Robb's fight with the shadow certainly hadn't helped his recovering back. The maester who had checked him out afterward had been rather annoyed that the injured king had done what he did, but he had promised that Robb's back was no worse than what it had been. The carpet, thankfully, was thick and robbed the ground of any further damage to Robb's back. It did not, however, make it look any better. It was still a black and blue mass that was hard for any man to look at.
Ser Baelor had tried again with his numbing agent, but it didn't have the same effect. Robb's back was either a dull ache or in burning pain, and it seemingly went from one extreme to the other without warning.
Now, Robb had to mask his pain as he faced Ser Alester Florent, Stannis's Hand and the Lord of Brightwater Keep, and his older brother Ser Axell Florent, castellan of Dragonstone. Alester was an older man, tall and slender with a long, elegant face. His hair and beard were both neat and well-groomed, both silver from age. He wore ornate red-gold armor, the snout of a fox sticking out from his breastplate.
His brother Axell was far less regal than his brother. He was short and muscular, with a sagging double chin and close-set eyes. To a point, he was ugly, and the scowl he now wore on his face only enforced the fact. He too wore a set of armor, but it was not as regal as his brother's. It was as if the man had skinned multiple rabbits and foxes and hastily fixed the hides to ringmail.
The two Florent's had been dragged before Robb when his host had moved into battle positions that morning. Apparently, Stannis had been found dead that morning, and with Robb's army approaching, the lords of the Stormlands had quickly surrendered and begged Robb for leniency, handing over the Florent knights as proof of their loyalty.
The Young Wolf had quickly agreed, asking only for them to pledge their men to his cause, something they readily did. Now, Robb's already massive host had swelled by another twenty thousand men as the Stormlord's fell in line behind the Stark king.
The Lord's of the Blackwater had fled when Stannis's death was made public, with many taking their men and ships and going home. The only lord who had stayed behind to pledge his loyalty to Robb Stark was Monford Velaryon, the Master of Driftmark, and his bastard brother Aurane Waters.
"I'll ask you again," Robb growled. "Where is the Red Woman?"
The Young Wolf had been questioning the captured knights for a few minutes now, trying to find out more about Stannis's death and the whereabouts of the red priestess, but was having little success. The two men were devoted zealots to the woman and her foreign god.
"She's gone," Alester answered, not meeting Robb's gaze. "We don't know where."
Robb sighed in annoyance. "I warn you for the last time ser, stop lying to me and tell me where the blasted woman is! She is a purveyor of dark magic and made an attempt on my life. You will tell me where she is!"
Ser Axell stepped forward, his face red with anger. The elder brother had a fiery temper, which Robb had found out soon after meeting the man. "We'll never give her up!" He spat. "She is on a sacred mission from R'hllor to find Azor Ahai. She must find him so that he can stop the Great Other."
Robb narrowed his eyes. "I care not what her god told her to do. She tried to kill me. I do not take kindly to people who do so, especially with the use of black magic and demons." He snarled. He sat up straight in his saddle and looked down at the two men. "Your sister Selyse, she was not reported to be with the army. I assume she's back at Dragonstone."
Alester narrowed his eyes, not answering. Axell also shut up, putting as much venom as he could into the glare he was giving Robb. Both men were fiercely protective of the woman that was their queen.
"I swear Stark," Axell warned. "If you touch her…."
"Then tell me where the Red Priestess is, blast you!" Robb roared.
Alester lowered his gaze, staring at his boots. He stayed like that for a few moments before looking back at Robb.
"She's heading for Dragonstone," he said, his voice dripping with hate. "Threatening a woman to get information. So much for the vaunted honor of House Stark."
Robb glared at the man, a look that Alester returned. "Do not speak to me about honor ser, not after what your king did."
"King Stannis was a good man!" Axell growled. "He was just and honorable. He would have been the best king Westeros has had in fifty years!"
"Forgive me if I don't count kinslaying as an honorable trait." Robb shot back.
"We told you what you wanted to know, Stark, now release us." Alester snapped. "But do not expect us to bend the knee like that traitor Monford."
Robb shook his head, gesturing to some nearby guards. "I'm afraid I can not release you. I do not trust you, nor do I have any reason to. When my forces take Dragonstone, Lady Selyse and her daughter shall be escorted to Storm's End, as befitting of the Lady's late husband. She will remain there under the care of Ser Cortnay Penrose." Robb said. "You two, on the other hand, shall spend the rest of the war in the dungeons of Highgarden until I can decide what will be done with you. I will also have forces sent to Brightwater Keep, where your son Alekyne shall yield the castle to my men and he will remain there as well until his fate can be decided."
"You would rob us of our ancestral home!" Axell roared, stepping forward. Greywind, who had been sitting at Robb's side, growled, instantly coming to his feet to defend his master. The threat of the giant wolf had forced the man to step back, his eyes glancing between the Young Wolf and the direwolf.
Robb turned his glare on the ugly man. "Perhaps, but that is no longer your concern. Guards!" Robb snapped.
Half a dozen guards bearing the sigil of Highgarden came forward and grabbed the two knights, taking them away. Ser Alestor walked away with his head held high, trying to preserve his dignity while Axell struggled against his captors, yelling abuse at Robb until one of the guards gagged him.
"Thank the Old Gods," Robb muttered tiredly.
"That was well handled, your grace." Lord Rowan praised from behind Robb. "The Florent's have always made trouble for the Reach."
"Careful Mathis." Lord Tarly rumbled. "My wife is a Florent."
The Lord of Golden Grove blanched. "Of course, forgive me." He apologized quickly.
Randyll nodded once and dropped the subject, content that the message had gotten across to his peer.
"Who else is there?" Robb asked.
Garlan gestured for the next prisoner to be brought forward. He was a middle-aged man, slight, with an ordinary face and brown eyes. His beard and thinning brown hair were peppered with gray. He did not wear plate armor like the two knights. He wore no armor at all. Instead, he was clothed in simple woolen clothing with a plain brown cloak. The only thing of note that could be said about him was his left hand, where each finger was noticeably shortened by one joint.
Ser Davos Seaworth rose to fame during Robert's Rebellion when Mace Tyrell had directed his entire force to besiege Storm's End, hoping that hunger and strength of arms would soon force a young Stannis Baratheon to yield the castle to the Reach. But the young Baratheon had held out against impossible odds. On the brink of starvation, Seaworth, a smuggler from Flea Bottom in the slums of King's Landing, had slipped past the Redwyne fleet blockading the castle and braved Shipbreaker Bay, the perilous patch of water just below Storm's End, to deliver onions and salted fish to the starving people of Storm's End. Because of that one event, he earned himself the title of 'Onion Knight'.
The last-minute provisions had allowed the castle to hold out until Robb's father arrived to break the siege. Stannis, although grateful for the help, had still shortened Seaworth's left hand as punishment for his smuggling past. Stannis had done the deed himself and knighted the smuggler soon after, taking him into his service.
"Ser Davos." Robb greeted casually, nodding to the odd knight. "Well met. I trust you have not been treated too harshly."
Ser Davos bowed, his chains rattling as he did. "Well met, your grace," he replied. He looked down at his wrists before looking back at Robb. "I must admit, I spent the better part of my life avoiding having my hands bound."
"And now?" Garlan asked.
Seaworth shrugged. "Not as bad as I imagined," he answered humorously. "I congratulate you on your victory, King Robb."
Robb raised an eyebrow. "My victory?" He asked curiously. "There was no battle fought."
Ser Davos shook his head. "You slew the shadow, your grace. Although in doing so, you claimed the life of my king, I congratulate you nonetheless."
Robb shared a glance with Garlan, who looked equally as confused. Stannis, nor Axell or Alester, had confirmed that Stannis had had a hand in killing Renly. Now, the Onion Knight stood before Robb practically admitting the fact.
Robb leaned forward in his saddle. "Are you saying that Stannis killed Renly?" He asked carefully, curious to see the man's reaction.
Davos's face fell slightly. "Stannis was once a good man, your grace, please believe that. Everything your father stood for, Lord Stannis did as well. When that Red Woman appeared, her magic instantly came over the queen, Lady Selyse. She never had control over Stannis."
"What changed?" Garlan asked.
"The war." Davos sighed. "King Stannis revealed Joffrey's true birth and expected lords to flock to his banner. None did. Instead, his brother crowned himself king of the Reach and Stormlands. You yourself, King Robb, was named King in the North. He saw you all as people who were trying to take his rightful throne, and he became bitter and angry. That's when the witch's magic started to affect him." Davos's shoulders slumped. He looked like a father admitting the sins of his son. "I was there when the priestess birthed that foul shadow-spawn. I immediately went to my king, telling him what had happened. He had waved me aside, saying that she was doing his bidding. The next day, I heard of Renly's death and I knew that Stannis had ordered the assassination of the man. That's when I knew in my heart that Stannis was not the man I pledged my loyalty to all those years ago. He had changed."
"Why did you never leave?" Robb asked curiously. He felt for the man, truly. Having to watch the man he served so faithfully, believing that he was a good man, turn into something so bitter and dark must have been horrible to witness.
Davos shrugged. "Perhaps it's because of my time around Stannis, but I held out hope that he would become the man he once was. There were glimpses, of course, and that's what told me that the old Stannis was still there." He gestured to the sword at Robb's side. "You put him out of his misery."
Robb frowned. "What?"
"After Renly's death, I overheard Stannis arguing with the priestess. He had been strangely injured, a thin cut from hip to shoulder. When I asked about it, he waved me off. That's what he was yelling at the woman about. She said that you wielded a sword made of dragon fire. It killed the shadow spawn, and since it was somehow conceived with Stannis's seed, it harmed him as well."
Robb's stomach rolled at the idea. Stannis had fucked the priestess and his seed had produced a demon that had gone after Robb and Renly. It was sickening to even consider.
"So you're saying that, by killing the shadow, I also killed Stannis?" Robb clarified.
Ser Davos nodded. "Aye, that's the truth," he said sadly.
Robb scratched his jaw, glancing at his commanders and Garlan. They all looked horrified at the story Ser Davos had just told. They were all followers of the Seven, to varying degrees. While tales of blood magic had made their way from Essos and was known about in Westeros, the concept was still reviled throughout the realm from the Wall to Sunspear.
"What do you plan to do now?" Robb asked curiously, surprising both Ser Davos and his commanders.
The knight shrugged. "Don't rightly know, your grace," he answered honestly. "I haven't been my own man for so long, since before the Rebellion."
Robb nodded slowly. "And if I were to ask you to join my service. Would you?"
Davos's eyebrows shot up in surprise. He nodded hesitatingly. "Depends on what you would have me be doing, I suppose."
Robb smiled slightly. "I always need honest men who have a knack for getting the impossible done," he explained. "I'm not sure if you know, but Lord Velaryon was the only Lord of the Blackwater to pledge his allegiance to me. A Lysene pirate, one that you know quite well, has also accepted my offer, on accounts that I put him into position to make a profit."
Davos chuckled slightly, his grim exterior breaking for just a moment. "Salla. He's good at what he does, your grace. His resume may be less than pleasant, but he gets the job done."
"So I've heard," Robb mused. "Here's what I am thinking. I do not wish to harm Stannis's family, I am not Tywin Lannister or the Mad King. Would you be willing to bring Lady Selyse and her daughter to Storm's End?"
Davos thought for a moment before nodding. "Aye, I can do that," he answered. "Lady Selyse is quite devoted to R'hllor, but her daughter, Lady Shireen, is a good child."
"I believe she is also infected with greyscale, is she not?" Garlan asked curiously.
Davos frowned. "The growth has stopped. She is a wonderful girl with an unfortunate accident."
Garlan held up his hand. "I meant no offense, ser. I am simply asking."
Robb raised an eyebrow, surprised with how the man had instantly jumped to the girl's defense.
"You care for the girl?"
Davos shifted awkwardly. "If I may be so bold. She is like a daughter to me, your grace. She is teaching me how to read," he said, a small, wistful smile forming.
Robb smiled gently. "She sounds like a good person. If you pledge your loyalty to me, I will send you, along with Salladhor Saan, to Dragonstone to take the castle. You will bring Lady Selyse and Lady Shireen to Storm's End while I have the Lysene pirates deal with the Red Woman."
"I'm sure Lord Veleryon would be more than happy to garrison Dragonstone as well." Lord Redwyne commented.
Robb looked over his shoulder and nodded at the man. "My thoughts exactly," he said before looking back at Ser Davos. "After Dragonstone is under my control, I mean to plant the Lysene on Driftmark to interrupt trade and ships going in and out of King's Landing. You can join them as well, once Selyse and Shireen are safe in Storm's End."
Ser Davos thought for a moment before getting down on one knee, bowing his head. "I, Ser Davos of House Seaworth, swear my sword and life to King Robb Stark, Lord of Winterfell and King in the North."
"Stand, Ser Davos," Robb commanded. "I accept and acknowledge your oath of fealty. I hope to have the same loyalty and service that you gave Lord Stannis for so many years."
Ser Davos rose, nodding his head as a guard came forward and removed his shackles. "I do not want much, your grace. Just to serve a good man and make sure my family has a better life."
"Honorable goals." Robb praised. "I will call for you later tonight, along with Lord Velaryon and Sallahdor Saan."
"I will await your summons," Davos said once more, bowing then leaving.
When the Onion Knight was gone, Robb turned to face his commanders. "I believe that will be all for today, gentlemen. I will finalize my plan for taking Dragonstone tonight and tomorrow, we shall decide where next to go."
"Your grace, if I may," Garlan said hesitantly. "Do you think it is why to trust those who were just our enemies?"
Robb nodded slightly. "Monford Velaryon intrigues me, I'll admit, but my father spoke highly of Ser Davos, in the brief moments he had met the man. As for the Lysene, he just needs to be paid."
"What about the Lords of the Blackwater?" Lord Redwyne asked curiously. "Do you plan on rallying them as well?"
Robb thought for a moment before shaking his head. "No, I don't believe so. They've already gone home, and there's no chance I can bring them back together again."
"And if they pledge their allegiance to Joffrey?" Lord Rowan asked.
Robb shrugged. "Then so be it, but I highly doubt they will. After all, Stannis was the first to announce Joffrey's true parentage," he said easily. "For now, I intend to focus on the enemies we do have. Namely, Tywin Lannister, whose presence in Harrenhal is beginning to greatly annoy me."
"If we march north, we can pinch him between our army and his grace's northern army." Lord Redwyne offered.
"There is the Crownlander force to consider." Lord Tarly countered. "I have little doubt that Lord Lannister has them positioned between himself and the capital, now that the Reach has pledged for King Robb."
"Fair point, Lord Tarly," Robb said. "We will march north through the Kingswood to Tumbleton before making our next move."
"Sound advice, your grace." Lord Rowan offered.
"Thank you, my lord," Robb said. "That will be all for today. I must speak with Ser Cortnay and make sure a raven is sent to Riverrun. My uncle must know what is happening."
"The Blackfish has been busy. More than half of the Westerlands have fallen to your men." Garlan said.
Robb nodded. "I trust Ser Brynden to keep the men busy while we wrap up things here in the south. But now we can and must turn our full attention back on Tywin. The sooner we deal with him, the better. He is our only obstacle in the way on our path to taking down Joffrey. This war is almost over, and with the valiant men of the Reach and Stormlands, I intend to end it."