Chapter 19 Chapter 19 Sansa

"If you want to go home, please come to the godswood tonight." No matter how many times I read it, these two sentences are still the same as when I first read them.Sansa found the rolled parchment under her pillow, but did not know where the letter came from or who sent it.The letter had no signature, no sealing wax, and the handwriting was strange.She taped the letter to her chest and whispered to herself, "If you want to go home, please come to the Godswood tonight." What exactly does this represent?Should she hand the letter to the Queen Mother to prove that she is obedient?She rubbed her stomach uneasily. The deep purple bruises from Ser Meryn's iron fists on her were now an ugly sallow bruise, but the pain was still there.It was her own fault, and she had to learn to hide her emotions more carefully so as not to anger Joffrey.When she heard that Earl Slynt was sent to the Great Wall by the little devil, she blurted out: "I hope he will be captured by the ghosts!" The king was very dissatisfied when he heard that.

"If you want to go home, please come to the godswood tonight." Sansa has been praying so hard all this time, could this be God's answer to her?Had the gods finally sent a true knight to save her?Maybe it was one of the Redwyne twins, or the gallant Ser Balon Swann...or even Beric Dondarrion, the red-blond haired one with the black cloak on her good friend Jenny Poole's former mad crush. The young earl with the stars. "If you want to go home, please come to the godswood tonight." But...could this be Joffrey's vicious joke, like the last time he took her up town to see his father's head?Could it be that this is a carefully arranged trap to prove that she is not loyal to the royal family?If she had gone to the godswood, would she have found Ser Ilyn Payne sitting under the heart tree, ice in his hand, his pale eyes wide open, waiting for her to throw himself into a snare?

"If you want to go home, please come to the godswood tonight." The door opened, and she quickly stuffed the letter into the bed sheet and sat on it.Fortunately, only the shy waitress with loose brown hair came in. "What are you going to do?" Sansa demanded. "Miss, do you want to take a bath tonight?" "Well, let's make a fire... I'm a little cold." Although the weather was hot, she was shivering all over. "As you wish." Sansa looked at the girl suspiciously.Did she find the letter?Did she put the letter under the pillow?Impossible, this girl looks a little stupid, and the secret delivery of the letter will not be entrusted to this kind of person.Sansa didn't know much about her, and the Queen changed her maids every fortnight to keep them from making friends.

When the fire was lit in the grate, Sansa curtly thanked the maid and ordered her to leave.The girl was as obedient as the other maids in the past, but Sansa thought her eyes were malicious, and she must be rushing to report to the queen or Varys now.She firmly believed that all the maids were sent to watch her. Once alone, she threw the letter into the flames and watched the parchment curl and blacken. "If you want to go home, please come to the godswood tonight." She moved to the window, and there was a short knight under the window, whose armor was pale by the moonlight, with a thick white cloak on his shoulders, pacing up and down on the drawbridge step.From his stature, it must have been Sir Preston Greenfield.Although the queen mother allowed her to come and go freely in the castle, if she wanted to leave Maegor's House in the middle of the night, she would definitely be questioned by him.What should she say then?She was suddenly glad she had burned the letter.

She took off her skirt and got into bed, but couldn't fall asleep. Is "he" still in the godswood?She couldn't help but wonder, how long "he" will wait?It's so cruel to just give her a note and say nothing.All kinds of thoughts continued to circle in her mind. It would be nice if someone could tell her what to do.She missed Septa Mordane terribly, and her best friend Jenny Poole.The nun lost her head like everyone else because she served the Starks.Jenny disappeared from the room after she met the Queen Mother, and no one mentioned it since then. Sansa didn't know what happened to her.She often tried to forget them, but the memories would come up suddenly, and the tears would burst.Sometimes Sansa even thought of her sister.Now Arya must have returned to Winterfell safely, dancing and sewing all day long, and playing with Bran and Rickon!If she was in a good mood, she might even be able to ride to the winter town.Sansa can also ride a horse, but only in the inner city, and it would be boring to go around a few more times.

When the shouts came, she didn't feel sleepy at all.The sound was far away at first, and then gradually became louder. It was the chorus of countless people shouting at the same time.She couldn't make out what was shouting.Added to this were neighing, heavy footsteps, and commanding shouts.She climbed to the window and saw figures moving on the wall, spears and torches flickering.Going back to bed, Sansa said to herself, it's none of your business, there must be another commotion in the city.The servants said that there have been turmoil in the city recently, and refugees fleeing the war kept pouring into the capital, and many people could only make a living by robbing and killing.Go back to sleep.

She looked up and saw that the white knight was gone, and the drawbridge over the dry moat was lowered, unguarded. Without thinking, Sansa turned and ran to the closet.Ouch, what am I doing?She asked herself questions as she dressed.This is crazy.She saw the torches on the outer walls. Had Stannis and Renly come at last to kill Joffrey and take back his brother's throne?If so, the guards would surely raise the drawbridge and cut off the connection between Maegor's House and the outer city.Sansa put on a light gray cloak and took her usual meat-cutting knife.If this is a trap, I'd rather die than be insulted again, she said to herself, and hid the knife in her cloak.

As soon as she sneaked into the night, a group of red-robed swordsmen ran across the unguarded suspension bridge.She waited until they were far away before rushing past.In the courtyard, soldiers were busy tying sword belts and saddles.She caught a glimpse of Ser Preston standing by the stables, helping Joffrey into his armor with three other Kingsguard in moonwhite cloaks.Seeing the King, her throat tightened, but luckily he didn't notice her, but kept shouting for a sword and a crossbow. The further she went into the castle, the quieter the noise became.But she dared not look back, lest Joffrey be staring at her...or even follow her.The spiral staircase is just ahead, and the light overflowing from the narrow window above it prints flickering light patterns on the ground.By the top of the stairs, Sansa was out of breath.She ran across a shadowy colonnade and rested against a wall.Something brushed past her feet, scaring her out of her wits.Luckily it was just a messy and dirty black tomcat with one ear missing. It spat at her and jumped away.

By the time they reached the godswood, the sounds in their ears faded to faint metal clashes and distant shouts.Sansa drew her cloak tighter, and the air smelled of earth and leaves.Ladies will love it here, she thought.The godswood has a primal feel to it, and even here, deep within the stronghold in the heart of the city, you can still feel the ancient gods staring at you with thousands of invisible eyes. Sansa preferred her mother's seven gods to her father's older gods.She loved the statues and the designs on the stained-glass windows, the smell of incense, the monks in their robes holding crystals, the altars inlaid with mother-of-pearl and agate and lapis lazuli, and the rainbows of light shining on them in all their glory.But she could not deny that the godswood had special powers, especially at night.Help me, she prayed secretly, and send me a companion, a true knight willing to fight for me...

She walked among the trees, feeling the rough bark with her hands, the leaves brushing her cheeks.Is it too late?He won't leave so soon, will he?Or did he not come at all?Should she risk shouting?It's so peaceful here, so peaceful... "Son, I thought you weren't coming." Sansa whirled, and out of the shadows came a hulking man with a thick neck and a shambling gait, in dark gray robes with the hood pulled forward over his cheeks.But a silver moonlight passed by, and she recognized him when she saw his red and swollen skin and the trivial blood vessels underneath. "Ser Dontos," she trembled, her heart breaking. "is it you?"

"Yes, miss." He leaned over, and she could smell the rancid wine on his breath. "It's me," he said, holding out his hand. Sansa backed away quickly. "Don't touch me!" She reached into her cloak to grab the hidden knife. "You... what do you want?" "I only want to help you," said Dontos, "as you saved me." "You're drunk, aren't you?" "I only drank one cup to strengthen my courage. If I was caught by them, I would have even skinned me." Then what will happen to me?Sansa couldn't help thinking of the lady again.She could smell it, sure, but it was dead, killed by her father, Arya's fault.She drew out the dagger, held it with both hands, and raised it in front of her. "You want to stab me with it?" asked Dontos. "Yes," she said, "Speak! Who sent you?" "My dear lady, I was not sent. I swear it on the knight's honor." "Knight?" Joffrey had announced: he was no longer a knight, but a jester, below Moonboy. "I prayed to the gods to send a knight to save me," she said. "I prayed day and night, why did they send a drunken old fool?" "Yeah, it's all on my own. But... I know it sounds weird, but... I was a fool all these years as a knight, and now I'm a fool, and I feel... but I feel that I have regained the honor of knighthood. It is all because of you, my dear lady... because of your kindness and your courage. You saved me, from Joffrey, you not only saved me My life made me find myself again." He lowered his voice, "Singers say that there was a fool once upon a time who was the greatest knight of all time..." "Florian." Sansa whispered, trembling all over. "My dear lady, I would like to be your Florian." Dontos said humbly, kneeling before her. Sansa lowered the knife slowly.She was extremely dizzy, as if her whole body was floating.It's crazy for me to trust myself to this drunk, but if I just walk away, is there still a chance? "You... What are you going to do? How are you going to rescue me?" Sir Dontos raised his head and looked at her, "The most difficult thing is how to take you out of the castle. Once out of the city, I can find a boat to take you home. I have to raise enough money first, and then take care of related matters, so That's all." "Can we go then?" she asked, not daring to hope. "To-night? No, my dear lady, I'm afraid not. I must first find a sure way to get you out of town, and wait for the time. It's not easy, and there's no rush. They're watching me too." He said He licked his lips nervously, "Could you please put the knife away?" Sansa put the knife back in her cloak. "Arise, sir." "Thank you, my dear lady." Ser Dontos staggered to his feet, brushing the dirt and fallen leaves from his lap. "My father is the most upright person in this country, but I just sat and watched him beheaded for public display, said nothing, did nothing... But when Joffrey wanted to kill me, you stood up for me .Miss, I was never a hero, never to be compared to Ryan Redwyne or Barristan the Bold. I never won a tourney, nor did I do battle...but I was Knight, and you, let me finally understand the value of knights. My life is cheap, but it is yours." Ser Dontos put his hand on the gnarled trunk of the heart tree, and she could see that he was shaking. "I swear, under the witness of the gods your father believes in, I will definitely send you home." He swore!And it is a sacred oath made before the gods. "Then . Sir Dontos looked around anxiously, "It's too risky. I have to ask you to come here often, to the godswood, and come here whenever you can. This is the safest place, and the only safe place. No. It doesn’t matter in your room, in the stairwell, in the yard, even if we are alone. The stone walls in the Red Castle have long ears, and only here can we speak with confidence.” "Only here," said Sansa, "I remember." "Also, please forgive me if, in the presence of others, I have been callous, or sarcastic, or indifferent to you, my child. I have a part to play, and so do you. It only takes one mistake, and we The heads of the two will be hung on the city wall like your father." She nodded, "I understand." "Please be brave and strong... and wait patiently, this is more important than anything else." "I will," she promised, "but... please... please hurry... please? I'm so scared..." "Me too." Sir Dontos smiled feebly. "Now, it's time for you to go back so as not to attract attention." "You won't come with me?" "It's best not to let anyone see us together." Sansa nodded, took a step forward...then turned around nervously, closed her eyes, and pressed a kiss on his cheek. "My Florian," she whispered, "the gods have heard my prayer." Then she walked lightly along the riverside walkway, through the small kitchen and the pigsty, and the sound of her more hurried footsteps was covered by the screams of the pigs.Go home, she thought, go home, he's going to take me home.My Florian, he will protect me.Ballads of Florian and Jonquil had always been her favourites.According to legend, Florian is not handsome, but not so old. She rushed down the spiral staircase, and suddenly someone staggered out from the hidden threshold. Sansa slammed into his arms, lost her center of gravity, and almost fell down. Fortunately, a hand in an iron sheath grabbed her wrist in time, A hoarse voice sounded at the same time: "Little bird, the stairs are steep and high. Could it be that you want to kill us both?" His laughter seemed to be sawing stones. "Maybe you really want to." It's the Hound! "No, my lord, please forgive me, I didn't mean that." Sansa hurriedly looked away, but it was too late, he had already seen her face. "Please don't do this, you hurt me." She struggled to get away. "In the middle of the night, why did Xiao Qiao's little bird fly down the stairs?" Seeing that she didn't answer, he shook her vigorously. "Where have you been?" "God-God-Godswood, my lord," she dared not lie, "I went to pray...for my father, and...for His Majesty the King, praying that he is safe and sound." "You think I'll believe this when I'm drunk?" He let go of her hand and stood there shaking slightly, his burnt face was printed with light and dark stripes. "I think you're almost a woman... Your face, your breasts, and your body have grown taller. It's almost... well, but you are still a stupid bird, right? You can only sing the songs they taught you all day long... ...why don't you sing me a song? Sing it, sing it to me, the songs of knights and ladies. You like knights best, don't you?" She was horrified by him, "My lord, I only like true-true knights." "A real knight!" He said sarcastically, "I'm not a knight, and I'm not an adult. You remember me after I hit you, right?" Clegane staggered and nearly fell. "God," he cursed, "drinking too much wine. Do you like drinking, little bird? Really strong wine? A man only needs a bottle of sour red wine, dark red wine like blood, That's enough, oh, maybe another woman." He shook his head and laughed, "Look at me drunk like a dog, damn it. Come on, little birdie, it's time to go back to the cage. Let me take you back, on behalf of Your Majesty ensures your safety." The Hound pushed her, but unexpectedly gently, and followed her down the stairs.At the bottom of the stairs, he had returned to silence, as if he had completely forgotten her existence. As they approached Maegor's Tower, she realized with alarm that Ser Boros Braun had replaced the Iron Guard guarding the drawbridge.He wore a high white helm, and he turned stiffly when he heard their footsteps.Sansa quickly avoided his sight.Ser Boros is the scariest of the Kingsguard, ugly, hot-tempered, born with double chins, always frowning. "Little sister, this guy has nothing to be afraid of." The hound reached out and pressed her shoulder heavily, "A toad with stripes on it is still not a real tiger." Ser Boros lifted his mask, "Sir, where are you—" "Fuck you sir, Boros. You're the knight, not me. I'm just the king's dog, remember?" "His Majesty was looking for his dog just now." "His dog's gone drinking. It's your turn to protect him tonight, 'Sir.' You and my other 'brethren.'" Ser Boros turned to Sansa, "Miss, why are you not in the room at this late hour?" "I'm going to the godswood to pray for His Majesty's safety." The lie was more mellow this time, almost like the truth. "With all the noise outside, you expect her to sleep?" Clegane said. "What's going on?" "There's a bunch of idiots at the gates," Ser Boros confirmed. "Someone can't control their tongues and spread the news about the wedding banquet for Tyrek, so the scum thinks they should attend the banquet. Your Majesty leads the army." Go out and drive them away." "Brave boy," Clegane purred. Let's see how brave he is when he meets my brother, Sansa thought.The Hound escorted her across the drawbridge and up the spiral staircase, and on the way she said, "Why do you allow people to call you a dog, but refuse to be called a knight?" "Because I'd rather be a dog than a knight. My grandfather was Master Beastmaster of Casterly Rock, and one autumn Lord Tytos came across a lioness on the run. The lioness didn't care The emblem of the Lannister house, killed his mount with one bite, and almost swallowed the lord himself. Fortunately, my grandpa arrived with the hounds, and three dogs died before driving it away. My grandpa lost a leg because of it The Lannister gave him a territory, a tower, and took his son as a squire. My family's banner of three black dogs represents the three dogs killed by lions, and the background is the color of yellow grass in autumn. The Hound will Dying for a human will never lie, and it must always be looking at the human eye." He held her chin, raised her face, and pinched her painfully with his fingers. "The little bird can't do these things, can it? You see, I still haven't heard your song after all." "I... I'll sing a Florian and Jonquil song." "Florian and Jonquil? One is a fool and the other is a bitch. Please forgive me. But one day, I must ask you to sing to me, whether you like it or not." "I'd be happy to sing for you." Sandor Clegane snorted. "Look at you, you're pretty, but you can't tell a lie. Dogs can smell out lies, you know. Take a good look at the place and smell it, they're all Liars...and each one better than you."