Game of Thrones: King of Magic

Chapter 61

Stannis Baratheon. King's Landing.

- "I didn't expect you to pay me a visit, Stannis," Renly, dressed in armor, said as he approached me, "What can I do for you?"

We were in a small courtyard of the Red Keep, where a training ground had been set up, which was currently surrounded by a crowd of various ladies eager to watch my younger brother and his sparring partner, who had now retreated to his sister, who was also present.

When I arrived here, Renly was training with Loras Tyrrell, the youngest son of Mace Tyrell, Lord Highgarden and Aleria Hightower. Both he and Renly were, I would say, smarmy and too pure to be called warriors. And that irritated me to some degree.

Clean hair, neatly trimmed beard, and gleaming armor just didn't fit with the warrior image in my head. Fighting and war is dirt, blood, bruises, abrasions and cuts, and these two, as well as their cronies, didn't fit that, and so I didn't recognize them as my equals, even though they had decent skills. And on that ground, and perhaps envy, my relationship with both Robert and Renly was not the best.

But times change, as in the case of Solomon and my family, and so perhaps I should soften up a bit, though doing so will definitely be difficult. The reason for my visit, however, was a bit different.

- "Your behavior at the Small Council meeting raised questions for me," I said in my usual tone.

- "You didn't like it?"

- "I find it strange that you supported me and my words. Too kind even for you."

He raised an eyebrow in surprise at my words, and then showed a smile, the very one I found particularly annoying.

- "Well, first of all, I was surprised to see you at the meeting, because you've always preferred to hole up on Dragonstone in the middle of the sea and rocks," he said cheerfully, and I didn't react, "And secondly, your words, though tedious and prim, were true and accurate. Frankly, I expected you to be silent and glare at us for the rest of the meeting, but not to participate. How's the family? Lady Selyse and little Shireen are well?"

- "They're in good health. That's all I wanted to talk to you about," I said briefly, and was about to leave when Renly called out to me.

- "Leaving so soon?" He asked, "It's been a long time since we last saw each other, so why don't we talk some more?"

- "I don't see the point."

- "Come on, we're brothers."

I sighed tiredly, but I turned to him, then turned my gaze to Tyrell, who was talking to his sister.

- "You want to get close to the Tyrells through their youngest son? An alliance with them would do much good."

- "Ah, good old Stannis," Renly laughed briefly, "Lady Margaery is beautiful and clever and rich, but I'd rather have her brother's company. I can't make her put on her armor and come into the arena with me, can I?"

- "Maybe," was all I said, and then I was silent, indicating that I didn't want to talk further. Renly shook his head, then put a hand on my shoulder.

- "In any case, it's good to see you, Stannis. The Seven Kingdoms are going through hard times, and I'm glad you care," he said good-naturedly, "And by the way, there's been a rumor that you've changed your faith. Is that true?"

- "Maybe," I repeated, and headed for the exit, shaking off his hand.

- "If you stick around, pay me a visit. You're not the best conversationalist, but maybe we should get to know each other better. Like brothers."