A Song of Ice and Fire, #3
A Storm of Swords
by George R. R. Martin
Contents
CHAPTER 5: DAVOS
Overview
Stranded after Blackwater, Davos wavers between death and survival, haunted by the loss of his sons and the wildfire carnage. He rejects despair, blaming Melisandre for Stannis’s turn to burning gods and vowing to act. Davos signals a passing Lyseni galley of Salladhor Saan and is rescued, renewing his purpose to serve Stannis.
Summary
Davos, fevered and starving on a barren sea spire in Blackwater Bay, weighs surrendering to death. Thirst, hunger, and exposure erode him as he recalls the wildfire inferno at the Blackwater, the chain across the river, and the moment he dove beneath burning ships. He washed ashore with wreckage and a corpse, then endured days of isolation.
Haunted by the deaths of his sons—Dale, Allard, Maric, and especially Matthos who stood beside him—Davos mourns and questions why he should live. He reaches for his luck, the pouch of fingerbones Stannis once took, only to find it lost, deepening his despair.
When a sail appears where no ship should be, Davos initially considers hiding to die. Fevered prayers and guilt fix his blame on Melisandre, whose influence led Stannis to burn the Seven and the Storm’s End godswood. Remembering he aided her once, Davos resolves to live long enough to act against her.
Mustering his strength, Davos climbs the slick rock and hails the ship. Recognizing a Lyseni galley of Salladhor Saan, he declares his loyalty to King Stannis. The crew launches a boat, confirms his allegiance, and rescues him, restoring Davos’s will and setting him back on a path to confront Melisandre’s sway over Stannis.
Who Appears
- Davos SeaworthShipwrecked and fevered after Blackwater; mourns his dead sons, condemns Melisandre, chooses life, and is rescued by Lyseni loyal to Stannis.
- MelisandreAbsent but central in Davos’s thoughts; blamed for burnings and Stannis’s turn to R’hllor, galvanizing his resolve.
- Stannis BaratheonOff-page king whom Davos still serves; his adoption of the Lord of Light drives Davos’s conflict and purpose.
- Matthos SeaworthDavos’s son remembered dying beside him during the wildfire disaster, intensifying Davos’s grief and guilt.
- Unnamed Lyseni officerLeads the boat from Salladhor Saan’s galley, questions Davos’s allegiance, and brings him aboard.