A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle

candle to the Warrior in thanks. “Joffrey is dead, poisoned by the Imp.” He would never have thought the dwarf capable of such enormity. “Tommen is king now, and he is not his brother.”
    â€œNor is he his sister.”
    It was true. Tommen was a good-hearted little man who always tried his best, but the last time Ser Arys saw him he had been weeping on the quay. Myrcella never shed a tear, though it was she who was leaving hearth and home to seal an alliance with her maidenhood. The truth was, the princess was braver than her brother, and brighter and more confident as well. Her wits were quicker, her courtesies more polished. Nothing ever daunted her, not even Joffrey.
The women are the strong ones, truly.
He was thinking not only of Myrcella, but of her mother and his own, of the Queen of Thorns, of the Red Viper’s pretty, deadly Sand Snakes. And of Princess Arianne Martell, her most of all. “I will not say that you are wrong.” His voice was hoarse.
    â€œWill not?
Cannot!
Myrcella is more fit for rule . . .”
    â€œA son comes before a daughter.”
    â€œ
Why?
What god has made it so? I am my father’s heir. Should I give up my rights to my brothers?”
    â€œYou twist my words. I never said . . . Dorne is different. The Seven Kingdoms have never had a ruling queen.”
    â€œThe first Viserys intended his daughter Rhaenyra to follow him, do you deny it? But as the king lay dying the Lord Commander of his Kingsguard decided that it should be otherwise.”
    Ser Criston Cole.
Criston the Kingmaker had set brother against sister and divided the Kingsguard against itself, bringing on the terrible war the singers named the Dance of the Dragons. Some claimed he acted from ambition, for Prince Aegon was more tractable than his willful older sister. Others allowed him nobler motives, and argued that he was defending ancient Andal custom. A few whispered that Ser Criston had been Princess Rhaenyra’s lover before he took the white and wanted vengeance on the woman who had spurned him. “The Kingmaker wrought grave harm,” Ser Arys said, “and gravely did he pay for it, but . . .”
    â€œ. . . but perhaps the Seven sent you here so that one white knight might make right what another set awry. You do know that when my father returns to the Water Gardens he plans to take Myrcella with him?”
    â€œTo keep her safe from those who would do her harm.”
    â€œNo. To keep her away from those who’d seek to
crown
her. Prince Oberyn Viper would have placed the crown upon her head himself if he had lived, but my father lacks the courage.” She got to her feet. “You say you love the girl as you would a daughter of your own blood. Would you let your daughter be despoiled of her rights and locked away in prison?”
    â€œThe Water Gardens are no prison,” he protested feebly.
    â€œA prison does not have fountains and fig trees, is that what you think? Yet once the girl is there, she will not be allowed to leave. No more than you will. Hotah will see to that. You do not know him as I do. He is terrible when aroused.”
    Ser Arys frowned. The big Norvoshi captain with the scarred face had always made him feel profoundly uneasy.
They say he sleeps with that great axe beside him.
“What would you have me do?”
    â€œNo more than you have sworn. Protect Myrcella with your life. Defend her . . .
and
her rights. Set a crown upon her head.”
    â€œI swore an
oath!
”
    â€œTo Joffrey, not to Tommen.”
    â€œAye, but Tommen is a good-hearted boy. He will be a better king than Joffrey.”
    â€œBut not better than Myrcella. She loves the boy as well. I know she will not let him come to any harm. Storm’s End is his by rights, since Lord Renly left no heir and Lord Stannis is attainted. In time, Casterly Rock will pass to the boy as well, through his lady mother. He will be as great a lord as any in the realm . . . but Myrcella by rights should sit the Iron Throne.”
    â€œThe law . . . I do not know . . .”
    â€œI do.” When she stood, the long black tangle of her hair fell down to the small of her back. “Aegon the Dragon made the Kingsguard and its vows, but what one king does another can undo, or change. Formerly the Kingsguard served for life, yet Joffrey dismissed Ser Barristan so his dog could have a cloak. Myrcella would want you to be happy, and she is fond of me as well.