A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle

without protest, but Littlefinger was not done.
“We’ll want horses. Swift and strong. The fighting will make remounts hard to
come by. A goodly supply of gold will also be needed, for those gifts we spoke
of earlier.”
    â€œTake as much as you require. If the city falls, Stannis will steal it all
anyway.”
    â€œI’ll want my commission in writing. A document that will leave Mace Tyrell in
no doubt as to my authority, granting me full power to treat with him
concerning this match and any other arrangements that might be required, and to
make binding pledges

in the king’s name. It should be signed by Joffrey and every member of this
council, and bear all our seals.”
    Tyrion shifted uncomfortably. “Done. Will that be all? I remind you, there’s a
long road between here and Bitterbridge.”
    â€œI’ll be riding it before dawn breaks.” Littlefinger rose. “I trust that on
my return, the king will see that I am suitably rewarded for my valiant efforts
in his cause?”
    Varys giggled. “Joffrey is such a grateful sovereign, I’m certain you will
have no cause to complain, my good brave lord.”
    The queen was more direct. “What do you want, Petyr?”
    Littlefinger glanced at Tyrion with a sly smile. “I shall need to give that
some consideration. No doubt I’ll think of something.” He sketched an airy bow
and took his leave, as casual as if he were off to one of his
brothels.
    Tyrion glanced out the window. The fog was so thick that he could not even see
the curtain wall across the yard. A few dim lights shone indistinct through
that greyness.
A foul day for travel,
he thought. He did not envy
Petyr Baelish. “We had best see to drawing up those documents. Lord Varys,
send for parchment and quill. And someone will need to wake
Joffrey.”
    It was still grey and dark when the meeting finally ended. Varys scurried off
alone, his soft slippers whisking along the floor. The Lannisters lingered a
moment by the door. “How comes your chain, brother?” the queen asked as Ser
Preston fastened a vair-lined cloth-of-silver cloak about her
shoulders.
    â€œLink by link, it grows longer. We should thank the gods

that Ser Cortnay Penrose is as stubborn as he is. Stannis will never march
north with Storm’s End untaken in his rear.”
    â€œTyrion, I know we do not always agree on policy, but it seems to me that I
was wrong about you. You are not so big a fool as I imagined. In truth, I
realize now that you have been a great help. For that I thank you. You must
forgive me if I have spoken to you harshly in the past.”
    â€œMust I?” He gave her a shrug, a smile. “Sweet sister, you have said nothing
that requires forgiveness.”
    â€œToday, you mean?” They both laughed . . . and Cersei leaned
over and planted a quick, soft kiss on his brow.
    Too astonished for words, Tyrion could only watch her stride off down the hall,
Ser Preston at her side. “Have I lost my wits, or did my sister just kiss
me?” he asked Bronn when she was gone.
    â€œWas it so sweet?”
    â€œIt was . . . unanticipated.” Cersei had been behaving
queerly of late. Tyrion found it very unsettling. “I am trying to recall the
last time she kissed me. I could not have been more than six or seven. Jaime
had dared her to do it.”
    â€œThe woman’s finally taken note of your charms.”
    â€œNo,” Tyrion said. “No, the woman is hatching something. Best find out what,
Bronn. You know I hate surprises.”

THEON
    T heon wiped the spittle off his cheek with the back of his hand. “Robb
will gut you, Greyjoy,” Benfred Tallheart
screamed. “He’ll feed your turncloak’s heart to his wolf, you piece of sheep dung.”
    Aeron Damphair’s voice cut through the insults like a sword through cheese.
“Now you must kill him.”
    â€œI have questions for him first,” said Theon.
    â€œ
Fuck
your questions.” Benfred hung bleeding and helpless
between Stygg and Werlag. “You’ll choke on them before you get any answers
from me, craven. Turncloak.”
    Uncle Aeron was relentless. “When he spits on you, he spits on all of us. He
spits on the Drowned God. He must die.”
    â€œMy father gave
me
the command here, Uncle.”
    â€œAnd sent me to counsel you.”
    And to watch