Storm's End, 282 AC

Carefully, his hand wraps around the leather halter. The horse recoils, his eyes rolling over. Whoever said horses are stupid animals have probably never met one. The tall bay gelding feels something is wrong. And even if the man clucks his tongue and that his hand caresses his neck, the horse does not trust him. He looks down at him, at the black hair and the blue eyes staring back at his black eyes. The man makes him step out of the stable and he sees the other horses watching him leave, curious. The horse shakes violently, terrified, and frail. He has not eaten for days, and the water the men give to them just allow them to survive. His hooves ring out against the grey cobblestones of Storm's End. He almost thinks the man is going to lead him out and allows him to eat fresh grass. It has rained a lot lately, and he imagines the wonderful taste of the green grass in his mouth. But the man does not lead him to a gate: he walks him to the far end of the castle. The horse stops there, and snorts loudly, refusing to go further. He knows too well what happens at the far end of the castle. He neighs desperately and rears, almost trying to knock the man out. But he escapes his hooves and orders him to calm down. His grip on the halter tightens and he leads the horse with authority. They arrive in a calm spot of the castle, surrounded by the tall walls. The horse knows it is because the things that happen here should not be seen by everyone. Another man is waiting for him, wearing a protective apron. He rears again when he sees the big knife the man holds in his hand and the man who led him there holds him firmly. The man with the knife gets closer and, in a swift movement, slits his throat. Blood rushes out, splashes on the two men and on the ground, staining it red. The pain makes him neigh louder than ever, he tries to breathe out but, after only a few seconds, he whimpers and falls loudly on the ground. His eyes meet the man's blue ones, and then stare blankly at the sun shining on his body.

Unable to move for a moment, Stannis stares at the dead horse's body. The butcher examines it and turns to Stannis:

"We will have meat for days with him, if we carefully impose rationing."

Stannis nods silently and walks out, leaving the butcher to cut the carcass. He walks by the stables and notices how the horses stare at him: he looks at his clothes and realizes they are covered with blood. Looking away, he leaves to the inside of the castle, to his chamber.

They had been besieged for weeks now, and had run out of food a few days ago. The horses would provide them with good meat, and they had been unable to feed them as well. Stannis, from his chamber, can see the Tyrell and Tarly forces, just in front of the castle. Last night, the smell of their feasts had almost driven men crazy and it has been then Stannis has decided he would start killing the horses off. Some men have talked about surrendering the castle, but Stannis has refused: Robert has told him to hold the castle, and that is what he will do. He quickly takes his shirt off, and cleans it up, before taking another one and going to see Renly. He knocks on the young boy's door, and comes in when the weak voice of Renly tells him to: he is laid on his bed, curled up in a fetal position, wincing with pain. Stannis has always privileged him for food, not because he is his brother, but because he is just a child. But now, the boy has to starve, as everyone else. Maester Cressen is by his side, holding the little kid's hand, and looks up at Stannis: he has lost a lot of weight as well, the old and the young are always the ones who suffer the most when it is about hunger. Stannis sits by Renly and looks at Cressen:

"How is he?"

"He is weak", Cressen whispers, not willing to panic the boy. Stannis surprisingly half smiles:

"He will be better soon."

Renly weakly turns to his brother:

"Has Robert arrived?"

"No Renly. But I have found a way to feed ourselves", Stannis explains, his hand grabbing Renly's little one and squeezing it comfortingly.

"H-how?" Renly asks.

"The horses", Stannis does not give further details.

"Horses? That's…gross…" Renly protests weakly, "I don't want to eat horses…"

"Renly, you need to understand the situation", Stannis says a bit harshly. But hunger has a strange power over men, and he cannot escape it. He feels how his stomach rumbles, how it craves for food, how his clothes are all way too big for him now. He has not the patience to explain Renly about how a war is won. "We don't have food anymore", he keeps saying, staring at his brother's face. "And the horses don't have food either. They will all die. It is better if we make the most of their meat. A single horse can feed us all. You need to understand that. My own horse will have to die; your horse will have to die as well. I am sorry, but there are no other ways."

Renly starts crying softly, burying his face in the sheets:

"Where is Robert? I want Robert!"

Stannis grinds his teeth angrily: Robert, Robert! Robert is not taking care of him; Robert is not making sacrifice to feed him! He closes his eyes to calm down the wave of anger that could make him say things he would regret later. He is just a boy, after all. A boy who is terrified and who sees his oldest brother as the hero who is going to free them. Stannis understands, even though it aches more than hunger right now.

"We have no news from him", he honestly answers. "But I am sure he will soon help us."

This one was less honest. But one thing is sure: Robert is alive. If he was not, Stannis would know. They have not received any news and of course, are unable to send ravens. Stannis did not even try: he has seen two ravens, a few weeks apart from each others, trying to reach the castle, and getting killed by the archers of his enemies. He would never know what the letters would say. What he does not know is that the enemy could not know either, the letters stained by the blood of the raven, when the other one has fallen into the sea. The soldiers had not bothered themselves to look for it, and have burnt the other message. Back in Renly's room, the boy nods slowly and Stannis stands up:

"As soon as it is ready, I will bring you food, alright?"

The boy closes his eyes but nods. Cressen smiles and nods at Stannis, and he walks out of the room, leaning against the closed door a second, before going to his men.