The sunlight shone on the flaming stag banner of Stannis, which fluttered in the wind like a real flame.
The thick fog on Dragonstone dissipated, bringing a rare clear day.
Stannis's ministers, who had been frowning just days before, were now gathered at the Stone Drum Tower for a heated discussion, with Stannis and his queen Selyse seated at the head of the table.
The Loyalists The Queens Party members filled the Stone Drum Tower, while Davos, Melisandre, and others were at the very front.
Even Alliser, who was previously suspected of treason, was released and temporarily assumed the role of hand of the king until Stannis found a suitable replacement.
Stannis had very few capable people around him, but thanks to House Florent's closer bloodline to House Gardener, he could at least cause Tyrell some trouble.
At this point, the main topic of discussion was the issue of rewards, and when it came to discussing rewards, Jon was the number one contributor who could not be bypassed.
Without Jon, they would have had to leave Dragonstone sooner or later and form a court in exile.
Moreover, Jon's reward must be high, otherwise how could these defeated generals have the face to ask Stannis for a reward?
Meanwhile, Stannis, sitting high on the throne, was unsure what kind of reward would be appropriate for Dao. At least for now, a count's reward seemed rather low.
Davos and Melisandre returned from King's Landing and both spoke highly of Jon, especially Davos, who said Jon was practically Eddard. Rebirth.
Both his virtue and ability are impeccable.
Granting Jon Stark the surname to legitimize him was a "cherry on top" reward, absolutely not a proper conferment, otherwise he, as king, would be a laughing stock.
" Your Majesty, I believe it is appropriate to bestow the title of Harrenhal upon Jon, granting him the title of Lord of Harrenhal." The speaker was Alliser, who had just been released.
Harrenhal's castle was large enough, and it was next to Lake God's Eye, with fertile land, making it a good fief.
But soon someone raised a contrary opinion, it was Davos: " Your Majesty, Harrenhal is good, but Harrenhal is really an ominous place. The three families died out here, which is really unworthy of Jon's contribution."
Davos had the highest regard for Jon among all the Dragonstone members, so he wanted to secure Jon a good fiefdom so he wouldn't keep thinking about returning to the Wall.
"Then where do you think he should be rewarded?" Stannis asked Dao.
Although Davos and Melisandre both acknowledged Jon, especially Melisandre who stated that Jon was a wise and valiant minister sent to him by the Lord of Light, Stannis still could not completely trust Jon and was even less able to fully accept the advice of his ministers.
" Your Majesty, I—" Davos stammered, unable to finish his sentence.
Jon's reward was hard-won; at the very least, a castle of a certain size was required. The Stormlands were all loyal to Stannis, and he couldn't possibly strip a family of their castle and good land and give it to Jon.
The northern part of the Riverlands was still in Winterfell's hands.
The Reach is even less likely; Stannis isn't crazy enough to force Tyrell, with its 70,000 to 80,000 troops, into rebellion just to reward Jon.
There's nothing we can do. He failed militarily, and the western border is no longer under our control. Now we've reached a point where we can't reward our number one hero.
"Did Dao say he would give Dragonstone to him?" Stannis dismissed the idea; after all, Dragonstone was Targaryen's stronghold.
There seem to be remnants of the Targaryen across the Narrow Sea plotting a restoration, and I cannot possibly relinquish such a crucial location to others.
Finally, Stannis made his decision. He said, "Let's put the matter of the fiefdom aside for now. I will grant Jon Snow the surname Stark, and I will personally knight him. Once he becomes a knight, I will at least make him a duke."
Now that Stannis had spoken, the crowd stopped arguing about the matter. At this moment, Queen Selyse suddenly spoke up: " Your Majesty, perhaps we should also consider bestowing a marriage upon this Jon."
"A marriage decree?" Stannis turned to look at his wife, and although Selyse's voice was not loud, many people heard it.
Compared to bestowing gifts, arranged marriages seem to have a greater impact on their interests.
If Jon were to be betrothed, the bride would have to be chosen from among Stannis's vassal families.
However, Stannis's vassals are divided into "The Loyalists " and " The Queens Party." No matter which side Jon joins, it will greatly enhance the power and influence of that party, and he may even become its leader.
Selyse carefully observed Stannis's expression; their relationship wasn't actually that good, and could even be described as somewhat cold.
Stannis never allowed Selyse to be affectionate in public. Even at a public banquet, when Selyse tried to take his arm, he immediately rebuked Dao: "Let go of my hand! Woman!"
Selyse believes this is because she was unable to give Stannis a son, and the daughter she gave birth to was born with gray scales.
Therefore, Selyse was very careful in every interaction with Stannis, and even tried to please him. Melisandre was the one she introduced to her husband.
Seeing that Stannis didn't object, he continued, " Your Majesty, my family has quite a few girls of marriageable age, perhaps—"
"Your family's girls are best left alone. Have you forgotten your cousin?" Stannis said sarcastically without even looking at Selyse.
Upon hearing Stannis mention her cousin, Selyse immediately felt her cheeks burn.
It turns out that on their wedding night, Selyse's sister and Robert had a passionate encounter on their wedding bed, and Robert became pregnant. Selyse's sister gave birth to a bastard for the king, who was raised in Storms End.
He was a healthy and strong boy.
Both of them believed that the bastard should have been born to Stannis by Selyse, but they dared not blame Robert, so they could only label Selyse's cousin as "indecent".
Stannis isn't stupid; the people at House Florent bear at least half the responsibility for this Battle of the Blackwater.
Both Davos and I asked Imre to send a scout fleet to check if there were any traps on Blackwater Rush, but he was too complacent and arrogant to do so.
Not to mention that Alliser had recently planned to make peace with Lannister, and Stannis was already extremely disgusted with his wife's family.
It's impossible, and I don't want Jon and House Florent to have any entanglement.
He not only wants to reward Jon, but Jon himself is also a reward.
At this time, Stannis ' other vassals were also trying to arrange a marriage alliance with Jon. (The Queens Party) The Loyalists were divided, each believing that their family's girl was more beautiful and deserved Jon.
Stannis grew annoyed as his courtiers began to clamor again. Just then, a servant rushed in to report: " Your Majesty, House Tyrell has sent messengers, and some of our captured officials have been returned."
" Tyrell ————" Stannis thought that if it weren't for Tyrell, he might have been able to storm King's Landing ———— He clenched his fist, finally suppressing his anger, and ordered Dao: "Let him come."