Chapter 336: The Unreliable Fortune-Teller

Viserys had grown immune to these so-called "prophecies." He recalled the first time Benerro had told him he would die while incubating the baby dragons, and then another time, when Benerro had said he would be devoured by the Undying Ones. Now, it was the Red Witch's turn.

A long sword was supposed to pierce his chest, a mortal wound. But Viserys was unimpressed.

"Even if the sword pierces my chest, you didn't see me die, did you?" he said, his tone dry.

Melisandre's red eyes flickered as she replied, "Once you're sacrificed to the Lord of Light, there is no resurrection."

The Red Viper stood by, observing silently, as if surprised that Nissa Nissa's reincarnation was, in fact, a man.

Viserys had no desire to continue arguing with her. "I can accept being sacrificed—but only if the sword is in my sister's hands. You must stop supporting Stannis, or you will become my enemy."

Melisandre didn't respond. Her form slowly became transparent, fading from sight.

The Red Viper, sensing the tension, realized they must have had a falling out. But Viserys knew better. Despite her insistence on fate, the Red Witch was always trying to change it. He recalled the Battle of the Blackwater Rush. She had seen Renly in armor, fighting alongside Stannis. But after she helped Stannis kill Renly, Garlan donned Renly's armor and avenged him. This woman... has a bit of a double standard, Viserys thought.

For all her visions and calculations, Melisandre was never quite precise. Viserys doubted she could truly stand in his way.

Turning to the Red Viper, Viserys asked, "Has there been any recent activity on Dragonstone?"

"I've been locked in a dungeon and haven't been able to see much. But Stannis's daughter told me something... they seemed to be reciting some kind of prayer."

"Stannis's daughter," Viserys mused. That would be Shireen. The Red Viper, ever the old pro, had easily charmed the naive girl.

"A prayer? Do you remember it?" Viserys asked.

"Of course," the Red Viper replied, thinking for a moment before reciting, "'O Lord R'hllor, come down here, Lord of the Light of the Gods, we offer these false gods to you…' I can't remember the middle part, but it ended with something like, 'Come down like a storm and destroy my enemies.'"

As Viserys listened, he realized it was the same prayer Melisandre had used when she sacrificed the statues of the Seven Gods. It seemed she was preparing to use the sacrifice of idols against him now. But the purpose of this sacrifice was different. Originally, she had done it to summon the "Envoy of Light," but now it appeared she was trying to summon a "Lightning Storm."

Viserys's mind raced. I'll have to discuss this with Benerro. If they need "king's blood" for the sacrifice, I have plenty to spare. He smirked at the thought.

And if that didn't work, he'd land from the south. It would slow the progress of the battle, but there were times when there was no other choice.

As Viserys prepared to leave the Red Viper's dream, Oberyn suddenly spoke.

"Viserys, if I die here, could you take a message to Ellaria for me?"

Both men knew the truth in their hearts: if Viserys would give up his claim to the Iron Throne and Dorne withdrew its troops, Oberyn would be released. But this was pure fantasy. His life wasn't worth that much.

Viserys gave a small nod. "Alright. But if it comes to the point where Stannis truly wants to kill you, tell him I can cure his daughter's illness. See if that spares your life. And remind him—if he's willing to defect, I'll let him take the black and go to the Wall. I'll even find a good family for his daughter."

Oberyn nodded, grateful. He knew that Viserys, with his current power, didn't need to bargain with Dorne anymore. This was generous treatment. The truth was, Viserys wanted to keep as many people alive as possible. Aside from Robert's line and the Lannisters, whom he was determined to kill himself, anyone else who bowed could be sent to the Wall.

The two exchanged a few more brief words before Viserys left the dream.

...

Meanwhile, on Dragonstone, a cargo ship from King's Landing had arrived quietly. Under the command of a nobleman with unusually large ears, soldiers began unloading the "cargo."

It was peculiar cargo, wrapped entirely in canvas. One soldier, as he carried it, assumed it was a statue. Sure enough, when the base peeked out from under the canvas, it confirmed his suspicion. But there was something familiar about that base—he could have sworn he'd seen it in King's Landing before.

The clouds of war were gathering. More and more people were heading to the Sept in King's Landing, seeking solace. But on this particular day, the gold cloaks sealed off the Sept, refusing to let anyone in.

The current High Septon was a rotund, obese man. He knew Robert had already removed all the statues from the Sept, but he was too cowardly and greedy to challenge the royal decree. Instead, he sided with the crown, telling the people they could pray to him, and he would pass their prayers to the Seven. His words were enough to calm most of the crowd.

However, it wasn't only the commoners who needed comfort. Even nobles like Catelyn Stark sought solace. As the Lady of Winterfell and a major financial supporter of the Sept, she held a special place.

After leaving the Sept, she saw Ned returning from the Red Keep. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't read any emotion on his face. His expression was as impenetrable as a mask.

"Ned, what did Robert tell you?" Catelyn asked.

"Could you not go to the Sept today?" Ned asked in return. Catelyn shook her head. Ever since Robert had lifted their house arrest, she had been going every day. Now that she and Ned were expecting another child, she needed to pray not only for her husband but also for the life growing inside her.

"Robert had all the statues of the Seven Gods transported to Dragonstone," Ned revealed.

"Why?" Catelyn asked, puzzled. "Isn't there already a temple on Dragonstone?"

"He didn't explain. All I know is that Stannis approached Robert, and that's when he made the decision. Also..." Ned hesitated, then pulled out a piece of paper. It contained three prayers.

"R'hllor?" Catelyn frowned, reading the unfamiliar name. "Ned, why are you giving this to me?"

"It's what Robert wants. We're supposed to memorize them."

"Memorize?" Catelyn's voice betrayed her resistance. She was a devout follower of the Seven. R'hllor? What is this madness?

"Viserys is going to attack Westeros in a month," Ned continued. "Not just us, but Tywin, Edmure, and Renly have all been summoned to Dragonstone."