man down.

"How can I? They trying to reap my lands."

"The North has enough strong men to repel them," The King said. "Let's not lose our minds. We have to take King's Landing first."

"It will take too long," Lord Glover tried to argue.

"Then let's begin our assault," The King calmly replied. "I want battering rams, siege towers, and trebuchets to be built immediately. Now that no one stops us, we will put every man to work."

"Aye, your grace," Everyone agreed.

There wasn't anything for me to do, so with the help of Edmund, I went back to my tent. The King was right. We have to put everything into besieging King's Landing. The sooner the city falls, the sooner we can take care of the rest of the Kingdoms.

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