A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle

knee and sworn him their swords.”
    â€œThose are grave tidings.” When Ser Kevan frowned, the furrows in his brow grew deep as canyons.
    â€œMy daughter commands us to ride for King’s Landing at once, to defend the Red Keep against King Renly and the Knight of Flowers.” His mouth tightened.
“Commands
us, mind you. In the name of the king and council.”
    â€œHow is King Joffrey taking the news?” Tyrion asked with a certain black amusement.
    â€œCersei has not seen fit to tell him yet,” Lord Tywin said. “She fears he might insist on marching against Renly himself.”
    â€œWith what army?” Tyrion asked. “You don’t plan to give him
this
one, I hope?”
    â€œHe talks of leading the City Watch,” Lord Tywin said.
    â€œIf he takes the Watch, he’ll leave the city undefended,” Ser Kevan said. “And with Lord Stannis on Dragonstone …”
    â€œYes.” Lord Tywin looked down at his son. “I had thought you were the one made for motley, Tyrion, but it would appear that I was wrong.”
    â€œWhy, Father,” said Tyrion, “that almost sounds like praise.” He leaned forward intently. “What of Stannis? He’s the elder, not Renly. How does he feel about his brother’s claim?”
    His father frowned. “I have felt from the beginning that Stannis was a greater danger than all the others combined. Yet he does nothing. Oh, Varys hears his whispers. Stannis is building ships, Stannis is hiring sellswords, Stannis is bringing a shadowbinder from Asshai. What does it mean? Is any of it true?” He gave an irritated shrug. “Kevan, bring us the map.”
    Ser Kevan did as he was bid. Lord Tywin unrolled the leather, smoothing it flat. “Jaime has left us in a bad way. Roose Bolton and the remnants of his host are north of us. Our enemies hold the Twins and Moat Cailin. Robb Stark sits to the west, so we cannot retreat to Lannisport and the Rock unless we choose to give battle. Jaime is taken, and his army for all purposes has ceased to exist. Thoros of Myr and Beric Dondarrion continue to plague our foraging parties. To our east we have the Arryns, Stannis Baratheon sits on Dragonstone, and in the south Highgarden and Storm’s End are calling their banners.”
    Tyrion smiled crookedly. “Take heart, Father. At least Rhaegar Targaryen is still dead.”
    â€œI had hoped you might have more to offer us than japes, Tyrion,” Lord Tywin Lannister said.
    Ser Kevan frowned over the map, forehead creasing. “Robb Stark will have Edmure Tully and the lords of the Trident with him now. Their combined power may exceedour own. And with Roose Bolton behind us … Tywin, if we remain here, I fear we might be caught between three armies.”
    â€œI have no intention of remaining here. We must finish our business with young Lord Stark before Renly Baratheon can march from Highgarden. Bolton does not concern me. He is a wary man, and we made him warier on the Green Fork. He will be slow to give pursuit. So … on the morrow, we make for Harrenhal. Kevan, I want Ser Addam’s outriders to screen our movements. Give him as many men as he requires, and send them out in groups of four. I will have no vanishings.”
    â€œAs you say, my lord, but … why Harrenhal? That is a grim, unlucky place. Some call it cursed.”
    â€œLet them,” Lord Tywin said. “Unleash Ser Gregor and send him before us with his reavers. Send forth Vargo Hoat and his freeriders as well, and Ser Amory Lorch. Each is to have three hundred horse. Tell them I want to see the riverlands afire from the Gods Eye to the Red Fork.”
    â€œThey will burn, my lord,” Ser Kevan said, rising. “I shall give the commands.” He bowed and made for the door.
    When they were alone, Lord Tywin glanced at Tyrion. “Your savages might relish a bit of rapine. Tell them they may ride with Vargo Hoat and plunder as they like—goods, stock, women, they may take what they want and burn the rest.”
    â€œTelling Shagga and Timett how to pillage is like telling a rooster how to crow,” Tyrion commented, “but I should prefer to keep them with me.” Uncouth and unruly they might be, yet the wildlings were
his
, and he trusted them more than any of his father’s men. He was not about to hand them over.
    â€œThen you had best learn to