A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle

for wanting the safer seat for his own boy, mind you. I know him too well.”
    â€œWhat Kevan wants and what Lancel wants appear to be two different things.” He told her of Lancel’s decision to renounce wife and lands and lordship to fight for the Holy Faith. “If you still want Darry, write to Cersei and make your case.”
    Lady Genna waved her cup in dismissal. “No, that horse has left the yard. Emm has it in his pointed head that he will rule the riverlands. And Lancel . . . I suppose we should have seen this coming from afar. A life protecting the High Septon is not so different from a life protecting the king, after all. Kevan will be wroth, I fear. As wroth as Tywin was when you got it in your head to take the white. At least Kevan still has Martyn for an heir. He can marry him to Gatehouse Ami in Lancel’s place. Seven save us all.” His aunt gave a sigh. “And speaking of the Seven, why would Cersei permit the Faith to arm again?”
    Jaime shrugged. “I am certain she had reasons.”
    â€œReasons?” Lady Genna made a rude noise. “They had best be
good
reasons. The Swords and Stars troubled even the Targaryens. The Conqueror himself tread carefully with the Faith, so they would not oppose him. And when Aegon died and the lords rose up against his sons, both orders were in the thick of that rebellion. The more pious lords supported them, and many of the smallfolk. King Maegor finally had to put a bounty on them. He paid a dragon for the head of any unrepentant Warrior’s Son, and a silver stag for the scalp of a Poor Fellow, if I recall my history. Thousands were slain, but nigh as many still roamed the realm, defiant, until the Iron Throne slew Maegor and King Jaehaerys agreed to pardon all those who would set aside their swords.”
    â€œI’d forgotten most of that,” Jaime confessed.
    â€œYou and your sister both.” She took another swallow of her wine. “Is it true that Tywin was smiling on his bier?”
    â€œHe was rotting on his bier. It made his mouth twist.”
    â€œWas that all it was?” That seemed to sadden her. “Men say that Tywin never smiled, but he smiled when he wed your mother, and when Aerys made him Hand. When Tarbeck Hall came crashing down on Lady Ellyn, that scheming bitch, Tyg claimed he smiled then. And he smiled at your birth, Jaime, I saw that with mine own eyes. You and Cersei, pink and perfect, as alike as two peas in a pod . . . well, except between the legs. What
lungs
you had!”
    â€œHear us roar.” Jaime grinned. “Next you’ll be telling me how much he liked to laugh.”
    â€œNo. Tywin mistrusted laughter. He heard too many people laughing at your grandsire.” She frowned. “I promise you, this mummer’s farce of a siege would not have amused him. How do you mean to end it, now that you’re here?”
    â€œTreat with the Blackfish.”
    â€œThat won’t work.”
    â€œI mean to offer him good terms.”
    â€œTerms require trust. The Freys murdered guests beneath their roof, and you, well . . . I mean no offense, my love, but you
did
kill a certain king you had sworn to protect.”
    â€œAnd I’ll kill the Blackfish if he does not yield.” His tone was harsher than he’d intended, but he was in no mood for having Aerys Targaryen thrown in his face.
    â€œHow, with your tongue?” Her voice was scornful. “I may be an old fat woman, but I do not have cheese between my ears, Jaime. Neither does the Blackfish. Empty threats won’t daunt him.”
    â€œWhat would you counsel?”
    She gave a ponderous shrug. “Emm wants Edmure’s head off. For once, he may be right. Ser Ryman has made us a laughingstock with that gibbet of his. You need to show Ser Brynden that your threats have teeth.”
    â€œKilling Edmure might harden Ser Brynden’s resolve.”
    â€œResolve is one thing Brynden Blackfish never lacked for. Hoster Tully could have told you that.” Lady Genna finished her wine. “Well, I would never presume to tell you how to fight a war. I know my place . . . unlike your sister. Is it true that Cersei burned the Red Keep?”
    â€œOnly the Tower of the Hand.”
    His aunt rolled her eyes. “She would have done better to leave the tower and burn her Hand. Harys
Swyft?
If ever a man deserved his arms, it is Ser Harys. And Gyles Rosby, Seven save us, I