Chapter 5 Chapter 4 Tyrion

"Who?" he hissed.Although his voice was harsh and hoarse, at least he was able to speak.Tyrion was still feverish and had lost all sense of time.How long have you slept?He was too weak, unbearably weak. "Who?" he called again, trying to be louder.Torchlight spilled in through the open door, but in the bedroom the only source of light was a dying candle by the bed. A group of black shadows slowly walked towards him, and he couldn't help trembling all over.This is Maegor's House, and every servant is the queen mother's minion. This visitor is probably sent by Cersei to complete Sir Mandon's unfinished business.

The other party walked into the range of the candlelight, looked at the dwarf's pale face with great interest, and giggled: "You don't concentrate on shaving, right?" Tyrion felt for the huge gash, from his left eye to his chin, across the missing nose.The unskinned flesh was turned out, and it felt warm in the hand, "It's a terrible big razor, really." Bolognese hair was freshly washed and combed straight back.He wore soft high boots, a bright leather jacket, a wide belt trimmed with small silver pieces, and a light green velvet cloak. A burning chain was embroidered with bright green silk thread on the dark gray wool jacket.

"Where have you been?" Tyrion demanded. "It's probably been . . . two weeks since I sent you the letter." "Only four days," said the mercenary, "Besides, I've been here twice, and you slept like a dead pig." "I'm not dead, I don't give in so easily to my dear old sister." Maybe he shouldn't have said it so loudly, but Tyrion didn't bother to care. He knew in his heart that Cersei was behind Ser Mandon's manipulation. "What's that shit on your chest?" Bronn grinned, "What is it? My knight's arms. A green chain of fire on a field of soot. By your lord father's gift, I am now Ser Bronn of the Blackwater, little devil, don't you Forgot my identity."

Propping his hand on the feather mattress, Tyrion squirmed back a few inches and rested his head on it, "Don't you ever forget who gave you knighthood!" give" this sentence.Duke Tywin didn't waste any time. He threw his son out of the prime minister's tower with his front foot, and then issued the canonization with his back foot. This is a message for everyone to see. "I lost half of my nose, but you became a knight, gods, what is going on?" He sighed sourly, "My father canonized you himself?" "How is that possible? Those of us who survived the capstan tower were handed over to the archbishop and the Kingsguard to take care of it. First anointed and then patted on the shoulder. Damn, only three white knights survived to preside over the ceremony. It took a whole half a day .”

"All I know is that Ser Mandon is dead." In fact, Pod pushed the hideous bastard into the river as he was about to slit my throat. "Who else died?" "The Hound," Bronn said, "he's not dead. He's gone. I heard from the gold cloak that he ran away, and you led the attack in his stead." That's not my best idea.Frowning, the scarred tissue tightening, he beckoned Bronn to find a chair and sit down. "My dear old lady is feeding me shit like a mushroom in this dark place. Pod is a good boy, but he can tie a tongue bigger than Casterly Rock, and I told him half the story Neither. I told him to go to Ser Jacelyn, and he reported that he was dead!"

"He was the only one who died, and the defenders lost thousands," Bronn said, sitting down. "How did he die?" Tyrion asked hastily, feeling suddenly sick. "In the midst of the battle, your sister ordered the Kettleblacks to take the king back to the Red Keep—or so I heard. The gold cloaks saw the king go and thought they were abandoned, but the iron hand stood in the way. In front of them, they were ordered to return to their posts. Everyone admitted that Bywater had done a good job, and they were almost about to turn around under his encouragement. Unexpectedly, an arrow flew from a diagonal stab and hit the iron hand's neck. After the arrow, he looked It didn't look so scary, so they were dragged off their horses and killed on the spot."

Another debt Cersei owes me. "My nephew," he said, "is he in danger, Joffrey?" "Not more than others, but actually less than most." "Did he get any injuries? Battle wounds? Dirty hair? Bumped toes? Split nails?" "Unharmed." "Then how could Cersei do this? I clearly warned her that this would happen if the king left. Tell me, who is in command of the Golden Cloaks now?" "Your lord father awarded the position to one of his Westlanders, a knight named Adam Marbrand." Mostly the Gold Cloaks would have resisted the Outlander's leadership, but Ser Adam Marbrand was a wise choice.Like James, he's the kind of guy people want to follow.I lost the City Watch. "I sent Pod to find Shagga, but he just couldn't find it."

"No wonder he, the King's Forest is so big, the Crows are still in the woods, and Shagga seems to like it there. Timothy and the Scorchers went home, laden with the war looted from Stannis' camp after the war. On the other hand, Qi La returned to Linhe Gate one morning with a dozen black-eared tribesmen, but was chased away by your father's red-robed guards, and the people in the city cheered and threw shit at them." ungrateful.Hei Erbu fought bloody battles for them.It seems that when I took the medicine and lay helpless on the bed dreaming, my blood relatives pulled out my minions one by one. "I asked you to come here first because I wanted you to find my old sister. Since her precious son was safe and sound during the battle, she doesn't need a hostage. She swore that she would release Alayaya— —”

"Don't bother me, she's let her go. Eight or nine days ago, after the whipping." Tyrion lifted himself hard, ignoring the sudden stabbing pain in his shoulder. "Whip?" "They tied her to a pillar in the middle of the courtyard and tortured her, and then pushed the naked woman of the bloody forest out of the castle gate." Well, Cersei, you just wait and see!Tyrion thought wildly.The scar across his cheek was getting tighter and tighter, and there was uncontrollable rage in his mind.Yes, Ailaya was just a whore, but she was sweet and brave, with a purer heart than all the ladies he had ever seen.Tyrion hadn't touched her, she was just Shae's disguise, and because of his inconsiderateness, she had paid dearly for playing the part. "I promised my sister that anything that happened to Alayaya would happen to Tommen," he recalled aloud, feeling like he was going to throw up. "How am I going to take revenge on a boy who is only eight years old?" But if I don't, Cersei is the winner.

"Tomamen is not in your possession," Bronn said bluntly. "When the Queen learned that Ironhand was dead, the Queen sent Kettleblacks to get Tommen back. None of Rosby's men had the courage to say no." Another blow, but a little consolation, he had to admit he liked Tommen. "What's with these Kettleblacks? They're supposed to be ours," he reminded Bronn irritably. "Once upon a time, I was able to pay them as much as the Queen Mother. Now she has increased her price. After the war, Osney and Osfry became knights like me. The gods understand why. , no one has seen them go to war."

My hired man betrayed me, my friend suffered misery and disgrace while I rotted here motionless, Tyrion thought, I thought I won the bloody war, is that what victory feels like? ? "I heard that Renly's ghost appeared and defeated Stannis. Is there such a thing?" Bronn smiled slightly, "On the winch tower, I only saw the flags scattered on the battlefield, and the enemies abandoned their weapons and fled, but those guys who stayed in the canteen or the brothel without going out were bragging vividly that Lord Renly killed one and defeated that. In fact, the truth is not difficult to understand, most of Stannis's army used to follow Renly, so when they saw him in the familiar bright green armor, they turned away." All his toil, all his thrilling stings, all his bloody battles on the bridge, all his face cut in two, had been buried in the end by a dead man--if Renly was dead.He wanted to know something else, too. "How did Stannis escape?" "His fleet of Rhys is moored in the bay, behind your chains. Seeing that the battle is not going well, they come to the shore and pack as many soldiers as they can. It is said that in the end the enemy trampled and killed each other to get aboard. Location." "And Robb Stark? What has he done in the meantime?" "The wolf cubs under him burned, killed and looted all the way to Duskendale City. A while ago, your father just assigned troops to Earl Tully and ordered him to go north to suppress the rebellion. I wanted to follow. It is said that he not only fought bravely, but also distributed the spoils of war." Very generous." The thought of losing Bronn was the last straw. "No. You must stay. It is your duty. You are the captain of the Prime Minister's bodyguard." "You're not the Prime Minister," Bronn reminded him tartly. "Your father is, damn it, he has his own guard." "What about the people you hired for me?" "Many of them died at the Capstan Tower; the rest were cast out after paying your uncle Ser Kevan's bill." "It was kind of him to pay back the money before he left," said Tyrion sourly. "So you're not interested in gold, are you?" "Not fucking like." "Well," said Tyrion, "very well, I need you here again. Have you heard from Ser Mandon Moore?" Bronn laughed. "Drowned the hell out of it." "I owe him a huge debt, and I don't know how to repay it." He touched the scar on his face, "To be honest, I don't know much about this person." "He's a dead fisheye, and he wears a white robe. What else do you want to know?" "His details," said Tyrion, "from beginning to end." What he wanted was evidence that Ser Mandon served Cersei, but he dared not say so.In the Red Castle, everyone has to learn to keep their mouths shut, because there are not only mice, but also talking birds and spiders inside the walls. "Help me up," he said, struggling to hold on. "It's time to see my father, and I won't show up." "He's sure to say you're beautiful," Bronn mocked. "Forget it, my face is like this, and now I've lost half of my nose...Let's talk about pretty people, has Margaery Tyrell arrived in King's Landing yet?" "No, it's still on the way, but the whole city has gone mad for her. You know what? The Tyrells bring truckloads of food from Highgarden to distribute to the people in her name. Hundreds a day Horse-drawn carriages into town. In the streets and alleys of King's Landing, the Tyrells walk through the streets, and they don't have to pay for drinks as long as they have tiny golden roses sewn on their breasts. Women with husbands, widows without husbands, and whores, all Women are fascinated by these yellow-haired boys embroidered with golden roses." They spit on me and give the Tyrells wine to drink.Tyrion slid off the bed, wobbling and spinning, and grabbed Bronn's arm so hastily that he nearly fell over. "Pod!" he cried, "Podrick Payne! Seven hells, where are you?" Pain bit him like a toothless dog.Tyrion hated weakness, especially his own weakness.It made him ashamed, and the shame made him angry. "Pod, get out here!" The boy came running.He saw Tyrion stand up, leaning on Bronn's arm, and his tongue froze. "My lord. You are up. Are you... are you... do you want a drink? Sleeping wine? Shall I fetch the maester? He says you must stay here. I mean, stay in bed." "I've been in bed too long, give me clean clothes." "clothing?" Why the boy, who was clear and nimble in battle, was such a mess at other times, was beyond Tyrion's comprehension. "Clothes are things to wear," he explained. "Coats, blouses, breeches, socks. Give it to me. Put them on for me. I can get out of this damned cell." With the efforts of three people, he got dressed.Although the wound on the face was horrific, it was the blow at the shoulder-arm junction that hurt the bones, and an arrow had been inserted into the armpit.On weekdays, whenever Maester Franken changed his clothes, blood and pus would ooze from the discolored flesh, and a slight movement would cause a burst of tingling pain throughout his body. After his tunic was put on, Tyrion pulled on a pair of breeches, and a large nightgown hung loosely over it.Bronn lifted his foot to shoe him, and Pod found him a walking stick.Before going out, he specially drank a glass of sleeping wine, which not only added honey, but also a proper amount of poppy flower milk. Even so, he still felt dizzy, and walking on the curved stone steps, his legs couldn't help shaking, and he could only lean on a cane with one hand and lean on Pod's shoulder with the other.On the way, they met a maid. She stared at them with big white eyes, as if she saw a ghost.I am a dwarf from the grave, Tyrion thought. Look, look all you want, I am uglier than ever, run and tell your friends. Maegor's Tower is the strongest place in the Red Keep, a city within a city, surrounded by a dry and extremely deep moat, and the river bed is full of spikes.When they went out, it was already night, and the drawbridge was raised, and Sir Marlin Tran stood guard in front of the bridge in white armor and white robe. "Let down the drawbridge," Tyrion ordered him. "Her Majesty ordered that the drawbridge not be lowered after sunset." Ser Meryn had always been Cersei's lackey. "The Queen Mother is resting, and I have something to do with my father." Lord Tywin Lannister's name worked magic.Ser Meryn Tran gave instructions while grunting, followed the drawbridge and lowered it.Another Kingsguard stood guard across the river.Ser Osmund Kettleblack saw Tyrion shambling toward him, grinning all over his face. "Feeling better, my lord?" "Much better. When is there another war? I can't wait." Pod led him to the spiral staircase, but Tyrion could only gape in frustration.I can't climb it, he admitted to himself.He had to swallow all his pride and let Bronn carry him, hoping that no one would come out at night, or see, or laugh at, or spread the story of the dwarf being carried up the steps like a baby. In the outer courtyard, tents grew everywhere. "These are the Tyrells," Podrick Payne explained as they moved through the maze of silk and canvas, "and the men of Lord Rowan and Lord Redwyne. There is not enough room here. I I mean, the whole castle won't fit. A lot of people have to find their own place to live. In town. Hotels and other places. They're all here for weddings. The king's wedding, King Joffrey's wedding. Can you please? Up for the wedding, my lord?" "Why, I'm not afraid of people." At least, they're here for a wedding, not a war, and it's unlikely someone will cut your nose. Lights still loomed through the narrow windows of the Prime Minister's Tower.The door guards wear red robes and lion helmets, and they are father's confidantes.Tyrion recognized them both, and they recognized him...but no one dared to look him a second time, he noticed. Entering the gate, one met Sir Adam Marbrand, wearing a magnificent black lacquered breastplate and a golden cloak representing the commander of the City Watch, walking down the steps. "My lord," said he, "I am glad to see you up, I hear—" "—about a rumor that a small grave has been dug? I've heard it too. You see, I really must get up in such a situation. It is said that you have become the commander of the capital garrison. Should I Congratulations, or should I sympathize with you?" "I'm afraid it's a bit of both," laughed Sir Adam. "Excluding those killed in battle and deserted, I still have 4,400 people under my command. Only the gods and Littlefinger know how to pay these guys' wages, and your sister ordered me not to dismiss any of them." Why all the haste, Cersei?The battle is over, and the Golden Robes are of little use to you. "You just met my father?" he asked. "Yes, I'm afraid I didn't put him in a good mood. From Lord Tywin's point of view, four thousand four hundred guards are far less important than a lost squire, and we have never found your cousin Tyrek." Tyrek, the son of his deceased second uncle, Ser Tygget, was only thirteen years old, but disappeared during the King's Landing riots, when he had just married the Countess of Emesande.This lady is the last descendant of the Harvard family, and she has not yet been weaned. She must be the youngest widow in the history of the Seven Kingdoms. "I didn't find him then," Tyrion admitted. "He's a good food for maggots," Bronn put in, with his customary haughtiness. "The iron hand searched, and the eunuchs offered a large reward, and they couldn't find it, let alone you. Come on, ser." Ser Adam glared at the sellsword in disgust. "Being close to blood relatives, Lord Tywin's attitude is very firm: regardless of life or death, we must find this kid. Don't worry, I will not let him down." He turned to Tyrion, "You can go to your father's study to see him." That's my study, Tyrion thought, "Well, I remember the way." There were more steps to go upstairs, but this time he only put Pod's shoulders on his shoulders and climbed up by his own strength.Bronn opened the door for him.Lord Tywin Lannister sat under the window, writing letters by the oil lamp, and only raised his eyes when he heard the sound of the latch. "Tyrion," he said quietly, putting down his quill. "It's an honor you know me, my lord," Tyrion said, letting go of Pod, leaning on his crutch, and staggering forward.Something was wrong, he realized suddenly. "Ser Bronn," said Lord Tywin, "Podrick. You'd better wait outside while we talk." Bronn looked at the Prime Minister hardly without arrogance, but at last he bowed and backed away, Pod following him.The heavy door closed behind them, leaving Tyrion Lannister alone with his father. It was night, and even the narrow windows were closed, but the room was still bitterly cold.What lies had Cersei fed him? The Duke of Casterly Rock was as tough as anyone twenty years younger than him, and there was even a bit of heroism in his stern expression.A strong, blond beard hides his jaw, revealing a stern face, a bald head, and a tightly shut mouth.A necklace of golden hands hung around his neck, each finger clasping the wrist of the other. "A beautiful necklace," said Tyrion.It should be on me more. Duke Tywin ignored the sting in his words, "Sit down for me. Is it wise to leave the hospital bed in such a hurry?" "I've had enough of that hospital bed," Tyrion said, knowing how much his father despised infirmity.He went to the nearest chair. "Look how nice your room is. No one would believe it, but when I was dying, they threw me into the little dark cell downstairs in Maegor's." "The Red Castle is full of wedding guests. After they leave, we will naturally change you to a more comfortable place." "Oh? Thank you very much. Is the wedding date set?" "Joffrey and Margaery will be married on the first day of the new year, which is also the first day of a new century, and the ceremony will herald a new era." A new age for Lannisters, Tyrion thought. "Well, father, it looks like I'll have to turn off other appointments that day," "You're here to complain about the bedroom and make some bad jokes? Save yourself, I've got some important letters to write." "Important letters. Of course. Of course." "Some victories are won with sword and spear, and some victories with pen and paper and crows. Well, you've come to scold me, don't hide, Tyrion. Maester Balabar allows me to I have visited you many times in front of the hospital bed, and you were no different from a dead person at that time." Duke Tywin crossed his fingers and pressed his chin, "Why did you drive Barabard away?" Tyrion shrugged. "Maester Franken will not let me sleep." "Bachelor Balabar is Lord Redwyne's entourage. His medical skills are well-known. Cersei is thoughtful and specially recommends him to take care of you. She is very worried about your life." I'm afraid she's worried about me saving my life. "Of course, that's why she stayed by my bed all the time." "It's really inappropriate for you to say that. Cersei is going to organize the king's wedding, and I'm going to be in charge of the war, and you were out of danger at least two weeks ago." Lord Tywin examined his son's ugly face, pale green His eyes didn't flinch, "Indeed, what a terrible injury, what the hell were you going crazy for?" "The enemy charged at the gate with battering rams. If Jaime led an attack, you would call it valor." "Jaime wouldn't be so stupid as to take off his helmet in the middle of a fight. You've killed the man who wounded you, I believe?" "Yes, the poor wretch is dead." Ser Mandon had actually taught Podrick Payne to kill him, and he was pushed into the river, and the weight of his armor kept him from coming up again. "A dead foe is my joy," said Tyrion sweetly.But Ser Mandon was not his real opponent, and he had no reason to kill him.He's just the cat's paw, and I know who the cat is, and it's her who wants to make sure I don't come back when I go to war.But he has no evidence, and Duke Tywin will not accept such accusations. "Why are you still in the city, Father?" he asked. "Aren't you going to deal with Lord Stannis or Robb Stark or someone else?" And the sooner the better. "We cannot attack Dragonstone until Lord Redwyne's fleet arrives. Never mind, Stannis Baratheon's sun has sunk on the Blackwater and will never rise again. As for the Starks, The boy is still in the West, but another army of the north under the command of Herman Tallhart and Robert Glover is attacking Duskendale. I sent Lord Tarly to meet the enemy head-on, and Ser Gregor Advance up the Kingsroad to cut off their retreat. Tallhar and Glover will be caught in the middle, and a third of the Stark army is doomed to be wiped out." "Twilight Valley City?" Dusk Valley City has no strategic significance, why is Young Wolf so eager to take it down? "You don't need to care about these things. Your face is as pale as a dead person's, and there is blood seeping from your clothes. Say what you want, and then go back to bed." "I want..." His throat was dry and tense.what do i wantMore than you intended to give me, Father. "Pod told me that Littlefinger is Lord of Harrenhal." "It's just an empty title. Roose Bolton is guarding Harrenhal for Robb Stark now, and Lord Petyr is desperate to honor the lintel. After all, he did everything for us in securing the Tyrell betrothal." Much has been done. A Lannister must pay his debts." In fact, the marriage contract with Tyrell was Tyrion's idea, but it is too preoccupied to say it now. "The title is not as empty as you think," he warned. "Littlefinger will never take action unless it is profitable. Of course, the matter has been announced, so we have to put it aside for the time being. You mentioned paying off the debt?" "And you want your reward, don't you? Well, what do you want from me? Land? Castle? Office?" "A little damn gratitude would be a good start." Lord Tywin stared at him intently, "Monkeys and mummers need applause, as well as Aerys. You directed well, I admit that, and no one denies the role you played." "My role?" Tyrion's remnant nostrils were almost on fire. "As I see it, I alone saved the damned city." "No, everyone agrees that my raid on Lord Stannis turned the tide. Lord Tyrell, Rowan, Redwin, and Tarly, they all played well, and I was told that what destroyed Baratheon Fleet Wildfire was also given by your sister Cersei to the alchemists." "And all I did was trim my nose hair, didn't I?" Tyrion couldn't contain his exasperated tone. "The iron chain blocking the river is a good idea. It sealed the victory for us. You just want to hear me say this? Of course, I should also thank you for reaching an alliance with Dorne for us. Myrcella has safely arrived in Yangji City, You should be glad. Ser Arys Oakheart wrote that she was in love with Princess Arianne, and that Prince Trystane was fascinated by her. But at the end of the day, I hate giving the Martells hostages. Unnecessary action." "We shall have hostages, too," said Tyrion. "I promise a seat in Prince Doran's council, and unless he comes with an army, here he will be at our mercy." "May the seat of lordship be all the Martells ask for," said Lord Tywin, "and you promise to avenge him." "I promise him justice." "Whatever you say. The point is bloodshed." "Blood, sure isn't in high demand, is it? I've run around in pools of blood in times of war." Tyrion didn't want to circle around. "Could it be that you're so fond of Gregor Clegane that you can't give him up? " "Like his brother, Ser Gregor has his uses. Anyone who wants to win the Game of Thrones needs beasts around him... You've learned that lesson from Ser Bronn and the natives. " Tyrion thought of Timett's burnt eye, Shagar's battle-axe, Zilla's ear necklace, and Bronn.Especially Bronn. "Beasts can be found everywhere in the woods," he reminded his father, "and in the alleys." "Yes, maybe a different dog, I'll think it over. Well, if nothing else..." "You have some important letters to write, yes." Tyrion propped himself up on wobbly legs, and as dizzy waves passed from head to toe, he closed his eyes for a moment to stabilize his mind before trembling towards the door Take a step.He thought he would take a second move, followed by a third, but instead, he turned around. "You asked me what I want? Well, I'll tell you, I want only what is mine by right. I want Casterly Rock." Father's mouth closed even tighter, "Then what about your brother?" "Knights of the Kingsguard are not allowed to marry, have children, or hold land. You know this as well as I do. Stop kidding yourself. From the day Jaime put on his white robe, he automatically gave up his claim to Casterly Rock." Inheritance, but you never admit it. We don’t mention the past, and now I want you to announce that I am your son and legal heir in front of the princes of the whole country.” The golden pupils in Lord Tywin's pale green eyes seemed to melt and glow, but without emotion. "Casterly Rock," he said in a flat, cold, dead voice, and added, "Never." The word hangs between father and son, huge, sharp, full of poison. I know the answer before I speak, Tyrion thought. Jaime has been with the Kingsguard for eighteen years, and I never dared to bring up the subject.I already knew.I knew it all along. "Why?" he forced himself to ask, knowing he wouldn't like his father's answer. "You still ask me this? You, you who killed your mother and was born? You are a freak, deformed, disobedient master; you are full of jealousy and malice in your heart; you are full of lust and cleverness The laws of the world make you bear my name and wear my clothes, because I can't prove that you are not of my kind. To teach me humility, the gods compel me to see you stumbling about with the lion's arms, It is my father's arms, my grandfather's arms, and the arms of House Lannister! But neither gods nor men can compel me to give you Casterly Rock to be your brothel." "My whorehouse?" The clouds parted, and Tyrion knew where his anger was coming from.He gritted his teeth, "Cersei sued you about Alayaya." "Her name? Sorry, I can't remember your bunch of whores. Like, what was the name of the one you married when you were a kid?" "Tessa." He spat out the answer, posing for a challenge. "Where's the camp whore by the Red Fork?" "Why do you care?" he replied, reluctant to mention Shae's name in front of his father. "I don't care. They don't do anything to me." "So you ordered Yaya to be whipped." This is not a question. "Your sister told me about your threat to my grandson," Duke Tywin's voice was stronger than the ice, "did she lie?" Tyrion couldn't deny it, "Yes, I said that, but only to keep Alayaya safe, so that the Kettleblacks wouldn't mistreat her." "For the safety of a prostitute, you actually threaten your own family, your own relatives? Is this your way of doing things?" "You taught me that successful threats are more effective than direct blows. If I hadn't acted like this during King's Landing, Joffrey would have ruined his house long ago! If you want to whip someone, you should start from him To begin. But Tommen is different... how could I hurt Tommen? He is not only a good boy, but a blood relative of mine." "Just like your mother?" Duke Tywin stood up suddenly, looking down at the dwarf son. "Go back, Tyrion, and stop talking about the inheritance of Casterly Rock. You will be rewarded, but it will be for your service and your position. Make no mistake—this is the last time I will suffer you to use Disgraced House Lannister. No more whores. Next time I catch it in your bed, I'll hang her."