"Master Cole, you're finally back!" Gilbert greeted him, his face alight with happiness.
Cole offered a tired smile. The ancient walls of Storm's End seemed to welcome him, cleansed by the rain. A servant brought him a hooded woolen cloak.
Cole put it on. "A difficult journey. Any news from Dragonstone?"
Gilbert thought for a moment. "Since Camillo left with his men, no ravens from Dragonstone have arrived here. But we've received a few large ravens from Sunspear. Prince Doran Martell wishes to remain in contact."
"Prince Doran?" Cole asked, surprised.
Gilbert nodded.
Cole had learned about his other uncle, Prince Doran, from Prince Oberyn. If Oberyn was a brave, enterprising flame, Doran was the quiet shadow beneath it. Oberyn had described him as "calm, cautious, and sickly." The "unbowed" Martell family had never sought to remain neutral like the Arryns of the Vale. They were waiting for their chance—an opportunity for a return to nominal orthodoxy.
The sentry in the gatehouse saluted them, and Cole walked in beside him. The arched doorway was wide enough for at least four carriages to pass side-by-side, and it was fortified with an iron portcullis and iron-lined gates.
Beyond the gatehouse, an avenue led directly to the main tower. The stable house was built nearby. They rode their horses towards it, and stableboys waiting for shelter under the stable roof ran out through the mud and water to meet them.
Stepping up the stairs and into the main building, Cole found the oak doors of the great hall open. Servants and castle soldiers occasionally passed through. Cole shook out his cloak. Rows of dining tables were being set up in the hall, preparing for a dinner to welcome the lord of the castle.
After grilled fish and onions and some wine, Cole questioned Gilbert about the current situation at Storm's End. Afterward, Cole took a hot bath and finally fell into a deep, peaceful sleep. He didn't wake until noon the next day.
Gilbert informed him that Camillo had returned. They waited in front of the Watergate, the channel connecting the castle to the waters of Shipwreck Bay. They watched as a ship flying the white bird banner slowly approached.
Camillo, Davos Seaworth, Hugh Granderson—many familiar faces, but Stannis, Shireen, and the others were missing. Cole assumed they were on a merchant ship behind this one, so he stepped forward to greet the arriving warriors.
The Onion Knight approached him listlessly. He glanced at Cole silently, forcing a haggard smile. "Your Highness."
The title momentarily stunned Cole. "Davos, it's good that you managed to break through successfully."
Davos merely shook his head silently. Cole didn't understand the meaning of the gesture, but he moved on to the next person. The much stronger Camillo straightened his back. "Ser Cole."
Cole clapped him on his shoulder armor. "Well done. Thank you for your hard work."
Camillo saluted with a fisted hand.
"Maester," Cole continued, moving towards Maester Pylos.
Pylos saluted him. "Your Highness."
"Which ship is the King on?" Cole asked the Onion Knight, his brow furrowed with doubt as he scanned the incoming vessels.
Davos glanced at Maester Pylos, and the Maester of Dragonstone, understanding, produced a parchment bearing the Baratheon seal of Dragonstone. He unrolled it and declared loudly: "Stannis I, of House Baratheon, personally delivers this edict. I invite you all to witness it together."
Cole stared at the parchment, standing in shock.
Pylos unfurled the will and announced, "I make this will in the name of Stannis I of House Baratheon." He read the final sentence, then raised the parchment high above his head. "This edict is witnessed by me and the King's Hand." He then handed the parchment to Cole. "His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent."
"Prince Regent!" someone shouted.
Then the entire Watergate of Storm's End erupted. Soldiers shouted almost wildly, like thunderous drums exploding. Cole took the edict, his mind blank. He saw only two ink fingerprints and Maester Pylos's signature. All he could hear were the booming cries.
His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed a belly full of questions. After a glance at the sea, Cole put away the parchment, nodded, looked around at the assembled knightly lords, and said, "Enter the castle first." He led the way, his expression solemn.
The Truth Revealed
All the banners in the great hall had been removed and replaced with black draperies.
Cole met Davos in the study. In the will, Davos had been appointed Hand of the King for life. It was clear that at the end of his days, Stannis had entrusted Davos with his final affairs.
Davos looked at the wooden door, then stepped into the study. Cole stood by the window. Davos brought a chair to the desk. "Your Majesty, Hand of the King, please sit."
Cole returned to his seat, picked up a copper jug, and poured some wine for Davos. Pushing the glass across the desk, Cole asked, "What happened?"
"It's my fault," the Onion Knight blamed himself. "I failed to protect His Majesty the King."
Bang! Cole slammed his fist on the table. "Davos, I didn't ask you here to offer apologies. I want to know what happened on Dragonstone!"
Davos met his gaze and sighed. "The King was struck through the chest by a crossbow bolt when he led us in resisting the Golden Company's attack." He watched as the Prince Regent lowered his forehead slightly, closed his eyes, and remained silent for a moment before speaking again. "What about Shireen and Queen Selyse Florent?"
"They're not at Storm's End?" Cole frowned. "Didn't they break out with you?"
Davos shook his head. "When the Golden Company first attacked, Ser Roland Storm suggested we retreat. But His Majesty believed it was his duty to defend Dragonstone. So, he only permitted Ser Roland and Ser Axell Florent to take the Queen, His Royal Highness the Princess, Edric Storm, and Melisandre. They left through the secret door and took a ferry to Storm's End to ask for aid."
In truth, the King had initially intended to give this task to Davos, but the Onion Knight had told the King that the Hand of the King should remain by his side. Davos had always believed they would bring the news to Storm's End, and then reinforcements would arrive to help.
"They never reached Storm's End."
Not to Storm's End? In an instant, the Onion Knight's heart plummeted. From Dragonstone to Storm's End was only about a two-day journey. They should have arrived long ago. The smuggler Davos knew these waters intimately.
How many ships had been swallowed by them? Every time a crew went to sea, they faced an unknown fate. A storm or running aground on rocks could shatter a ship to pieces.
Later, in the War of the Usurper, the Targaryen royal fleet had been completely destroyed by a storm. He used to pray to the blacksmith every time he went to sea. So, would a ship full of followers of the Lord of Light truly be blessed by the gods?