George RR Martin

"I hope you like blackberry tarts."

"I love all sorts of tarts."

"I've known that for a very long time."

There are no shadows in the dark. Shadows are the servants of light, the children of fire. The brightest flame casts the darkest shadows.

The list of the slain was topped by the High Septon, ripped apart as he squealed to his gods for mercy. Starving men take a hard view of priests too fat to walk, Tyrion reflected.

The only way to keep people loyal is to make sure they fear you more than the enemy.

Some of the living swam, some of the dead floated; the ones in heavy mail and plate sank to the bottom, the quick and the dead alike.

Drink ... Perhaps it will give you the courage to deal with truth for a change.

Darkness was a chancy ally at best.

How can I do my duty if I do not know where it lies?

In the sept they pray for the Mother's mercy but on the walls it's the Warrior they pray to, and all in silence. She remembered how Septa Mordane used to tell them that the Warrior and the Mother were only two faces of the same great god. But if there is only one, whose prayers will be heard?

Men came at him. Some he killed, some he wounded, and some went away, but always there were more.

"My nephew is tenderhearted."

"Are you certain he's a Lannister?"

"I'm certain of nothing but winter and battle."

A woman's life is nine parts mess to one part magic ... and the parts that look like magic often turn out to be the messiest of all.