A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle

go.”
    The man’s grin returned. He left swaggering.
    â€œSer Meryn.” Jaime smiled at the sour knight with the rust-red hair and the pouches under his eyes. “I have heard it said that Joffrey made use of you to chastise Sansa Stark.” He turned the White Book around one-handed. “Here, show me where it is in our vows that we swear to beat women and children.”
    â€œI did as His Grace commanded me. We are sworn to obey.”
    â€œHenceforth you will temper that obedience. My sister is Queen Regent. My father is the King’s Hand. I am Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Obey us. None other.”
    Ser Meryn got a stubborn look on his face. “Are you telling us not to obey the king?”
    â€œThe king is eight. Our first duty is to
protect
him, which includes protecting him from himself. Use that ugly thing you keep inside your helm. If Tommen wants you to saddle his horse, obey him. If he tells you to kill his horse, come to me.”
    â€œAye. As you command, my lord.”
    â€œDismissed.” As he left, Jaime turned to Ser Balon Swann. “Ser Balon, I have watched you tilt many a time, and fought with and against you in mêlées. I’m told you proved your valor a hundred times over during the Battle of the Blackwater. The Kingsguard is honored by your presence.”
    â€œThe honor’s mine, my lord.” Ser Balon sounded wary.
    â€œThere is only one question I would put to you. You served us loyally, it’s true . . . but Varys tells me that your brother rode with Renly and then Stannis, whilst your lord father chose not to call his banners at all and remained behind the walls of Stonehelm all through the fighting.”
    â€œMy father is an old man, my lord. Well past forty. His fighting days are done.”
    â€œAnd your brother?”
    â€œDonnel was wounded in the battle and yielded to Ser Elwood Harte. He was ransomed afterward and pledged his fealty to King Joffrey, as did many other captives.”
    â€œSo he did,” said Jaime. “Even so . . . Renly, Stannis, Joffrey, Tommen . . . how did he come to omit Balon Greyjoy and Robb Stark? He might have been the first knight in the realm to swear fealty to all six kings.”
    Ser Balon’s unease was plain. “Donnel erred, but he is Tommen’s man now. You have my word.”
    â€œIt’s not Ser Donnel the Constant who concerns me. It’s you.” Jaime leaned forward. “What will you do if brave Ser Donnel gives his sword to yet another usurper, and one day comes storming into the throne room? And there you stand all in white, between your king and your blood. What will you do?”
    â€œI . . . my lord, that will never happen.”
    â€œIt happened to me,” Jaime said.
    Swann wiped his brow with the sleeve of his white tunic.
    â€œYou have no answer?”
    â€œMy lord.” Ser Balon drew himself up. “On my sword, on my honor, on my father’s name, I swear . . . I shall not do as you did.”
    Jaime laughed. “Good. Return to your duties . . . and tell Ser Donnel to add a weathervane to his shield.”
    And then he was alone with the Knight of Flowers.
    Slim as a sword, lithe and fit, Ser Loras Tyrell wore a snowy linen tunic and white wool breeches, with a gold belt around his waist and a gold rose clasping his fine silk cloak. His hair was a soft brown tumble, and his eyes were brown as well, and bright with insolence.
He thinks this is a tourney, and his tilt has just been called
. “Seventeen and a knight of the Kingsguard,” said Jaime. “You must be proud. Prince Aemon the Dragonknight was seventeen when he was named. Did you know that?”
    â€œYes, my lord.”
    â€œAnd did you know that I was
fifteen?
”
    â€œThat as well, my lord.” He smiled.
    Jaime hated that smile. “I was better than you, Ser Loras. I was bigger, I was stronger, and I was quicker.”
    â€œAnd now you’re older,” the boy said. “My lord.”
    He had to laugh.
This is too absurd. Tyrion would mock me unmercifully if he could hear me now, comparing cocks with this green boy
. “Older and wiser, ser. You should learn from me.”
    â€œAs you learned from Ser Boros and Ser Meryn?”
    That arrow hit too close to the mark. “I learned from the White Bull and Barristan the Bold,” Jaime snapped. “I learned from Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, who could