I took a knife in the heart from my own steward. A boy younger than Bran would be now.

There was a red witch from Essos, come up with Stannis. She thought that her god had some stake in the war against the Dead. I laid on a table in my quarters for two days before her prayers brought me back.

— I know it sounds mad. I know what people think of bastards. But when we were children, did you ever think me a liar? There is proof, but —

[This is frustrating, too, that he may need to produce the tangible proof.]