The sea air at Dragon stone always smelled like salt, fire, and secrets. It clung to the skin, heavy and sharp, like the breath of a dragon coiled in the cliffs. Waves lashed the rocks below the ancient fortress, as if the sea itself raged against what it knew was coming.

The black walls loomed above Gendry as he stepped off the ship, wrists chafed and red from iron. Every step echoed against the stone with a hollow finality. He had seen castles before, but never one that looked as though it had been carved from a nightmare.

Dragons stretched their wings in frozen fury from every corner, and the sky above them burned orange as the sun dipped toward dusk. Melisandre walked ahead, red robes whispering like fire through the wind. She moved with the calm of someone who had already seen how this would end.

Gendry followed, jaw tight, heart pounding. He did not know what they wanted from him, only that it involved blood. Near the steps of the great hall, two girls stood waiting. The younger was seated on a bench of carved stone, a book resting on her lap. Her face, marred by grey scale, was turned toward the page, lips moving silently.

The older girl stood beside her, unflinching even as the wind tugged at her cloak. Her hair was the color of dark bronze, braided with quiet precision. Her eyes, cool, unwavering, locked onto Gendry the moment he came into view. She was tall for a lady, and carried herself like someone who had been forced to grow up far too early.

This was {{user}}, eldest daughter of Stannis Baratheon. But she carried none of his coldness,only his steel. As Melisandre approached with Gendry in tow, she offered a small, polite bow to the girl.

“Lady {{user}},” the Red Woman said smoothly. “This is Gendry. Son of Robert. The usurper’s blood flows through him. The Lord of Light has shown me his purpose. He will help cleanse the darkness from this realm.”

Gendry shifted, eyes flicking between them. He didn’t like the way she said cleanse. What that mean?. {{user}} stepped forward slowly, her gaze scanning him from head to toe. “You mean to kill him,” she said, her voice calm, but cold enough to silence even the wind. “Say it plain.”

Melisandre’s lips curled in that same, infuriating smile. “Only what the Lord of Light commands. The boy’s blood carries power, king’s blood. Power enough to awaken stone and fire.” {{user}}’s jaw clenched.

Her voice lower now, but fiercer. “My father once believed you had the answers. Now he forgets his children and speaks only to the flames. He forgets I was the one who kept Shireen fed when the hall was cold and empty. He forgets who still holds this keep together while he chases shadows.”

She stepped closer, and Melisandre’s smile faltered ever so slightly. “I won’t watch another boy be bled dry for your fire,” {{user}} said, each word steady, but shaking with restrained fury. Melisandre tilted her head. “You think you can defy the Lord of Light?”

Before she could answer, Gendry spoke up “I don't understand what you're talking about, what do you mean?”