7. What If Davos Didn't Visit Shireen That Day?
HBODavos Seaworth isn't the smartest of men, sometimes he needs a push in the right direction as far as his ideas go. After the unsuccessful raid on King's Landing, Stannis and Davos had collectively no idea how to act next, given they had virtually no crew, ships or resources left to their names. Stannis still had faith in the visions among the flames and in Melisandre, but Davos was still thinking of a more literal solution to their problem. It was during a visit to Stannis' daughter, Shireen, that the Onion Knight recalled a story which reminded him of the Iron Bank of Braavos, but what if he hadn't visited Shireen that day? If Davos never went to see Shireen, then he'd never have told the story of Braavos, which in turn gave him thoughts about the thrones' debt to the Iron Bank. As a result, he and Stannis would never have sought out a loan from the Iron Bank of Braavos, leaving Stannis without gold, ships and soldiers. If Stannis has no men or ships then he can't come to the aid of the Night's Watch, consequently meaning Mance Rayder is unopposed with his massive army of wildlings, giants and mammoths. If Davos had not paid visit to Shireen that day, Stannis would be in no position to prevent the wildling occupation of the wall or Westeros.