A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle

objected. “Ser Kevan told me so himself.”
    Lord Gyles coughed. “. . . expenses . . . gold cloaks . . .”
    Cersei had heard his objections before. “Our lord treasurer is trying to say that we have too many gold cloaks and too little gold.” Rosby’s coughing had begun to vex her.
Perhaps Garth the Gross would not have been so ill.
“Though large, the crown incomes are not large enough to keep abreast of Robert’s debts. Accordingly, I have decided to defer our repayment of the sums owed the Holy Faith and the Iron Bank of Braavos until war’s end.” The new High Septon would doubtless wring his holy hands, and the Braavosi would squeak and squawk at her, but what of it? “The monies saved will be used for the building of our new fleet.”
    â€œYour Grace is prudent,” said Lord Merryweather. “This is a wise measure. And needed, until the war is done. I concur.”
    â€œAnd I,” said Ser Harys.
    â€œYour Grace,” Pycelle said in a quavering voice, “this will cause more trouble than you know, I fear. The Iron Bank . . .”
    â€œ. . . remains on Braavos, far across the sea. They shall have their gold, maester. A Lannister pays his debts.”
    â€œThe Braavosi have a saying too.” Pycelle’s jeweled chain clinked softly. “
The Iron Bank will have its due,
they say.”
    â€œThe Iron Bank will have its due when I say they will. Until such time, the Iron Bank will wait respectfully. Lord Waters, commence the building of your dromonds.”
    â€œVery good, Your Grace.”
    Ser Harys shuffled through some papers. “The next matter . . . we have had a letter from Lord Frey putting forth some claims . . .”
    â€œHow many lands and honors does that man want?” snapped the queen. “His mother must have had three teats.”
    â€œMy lords may not know,” said Qyburn, “but in the winesinks and pot shops of this city, there are those who suggest that the crown might have been somehow complicit in Lord Walder’s crime.”
    The other councillors stared at him uncertainly. “Do you refer to the Red Wedding?” asked Aurane Waters. “Crime?” said Ser Harys. Pycelle cleared his throat noisily. Lord Gyles coughed.
    â€œThese sparrows are especially outspoken,” warned Qyburn. “The Red Wedding was an affront to all the laws of gods and men, they say, and those who had a hand in it are damned.”
    Cersei was not slow to take his meaning. “Lord Walder must soon face the Father’s judgment. He is very old. Let the sparrows spit upon his memory. It has nought to do with us.”
    â€œNo,” said Ser Harys. “No,” said Lord Merryweather. “No one could think so,” said Pycelle. Lord Gyles coughed.
    â€œA little spittle on Lord Walder’s tomb is not like to disturb the grave worms,” Qyburn agreed, “but it would also be useful if someone were to be
punished
for the Red Wedding. A few Frey heads would do much to mollify the north.”
    â€œLord Walder will never sacrifice his own,” said Pycelle.
    â€œNo,” mused Cersei, “but his heirs may be less squeamish. Lord Walder will soon do us the courtesy of dying, we can hope. What better way for the new Lord of the Crossing to rid himself of inconvenient half brothers, disagreeable cousins, and scheming sisters than by naming them the culprits?”
    â€œWhilst we await Lord Walder’s death, there is another matter,” said Aurane Waters. “The Golden Company has broken its contract with Myr. Around the docks I’ve heard men say that Lord Stannis has hired them and is bringing them across the sea.”
    â€œWhat would he pay them with?” asked Merryweather. “Snow? They are called the
Golden
Company. How much gold does Stannis have?”
    â€œLittle enough,” Cersei assured him. “Lord Qyburn has spoken to the crew of that Myrish galley in the bay. They claim the Golden Company is making for Volantis. If they mean to cross to Westeros, they are marching in the wrong direction.”
    â€œPerhaps they grew weary of fighting on the losing side,” suggested Lord Merryweather.
    â€œThere is that as well,” agreed the queen. “Only a blind man could fail to see our war is all but won. Lord Tyrell has Storm’s End invested. Riverrun is besieged by the Freys and my cousin Daven, our new Warden of the