In Storm's End.
A man with a straight back and a resolute face sat at a round wooden table, writing something.
A half-burnt white candle sat on the clean table, its flame flickering gently in the breeze seeping through the window, casting his shadow on the wall behind him.
Outside, the rain poured down, the noisy sound making him somewhat irritable.
Then,
*snap*—the
pen in his hand broke accidentally, and Stannis's expression turned slightly grim.
He then threw the broken pen against the wall.
For some reason, Stannis was slightly uneasy at this moment; the suddenly broken pen seemed like a harbinger of something terrible.
The muscles between his brows furrowed, and he raised his hand, his rough fingers rubbing his temples, trying to clear his mind.
However, it was to no avail. His
pale lips tightened; Stannis was now burdened with worries.
He had long forgotten how to smile, and knew nothing of joy.
His elder brother Robert Baratheon was now king, and Storm's End, the traditional Baratheon family fief, should, in principle, be passed on to the next in
line. Of course, the king could retain Storm's End until he chose a worthy successor and then distribute it among the heirs.
However, Stannis was undoubtedly the first in line to the throne of Storm's End, and his younger brother Renly was still just a child, posing no threat to him.
At least, that's what Stannis thought.
Even before his elder brother Robert had any children, he, as the younger brother, could even be considered the first in line to the Iron Throne.
But now, Stannis suddenly had a bad feeling.
The reason might be his poor personal relationship with his brother, and the lack of news from King's Landing.
"Perhaps Robert just wants to reclaim Dragonstone first,"
Stannis sighed, releasing his fingers from his temples, and muttered to himself.
The knot in his brow relaxed slightly.
Although his relationship with his brother was strained, and he had some reservations about his brother's methods, Stannis remained loyal and never doubted his brother.
He knew how much Robert hated the Targaryens, and he gave himself an explanation.
Perhaps Robert simply wanted to reclaim Dragonstone first, and then hand over Storm's End to him.
Now,
since Lord Redwyn's fleet returned from its disastrous defeat at Dragonstone, it had returned to the Westeros coast to recuperate.
King Robert's determination to reclaim Dragonstone remained unwavering.
Stannis remained in Storm's End, urgently building warships and training the royal navy.
Most of the newly built warships had already been launched, and the newly trained navy was beginning to take shape.
Stannis was full of ambition, believing that once his royal navy was successfully trained, reclaiming Dragonstone would be a piece of cake.
"Is my brother inside?"
At that moment,
a boy's childish yet slightly excited voice came from outside the study door, but it was followed by a cold, harsh voice.
"Excuse me, Master Renly."
"Lord Stannis does not wish to see anyone at this moment."
A guard standing watch outside the study stopped Renly Baratheon, the third young master of Storm's End.
The boy in the blue velvet blouse seemed to have been doused with cold water, and he accidentally dropped the shiny stone he was holding. For some reason, the third young master of Storm's End was slightly... different from boys his age.
Although he also received some relatively easy knightly training, he actually had little interest in wielding swords and spears.
Renly preferred collecting pretty things.
For example, he had just gone to the beach with some friends and collected some beautiful stones, and this sparkling stone was his favorite.
However, because a storm surge was approaching, the children were sent back before they could have had enough fun.
So, after returning to the castle, Renly took the stone to share with his older brother Stannis.
However, he didn't expect that the boy would be turned away when he excitedly ran over.
Renly's mood instantly dropped, and he pouted slightly, looking a little dejected. He picked up his beloved pretty stone from the ground and was about to leave.
Stannis, who was in the study, had heard the entire conversation outside. His brows furrowed slightly, but he finally spoke in a calm voice,
"Ranly?"
"Let him in."
In fact, he still cared about his younger brother.
Their parents, Lord Stephen Baratheon and Duchess Cassandra Ismond, died in an accident at Shipwreck Bay, leaving behind a young brother.
The eldest brother, Robert, was wild and unrestrained, while the steady and experienced Stannis played the role of a strict father.
However, Stannis was not good at expressing his feelings.
Upon hearing his brother allow him to enter the study, the black-haired boy's gloom vanished, replaced by a beaming smile.
But just then—
*dong*—a
melodious alarm bell suddenly rang out from the distant lighthouse.
Stannis, sitting in the study, was slightly startled, a hint of surprise appearing on his usually stern face. The guards outside the study, and Renly, were also frozen in place.
The sound was too familiar.
It awakened memories hidden deep within Renly's heart that hadn't yet faded. Just
six months ago, when they were trapped inside Storm's End, eating rats, the sounds of horns and bells had been heard every few days.
Five-year-old Renly immediately burst into tears, causing chaos at the scene.
The situation was no better inside Storm's End; the painful memory of six months ago seemed still fresh in their minds. Soldiers rushed about, and the servants were in complete disarray.
Stannis, however, remained the most composed. After the initial shock, the resolute man quickly regained his composure. He
immediately stood up, pushed open the study door, and without even glancing at the crying Renly on the floor,
he gripped his sword hilt and strode outside, his face grim.
"The Seventh Circle!"
"Can anyone tell me what happened?"
Finally, a soldier rushed over, telling Stannis what had happened.
"Lord Stannis, something terrible has happened!"
The soldier was breathless, having run all the way from the watchtower.
His face was still etched with panic.
"A large number of unidentified ships have appeared on the sea and are now riding the storm toward the port!"
.....
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