Chapter 521: Rainy Night

Viserys is retrieving his sword from a cave, while in the Stormlands' camp.

BOOM—

A sudden, jarring thunderclap illuminates the sky with dense lightning. The pensive Stannis is startled, causing the pen in his hand to fall onto the table.

Currently, in the central command tent of the Stormlands' camp, a heavy rain pours outside. This is a characteristic sight in the Stormlands: frequent heavy downpours accompanied by lightning and thunder. Especially after winter, spring lasts about a year. The stormy summer, with its frequent thunderstorms, is approaching.

"Speak," Stannis commands, "how should we defend against the 'tyrant' Viserys' army?"

The tent is well-lit. After being startled by the thunder, Stannis composes himself, takes a deep breath, and scans the room, waiting for answers.

The long table is surrounded by armored Stormlands generals. Most are loyal to House Baratheon. After Renly's death, some nobles left, disgusted by his actions, while others pledged loyalty to Stannis. Compared to 'Kinslayer' Stannis, 'Tyrant' Viserys is more formidable. Fearing Viserys would take their power and lands if he captured the Stormlands, they rally under Stannis against their mutual enemy.

"Viserys, with his treachery, cannot gain the support of the lords of the Seven Kingdoms," says a knight bearing the sigil of House Wylde. "Yet, solely relying on us might not secure victory, given that the tyrant has the support of the Golden Company and the Dothraki."

Another knight sneers, "Relying on foreigners and traitors from the Blackfyre Rebellion? Viserys truly is a 'great king.'"

This sarcastic remark gains nods of approval from the Stormland nobles. Another knight, bearing the sigil of House Connington, says, "I've heard that the Hightower reinforcements, in collaboration with House Tyrell of Highgarden, defeated the Dornish army."

The Dornish forces, after breaking through the borders, have been besieging Highgarden but struggled to capture it. Highgarden, shedding its serene facade, resists fiercely. With the aid of arriving Hightower reinforcements, they temporarily repelled the Dornish.

"Could we ask for aid from House Tyrell?" Sir Beric Dondarrion of Blackhaven inquires.

The tent becomes chaotic with mixed opinions.

"It might not be feasible. House Tyrell is occupied, especially since those damned Dornishmen haven't retreated," one lord starts.

"King's Landing!" another interrupts. "The tyrant has left his capital. Perhaps our allies can seize this chance to strike King's Landing!"

"Viserys' Dornish wife bore him a daughter. And the other dragon woman seems to have set off to the Westerlands. If we take King's Landing and capture his wife and child, we needn't fear even dragons," opines Sir Bruce Buckler, leading the earlier charge.

However, his presumptuous words face opposition from Lord Aston Selmy of Harvest Hall, "Dragons can fly from Dragonstone to King's Landing within a day, Sir Bruce. Have you also considered that Stannis' own family is in their hands?"

Stannis remains silent amidst the chaos. His trusted advisor, Ser Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight, seems lost in thought.

"Davos," Stannis suddenly speaks.

"My lord?" Davos responds, realizing Stannis is concerned about the camp's security. Few have fought Viserys and his dragons; apart from the late Lord of Duskendale, only Stannis and Davos remain. The rest are unfamiliar with Viserys and his dragons. Despite the rainy night, Stannis fears a surprise attack.

'Viserys is an enigma,' Stannis thinks.

But he's not overly concerned for his detained family in King's Landing. Given that his brother remains unexecuted and Cersei and Joffrey are still in the Red Keep, Viserys isn't merciless, at least not towards kin.

Yet, not executing Robert hinders Stannis. A coronation would boost his morale and claim. Lately, he's pondered it, but Davos has advised against it, fearing it would tarnish Stannis' remaining reputation.

"Perhaps a coronation on the eve of battle?" Stannis contemplates.

However, Davos remains focused on the upcoming battle. A hasty coronation might just create a short-lived king. Oblivious to Stannis' thoughts, Davos departs.

Outside, he briefly encounters a soldier. Their brief recognition feels familiar.

"Who does he remind me of?" Davos wonders, "Donal Swann, perhaps, Renly's advisor?"

But as he turns, the soldier vanishes.