A song of Ice and fire discussion (spoilers incl A Dance with Dragons)

[maulkin]

The character that confuses me most is Melisandre. She appears to be a false priestess with genuine power (strange enough) and I can't figure out her angle. What exactly is she trying to achieve and who is she working for? Is her Lord of Light the same as Dondarrion's? Does the Lord of Light exist at all or is he just a face given to a raw resource of power that can be tapped by anyone? It seems that the return of dragons has reawakened fire magic in a host of different forms (the red priests, pyromancy, the obsidian candle, etc.) but is there any purpose behind all of this power? What is so special about the blood of kings when kings can be appointed and deposed so easily? There is something here that I am not getting. Hopefully A Dance with Dragons will clarify things.