Month 1 285AL
(Cersei)
Down below in the courtyard Jamie was tossed aside by my good-brother's shield as if he were a child. I winced as a shield boss collided with his face in a wet smack and ended the spar.
Hatred Burned
The small-folk and others called him the 'Warrior Reborn'.
As if the Warrior had ever been born.
He was as contemptuous of the title, as my lover was of his. Which I found very humorous. Anything that got under his skin made me feel a little better.
He was Dangerous.
Not dangerous because of his skill at arms, but for his skill with words.
Dangerous for how he made his elder brother, my husband, dance to his tune. I had seen him whisper a few words into his ear and make him do anything he desired. No one else had that power, not even the Hand of the King.
Such power in the wrong hands had to be stopped.
I am the only one who should have that power.
Hatred and Jealousy
I had tried everything up to outright Assassination.
The Faceless were too expensive.
He was apparently immune to seduction attempts.
His guards were too loyal or too numerous to bribe.
No spouse or loved ones to kidnap or threaten.
No vices I was able to exploit.
No vices of his anyway.
I was down to my last recourse.
The High Septon.
(Robert)
I took a drink of watered arbor gold as I caught my breath.
I watched him hand the Kingslayer his own ass on a silver platter.
My brother's new great ax and shield boss were of Dragonsteel.
Formerly, they were the the Ancestral blade of the Tarlys.
I don't know where he became so skilled with the uncommon weapon. No masters of the great ax ever trained in Storm's End to my knowledge. It was more of a northern weapon.
A rare one at that.
He was far different than the grim little brat I remembered as a child. As if he were not the same person anymore. His features had not changed and he often spoke of things from the past before I left as a ward to Jon Arryn. No impostor would know the things we spoke of.
He was different though... in a good way.
I burst out laughing as Stannis ended his spar with the Kingslayer's face.
Mine was with Ser Barriston and had ended moments ago with a blunted sword at my neck with blinding speed. I may not be skilled enough to crack 'The Bold's' skull, at least I know I can best my little brother.
The Warrior Reborn my bleeding ass
I rose to my feet and moved in front of my brother.
"My turn." I grinned as I brought my shield up and hefted my hammer into a high ready stance.
He smiled and stayed silent other than his panting breath.
I took the offense and swung the hammer with monstrous force.
He blocked with his shield. It struck so hard my hand shook. The Dragonsteel boss took the force out of the blow.
Before I had the chance to bring the hammer around for another swing, his ax hooked onto my shield. He jerked my shield arm away from my center.
His strength was greater than mine.
Out lashed a leg that slammed into my chest-plate. I felt the wind leave me in a rush as my ribs cracked and groaned.
The world tilted fast as I hit the ground with a crash.
His strength was greater than mine.
I felt numb at first.
I couldn't breath.
I coughed at last and felt my chest flare in pain as fractured bones rinded together.
His strength was greater than mine.
I had never been bettered by him before.
The Greatjon doesn't kick like that.
His smiling face came into view above me.
"Maybe you should get off your ass before you turn to jelly, brother." He laughed as he held a hand down to help me to my feet.
Barriston and the Kingslayer came running over.
I slapped his hand away.
"Your grace. Are you alright?" Barriston asked as he and the Kingslayer helped me to my feet.
"You are no brother of mine." I rasped through pained breaths.
The smile slid from his face and I saw a hard look I had never seen before.
"As your grace says." he replied in monotone.