A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)

by George R.R. Martin

“Do you take me for a fool?” The magister bowed slightly. “I take you for a king. Kings lack the caution of common men. My apologies if I have given offense.”

He could feel the chill coming up the stairs, a cold breath from deep within the earth.

“Let me give you some counsel, bastard,” Lannister said. “Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.”

When he opened the door, the light from within threw his shadow clear across the yard, and for just a moment Tyrion Lannister stood tall as a king.

“Girls get the arms but not the swords. Bastards get the swords but not the arms. I did not make the rules, little sister.”