Chapter 45

Dragonstone,
Two days later...

Lord Davos Seaworth, Lord of Highgarden, Lord Paramount of the Reach, Warden of the South, and Master of Ships, truly welcomed this particular visit to Dragonstone, which he now patrolled as he supervised the mining of its dragonglass. He was not alone. With him was his wife, Lady Marya Seaworth, along with his younger sons, Devan, Stannis, and Steffon Seaworth. Also with him was his mistress, Abrey, from King’s Landing.

“Salladhor Saan, on behalf of Their Graces, Jon Snow and Daenerys Stormborn, of Houses Stark and Targaryen, the First of Their Names, King and Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord and Lady of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protectors of the Realm, I welcome you to Dragonstone. As you know, I’m Master of Ships now,” Davos pointed out.

“And now the Onion Lord rather than the Onion Knight. Your King and Queen have prevailed. The Seven Kingdoms are theirs now, are they not? King’s Landing has fallen, though I regret that I was never able to fuck the Queen,” Salladhor grinned, “I hear that you have the Reach, too, as Lord Paramount and Lord of Highgarden.”

“You have heard rightly. I have been rewarded very well for my service to my King and Queen. Since House Tyrell is extinct and House Tarly is nearly so, I have been made the new Lord of Highgarden, Lord Paramount of the Reach, and Warden of the South. This is my wife, Lady Marya Seaworth, and these are my sons, Devan, Stannis, and Steffon Seaworth. And this is Abrey,” Lord Davos started to add.

“His mistress. Don’t be embarrassed. There’s no sense in denying it. You’re not devout to any faith and the Lord of the Light doesn’t fuss over such things. Besides, we were apart long enough for you to need a companion of that sort. And from what she’s told me, she was very helpful in guiding you through King’s Landing. Just promise me that it stops with her. One wife and one mistress is a healthy number for a man your age, an overripe onion just like me. You have enough work with your many offices and duties. Don’t tax your health too much,” Lady Marya informed him.

“Yes, well, speaking of marriages, I’ve had an offer from Lady Melessa Tarly of Horn Hill. She offers her daughter, Lady Talla Tarly of Horn Hill, her hand in marriage to our Devan. Imagine such a match, by every god known to man! Our boy ... married to the heiress of Lord Randyll Tarly himself! That would make Samwell Tarly, the Grand Maester, his brother-in-law, too. What do you think, dear ... and what do you think, Salladhor Saan?” Lord Davos asked both his wife and his old friend at once.

“It’s an excellent match, to be sure. What do you think, Abrey?” Lady Marya wondered.

“Certainly a good one, m’lady,” Abrey blushed and curtsied yet again, not used to being put on the spot.

“Speaking of matches, I don’t suppose that I’ll get to fuck the blonde queen this time, her being on your side. I never did get to fuck Cersei, after all, as I hoped. Then again, maybe there will be whores or something in the north ... or widows,” Salladhor remarked.

“Oh, there are never any shortages of widows in war, alas,” Davos groused, “one reason why I preferred smuggling. Most folks survive that.”

“Too true!” Salladhor coughed as he laughed.

“So ... I am to wed this ... Lady Tarly, then?” Devan asked for clarity’s sake.

“Yes, son, I believe that you shall. This is a great match. It will link you to one of the greatest families in the Reach. Your brother-in-law will be the Grand Maester of the Seven Kingdoms. Your son by her will inherit not only Highgarden, but Horn Hill as well. That’s a real change. Your brother Stannis, in turn, will inherit Cape Wrath. What will become of Steffon, well, who knows? Maybe a Maester or Kingsguard. Time will tell,” Davos assured his son as they walked into the dining hall together.