Snippet #1473583

Jamie, try as he might could not hold back his anger. He wasn't the subtle politician his elder brother was. The Dragon could only hide so long behind a suit of valyrian armor and courtly etiquettte. Every single fiber of his being, his very soul wanted nothing more then slam his fist in the brat prince's face, to feel his flesh and bone pulp beneath. Lionel standing as close as he was to Jamie would stand very little chance of dodging such a blow, the Damian guards too far away to intervene. All it would take is one punch, then he could draw Memory and gut the filthy bastard before he had a chance to react to the punch. Jamie had made it this far in life, dying in the throne room of Westeros wasn't such a bad way to go. Who knows he might actually manage to slay King Damian in the process if the Seven were kind.

But all thoughts of murder and regicide were put out of mind as the Queen fainted, actually fainted. In the midst of all the goings on. Surrounded by both her family and the two most powerful noble houses in all of the Seven Kingdoms, she had actually fainted. What had been anger a short moment ago turned into full on amusement, the urge to laugh as great as the urge to kill had been.

I wonder if it were the sailing advice Leliana gave. Jamie thought as he struggled to keep a straight face. This was almost worth his mother's memory being profaned by that bastard of a prince..almost but not quite.

The look on Lionel's face as he realized what had happened further tested his knightly restraint. Then again this kind of thing hadn't been covered when he still was a squire. And the way he ordered some woman standing next to the Queen was just as priceless as his expression. It was seething anger and the desire to bury his face in his hands. Then the mask dropped as Lionel herded them out, no doubt as damage control. After all it wouldn't do to have the Queen of Westeros the object of amusement.

But Jamie supposed it was about time for the feast, and any excuse to be physically further away from the Damians was good enough for him at the moment. He had a plan after all, and Lionel's antics had nearly cost him the little self-control he had gained from thinking about it's steps and eventual conclusion. His long legged stride carried him along with the press of people heading towards the dining hall.

"Did you see the look on Lionel's face, twas priceless....Remind me later that I owe you a bow Lady Leliana, you deserve it after that little speech about the arts of sailing." Jamie, unable to keep his amusement pent up spoke then burst into laughter."

With that out of his system the Dragon focused on the more pressing concern of the wildling woman, He hadn't missed the gesture the Queen had made. He knew he had gained a shadow in the form of a wildling woman wielding a spear. She would likely follow him, discreetly of course. And probably unseen, for while he had heard no stories of combat prowess concerning wildlings all the stories were in accord with their ability to remain unseen when they wanted to be. Then again he didn't put much stock in stories, but he had a feeling nonetheless he'd witness the truth behind the stories soon enough.

Casually, as if doing nothing more then showing a rush to get to the feast he strode past the wilding woman clad in furs and leather. A brief sideways glance and even swifter smile that spoke volumes. It was as if Jamie were acknowledging an unspoken fact.

"So Kervall, think Her Royal Majesty the Queen will recover from what foulness has struck her. Or will we have to wait for the tides to ebb first." He asked his elder brother and heir to House Winsler but staring at Leliana. Forgotten was his silently fuming Lord Father, after all Jamie's gifts had been worth more then every single other gift given put together. And they had struck a blow right at the heart of the Damian's, one Lionel returned in kind to be fair. But first blood went to House Winsler and Jamie.

And I promise you last blood shall me mine as well The Dragon vowed to himself.