Jaime arrives at Riverrun. He meets up with his cousin Daven, who seems like a thoroughly reasonable and capable chap. In particular he's a bit surprised at being the Warden of the West and admits to not being entirely qualified. The seige of Riverrun is ongoing. Inside are Catelun's uncle Brynden Blackfish and Robb's widow Jeyne Westerling. Outside is Edmure, who has been removed by the Freys and is made to stand on a gallows all day to try and get Brynden to come out. But Brynden doesn't give in to the demands of hostage takers! Jaime remembers visiting Riverrun as a boy and admiring Brynden for fighting the Ninepenny Kings, which I think is the war Septon Meribald fought in. It goes to show how times change, but everything is really the same.
Men keep being found hung in the woods and there is debate about whether it is Lord Beric Dondarrion or else Northmen who are still loyal to Starks and Tullys.
Raff the Sweetling is here, playing about with some half-naked girls in the river. I wonder if he will come to a sticky end, somehow: a lot of Arya's prayers come true.
Jaime seems to be getting better at fighting left-handed, but he's not that good yet.
Jaime's aunt Genna turns up. She's married to the useless Ser Emmon Frey, who is technically the lord of Riverrun now. But Genna is formidable and awesome in a similar way to Grandmother Tyrell whose name escapes me: cantankerous and outspoken. She is concerned that Riverrun will be problematic to hold as long as the Tully house lives on, since there will always be a chance Tullys will go to war to win it back. A lot depends on the births of sons. This is probably why Kevan chose Darry for Lancel, because the Darry line has died out.
Genna is properly concerned about Cersei letting the Grand Septon take up arms. She remembers the history: Warrior's Sons and Poor Fellows rose up against Maegor, who put bounties on them. Maegor died and the next king, Jaehaerys said he would pardon them if they would lay down their swords, which seemed to do the trick. Now Cersei has given them their swords back. Genna is suspicious that Kevan refused the offer of being Hand. Jaime thinks it might be because Kevan knows about Jaime and Cersei. She also gives us some insight into Tywin. He stood up for her as a 10 year old boy when she was betrothed at 7 to Frey. She is worried that Tyrion is not still around, since she recognises that he is the one who inherited Tywin's talents, when even Tywin did not see it. Neither Jaime or Cersei are so skilled. I wonder if she will later play some part, perhaps rehabilitating Tyrion to save house Lannister after Cersei destroys it.
