A Game of Thrones 4-Book Bundle Read Online Free PDF Page B

sister,” he said. “And Jon’s boy. What word of them?”
    â€œThe message said only that they were well, and had returned to the Eyrie,” Catelyn said. “I wish they had gone to Riverrun instead. The Eyrie is high and lonely, and it was ever her husband’s place, not hers. Lord Jon’s memory will haunt each stone. I know my sister. She needs the comfort of family and friends around her.”
    â€œYour uncle waits in the Vale, does he not? Jon named him Knight of the Gate, I’d heard.”
    Catelyn nodded. “Brynden will do what he can for her, and for the boy. That is some comfort, but still …”
    â€œGo to her,” Ned urged. “Take the children. Fill her halls with noise and shouts and laughter. That boy of hers needs other children about him, and Lysa should not be alone in her grief.”
    â€œWould that I could,” Catelyn said. “The letter had other tidings. The king is riding to Winterfell to seek you out.”
    It took Ned a moment to comprehend her words, but when the understanding came, the darkness left his eyes. “Robert is coming here?” When she nodded, a smile broke across his face.
    Catelyn wished she could share his joy. But she had heard the talk in the yards; a direwolf dead in the snow, a broken antler in its throat. Dread coiled within her like a snake, but she forced herself to smile at this man she loved, this man who put no faith in signs. “I knew that would please you,” she said. “We should send word to your brother on the Wall.”
    â€œYes, of course,” he agreed. “Ben will want to be here. I shall tell Maester Luwin to send his swiftest bird.” Ned rose and pulled her to her feet. “Damnation, how many years has it been? And he gives us no more notice than this? How many in his party, did the message say?”
    â€œI should think a hundred knights, at the least, with all their retainers, and half again as many freeriders. Cersei and the children travel with them.”
    â€œRobert will keep an easy pace for their sakes,” he said. “It is just as well. That will give us more time to prepare.”
    â€œThe queen’s brothers are also in the party,” she told him.
    Ned grimaced at that. There was small love between him and the queen’s family, Catelyn knew. The Lannisters of Casterly Rock had come late to Robert’s cause, when victory was all but certain, and he had never forgiven them. “Well, if the price for Robert’s company is an infestation of Lannisters, so be it. It sounds as though Robert is bringing half his court.”
    â€œWhere the king goes, the realm follows,” she said.
    â€œIt will be good to see the children. The youngest was still sucking at the Lannister woman’s teat the last time I saw him. He must be, what, five by now?”
    â€œPrince Tommen is seven,” she told him. “The same age as Bran. Please, Ned, guard your tongue. The Lannister woman is our queen, and her pride is said to grow with every passing year.”
    Ned squeezed her hand. “There must be a feast, of course, with singers, and Robert will want to hunt. I shall send Jory south with an honor guard to meet them on the kingsroad and escort them back. Gods, how are we going to feed them all? On his way already, you said? Damn the man. Damn his royal hide.”

DAENERYS
    H er brother held the gown up for her inspection.
    â€œThis is beauty. Touch it. Go on. Caress the fabric.”
    Dany touched it. The cloth was so smooth that it seemed to run through her fingers like water. She could not remember ever wearing anything so soft. It frightened her. She pulled her hand away. “Is it really mine?”
    â€œA gift from the Magister Illyrio,” Viserys said, smiling. Her brother was in a high mood tonight. “The color will bring out the violet in your eyes. And you shall have gold as well, and jewels of all sorts.