"This is so wrong." Maester Cressen muttered, walking back and forth across the entire length of the Painted Table.
Davos eyed the old maester who had served loyally beside Lord Stannis since his lord was a child.
'There is no man in the seven kingdoms who wishes the best for Stannis than Maester Cressen.' Davos thought.
"Do you know why I left my post at Storm's End and came with Stannis against the express wishes of the Citadel?" Maester Cressen suddenly asked catching Davos by surprise.
"Umm…" Davos scratched his chin wilting under the stare of the grey eyes of the old maester.
"Stannis is a man of duty. Duty is what has kept him strong after Lord Steffon and Lady Cassana. He holds on to it like a shipwrecked sailor struggling to stay afloat by holding onto a plank of wood."
"I don't see any change in Lord Stannis that'd compromise his commitment to duty." said Davos, only to get a sharp look from the maester.
"Do you not see the danger the Stark boy has brought upon Stannis? Lady Selyse has abandoned the Seven in favour of the Old Gods on a dime. Every waking moment, day and night, she insists Stannis do the same." Maester Cressen huffed. "It is a disaster."
"I didn't take you for a godly man Maester Cressen." said Davos.
"I know enough to not fixate on one religion but the lords of Westeros and the smallfolk are another matter. Dragonstone and the Narrow Sea lords follow the Faith of the Seven. House Baratheon is now the royal house of Westeros. Along with the many assorted titles that come with the crown there is the title of Defender of the Faith. Do you not see how it'll look to the realm if the King's brother abandons the Faith?" Maester Cressen asked, his eyes alight with worry.
"Maester Cressen, Ser Davos."
Davos was not the only one to have been taken by surprise by the arrival of Ser Axell Florent, Lady Selyse's uncle and the castellan of Dragonstone.
"Ser Axell?" Maester Cressen frowned at the knight.
Lady Selyse's uncle was a difficult man in Davos' opinion. The man was stout, round with thick arms capable of crushing a grown man in minutes. While the castellan of Dragonstone was courteous to most, he was also quick to anger which had always made Davos speak very carefully in the presence of the Florent knight. Perhaps it was because of this caution that Davos was treated fairly by the Reacher knight unlike other knights and lords of higher stature in Lord Stannis' service.
"Lord Stannis and Lady Selyse ask for both of your presence at the foot of Dragonmont."
Davos exchanged a look with Maester Cressen even as he took to his feet.
"Don't tell me this has something to do with the Stark boy." Maester Cressen bemoaned rubbing his old face tiredly.
Davos noticed the disapproving frown that graced the face of Ser Axell's face.
'It'd seem Maester Cressen is not exactly being cautious to notice the shifting winds blowing the sails.' Davos thought.
"I wouldn't want to keep Lord Stannis and Lady Selyse waiting. Please come Maester Cressen." said Davos, pleading discreetly with his eyes.
Thankfully, the maester agreed without making a fuss even though the man kept muttering under his breath on their walk toward the Dragonmont. On some level, Davos understood Maester Cressen's apprehension considering Lord Stannis' position in the royal court.
'Tis no secret that King Robert favours his younger brother Renly. Otherwise, why deny Lord Stannis the lordship of Storm's End?' Davos mused.
He could understand why the lordship of Dragonstone was given to Lord Stannis immediately after the rebellion. The Narrow Sea lords were Targaryen loyalists and there was no one better to rein them in other than Lord Stannis. As he understood it, the seat of Dragonstone was also the seat of the heir to the Iron Throne. Lord Stannis was the heir of King Robert but that state of affairs changed with the birth of Prince Joffrey. In Davos' opinion, Storm's End should have been given to Lord Stannis at least in the wake of his lord's victory over the Ironborn.
But that was just his personal opinion. There might be other reasons that he was not privy to for the King to keep Lord Stannis in Dragonstone. But he certainly knew those reasons were not shared with his lord.
When they finally reached their destination there was a small group of castle servants, sworn knights of Lord Stannis and smallfolk present gathered around in a circle. It was with some trepidation that he followed Ser Axell into the crowd and what he saw made him a little relieved. Thankfully, no unpleasant event was going on that'd bring shame to his lord's family. It was just the Stark boy planting some saplings around what appears to be a small spring of water.
Davos blinked a few times and searched his memory about a spring of water in this locality. He scratched his chin in deep thought but he could not recall any water bodies nearby this area. The spring was not particularly large so he might have missed it.
"This is not good, Ser Davos." Maester Cressen muttered.
Davos looked at the old maester in exasperation. He had the distinct impression that Maester Cressen was rather a devout follower of the Seven and that was the problem rather than just the concern for Lord Stannis' position in the court. Not just that, he also noticed Ser Axell was also keeping an ear out for Maester Cressen's words.
'This does not bode well.' Davos thought, knowing that Ser Axell's loyalty was to his niece rather than Stannis.
"Perhaps, this is not the right time." Davos whispered back, but it must have gone unheard because Maester Cressen continued to air his complaints.
"Planting Weirwood saplings in Dragonstone! For centuries, Dragonstone has never had Weirwood trees and now… The Faith will not like this and word will quickly spread of Stannis' sacrilege and that of Lady Selyse's." Maester Cressen bemoaned, his grey eyebrows scrunching together in worry and palpable disapproval.
"What would you rather do in my niece's position Maester? She prayed and prayed for days and nights for the Seven to heal her daughter. Bear in mind she is a mother who lost many children on her birthing bed. So, keep your less forgiving thoughts in your mind maester before you bring the wrath of House Florent upon your bald head." Ser Axell growled at them.
Davos noticed many eyes were watching them and Lord Stannis was not so ignorant of their conversation. So, to save face and to keep the peace in his lord's household he decided to step in.
"Peace, Ser Axell. The Maester was just concerned for Lady Selyse and Lord Stannis. I'm sure he meant no disrespect to the good lady. Let's just pray for Lady Selyse's and her daughter's good health. The gods old or new are welcome to bless the Lord and Lady of Dragonstone."
It turns out his diplomatic approach was not so well received by Maester Cressen.
"This is not right Ser Axell. Tell me, would Lord Florent approve of his niece taking up the Old Gods? Think of the scandal this brings to House Florent in the Reach at the heart of the Faith." Maester Cressen said.
Davos slowly extracted himself away from the maester's side not to give the impression to Lady Selyse or Lord Stannis that he was standing with Maester Cressen in this matter. The matters of lordly politics and religion were far above him and has always been for someone like him whose only concern was putting enough food on the table for his wife and sons. What have the gods old or new ever done for people like him? They were cold and silent to his kind so he saw no reason to not return the treatment. At the same time, he was aware not everyone thought the same way as him.
"If the Seven was fair to our house, my brother would be ruling from Highgarden instead of Mace Tyrell who starved Lord Stannis and my niece would've been the Lady of Storm's end." Ser Axell growled.
"Quiet both of you. I'll not have you disrespect our guest in my presence." Stannis warned, his sharp blue eyes putting both Ser Axell and Maester Cressen into silence.
Davos let out a relieved sigh for he had the presence of mind to not attract the ire of his lord. Besides, Maester Cressen and Ser Axell have the luxury of bearing the ire of Lord Stannis and living the rest of their lives in comfort. He could not afford something like that. He could no longer go back to the life of a smuggler, so he was entirely dependent on the mercy shown by Lord Stannis. His sons served the Lord of Dragonstone and he'd not jeopardise their future by displeasing Stannis Baratheon.
He could feel Maester Cressen looking pointedly at him. Whatever might be the reason he pretended not to see the old maester and focused on… well… he was not exactly sure what was going on. But he kept his eyes on the Stark boy and kept his mouth shut.
"Lord Stannis, Lady Selyse. The blessings of the Old Gods do not come easily. The Old Gods do not care for your posturing or useless prayer. To receive the help of the Old Gods you need to wish for the well-being of more than your family in your heart." said Harry, leading Stannis and Selyse near the planted saplings. "Lady Selyse wishes not to suffer any more miscarriages. It is her wish to not lose any of her children to the enemy of life. The Old Gods would stay silent for such a selfish wish but if your honest prayer is to seek protection for all mothers regardless of their status or beliefs and the gods are satisfied in your sincerity…"
"How? How do I do that? Guide me O blessed one." said Selyse, falling to her knees.
"The duty of the lady and lord of Dragonstone is to protect and rule its people, is it not? Focus on your duty my lady and embrace the people as your children. See yourself as their mother and face the Old Gods. Touch one of the saplings and say your prayers in your mind. Show the gods your heart and they'll let them in into theirs."
Before the assembled crowd Selyse Baratheon knelt. She also forced her husband to emulate her which the Lord of Dragonstone did, albeit reluctantly. Together the couple touched a sapling and prayed. There was a strong gust of wind carrying the hot air of the Dragonmont followed by a blinding flash of light. Before the gathered crowd a miracle took place, its effects as clear as day. And word spread all across the island of the miracle.
XXXXXXX
"You know, I thought it'd be a waste of time to come to this island but it's turning out to be highly entertaining and beneficial." said Oberyn, looking out of the window from his chambers and enjoying the full-frontal view of the Dragonmont it offered.
"I do agree that it has been entertaining my love. But benefit? I do not see it." Ellaria said, sprawled out on their bed covered in a sheer silken robe.
"House Baratheon is not as united as we assumed. I do not know whether Harrion intended it but his actions here will only increase the estrangement between the Baratheon brothers. And I see the benefit in that for our goals."
"You mean to befriend Stannis Baratheon and use him against the Lannisters and his brother?" Ellaria asked, her tone suggesting the feasibility of such a plan.
Oberyn chuckled while shaking his head.
"Nothing of such sort. These things have a way of working out on their own. We just have to provide a little nudge in the right direction." said Oberyn, marvelling at the gigantic branches of the five Weirwood trees that had sprung up where the saplings were planted. "I need to write to Doran. My brother is the more experienced one when it comes to the war that goes on in the shadows. He'll know to be discreet and use this situation without showing our hands in this."
"You play a dangerous game, my love. You risk endangering your current relationship with Harrion." Ellaria warned, her dark smouldering eyes trained on her lover who continued to stare out of the window.
She climbed out of their bed and enveloped Oberyn in a hub from behind resting her chin on his shoulder. Her eyes found the gigantic Weirwood trees in the distance. She could even make out the giant five-pointed star etched carved on the bark of the giant trees. It was truly a miraculous event but her months of stay in the North have sort of prepared her for expecting the impossible to happen when it comes to Harrion Stark.
"Your concern is not unwarranted. But you know my brother. He knows to play the Game well." said Oberyn, pressing a kiss on his lover's ebony hair.
XXXXXXX
Harry was impressed by the speed with which his trusted Valkyrie mapped out the runes of several unexplored tunnels of the Dragonmont. They've toiled in the tunnels often without rest or sleep to collect the information they needed to set things right in the Dragonmont. The presence of First Men runes accelerated the emergence of the Ley lines and soon magic was in the air thrumming with power not to the same extent as in the past but it was considerably more powerful. The little trick he did with the five Weirwood trees and the healing pond was a testament to the rising magic of Dragonmont.
He felt no shame whatsoever in using the frankly unhinged mind of Selyse Baratheon to his advantage. The woman was just so easily mouldable and he couldn't resist the opportunity to cultivate a lifelong friend in the Lady of Dragonstone. There was no way he was leaving Dragonstone alone for long periods of time. He intended to make more visits as the Dragonmont was something unique and it'd be right useful in hatching the dragons. Not to mention there was still a hell of a lot more tunnels and secret chambers inside the Dragonmont. He was also sure the Valyrians have made some changes to the Dragonmont for creating a nourishable environment for their fire dragon companions. He was quite eager to learn all about that as he gathered it'd be very useful in his future visit to Valyria.
The Valyrians were an interesting people. Somehow, they've managed to bind dragons to their bloodlines. At least, several select Dragonlord families managed to accomplish this feat and they were said to be unearthly beautiful. Even the wizards and Goblins have never managed to bind dragons to their blood. Wizards managed it with House elves but even there the bond was nothing like what he has read from several books about the Targaryen dragons. There were so many fascinating things the Valyrians discovered in the field of magic. The Valyrian glass candles were one of them and then he had come to know that the Vlayrians also had people blessed with the power of prophetic dreams. He was not exactly an enthusiast of prophecies but his friendship with Luna taught him many intricacies of the spirit realm. He didn't fully understand it nor did he think he ever would but he was interested to learn the Valyrian interpretation of the art.
Most importantly, he was interested in the book written by Daenys the Dreamer. The book called Signs and Protents was allegedly a book written by Daenys Targareyn who foresaw the Doom of Valyria. Details about the book were sketchy and he only learned of the book's existence from a random reference made by Septon Barth's work about the dragons of House Targaryen. He had searched for the book in Dragonstone using summoning charms and other locating charms to no effect. It was most likely the book was either stolen, destroyed or kept in another secure location… perhaps the Red Keep.
There was also the possibility that the Tragaryens kept their most valuable possessions other than their dragon eggs in a secret chamber inside the Dragonmont or in the castle. It could be possible that the artefacts were safely stored away under magical protections of Vlayrian origin capable of thwarting his spells. When it comes to a race like Vlayrians he wouldn't put it past them to master sophisticated magic.
Nonetheless, he was happy to find a set of Valyrian glass candles in Dragonstone. It was not particularly kept hidden and he had only come to know of its existence thanks to Archmaester Marwyn. The man was apologetic that he was unable to transport the glass candles in the Citadel to Dragonstone. Apparently, the Citadel was not agreeable to part with their property even though they don't have any members amongst their ranks that can operate the Valyrian artefact other than Marwyn. He was incredibly fortunate there was a glass candle of Valyrian origin in Dragonstone. Otherwise, he'd have had to resort to nicking the Valyrian communication device from the Citadel on his way back home.
That's why he was walking towards the solar of Lord Stannis while Jory Cassel was overseeing the safe transport of their companions and personal effects into the airship. When he neared Lord Stannis' solar, he could see several guards standing outside a closed door but there was shouting going on inside the solar.
"Hi." Harry waved at the guards. "May I see Lord Stannis?"
The guards looked at each other in askance.
"Did Robert ever think about me when he made his decisions Maester Cressen? Did he even send a raven inquiring about the health of my daughter even once?" Stannis thundered, his words sounding off as if bolts of lightning were raining down from the sky with all their fury.
'Ours the fury indeed. Fitting words for House Baratheon.' Harry thought, as he heard the Lord of Dragonstone argue in earnest with the maester of the castle.
"Well, I asked you a question maester. Did he?" Stannis could be heard shouting at the top of his lungs again but the shouting came to a halt when one of the guards bravely knocked on the door.
"My lord. Lord Harrion Stark asks for an audience." the guard said, dipping his head into the room tentatively.
"Send him in." Stannis said after a moment of silence.
The door swung wide open for him. He nodded thankfully at the guard before stepping inside.
"Lord Stannis. Maester Cressen." Harry said, nodding at both men once entering the room. "I've come to express my gratitude on behalf of House Stark for your hospitality Lord Stannis."
"It is I who should be thanking you for curing my daughter of her affliction. I and my wife are indebted to you. If there is anything you need you only need to ask."
"I've no need for any material gain but if you'd allow it I'd like your permission to visit Dragonstone for academic purposes." said Harry.
"I do not understand." Stannis said, frowning at Harry.
"I'm a student of magic and I've taken some interest in an artefact in your possession Lord Stannis. This is the only castle in Westeros that holds a Valyrian glass candle and with your permission, I'd like to study it more closely." Harry explained.
Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Maester Cressen eye him suspiciously.
"If that be your wish then it is granted. You may visit Dragonstone at your leisure to study this glass candle."
"Thank you, Lord Baratheon." Harry bowed, giddy at the fact that Stannis agreed without asking too many questions.
Under the cover of studying the glass candles, he just secured indefinite access to Dragonstone. This gave him access to the Dragonmont and he could further run his little religious experiment on the island without much fuss.
All in all, it has been quite a successful journey so far.
'Wonder what's happening in Avalon. I hope they made some significant progress with the roads.' Harry mused.
But what he didn't realize at the time was his interventions in the Dragonmont's natural magic had certain unforeseen effects.