Hearing Lord Hightower speak, several other nobles immediately gathered around, sharing their own concerns.
Tywin Lannister, of course, already knew all of this.
"Although I don't like to admit it," he said, his voice cutting through their whispers, "the facts are just as Lord Hightower says. There are... unpleasant monsters in the north. And yes, the dragons have returned in Essos."
Hearing the Hand of the King himself confirm the rumors made the southern lords even more anxious.
"But, I tell you to rest assured," Tywin continued, raising his wine glass. "Our alliance between the Westerlands and the Reach—sealed by the marriage of His Majesty Joffrey and Queen Margaery—is strong. We will move steadily. First, we will sweep the renegade Stannis Baratheon from the Stormlands and bring that region to heel."
He paused, taking a sip. "Dorne is blocked by the Reach. They are nothing to worry about."
Tywin was in high spirits, laying out his strategy for the impressed lords. "As for the lords huddled in the Vale, I sent Petyr Baelish to persuade Lady Arryn. Lord Baelish wrote to me recently. He says Lady Arryn and the Vale lords are already inclined to join us. Soon, the entire Vale will be our ally!"
The lords were excited to hear that Tywin was securing the Vale without spilling a drop of blood. This was the strategic genius they expected from the famous Duke Lannister.
Tywin saw their reverence and felt a swell of pride. He continued, a hint of contempt in his voice, "As for the Riverlands? After the recent war, that entire land is destroyed. All the Tullys have left are burnt fields and ruined towns. They are finished. They don't matter."
"In the end, only the North remains." Tywin opened his arms wide, a smile on his face. "We will command the Westerlands, the Reach, the Stormlands, and the Vale. With such a powerful force... how can a broken Riverlands and a barren North possibly fight us?
"When we gather our army and march north, we will crush their rebellion. All of Westeros will be united under King Joffrey. And that Targaryen girl, far across the Narrow Sea? Will she dare come back then?
"Victory is already ours!"
As Tywin shouted the last sentence, the entire wedding feast erupted in cheers.
Far from the cheerful atmosphere of King's Landing, Stannis Baratheon was trapped. Beaten by the combined Lannister and Tyrell armies, he was besieged in Storm's End, growing more gloomy and manic by the day.
Ser Davos was deeply worried. The situation was grim. They were surrounded, watching the enemy army just outside their walls, and could do nothing.
Fortunately, Storm's End was well-stocked with food, enough for half a year. At least they wouldn't repeat the near-starvation of the siege during Robert's Rebellion.
"When will Tywin die?" Stannis yelled, his eyes wide as he gasped for breath. "Let your goddamn god kill him for me, woman!"
The red witch, Melisandre, frowned. A faint steam seemed to rise from her body, and the ruby at her throat pulsed. "Your Majesty, magic has limits. Even the Lord of Light can't use a shadow to kill Tywin Lannister from this distance. King's Landing is too far."
This sent Stannis into a rage. He clenched his teeth, staring at her. "Didn't you say your god was the only true god? The most powerful? But he 'can't do it' because it's too far? Your god isn't as powerful as you claim!"
Melisandre was also frustrated. Magic had returned to the world, but her own power was not limitless. She truly couldn't use shadow magic to kill Tywin from Storm's End. Using such magic was also incredibly costly, and she had to be cautious.
She tried a different approach. "Your Majesty, the ancient god of darkness and death has awoken. His servants are spreading from the Lands of Always Winter. The power of darkness is striking again. As the one chosen by the Lord of Light, you must stop this invasion. When you lead your army north and defeat the army of the dead, then all of Westeros will submit to your rule."
"Go north? Go north again?" Stannis shouted, jumping from his seat to pace restlessly. "The enemy is outside this castle! If your god is so powerful, tell him to burn the army outside my walls! After I take King's Landing and sit the Iron Throne, then I'll be happy to lead an army north to deal with your... monsters."
"The army of R'hllor's enemy has already come south," Melisandre insisted, raising her head. Her dark eyes locked onto his. "You must stop them now. If you wait until after you take the throne, I can tell you with certainty what your kingdom will be: dark, cold, and dead. That's not the 'domination' you want.
"It's time for you to make a decision, Your Majesty. I've already made mine. If you won't take your army north, I will follow my lord's guidance and go alone."
Stannis spun on her. "You're abandoning me? Running away?"
"No," Melisandre said, shaking her head, her tone resolute. "It's you who is turning your back on the duty R'hllor gave you. I must follow his light. I will find the true son of prophecy and help him lead the fight against the ancient evil."
Stannis's hard eyes fixed on her face. Melisandre met his gaze calmly, without flinching. The two stared at each other, the only sound in the room the quiet crackle of an oil lamp.
"I hope your god is right this time, woman," Stannis finally said, grinding the words out.
He slowly regained his composure, his decision made. "I will lead the army north. We will confront these... monsters. But you remember this: I am the son of prophecy. I am the legitimate King of Westeros. And I am the only one qualified to lead mankind against the darkness."
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