He is one of the more effective leaders at the Battle of the Blackwater against Stannis Baratheon's shore forces, but is visibly shaken by fire "If any of those flaming fucking arrows come near me, I'll strangle you with your own guts" and horrified by the wildfire that incinerates much of Stannis' fleet. He ultimately deserts the battle and city after losing half of his men and witnessing some burned alive, "Fuck the kings guard. Fuck the city. Fuck the king." Before he leaves King's Landing, in a drunken stupor, he offers to take Sansa north to Winterfell, but she declines.