A Clash of Kings – Ilyn Payne
Almost every highborn woman in the city sat at the long trestle tables, along with a handful of old men and young boys. The women were wives, daughters, mothers, and sisters. Their men had gone out to fight Lord Stannis. Many would not return. The air was heavy with the knowledge. As Joffrey’s betrothed, Sansa had the seat of honor on the queen’s right hand. She was climbing the dais when she saw the man standing in the shadows by the back wall. He wore a long hauberk of oiled black mail, and held his sword before him: her father’s greatsword, Ice, near as tall as he was. Its point rested on the floor, and his hard bony fingers curled around the crossguard on either side of the grip. Sansa’s breath caught in her throat. Ser Ilyn Payne seemed to sense her stare. He turned his gaunt, pox-ravaged face toward her.
A Clash of Kings Chapter 58 – Sansa
King’s Landing is being attacked. So, all of the highborn women of King’s Landing gather in the Queen’s Ballroom. Taking her place, Sansa sees Illyn Payne in the back. He is holding her father’s sword, ice. She is immediately suspicious.
I like how this shows how Sansa is growing. Cersei may still think she’s a simpleton but Sansa’s the only one who sees anything strange about the room being guarded by an executioner.
My only problem with this piece is the perspective makes Payne bigger than the mountain. Also, no matter what anime may tell you, it’s hard to look badass with a sword that dwarfs you.