Game Of Thrones:Lady Blackthorne

CHAPTER 23

In the courtyard several Night’s Watch brothers allied to Allister are pointing crossbows at the room that everyone allied with Jon are held up in. Allister approaches the door to the room with several men and knocks. The Night’s Watch brothers and everyone inside draw their sword and Ghost growls. Davos stands up and walks to the door. Allister knocks again.

Allister said, “Ser Davos, we have no cause to fight. We are both anointed knights.”

Davos said, “Hear that, ladies and lads? Nothing to fear.”

Allister said, “I will grant amnesty to all brothers who throw down their arms before nightfall. And you, Ser Davos, with Lady Aldarra's people and soldiers, I will allow you to travel south, free with fresh horses.

Davos said, “And some mutton. I’d like some mutton.” He was being sarcastic.

Allister asked, “What?”

Davos said, “I’m not much of a hunter. We’ll need some of the food that Aldarra brought if we're gonna make it south without starving to death.”

Allister said grinning at the others as they looked sinister and shrugged, “We’ll give you food. You can bring the Red Woman with you if you like. Or you can leave her here with us or any of the women, whichever you choose. But surrender by nightfall or this ends with blood.”

Davos said condescendingly, “Thank you, Ser Alliser. We’ll discuss amongst ourselves and come back to you with an answer.” Allister and his men leave.

Davos said, “Boys, I’ve been running from men like that all my life. In my learned opinion, we open that door…”

One brother said, “And they’ll slaughter us all.”

Another brother said, “They want to come in, they’re gonna come in.”

Davos said, “Aye, but we don’t need to make it easy for them.”

The second brother said, “Edd is our only chance.”

The first brother said, “It’s a sad fucking statement if Dolorous Edd is our only chance.”

Davos said, “There’s always the Red Woman.”

The first brother said, “What’s one redhead gonna do against 40 armed men?”

Davos said, “You haven’t seen her do what I’ve seen her do.”

Melisandre is sitting at the edge of her bed by a fire in her room. She looks across the room at a small mirror standing on a table, then walks over to it. Melisandre gazes into the mirror, then disrobes. She removes her collar. The gemstone in its center glimmers. She places the collar on the table beside the mirror. The mirror’s reflection reveals that her appearance has changed to that of an extremely elderly woman. Melisandre continues to stare at herself in the mirror, then walks back over to the bed and gets under the covers.

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The Night’s Watch members allied to Allister are poised with crossbows pointed at the room Davos and the other Night’s Watch members faithful to Jon are in. Allister is outside the door to the room, accompanied by several others who are loyal to him. Inside the room, Jon’s body remains on the table. Davos, the faithful brothers, Ghost, Aldarra and her friends are all standing in the room.

Allister says with authority, “It’s time, Ser Davos. Open the door and the men inside can rejoin their brothers in peace. We’ll even set the wolf free north of the Wall where it belongs. Nobody needs to die tonight.” They all nod in agreement.

Davos turns to address the Night’s Watch faithful brothers. He says, “I’ve never been much of a fighter.” Davos walks over to Longclaw, Jon’s sword, and picks it up.