A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire, #2)

by George R.R. Martin

Robert could never have known, Catelyn thought, or Cersei would have lost her head in an instant. “Lord Stannis,” she asked, “if you knew the queen to be guilty of such monstrous crimes, why did you keep silent?” “I did not keep silent,” Stannis declared. “I brought my suspicions to Jon Arryn.” “Rather than your own brother?” “My brother’s regard for me was never more than dutiful,” said Stannis. “From me, such accusations would have seemed peevish and self-serving, a means of placing myself first in the line of succession. I believed Robert would be more disposed to listen if the charges came from Lord Arryn, whom he loved.” “Ah,” said Renly. “So we have the word of a dead man.” “Do you think he died by happenstance, you purblind fool? Cersei had him poisoned, for fear he would reveal her. Lord Jon had been gathering certain proofs—” “—which doubtless died with him. How inconvenient.”