Lamprey comes to Davos and Alester's cell with Ser Axell and four guardsmen. Alester thinks they must be there for him, but they have come for Davos. Axell tells him that Stannis has summoned him. They ascend to the surface and begin to cross a bridge to the Stone Drum. Halfway across, Ser Axell pulls him aside. He says he still believes Davos a traitor and would rather burn him and claims he can see visions in the flames and knows that Stannis will sit the Iron Throne. He wants to be Hand, and he wants Davos to tell Stannis that he should be Hand. Selyse supports him, and he has crafted a plan with Salladhor that he wants Davos to endorse. He says he will give Davos a ship to command if he helps, but threatens to kill Davos if he does not comply.
Davos is brought into Stannis's presence, who looks old and worn. He greets Davos and asks what the punishment for treason is. When Davos answers death, Stannis feels he must justify the punishment, saying it was laid down even before Aegon I conquered Westeros and has been administered to all traitors, Daemon Blackfyre, the Toyne brothers, the Vulture King, Grand Master Hareth, and even Rhaenyra Targaryen, daughter of one king1 and mother to two more2 who died a traitor trying to usurp her bother's crown.3 Davos realizes they are talking about Lord Alester. Davos says the man meant no treason, but Stannis will not hear of it. He also mentions how Robert had a gift for inspiring loyalty that Stannis lacks. At Summerhall, Robert won three battles during Robert's Rebellion against lords that meant to turn him over to Aerys II. He captured two of the leaders, Lord Cafferen and Lord Grandison, and rather than throw them in the dungeon managed to win them to his cause. Lord Cafferen died at the hands of Lord Randyll Tarly at Ashford, while Lord Grandison took a wound on the Trident and died of it a year later.
Stannis next asks Davos to comment on Axell's plan. He means to attack Claw Isle and leave it a desolate wasteland because Lord Ardrian swore fealty to Joffrey. Despite Axell's threats, Davos says the plan is folly and cowardly. He says that the men of Claw Isle fought for Stannis and burned on the Blackwater and that the raid would be repaying them by killing their women and children. Axell points out that hundreds of Lord Ardrian's men went over to Joffrey with him, and Davos counters that they had no choice but to follow their liege. Stannis says that it is every man's duty to stay loyal to his true king, and Davos points out that he betrayed Aerys. Stannis orders Axell to leave and summon Melisandre.
Stannis speaks of the throne. The Iron Throne is barbed and jagged and may cut the unwary. Aerys II cut himself so many times that he was called King Scab behind his back. Maegor was murdered on the throne, and some say the chair itself killed him. Stannis does not want to be king, but is the legitimate heir, and it is therefore his duty. He means to bring justice. Ser Barristan once told him that the rot in Aerys's reign began with Varys. He means to do justice upon Cersei, her children, Varys, Jaime, and others as well until the court is scoured clean. He feels Jaime should have been stripped of the cloak and sent to the Wall as Eddard had wanted, but Robert listened to Lord Jon instead and pardoned him.
Stannis asks why Davos wanted to kill Melisandre, and Davos explains how he believes she sent the fire that killed his sons. Stannis states he has wronged her and that she has always been his most faithful servant. Conversation turns to Edric. Stannis mentions that Melisandre told him that a king's blood has power. Stannis turns next to Westeros and says that Davos is right about Ser Axell's plan. He means to bring justice, and a raid on Claw Isle would only be revenge. He orders Davos to kneel, and names him Lord of the Rainwood, Admiral of the Narrow Sea, and Hand of the King. Davos is shocked and tries to refuse the honor, arguing that he cannot even read nor write. Stannis counters that of his great lords Ardrian has abandoned him, the new Lord Sunglass has fled to Volantis, and Duram Bar Emmon and Monterys Velaryon are only children. He does have few good men left, including Ser Gilbert Farring who holds Storm's End with two hundred men, Lord Lester Morrigen, Rolland Storm the bastard of Nightsong, Lord Lucos Chyttering, and Ser Andrew Estermont, but Stannis trusts none of them like Davos and wants his council for the coming battle. Davos says they cannot win another battle with the Lannisters, but Melisandre enters and tells him it is the final battle against the Great Other that Stannis speaks of. Stannis tells Davos that he has seen it in the flames. Melisandre showed him a hill in a forest surrounded by a ring of torches with men in black moving on top of it and shapes coming towards them in the cold.4 Melisandre says the battle has begun. She has brought leeches with her on a silver platter. She says they will work, but they will also fail. She urges Stannis to give her Edric, as only royal blood can wake the stone dragon. Stannis refuses. Melisandre lifts the lid on the platter, revealing three leeches gorged on Edric's blood. Stannis throws each into a brazier one by one, saying the name of each usurper to the throne before tossing them in: Joffrey, Balon, and Robb.
