A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle

pin her cloak, and sent her off to wed Bolton’s bastard.” He lifted his stump to point at her. “I wanted to tell you that before you went galloping off to rescue her and got yourself killed for no good purpose. You’re not half bad with a sword, but you’re not good enough to take on two hundred men by yourself.”
    Brienne shook her head. “When Lord Bolton learns that your father paid him with false coin . . .”
    â€œOh, he knows.
Lannisters lie
, remember? It makes no matter, this girl serves his purpose just as well. Who is going to say that she
isn’t
Arya Stark? Everyone the girl was close to is dead except for her sister, who has disappeared.”
    â€œWhy would you tell me all this, if it’s true? You are betraying your father’s secrets.”
    The Hand’s secrets
, he thought.
I no longer have a father
. “I pay my debts like every good little lion. I did promise Lady Stark her daughters . . . and one of them is still alive. My brother may know where she is, but if so he isn’t saying. Cersei is convinced that Sansa helped him murder Joffrey.”
    The wench’s mouth got stubborn. “I will not believe that gentle girl a poisoner. Lady Catelyn said that she had a loving heart. It was your brother. There was a trial, Ser Loras said.”
    â€œTwo trials, actually. Words and swords both failed him. A bloody mess. Did you watch from your window?”
    â€œMy cell faces the sea. I heard the shouting, though.”
    â€œPrince Oberyn of Dorne is dead, Ser Gregor Clegane lies dying, and Tyrion stands condemned before the eyes of gods and men. They’re keeping him in a black cell till they kill him.”
    Brienne looked at him. “You do not believe he did it.”
    Jaime gave her a hard smile. “See, wench? We know each other too well. Tyrion’s wanted to be me since he took his first step, but he’d never follow me in kingslaying. Sansa Stark killed Joffrey. My brother’s kept silent to protect her. He gets these fits of gallantry from time to time. The last one cost him a nose. This time it will mean his head.”
    â€œNo,” Brienne said. “It was not my lady’s daughter. It could not have been her.”
    â€œThere’s the stubborn stupid wench that I remember.”
    She reddened. “My name is . . .”
    â€œBrienne of Tarth.” Jaime sighed. “I have a gift for you.” He reached down under the Lord Commander’s chair and brought it out, wrapped in folds of crimson velvet.
    Brienne approached as if the bundle was like to bite her, reached out a huge freckled hand, and flipped back a fold of cloth. Rubies glimmered in the light. She picked the treasure up gingerly, curled her fingers around the leather grip, and slowly slid the sword free of its scabbard. Blood and black the ripples shone. A finger of reflected light ran red along the edge. “Is this Valyrian steel? I have never seen such colors.”
    â€œNor I. There was a time that I would have given my right hand to wield a sword like that. Now it appears I have, so the blade is wasted on me. Take it.” Before she could think to refuse, he went on. “A sword so fine must bear a name. It would please me if you would call this one Oathkeeper. One more thing. The blade comes with a price.”
    Her face darkened. “I told you, I will never serve . . .”
    â€œ. . . such foul creatures as us. Yes, I recall. Hear me out, Brienne. Both of us swore oaths concerning Sansa Stark. Cersei means to see that the girl is found and killed, wherever she has gone to ground . . .”
    Brienne’s homely face twisted in fury. “If you believe that I would harm my lady’s daughter for a
sword
, you—”
    â€œ
Just listen
,” he snapped, angered by her assumption. “I want you to find Sansa first, and get her somewhere safe. How else are the two of us going to make good our stupid vows to your precious dead Lady Catelyn?”
    The wench blinked. “I . . . I thought . . .”
    â€œI know what you
thought
.” Suddenly Jaime was sick of the sight of her.
She bleats like a bloody sheep
. “When Ned Stark died, his greatsword was given to the King’s Justice,” he told her. “But my father felt that such a fine blade was wasted on a mere headsman. He gave Ser Ilyn a new sword, and had Ice melted down and reforged. There was enough metal for two new