Questions about Davos (spolier)

[The Imp]

I apologize in advance if this has been discussed.

I'm re-reading the 4 books, and right now I'm 2/3 of the way through the seond. Davos has just brought Melissandre into Stormsend, she "gives birth" and the last line of the chapter is, He knew that shadow, as he knew the man who'd cast it.

Has there been any discussion of this? Was there any later refence to this or clarification? My guess would be it was the shadow of Stannis, but I'd really be interested to hear what others think.

 

[viZion]

It's Stannis. The magic of R'hllor seems to require the use of someone's lifeforce/soul/whatever. "The fire of life" I suppose. Melisandre has been using Stannis' lifeforce quite extensively which explains why he's looking so haggard and old these days. The same thing happens to Thoros of Myr everytime he resurrects Lord Beric. By the time we get to AFFC Thoros is a mere shadow of his former self since he uses his own lifeforce to power the magic.