Such superstitious people were all too common in Westeros-Rhaegar Targaryen, Cersei, Leyton Hightower-but the fantasies of the highborn often brought suffering to the people.
"Prophecy is like a treacherous woman. She takes your... into her mouth, makes you moan with pleasure, and you think how sweet, how wonderful, how comfortable it is... then she suddenly snaps her teeth shut, and your moans turn into screams. Garth believes that is the nature of prophecy. Every time, prophecy bites off your..." Marwyn said softly to Rodrik beside him.
Rodrik nodded. He was practically a walking library of the Seven Kingdoms.
The Reader was something of a fan of Marwyn's, too. The two were quite animated together, rather like a fan meeting his idol.
"The administration of the Westerlands' gold mines at Casterly Rock will belong to the royal house.
All close Lannister relatives bearing the Lannister name, for their involvement in Tywin and Cersei's conspiracy-boys taller than five feet and adult men alike-will go north to the Wall.
As for the women and children under five feet, you no longer have the right to live in Casterly Rock or bear the name of House Lannister. You may choose Lannisport or somewhere else," Gendry decreed.
Margaery watched the king issue his commands, deciding life and death with a word. Her gaze practically melted.
All the lords pricked up their ears. The king's punishments differed from those of the past.
They had known this since House Frey at Luan River Castle, House Hightower after the battle at Oldtown, and House Greyjoy had suffered punishment imposed by overwhelming power.
But among the powerful ruling lords of a kingdom, the lion was the first to be stripped of its power.
Though the Westerlands were small, they had many gold and silver mines.
The Lannisters ranked around