Salladhor Saan reports to a group including Stannis, Davos, Selyse, Ser Axell, and Melisandre that Robb is dead. The smallfolk are already calling it the Red Wedding. Stannis thinks he may be able to draw some of the Northmen and ironmen to his cause through an offer of pardons, but Melisandre says she has seen more usurpers in the flames. She, Selyse, and Axell are adamant that he must now give Edric to the flames to wake a dragon. Stannis is still not convinced, stating that Aegon III brought nine mages from across the sea to hatch dragons, Baelor the Blessed prayed over his eggs for half a year, Aegon IV had dragons of wood and iron built, and Aerion drank wildfire to become a dragon, but they all failed. Melisandre is starting to win him over, however. Davos speaks up in defense of the boy and points out that Joffrey is not yet dead. Stannis decides to postpone a decision until Joffrey dies. Davos stays after the others leave to continue to plead with Stannis, but only succeeds in angering him. Stannis mentions that he saw a king in the flames with a crown of fire that turned him to ash.¹

Salladhor approaches Davos after he leaves and says he forgives him for turning down the plan to raid Claw Isle. He says Davos has many enemies among the queen's men, but knows he is making friends as well. Davos has been courting those who think that Stannis has turned from the gods to a demon of shadow, including Ser Gerald Gower, who fought well on the Blackwater, Ser Andrew, who had once squired for Stannis, and Ser Rolland, who commanded the rear guard as Stannis escaped from King's Landing. Davos goes to see Pylos and laments his lack of skill as Hand, stating he is not a highborn lord or great knight. Pylos counters that Ser Ryam Redwyne was the greatest knight of his day, Septon Murmison was a miracle worker, Lord Butterwell was witty, Myles Smallwood was courageous, and Ser Otto Hightower learned, but they were all terrible Hands. Kinship is no guide either, as Maegor Targaryen was a terrible Hand while Baelor Breakspear was a great one. On the other hand there was Septon Barth, a blacksmith's son whom Jaehaerys I elevated from the Red Keep library and gave the realm forty years of peace and prosperity. Davos insists he is unworthy because he cannot even read, so Pylos offers to teach him, and he begins coming every day to learn.

Several days later, Patchface waits outside the door for a lesson to finish as Davos approaches. Inside, Pylos is just finishing instructing Edric, Devan, and Shireen. They are reading of Daeron I and his conquest of Dorne, but Edric is not impressed because his father once one three battles in one day. He is referring to the early days of Robert's Rebellion when Lords Grandison, Cafferen, and Fell decided to join forces at Summerhall and put an end to Robert's insurrection. Robert learned of the plan and moved from Storm's End in time to take on each lord one by one as they arrived, personally slaying Lord Fell and capturing his son, Silveraxe. Pylos tells Edric not to boast, reminding him that Robert was not invincible, losing the battle against Lord Mace at Ashford as well as many tournaments. After they leave, Pylos suggest that Davos himself read Daeron's Conquest of Dorne, but he asks for a letter to read instead. There are no new ones, so Pylos chooses an old one. It is the letter from Bowen asking the five kings for aid. Davos is shocked to hear of the troubles at the Wall and asks if Stannis has seen the letter. Pylos states that he gave it to Lord Alester when it arrived. Davos considers what the letter might portend for the future and asks Pylos for a less troubling letter.