A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle

forget.”
Tyrion knew that Ser Jacelyn would not send for him unless the matter was of
import. “I’d best see what Bywater wants. Inform my sister that I will attend
her on my return.”
    â€œShe won’t like that,” Bronn warned.
    â€œGood. The longer Cersei waits, the angrier she’ll become,

and anger makes her stupid. I much prefer angry and stupid to composed and
cunning.” Tyrion tossed his folded cloak into his litter, and Timett helped
him up after it.
    The market square inside the Gate of the Gods, which in normal times would have
been thronged with farmers selling vegetables, was near deserted when Tyrion
crossed it. Ser Jacelyn met him at the gate, and raised his iron hand in
brusque salute. “My lord. Your cousin Cleos Frey is here, come from Riverrun
under a peace banner with a letter from Robb Stark.”
    â€œPeace terms?”
    â€œSo he says.”
    â€œSweet cousin. Show me to him.”
    The gold cloaks had confined Ser Cleos to a
windowless guardroom in the
gatehouse. He rose when they entered. “Tyrion, you are a most welcome
sight.”
    â€œThat’s not something I hear often, cousin.”
    â€œHas Cersei come with you?”
    â€œMy sister is otherwise occupied. Is this Stark’s letter?” He plucked it off
the table. “Ser Jacelyn, you may leave us.”
    Bywater bowed and departed. “I was asked to bring the offer to the Queen
Regent,” Ser Cleos said as the door shut.
    â€œI shall.” Tyrion glanced over the map that Robb Stark had sent with his
letter. “All in good time, cousin. Sit. Rest. You look gaunt and haggard.” He
looked worse than that, in truth.
    â€œYes.” Ser Cleos lowered himself onto a bench. “It is bad in the riverlands,
Tyrion. Around the Gods Eye and along the

kingsroad especially. The river lords are burning their own crops to try and
starve us, and your father’s foragers are torching every village they take and
putting the smallfolk to the sword.”
    That was the way of war. The smallfolk were slaughtered, while the highborn
were held for ransom.
Remind me to thank the gods that I was born a
Lannister.
    Ser Cleos ran a hand through his thin brown hair. “Even with a peace banner,
we were attacked twice. Wolves in mail, hungry to savage anyone weaker than
themselves. The gods alone know what side they started on, but they’re on their
own side now. Lost three men, and twice as many wounded.”
    â€œWhat news of our foe?” Tyrion turned his attention back to Stark’s terms.
The boy does not want too much. Only half the realm, the release of our
captives, hostages, his father’s sword . . . oh, yes, and his
sisters.
    â€œThe boy sits idle at Riverrun,” Ser Cleos said. “I think he fears to face
your father in the field. His strength grows less each day. The river lords
have departed, each to defend his own lands.”
    Is this what Father intended?
Tyrion rolled up Stark’s map. “These
terms will never do.”
    â€œWill you at least consent to trade the Stark girls for Tion and Willem?” Ser
Cleos asked plaintively.
    Tion Frey was his younger brother, Tyrion recalled. “No,” he said gently,
“but we’ll propose our own exchange of captives. Let me consult with Cersei
and the council. We shall send you

back to Riverrun with
our
terms.”
    Clearly, the prospect did not cheer him. “My lord, I do not believe Robb Stark
will yield easily. It is Lady Catelyn who wants this peace, not the
boy.”
    â€œLady Catelyn wants her daughters.” Tyrion pushed himself down from the
bench, letter and map in hand. “Ser Jacelyn will see that you have food and
fire. You look in dire need of sleep, cousin. I will send for you when we know
more.”
    He found Ser Jacelyn on the ramparts, watching several hundred new recruits
drilling in the field below. With so many seeking refuge in King’s Landing,
there was no lack of men willing to join the City Watch for a full belly and a
bed of straw in the barracks, but Tyrion had no illusions about how well these
ragged defenders of theirs would fight if it came to battle.
    â€œYou did well to send for me,” Tyrion said. “I shall leave Ser Cleos in your
hands. He is to have every hospitality.”
    â€œAnd his escort?” the commander wanted to know.
    â€œGive them food and