The Citadel, renowned throughout the Seven Kingdoms, stood on the banks of the Honeywine, a sprawling complex of buildings.
It lacked the Hightower's grandeur and the Starry Sept's sacred majesty, yet it was the place with the richest scholarly atmosphere in Oldtown, indeed in all of Westeros.
The Citadel's main gate faced Whispering Bay. On either side stood a towering green sphinx statue: lion bodies, eagle wings, serpent tails, but one bore a male face and the other a female one. Both had their eyes tightly shut, as though pondering some millennium-old riddle with no answer.
Led by Baelor Hightower, Samwell entered the Citadel. Just inside, he found a bustling little market, where numerous vendors had set up stalls selling books, maps, and similar items. Many townsfolk had also gathered nearby, lining up to have apprentice maesters write documents for them.
Continuing onward, Samwell saw a small island with a massive Weirwood growing upon it. Its lush branches and leaves nearly covered the entire island, while countless ravens perched in its boughs. It looked like an oil painting steeped in religious solemnity.
After crossing a weathered wooden bridge, they came upon a tower covered in moss and climbing vines.
Baelor stopped there and said:
"Ser Caesar, my sister Moroya is upstairs. Her room is to the left at the top of the stairs on the fourth floor. I have matters to attend to, so I won't accompany you up."
"All right."
After watching Baelor leave, Samwell climbed the stairs alone.
When he reached the room Baelor had described, he raised a hand and lightly knocked on the door.
After waiting a moment, he heard a low female voice from within. "Come in."
Samwell pushed the door open and entered.
The room had an odd smell, like raw meat left sitting