Davos rides with Stannis and a large group of lords to treat with Ser Cortnay, who awaits them beneath the walls of Storm's End. Davos arrived just eight days ago, after the siege was already well underway. He tried to see Stannis, but has not been allowed until now. Devan told him that the king has had horrible nightmares since Renly's death. Davos thinks Stannis looks years older than he did on Dragonstone.¹ Only Melisandre has been able to soothe his sleep, and she now shares his tent. Ser Cortnay addresses the crowd, which includes besides Stannis and Davos Lord Alester Florent, Lady Shyra Errol, Lord Steffon Varner, Lord Estermont, Lord Bryce Caron, Ser Jon Fossoway, Ser Bryan Fossoway, Ser Guyard Morrigen, and Melisandre. Stannis has given Ser Cortnay a fortnight to consider his terms, which are that the garrison will be pardoned if the castle is surrendered and Edric Storm handed over. Ser Cortnay once again refuses because he does not want to hand over the boy. Ser Cortnay offers an alternative: single combat between him and Stannis or between appointed champions to decide the fate of the castle. Stannis refuses and Ser Cortnay departs.

On the way back to his camp, Stannis consults with Davos. He asks for the former smuggler's frank opinions, and Davos says that all the lords that were with Renly are inconstant and not to be trusted. Stannis agrees and says that he has forgiven but not forgotten. He asks Davos about his mission, and Davos says that he is not sure the tale of incest was believed, particularly since the rumor about Selyse and Patchface had reached many areas before Davos had. Stannis states that he will see justice for Robert and Eddard and Jon. Davos, forgetting himself, asks if he will see justice for Renly as well. Stannis says he dreams of Renly's death sometimes. He says he was abed when it happened and that Devan could not wake him. He says it was only a dream and that he awoke with clean hands. He mentions Renly's peach² and says that he realizes that he loved his brother and will go to his grave thinking of that peach.

They arrive at the camp, and Stannis disperses his lords, telling them to reconvene for a council of war in one hour. Devan holds aside the flap as Stannis and Davos enter the king's tent. Stannis asks Davos's opinion on what to do next. Davos thinks they should strike at once and sail for King's Landing while Tywin is occupied in the west. Stannis disagrees; men only follow him because they fear him, and he cannot be said to be defeated. Furthermore, the castle must fall quickly, as he has other enemies in the south. Prince Doran has fortified the border and there is still the matter of Renly's foot at Bitterbridge. Stannis has sent Ser Erren Florent³ and Ser Parmen Crane to take them in hand, but he has not heard a word and fears that Loras has already taken them for his own. Ser Cortnay's second is Lord Elwood Meadows, a boy of twenty who is cousin to House Florent. Stannis believes that he will accept his terms and yield the castle if he were in command. Davos is confused, since Ser Cortnay seems healthy. Stannis responds that Ser Cortnay will be dead within the day; Melisandre has seen it in the flames. She also saw Renly's death. She said that if Stannis sailed to Storm's End, he would win the better part of Renly's host, and she was right. She also saw another possible future of Renly riding out of the south in his green armor and crushing Stannis's army before the walls of King's Landing, and so Stannis needed to deal with Renly so he would not be defeated.⁴ Stannis orders Davos to navigate a boat to Storm's End. Davos realizes he is to take part in an assassination, and asks why he does not just let Ser Cortnay keep the boy. Stannis answers that Melisandre has also seen in the flames that Stannis needs Edric.

That night, Davos rows Melisandre across Shipbreaker Bay. Davos asks Melisandre about Renly and realizes she killed him. She says she needs Davos's help now because Storm's End is warded with ancient spells that no shadow can pass. Davos takes them through a channel under the walls and halts. Melisandre throws back the cloak she is wearing to reveal that she is pregnant. She squats and births a shadow that quickly disappears. Davos realizes with horror that the shadow looks like Stannis.