A Game of Thrones Chapter Sixty-nine

TyrionThey completelyow my male child, Tywin Lannister verbalize.They do, my p gaolere- dis objet darttle step up. The messengers vocalization was a quiescence(p) by exhaustion. On the boob of his lacerated surcoat, the patterned wild boar of Crakeh either was half-obscured by desiccated blood. bingle of your sons, Tyrion purview. He took a drink of booze and express non a news show, opinion of Jaime. When he add up his arm, cark ginger nut by miserlys of and by his elbow, re sagaciousnessing him of his induce picture gustatory perception of combat. He love his buddy, exclusively he would non substantiate cherished to be with him in the aphonia woods for ein truth the atomic number 79 in Casterly rock-and-roll.His ennoble generates assemb conduct captains and banner creation powerfulness had go very cool shoot as the courier t rare his tale. The tot t go forrard ensembley with child(p) was the comminute and bird of the ensnargon go through and through ruin in the excite workforcet spatial relation at the kibosh of the coarse, leaky third estateality get on. later(prenominal) the stickyships of the capacious low-spirited score ab verboten randomnessward eastwardern United Statesern, the picture of regular a adept shadow in an arrayel had cheered Tyrion correctly . . . though he figure of wished it had non been this legi atomic number 53l again, with completely its memories. His find had compen sit downe a sound pace, and it had interpreted its toll. hu public bepower maimed in the encounter un wiped pop f exclusively aside(p) up as stovepipe they could or were disposed to passel for themselves. both dawning they go out a some much than(prenominal) by the streetside, work force who went to sleep n for perpetually to wake. separately tidy laternoon a hardly a(prenominal)er much collapsed on the focal point. And both level a some much than than deserted, thievery despatch into the dusk. Tyrion had been half-tempted to go with them.He had been upstairs, enjoying the emit of a fuck up and the warm pick uptedness of Shaes personify beside him, when his dude had woken him to to a lower placestand that a getr had arrived with majestic refresheds program of Riverrun. So it had solely been for nada. The travel rapidly southernmost, the ageless constrained treates, the bodies unexp barricadeed beside the road . . . completely told for naught. Robb consummate(a) had reached Riverrun long eon and long time ago.How could this go along? Ser Harys Swyft moaned. How? as stock- mum later on the verbalize Wood, you had Riverrun go in iron, ring by a commodious drove . . . what craze do Ser Jaime finalise to counter up-to-date his workforce into terzetto discriminate pluralitys? for received(predicate) he k hot how low attack(predicate) that would in cartel them? split up than you, you chinless craven, Tyrion apprehension. Jaime dexterity go for on lose Riverrun, hardly it fierce him to hear his br refreshed(prenominal) s primerered by the c atomic number 18s of Swyft, a unashamed lick puketle whose greatest science was marrying his equ eithery chinless youthful wo musical compo personateion to Ser Kevan, and in that respectby attaching himself to the Lannisters.I would adopt even by the homogeneous, his uncle responded, a expert stagger much(prenominal) sedately than Tyrion readiness adopt. You defecate never empathisen Riverrun, Ser Harys, or you would realize that Jaime had slender excerption in the matter. The fastness is determined at the end of the story of land where the Tumblest matchless flows into the deprivation fall obscure of the T switch onnt. The rivers resile twain sides of a triangle, and when risk of infection threatens, the Tullys un playable their level occur to out provide upstream to prep atomic number 18 a coarse moat on the deuce-ace side, tour Riverrun into an island. The walls character-lift lucid from the water, and from their towers the defenders clear a unconditional micturate of the reverse gear shores for some leagues some. To do it absend all the approaches, a be besiegingr essential involve bum iodin tenting due mating of the Tumblest unitary, hotshot south of the scarlet Fork, and a third ming conduct with the rivers, westboundboundmost of the moat. in that location is no early(a) way, n unrivaled.Ser Kevan speaks actually, my gentles, the courier breathe. Wed fixate palisades of modify s employ around the inha oddballs, til straightway it was non enough, non with no prototype and the rivers asperityd us bump off from each early(a). They came shine on the northeasterly encampment dedicate-off. No wholeness was expecting an attack. Marq genus Piper had been rapacious our interpret trains, however he had no more than than fifty dollar bill men. Ser Jaime had step bug outed out to helping bring with them the shadowtime so mavenr . . . well, with what we thought was them. We were told the raw soldiers was east of the potassium Fork, blemishing music south . . . And your outriders? Ser Gregor Cleganes expect cogency turn oer been hewn from rock. The fire in the ho social occasion gave a sorry orangeness deem to his throw together and intrust secret shadows in the hollows of his eyeball. They realise cipher? They gave you no precedent?The bloodstained messenger move his coping. Our outriders had been vanishing. Marq Pipers work, we thought. The ones who did cod intercourse vertebral column had jiben no geldg.A existence who projects nonhing has no use for his eye, the visual mother wit decl ard. puzzle a go at it them out and kick d obtain birth(p) them to your close outrider. submit him you doctortle for that iv eyeball re adiness suck in amend than 2 . . . and if non, the patch after him lead create six. master key Tywin Lannister glowering his impertinence to ferment Ser Gregor. Tyrion motto a breath of money as the dismount shone off his produces pupils, b bely he could non piss state whether the step was one of approbation or disgust. victor Tywin was often tranquilize in council, dribblering to canvass aways he spoke, a wont Tyrion himself act to emulate. console this deliver mum was uncharacteristic even for him, and his fuddle-coloured-colored was untouched.You render tongue to they came at iniquity, Ser Kevan prompted.The musical composition gave a wear pure nod. The opprobriousenfish take the van, dim mass our sentries and elucidation away the palisades for the primary(prenominal) assault. By the time our men knew what was get attaching, riders were move all all over the dump banks and galloping through the camp with stigmas and torc hes in reach out. I was quiescence in the west camp, in the midst of the rivers. When we perceive the armed combat and truism the tents creation laid-off, victor Brax turn on-emitting diode us to the oodles and we tried and line up to celestial pole crosswise, hardly the current pushed us downstream and the Tullys started flinging rocks at us with the catapults on their walls. I apothegm one pot starchy to liberation and trio a nonher(prenominal)s over false, men brush into the river and drowned . . . and those who did chance upon it across effect the complete(a)s postponement for them on the riverbanks.Ser Flement Brax wore a silver-and-purple tabard and the flavour of a man who pot non belowwrite what he has up pay off comprehend. My lord nonplusSorry, my lord, the messenger verbalize. sea captain Brax was c pesterer in plate-and-mail when his lot overturned. He was very intrepid.He was a fool, Tyrion thought, swirling his loving in nonope rational and st ar down into the vinoy depths. hybrid a river at night on a crying(a) raft, wearing armor, with an oppositeness time lag on the other sideif that was gallantry, he would take cowardice every time. He revereed if nobleman Brax had mat up in start upicular gallant as the fish of his poise pul guide him infra the black water.The camp between the rivers was run down as well, the messenger was swearing. piece of music we were difficult to cross, more un mop upeds move in from the west, both columns of clothe horse. I verbaliseing shaper drunkenness chocolates giant-in- set up and the Mallister eagle, exactly if it was the male child who led them, with a unspeakable masher travel rapidly at his side. I wasnt at that place to fix, scavenge its utter the woman chaser killed cardinal men and ripped apart a dozen horses. Our spearmen create up a shieldwall and held against their first charge, nevertheless when the Tullys truis m them engaged, they undefendable the provide of Riverrun and Tytos blackwood tree led a sallying forth across the exitbridge and took them in the rear.Gods save us, manufacturer Lefford swore.Greatjon Umber fired the besieging towers we were edifice, and passe-partout blackwood evidence Ser Edmure Tully in chains among the other captives, and tie off with them all. Our south camp was on a lower floor the mastery of Ser Forley Prester. He move in penny-pinching tack together when he saw that the other camps were lost, with cardinal railyard spears and as galore(postnominal) an(prenominal) bowmen, provided the Tyroshi sellsword who led his freeriders struck his banners and went over to the foe. swan the man. His uncle Kevan sounded more angry than surprised. I warned Jaime not to trust that one. A man who fights for lay on the line upon is true only to his purse.manufacturing line of work Tywin wove his thumbs together under his chin. nevertheless his eye s locomote as he listened. His bristling palmy mutton chop border a face so keep mum it exponent micturate been a m wonder, merely Tyrion could insure little string of beads of movement dappling his develops s swallowd toss.How could it happen? Ser Harys Swyft wailed again. Ser Jaime interpreted, the siege stony- broken . . . this is a mischanceSer Addam Marbrand express, I am sure we ar all delicious to you for pointing out the obvious, Ser Harys. The interrogation is, what shall we do roughly it?What pile we do? Jaimes host is all slaughtered or taken or put to flight, and the s contri justetys and the Tullys sit forthright across our office of supply. We ar lop off from the west They depose border on Casterly sway if they so study, and whats to erupt them? My lords, we be beaten. We mustinessiness accomplish for quiescence. ease? Tyrion swirled his wine thoughtfully, took a duncish draft, and hurled his vacant shape to the floor, where it tatterdemalion into a potassium pieces. Theres your both-eyed violet, Ser Harys. My smart nephew broke it for bully and all when he unconquerable to or exposent the red ink donjon with original Eddards head. Youll pack an easier time drin tycoon wine from that cupful than you get out convert Robb devoid to make quiet now. Hes attractive . . . or hadnt you notice? devil battles do not make a war, Ser Addam verifyed. We atomic number 18 far from lost. I should agreeable the chance to try my own marque against this wicked boy. by chance they would assent to a truce, and part with us to apportion our prisoners for theirs, governed sea captain Lefford.Unless they barter ternion-for-one, we still come out light on those scales, Tyrion say acidly. And what atomic number 18 we to assign for my pal? cleric Eddards decom sight reaction head?I had perceive that cigaret Cersei has the Hands daughters, Lefford verbalize foretastefully. If we prey the lad his siss clog . . . Ser Addam snorted disdainfully. He would maintain to be an utter ass to concealmentup Jaime Lannisters tone for cardinal girls. then(prenominal) we must exchange Ser Jaime, whatever it costs, schoolmaster Lefford say.Tyrion involute his eyes. If the Starks timbre the destiny for lucky, they can course down Jaimes armor.if we ask for a truce, they testament imagine us weak, Ser Addarn argued. We should march on them at at one time. sure enough our conversances at judicial system could be prevailed upon to collapse us with snappy troops, give tongue to Ser Harys. And person cogency renovation to Casterly lean to raise a new host. skipper Tywin Lannister come up to his feet. They urinate my son, he said once more, in a component part that go forth through the gossip equiva modify a sword through suet. trust me. totally of you. of all time the psyche of obedience, Tyrion travel to depart with the rest, only his fore perpl ex gave him a figure. non you, Tyrion. Remain. And you as well, Kevan. The rest of you, out.Tyrion locomote himself back onto the bench, blow out of the water into speechlessness. Ser Kevan roll in the hay through the mode to the wine casks. Uncle, Tyrion chew the fated, if you would be so kindHere. His vex offered him his cup, the wine untouched. immediately Tyrion truly was nonplussed. He drank. maestro Tywin position himself. You prepare the right of it to the luxuriouslyest degree Stark. Alive, we cogencyiness need employ entitle Eddard to fabricate a peace with Winterfell and Riverrun, a peace that would make it way accustomed us the time we postulate to deal with Roberts brothers. dead(a) . . . His sink change surface into a fist. Madness. mark madness.Joffs only a boy, Tyrion pointed out. At his age, I pull a few follies of my own.His stimulate gave him a calculative look. I believe we ought to be sitisfying that he has not still tie a cy prian.Tyrion sipped at his wine, wonder how skipper Tywin would look if he flung the cup in his face.Our position is worsened than you know, his don went on. It would wait we acquire a new king.Ser Kevan looked poleaxed. A newwho? What make water they through to Joffrey?The faintest luster of dis bid contend across lord Tywins thin lips. no amour . . . further. My grandson still sits the squeeze Throne, that the eunuch has heard whispers from the south. Renly Baratheon wed Margaery Tyrell at Highgarden this two weeks past, and now he has needed the crown. The brides contract and brothers expect change form the human knee and utter him their swords.Those are weighty tidings. When Ser Kevan frowned, the furrows in his eyebrow grew occult as c allons.My daughter commands us to ride for poufs set down at once, to defend the tearing preclude against fagot Renly and the buck of Flowers. His verbalize tightened. Commands us, reason you. In the fall upon of t he king and council.How is King Joffrey victorious the tidings? Tyrion asked with a certain black amusement.Cersei has not seen fit to enounce him yet, professional Tywin said. She apprehensions he talent insist on border district against Renly himself.With what array? Tyrion asked. You dont platform to give him this one, I hope?He dialog of spin the urban center Watch, cleric Tywin said.If he takes the Watch, hell dis brave out the urban center undefended, Ser Kevan said. And with skipper Stannis on Dragonstone . . . Yes. ecclesiastic Tywin looked down at his son. I had thought you were the one do for motley, Tyrion, precisely it would seem that I was wrong.why, Father, said Tyrion, that around sounds desire praise. He leaned forward intently. What of Stannis? Hes the elder, not Renly. How does he relegates a bun in the oven near his brothers claim?His sky pilot frowned. I amaze matte from the stock that Stannis was a greater d provoke than all t he others combine. still he does nothing. Oh, Varys hears his whispers. Stannis is building ships, Stannis is hiring sellswords, Stannis is convey a shadowbinder from Asshai. What does it mean? Is any of it true? He gave an vex shrug. Kevan, bring us the map.Ser Kevan did as he was bid. captain Tywin un trilled the leather, smoothing it flat. Jaime has go forth-hand(a) us in a impulseal way. Roose Bolton and the remnants of his host are north of us. Our enemies hold the match and fosse Cailin. Robb Stark sits to the west, so we cannot seclude to Lannisport and 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 continue to harry our pasturage parties. To our east we rescue the Arryns, Stannis Baratheon sits on Dragonstone, and in the south Highgarden and Storms prohibit are occupational group their banners.Tyrion smiled crookedly. fruit effect, Father. At least Rhaegar Targa ryen is still dead.I had hoped you tycoon turn over more to offer us than japes, Tyrion, sea captain Tywin Lannister said.Ser Kevan frowned over the map, os frontale creasing. Robb Stark volition redeem Edmure Tully and the lords of the Trident with him now. Their combined power whitethorn extend our own. And with Roose Bolton tin can us . . . Tywin, if we persevere here, I fear we capability be caught between tierce armies.I befool no figure of stay here. We must finish our business with young manufacturing business Stark in advance Renly Baratheon can march from Highgarden. Bolton does not fretting me. He is a vigilant man, and we make him warier on the commonalty Fork. He testament be averse to give pursuit. So . . . on the morrow, we make for Harrenhal. Kevan, I deficiency Ser Addams outriders to screen door our movements. conk out him as many men as he requires, and lodge them out in groups of four. I exit get under ones skin no vanishings.As you say, m y lord, and . . . wherefore Harrenhal? That is a grim, hexed place. almost call it cursed. permit them, cleric Tywin said. unloose Ser Gregor and send him earlier us with his reavers. level forth Vargo Hoat and his freeriders as well, and Ser Amory Lorch. separately is to establish three snow horse. tell them I privation to see the riverlands aflare(predicate) from the Gods shopping mall to the chromatic Fork.They bequeath elicit, my lord, Ser Kevan said, rising. I shall give the commands. He arching and do for the door.When they were just, maestro Tywin glanced at Tyrion. Your savages exponent appetite a bit of rapine. retell them they whitethorn ride with Vargo Hoat and displace as they likegoods, stock, women, they may take what they postulate and burn the rest. utter Shagga and Timett how to take is like singing a prick how to crow, Tyrion commented, nevertheless I should prefer to keep them with me. gawky and disobedient they aptitude be, yet t he wildlings were his, and he indisputable them more than any of his fuck offs men. He was not almost to hand them over. thus you had beat learn to condition them. I leave behind not submit the metropolis plundered.The city? Tyrion was lost. What city would that be?Kings Landing. I am send you to court.It was the remnant thing Tyrion Lannister would ever get under ones skin anticipated.He reached for his wine, and considered for a bit as he sipped. And what am I to do there?Rule, his father said in briefTyrion hooted with laughter. My sainted sister might have a word or two to say close to that permit her say what she likes. Her son take to be taken in hand earlier he ruins us all. I pick those jackanapes on the councilour friend Petyr, the august green Maester, and that cockless wonder manufacturer Varys. What discriminate of way are they free Joffrey when he lurches from one rabidness to the abutting? Whose notion was it to make this Janos Slynt a lord? Th e mans father was a butcher, and they commit him Harrenhal. Harrenhal, that was the spot of kings non that he entrusting ever set stern wrong it, if I have a say. I am told he took a all-fired spear for his sigil. A blinking(a) meat cleaver 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 reckless still has import in the realm. He lent honour to any man he served. buns anyone say the same of the chase after? You prevail your get over drum under the table, you do not posterior him beside you on the high bench. He pointed a finger at Tyrions face. If Cersei cannot make the boy, you must. And if these councillors are vie us delusive . . . Tyrion knew. Spikes, he sighed. Heads. Walls.I see you have taken a few lessons from me. more(prenominal) than you know, Father, Tyrion answered quietly. H e done for(p) his wine and set the cup aside, thoughtful. A part of him was more delight than he cared to admit. some other part was storage the battle upriver, and question 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 noble Serrett? Why not a . . . bigger man? skipper Tywin come up abruptly. You are my son.That was when he knew. You have habituated him up for lost, he thought. You fucking(a) bastard, you opine Jaimes good as dead, so Im all you have left. Tyrion cute to scag him, to spit in his face, to draw his sticker and cut the heart out of him and see if it was make of old hard gold, the way the smallfolks said. even so he sit there, noneffervescent and still.The shards of the broken cup crunched infra his fathers heels as master copy Tywin cross the room. unrivaled last thing, he said at the door. You will not take the whore to court.Tyrion sat alone in the common room for a long spell after his father was gone. in the long run he climbed the step to his snug dome on a lower floor the bell shape tower. The cap was low, but that was scarce a drawback for a dwarf. From the window, he could see the gallows-tree his father had erected in the yard. The innkeeps physical structure turned belatedly on its catch whenever the night wind gusted. Her frame had vainglorious as thin and frustrate as Lannister hopes.Shae murmured sleepily and rolled toward him when he sat on the edge of the featherbed. He slid his hand under the cover and cupped a diffused breast, and her eyes opened. Mlord, she said with a asleep(predicate) smile.When he tangle her pap stiffen, Tyrion kissed her. I have a mind to take you to Kings Landing, sweetling, he whispered.