CHAPTER 54: DAVOS

On Dragonstone, Salladhor Saan brings word of the Red Wedding. While Ser Axell Florent, Queen Selyse, and Melisandre hail it as R’hllor’s doing, Stannis doubts the gods and blames Walder Frey. Melisandre warns more kings will rise and urges a dramatic sign: sacrificing Edric Storm to wake a stone dragon.

Queen Selyse and Ser Axell beg for the boy’s death, promising power and heirs; Melisandre claims only death can pay for life. Stannis, tempted by visions of dragons and destiny, recalls past failures to hatch dragons. Davos intervenes, arguing kingslaying’s curse and questioning the leech magic—“two is not three.” Stannis dismisses the queen’s faction, unsettled but unconvinced.

In private, Stannis admits seeing in the flames a king crowned with fire, and weighs Joffrey’s possible death against Edric’s life. Davos answers that one boy’s life is everything, and Stannis ends the debate, sending him away.

Outside, Salladhor Saan chides Davos for spoiling Claw Isle’s plunder, warns the queen’s men hate him, and asks if Stannis will burn the boy. Davos insists Stannis will not harm his own blood, while Salladhor departs to sea.

Davos climbs to Maester Pylos’s chambers, encountering Patchface, then joins Devan Seaworth, Princess Shireen, and Edric Storm after their lesson. The children discuss King Robert’s feats; after they leave, Pylos tutors Davos in reading.

Davos deciphers a Night’s Watch letter: Mance Rayder leads a vast host south; ravens suggest Jeor Mormont is dead. Pylos reveals Lord Alester ignored the plea. Fearing Melisandre’s prophecies and the true northern threat, Davos withholds the letter from Stannis and asks for another, deeply troubled.