A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle

sent her on her way. I never thought to inquire.”
    â€œOn her way
where?
”
    â€œWherever whores go.”
    Tyrion’s finger clenched. The crossbow
whanged
just as Lord Tywin started to rise. The bolt slammed into him above the groin and he sat back down with a grunt. The quarrel had sunk deep, right to the fletching. Blood seeped out around the shaft, dripping down into his pubic hair and over his bare thighs. “You shot me,” he said incredulously, his eyes glassy with shock.
    â€œYou always were quick to grasp a situation, my lord,” Tyrion said. “That must be why you’re the Hand of the King.”
    â€œYou . . . you are no . . . no son of mine.”
    â€œNow that’s where you’re wrong, Father. Why, I believe I’m you writ small. Do me a kindness now, and die quickly. I have a ship to catch.”
    For once, his father did what Tyrion asked him. The proof was the sudden stench, as his bowels loosened in the moment of death.
Well, he was in the right place for it
, Tyrion thought. But the stink that filled the privy gave ample evidence that the oft-repeated jape about his father was just another lie.
    Lord Tywin Lannister did not, in the end, shit gold.

SAMWELL
    T he king was angry. Sam saw that at once.
    As the black brothers entered one by one and knelt before him, Stannis shoved away his breakfast of hardbread, salt beef, and boiled eggs, and eyed them coldly. Beside him, the red woman Melisandre looked as if she found the scene amusing.
    I have no place here
, Sam thought anxiously, when her red eyes fell upon him.
Someone had to help Maester Aemon up the steps. Don’t look at me, I’m just the maester’s steward
. The others were contenders for the Old Bear’s command, all but Bowen Marsh, who had withdrawn from the contest but remained castellan and Lord Steward. Sam did not understand why Melisandre should seem so interested in
him
.
    King Stannis kept the black brothers on their knees for an extraordinarily long time. “Rise,” he said at last. Sam gave Maester Aemon his shoulder to help him back up.
    The sound of Lord Janos Slynt clearing his throat broke the strained silence. “Your Grace, let me say how pleased we are to be summoned here. When I saw your banners from the Wall, I knew the realm was saved. ‘There comes a man who ne’er forgets his duty,’ I said to good Ser Alliser. ‘A
strong
man, and a true king.’ May I congratulate you on your victory over the savages? The singers will make much of it, I know—”
    â€œThe singers may do as they like,” Stannis snapped. “Spare me your fawning, Janos, it will not serve you.” He rose to his feet and frowned at them all. “Lady Melisandre tells me that you have not yet chosen a Lord Commander. I am displeased. How much longer must this folly last?”
    â€œSire,” said Bowen Marsh in a defensive tone, “no one has achieved two-thirds of the vote yet. It has only been ten days.”
    â€œNine days too long. I have captives to dispose of, a realm to order, a war to fight. Choices must be made, decisions that involve the Wall and the Night’s Watch. By rights your Lord Commander should have a voice in those decisions.”
    â€œHe should, yes,” said Janos Slynt. “But it must be said. We brothers are only simple soldiers. Soldiers, yes! And Your Grace will know that soldiers are most comfortable taking orders. They would benefit from your royal guidance, it seems to me. For the good of the realm. To help them choose wisely.”
    The suggestion outraged some of the others. “Do you want the king to wipe our arses for us too?” said Cotter Pyke angrily. “The choice of a Lord Commander belongs to the Sworn Brothers, and to them alone,” insisted Ser Denys Mallister. “If they choose wisely they won’t be choosing me,” moaned Dolorous Edd. Maester Aemon, calm as always, said, “Your Grace, the Night’s Watch has been choosing its own leader since Brandon the Builder raised the Wall. Through Jeor Mormont we have had nine hundred and ninety-seven Lords Commander in unbroken succession, each chosen by the men he would lead, a tradition many thousands of years old.”
    Stannis ground his teeth. “It is not my wish to tamper with your rights and traditions. As to
royal guidance
, Janos, if you mean that I ought to tell your brothers to choose you, have the