Confronting Jamie

Jason was silent, annoyed that possible proof was now gone. While Lancel was easy to squeeze information out of, he doubted the squire be a reliable witness, being low standing among the Lannisters. It is easy for them to deny any connection to them or even claim the squire was pressured into giving a false confession.

"So now I must ask, why did you do it?"

Lancel blushed slightly, shifting a bit before Jason kept him still with his strong arm. "I can't… it is personal…"

"Fine then." His free hand moved up, fingers flexing, his eyes glowing. "What did offer you?"

"Knighthood and the pleasure of…sharing her bed." He muttered in a hazy voice. A goofy grin crossed his face at the mention, making Jason sigh and shake his head in disgust.

Quickly he'd gesture again. "Change of plans. Cersei needs you to stay and keep an eye for her… it is your duty after all." However, when he finished the spell, sudden dizziness coursed through him which made him loosen his grip on the squire. Yet the trick seemed to work as Lancel rubbed his forehead, seeming confused as his memory was now muddled.

"I was? I think so…" Shaking his head, he seemed to snap out of the daze. "Shouldn't be running off. Not now at least!" Quickly he'd move to get his saddle unpacked, losing all focus on Jason who shifted away unnoticed. Hopefully, Lancel wouldn't remember being interrogated at least for a good while.

Quickly leaving the stables, he'd catch his breath as the dizzy feeling faded away. He had felt this way before when he was slowly regaining the use of his Signs years ago after escaping the Wild Hunt, having to draw power from his body rather than his surroundings. "Getting worse." He muttered to himself before heading towards the main hall of the Red Keep, deciding it be best to remain in his quarters until called for. Passing through the hall though, he'd notice the grand door to the throne room open, making him wonder if anything was going on.

He'd near the open doors and look down the long throne room, seeing Lord Tywin speaking Jaime, both standing close to the looming Iron Throne. It seemed like a tense conversation from the tone of it, yet from this distance, Jason couldn't hear what exactly was being discussed. There was still a sense of distrust towards Tywin after their meeting during the tournament, since the man's ambitions made it difficult to predict how he'd react Cersei's schemes and taboo relationship with her brother. For now, he felt proper timing was needed to force the lord to make a choice. Approaching the two, they quickly finished their conversation before Tywin turned to face the Witcher.

"Good day Lord Lannister." Calmly said, bowing his head slightly informal respect. His gaze shifted to Jaime, yet he didn't greet him.

"Jason. You continue to impress with your wide range of talents considering how you handled Lord Baratheon's injury. Maester Pycelle was right to praise your intellect." Tywin answered back.

"The Grand Maester did most of the work sire. I simply assisted and advised."

"Even so, the King may have a chance to live because of your efforts both here and out during the hunt. I spoke shortly with the Lord Commander Barristan who recounted your timely reaction in saving both him and the King."

"From what the guards told me they found two dozen raiders slain. Ser Selmy claimed to have killed seven while the King took down three on his own. It seems the other eleven are credited to you."

"Eleven actually, one of them died by his own mistake." Jason corrected.

"While still an impressive amount, I feel my son focuses on the wrong issue here. We still know nothing of these assassins except that they seem to be locals from what the guards have gathered. Simple sellswords and thugs who came to see the tournament." Tywin quickly added. "They may have the Targaryen mark on their armour, yet it's little more than a crude disguise to mislead us."

"Came to the same conclusion. Yet with no one to question we have nothing to go with."

"Then let's hope the mastermind stops here then." Jaime chuckled, yet neither his father nor the Witcher showed any amusement at the jest, making him quickly become quiet.

"For now, we let the Lord Commander and City Watch do their job. You and the rest of the King's Guard should focus on Lord Robert's protection." Jason remarked to the golden-haired knight.

"Which my son and fellow knights will do dutifully," Tywin added, a stern hint in his voice. "If you will excuse me, I have to attend to official matters. The rest of the nobility needs some assurances with what has happened after all." The older lord moved to pass the two to leave the throne room, seeming to have nothing left to say.

For a moment there was silence as Jason glanced back at Jaime, the knight seeming to relax slightly with his father gone. However, he'd notice the conflicted look Jaime had yesterday morning before leaving on the hunt.

Jaime sighed and shrug. "As always…focused on politics."

Jason simply nodded back. "That is a matter for him to worry about. Right now, I want to know what you wanted to say to me before I left on the hunt."

Being reminded of that moment, Jaime was silent as he'd pace a bit, moving closer to the looming Iron Throne. His gaze drifted along the tiled floor before the rough metal steps to the bladed seat. "I've been thinking about many things since our fight. Of choices I've made…"

"Choices that have hurt others?"

The calm yet stern tone of the Witcher's voice had the knight glance over, a battle-ready tension showing in his sharp eyes. "What are do you mean?" He calmly questioned.

"Winterfell and Bran Stark."

The blunt statement drew a hint of surprise in Jaime's eyes, something a normal person would have missed yet not the sharp gaze of a Witcher. However, the Lannister knight kept composed yet the respectful look he had soon earlier was replaced by a smugger one. "So, you think I pushed that boy out of that tower? I've done many things Jason but I'm no child killer."

"You get one chance."

"What?"

"One chance to admit it." Jason calmly stated, the cold threatening tone enough to make Jaime's confident look disappear. "I know who you were within that tower and what you were doing. Don't give a damn about it…right now I want you to admit what you did to Bran."

Jaime was tense, right hand at the grip of his sword after what he had just heard. However, he'd see how calm the Witcher was, not even tense or reaching for the blade on his back. For a long moment neither more and seemingly breathed, yet in the end the blond-haired knight relaxed his grip and gave a deep sigh. "Guess I should have expected someone like you to figure it out. Cersei was right about you. Guess she knew an outsider with your cunning would notice." A low amused chuckle escaped from him. "When that boy saw us, we were all startled at first. He lost his grip and I only just reached him before he nearly tumbled down." He'd pause, slowly pacing to circle Jason but the Witcher followed along to keep them both facing each other.

"The boy had such a scared look, yet I'm not sure if it was from what he saw or nearly falling. Cersei though…oh she was terrified, kept saying how he 'saw us'. Talked to the boy a bit, complimented his climbing…learned how young he was…then pushed him when his guard was down." He'd gesture his hands out in a showman's manner yet despite the jesting move Jason saw the way Jaime kept his gaze focused to the ground. "So yes, I did push Bran from that tower. I did it to protect my family and her

Again, silence filled the hall after Jaime finished his confession. Jason flexed his right hand tensely, trying to keep the building anger in check. He knew Jaime was trying to provoke him and make him be the aggressor, get him blamed for the assault. "I did misjudge you, Jaime. I thought you were a decent man…overconfident and cocky, yet decent." He coldly muttered. "Right now, I'd love nothing more than to break your legs and make you suffer the same fate you gave to Bran. That be justice in my eyes…yet it wouldn't fix anything."

"How noble of you showing such restraint." The knight's tone was low and mocking, trying to taunt the Witcher on. "So, what now then, we just shake hands and go our separate ways? How can I trust you now after what you've told me?"

"Because I didn't tell your father when I could have. He's a smart man, may very well know but is in denial or doesn't care…at least until it risks crumbling everything he has built." There was another tense pause. "Besides, in the end, I trust you more than him…

"Heh, you have an odd sense then." He'd shake his head in frustration. "I can't deny your logic though and besides…your too damn honest to lie." His hand slipped from the grip of his sword at that point. "You best go now Jason before I get second thoughts. Rather not doubt me in making this choice."

"Aye. Yet one last piece of advice, don't trust Cersei."

Jaime stifled back a laugh before the Witcher could finish. "And why is that? Why should I fear betrayal from my twin?"

"Because I've seen what women like her do to others. She'll use you for a long as possible before throwing you aside. She already is…just ask Lancel."

However, before anything else could be said, suddenly hurried footsteps were coming from the main hall and moving into the throne room. The page sprinted to the Surgebinder and knight, stopping to catch his breath, the young man bowed to them both before speaking.

"Ser Jason…Ser Jaime…the king…he's awake." He gasped out between breaths. "He's requested to speak with you."

"Very well." Jason glanced at Jaime who remained silent, only nodding in agreement to follow along. The page gave a short bow before moving to lead the way to Robert's room with Surgebinder and knight close behind.