Jaime Lannister's arrival instantly disrupted the already turbulent undercurrents in the study.
His gilded armor reflected a cold gleam in the candlelight, a striking contrast to the complicated expression on his handsome face.
His gaze swept past Ned Stark and Varys and fixed directly on Lynn.
There was scrutiny in his eyes, and anger.
And a trace of something even he had not noticed... concern?
"Lysa Arryn has gone mad."
Jaime broke the silence, his voice carrying the arrogance and contempt so characteristic of House Lannister.
"A widow who cries over her dead husband and does nothing but hide in the Eyrie nursing her son-what does she intend to march on the North with?"
"Her son's diapers?"
The corner of Varys's perpetually ingratiating smile twitched almost imperceptibly at those words.
"Ser Lannister, that may be true, but the knights of the Vale are as steadfast in their loyalty to House Arryn as the stones of the Eyrie."
Varys offered the reminder in a soft voice.
"Lady Lysa may have gone mad."
"But one mad woman is often more frightening than ten sane men."
"Enough!"
A roar came from outside the door, and Robert Baratheon's hulking, bearlike figure staggered into the room.
His face was flushed, and he reeked of wine.
Yet his eyes, clouded by debauchery, poison, and alcohol, burned with a feverish excitement.
"One mad bitch starts howling, and you're all scared out of your wits?"
Robert looked around, his gaze finally settling on Lynn with undisguised amusement.
"Perfect! I was just wondering how to give my dear son-in-law a chance to bare his fangs!"
The king's command soon spread throughout the Red Keep.
An emergency meeting of the Small Council was hastily convened in the dead of a night steeped in wine and intrigue.
The atmosphere in the