A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle

considered rude to vomit on your brother. Might I have a closer look at your wolf?”
    Jon hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Can you climb down, or shall I bring a ladder?”
    â€œOh, bleed that,” the little man said. He pushed himself off the ledge into empty air. Jon gasped, then watched with awe as Tyrion Lannister spun around in a tight ball, landed lightly on his hands, then vaulted backward onto his legs.
    Ghost backed away from him uncertainly.
    The dwarf dusted himself off and laughed. “I believe I’ve frightened your wolf. My apologies.”
    â€œHe’s not scared,” Jon said. He knelt and called out. “Ghost, come here. Come on. That’s it.”
    The wolf pup padded closer and nuzzled at Jon’s face, but he kept a wary eye on Tyrion Lannister, and when the dwarf reached out to pet him, he drew back and bared his fangs in a silent snarl. “Shy, isn’t he?” Lannister observed.
    â€œSit, Ghost,” Jon commanded. “That’s it. Keep still.” He looked up at the dwarf. “You can touch him now. He won’t move until I tell him to. I’ve been training him.”
    â€œI see,” Lannister said. He ruffled the snow-white fur between Ghost’s ears and said, “Nice wolf.”
    â€œIf I wasn’t here, he’d tear out your throat,” Jon said. It wasn’t actually true yet, but it would be.
    â€œIn that case, you had best stay close,” the dwarf said. He cocked his oversized head to one side and looked Jon over with his mismatched eyes. “I am Tyrion Lannister.”
    â€œI know,” Jon said. He rose. Standing, he was taller than the dwarf. It made him feel strange.
    â€œYou’re Ned Stark’s bastard, aren’t you?”
    Jon felt a coldness pass right through him. He pressed his lips together and said nothing.
    â€œDid I offend you?” Lannister said. “Sorry. Dwarfs don’t have to be tactful. Generations of capering fools in motley have won me the right to dress badly and say any damn thing that comes into my head.” He grinned. “You
are
the bastard, though.”
    â€œLord Eddard Stark is my father,” Jon admitted stiffly.
    Lannister studied his face. “Yes,” he said. “I can see it. You have more of the north in you than your brothers.”
    â€œHalf brothers,” Jon corrected. He was pleased by the dwarf’s comment, but he tried not to let it show.
    â€œLet me give you some counsel, bastard,” Lannister said. “Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.”
    Jon was in no mood for anyone’s counsel. “What do you know about being a bastard?”
    â€œAll dwarfs are bastards in their father’s eyes.”
    â€œYou are your mother’s trueborn son of Lannister.”
    â€œAm I?” the dwarf replied, sardonic. “Do tell my lord father. My mother died birthing me, and he’s never been sure.”
    â€œI don’t even know who my mother was,” Jon said.
    â€œSome woman, no doubt. Most of them are.” He favored Jon with a rueful grin. “Remember this, boy. All dwarfs may be bastards, yet not all bastards need be dwarfs.” And with that he turned and sauntered back into the feast, whistling a tune. When he opened the door, the light from within threw his shadow clear across the yard, and for just a moment Tyrion Lannister stood tall as a king.

CATELYN
    O f all the rooms in Winterfell’s Great Keep, Catelyn’s bedchambers were the hottest. She seldom had to light a fire. The castle had been built over natural hot springs, and the scalding waters rushed through its walls and chambers like blood through a man’s body, driving the chill from the stone halls, filling the glass gardens with a moist warmth, keeping the earth from freezing. Open pools smoked day and night in a dozen small courtyards. That was a little thing, in summer; in winter, it was the difference between life and death.
    Catelyn’s bath was always hot and steaming, and her walls warm to the touch. The warmth reminded her of Riverrun, of days in the sun with Lysa and Edmure, but Ned could never abide the heat. The Starks were made for the cold, he would tell her, and she would laugh and tell him in that case they had certainly built their castle in the