Chapter 486: The Feud of Brothers

Stannis's character, although resolute and increasingly courageous in adversity, was prone to overthinking, and once a man thinks too much, problems easily arise.

"Doubt those you do not use, and do not doubt those you do use."

Stannis trusted two people most. One was Maester Cressen, who had watched him grow up and considered him like his own son.

The other was the 'Onion Knight,' Ser Davos Seaworth, who had twice saved his life. Without the Onion Knight, Stannis might have starved to death ten years ago when besieged by the Tyrell army at Storm's End.

Therefore, he had always regarded Davos as his most trusted confidant, and Davos had repaid Stannis's trust by saving his life once again.

Now, after hearing Maester Cressen's words, Stannis pondered more and more and felt that something was amiss.

"I'll go to Renly and clear this up."

Stannis was already wearing his armor, preparing to train his soldiers, and he immediately took his sword from the wall and hung it at his waist.

Moreover, out of caution, Stannis feared that rashly going to see his brother would be like a lamb entering a tiger's mouth. So he took a few loyal guards with him.

To prevent misunderstandings, he left Ser Davos behind, telling him to rush all the guards within Storm's End who had pledged allegiance to him if anything unexpected happened on the other side.

Though the Onion Knight did not know what Maester Cressen had said to Stannis, he saw that Lord Stannis was preparing to confront Lord Renly and immediately agreed without delay.

"Yes, my lord."

Stannis saw that Davos was immediately prepared and nodded in satisfaction.

Although Davos was only a former smuggler, his ability to handle matters had always been outstanding, and he had never disappointed him, so Stannis felt at ease leaving him behind.

Then, fully armed, Stannis quickly led several guards directly to Renly's study.

Meanwhile, a clean-faced young man with long black hair was sitting in a chair, looking at a blank piece of paper in his hand and appearing somewhat dazed. After hesitating for a moment, he asked:

"Sir Donald."

"What do you think... the Young Dragon Lord sent me a blank piece of paper for?"

Donald Swann, the eldest son and heir of Lord Gulian Swann of Stonehelm, had been sent by his ailing father to serve in Storm's End and represent Stonehelm.

"This, my lord, I beg your pardon."

Donald, hearing Renly's question, also showed a puzzled expression, scratching his head. He did not know why Viserys had sent Renly a blank piece of paper.

Was Viserys idle? Sending over a blank piece of paper for no reason?

"My lord, something's gone wrong!"

At that moment, a knock came at the door of Renly's study, and a guard from Storm's End came to Renly in a panic, telling him about the sudden activity on Stannis's side.

"What?"

Renly's face changed abruptly upon hearing the guard's words.

Stannis's confidant, the Onion Knight Davos, for some unknown reason, suddenly gathered all the guards who had pledged allegiance to Stannis.

And Stannis himself, donned in armor, was angrily coming over.

Ever since the brothers' overt and covert discord, Renly had learned from experience, and the young man had become aware of the treachery of people's hearts.

Although he had not yet decided whether to side with Viserys or take the initiative to eliminate his elder brother, he had sent guards to secretly monitor Stannis, reporting immediately if anything stirred.

Now, Stannis had suddenly gathered the guards, and, armed and furious, was coming to him.

What did he want to do?

"Sir Donald!"

"Quick! Summon all the guards!"

The black-haired young man, thinking of this, immediately pushed the table and stood up, speaking hurriedly.

Regardless of what Stannis wanted to do, one must always be on guard against others.

And Donald Swann, hearing Renly's command without knowing what had happened, did not dare to delay and immediately ran out.

"Yes, Lord Renly!"

During this time, the situation within Storm's End had reached a tense point.

Although the conflict between Renly and Stannis, the two brothers, had not yet fully erupted, it was already well-known, and everyone knew that this kind of discord would eventually lead to a clash.

That's why Viserys's letter had caused such a stir. At this moment, for Storm's End, any little movement could trigger the sensitive nerves of both sides.

Because of the immense pressure exerted by Viserys in King's Landing, coupled with the envoys of House Lannister coming from afar, Storm's End was now filled with stormland nobles, discussing how to respond.

Should they unite the Riverlands, the Westerlands, and the Vale to fight against House Targaryen, or choose to kneel in submission?

However, while this matter had been going on for so long without a resolution, Stannis and Renly, the two brothers, suddenly called their loyal vassals, looking like they were preparing for civil war.

"Quick!"

"Quick!"

Donald Swann brought the guards and nobles loyal to Renly, and Stannis also angrily came over at that moment.

"My dear elder brother, what do you intend to do?"

Renly, with the help of his attendants, had put on his armor and grasped the hilt of his sword.

He saw Sir Donald leading the guards and felt more confident. His swordsmanship was also decent, so he turned his head to look at Stannis and asked:

"Do you wish to kill me and seize Storm's End, the thing you've long dreamed of?"

Renly's opening words choked Stannis, who had been prepared to confront him, and the guards and nobles loyal to both sides immediately focused their eyes on Stannis.

Regardless, in this age, kinslaying was an absolutely unforgivable crime, and this time, the conflict had been started by Stannis.

"Mind your words, Renly!"

"That joke is not funny at all."

Stannis slightly gripped the hilt of his sword, and although he spoke of a joke, there was not a trace of amusement on his face. Instead, it was all cold indifference, his eyes fixed on his younger brother, as if looking at an enemy.

"Storm's End is my home; it's not something I dream of. It should have been mine all along."

"Ten years ago, when I was desperately holding Storm's End, you were but a little brat playing with urine and mud!"