Melisandre's voice echoed through the empty Tower of the Hand, imbued with an ethereal, fanatical magic.
Lynn looked into her fiery red eyes and nearly laughed to himself.
I'm the Prince That Was Promised?
How the fuck did I not know that?
That Lord of Light of yours must be a fraud.
Oh, wait. I'm the fraud.
So this is me bullshitting myself.
Lynn's expression betrayed nothing.
He calmly regarded the red-robed woman before him.
He had to put on an act.
He had to look like a savior who had known everything all along, yet pitied the ignorance of mortals.
Charlatans loved that routine.
"You came all the way from Dragonstone just to tell me this?"
Melisandre looked at him, an even more fanatical light gleaming in her red eyes.
In Lynn's composure, she read confirmation.
Look!
He knew all along!
He knows his purpose!
He's simply waiting! Waiting for the right moment!
Unlike that fool Stannis, full of ambition yet shackled by meaningless family ties!
"Yes."
Even Melisandre's voice trembled slightly.
"I followed a false king. Now I have found the true light."
As she spoke, she slowly approached Lynn.
Her gaze was that of the most devout believer worshipping her god.
As she drew closer, Lynn's eyes settled on the red gemstone at her throat, as large as a pigeon's egg.
The gemstone seemed alive, with fire flowing inside it, giving off a faint light and warmth.
It stood out sharply in the dim Tower of the Hand.
Lynn recognized it, of course. Good stuff.
"That thing around your neck is interesting."
Lynn raised a hand and pointed at the ruby.
Melisandre's body instinctively stiffened.
She lowered her head and gently stroked the ruby, her eyes filled with complicated emotions.
Dependence and reverence.
"This is a gift