Jacob I (ACOK)

Flickers of the flames of horror burn through the stone statues of the Seven Gods, as hundreds of men watched on with apathy and nothingness in their hearts.

Jacob of House Baratheon, rightful Prince of the Seven Kingdoms outside on the beach of Dragonstone, watching the idols of the Faith be burned at Melisandre's command.

The young man was standing with Ser Davos, the Onion Knight and his sons Allard and Dale. And a tear came from his eye, seeing the idols of the religion he worshipped, since he was child burn, along with the stained glass and the sept.

The prince knew he couldn't stop them, as the most fanatical of R'hllor's followers on the island will kill him, but luckily Uncle Axell Florent had control over those men.

The spectacle of the burnings confused Jacob, as he was in mourning again. For the death of Maester Cressen and the destruction of the Seven before his eyes.

"The Lady Melisandre knew what Cressen planned for her, and made him drink his own poison and killed him."

Prince Jacob saw Septon Barre imprisoned for protesting, but the man had a right to, since his sept was destroyed by those belligerent men with no respect for elders.

"If the Queen's men could do such a thing to a septon, then I wouldn't imagine what my father would do to me, if he finds out I still wrote to Willas, before the war started. It seems we are enemies, with his family declaring for Uncle Renly."

Jacob watched the fire flicker, looking around to see many men uncertain and a bit torn between wanting save the idols or themselves.

Especially when, Lord Sunglass was imprisoned, along with his sons for daring to protest, being the pious lord he was, his loyalty was to the Faith and nothing more.

"Lord of Light, come to us in our darkness! We offer you these false gods, take them and cast your light upon us for the night is dark and full of terrors." Melisandre chanted.

Jacob saw his mother Queen Selyse chant the words loud, among her loyal men, who also were converted to Melisandre's religion.

This religion maybe a menace, but it gave his mother something to believe in and made her happy.

On the other hand, the burning of the Seven idols made the prince cough from the excessive smoke, as did Lord Celtigar, Lord Duram Bar Emmon turned grey and Lord Velaryon watched the prince's father, then the fire.

Prince Jacob had to hand to Lady Melisandre, she may be a temptress, but she was an affluent storyteller, telling such tales of the ancient hero Azor Ahai, something Jacob had seen reading about the history of Valyria and the dragon lords of the East.

"Yet, my mother's men will throw themselves for the Red Lady, but will either of them be so devoted to a prince, who worships the Faith."

The prince was apprehensive of his name day coming soon, as it coincides with a war and will not be able to have his family around him.

"My not so cousin Joffrey is a figurehead for the Lannisters to control, and has started his reign in an appalling fashion. Killing Ned Stark, keeping the dead lord's daughter hostage and waging war against Robb, who fashioned himself King in the North. Stupid boy, he will pay for his treason, either he changes his mind and bends the knee to my father or he will die by my blade, to never feel the warmth of a woman's body."

"Oh and Uncle Renly has crowned himself the King in Highgarden, with the power of the Stormlands and the Reach behind him. I'm sure this was a lot designed and planned by Lord Mace and Ser Loras, the eager lover of my uncle."

Jacob didn't want his mind to drudge on about his traitor uncle and his traitor northern friend, as he wanted to save those bitter feelings for the battlefield.

The prince watched his father King Stannis pull out the flaming sword from the pyre, but was sure his father wore a glove to keep safe, as he didn't believe him to be a hero.

The Queen's men and his mother chanted the prayer of their new religion, for the night is dark and full of terrors, which were the words echoed through the island.

"Father must know how ridiculous this is, and mother is enthralled by Melisandre that she can't see sense."

Jacob wasn't stupid, he knew Uncle Renly had certain affections for the Tyrells, especially the Knight of Flowers, but didn't judge as he had his own reservations in terms of feeling affection or even receiving affection from anyone.

The prince didn't believe in love, as he believed it to be for children because he had been hurt and scorned by it.

He had been hurt by Desmera Redwyne, as she still loved him, but her father was to broker a betrothal with Ser Daven Lannister, a man who looked like a lion and was a fearsome fighter.

Jacob had seen some of the more distant Lannisters, mostly at the tourneys of Joffrey years ago, but never entertained in talking to them, because they were of the enemy house.

"I wonder how she is, stuck back at the Arbor or in Uncle Renly's camp with her lord father. Does she still dream of marrying me or are her affections are towards some other boy?"

The prince liked to walk on the edge of what was conventionally right, and what he wanted, as a young man discovering what his feelings truly mean.

During his time in the Reach, Jacob enjoyed the company of men and women, and even a son of House Rowan foolishly thought himself in love with the then dual heir.

Jacob entertained the idea, but the Rowan boy was a jealous man, as he hated Willas for gaining his friendship and trust.

"Different times, when I was just a boy coming into manhood. And I have gotten there. There will be no more songs or poetry of such, as I closed off any kind of feelings for, as long as I live."

The prince began to walk away from the fiery display, as he didn't like what he was seeing and felt guilty for not stopping the poor septon from being imprisoned, along with Lord Sunglass and others who opposed of Melisandre's religion.

His mind was clouded by war, betrayal, seeing enemies everywhere and wearing the faces of his friends and wanted to shake of the nightmares of Uncle Renly sending the Knight of Flowers to kill him in battle.

"Truthfully, Ser Loras wouldn't kill me, even if he wanted to for Renly, but he knew very well Willas and I were close friends, and my death would certainly send the poor man into grief and madness, as I was the only highborn willing to be his friend and looked past his broken leg, and cared for him a lot, even if it put us on opposing sides of the war."

Prince Jacob headed into a crowed port, as it was way he could be free and away from the constricted role of being Prince.

He wore the orange, ruby and yellow clothing his mother suggested, as it were the new colours adopted from her strong faith in R'hllor and Lady Melisandre. The colours befitted him in his new role, as the rightful Prince of the Seven Kingdoms.

His eyes caught on Ser Davos leaving an inn with a flamboyantly dressed man, as Prince Jacob recognised it to be Salladhor Saan, the Lysene pirate the Onion Knight brought to his father's cause.

The Onion Knight was one of the only other men, who never betrayed Jacob or broken his heart, so it was easy to see why Jacob attached himself to his father's best man, then Uncle Axell Florent, his mother's best man.

"Your Grace." The Onion Knight called out, as he caught Prince Jacob among some of the common folk, as he wanted to see him.

Jacob looked up to Ser Davos, as a second father, even though he was a smuggler in the past and owed his knighthood and new status to his father.

The Lysene pirate dressed outlandishly, as it must have been customary in his homeland to dress in such a way, but Jacob minded his tongue when around cutthroats and thieves.

"This is no place for a prince, you should be with your father." Ser Davos commented.

"Couldn't stand the burning, the smoke was too much and I thought Lord Sunglass was going to die, protesting the way he did."

"Such sights are common in Lys, burnings bore me, as they will your father, young prince." Salladhor muttered.

"I doubt anything can phase him now, going to war and many lives to be taken."

The three men started to walk along the crowded port, as Prince Jacob stayed close to Ser Davos, as he knew he would protect the knight from his own parents and the lords, who berate him.

"One of my trading ships arrived from King's Landing, with news of the Lannister lord overseeing the capital city and has driven out Janos Slynt, as commander of the City Watch."

"The Imp is in charge, heard of the rumours of Lord Tywin being stuck fighting in the Riverlands and Robb disarming the Kingslayer in battle, impressive for a boy who hasn't seen war. It's a good thing Lord Tyrion has sense to get rid of that bootlicker, never liked Slynt. Always tried to undermine me, and was spreading indecent rumours about me." The prince said bluntly.

"How well is the city defended?"

"The walls are strong, but defended only by the gold cloaks, who are too few and are inexperienced. We would strike now, while the opportunity stands, with the little lord dressed as a fool and Queen Cersei to warm my bed, as part of my payment." The pirate replies.

Prince Jacob was disgusted hearing such things, as he was taught better not to herd such filth, especially about a woman Jacob had nightmares about, every time he left King's Landing from his small visits to court.

"I will assure you will be paid."

"I want gold, Davos not words."

"There is gold in the treasury at King's Landing, unless Uncle Robert emptied it all before he died. My father is an honourable man, pirate and will pay his debts to those who loyal to his cause." The Prince said gently, with a stern tone.

"We should attack the capital." Salladhor urged.

"How long can we hold it with Tywin Lannister and Renly Baratheon against us?"

"It's a fool's game, pirate. My uncle has the power of the Reach and the Stormlands behind him, as those Stormlords should be behind my father and not licking my uncle's boots. And Lord Tywin will be busy fighting in the Riverlands against King Robb." The prince said, as the word king was said like a slur.

"Lord Renly has left Highgarden with his army and new queen to match on King's Landing with him." The pirate foretold.

Jacob was right about Uncle Renly marrying Lady Margaery for her father's support and his bannermen on his side, and also certain alliances came with its own rewards and positions in his new royal court.

Uncle Renly bringing his queen suggests either great love, which was a complete lie because Jacob knew his uncle enjoyed the company of men and loved Ser Loras.

"Uncle Renly is like Joffrey, a figurehead for the wealthy family in the court to control the realm. If my uncle does win and sit on the Iron Throne, Mace Tyrell will be his hand; Randyll Tarly his master of laws; Ser Loras, as his Lord Commander of his Rainbow Guard, gods what a stupid idea. Paxter Redwyne, as his master of ships; Mathis Rowan, as his Master of Whisperers and some Hightower I can't remember, as they were too many of them, as master of coin. Certainly not, Old man Leyton, as he has never left the Hightower in years."

Prince Jacob saw Uncle Renly's set up to be just like Uncle Robert's, but at least Lady Margaery was pleasant and kind, as Queen Cersei was the devil in a lavish gown of gold and red.

"The king must be told of this." The Onion Knight pressed on."

"Already have done, old friend, but your king doesn't approve of my presence."

"My father likes to keep those he doesn't trust, as far away as possible, don't take it too personally, pirate."

"The prince has a sharp tongue, and a mind for games. Being unmarried gives your king an advantage in a whole other arena, Davos."

"Ser, there is still a chance for us to join with the Starks and Tullys, if Robb is willing to listen, like a sensible person and not listen to the words of those loudmouths, who were responsible for crowning him in the first place."

"Your father will not hear it, since Cressen suggested the same thing."

"Robb is winning battles; he has liberated the Riverlands from Lannister tyranny, has victories in the Green Fork and the Whispering Wood, and has captured the Kingslayer."

"What are you suggesting, Your Grace?"

"I'll propose it at the next Council meeting, but I'm not sure if my father will receive it well and it would put me at odds with my relatives of House Florent, but it's the most sensible and worthwhile decision I thought of."

"Your king's sword is not the true Lightbringer, and how will a burnt sword serve him." The pirate claimed.

"It is a burning sword." Ser Davos insisted.

"After two failed attempts, Azor Ahai laboured a hundred days and nights on a hero's blade to oppose the darkness. Then, he tempered the word into his wife Nissa Nissa's heart and her blood, soul, courage and strength went into the steel to create the Red Sword of Heroes. Be thankful your king's sword is not real because too much light can burn the eyes, and fire burns."

"All fairytales and nonsense." Prince Jacob grunted.

"When will he sail?" Salladhor asked.

"It depends on the will of the king's new god." Ser Davos replied.

"Who is your god?"

"My god is my king, as I owe everything to him and has blessed me with his outmost trust."

"Soon, old friend. We will be feasting in the Red Keep, and your king owes me another 30,000 dragons come the black of the moon, the statues they burnt might and brought a noble price."

"My father is a man wedded to duty, justice and honour. He will honour the debts he makes to those, who help him on the quest to the throne, pirate."

"If your father grants me Queen Cersei for the night, boy. Your father shall be forgiven." The pirate said, as he leaves both men at the port.

Prince Jacob had heard of the stories of Azor Ahai from the bedtime stories Old Nan would tell the Stark children, on his visit to Winterfell, as the hero and Bran the Builder formed an alliance to raise up the Wall and defeat the Great Other once.

He knew all that nonsense of his father being the hero reborn was all a farce and a lie, as he didn't believe it to be true because fire was not a Baratheon's weapon, but a Targaryen's asset.

"Your old friend is a little eccentric for my tastes, ser." Prince Jacob spoke up.

"You believe in your father to be the chosen one, Your Grace." Ser Davos replied.

"No, and I hope my father doesn't let this nonsense get into his head, we are at war and there is no time for silliness."

"Your nameday is coming soon, have you thought of what you wanted."

"The things I want will never happen, ser. Wanting to give Robb Stark a chance to fight for me, destroy the Greyjoys before they get a whiff of revenge in their mind, Uncle Renly giving up this silly notion of being king and fighting beside his brother and Willas still being my friend." The prince said sadly, knowing none of those things will come true.

"You still have me, by your side. I'll never leave you, unless you die on the battlefield."

"Good, at least you haven't betrayed me or broken my heart yet." The prince said kindly.

"Between you and I, your father doesn't know about your friendship with the Tyrell boy was still continuing, before the war."

"If he found out, he will throw me in the dungeons, along with Lord Sunglass Septon Barre, Ser Hubard and his three sons."

"Your father wouldn't do such a thing, over a simple matter of boys being friends. Besides, he values your counsel over the Red Woman's."

A sour feeling within was what Jacob couldn't escape, as seeing the idols of the faith he worshipped turn into charted smoke and ashes.

It was a sign of even worse things to come, unless he had a plan to curb Lady Melisandre's influence throughout his father's court.

After dark, Jacob was sitting at the Painted Table, bored and so were the important bannermen were leaving the chambers.

Being the rightful Prince of the Seven Kingdoms was a chain handcuffed onto his wrists, as he had watch what he was doing from now on.

He had seen Ser Davos and Devan arrive, by the summons of his father King Stannis, who sat at the head at the table.

Jacob's eyes caught on Uncle Axell Florent, a man who was the leader of the Queen's men and a loyalist of the Red God.

"What did you think of the burning gods, I saw a vision of the glory waiting our king when we take King's Landing." Ser Axell said, in a stone, which seemed arrogant and over confident.

"All I saw was fire." Ser Davos replied, pushing past the knight and must wonder why the man bothered.

The Onion Knight finds his place at the Painted Table with Maester Pylos, who seemed comely and was a good influence on Shireen.

"Have a look at this." His father commanded, handing the letter to Ser Davos, who looked a little agitated.

Prince Jacob had his hand under his chin, as he was bored of such delegations and wanted to get out into the field and fight.

"Maester, you read the letter instead." The king said, as the maester was handed the letter.

It read:

All men know me for the trueborn son of Steffon Baratheon, Lord of Storm's End, by his lady wife Cassana of House Estermont. I declare upon the honour of my house that my beloved brother Robert, our late king, left no trueborn issue of his body, the boy Joffrey, the boy Tommen and the girl Myrcella being abominations born of incest between Cersei Lannister and her brother Jaime the Kingslayer.

By right of birth and blood, I do this day lay claim to the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Let all true men declare their loyalty. Done in the Light of the Lord, under the sign and seal of Stannis of House Baratheon, the First of His Name, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, and Lord of the Seven Kingdoms.

"Add Ser to the Kingslayer's name, since he is still a knight." Stannis ordered. "And remove beloved brother, since it's a lie."

"Father, a bit of harmless courtesy would make some of the highborn sympathetic." Prince Jacob said.

"All 117 ravens will be used to carry out copies across the realm."

"It's likely the letters will be burned by lords, who fight for others kings, when they should be supporting their rightful king." The prince grimaced.

"Ser Davos, you are to sail North, as far as the White Harbor, while your Dale sails south as far as the Arbor. They are to post the declaration in every port and fishing village they pass, for every man who can read."

"Some of the smallfolk cannot read and sending some knights, whom will read the declaration out loud, Your Grace." Ser Davos pointed.

"I will have a hundred knights, who would rather read than fight. I plan to send Allard across the narrow sea to carry my declaration to the Free Cities as well, so the world will know of my claim and Cersei's infamy." The king said, as he dismisses the maester from the chambers.

Prince Jacob was a bit saddened within, even though Tommen and Myrcella being born of incest, at one time he did care about them and didn't want them to be killed in a brutal fashion or whatever the Lady Melisandre has in mind.

"What did the lords think of the letter, Your Grace?" Ser Davos asked.

"They all flattered me, except Velaryon, who said steel would decide the matter, as I never suspected as much. I want the truth, not minced words." Stannis replied.

"The words are strong and blunt, Your Grace, but you have no proof of the incest."

"There is proof of sort, at Storm's End, my acknowledged bastard cousin Edric Storm looks just like Uncle Robert, yet Joffrey and Tommen look nothing like him." Prince Jacob interjected.

"You are unable to reach the boy at Storm's End, and I would suggest removing the reference of the Lord of Light from the letter in favour of something else."

"When have you become so devout?"

"I do not know this new god, but I knew the ones the men burned on the beach. When I was a begging boy, charitable septons would feed me. The people will not love you if you take away their familiar gods and give them a foreign one."

"The people never loved me anyways."

"Father, this is madness you are speaking of, going to war against Uncle Renly and the Lannisters is one thing, but going against the predominant religion of Westeros is a war we cannot afford to fight against, unless you want the Red Woman to coronate you as king."

"You will mind your tongue boy, you maybe my heir, but you are still my son and I will remind you so."

The prince watched his father gaze out of the window, as he looked solemn and sad within himself.

"I stopped believing in gods the day, I saw Windproud break up on Shipbreaker Bay, I refused to worship any gods monstrous enough to drown my parents. The High Septon would always go on about justice and goodness flowing from the gods, but I insisted all saw was either was made by men." Stannis declared.

"Why trouble yourself with a new god, if you don't believe?" Ser Davos replied.

"God or no god, the Lady Melisandre has power."

"Maester Cressen had wisdom."

"Cressen's advice did no good; the storm lords laughed when I went begging, but there will be no more begging or laughing. The Iron Throne is mine by rights, but out of the four kings I have the fewest men and least gold. My only assets are my ships, the Red Woman and my son's intelligent mind. Do you know half of my men are afraid to even utter her name; a priestess, who can inspire such dread is not to be despised, and I mean to find out if she can do more."

"Only because they saw what happened to Cressen, and dared not to challenge her or her god's power," Prince Jacob rambled. "We need allies and ones with gold in their coffers, and men able to fight for us."

"You still think I should give the Stark boy a chance."

"It's worth a try, as he has a large host of men from the North and the Riverlands behind him."

The King stood eye to eye with his son, if Jacob saw the wrath of the gods in person, then it would be in his father, the way his eyes were on him.

"Robb Stark is nothing more than a green boy playing war and stealing the Northern part of my kingdom and to forgive them, it seems your time with Ned Stark has made you soft, Jacob and I will not stand for it, a lesser man would be arrested and punished, but you are my son and I have a use for your political mind."

Jacob felt shut down, the idea of teaming with Robb was null and void, and his father was king and he was his son, and his word was law, no matter how wrong he was.

"As a boy, I nursed an injured goshawk named Proudwing, who would follow me and eat from my hand, but will not hurt. One fay, my great Uncle Ser Harbet told me, rightly that I should try a different bird because I was embarrassing myself." The king foretold.

"You owned a goshawk, I've always wanted a hunting bird, but Uncle Renly said hunting birds were disobedient and dangerous." The prince said, surprised of something from his father's past.

Jacob knew his father was closed off and never talked about his childhood much, but his mother Selyse told him a lot about her family and how Uncle Alester worked tirelessly to find her a husband.

His father turned back to him and Ser Davos.

"The Seven never brought me, as so much as a sparrow. It was time I tried another bird, a red hawk." His father declared.