A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
CHAPTER 10: DAVOS
Overview
Davos returns to Dragonstone, weakened but alive, and learns Stannis has withdrawn into gloom while the Florents and Melisandre dominate the castle. Grieving his sons yet relieved Devan lives, Davos resolves to kill Melisandre. Before he can act, Ser Axell Florent arrests him, signaling the queen’s men’s tightening control.
Summary
Davos approaches Dragonstone aboard Shayala’s Dance, haunted by Melisandre and the loss of his sons in the Blackwater. Captain Khorane brings him ashore, where the harbor is sparse and Lyseni ships dominate. Taken to Salladhor Saan, Davos learns Stannis’s fleet burned, many men died, but his son Devan survived.
Salladhor explains that with Stannis in seclusion, Queen Selyse and Lord Alester Florent rule a diminished court, while queen’s men thrive. Rumors say Stannis and Melisandre descend into Dragonmont’s fiery depths. Convinced Melisandre’s sorcery doomed the fleet and slew his sons, Davos vows to kill her, despite Salladhor’s warnings he will be burned whether he succeeds or fails.
Davos rejects Saan’s pleas to rest or flee and climbs to the castle through a grieving, deserted town. Denied at the gate, he is finally admitted to Aegon’s Garden. There he encounters Patchface and Princess Shireen, then meets Edric Storm, who proudly claims Robert Baratheon as father and questions Davos about his shortened fingers and past service.
The moment ends when Ser Axell Florent arrives with queen’s men. Declaring Davos bound for the dungeon and seizing his dirk, Ser Axell states Davos means to use it against “our lady,” confirming Melisandre’s protected status as Davos is arrested.
Who Appears
- Davos SeaworthSurvivor of Blackwater; returns to Dragonstone, grieves sons, learns Stannis is withdrawn, resolves to kill Melisandre, and is arrested.
- Salladhor SaanLyseni pirate-lord; shelters Davos, details Florent control and Stannis’s isolation, warns against harming Melisandre.
- Ser Axell FlorentQueen Selyse’s uncle; leads queen’s men, arrests Davos for intending harm to Melisandre.
- Edric StormRobert Baratheon’s acknowledged bastard; meets Davos in the garden, proud and Baratheon-like, recalls Robert training him.
- Khorane SathmantesLyseni captain of Shayala’s Dance; rescues Davos from the sea and brings him to Dragonstone.
- PatchfacePrincess Shireen’s fool; capers and sings a disturbing rhyme in Aegon’s Garden.
- Princess Shireen BaratheonChases Patchface while playing; a brief, innocent presence amid Dragonstone’s gloom.