CERSEI

The dim empty chamber reeked of grime and filth. The lead Sparrow hung from the wall, his wrists chained to a pair of tarnished iron cuffs.

"Speak up," said Cersei.

The man swung from wall to wall, restively. "Let me go…"

"We don't have much time," Qyburn said sternly. "Tell us your purpose or the children suffer." He glanced at Gregor Clegane.

The six Sparrows cowered into a corner, eyes wide with fear. She felt Jaime's shivering hand on her shoulder. Cersei patted it.

As the Mountain barred the door of the chamber, Cersei made her way across the dirt covered floor and stopped inches from the Sparrow. He was covered in soot and stank of shit and sweat. "By what name do you go?"

The man grinned at her baring his yellow teeth. "Corax."

She moved away from him and turned to her brother. "And I thought they had perished." Jaime stared at her, transfixed.

"You're brave, I'll give you that," she told Corax. "However, there is a fine line between being courageous and being foolish."

The man spat at her feet. "You're one to talk…"

She grabbed the burning torch from Qyburn's hand. "Randyll Tarly wanted you executed right away. You should thank me for showing mercy." She still remembered Randyll Tarly's furious expression when he had said that.

She cupped Corax's face. "Tell me how many more are hiding out there and perhaps I'll let you live."

Corax chortled. "If my life was precious to me, I would never have hunted your brother down in the first place."

Cersei's jaw twitched. "You seem awfully audacious for a sinner."

"We are not the sinners!" the Sparrow blazed. "You were the one who killed High Sparrow in the light of the Seven!"

She ignored him. "How many are there?"

"I'm not easy to break, Cersei Lannister," the man scoffed. "I retain the trust of members unlike some."

Cersei stared at the man for a long time. "Ser Gregor," she said finally.

Wielding a jagged knife, the Mountain trotted towards the Corax. He plunged it deep into his left ankle and twisted it. The Sparrow screamed loudly as blood oozed from the wound and dribbled onto the floor.

The children started crying. She saw Jaime flinch. Qyburn remained calm as ever.

"It is not too late," the Maester said. "Open up now before you lose the rest of your body."

Fat beads of sweat trickled down Corax's forehead as he yelled in agony. "I… will… not… say…"

"If that's your choice," Cersei said icily. "Chop of his hand." Gregor Clegane unsheathed his sword.

Jaime squeezed her shoulder. "You're going too far." She brushed his hand away.

The Mountain raised his sword and in one quick motion he chopped off the Sparrow's right arm. It was a dreadful sight. The lower part of Corax's arm hung on the wall while his stump spat pus and blood. His screams of pain echoed in the room.

The children started to wail loudly. Ignoring them, Cersei looked at Corax. "Any wise man would have yielded by now."

Through all the torture and pain, the man smiled. "I'm no wise man then."

Cersei folded her hands. "I can torture you day and knight, you know. You will come around eventually. They all do. Ser Gregor, chop of this man's legs as slowly and painfully as possible."

But it was Jaime who moved. Breathing in a ragged manner, he approached the Sparrow, his fingers coiled around his sword. With immense power, he swerved his blade.

Corax's head fell to the floor with a soft thud. The Sparrow's body went limp as blood sprouted from his neck.

Anger surged through Cersei. "He was just going to tell us!"

Jaime glowered at her, wheezing and sweating. "Enough."

"Sometimes I wonder whose side you are on, brother," she said, disappointed. "Grab the children," she told Clegane.

"We don't know anything," a girl among the Sparrows pleaded. The rest sobbed in consent.

In a swift motion, Jaime stepped in their way. "This is not tolerable, Cersei! They are children!"

"But still Sparrows," she replied with a cool courtesy in her voice. "Move aside, brother. This is no time to be noble."

"They are clueless!" he argued back. "That fat bastard must have shoved a spear into their hands and told them to fight a few days ago! It's his fault, not theirs!"

Cersei rubbed her throbbing forehead. He is not going to let it go. "They will regroup when I release them."

Jaime lowered his blade. "Then don't release them! Allow them to work here in the kitchens or serve as squires! I will see to that!"

"Do whatever you want," Cersei told him, dismayed.

She walked to the door and opened it. "Let's get out of here before night falls. We've got an angry lord to face."