grrm.astormofswords-第98部分

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　〃Your　Grace；〃　said　Ser　Axell；　〃I　beg　you；　give　me　the　chance　to　prove　to　you　that　not　all　Florents　are　so　feeble。〃
　〃Ser　Axell　would　have　me　resume　the　war；〃　King　Stannis　told　Davos。　〃The　Lannisters　think　I　am　done　and　beaten；　and　my　swom　lords　have　forsaken　me；　near　every　one。　Even　Lord　Estermont；　my　own　mother's　father；　has　bent　his　knee　to　Joffrey。　The　few　loyal　men　who　remain　to　me　are　losing　heart。　They　waste　their　days　drinking　and　gambling；　and　lick　their　wounds　like　beaten　curs。〃
　〃Battle　will　set　their　hearts　ablaze　once　more；　Your　Grace；〃　Ser　Axell　said。　〃Defeat　is　a　disease；　and　victory　is　the　cure。〃
　〃Victory。〃　The　king's　mouth　twisted。　〃There　are　victories　and　victories；　ser。　But　tell　your　plan　to　Ser　Davos。　I　would　hear　his　views　on　what　you　propose。〃
　Ser　Axell　turned　to　Davos；　with　a　look　on　his　face　much　like　the　look　that　proud　Lord　Belgrave　must　have　worn；　the　day　King　Baelor　the　Blessed　had　manded　him　to　wash　the　beggar's　ulcerous　feet。　Nonetheless；　he　obeyed。
　The　plan　Ser　Axell　had　devised　with　Salladhor　Saan　was　simple。　A　few　hours'　sail　from　Dragonstone　lay　Claw　Isle；　ancient　sea…girt　seat　of　House　Celtigar。　Lord　Ardrian　Celtigar　had　fought　beneath　the　flery　heart　on　the　Blackwater；　but　once　taken；　he　had　wasted　no　time　in　going　over　to　Joffrey。　He　remained　in　King's　Landing　even　now。　〃Too　frightened　of　His　Grace's　wrath　to　e　near　Dragonstone；　no　doubt；〃　Ser　Axell　declared。　〃And　wisely　so。　The　man　has　betrayed　his　rightful　king。〃
　Ser　Axell　proposed　to　use　Salladhor　Saan's　fleet　and　the　men　who　had　escaped　the　Blackwater…Stannis　still　had　some　fifteen　hundred　on　Dragonstone；　more　than　half　of　them　Florents…to　exact　retribution　for　Lord　Celtigar's　defection。　Claw　Isle　was　but　lightly　garrisoned；　its　castle　reputedly　stuffed　with　Myrish　carpets；　Volantene　glass；　gold　and　silver　plate；　jeweled　cups；　magnificent　hawks；　an　axe　of　Valyrian　steel；　a　horn　that　could　summon　monsters　from　the　deep；　chests　of　rubies；　and　more　wines　than　a　man　could　drink　in　a　hundred　years。　Though　Celtigar　had　shown　the　world　a　niggardly　face；　he　had　never　stinted　on　his　own　forts。　〃Put　his　castle　to　the　torch　and　his　people　to　the　sword；　I　say；〃　Ser　Axell　concluded。　〃Leave　Claw　Isle　a　desolation　of　ash　and　bone；　fit　only　for　carrion　crows；　so　the　realm　might　see　the　fate　of　those　who　bed　with　Lannisters。〃
　Stannis　listened　to　Ser　Axell's　recitation　in　silence；　grinding　his　jaw　slowly　from　side　to　side。　When　it　was　done；　he　said；　〃It　could　be　done；　I　believe。　The　risk　is　small。　Joffrey　has　no　strength　at　sea　until　Lord　Redwyne　sets　sail　from　the　Arbor。　The　plunder　might　serve　to　keep　that　Lysene　pirate　Salladhor　Saan　loyal　for　a　time。　By　itself　Claw　Isle　is　worthless；　but　its　fall　would　serve　notice　to　Lord　Tywin　that　my　cause　is　not　yet　done。〃　The　king　turned　back　to　Davos。　〃Speak　truly；　ser。　What　do　you　make　of　Ser　Axell's　proposal？〃
　Speak　truly；　ser。　Davos　remembered　the　dark　cell　he　had　shared　with　Lord　Alester；　remembered　Lamprey　and　Porridge。　He　thought　of　the　promises　that　Ser　Axell　had　made　on　the　bridge　above　the　yard。　A　ship　or　a　shove；　what　shall　it　be？　But　this　was　Stannis　asking。　〃Your　Grace；〃　he　said　slowly；　〃I　make　it　folly　。　。　。　aye；　and　cowardice。〃
　〃Cowardice？〃　Ser　Axell　all　but　shouted。　〃No　man　calls　me　craven　before　my　king！〃
　〃Silence；〃　Stannis　manded。　〃Ser　Davos；　speak　on；　I　would　hear　your　reasons。〃
　Davos　turned　to　face　Ser　Axell。　〃You　say　we　ought　show　the　realm　we　are　not　done。　Strike　a　blow。　Make　war；　aye　。　。　。　but　on　what　enemy？　You　will　find　no　Lannisters　on　Claw　Isle。〃
　〃We　will　find　traitors；〃　said　Ser　Axell；　〃though　it　may　be　I　could　find　some　closer　to　home。　Even　in　this　very　room。〃
　Davos　ignored　the　jibe。　〃I　don't　doubt　Lord　Celtigar　bent　the　knee　to　the　boy　Joffrey。　He　is　an　old　done　man；　who　wants　no　more　than　to　end　his　days　in　his　castle；　drinking　his　fine　wine　out　of　his　jeweled　cups。〃　He　turned　back　to　Stannis。　〃Yet　he　came　when　you　called；　sire。　Came；　with　his　ships　and　swords。　He　stood　by　you　at　Storm's　End　when　Lord　Renly　came　down　on　us；　and　his　ships　sailed　up　the　Blackwater。　His　men　fought　for　you；　killed　for　you；　burned　for　you。　Claw　Isle　is　weakly　held；　yes。　Held　by　women　and　children　and　old　men。　And　why　is　that？　Because　their　husbands　and　sons　and　fathers　died　on　the　Blackwater；　that's　why。　Died　at　their　oars；　or　with　swords　in　their　hands；　fighting　beneath　our　banners。　Yet　Ser　Axell　proposes　we　swoop　down　on　the　homes　they　left　behind；　to　rape　their　widows　and　put　their　children　to　the　sword。　These　smallfolk　are　no　traitors　。　。　。〃
　〃They　are；〃　insisted　Ser　Axell。　〃Not　all　of　Celtigar's　men　were　slain　on　the　Blackwater。　Hundreds　were　taken　with　their　lord；　and　bent　the　knee　when　he　did。〃
　〃When　he　did；〃　Davos　repeated。　〃They　were　his　men。　His　swom　men。　What　choice　were　they　given？〃
　〃Every　man　has　choices。　They　might　have　refused　to　kneel。　Some　did；　and　died　for　it。　Yet　they　died　true　men；　and　loyal。〃
　〃Some　men　are　stronger　than　others。〃　It　was　a　feeble　answer；　and　Davos　knew　it。　Stannis　Baratheon　was　a　man　of　iron　will　who　neither　understood　nor　forgave　weakness　in　others。　I　am　losing；　he　thought；　despairing。
　〃It　is　every　man's　duty　to　remain　loyal　to　his　rightful　king；　even　if　the　lord　he　serves　proves　false；〃　Stannis　declared　in　a　tone　that　brooked　no　argument。
　A　desperate　folly　took　hold　of　Davos；　a　recklessness　akin　to　madness。　〃As　you　remained　loyal　to　King　Aerys　when　your　brother　raised　his　banners？〃　he　blurted。
　Shocked　silence　followed；　until　Ser　Axell　cried；　〃Treason！〃　and　snatched　his　dagger　from　its　sheath。　〃Your　Grace；　he　speaks　his　infamy　to　your　face！〃
　Davos　could　hear　Stannis　grinding　his　teeth。　A　vein　bulged；　blue　and　swollen；　in　the　king's　brow。　Their　eyes　met。　〃Put　up　your　knife；　Ser　Axell。　And　leave　us。〃
　〃As　it　please　Your　Grace　…
　〃It　would　please　me　for　you　to　leave；〃　said　Stannis。　〃Take　yourself　from　my　presence；　and　send　me　Melisandre。〃
　〃As　you　mand。〃　Ser　Axell　slid　the　knife　away；　bowed；　and　hurried　toward　the　door。　His　boots　rang　against　the　floor；　angry。
　〃You　have　always　presumed　on　my　forbearance；〃　Stannis　warned　Davos　when　they　were　alone。　〃I　can　shorten　your　tongue　as　easy　as　I　did　your　fingers；　smuggler。〃
　〃I　am　your　man；　Your　Grace。　So　it　is　your　tongue；　to　do　with　as　you　please。〃
　〃It　is；〃　he　said；　calmer。　〃And　I　would　have　it　speak　the　truth。　Though　the　truth　is　a　bitter　draught　at　times。　Aerys　。　。　。　If　you　only　knew　。　。　。　that　was　a　hard　choosing。　My　blood　or　my　liege。　My　brother　or　my　king。〃　He　grimaced。　〃Have　you　ever　seen　the　Iron　Throne？　The　barbs　along　the　back；　the　ribbons　of　twisted　steel；　the　jagged　ends　of　swords　and　knives　all　tangled　up　and　melted？　It　is　not　a　fortable　seat；　ser。　Aerys　cut　himself　so　often　men　took　to　calling　him　King　Scab；　and　Maegor　the　Cruel　was　murdered　in　that　chair。　By　that　chair；　to　hear　some　tell　it。　It　is　not　a　seat　where　a　man　can　rest　at　ease。　Ofttimes　I　wonder　why　my　brothers　wanted　it　so　desperately。〃
　〃Why　would　you　want　it；　then？〃　Davos　asked　him。
　〃It　is　not　a　question　of　wanting。　The　throne　is　mine；　as　Robert's　heir。　That　is　law。　After　me；　it　must　pass　to　my　daughter；　unless　Selyse　should　finally　give　me　a　son。〃　He　ran　three　fingers　lightly　down　the　table；　over　the　layers　of　smooth　hard　varnish；　dark　with　age。　〃I　am　king。　Wants　do　not　enter　into　it。　I　have　a　duty　to　my　daughter。　To　the　realm。　Even　to　Robert。　He　loved　me　but　little；　I　know；　yet　he　was　my　brother。　The　Lannister　woman　gave　him　horns　and　made　a　motley　fool　of　him。　She　may　have　murdered　him　as　well；　as　she　murdered　Jon　Arryn　and　Ned　Stark。　For　such　crimes　there　must　be　justice。　Starting　with　Cersei　and　her　abominations。　But　only　starting。　I　mean　to　scour　that　court　clean。　As　Robert　should　have　done；　after　the　Trident。　Ser　Barristan　once　told　me　that　the　rot　in　King　Aerys's　reign　began　with　Varys。　The　eunuch　should　never　have　been　pardoned。　No　more　than　the　Kingslayer。　At　the　least；　Robert　should　have　stripped　the　white　cloak　from　Jaime　and　sent　him　to　the　Wall；　as　Lord　Stark　urged。　He　listened　to　Jon　Arryn　instead。　I　was　still　at　Storm's　End；　under　siege　and　unconsulted。〃　He　turned　abruptly；　to　give　Davos　a　hard　shrewd　look。　〃The　truth；　now。　Why　did　you　wish　to　murder　Lady　Melisandre？〃
　So　he　does　know　Davos　could　not　lie　to　him。　〃Four　of　my　sons　burned　on　the　Blackwater。　She　gave　them　to　the　flames。〃
　〃You　wrong　her。　Those　fires　were　no　work　of　hers。　Curse　the　Imp；　curse　the　pyromancers；　curse　that　fool　of　Florent　who　sailed　my　fleet　into　the　jaws　of　a　trap。　Or　curse　me　for　my　stubborn　pride；　for　sending　her　away　when　I　needed　her　most。　But　not　Melisandre。　She　remains　my　faithful　servant。〃
　〃Maester　Cressen　was　your　faithful　servant。　She　slew　him；　as　she　killed　Ser　Cortnay　Penrose　and　your　brother　Renly。〃
　〃Now　you　sound　a　fool；〃　the　king　plained。　〃She　saw　Renly's　end　in　the　flames；　yes；　but　she　had　no　more　part　in　it　than　I　did。　The　priestess　was　with　me。　Your　Devan　would　tell　you　so。　Ask　him；　if　you　doubt　me。　She　would　have　spared　Renly　if　she　could。　It　was　Melisandre　who　urged　me　to　meet　with　him；　and　give　him　one　last　chance　to　amend　his　treason。　And　it　was　Melisandre　who　told　me　to　send　for　you　when　Ser　Axell　wished　to　give　you　to　R'hllor。〃　He　smiled　thinly。　〃Does　that　surprise　you？〃
　〃Yes。　She　knows　I　am　no　friend　to　her　or　her　red　god。〃
　〃But　you　are　a　friend　to　me。　She　knows　that　as　well。〃　He　beckoned　Davos　closer。　〃The　boy　is　sick。　Maester　Pylos　has　been　leeching　him。〃
　〃The　boy？〃　His　thoughts　went　to　his　Devan；　the　king's　squire。　〃My　son；　sire？〃
　〃Devan？　A　good　boy。　He　has　much　of　you　in　him。　It　is　Robert's　bastard　who　is　sick；　the　boy　we　took　at　Storm's　End。〃
　Edric　Storm。　〃I　spoke　with　him　in　Aegon's　Garden。〃
　〃As　she　wished。　As　she　saw。〃　Stannis　sighed。　〃Did　the　boy　charm　you？　He　has　that　gift。　He　got　it　from　his　father；　with　the　blood。　He　knows　he　is　a　king's　son；　but　chooses　to　forget　that　he　is　bastard…born。　And　he　worships　Robert；　as　Renly　did　when　he　was　young。　My　royal　brother　played　the　fond　father　on　his　visits　to　Storm's　End；　and　there　were　gifts　。　。　。　swords　and　ponies　and　fur…trimmed　cloaks。　The　eunuch's　work；　every　one。　The　boy　would　write　the　Red　Keep　full　of　thanks；　and　Robert　would　laugh　and　ask　Varys　what　he'd　sent　this　year。　Renly　was　no　b