When the guards accosted Davos near the castle gates he was certain he was done for, that the Red Priestess had used her powers to detect him and was intercepting him. They did not however drag him at once down to the dungeons but instead said that the King had summoned him. So they brought him up through the castle now painfully empty compared to the muster that had occurred before they had gone on campaign.

The guards lead him to his alarm to Melisandre's chambers. Instantly he was certain he had been betrayed and would soon be burning on one of the mad woman's pyres.

When they opened the door however it was Stannis's voice that greeted him.

"Sir Seaworth, come inside."

Davos did as he was bide and found his King seated on a chair by the fire with Melisandre across from him. The Red Priestess watched hm with a thoughtful expression as he bowed to his King.

"Your Majesty," he said.

"Rise Seaworth," Stannis commanded and Davos did as he was bide. "Guards, bring Sir Seaworth a chair and wine."

The guards bowed and hurried off to collect the requested items.

"Twice now Onion Knight, you come to me beyond all hope or reason," Stannis said. "Once before at Storm's End and now here after Blackwater."

"My loyalty is yours my King," Davos answered. "Now until the end of the world."

"If any other man were to say such things to me I would doubt them," Stannis replied. "With you however Davos, I know they are true. I am sorry for the loss of your sons, they were good men and loyal."

"Thank you my King," Davos said. "Such words mean a great deal to me and are a great comfort."

"Your son, will be glad however to know his father his returned from death." Stannis continued.

"Not quiet death my King," Davos admitted. "But close enough to it."

"I would hear your tale," Stannis said as the guards returned with an extra chair, a bottle of wine, and three glasses. Davos took his seat gratefully, thanking the guards as they poured a glass each for Stannis, himself, and Melisandre.

"When the Lannister fire ship went off," he began, "I was blown clear of the ship into Blackwater, saved me from the worst of it. The current carried me out into the bay and I spent hours clinging to a piece of debris. I washed up on a small outcropping of rock and spent days there alone. I managed to hail a passing ship and to my fortune it was one of yours my King. They brought me back to Dragonstone, I was sick with fever and was thus unable to present myself to you sooner my King. I beg your forgiveness for my failure."

"You need no forgiveness," Stannis answered. "You unlike many others who swore themselves to my service have returned. That you were delayed a few days I shall not begrudge you."

"Thank you, your Majesty."