Melisandre watched Stannis finally make up his mind, and the smile on her face deepened.
She knew that this man, as stubborn as a mule, had finally bowed to reality.
"Very good."
Melisandre's voice carried a strange, soothing power. "You have made the right choice."
Stannis said nothing.
He simply walked over to the huge map table, braced his hands against its edge, and stared hard at the locations of Storm's End and King's Landing.
His two enemies were there.
One was his younger brother, who thought nothing of him.
The other was his mad little nephew, who had stolen his throne.
He would take back everything that belonged to him.
Whatever the cost.
A long silence passed.
"What do I need to do?"
Stannis's voice was filled with uncertainty about the unknown.
"The Lord of Light's gifts never come from nothing."
Melisandre walked to his side.
A peculiar scent, mingling spices and flames, emanated from her.
"We need a sacrifice."
"A sacrifice?" Stannis frowned.
"You want me to kill someone?"
Melisandre nodded.
"Though the Lord of Light is merciful, even his miracles come at a price."
"The power of life!"
"The power contained within your bloodline is the purest and strongest of all."
Stannis turned his head sharply, a flicker of wariness passing through his gloomy eyes.
"What do you mean?"
"Your son, Prince Shireen."
Melisandre calmly uttered the name.
Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight who had stood silently to one side all this time, shuddered violently.
He raised his head in disbelief and stared at the woman in red before him.
"No! You can't!"
Davos rushed forward, placing himself in front of Stannis.
"My lord! Shireen is only a child! She's suffered enough already!"
Devan was Stannis's only son, and like his daughter, Princess Shireen, he had suffered