Chapter 24. STANNIS BARATHEON

For the first time in his life Stannis Baratheon knows the meaning of defeat. Over half his army is dead and he is no closer to becoming the King. A mistake on his part for not having Milisandre at her side. After the defeat at Blackwater Stannis turned to the Lord of Lights and his messenger the Red Priestess Milisandre. Any man under his command who did not profess the faith of the one god was burned at the stake.

"My Lord King." His Squire says entering the main hold of Dragonstone. "Sir Davos Seaworthy…"

"Your grace!" He says bowing upon entering.

Stannis sighs, "I thought you were dead."

"Far from it…I have returned to your service and I have news…" Stannis stands up to face him. Davos looks at Milisandre, "May I speak with you in private?"

"Whatever you wish to say to me you may say it in front of Lady Milisandre…"

He sneers at Milisandre, "The Starks have taken King's Landing…"

"We already know this." Milisandre says speaking up.

"But did you know that Robb Stark has left the capital and returned North with his entire army…The bastard Tommen Baratheon has fled with his wife Maergary Tyrell to High Garden…The Iron Throne is yours…" Milisandre looks at Stannis and nods.

Two weeks later Stannis marches into the capital declaring himself King. The High Septan proclaims him King on the steps of the sept of Baelor. Many high born nobles assemble in the throne room to pledge fealty and give the new King gifts.

"I Stannis Baratheon First of his name King of the Andels and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm…Do hereby renounce the false gods of the old and new…The High Septan is to be arrested and placed in the dungeons for his false beliefs. He will be forgiven if he confesses the faith of the Lord of Lights…I proclaim that Lady Milisandre shall be High Priestess of the one faith…

Let it be known from that I place a bounty on the Kingslayer Jaime Lannister dead or alive for treason against my brother the Usurper Robert Baratheon…I place a bounty on the head of Tyrion Lannister and I name Lord Estermont Warden of the Stormlands from this day forth…I declare Houses Stark and Tully enemies of the crown and invite all loyal Houses of the Realm to fight with me against my enemies…I name Sir Davos Seaworth Hand of the King…I dismiss Grand Maester Pycel and ask the Lords of the Citidel to appoint a new Grand Maester…"

Stannis made other declarations that day and later met with the small council which was Petyr Baelish Master of Coin, Davos Seaworth Hand of the King, Tytus Wylde Master of Ships, Gillian Trant Master of Whispers, Lady Milisandre High Priestess of the one faith, and Abel Swann Lord Commander of the City Watch.

"Begging your pardon your grace…But we are in no condition to go to war with the North…The Tyrells have lost over half their army and so have you…The Martells will not fight for us and why should they…"

Stannis raises his hand and looks at Petyr Baelish, "That leaves House Arryn or should I say House Baelish…"

Petyr smiles, "My power is limited your grace…I was sent to let your majesty know that the House Arryn remains faithful to the Iron Throne. But the banners of House Arryn remain loyal to Lady Lysa Arryn and her son Robin Arryn the heir of the Vale. And as you know Lady Arryn my wife is related to Catelyn Stark. Robin Arryn her son is cousin to the King in the North…"

"He is no King!" Milisandre says. "He is a thief!"

"Even so the Knights and Lords of the vale will not look kindly on making war against their Lord's own kin…"

"What if you were Lord Eyrie?" Milisandre says, "Uncontested."

"Lady Arryn would have to die…"

"Accidents happen…She could fall off her horse while riding…"

Stannis nods and as he does a man enters and hands Davos a letter. "What is it?" Stannis asks looking at Davos.

"Good news…It would seem that Walder Frey made a deal with Tywin Lannister. He is willing to make that same deal with us…You name him Warden of the Riverlands and he will betray Robb Stark who as we speak is on his way towards the Twins to make amends with Walder Frey…Also Roose Bolton is in league with Walder Frey as well…Name him Warden of the North and he will help Walder Frey destroy the Starks…"

Stannis takes the letter from Davos, "This also asks that we pardon his son-in-law Jaime Lannister…"

"He married one of Walder Frey's daughters…name Jaime Lannister Warden of the West…The Westerners will accept your rule more quickly if a Lannister was over them…" Davos says.

"I agree with Lord Davos…" Milisandre says shocking Davos and Stannis.

Stannis sighs, "Make the arrangements!" Stannis looks at Petyr Baelish, "We will wait and see if Walder Frey and Roose Bolton can bring down the Starks…If they cannot then I will arrange the deaths of Lady Arryn and her son…"

"What about Balon Greyjoy?" Milisandre asks.

"Unreliable!" Davos replies.

"I am sure for the right offer he can be persuaded to fight with us against Robb Stark…"

Stannis sits back in his chair, "He would make a more valuable ally than either Roose Bolton or Walder Frey…" Gillian Trant says. "Offer him Casterly Rock…"

Stannis shakes his head, "No! Balon Greyjoy is unreliable…Let him stay in that shit hole of a castle…"

After the meeting Petyr Baelish goes to his brothel and sends a messenger with a letter to Catelyn Stark. The messenger is caught by spies working for Milisandre. They bring Petyr Baelish before the King who has him executed for treason. His severed head is sent to Lysa Arryn as a warning. She in turn summons her banners in the name of her son.