A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle

Kingdoms.
    â€œLady Stark,” Stannis Baratheon said with chill courtesy as he reined up. He
inclined his head, balder than she remembered.
    â€œLord Stannis,” she returned.
    Beneath the tight-trimmed beard his heavy jaw clenched hard, yet he did not
hector her about titles. For that she was duly grateful. “I had not thought to
find you at Storm’s End.”
    â€œI had not thought to be here.”
    His deepset eyes regarded her uncomfortably. This was not a man made for easy
courtesies. “I am sorry for your lord’s death,” he said, “though Eddard
Stark was no friend to me.”
    â€œHe was never your enemy, my lord. When the Lords Tyrell and Redwyne held you
prisoned in that castle, starving, it was Eddard Stark who broke the
siege.”
    â€œAt my brother’s command, not for love of me,” Stannis answered. “Lord
Eddard did his duty, I will not deny it. Did I ever do less?
I
should
have been Robert’s Hand.”
    â€œThat was your brother’s will. Ned never wanted it.”
    â€œYet he took it. That which should have been mine. Still, I give you my word,
you shall have justice for his murder.”
    How they loved to promise heads, these men who would be king.
“Your
brother promised me the same. But if truth be told, I would sooner have my
daughters back, and leave justice to the gods. Cersei still holds my Sansa, and
of Arya there has been no word since the day of Robert’s death.”
    â€œIf your children are found when I take the city, they shall be sent to you.”
Alive or dead,
his tone implied.
    â€œAnd when shall that be, Lord Stannis? King’s Landing is close to your
Dragonstone, but I find you here instead.”
    â€œYou are frank, Lady Stark. Very well, I’ll answer you frankly. To take the
city, I need the power of these southron lords I see across the field. My
brother has them. I must needs take them from him.”
    â€œMen give their allegiance where they will, my lord. These lords swore
fealty to Robert and House Baratheon. If you and your brother were to put aside
your quarrel—”
    â€œI have no quarrel with Renly, should he prove dutiful. I am his elder, and
his king. I want only what is mine by rights. Renly owes me loyalty and
obedience. I mean to have it. From him, and from these other lords.” Stannis
studied her face. “And what cause brings you to this field, my lady? Has House
Stark cast its lot with my brother, is that the way of it?”
    This one will never bend,
she thought, yet she must try nonetheless.
Too much was at stake. “My son reigns as King in the North, by the will of our
lords and people. He bends the knee to no man, but holds out the hand of
friendship to all.”
    â€œKings have no friends,” Stannis said bluntly, “only subjects and
enemies.”
    â€œAnd brothers,” a cheerful voice called out behind her. Catelyn glanced over
her shoulder as Lord Renly’s palfrey picked her way through the stumps. The
younger Baratheon was splendid in his green velvet doublet and satin cloak
trimmed in vair. The crown of golden roses girded his temples, jade stag’s head
rising over his forehead, long black hair spilling out beneath. Jagged chunks
of black diamond studded his swordbelt, and a chain of gold and emeralds looped
around his neck.
    Renly had chosen a woman to carry his banner as well, though Brienne hid face
and form behind plate armor that gave no hint of her sex. Atop her twelve-foot
lance, the crowned stag pranced

black-on-gold as the wind off the sea rippled the cloth.
    His brother’s greeting was curt. “Lord Renly.”
    â€œ
King
Renly. Can that truly be you, Stannis?”
    Stannis frowned. “Who else should it be?”
    Renly gave an easy shrug. “When I saw that standard, I could not be certain.
Whose banner do you bear?”
    â€œMine own.”
    The red-clad priestess spoke up. “The king has taken for his sigil the fiery
heart of the Lord of Light.”
    Renly seemed amused by that. “All for the good. If we both use the same
banner, the battle will be terribly confused.”
    Catelyn said, “Let us hope there will be no battle. We three share a common
foe who would destroy us all.”
    Stannis studied her, unsmiling. “The Iron Throne is mine by rights. All those
who deny that are my foes.”
    â€œThe whole of the realm