Chapter 18 Chapter Eighteen Cersei
Three idiots carrying a leather bag, the Queen Mother thought as she watched them kneel before her.She despises these three idiots.However, there may be unexpected gains?
"Your Majesty," Qyburn whispered, "the imperial meeting..."
"...it won't be held until I arrive. Think about it, I might bring them the good news of the traitor's death." On the other side of the city, the bell of Baelor's Great Sept was beating in mourning.The knell does not toll for you, Tyrion, Cersei thought contentedly, and I will tar your head and feed your deformed body to the dogs. "Be flat," she told the three future lords, "show me things."
They stood up as ordered, oh, all three of them are ugly, ragged, haven't bathed for at least half a year, and one of them has a big boil on his neck.She thought it would be fun to make them lords, and let them sit next to Margaery at the banquet.The leader of the three idiots untied the string and reached into the bag, and the smell of decay filled the reception room like a rotten rose.He took out a grey-green head crawling with maggots.It tasted like my father's dead body.Dokasha almost suffocated, while Jocelyn covered her mouth to gag.
The queen mother looked at the spoils without blinking. "You killed the wrong dwarf," she said at last.
"We killed right," an idiot actually dared to object, "it must be him, Your Majesty the Queen Mother. Look, he is a dwarf, but his face is rotten and he can't see what he looks like."
"Not only the face is rotting, but a new nose," Cersei remarked. "Big, round nose. Bastard! Tyrion's nose was chopped off in the war."
The three idiots looked at each other. "Nobody told us," claimed the one with the head, "that this guy was strutting around the road anyway, and he was an ugly midget, so we thought..."
"Oh, he claims to be a sparrow." Added a boil on his neck. "It was you who said he lied." The third idiot argued.
The queen mother was annoyed to realize that she had put aside the imperial meeting because of this farce. "You're wasting my time and killing innocent people. I should have taken your heads off." If their heads were taken, the others would back off and let the imp run away.She would rather kill thousands of people by mistake and let the heads of dwarfs pile up ten feet high, than she can allow this to happen. "Forget it, let's go."
"Yes, Your Majesty," said Boil, "we beg your pardon."
"Do you still want this head?" asked the person carrying the head.
"Give it to Ser Meryn. No, put it in the bag first, you idiot! Ser Osmond, take them out."
Tran took the head, Kettleblack chased the idiot away, leaving only Miss Jocelyn's breakfast. "Clean up quickly." The Queen Mother ordered her.This is the third head offered.Fortunately, this one is the head of a dwarf.The last time was just an ugly kid.
"Don't worry, someone will find the imp," Ser Osmond reassured her, "and if he is found, he will die."
Yeah?Last night, Cersei dreamed of the old hag again, with the jagged jaw and hoarse voice.In Lannisport, they called her Witch the Toad.If my father knew what she said to me, he would have pulled out her tongue.But Cersei didn't tell anyone, not even Jaime.Melaya said that as long as we don't speak of the prophecy, it will be forgotten and never come true...
"My eyeliner is on the prowl too, Your Majesty," said Cobain.His robes resembled those of a maester's, but instead of gray they were the spotless white of the Kingsguard, with swirls of gold on the hem, sleeves, and high starched collar, and a gold belt girdled his waist. "Oldtown, Seagulltown, Dorneland, and even the Free Trade Cities, no matter where he fled, my people will find him."
"Your premise is that he has left King's Landing. In fact, he is probably hiding in the Great Sept of Baelor, and he is pulling the bell rope to make noise at the moment." Cersei sullenly asked Dorkasha to help her up. "Come on, my lord, the imperial meeting is waiting for us." She took Qyburn's arm as she descended the stairs, "How did you complete that small task?"
"It's done, Your Majesty. I'm sorry it took so much time, but it was a big head, and it took my beetle a long time to clean the flesh. I made it out of ebony and silver to express my apologies." A box for holding skeletons."
"A cloth bag will do, too. Prince Doran only cares about what's in it, and he won't care if you throw a tattered bag—as long as the head is in place so it doesn't fall out."
Walking into the yard, the rumbling bells became even harsher.He is just an archbishop, how can he mobilize so many people?How long are we going to suffer?Of course, the death knell is much sweeter than the mountain's scream, but...
Cobain seemed to see right through her mind. "At sundown, the bells will stop ringing, Your Majesty."
"That would be great. How did you know?"
"My job is to spy on intelligence."
Varys made everyone think he was indispensable.We are so stupid.After the queen mother announced that Qyburn would succeed the eunuch, the pests were in a hurry to curry favor with him, selling all kinds of information for a little money.It is gold and silver treasures that win people's hearts, not octopus spiders.Keben can do this job.She waited to see what Pycelle's face would look like when Qyburn took his seat in the Council for the first time.
During the convening of the imperial meeting, there is always a royal guard standing guard at the entrance of the meeting hall.Today it is Ser Boros Braun's turn. "Ser Boros," the queen called kindly, "you don't look very well this morning. Is there something wrong with your food?" Jaime made him the king's taster, in case of poison.It's a delicious task, but one that's disgraceful to the knight.Braun hated it, his fleshy jaw trembled slightly when he opened the door.
Seeing her coming, the ministers stopped talking.Lord Gyles greeted the queen with a cough--his cough was enough to wake Pycelle.Others stood up with smiles on their faces.Cersei allowed herself a small smile. "Gentlemen, please forgive me for being late."
"Here, we are all servants in His Majesty's service," said Ser Harris Swyfer, "and it is an honor to wait for you."
"I believe that everyone knows the Earl of Coburn."
The Grand Master Pycelle did not disappoint her. "Earl Qyburn?" His face turned purple, and he stammered, "Your Majesty, this... this bachelor swears a sacred oath, no territory, no title..."
"Your school city stripped him of his necklace." Cersei reminded the other party, "he is no longer a maester, and he no longer needs to obey the maester's oath. If your memory is not bad, you should remember that we also called the eunuch 'Lord Earl' .”
Pycelle spat, "But this man...he's not suitable..."
"How dare you say something 'inappropriate' in front of me? Isn't it because you made my father's body stink to the sky with your own hands, making people laugh?"
"Your Majesty, you wouldn't think..." He raised a mottled palm, as if to parry the blow, "The Silent Sisters removed Lord Tywin's stomach and organs, drained the blood... they took care of it meticulously... …we stuffed him with salt and herbs."
"Oh, forget about the disgusting details, I smell your meticulous care! Lord Qyburn's medical skills have saved my brother's life, and I think he is undoubtedly more suitable to serve His Majesty the King than that hypocritical eunuch. My lord, Do you know all your colleagues?"
"I don't even know them. What kind of intelligence chief is I, Your Majesty." Cobain said as he sat between Orton Merryweather and Gales Rosby.
This is my imperial meeting.Cersei plucked out every rose, and everyone who was loyal to her uncle and two brothers, and replaced them with characters who were devoted to her.She even abolished the title of "Minister" - because she was the largest at the court - and introduced the title of the Free Cities instead.For example, Orton Merryweather is called the magistrate, Gales Rosby is called the treasury manager, and Orion Weshui, the flashy young bastard son of Tidehead Island, is her admiral.
Her Hand in Hand was Ser Harris Swyfer.
Swyfer was flabby, bald, and flattering.He had no chin, just a ridiculously short white beard, and a luxurious yellow coat with a blue bantam rooster spelled out with glass beads, and a hundred golden hands on his blue velvet cloak.Harris was so dazed by his new position that he hadn't the slightest idea that it was taking him hostage rather than honor.His daughter had married Cersei's uncle, and Kevan loved the chinless, flat-chested woman with bow-legs.With Ser Harris in his hands, Kevan Lannister would have to think twice about dealing with her.Naturally, Yue Zhang is not the most effective hostage, but it is better to have than to have nothing.
"Will His Majesty the King come?" Orton Merryweather asked.
"My son is having a family dinner with his little queen. For now, his concept of being a king is just to seal the royal family seal. Your Majesty is still too young to comprehend the important affairs of the country."
"Where is our valiant Captain of the Iron Guard?"
"Ser Jaime went to the blacksmith to make a rookie. I think everyone has had enough of his ugly limb. And I dare say he is more impatient with meetings than Tommen." Laugh out loud.Very well, Cersei thought, just laugh, the louder you laugh, the less of a threat he is. "Is there any wine?"
"Here we come, Your Majesty." Orton Merryweather's nose was too big and his reddish-orange hair was disheveled, but despite his mediocre appearance, he was polite and thoughtful. "Here are Dornish red wines and golden wines from Arbor Island, as well as high-quality spiced liqueurs from High Court."
"Golden wine. The Dornishmen drink just like their people, I suppose, with a sour temper." Marilyweather filled her glass, and Cersei continued, "Let's start with the Dornishmen. "
Grand Master Pycelle's lips were still trembling, thankfully he didn't swallow his tongue. "As ordered. Prince Doran imprisoned his brother's tyrannical illegitimate daughters, but the turmoil in Sunspear City has not subsided. According to the prince's letter, if justice is not given to him, he will not be able to control the situation."
"Soon, soon," said the prince, foolish and garrulous, "the wait will soon bear fruit. I have sent Balon Swann to Sunspear to offer the head of Gregor Clegane .” Of course, Sir Balon has other important tasks on his trip, but there is no need to teach them.
"Oh, oh," Ser Harris Swyfer twirled his ridiculously short mustache between forefinger and thumb. "Is he dead already, Ser Gregor?"
"Of course he's dead, my lord," said Aurene Waywater dryly. "As far as I know, moving the head is fatal."
Cersei gave him an approving smile, she loved being sarcastic - as long as it wasn't about herself. "Ser Gregor succumbed to his wounds, just as Her Majesty Pycelle predicted."
Pycell snorted a few times, and looked at Qyburn maliciously, "The spear is smeared with poison, and there is no medicine to cure it."
"Yes, I remember your words." The Queen Mother turned to the Prime Minister. "What were you talking about when I came in, Sir Harris?"
"Say 'sparrows', Your Majesty. According to Brother Leonard's statistics, there are as many as 2,000 'sparrows' in the city, and there are new people pouring in every day. Their leaders preach the theory of doomsday and criticize devil cults..."
Cersei took a sip of her wine.delicious. "Isn't this natural, what do you think? The red god that Stanley worships, what is it called if it's not a devil? The church is supposed to fight against evil." It was Qyburn who reminded her, he was so smart. "It appears that our late archbishop has neglected his duties, and allowed the years to wear away his insight and weaken his strength, so that so obvious a fact cannot be seen."
"He was an old man on the verge of death, Your Majesty," said Qyburn, smiling at Pycelle. "His death was to be expected. To die peacefully in one's sleep, to live a long life, as few men in the world can." Enjoy this blessing."
"Yes," Cersei admitted, "now we need a vigorous successor. My friends in the hills of Visennia tell me that Torbert or Rhynald will be elected."
Grand Maester Pycelle cleared his throat, "I also have friends in the order, and they tend to favor Brother Oledo."
"Don't forget Lu Chen," Cobain added, "he just entertained thirty bishops with suckling pig and golden wine from Arbor Island last night, and distributed hard bread to bribe the poor during the day."
When it comes to religious topics, Aurene Weir seems as impatient as Cersei. From a closer look, his hair color is closer to silver than gold, and his eyes are grey-green, not the purple eyes of Prince Rhaegar. Still, there are a lot of similarities between them... wonder if he shaved it just for her...he's ten years younger than her, but he wants her, and from the way he looks at her, Cersei is totally Can read it—nine out of ten men look at her like that since her breasts developed.Because you're beautiful, they say, but James and I look alike, but have never been treated that way.When she was a child, she often wore her younger brother's clothes. When people regarded her as James, her attitude was very different. Even Lord Tywin...
Pycelle and Marilyweather are still feuding over the next High Septon. "Whoever wears the crystal crown," interrupted the Queen roughly, "if he will excommunicate Tyrion." The former High Septon was clearly an associate of Tyrion. "As for the wingless sparrows, let them fight the church. It's not gathering people to rebel against the royal family. What has it to do with us?"
Lord Orton and Ser Harris murmured their assent, and Gales Rosby's assent was drowned out in a fit of coughing, and Cersei looked away in disgust the moment he spat out bloody phlegm. "National Teacher, have you brought Gudi's letter?"
"Here it is, Your Majesty." Pycelle picked out a letter from the pile of papers in front of him and smoothed it out. "To be precise, this is a declaration, not a letter. It was written by the bronze Jon Royce of Runestone City, the Countess of Waywood, the Earl of Belmore, the Earl of Redford, the Earl of Hunter, and the knight Simon Tan of Nine Star City. Co-signed by Parton, stamped by all six of them, the manifesto states—”
It's all nonsense. "The grown-ups are literate, I believe they have read it. Royce and the others assembled a heavy army under Eagle's Nest City in an attempt to deprive Littlefinger of the status of the guardian of the canyon, and they did not hesitate to use force for this. The question now is, will we allow them to do this? ?”
"Lord Baelish appeals to us?" asked Haris Swyfer.
"Not yet. He seems indifferent to developments. His last letter mentioned the rebellion briefly, mainly asking me to ship him all of Robert's old tapestries."
Ser Harris twirled his short beard, "Has this so-called League of the Righteous asked the king for aid?"
"No."
"Then... let's stay put."
"Let war break out in the Vale and cause tragedy?" said Pycelle.
"War?" Orton Merryweather laughed. "Lord Baelish is the funniest man in the world, but you can't fight with words alone, and I doubt if a drop of blood will be shed. Besides, as long as the Vale pays taxes on time, does it matter who is the guardian of the young Duke Robert? "
Yes, it doesn't matter, Cersei made up her mind, it would be useful for Littlefinger to go back to the palace, he can conjure money out of thin air, and he seldom coughs. "Lord Orton's words convinced me that Pacelle had instructed the Alliance of the Righteous not to harm Petyr. In addition, during Robert Arryn's guardianship period, the king would not interfere in the politics of the valley. .”
"Your Majesty is wise."
"Can we discuss the fleet?" Oren Weshui asked. "Only a dozen ships survived the fire on the Blackwater River. We urgently need to rebuild the navy."
"The navy is very important," Orton Merryweather nodded immediately. "Well, is it okay to use the Iron People? The enemy's enemy is our friend? How much will it cost to form an alliance with Seastone?"
"They want the northern border," said the senior scholar Pacelle, "and the northern border has been promised to the Bolton family by the late father of Her Majesty the Queen Mother."
"Oh, that's inconvenient," said Marilyweather, "but the North is too big to be divided, as far as I'm concerned. Besides, there's no need for a permanent agreement. We can secretly promise Bolton once he kills Stannis." , the king fully supports his request.”
"Balon Greyjoy is dead, I hear," said Ser Harris Swyfer. "Who runs the Isles now? Does King Balon have a son?"
"Ryan?" Lord Gyles coughed, "Theo?"
"Theon Greyjoy was brought up in Winterfell, Eddard Stark's adopted son," said Qyburn, "not my friend, it seems."
"I heard that he was also killed." Merry Weiss said.
"Is he the only son?" Ser Harris Swyfer tugged at the stubble of his chin. "What about his brothers? Doesn't he have brothers, does he?"
If Varys was here, he would know all about it, Cersei thought angrily. "I'm not going with the bird thieves. After Stannis is gone, it's their turn—so we need the fleet."
"I propose to build a galleon," Oren Weshui proposed, "the first batch of ten ships will be built."
"Where does the money come from?" Pycelle asked.
Lord Gyles took this as a signal for a new round of coughing, he coughed up more pink saliva, and then dipped it away bit by bit with a red silk square. "...no..." He managed to squeak out a few words before being overwhelmed by another cough, "...no...we didn't..."
At least this time, Ser Harris figured out what the cough meant. "The budget is very tight," he protested. "Ser Kevan told me."
"...the fee...the gold-cloaked guards..." Lord Gyles coughed non-stop.
These objections are commonplace to Cersei. "Our treasury manager thinks there are too many gold cloaks and too little gold in the treasury." Rosby's coughing began to annoy her.Maybe "chubby" Gals isn't so annoying. "Even though the financial revenue is high, it cannot offset the huge debt owed by Robert. In view of this, until the end of the war, I have decided to suspend the payment of the debts of the Church and the Iron Bank of Braavos." The new archbishop will definitely be at a loss wringing his holy palms, and the Braavosi will come complaining and clamoring again and again, who cares? "The money saved was used to rebuild the navy."
"Your Majesty is wise," Lord Marilyweiss praised, "with a stroke of his pen, he solved a major problem for the country. During the war, this is a necessary and reasonable measure. I fully agree."
"I agree too," said Ser Harris.
"Your Majesty," Pycelle's voice trembled with shock, "I'm afraid this will bring you unexpected trouble. The iron vault..."
"...in Braavos, across the ocean. Pay them gold later, Master, and the Lannisters will pay their debts."
"The Braavosi have a saying," whispered Pycelle's jeweled necklace, "'the iron treasury shall not be in default.'"
"Hmph, it's up to me to decide whether to delay or not. Before that, ask the Braavosi to wait respectfully. Lord Weishui, start the galleon project."
"Excellent, Your Majesty."
Sir Harris rummaged through the pile of papers, "Next topic... We have received a letter from Lord Frey, in which he made new demands..."
"How much more land and honor does the old man want?" cried the Queen Mother. "His mother must have had three boobs."
"My grown-ups don't know that," said Qyburn, "and in the taverns and mess-halls of the capital there is much discussion among the common people, and many believe that the king is assisting Lord Walder in his crimes."
The ministers looked at him suspiciously. "You mean the Red Wedding?" Oren Weishui asked. "Crime?" said Ser Harris.Pycelle cleared his throat violently, and Lord Gyles coughed again.
“The sparrows openly proclaim—” Cobain warned, “—that the Red Wedding violated the sacred right of guests, and that the gods and men were outraged, and those who participated in it were damned forever.”
Cersei understood the meaning of the other's words, "Yes, Lord Walder will soon face the judgment of the heavenly father, so let the sparrows scold him. Anyway, the tragedy has nothing to do with us."
"It's none of our business," Harris said. "It has nothing to do with us." Lord Merryweather admitted. "Yes, nothing to do with us," Pycelle announced.Lord Gyles continued to cough.
"Spitting on Lord Walder's grave probably won't drown the maggots," Qyburn agreed. "But wouldn't it be better for the royal family to conduct the Red Wedding publicly? Find a cheap scapegoat, a few of Frey's heads." It will help win the hearts of the people and stabilize the North."
"Lord Walder would never sacrifice a family member," said Pycelle.
"He won't," Cersei guessed, "but his heir won't be so hard-headed. Thank goodness Lord Walder will be in his grave soon, and the new Lord of the Crossing will be banishing a host of half-brothers, obnoxious Cousins and sisters with malicious intentions and the like, when the time comes to catch a few prisoners from among them, I'm afraid he will still wish for it."
"While we're waiting for Lord Walder to die, there's another problem," Orion Weir said, "The Golden Company has voluntarily canceled the contract with the Myers. There are rumors in the port of King's Landing that they were hired by Stannis with a lot of money. I’m about to cross the ocean, come to help.”
"How does he pay the huge commission?" Marilyweathes asked suspiciously. "Snow cubes for money? These people call themselves the 'Golden Company.' How much gold can Stannis have?"
"Very little," Cersei assured him, "and Lord Qyburn has communicated to the sailors of the Myr galleys in the bay that the Golden Company is going to Volantis—the opposite of Westeros." direction."
"Perhaps they didn't want to fight for the losing side, so they changed their owners. It has nothing to do with the domestic situation." Lord Merry Weiss explained.
"That's right," the Queen agreed, "and the blind don't see that we've won a great victory. Lord Tyrell is about to lay siege to Storm's End, and my cousin Daven - the new Warden of the West - joins the Freys in rushing Lord Redwyne's fleet sailed through the Strait of Tarth, and is heading north along the coast day and night. The few fishing boats left on Dragonstone Island will be powerless to stop him from landing. When we cut off all connections between Dragonstone Island and the outside world, in time, The castle will fall, and then the only trouble will be Stannis himself."
"Lord Jorgenos is right. Stannis is trying to win the wildlings over," Grand Maester Pycelle warned.
"Human beasts," declared Lord Marilyweather, "Lord Stannis must be at the end of his rope with them as allies."
"Desperate and stupid," said the queen, "he doesn't know how much the Yankees hate the wildlings. To do so is to push the North into Roose Bolton's arms, and in effect a few princes have gone to the bastard to help It attacked Moat Calim to drive off the Ironborn invaders, and cleared the way for Lord Bolton to go north, including the Umber family, the Rythwell family... I forget other names. Even White Harbor is Shaken, the lord of White Harbor agreed to marry both granddaughters to the Freys and open the port for us at the same time."
"Have we got a ship?" said Ser Harris, puzzled.
"Wyman Mandalay is one of Eddard Stark's confidantes," said the Imperial Master Pycelle, "Can you trust him?"
No one can be trusted. "He's a frightened old fat man, and he insists on one thing only—White Harbor won't bow its knees until it's handed over to his heir."
"We have his heir?" Ser Harris asked.
"Yes, if the man is still alive, he must still be held at Harrenhal. Gregor Clegane held him." But the Mountain was never polite to captives, and did not care about the ransom. "Even if he is dead, I will send all the heads of those who harmed him to the Earl of Mandalay, and extend my sincerest apologies." One head can satisfy Prince Dorne, and a bag of heads should be able to deal with walrus skin The northern old man.
"Lord Stannis never thought of an alliance with White Harbor?" Grand Maester Pycelle pointed out.
"Oh, of course he tried, but all his suggestions were transferred to King's Landing by the Earl of Manderly, and all the replies to him were excuses. No wonder, Stannis wanted the army and silver from White Harbor, but he gave... Well, nothing actually." She suddenly wanted to light a candle for the Stranger, thank him for taking Renly and keeping Stannis, otherwise Lannister's life would be much harder. "A crow just came this morning, saying that Stannis sent his onion smuggler as a representative to White Harbor to negotiate. This man is now locked up by Mandalay, and Mandalay asked us what to do with it."
"It would be better to send him to the capital for careful interrogation," Lord Marilyweiss suggested. "This person may know a lot about the inside story."
"Execute him," Cobain said, "as a lesson to the North how we deal with traitors."
"I agree," the queen declared, "and I have ordered Lord Manderly to behead him at once—and thus end the possibility of White Harbor joining Stannis once and for all."
"Hah, Stannis has to find a new Prime Minister," Orion Weir said with a grin. "What's the turn this time? The Turnip Knight?"
"The Turnip Knight?" asked Ser Harris Swyfer, puzzled. "Who is he? I have never heard of the knight."
Wei Shui rolled his eyes and refused to answer.
"What if Master Mandalay refuses?" Marilyweiss continued.
"How dare he refuse! Humph, the Onion Knight's head is what will bring back his son's life." Cersei smiled. "The old fool may have been loyal enough to the Starks, but now the wolves of Winterfell are dead—"
"Your Majesty, you forgot Mrs. Sansa." Pycelle reminded.
Hearing this, the queen mother suddenly burst out, "I haven't forgotten the little she-wolf." Cersei didn't even want to mention the other's name. "She is the daughter of a traitor, and I should have thrown her into a dungeon, but I kept wolves. She shared my hearth and hall, played with my children, and I fed her and clothed her Yes, and personally taught her, wanting her to be less ignorant about the world. As a result, what did she return to me?—Assisting in the murder of my child! When you find the little devil, you must also find Sansa, She's not dead yet...but I swear to God she'll cry and sing to the Stranger for the kiss of death!"
There was an awkward silence.Have you all swallowed your tongue?thought Cersei angrily.She couldn't help wondering why she still set up an imperial meeting?
"Besides," the Queen Mother said, "'Lord Eddard's Young Daughter' is with Duke Bolton at the moment, and she will marry his son Ramsay when Moat Cailin falls." As long as this girl can support the Bolton family to face the Winterfell's request, they didn't care that she was just the daughter of a steward sent by Littlefinger. "If the Yankees prefer a Stark, we've got one with both hands." She made Lord Marilyweather fill his glass. "There are still some troubles at the Great Wall. The Brothers of the Night's Watch lost their minds and chose Ned Stark's illegitimate son as the commander-in-chief."
"Jon, that kid is a Jon." Besides nonsense, what else could Pycelle say?
"I saw him once at Winterfell," said the Queen Mother, "and the Starks hated him. Well, he looked like his father." Just as Robert's bastard looked like Robert, Robert never had them at court, though—he only mentioned it once, after the cat's misadventure, when he muttered something about taking some bastard daughter with him. "You can do whatever you want," she warned him on the spot, "but let me remind you, you will have to take responsibility for the health of that little bitch yourself." These words exchanged for an undisguised in front of James. Bruised, but effectively prevented the illegitimate daughter from coming.Caitlin Tully is really a weak mouse, how can she let others sleep soundly on the side of the couch?She couldn't do it, and ended up leaving the dirty job to me. "Jon Snow, like Lord Eddard, is treacherous and unfaithful to his country," Cersei said. "A father gives Stannis the throne, and a son gives land and castles."
"The Night's Watch has sworn to stay out of the disputes of the Seven Kingdoms," Pycelle reminded everyone. "For thousands of years, the men in black have carried on the tradition."
"And now it's broken," Cersei said, "that bastard's letter keeps saying he's not involved in the civil war, but his words speak louder than his words. He's supplying and protecting Stannis, and he's arrogant at the same time." Ask us for soldiers and weapons."
"Audacity!" declared Lord Marilyweather. "The Night's Watch must not be allowed to fall to Lord Stannis."
"We will declare this Lord Snow a traitor," Ser Harris Swyfer decided, "and let the black brethren throw him away."
The Imperial Master Paicell nodded heavily, "I suggest that you clearly inform Castle Black that you don't want to get a single soldier before changing the commander-in-chief."
"Our newly built galleon needs oarsmen," said Oren Weshui. "Give me all the poachers and thieves from all over the country, and don't send them to the Great Wall."
Cobain leaned forward with a smile, "The Night Watchmen are defending the country against strange spirits, my lords, I suggest that we must help the brave brothers in black."
Cersei shot him a sharp look. "What do you mean?"
"It's very simple," Qyburn explained. "Over the years, the Night's Watch has been asking for reinforcements. Could it be that Lord Stannis has gone to help, but King Tommen is ignoring it? Why don't you send a hundred elites and put them in black first?" ..."
"...and get rid of Jon Snow." Cersei happily finished for him.I knew it was wise to elect him to the imperial council. "That's it." She clapped her hands and laughed.If this bastard was really born of Master Ed, he would definitely accept all the people who came, without any doubt.Even before alas, write me a thank you note! "Of course, this matter needs to be carefully arranged. Leave the details to me, adults." This is the way to deal with the enemy. "I am very satisfied today. Thank you for your advice. Is there any other agenda?"
"There is only one thing left, Your Majesty," Oren Weishui said in an apologetic tone, "it may not be appropriate to bring rumors to the imperial meeting, but there has been a lot of rumors in the pier recently-the news mainly comes from the East. The sailor-dragon appears in..."
"Where's the manticore? Oh, and the grotesques?" Cersei giggled. "Come back to me when they're talking about dwarves, my lords." She stood up, and it was announced. The end of the imperial meeting.
When Cersei left the chamber, a violent autumn wind blew head-on, and mourning bells were still ringing in the God-blessed Baelor Great Sept on the other side of the city.In the courtyard, more than forty knights were fighting with swords and shields, beating "ding ding dong dong".Ser Boros Braun escorted the queen back to her lodgings, where Lady Merryweather was giggling with Jocelyn and Dorkasha. "Smile so happily, what's the matter?"
"The Redwyne twins," Tanya explained, "were hopelessly in love with Lady Margaery. They used to duel to see who would be the next Lord of the Arbor, and now they But both want to become the Kingsguard, just to get close to the little queen."
"The Redwynes have more freckles than sense." But it's useful information for her, if catching Ser Drooling or Ser Dreadful in Margaery's bed... Cersei doesn't know what the little queen will Don't like freckles. "Dorkasha, fetch Ser Osney Kettleblack."
Dorkasha blushed, "Of order."
After the maid left, Tanya Merryweather gave the Queen Mother an inquiring look, "Why is she blushing?"
"For love," it was Cersei's turn to giggle, "she was charmed by our Ser Osney." Here was Kettleblack, the youngest, clean-shaven, and his brother Osment Same black hair, hooked nose, always smiling, and three long scratches on his face from Tyrion's whore. "I think she likes the scars on his face."
There was a mischievous gleam in Mrs. Merryweather's dark eyes, "Really? Scars make a man look dangerous, and there is excitement in danger."
"Why, how can you say such things, my good lady?" teased the Queen Mother. "Besides, if there is excitement in danger, why did you marry Lord Orton? Of course we all like him, But..." Petyr once commented that the huge harvest coat of arms of the Marilynweiss family was specially set up for Lord Orton, because his hair was like cabbage, his nose was like beetroot, and the melon was in his head. Mostly pea porridge.
Tanya smiled crisply and said: "My husband is a generous and good man, so there is really no danger, but... I hope Your Majesty will not underestimate me, I was not a gentle virgin when I climbed into Lord Orton's bed Yo."
You Free Cities are whores, aren't you?But this is also a good thing. One day, she will make good use of this information. "Oh, my dear lady, you must tell me, who is your ... your dangerous first love?"
Tanya's olive skin darkened even more when she blushed. "It's too bad, I shouldn't talk too much. Your Majesty, let me keep my little secret, okay?"
“男人有伤疤，女人有闺秘。”瑟曦吻了她的脸，心想我很快就会把他挖出来。
等多卡莎把奥斯尼·凯特布莱克爵士带到，太后便遣散了女人们。“来，和我一起来窗边坐坐，奥斯尼爵士。要酒吗？”她为两人都倒上酒。“你的斗篷很旧了，我想给你换身新的。”
“换身新的？白袍子？谁死了？”
“现在还没有，”太后表示，“你这么急着想加入你哥哥奥斯蒙的行列？”
“御林铁卫？不，只要能取悦陛下，我愿做您的女王护卫。”奥斯尼咧嘴而笑，脸上的伤疤成了亮红色。
瑟曦伸手在伤痕上梳理，“你可真大胆啊，爵士先生，你差点又让我不能自已。”
“而您真好心，”奥斯尼爵士抓住她的手，粗鲁地吻她的指头，“我可爱的太后。”
“知道吗？你是个坏蛋，”太后凑在他耳边低声倾诉，“不是真正的骑士。”她让他隔着丝裙服抚奶子。 "enough."
“不，不够。我想要你。”
“你要过我。”
“只要了一次。”他再度抓住她的左乳，粗暴的挤压令她想起了劳勃。
“一夜春宵奖励一位好骑士。你为我出色地服务，并因此得到回报。”瑟曦将手划过他股间，透过马裤，感觉到对方硬了起来。“昨儿早上，你在场子里摆弄新坐骑？”
“那匹黑牝马？是啊，那是我哥哥奥斯佛利送的礼物。我为它取名'午夜'。”
真是个呆子。“战马骑着上战场，至于鱼水之欢嘛……还是要骑精神抖擞的小母马哦。”她微笑着挤了挤他那活儿，“告诉我实情，你是不是看上了我们的小王后？”
奥斯尼爵士警惕地退开，“她很漂亮，但还是个孩子，我宁愿要女人。”
“何不两者兼得呢？”太后轻声说，“替我摘下那朵小玫瑰，重重有赏。”
“小玫……玛格丽？您的意思是玛格丽？”奥斯尼那活儿萎了下去。“她可是国王的老婆，不是连御林铁卫睡了国王的老婆都会被斩首的吗？”
“那是前朝的故事了。”况且被睡的是国王的情妇，不是老婆，而情夫的首级是他全身上下唯一保留住的部分，伊耿三世当着情妇的面将他肢解。但此时此刻，瑟曦不想用这些恐怖的陈年往事吓唬奥斯尼。“托曼并非庸王伊耿，你别担心，我让他干什么他就干什么，不多也不少。我要玛格丽的首级，不要你的。”
他大吃一惊，“呃，您是指她的贞操吧？”
“贞操当然也要——如果她还有的话，”瑟曦再度抚摩他的伤疤。“玛格丽会对你的魅力……视而不见吗？”
奥斯尼给了她一个受伤的眼神。“她很喜欢我。她的表亲们老爱取笑我的鼻子，说我的鼻子太大，但上回梅歌这么说的时候，玛格丽制止了她，还夸奖我的脸挺可爱。”
“瞧，我的眼光果然没错。”
“是，陛下，”男人狐疑地说，“可，如果我和她……和她……做了……？”
“……做了丑事？”瑟曦尖声笑了两下，“与王后同床自是谋逆大罪，托曼别无选择，只能将你发配绝境长城。”
“长城？”他沮丧地喊。
想忍住笑实在很难。别笑，别笑，男人们最恨被人嘲笑。“黑斗篷与你的眼睛和头发很配。”
“没人能从长城回来。”
“我会把你弄回来，只要你替我杀一个男孩。”
"Who?"
“与史坦尼斯结盟的野种。放心，他年轻稚嫩，而我将额外拨给你一百精兵。”
凯特布莱克在害怕，她能嗅出他的感觉，但他的自尊心不容许他将其表达出来。男人啊男人，全是一个样。“我杀过的男孩数不胜数，”他夸口，“只要这孩子一命呜呼，国王就会赦免我？”
“不仅赦免你，而且提拔你当领主老爷。”只要你没给雪诺的弟兄们吊死。“你知道的，太后需要伴侣；需要一个无所畏惧的男人来保护她。”
“凯特布莱克伯爵？”笑容在他脸上缓缓扩散，伤疤成了火红色。“噢，我喜欢这点子。高贵的领主……”
“……方才配得上太后的卧床。”
他忽然皱眉道：“可长城很冷。”
“我很温暖，”瑟曦环住对方的脖子，“只消睡一个女孩、杀一个男孩，我就成了你的人。你有勇气吗？”
奥斯尼想了一会儿，点点头。“我也是您的人，一切听您吩咐。”
“很好，爵士先生，”她吻了他，并在抽身之前让他短暂地尝到了她舌头的滋味。“现在做这些足够了，其他的我们可以等。今夜，你会梦见我吗？”
“会的。”他沙哑地答应。
“和咱们的处女玛格丽做爱时也会想起我？”她逗弄他，“当你进入她的时候，会想着我？”
“会的，我会的。”奥斯尼·凯特布莱克发誓。
“很好，去吧。”
等他走后，瑟曦让乔斯琳替自己梳头，一边脱下鞋子，像猫一样舒展身体。天生我才必有用，她告诉自己，精妙的谋划让她很得意。若是宝贝女儿与下贱的奥斯尼·凯特布莱克私通的把柄被抓住，梅斯·提利尔将无话可说，史坦尼斯·拜拉席恩和琼恩·雪诺也不会奇怪奥斯尼到长城充军的原因。嗯，就安排奥斯蒙爵士去把弟弟和小王后捉奸在床吧，以确保其他两位凯特布莱克的忠诚。父亲，你看见了吗，你还会想尽快把我嫁出去吗？真遗憾哪，你和劳勃，还有琼恩·艾林、奈德·史塔克、蓝礼·拜拉席恩，你们统统都死了，只剩下我。当然，我没忘记提利昂，可他活不了几天了。
夜里，太后召玛瑞魏斯夫人来卧室做伴。“你要酒吗？”她问对方。
“小女王，”密尔女人咯咯笑道，“大骑士。”
“行了，明日，我要你去见我的媳妇。”太后一边让多卡莎替她换上睡衣，一边吩咐道。
“玛格丽女士总是乐于接见我。”
“我明白。”太后没有忽略对方对托曼的小妻子的称呼。“告诉她，我赠送给贝勒大圣堂七根蜂蜡，以纪念咱们亲爱的已故总主教大人。”
坦妮娅轻笑道：“您说得这样清楚，她便会送上七十七根蜂蜡，以表示自己更深刻的悼念。”
“要尊重别人的虔诚信仰哦，”太后也笑了，“说了这个，你还要向她悄悄吐露，有人暗中仰慕她，某位优秀的骑士由于迷恋她，夜夜不得安寝。”
“陛下，我可以问问是哪位骑士吗？”坦妮娅的大黑眼珠里闪动着淘气的火花，“莫非是咱们亲爱的奥斯尼爵士？”
“或许吧，”太后说，“但你决不能在她面前直说出名字，让她慢慢打听，慢慢地求告你，懂吗？”
“只要能取悦陛下，我什么都干。”
屋外，冷风吹起，屋内，她们就着青亭岛的金色葡萄酒，一直聊到清晨。坦妮娅醉了，于是瑟曦从她口中套出了情人的名字。那是一位密尔船长，或者说是海盗，黑发披肩，一道伤疤横贯脸颊，从耳朵直到下巴。“我拒绝了他一百次，他却不以为意，”密尔女人告诉太后，“最后我莫名其妙就答应他了。我想，他这种人是无法拒绝的。”
“我了解这种人。”太后淡淡一笑。
“真的吗？陛下您也见过这种人？”
“比如劳勃。”她嘴上这么说，心里想着詹姆。
但当她阖上双眼，出现的却是另一个弟弟，还有昨天早上那三位白痴。只不过这回装在他们袋子里的，却真真正正是提利昂的头颅。
她把它涂上焦油，扔进卧房的夜壶中。