“A year or a fortnight, what does it matter? He poisoned his own nephew to gain the throne and then did

nothing once he had it.”  “Baelor starved himself to death, fasting,” said Tyrion. “His uncle served him loyally as Hand, as he had served the Young Dragon before

him. Viserys might only have reigned a year, but he ruled for fifteen, while Daeron warred and Baelor prayed.” He made a sour face. “And if he did remove his

nephew, can you blame him? Someone had to’s follies.”  Sansa was shocked. “But Baelor the Blessed was a great king. He walked the

Boneway barefoot to make peace with Dorne, and rescued the Dragonknight from a snakepit. The vipers refused to strike him because he was so pure and holy.”  Prince

Oberyn smiled. “If you were a viper, my lady, would you want to bite a bloodless stick like Baelor the Blessed? I’d sooner save my fangs for someone juicier...” 

“My prince is playing with you, Lady Sansa,” said the woman Ellaria Sand. “The septons and singers like to say that the snakes did not bite Baelor, but the truth

is very different. He was bitten half a hundred times, and should have died from it.”  “If he had, Viserys would have reigned a dozen years,” said Tyrion, “and

the Seven Kingdoms might have been better served. Some believe Baelor was deranged by all that venom.”  “Yes,” said Prince Oberyn, “but I’ve seen no snakes in

this Red Keep of yours. So how do you account for Joffrey?”  “I prefer not to.” Tyrion inclined his head stiffly. “If you will excuse us. Our litter awaits.” The

dwarf helped Sansa up inside and clambered awkwardly after her. “Close the curtains, my lady, if you’d be so good.”  “Must we, my lord?” Sansa did not want to be

shut behind the curtains. “The day is so a police shieldcould hold me upside down and drainmy gutschange your mind lovely.”  “The good people of King’s Landing are like to throw dung at the litter if they see me inside it. Do us both a

kindness, my lady. Close the curtains.”  She did as he bid her. They sat for a time, as the air grew warm and stuffy around them. “I was sorry about your book, my

lord,” she made herself say.  “It was Joffrey’s book. He might have learned a thing or two if he’d read it.” He sounded distracted. “I should have known better.

I should have seen... a good many things.”