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There was one question on the mind of millions of fans after the Game of Thrones Season 5 finale:

Is Jon Snow really dead?

We’ll have to wait a few months for that answer, but George R.R. Martin – ever cantankerous, yet always happy to engage with fans – has already dropped a bombshell regarding the fate of a different character.

During a recent online chat sesh, Martin was asked if the daughter-torching megalomaniac Stannis Baratheon is still alive. 

His answer? “In my books? Alive, beyond a doubt.”

We know what you’re thinking: “So what? The show departs from the books all the time. I totally saw Stannis get killed by Brienne of Tarth.”

To which we respond: 1. You have a bit of an attitude problem, ya know that? and 2. Did you really see Brienne deliver that death blow? Watch the scene again:

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Would a show that’s famous for grisly deaths really deny us the sight of such a reviled character getting his head lopped off? Need we remind you that the dude allowed his own daughter to be burned at the stake just one episode prior?

At this point, we’re thinking the smart money is on Stannis still being alive on the show. Of course, if he was captured by Ramsay Bolton, he’s probably wishing he was dead.

Watch Game of Thrones online at TV Fanatic to hold yourself over until the premiere of season 6.