A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle

the laces to the navel, so her breasts were spilling out. They were large and heavy, with big brown nipples. On her head a circlet of hammered bronze sat askew, graven with runes and ringed with small black swords. When she saw Jaime, she laughed. “Who in seven hells is this one?”
    â€œThe Lord Commander of the Kingsguard,” Jaime returned with cold courtesy. “I might ask the same of you, my lady.”
    â€œLady? I’m no lady. I’m the queen.”
    â€œMy sister will be surprised to hear that.”
    â€œLord Ryman crowned me his very self.” She gave a shake of her ample hips. “I’m the queen o’ whores.”
    No,
Jaime thought,
my sweet sister holds that title too.
    Ser Ryman found his tongue. “Shut your mouth, slut, Lord Jaime doesn’t want to hear some harlot’s nonsense.” This Frey was a thickset man with a broad face, small eyes, and a soft fleshy set of chins. His breath stank of wine and onions.
    â€œMaking queens, Ser Ryman?” Jaime asked softly. “Stupid. As stupid as this business with Lord Edmure.”
    â€œI gave the Blackfish warning. I told him Edmure would die unless the castle yielded. I had this gallows built, to show them that Ser Ryman Frey does not make idle threats. At Seagard my son Walder did the same with Patrek Mallister and Lord Jason bent the knee, but . . . the Blackfish is a cold man. He refused us, so . . .”
    â€œ. . . you hanged Lord Edmure?”
    The man reddened. “My lord grandfather . . . if we hang the man we have no
hostage,
ser. Have you considered that?”
    â€œOnly a fool makes threats he’s not prepared to carry out. If I were to threaten to hit you unless you shut your mouth, and you presumed to speak, what do you think I’d do?”
    â€œSer, you do not unders—”
    Jaime hit him. It was a backhand blow delivered with his golden hand, but the force of it sent Ser Ryman stumbling backward into the arms of his whore. “You have a fat head, Ser Ryman, and a thick neck as well. Ser Ilyn, how many strokes would it take you to cut through that neck?”
    Ser Ilyn laid a single finger against his nose.
    Jaime laughed. “An empty boast. I say three.”
    Ryman Frey went to his knees. “I have done nothing . . .”
    â€œ. . . but drink and whore. I know.”
    â€œI am heir to the Crossing. You can’t . . .”
    â€œI warned you about talking.” Jaime watched the man turn white.
A sot, a fool, and a craven. Lord Walder had best outlive this one, or the Freys are done.
“You are dismissed, ser.”
    â€œDismissed?”
    â€œYou heard me. Go away.”
    â€œBut . . . where should I go?”
    â€œTo hell or home, as you prefer. See that you are not in camp when the sun comes up. You may take your queen of whores, but not that crown of hers.” Jaime turned from Ser Ryman to his son. “Edwyn, I am giving you your father’s command. Try not to be so stupid as your sire.”
    â€œThat ought not pose much difficulty, my lord.”
    â€œSend word to Lord Walder. The crown requires all his prisoners.” Jaime waved his golden hand. “Ser Lyle, bring him.”
    Edmure Tully had collapsed facedown on the scaffold when Ser Ilyn’s blade sheared the rope in two. A foot of hemp still dangled from the noose about his neck. Strongboar grabbed the end of it and pulled him to his feet. “A fish on a leash,” he said, chortling. “There’s a sight I never saw before.”
    The Freys stepped aside to let them pass. A crowd had gathered below the scaffold, including a dozen camp followers in various states of disarray. Jaime noticed one man holding a woodharp. “You. Singer. Come with me.”
    The man doffed his hat. “As my lord commands.”
    No one said a word as they walked back to the ferry, with Ser Ryman’s singer trailing after them. But as they shoved off from the riverbank and made for the south side of the Tumblestone, Edmure Tully grabbed Jaime by the arm.
“Why?”
    A Lannister pays his debts,
he thought,
and you’re the only coin that’s left to me.
“Consider it a wedding gift.”
    Edmure stared at him with wary eyes. “A . . . wedding gift?”
    â€œI am told your wife is pretty. She’d have to be, for you to bed her while your sister and your king were being murdered.”
    â€œI never knew.” Edmure licked his