Chapter 529: Trial by Combat

As soon as the words of Barron Swen fell, the great hall of Storm's End erupted in outrage. A murderer had the audacity to be so brazen within the walls of Storm's End.

"Damn that savage!"

"Get him!"

"I'll kill him!"

"I'll rip his tongue out!"

While Stannis, due to his personal disposition and the moniker of "kinslayer", wasn't particularly popular, he still had many supporters, especially among the lower-ranked soldiers and sergeants.

After all, this was Storm's End, a castle that the Baratheon family had ruled for nearly three centuries. Many servants here had served several generations of the Baratheon line.

Upon hearing Barron Swen's words, they were all filled with anger, expressing their desire to take revenge.

Furthermore, Barron Swen hails from the Marches, with House Swen of Stonehelm being a powerful vassal in the area. Thus, when Stannis called for support, they could conveniently ignore the summons, and Stannis couldn't retaliate.

However, due to regional biases within the Stormlands and Riverlands, those from the prosperous Riverlands looked down on people from the Marches and Stormlands. Even though they all lived on the same land.

So, they referred to Barron Swen as a "savage." The burly men from the Marches stared back defiantly, undeterred.

"Come on!"

"Free my hands, and I'll let you try to rip out my tongue!"

Loyal soldiers of Storm's End and Barron Swen exchanged heated words, while the noble lords of the Stormlands in the central seats exchanged glances.

"Enough."

It was once again Lord Alexander of Longbow Hall, who played peacemaker, stopping the verbal confrontations below.

"Let's remain calm. Our main concern now is to address the current situation."

"With the death of Lord Stannis, what should our next steps be?"

Lady Mari of Mistwood, with a cold smirk, chimed in, "Remember, Targaryen forces are approaching Storm's End from just a hundred miles away."

The room fell silent at Lady Mari's words. With the backbone of their leadership gone and enemies approaching, the room was filled with uncertainty.

"I've heard what Sir Barron Swen said," started Lord Alexander, "and there is some truth in his words."

"Regardless, Stannis did kill Renly, committing fratricide."

"He also killed Sir Barron's elder brother. Sir Barron's vendetta against Stannis is justified."

"Avenging one's kin is a sacred right granted to us by the Father."

As everyone in the great hall remained silent, pondering their next move, the quiet Lord Morgan of the Eyrie spoke up.

"While the Father grants us these sacred rights, Sir Barron did kill Lord Stannis."

"He should face a trial by combat and let the gods decide his fate."

Sir Barron inhaled deeply, relief evident in his eyes. "I admit to killing Stannis."

"I am willing to face a trial by combat and let the gods decide if I should live."

The great hall of Storm's End remained silent, the tension palpable.

Ser Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight, remained silent throughout, his face stern and eyes scanning every individual present.

His smuggling past had made him adept at reading people. The atmosphere in the hall was eerie. Everyone had changed since the death of Stannis.

From the outraged soldiers to the three noble lords with their own agendas, all had a hint of panic in their eyes.

Except for Maester Cressen.

Davos couldn't bear to look at the old maester's lifeless face, especially as the three Stormland lords continued their charade in front of their deceased liege.

"Ser Davos, would you be willing to fight for Lord Stannis?" Lord Morgan suddenly asked.

Davos hesitated for a moment, then replied, "I'd gladly fight for Lord Stannis, but I'm not skilled in combat and wouldn't be able to deliver a fair trial."

As the room filled with soft laughter, a dragon's roar echoed above Storm's End, signaling the chapter's end.