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CHAPTER FIVE. ━━━━━━━━━ We took you right from your mother's womb, Our temple, your tomb.
THE WOLF, FEVER RAY ━━━━━━━━━
FOR THREE HUNDRED YEARS, theTargaryens had ruled Westeros.
They came astride dragons and burned down all that lay in their path. The dragon kings and queens ruled from their Iron Throne, from generation to generation. They were absolute—a dynasty whose power and influence seemed would go on forever.
The Targaryens ruled the seven kingdoms for three hundred years—until they didn't.
Jaime Lannister stands on Rhaenys's Hill, looking down upon Flea Bottom, at the inhabitants, who openly glare up towards the lions' camp as they try to put their homes back together. It amazes him that these people, considered the cretins of the city, have cause to look upon his father, Warden of the West, with disgust. It amazes him even further that he might share their sentiment. Tywin Lannister is not an easy man to love, but he is a man who easily commands. And the Sack had been his command.
His father is silent. Jaime looks up and feels his stomach twist at the expression on Tywin's face. He squares his shoulders and does his best to look a man instead of a chastised boy. His white cloak snaps and flutters in the breeze, and the sight of it turns his father's face to stone.
"Mariah Martell is coming to King's Landing," Jaime begins, eyes cast onto to city beneath them. "I thought you'd wish to know."
His father looks up at that, his frown deepening. "It seems the vipers have stirred from the grass. I cannot imagine it is to come and bask in the sunshine."
Chuckling wryly, Jaime replies, "No, I expect not. It is said that Oberyn was sent into exile by his brother."
"Then Prince Doran leaves us with one less fire to put out. But what of his last sister? A maid of eight-and-ten can do no harm, however vengeful," Tywin replies, sneering.
Jaime imagines what his sister would do should someone murder him and thinks his father a fool to underestimate the Martell girl. If she burns even half as bright as Cersei, she'll rip the Seven Kingdoms apart for justice. And she may not share Oberyn's recklessness, nonetheless—
Jaime clears his throat, resolves to say nothing more on the issue but cannot stop himself from muttering, "All snakes share the same scales."
He shifts from one foot to another, unsure, as always, in his father's presence. The last time he had seen his father, Tywin had been storming out of Harrenhal with Cersei in tow, leaving behind nothing but the golden pin of his former office. The Lord of Casterly Rock had little to say to his son then, as disgusted with Jaime as he was with Aerys over the loss of his heir.
