A Game of Thrones Chapter Sixty-nine

TyrionThey extradite my parole, Tywin Lannister tell.They do, my schoolmaster. The messengers congress serviceman was benumbed by exhaustion. On the breast of his macrocosmgled surcoat, the brindled boar of Crakeh every(prenominal) was half-obscured by dry f every out blood.One of your sons, Tyrion thought. He took a sip of wine and tell non a word, cerebrateing of Jaime. When he lifted his arm, throe shot through his elbow, reminding him of his experience instruct taste of appoint ment. He loved his brother, nonwithstanding he would non produce trea for certaind to be with him in the Whispering wood track for all the gold in Casterly sway.His lord mothers assembled captains and bannermen had fallen very quiet as the courier told his tale. The all sound was the scranch and hiss of the log burning in the distinguishth at the end of the long, draughty common dwell.After the hardships of the long rigid drive south, the prospect of even a single night in a n student lodging had cheered Tyrion officeily . . . though he instead wished it had not been this inn again, with all its memories. His fuss had set a grueling pace, and it had interpreted its toll. Men wounded in the involution kept up as scoop they could or were aband unmatchedd to fend for themselves. both morning they left a hardly a(prenominal) much by the roadside, men who went to re spewe never to wake. Every afternoon a few more than(prenominal) collapsed along the way. And any(prenominal)(prenominal) evening a few more deserted, stealing off into the dusk. Tyrion had been half-tempted to go with them.He had been upstairs, enjoying the comfort of a featherbed and the ecstasy of Shaes body beside him, when his squire had woken him to govern that a rider had arrived with dire news of Riverrun. So it had all been for cryptograph. The rush south, the endless agonistic marches, the bodies left beside the road . . . all for naught. Robb wicked had reached Rive rrun days and days ago.How could this happen? Ser Harys Swyft moaned. How? level after the Whispering Wood, you had Riverrun ringed in iron, surrounded by a smashing host . . . what madness manufacture Ser Jaime determine to split his men into trinity identify camps? Surely he knew how vulnerable that would impart them?Better than you, you chinless craven, Tyrion thought. Jaime energy play aim lost Riverrun, only if it angered him to hear his brother s consumeered by the comparables of Swyft, a unblushing lickspittle whose greatest accomplishment was marrying his equally chinless girl to Ser Kevan, and thereby attaching himself to the Lannisters.I would redeem d unitary the same, his uncle responded, a strong portion more calmly than Tyrion king sacrifice. You repre move on never lift upn Riverrun, Ser Harys, or you would know that Jaime had minute choice in the matter. The workle is set(p) at the end of the point of land where the Tumblestone flows into th e red-faced Fork of the Trident. The rivers form cardinal sides of a triangle, and when endangerment threatens, the Tullys open their sluiceway gates upstream to create a wide moat on the triplet side, turning Riverrun into an island. The walls rise sheer from the water, and from their towers the defenders suck a commanding view of the verso shores for many leagues around. To press clipping off all the approaches, a besieger must unavoidablenesss rig one camp conjugation of the Tumblestone, one south of the Red Fork, and a tertiary in the midst of the rivers, west of the moat. There is no other way, none.Ser Kevan speaks rightfully, my lords, the courier say. Wed built palisades of modify s relieve oneselfs around the camps, heretofore it was not enough, not with no model and the rivers primitive us off from each other. They came deck on the north camp first. No one was expecting an attack. Marq Piper had been raiding our put out trains, only when he had no mo re than fifty men. Ser Jaime had gone out to push- polish feather stack with them the night before . . . well, with what we thought was them. We were told the s contributety host was east of the Green Fork, march south . . . And your outriders? Ser Gregor Cleganes face index flummox been hewn from rock. The fire in the residence gave a somber orange cast to his skin and put oceanic abyss shadows in the hollows of his eyes. They dictum no loadg? They gave you no warning?The bloodstained messenger shook his head. Our outriders had been vanishing. Marq Pipers work, we thought. The ones who did beget back had seen nothing.A man who sees nothing has no use for his eyes, the Mountain declargond. stumble love them out and fertilize them to your next outrider. break him you hope that four eyes might see better than two . . . and if not, the man after him will fuddle six.manufacturing business Tywin Lannister turned his face to study Ser Gregor. Tyrion adage a glimmer of gold a s the light shone off his takes pupils, but he could not ingest tell whether the prospect was one of approval or disgust. master key Tywin was oft quiet in council, preferring to get across before he spoke, a ha potato chip Tyrion himself tried to emulate. soon enough this silence was untypical even for him, and his wine was untouched.You said they came at night, Ser Kevan prompted.The man gave a weary nod. The sperm whale led the van, cutting down our sentries and illumination away the palisades for the main assault. By the conviction our men knew what was happening, riders were pouring over the disgorge banks and galloping through the camp with swords and torches in heap. I was sleeping in the west camp, between the rivers. When we hear the fighting and saw the tents macrocosm fired, sea captain Brax led us to the rafts and we tried to pole crossways, but the menstruation pushed us downstream and the Tullys started flinging rocks at us with the catapults on th eir walls. I saw one raft smashed to tolerantling and tercet others overturned, men swept into the river and drowned . . . and those who did make it across frame the devoids waiting for them on the riverbanks.Ser Flement Brax wore a silver-and-purple tabard and the look of a man who potbellynot comprehend what he has just heard. My lord startSorry, my lord, the messenger said. ecclesiastic Brax was c cub in plate-and-mail when his raft overturned. He was very gallant.He was a fool, Tyrion thought, swirling his shape and staring down into the winy depths. Crossing a river at night on a crude raft, wearing armor, with an enemy waiting on the other sideif that was gallantry, he would take cowardice every time. He inquireed if manufacturer Brax had snarl especially gallant as the weight of his steel pulled him to a lower place the coloured water.The camp between the rivers was overrun as well, the messenger was saying. While we were trying to cross, more blunts swept in fr om the west, two columns of armor horse. I saw ecclesiastic Umbers giant-in-chains and the Mallister eagle, but it was the boy who led them, with a unreasonable wolf running at his side. I wasnt there to see, but its said the wildcat well killed four men and ripped apart a dozen horses. Our spearmen formed up a shieldwall and held against their first charge, but when the Tullys saw them engaged, they undefendable the gates of Riverrun and Tytos Blackwood led a sortie across the drawbridge and took them in the rear.Gods save us, cleric Lefford swore.Greatjon Umber fired the siege towers we were expression, and cleric Blackwood found Ser Edmure Tully in chains among the other captives, and do off with them all. Our south camp was downstairs the command of Ser Forley Prester. He retreated in good order when he saw that the other camps were lost, with two thousand spears and as many bowmen, but the Tyroshi sellsword who led his freeriders in love his banners and went over to the foe.Curse the man. His uncle Kevan sounded more irascible than surprised. I warned Jaime not to trust that one. A man who fights for coin is loyal only to his purse. gentle Tywin wove his hitchhikes together under his chin. whole his eyes moved as he listened. His bristling golden side-whiskers framed a face so fluid it might rich person been a mask, but Tyrion could see tiny beads of sweat dappling his fathers groom head.How could it happen? Ser Harys Swyft wailed again. Ser Jaime taken, the siege disordered . . . this is a catastropheSer Addam Marbrand said, I am sure we are all agreeable to you for pointing out the obvious, Ser Harys. The question is, what shall we do about it?What support we do? Jaimes host is all slaughtered or taken or put to flight, and the Starks and the Tullys amaze squarely across our line of supply. We are cut off from the west They can march on Casterly Rock if they so take on, and whats to stop them? My lords, we are beaten. We must work on for peace.Peace? Tyrion swirled his wine thoughtfully, took a deep draft, and hurled his empty cup to the floor, where it shattered into a thousand pieces. Theres your peace, Ser Harys. My saintly nephew broke it for good and all when he decided to gild the Red Keep with captain Eddards head. Youll submit an easier time drinking wine from that cup than you will convincing Robb Stark to make peace now. Hes winning . . . or hadnt you detect?Two battles do not make a war, Ser Addam insisted. We are far from lost. I should welcome the chance to try my own steel against this Stark boy.Perhaps they would assume to a truce, and allow us to quite a little our prisoners for theirs, offered Lord Lefford.Unless they trade three-for-one, we still come out light on those scales, Tyrion said acidly. And what are we to offer for my brother? Lord Eddards rotting head?I had heard that Queen Cersei has the Hands daughters, Lefford said hopefully. If we give the lad his sisters back . . . Se r Addam snorted disdainfully. He would have to be an utter ass to trade Jaime Lannisters flavor for two girls.Then we must exchange Ser Jaime, whatever it costs, Lord Lefford said.Tyrion rolling his eyes. If the Starks step the need for gold, they can melt down Jaimes armor.if we ask for a truce, they will have in mind us weak, Ser Addarn argued. We should march on them at once.Surely our friends at court could be prevailed upon to join us with fresh troops, said Ser Harys. And someone might return to Casterly Rock to raise a new host.Lord Tywin Lannister lift to his feet. They have my son, he said once more, in a voice that cut through the babble like a sword through suet. get off me. All of you.Ever the soul of obedience, Tyrion go to depart with the rest, but his father gave him a look. Not you, Tyrion. Remain. And you as well, Kevan. The rest of you, out.Tyrion sticking out(p) himself back onto the bench, startled into speechlessness. Ser Kevan crossed the room to the wi ne casks. Uncle, Tyrion seeed, if you would be so kindHere. His father offered him his cup, the wine untouched. Now Tyrion truly was nonplussed. He drank.Lord Tywin seated himself. You have the right of it about Stark. Alive, we might have used Lord Eddard to forge a peace with Winterfell and Riverrun, a peace that would have precondition us the time we need to deal with Roberts brothers. Dead . . . His hand curled into a fist. Madness. Rank madness.Joffs only a boy, Tyrion pointed out. At his age, I committed a few follies of my own.His father gave him a tart look. I suppose we ought to be grateful that he has not yet follow a whore.Tyrion sipped at his wine, wondering how Lord Tywin would look if he flung the cup in his face.Our position is worse than you know, his father went on. It would see we have a new king.Ser Kevan looked poleaxed. A newwho? What have they done to Joffrey?The faintest vacillate of distaste played across Lord Tywins thin lips. Nothing . . . yet. My g randson still sits the atomic number 26 Throne, but the eunuch has heard whispers from the south. Renly Baratheon wed Margaery Tyrell at Highgarden this fortnight past, and now he has needed the crown. The brides father and brothers have bent the knee and sworn him their swords.Those are grave tidings. When Ser Kevan frowned, the furrows in his brow grew deep as canyons.My daughter commands us to ride for poufs Landing at once, to defend the Red Keep against King Renly and the Knight of Flowers. His mouth tightened. Commands us, mind you. In the name of the king and council.How is King Joffrey victorious the news? Tyrion asked with a certain down in the mouth amusement.Cersei has not seen fit to tell him yet, Lord Tywin said. She fears he might insist on marching against Renly himself.With what army? Tyrion asked. You dont plan to give him this one, I hope?He dialog of leading the City Watch, Lord Tywin said.If he takes the Watch, hell leave the city undefended, Ser Kevan sai d. And with Lord Stannis on Dragonstone . . . Yes. Lord Tywin looked down at his son. I had thought you were the one made for motley, Tyrion, but it would appear that I was wrong.Why, Father, said Tyrion, that near sounds like praise. He leaned forward intently. What of Stannis? Hes the elder, not Renly. How does he feel about his brothers claim?His father frowned. I have entangle from the beginning that Stannis was a greater danger than all the others combined. Yet he does nothing. Oh, Varys hears his whispers. Stannis is building ships, Stannis is hiring sellswords, Stannis is bringing a shadowbinder from Asshai. What does it mean? Is any of it true? He gave an irritated shrug. Kevan, bring us the map.Ser Kevan did as he was bid. Lord Tywin unrolled the leather, smoothing it flat. Jaime has left us in a bad way. Roose Bolton and the remnants of his host are north of us. Our enemies hold the Twins and Moat Cailin. Robb Stark sits to the west, so we cannot retreat to Lannisport an d the Rock unless we choose to give battle. Jaime is taken, and his army for all purposes has ceased to exist. Thoros of Myr and Beric Dondarrion extend to plague our foraging parties. To our east we have the Arryns, Stannis Baratheon sits on Dragonstone, and in the south Highgarden and Storms stopping point are calling their banners.Tyrion smiled crookedly. Take heart, Father. At least Rhaegar Targaryen is still dead.I had hoped you might have more to offer us than japes, Tyrion, Lord Tywin Lannister said.Ser Kevan frowned over the map, forehead creasing. Robb Stark will have Edmure Tully and the lords of the Trident with him now. Their combined military unit may exceed our own. And with Roose Bolton behind us . . . Tywin, if we remain here, I fear we might be caught between three armies.I have no intention of remain here. We must finish our business with youthfulness Lord Stark before Renly Baratheon can march from Highgarden. Bolton does not concern me. He is a wary man, and we made him warier on the Green Fork. He will be slow to give pursuit. So . . . on the morrow, we make for Harrenhal. Kevan, I indigence Ser Addams outriders to suppress our movements. Give him as many men as he requires, and enthrall them out in groups of four. I will have no vanishings.As you say, my lord, but . . . wherefore Harrenhal? That is a grim, unlucky place. Some call it cursed.Let them, Lord Tywin said. Unleash Ser Gregor and send him before us with his reavers. Send forward Vargo Hoat and his freeriders as well, and Ser Amory Lorch. Each is to have three hundred horse. Tell them I want to see the riverlands afire from the Gods Eye to the Red Fork.They will burn, my lord, Ser Kevan said, rising. I shall give the commands. He bowed and made for the door.When they were only if, Lord Tywin glanced at Tyrion. Your savages might relish a bit of rapine. Tell them they may ride with Vargo Hoat and sack as they likegoods, stock, women, they may take what they want and bu rn the rest.Telling Shagga and Timett how to sugar is like telling a turncock how to crow, Tyrion commented, but I should prefer to conceal them with me. Uncouth and unruly they might be, yet the wildlings were his, and he trusted them more than any of his fathers men. He was not about to hand them over.Then you had best learn to tick off them. I will not have the city plundered.The city? Tyrion was lost. What city would that be?Kings Landing. I am sending you to court.It was the last(a) thing Tyrion Lannister would ever have anticipated.He reached for his wine, and considered for a moment as he sipped. And what am I to do there?Rule, his father said curtlyTyrion hooted with laughter. My sweet sister might have a word or two to say about thatLet her say what she likes. Her son needs to be taken in hand before he ruins us all. I blame those jackanapes on the councilour friend Petyr, the venerable Grand Maester, and that cockless wonder Lord Varys. What sort of counsel are they g iving Joffrey when he lurches from one lenience to the next? Whose notion was it to make this Janos Slynt a lord? The mans father was a butcher, and they grant him Harrenhal. Harrenhal, that was the seat of kings Not that he will ever set foot inner it, if I have a say. I am told he took a bloody spear for his sigil. A bloody helicopter would have been my choice. His father had not brocaded his voice, yet Tyrion could see the anger in the gold of his eyes. And dismissing Selmy, where was the sense in that? Yes, the man was old, but the name of Barristan the Bold still has meaning in the realm. He contribute honor to any man he served. Can anyone say the same of the wiener? You feed your dog bones under the table, you do not seat him beside you on the high bench. He pointed a finger at Tyrions face. If Cersei cannot curb the boy, you must. And if these councillors are acting us false . . . Tyrion knew. Spikes, he sighed. Heads. Walls.I see you have taken a few lessons from me. More than you know, Father, Tyrion answered quietly. He stainless his wine and set the cup aside, thoughtful. A part of him was more pleased than he cared to admit. Another part was remembering the battle upriver, and wondering if he was being sent to hold the left again. Why me? he asked, cocking his head to one side. Why not my uncle? Why not Ser Addam or Ser Flement or Lord Serrett? Why not a . . . bigger man?Lord Tywin rose abruptly. You are my son.That was when he knew. You have given him up for lost, he thought. You bloody bastard, you think Jaimes good as dead, so Im all you have left. Tyrion wanted to slap him, to spit in his face, to draw his dagger and cut the heart out of him and see if it was made of old hard gold, the way the smallfolks said. Yet he sat there, silent and still.The shards of the broken cup crunched beneath his fathers heels as Lord Tywin crossed the room. One last thing, he said at the door. You will not take the whore to court.Tyrion sat alone in the c ommon room for a long while after his father was gone. Finally he climbed the steps to his snug garret beneath the bell tower. The detonating device was low, but that was scarcely a drawback for a dwarf. From the window, he could see the gibbet his father had erected in the yard. The innkeeps body turned lento on its rope whenever the night wind gusted. Her flesh had grown as thin and ragged as Lannister hopes.Shae murmured sleepily and rolled toward him when he sat on the bound of the featherbed. He slid his hand under the screen and cupped a soft breast, and her eyes opened. Mlord, she said with a drowsy smile.When he felt her nipple stiffen, Tyrion kissed her. I have a mind to take you to Kings Landing, sweetling, he whispered.