Bleeding Ivory l Robb Stark

the red woman

Seated at the table was Bryden, Stannis and his wife, the princess Shireen and a Red Priestess.

She scoffed as her eyes landed on the red haired women, thinking to how Stannis denounced magic and all it's tales when she and Renly were children. "And with two healthy babes and Sansa Stark. You've been busy haven't you, niece." He remarked with sly as Joanna approached the table

"I'm not your niece." Joanna spat back taking a seat at the head of the table as her eyes fixtured to Blackfish "This doesn't explain why his wife had the nerve- the audacity to hold my child." Her eyes glaring back to Stannis "Why are you here?"

"I imagine news has reached you that Tywin Lannister is dead. I plan to march South to take what is rightfully mine." To this Joanna rolled her eyes

"My brother Tommen sits the Iron Throne now and I doubt my mother would have you usurp the crown. In any case the war of five kings is over, none of us have armies big enough against the crowns. We wasted it on one another, do you not recall?" Her snide comment not resting easy with Stannis as the red priestess nod her head to him

"It is your kin that does not belong on the throne. I am the last living brother, heir, to Robert. Your brother is nothing but a bastard. When my armies ride South, your family will have no choice to surrender the crown to me."

Joanna seemed to only laugh as she played with her cup "That does not explain why you are here Stannis." chuckled.

"When word reached me that he and his men passed us, I had your rogues force his batallion to us. No one passes us, without me knowing." Blackfish affirmed

Her eyes looked to the offended face of Selyse

"As child you as well as your drunken brother, never believed me to be smart and for that you are wrong. I'll take three guesses as to why you're here." She began to mock

"One, to hand over your demented wife and have me cut her hands for touching my fucking child!" Joanna scolded "Two, to brighten my day as I see you wallow in your failure after the war or three, watch you beg us for Northern men to your army."

Stannis slammed his fist to the table as the red priestess stood to calm him. Her hand on his shoulder as Stannis sat down again

"My princess, Stannis Baratheon is the one true king. Heir to the Iron Throne and ruler to the seven kingdoms. It is your duty to serve your future king by answering to his calls."

"And who are you?" Joanna crossed her arms

"Melissandre."

"Melissandre? You seem like a woman of intellect, tell me how is it you came into the service of Stannis Baratheon and his conquest?"

"I am the advisor to my- our future king. The Lord of Light has shown me that Stannis is one true king and I intend do what my lord commands of me."

"And your lord think of him-" Blackfish pointed to Stannis "As the king of six kingdoms."

"Seven." Melissandre affirmed

Blackfish shook his head taking a sip of his wine

"No. The North will and has always been a free and independent kingdom. My niece and her son died ensuring that. So tell us why it is that we should even allow you on our grounds?" To this Joanna smirked, once again Brynden defending Robb's honour with her "Because if you expect of us, to fight in your conquest to ride South, you my dear, are gravely mistaken."