A Warm Gathering

Jaime Lannister: "..."

Tyrion Lannister: "..."

Lancel Lannister: "..."

In Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, at the easternmost end of the Wall of the End and beside the Bay of Seals, the Lannister brothers reunited in its hall.

Flames roared in the enormous hearth.

Tyrion first glanced at Jaime, who was frowning, then tilted his head toward the expressionless Lancel.

Finally, he swung his short little legs and broke into a broad grin. "Aha, what a memorable day. The loving Lannisters haven't had such a warm family gathering in a very long time."

Jaime merely cast Tyrion an indifferent glance, while Lancel replied coldly, "I am a septon of the Great Sept. I ceased to be a Lannister long ago."

As he spoke, he clenched his fist. "I came to the edge of the world bearing a sacred mission—to destroy evil heathens."

"Heathens. The red-robed priestess. Stannis's witch."

The smile did not leave Tyrion's face. He lazily leaned against the armrest of his chair and said with a grin, "To be honest, she really is enchanting. She could steal your very soul."

Lancel snorted, his face full of disgust. "No amount of beauty can conceal her evil."

Tyrion raised his brows. "You nearly died, my brave cousin. If the gears of fate hadn't turned ever so slightly at that critical moment, you'd probably be a guest in The Stranger's house by now."

After a pause, Lancel said angrily, "A septon never fears sacrifice. Since I came here, I never intended to return alive."

"How noble. And certainly brave enough. You and the men you brought actually tried to kill Stannis's beloved witch right under his nose..." Tyrion bared his teeth. "If not for Old Bear, Lord Stark, and that meddlesome Lannister, I imagine your heads would already be hanging in Castle Black."

He scratched