Immediately afterward, the signing ceremony began.
Both sides sat at opposite ends of the broad table in the center of the palace.
Mezzo Maher brought over an armistice agreement copied onto fine parchment, its edges gilded.
Under the agreement, the Seven Kingdoms and Tyrosh would cease to be at war the moment the treaty was signed, and the agreement would remain in effect for three years.
The envoys of the Seven Kingdoms, especially Duke Eddard, reviewed the text word by word with grave expressions, repeatedly comparing it against the copy they had kept.
Liu Qian studied Stannis across the table with interest, taking in his dark skin and iron-stiff expression.
He could sense the deep hatred and humiliation radiating from him.
"Lord Stannis, I truly never expected your king to send you to sign this agreement."
Stannis's jaw tightened further, and a storm of icy rain seemed to rage in his blue-gray eyes.
He wanted nothing more than to draw his sword, charge forward, and silence the Easterner before him for good.
But he knew full well that would be no different from seeking death, so he could only give a polite nod.
Liu Qian continued, "The man Ser 'Jorah' defeated just now was a Lannister, wasn't he? I saw him wearing the white cloak and armor of the Seven Kingdoms' Kingsguard. He must be Ser Jaime Lannister."
Ser Davos saw that Stannis was in a foul mood and unwilling to answer, so he replied at the right moment, "Your Majesty, King of Tyrosh, that was indeed Ser Jaime. Grief over the death of his kin clouded his judgment, leading him to offend you."
Liu Qian raised his eyebrows noncommittally and said nothing more.
The lengthy review finally ended.
Duke Eddard looked up and exchanged a glance with Stannis, confirming