Game of Thrones: King of Magic

Stannis Baratheon. King's Landing.

- I didn't expect you to pay me a visit, Stannis," Renly, dressed in armor, said as he approached me. - What can I do for you?

We were in a small courtyard of the Red Keep, where a training ground had been set up, which was currently surrounded by a crowd of various ladies eager to watch my younger brother and his sparring partner, who had now retreated to his sister, who was also present.

When I arrived here, Renly was training with Loras Tyrrell, the youngest son of Mace Tyrell, Lord Highgarden and Aleria Hightower. Both he and Renly were, I would say, smarmy and too pure to be called warriors. And that irritated me to some degree.

Clean hair, neatly trimmed beard, and gleaming armor just didn't fit with the warrior image in my head. Fighting and war is dirt, blood, bruises, abrasions and cuts, and these two, as well as their cronies, didn't fit that, and so I didn't recognize them as my equals, even though they had decent skills. And on that ground, and perhaps envy, my relationship with both Robert and Renly was not the best.

But times change, as in the case of Solomon and my family, and so perhaps I should soften up a bit, though doing so will definitely be difficult. The reason for my visit, however, was a bit different.

- Your behavior at the Small Council meeting raised questions for me," I said in my usual tone.

- You didn't like it?

- I find it strange that you supported me and my words. Too kind even for you.

He raised an eyebrow in surprise at my words, and then showed a smile, the very one I found particularly annoying.

- Well, first of all, I was surprised to see you at the meeting, because you've always preferred to hole up on Dragonstone in the middle of the sea and rocks," he said cheerfully, and I didn't react. - And secondly, your words, though tedious and prim, were true and accurate. Frankly, I expected you to be silent and glare at us for the rest of the meeting, but not to participate. How's the family? Lady Selyse and little Shireen are well?

- They're in good health. That's all I wanted to talk to you about," I said briefly, and was about to leave when Renly called out to me.

- Leaving so soon? - He asked. - It's been a long time since we last saw each other, so why don't we talk some more?

- I don't see the point.

- Come on, we're brothers.

I sighed tiredly, but I turned to him, then turned my gaze to Tyrell, who was talking to his sister.

- You want to get close to the Tyrells through their youngest son? An alliance with them would do much good.

- Ah, good old Stannis," Renly laughed briefly. - Lady Margaery is beautiful and clever and rich, but I'd rather have her brother's company. I can't make her put on her armor and come into the arena with me, can I?

- Maybe," was all I said, and then I was silent, indicating that I didn't want to talk further. Renly shook his head, then put a hand on my shoulder.

- In any case, it's good to see you, Stannis. The Seven Kingdoms are going through hard times, and I'm glad you care," he said good-naturedly. - And by the way, there's been a rumor that you've changed your faith. Is that true?

- Maybe," I repeated, and headed for the exit, shaking off his hand.

- If you stick around, pay me a visit. You're not the best conversationalist, but maybe we should get to know each other better. Like brothers.

- I'll think about it.

And with that, I left the courtyard and made my way to the Hand's study. Eddard Stark was one of many whose company I welcomed. He knew how to conduct business without bringing in unimportant details like idle talk. Besides, Solomon was his friend, and we had much to discuss.

Robert, in his drunkenness, firmly believes that all his children are his, but I have a hunch that's not true. None of the Baratheons had blond hair - only the Lannisters, and if the queen did not give birth by him, that she should be punished for insulting my family and the crown.

-0-

Solomon. Dragonstone.

- I apologize for my action, Kinvara. It was rude of me," I said to Kinvara standing next to me, being in the Chamber of the Painted Table with only her. - I am truly sorry.

- It's all right, my king," she shook her head. - As I said before, I am pleased at any opportunity to please you.

- You are too indulgent," I smiled guiltily. - And thank you for that.

- For you, anything for you," Kinvara smiled.

Even though she claimed such a thing, I still felt guilty about what had happened. It was one thing when the connection was consensual and consensual, and quite another when I had brazenly jumped on her without considering her opinion. The thoughts that the conversation with Lavena had generated had thrown me off balance, and it was fair enough to conclude that this was a problem.

But for all of that, I had no idea which way I should have made the change and how it would affect the future. There were too many variables that could affect the course of events.

I could, of course, just use the force if things went wrong, or I could use a "clairvoyance" that I didn't want to use because of the obvious consequences, but that didn't take care of the problem, it just masked the symptoms.

I closed my eyes.

Apparently, the mind of the original Solomon, and the will of Alaia and the god he followed, had too much influence on my decisions and thinking. I was convinced that every life had its price and significance, and these thoughts were repelled by the system of the world itself, as an entity, rather than the worldview of the individual.

This was my affliction, for man divided actions into good, evil, and neutral, not right and wrong, as in my case. The world believed that only consequences and chances of survival mattered.

Emotions and attachments were irrational, for they could incline a person to a decision leading to death, that is, to the end of the road where nothing mattered anymore. And one could say that I was no different from a puppet, for I could experience feelings with extreme rarity, but still, if I think back a few moments, hope is not completely lost.

I've only had three instances where I truly felt something: Viserys Targaryen, Oberyn Martell, and Lavena Satrion. Helplessness, anger, and desire respectively. These were exactly my feelings, and to develop them, as well as push away Solomon's influence, I need...

- My king, may I ask a question? - Kinvara asked, to which I opened my eyes and nodded briefly. - What was the reason for your behavior at that moment? Please tell me about it, and I will try my best to help you.

- It... concerns me. I've been having doubts about how human I am and whether I can be called human at all. It's hard to explain.

- Does it have to do with "her"? - Kinvara grimaced.

- I smiled softly, and her expression changed to one of annoyance and displeasure. - But I am grateful to her, for she brought up a point worth bringing up, one that I hadn't thought about before, though I should have. I suppose that's why Lavena attracted me.

- I think that's the only good thing about the woman," Kinvara sighed humbly. - In my humble opinion, my king, just for having doubts, you can already call yourself a man.

- So that's how...

- Yes," Kinvara nodded. - Doubt indicates awareness, the ability to think and choose, and to make mistakes. That's what makes us human.

- Hmm..." I mumbled and smiled. - I suppose that's true. Thank you, Kinvara.

- My pleasure, my king," she said with a slip of joy in her voice.

Kinvara's words made sense, for I was concerned about the matter, meaning it mattered to me. Even so, I still cannot give an answer that can satisfy me.

On the other hand for now I am left to leave this question for a later time, for I have other things to do. Perhaps by having more private conversations with Lavena, I can come up with an answer, but for now....

I produced two glasses of wine on the table and took one of them, took a sip, and then looked out into the vast blue sea.

By the time I awoke, Stannis had already left Dragonstone, and with Ser Davos alone. He hadn't taken his wife with him, since she and Shireen needed to catch up and build a healthy parent-child relationship between them, but Melisandre? That was something new.

Stannis had always been in the company of the red priestess, and apparently, because of my arrival, had decided to focus more on purely work.

Kinvara informed me that Ned and the King had already arrived in King's Landing, and a letter had come from there to Stannis, urging him to attend a meeting of the Small Council. And the Lord of Dragonstone held the position of Master over the ships, meaning he had a seat there.

I suppose this was the work of Ned taking the position of Hand of the King, and it could be called a smart move. After all, the fleet is a military resource, that is, an extremely important cog in the mechanism of power of any state. And to have a not too pleasant relationship with the commander of the fleet, as I learned, can affect the whole country very negatively.

I took another sip and put the glass back on the table.

- Kinvara, please fetch Melisandre. I have something to say to her.

- As you command," she said and bowed and left the room. Kinvara returned soon enough, and in a few minutes there were two red priestesses in the Chamber of the Painted Table.

- You called for me, Lord Solomon? - Melisandre asked in a deferential tone, standing at the opposite side of the table, and Kinvara returned obediently behind my shoulder.

- Yes," I nodded and turned to her. - 'Has Kinvara told you about your mistake yet?

- Y-yes," Melisandre's whole body trembled instantly and she lowered her head as if preparing for execution. - I will accept whatever punishment you...

- You misunderstood me, and I apologize for that, Melisandre," I interrupted her. - I'm not going to punish you, not at all. I'm interested in one question. Have you told Stannis about this?

- No, Lord Solomon," she shook her head honestly.

- The reason?

- Dragonstone is the Lord of Light's stronghold in Westeros. And if I had said that my words regarding Stannis were wrong, he would have been lost. I couldn't let that happen, so I kept the secret.

- Hmm... So that's how it is," I said and shifted my gaze to the sea while Melisandre was clearly preparing for the worst. - Well, perhaps it was for the best.

At this I distinctly heard a sigh of relief, but then continued.

- Let things remain as they are for now, but if he asks about it, tell him the truth without holding anything back. He deserves to know, if he so desires.

- Your word is law, Lord Solomon," Melisandre bowed once more.

Seeing the red priestess obedient and ready to do whatever I said, scenes from a vision came to my mind's eye. The very same one, one of the versions of this world where I am not here. Melisandre, or rather Melony, has many sins, but the worst case scenario was avoided and now she can show her best side.

Again, I have no hatred, dislike or anything like that for her. Just an understanding and a desire to be better. It's a strange feeling, to make a long story short.

- You can go now, Melisandre. You still have work to do.

- Yes, Lord Solomon, as you wish," she said and left the chamber, and I shifted my gaze to Kinvara.

- How are Nefis and her men doing?

- She has chosen to keep a low profile for now, but Lord Stark and his men are already under their watch," Kinvara replied. - There's a tournament in three days' time to celebrate Lord Stark's appointment, where all the high nobility of King's Landing will be present, along with the royal family. And if you wanted to see the king in person, this is the right chance.

I've been thinking.

I'd heard and read quite a bit about Robert Baratheon. Once a mighty warrior wielding a warhammer, now a fat drunkard and a lecher. And if I wanted to see him in person, why shouldn't I?

- I suppose you're right," I nodded.

- In that case, should I start the preparations for departure?

- Not really, I'm going alone this time," I said, and I saw the look of surprise and sadness in Kinvara's eyes. - I won't be gone long, just a couple days or so. That's more than enough for me. And when we return here, we'll move on to Valyria.

- Understood," Kinvara said with a sigh of relief, and I nodded and took the glass in my hand again.

It was time to close this item on my list and then focus on other things. I still need to visit Kirana in Braavos. After all, she is carrying my child, and it would be highly irresponsible to leave that unattended, wouldn't it?

-0-

A/N: How's the chapter? Give us your opinion. You may well be able to influence future chapters.

My P.a.t.r.e.o.n: P.a.t.r.e.o.n.c.o.m/mirzael

You'll be able to read more chapters there.