At one point in this chapter Davos feasts on an old, mealy apple. It wasn't what Davos wanted or what he needed, but it was what he had so he ate it anyway. Personally, I can't stand mealy apples, but I've never been in a situation where it was my only choice. It was all Davos could eat so he made due. Likewise, he is now in a difficult situation in White Harbor that seems to parallel his apple predicament.
He has been sent by Stannis to bring White Harbor over to their side. When he left, he was a part of a massive fleet of ships owned by Sallador Saan and he would have arrived in White Harbor with all of the majesty and power befitting the Hand of the King. However, things did not continue that way as we saw in the last Davos chapter. Saan ditched Stannis and took his remaining ships south. Davos was forced to continue alone. Davos has never been the most charismatic character or the most attractive. He doesn't look like a Hand of the King or even a noble. Without the ships and the entrance, he's not all that impressive to other lords.
So Davos is now forced to eat a mealy apple both literally and figuratively as he must make do with what he has. He must do something to prevent White Harbor from allying themselves with the Iron Throne and becoming enemies of Stannis. As he gleans information from the commoners in White Harbor he learns things that do not make the situation any better. The Iron Throne has a hostage in the form of Lord Wyman's son. As well, Lord Wyman has been building war ships that fill his harbor and fill Davos with fear. No one knows anything about Stannis or that he even exists or where he is. The talk is of everyone except Stannis. The people have no interest in him and Davos recognizes the issue there. The situation reminds me of Stannis' response to the Wildlings and how he doesn't want their love but just their loyalty and swords. He doesn't get that they all of those things are related and necessary in varying degrees.
Davos finally decides to present himself as the Hand of the King so that he can have an audience with Lord Manderly. I'm not sure if this is the best choice or not, but it's direct and Davos is a very direct man these days. I really do like Davos so I hope he isn't taken prisoner. I really liked his thoughts when he was remembering how he was mocked by Lady Selyse's men. He reminds himself that he is the Hand of the King and he's a better man than any of them. I could hear the frustration in his voice as he said that to himself. Davos isn't a proud man, but he knows that he is a better man than most of the Westeros lords. But, will a good man be enough?
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