Chapter 23 Chapter 23 Caitlin
Lying on the vast, rolling prairie, Catelyn dreamed of Bran bouncing before her, Arya and Sansa holding her hand, and baby Rickon nibbling at her breast.Her Robb, without his crown, took a wooden sword.And when all was silent, Ned was lying on her bed, smiling softly in the dark night.
How sweet, sweet things never last long.Dawn came relentlessly, and the sun pierced like a dagger.She woke up sore, alone and tired: tired from riding, tired from heartbreak, tired from responsibility.I just want to cry, she couldn't help thinking, just want someone to comfort me, I'm so tired of trying to be strong.If I could change back to that naive and timid little girl again, just once, really... a day... an hour...
Outside the account, people come and go.She heard horses neighing, Shad complaining of a stiff back from sleep, and Ser Wendel asking for a bow.Catelyn wished they would all go away.They were good people, loyal, but she was tired of all of them, and all she wanted was her children.One day, she promised herself in her dream that one day she would let herself be no longer strong.
But not today.Really not today.
She fumbled with her clothes and found that her fingers were clumsier and stiffer than usual.She should have been lucky to still be able to use those hands.The dagger that cut her was Valyrian steel. Valyrian weapons are sharp and bloodthirsty, and a glance at the wound will tell.
When I went out, I saw Shad cooking oatmeal in a pot, and Sir Wendel Manderly was adjusting his bow and arrow. "Ma'am," he said when Catelyn came out, "there are birds over the fields. Shall I add some roast to your breakfast?"
"Thanks, I think oats and bread should suffice . . . for all of us. A long way to go today, Sir Manderly."
"As you wish, ma'am." The round-faced knight was a little dejected, his walrus-like beard trembling in disappointment. "Oats and bread, what's better?" He was one of the fattest men Catelyn had ever known, and he loved food more than anything else.
"I found some nettles and made a pot of tea," Shad announced. "Madam, would you like a drink?"
"alright, thank you very much."
She hugged the teacup with her broken palm, breathed, and waited for the tea to cool.Shad is one of the soldiers of Winterfell.In order for her to visit Renly safely, Robb not only sent twenty of his most reliable guards, but also asked five nobles to go with her, hoping that their names and bloodlines would add respect and weight to her mission.As they traveled south, away from towns and castles, they encountered groups of armed men and caught glimpses of smoke billowing from the eastern horizon.No one came to harass.There are too few of them as threats, too many of them as prey.In this way, they finally crossed the Heishui River safely, leaving the chaotic mountains and rivers behind.In the four days since, there has been no sign of war.
This trip was not Caitlyn's intention.She and Robb had argued a lot at Riverrun. "The last time I saw Renly, he was no older than your brother Bran. I don't know him at all. Send someone else. It is my duty to stay here with Father, until his time finally comes."
The son looked at her displeased. "There is no one else to send. I cannot go myself. Your father is too ill. The Blackfish is my eyes and ears, and I cannot do without him. As for your brother, I need him at Riverrun when we march—"
"Marching?" No one had ever mentioned marching to her.
"I can't sit on Riverrun waiting for peace, that would give men a reason to say that I'm afraid to go to war again. My father taught me that when there's no battle to fight, soldiers miss hearths and harvests... Lately, I've The Union Army also began to restless."
My Northern Army, she savored, began to sound like a king even in the way he talked. "Restlessness does not lead to casualties. Recklessness does. We plant the seeds, and we should wait patiently for them to grow."
Robb shook his head stubbornly. "The truth is, we threw the seeds into the wind. If your sister Lysa would send reinforcements, it would have been a message. Think of how many birds we sent to the Eyrie, at least four Only? I want peace too, but the Lannisters will give me nothing if I just sit there and let my army melt away like snowflakes in midsummer."
"So for that vain courage, you have to let Lord Tywin lead you by the nose?" she roared back. "A march on Harrenhal is in his favor, take your Uncle Brynden's advice, if—"
"Who said I was going to Harrenhal?" said Robb. "The only question now is, are you going to send Renly on my behalf, or are you forcing me to send the Greatjon?"
Recalling the past, a pale smile appeared on her cheeks.What a blunt threat. Seriously, a fifteen-year-old boy should be proud that he can do this.Robb knew that there was no better man than Greatjon Umber to deal with a man like Renly Baratheon, and he knew she knew it too.He made it impossible for her to refuse, and she could only hope that nothing happened to her father before returning.She thought: If the Duke of Horst is in good health, he will definitely volunteer to serve as an envoy.Despite all the relief, parting is still sad.When she came to the bed to say goodbye, he didn't even recognize her at all. "Minessa," he called to her, "where are the children? My little Kate, my sweet Lysa..." Caitlin kissed his forehead and told him that his darlings were all well. "Wait until I come back, my lord," she said softly when he closed his tired eyes. "I've waited for you, oh, I've waited many, many times. This time it's your turn, and you must wait for me to come back."
Fate has dragged me south again and again, Caitlin thought as she sipped her bitter tea, at this very moment, I should have returned to the Northland and rebuilt my homeland.On her last night at Riverrun, she wrote to Bran and Rickon by candlelight.I have not left you, my little sweethearts, you must believe it.It's just that your brother needs me more.
"Estimated to reach the Upper Mander today, ma'am," Sir Wendell announced as Sharp stirred the porridge. "If the information on the road is true, Lord Renly is not far away."
What can I say when I see him?Tell him my son doesn't recognize him as the real king?She has no hope of this meeting.We need friends, not more enemies, and Robb is adamantly against submitting to a man he feels has no right to the throne.
She couldn't eat, swallowed the porridge reluctantly, and put the bowl aside. "It's time for us to go." The sooner she saw Renly, the sooner she could make her way home.She was the first to get on her horse and lead the column forward at a fast pace.Harris Moran rode beside him, holding the banner of House Stark.The direwolf on the snow-white cloth is fluttering in the wind.
They were half a day away from Renly's camp when they were discovered.Robin Flint was their scout, and he flew to report that someone was watching on the windmill in the distance.But by the time Catelyn's party reached the mill, the stranger was gone.They went on, but within a mile they were surrounded by Renly's cavalry.An old knight with a gray beard was leading twenty cavalry in full armor. The old man had the blue bird emblem on his coat.
When he saw her banner, he rode forward alone. "Ma'am," he called, "this is Sir Collen of the Gripp family, at your service. You are in danger at this moment."
"Our mission is urgent," she replied. "I have come to meet the King of the South, Renly Baratheon, as messenger for my son Robb Stark, the King in the North."
"King Renly is duly crowned and anointed Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, my lady," replied Ser Crane, still polite. "Your Majesty is now stationed at the Bridge of Bitterness with his army, which is the key point of the Avenue of Roses across the Mande River. It is my great honor to escort you there." Caitlin and her bodyguard flank.Is this escort or capture?she thought.And now he had to trust in Ser Cryn's honor, and, of course, in Lord Renly.
An hour's ride from the river they saw the smoke from the campfire.Then all kinds of voices drifted across the farms and fields and fields, turbulent, hazy, like the call of the distant sea.Gradually approaching, the sound of the waves became more intense.When they finally saw the muddy water of the Mande River shining in the sun, their voices also became clear, and they could distinguish human speech, the clash of gold and iron, and the neighing of horses.For them, despite the previous reminders of the smoke column and sound, they still couldn't help opening their tongues for the army in front of them.
Thousands of campfires filled the air with a pale mist.The neatly lined horses stretched for several leagues.A whole forest was felled to make the poles for the banners.Huge siege machines are lined up on the lush green lawn on both sides of Rose Avenue, including trebuchets, ballistas, and battering rams. The rams and wheels alone are taller than a cavalryman.Under the bright sun, countless spear points were shining red, as if they were weeping blood.The tents of princes and knights are like silk mushrooms, scattered all over the field.She saw soldiers with spears, soldiers with swords, soldiers with armor and armor, she saw camp prostitutes parading through the city, she saw archers furnishing feathers, she saw handymen driving wagons, she saw swineherds feeding livestock, and messengers carrying messages. The servant saw the squire sharpening his sword, the knight driving his horse, and the groom scolding a poor horse. "It's incredible...so many troops," commented Sir Wendel Manderly.They crossed an old stone arched bridge-the bridge was named "Bitter Bridge".
"Right," Caitlyn agreed.
It seems that almost all the nobles in the south have responded to Renly's call.The golden rose of Highgarden is everywhere: embroidered on the right breasts of soldiers and servants, unfurled on the green silk streamers adorning spears and wooden spears, and carved on the various offshoots of House Tyrell—sons, brothers, cousins, uncles. Uncle—on the shield of the tent.Catelyn also saw the fox and flower banner of House Florens, the two green and red apple banners of House Fossoway, Lord Tarly's striding hunter, the oakleaf banner of House Oakheart, the Goose Banner, and the banner of House Mullendall depicting a flock of black and orange butterflies.
On the other side of the Mander, the Lords of the Stormlands also raised their banners - they were Renly's direct vassals, and they swore allegiance to House Baratheon and Storm's End.Catelyn recognized Bryce Cullen's nightingale banner, Penrose's quill banner, and Lord Ismond's turtle banner - a green turtle floating on a green sea.But apart from the shield emblem she knew, there were a dozen or so strange ones, presumably they were lesser lords loyal to the local lords, or hedge knights and free riders, these people gathered around Renly Baratheon, The point is to be on the side of the victor in this game of thrones.
Renly's own banner flew high above the others.On the tallest of his siege towers, on the roof of the great oak-wheeled cart covered in rawhide, fluttered the most magnificent thing Catelyn had ever seen—the cloth that would make a castle hall carpet—a banner, golden On the bottom, embroidered with the black crowned stag of House Baratheon, tall, soaring and proud.
"Ma'am, did you hear the commotion over there?" Harris Moran rode closer and asked softly, "What is that?"
She discerned the roar, the squeal of the horse, the clang of the weapon, and... "Cheers," she said.They rode up a gentle slope towards a row of brightly colored tents in the distance.As they passed through the row of tents, there were more people and more voices.Then, she found the answer.
Below, beneath the wooden and stone battlements of a small castle, a team joust was taking place.
The field was cleared, fences were erected, tracks were built, and stands were erected.Hundreds of people come to watch, oh maybe thousands.Judging from the situation of the venue, it was messy, muddy, and there were broken armor and broken spears everywhere. They fought at least for a whole day.Now, at the last moment of the contest, there were less than twenty knights on horseback, chopping and charging at each other amidst the applause of the audience and fallen warriors.She saw two heavily armored war horses colliding with each other, steel and flesh were inseparable, tangled on the ground. "Tournament!" announced Harris Moran.He always likes to announce things that everyone knows.
"Oh, beautiful!" Sir Wendel Manderly exclaimed as he saw a knight in a rainbow-striped cloak retaliate against his chasing opponent, smashing his shield with his battle-axe and knocking him out of his wits.
Crowded, difficult to approach. "Lady Stark," said Sir Collen, "if your men are willing to stay here, I will take you to the king."
"Okay," she ordered, her voice forced by the tumult of the tournament.Ser Corren moved slowly through the crowd, with Catelyn not far behind.Suddenly there was a shout in the crowd, and a red-bearded man without a helmet and with a griffin coat of arms on his shield was knocked off his horse by a tall knight in blue armor.The knight's iron armor was dark blue, and he waved the blunted meteor hammer in his hand very calmly. On the armor of the mount, there was the sun and moon coat of arms of the Tas family divided into four.
"Red Roland is defeated, the gods should die!" a man cursed.
"Loras will teach the blue—" the companion's answer was drowned out by another burst of exclamations.
Another soldier fell.The crippled horse pinned down the rider, who howled in pain, and the attendants hurried forward to help.
This is crazy, Caitlin thought.With the real enemy at hand, and half the land at war, Renly was still here playing his war game like a boy with a wooden sword for the first time!
The lords and ladies sat in the stands to watch the contest, with the same relish as the audience below.Among them, Caitlin spotted some familiar faces.Father often dealt with the lords of the south, and many of them had visited Riverrun.She recognized Lord Matus Rowan, stronger and more muscular than before, with the golden tree spreading across his white tunic.Beneath him sat the Countess of Oakheart, slender and petite.And to her left was Randyll Tarly, lord of Hornhill, with his greatsword Heartbroken resting on the back of his chair.For others, she can only recognize the family crest, and she can't even name many coats of arms.
Among them, beside a young queen, a ghost in a golden crown was talking and laughing.
No wonder the lords love him, she thought. He is Robert born again.Renly was as handsome as Robert had been in his youth: slender limbs, broad shoulders, soft, straight black hair, blue eyes, even that faint smile.The slender diadem on his brow suited him well, and was of soft gold, with a ring of roses set delicately in it, and on the front was a deer's head of dark emerald, adorned with golden eyes and horns.
The king wore a green velvet coat under the stag crown, with the arms of Baratheon painted on the breast in golden thread--the colors of Highgarden.The girl who sat next to him was also in the finery of Highgarden, and that must have been his young queen Margaery, daughter of Lord Mace Tyrell.Catelyn understood that it was their marriage that united the nobles of the South.Renly was twenty-one years old now, and the girl was younger than Robb, very pretty, with soft elk eyes and long brown curls that fell lazily over her shoulders.Her smile was both shy and sweet.
On the martial field, another person was shot down by the knight in the rainbow cloak, and the king also admired everyone. "Loras!" she heard him call, "Loras! Fight for Highgarden!" and the Queen clapped her hands in excitement.
Catelyn turned to look at the end of the tourney.Now, there are only four people left in the center of the field, and there is no doubt who is favored by the king and the audience.She had never seen Ser Loras Tyrell, but even in the Far North there were tales of the young Knight of Flowers.Ser Loras rode upon a tall white horse in silver armor, with a poleaxe in his hand and a crown of gold roses in the center of his helm.
Two of the survivors quickly reached a consensus.They kicked their spurs and rushed towards the knight in dark blue armor together.When they approached from left to right, the blue knight pulled the reins violently, smashed the face of one attacker with a broken shield, and at the same time his black war horse raised its rigid hoof and swept the other. opponent.In an instant, one rider was down, and the other staggered back.The blue knight threw the broken shield off the field, freed his left hand, and faced the Knight of Flowers quietly.Ser Loras rushed forward, graceful and quick despite the weight of steel, his rainbow cloak billowing behind him.
White and black horses mingled like lovers at a harvest ball, only the riders waved their weapons instead of leaning in to kiss them.The passing of the long ax and the whirling of the hammer, both blunted in advance, still produced a terrible sound.Due to the lack of a shield, the blue knight seems to be gradually losing the wind.Ser Loras struck him on the head and shoulders again and again, echoing the frantic chants of "Long live Highgarden!"The Blue Knight tried to fight back with his meteor hammer, but every time the hammer hit, it was blocked by Ser Loras's flattened green shield decorated with three golden roses.When the poleaxe finally hit the back of the Blue Knight's hand, sending the meteor flying, the crowd's emotions reached a crescendo, screaming like beasts in heat.Amidst the commotion, the Knight of Flowers raised his long axe, preparing for the final blow.
The blue knight charged.The two war horses collided suddenly, and the blunt axe blade smashed towards the scarred dark blue breastplate... But the blue knight had a strong force coming out of nowhere, and pinched it in the air with his fingers covered in steel armor. ax handle.He wrenched the ax out of Ser Loras's hand, and the two writhed and fell suddenly from their horses.The two horses stamped on each other, and the two warriors crashed into the ground.Loras Tyrell was crushed underneath, taking most of the force of the impact.The blue knight drew out a long dagger and lifted Tyrell's visor.The roar of the crowd grew so loud that Catelyn could not make out exactly what Ser Loras said, but from the cracked, bloody lips she could make out two words: Surrender.
The blue knight staggered to his feet, pointed his dagger high at Renly Baratheon.This is the champion saluting the king.Attendants rushed into the arena to attend to the defeated knight.When they took off his helm, Catelyn marveled at how young he was, probably not more than two years older than Robb.The boy was as handsome as his sister, though he was overshadowed by broken lips, straying eyes, and the constant blood dripping from tangled hair.
"Come forward," King Renly called to his champion.
He limped and moved toward the stands.From a close look, the brilliant blue armor was not dazzling. It was covered with wounds, dented by hammers and nail heads, gouged by long swords, and enamel flaked from breastplate and helmet. , the cloak was torn into shreds.Judging from his moving posture, the person himself was also seriously injured.A few here and there shouted: "Long live Tas!" or, strangely, "Beauty! Beauty!" But most remained silent.The blue knight went up to the king and knelt down. "Your Majesty," he said, his lordly voice heard through his smashed helmet, "your lord father does not exaggerate," Renly's voice resounded through the room, "I have never seen Lo Ser Russ has been knocked down once or twice... and never in such a bad way."
"That's not a proper dismount," complained a drunken archer beside Catelyn, who had a Tyrell rose sewn into his jacket. "Just a nasty ruse to knock our young master off his horse."
The crowd gradually dispersed. "Ser Corlen," Catelyn said to her escort, "what is this strange man's name? Why do people hate him so much?"
Sir Corren frowned. "She's no man at all, my lady. That's Brienne of House Tarth, daughter of Lord Selwyn, "Evening Star."
"Daughter?" Caitlin was terrified.
"Brennie the Beauty, that's what they call her . . . but no one dares say it in front of her, or get ready for a duel."
At this time, King Renly announced: Miss Brienne of the Tarth family is the winner of the Bitterbridge Group Tournament, the best of the 116 knights. "As a champion, you can ask me for anything you want. As long as I can, I will give it to you."
"Your Majesty," Brienne answered, "I ask you for the honorable position of Guardian of the Rainbow. I ask to be one of your Seven Guards, to give my life for you, to follow you to the ends of the earth, and to be by your side at all times, Protect you from all dangers."
"I agree," he said, "please stand up and take off your helmet."
She complied.When the great helm was removed, Catelyn finally understood Ser Corlen's hint.
Brienne the Beauty, they called him that... how ridiculous.The chignon under the helmet, the squirrel's nest of dirty straw, the face... Brienne's eyes were big and blue, the eyes of a girl, innocent and straightforward, but otherwise... she His face is round and rough, with a row of protruding and uneven teeth, his mouth is horribly wide, and his lips are fat like caterpillars.Numerous freckles are densely scattered on the forehead and cheeks, and her nose seems to have been broken many times.Caitlin was full of pity: In this world, is there any creature more unfortunate than an ugly woman?
But at this moment, when Renly tore off her tattered cloak and tied her a new rainbow cloak with his own hands, Brienne of House Tarth was not unlucky.Her face was beaming with laughter, and her voice was high and proud: "My life is yours, Your Majesty. I swear to the gods old and new, from this day forward, I am your shield." The way she looked at the king— —looking down, to be exact, although Renly was almost the same size as his dead brother, she was still nearly a palm's taller than him—it was heartbreaking to watch.
"Your Majesty!" Sir Collin of the Greenpool family galloped towards the stands. "Forgive me for disturbing you, Your Majesty," he dropped to one knee. "It is my honor to bring you Lady Catelyn Stark, messenger of her son Robb Stark, Lord of Winterfell."
"Lord of Winterfell and King of the North, ser." Catelyn corrected, dismounted from her horse, and walked to Ser Coron's side.
King Renly seemed surprised. "Lady Catelyn? Welcome, very welcome!" He looked back at his young queen. "My dear Margaery, this is Lady Catelyn Stark of Winterfell."
"You are very welcome, Lady Stark," the girl said gently and politely, "I am very sorry for what happened to your loved ones."
"Thank you," Caitlin said.
"I swear to you, my lady, that the Lannisters will pay for the murder of your husband," the king declared, "and I will deliver Cersei's head to you as soon as I take King's Landing."
Will this bring Ned back to me?she thinks. "I am content to hear that you are willing to do justice, my lord."
"Your Majesty," the new Blueguard Brienne corrected sharply, "and you shall kneel before the king."
"The gap between your lord and your lord is much smaller than you think, my lady," said Catelyn. "Lord Renly wears a crown, and so does my son. It seems to me that instead of standing in the dust and mud arguing about manners and titles, there are many more pressing matters that we can talk about at once."
After hearing this, many nobles under Renly's subordinates were ready to move, but the king himself just smiled, "Well said, ma'am. After the war is over, we have plenty of time to discuss 'Your Majesty'. Tell me when your son plans to march Harrenhal?"
Unless she knew what the king really planned, she would never tell him a single thing about Robb's plans. "I did not attend my son's war council, my lord."
"Never mind, I should thank him, after all he has attracted most of the Lannister army. By the way, what does he do with the Kingslayer?"
"Jaime Lannister is in the prison at Riverrun."
"Alive?" Count Matus Rowan asked in surprise.
Renly was also very puzzled. He said, "It seems that the direwolf is gentler than the lion."
"Minor than Lannister," murmured the Countess of Oakheart with a wry smile, "like the sea being dry."
"I think it's cowardly." Earl Randyll Tarly had a short gray beard and was famously straightforward. "No offense to you, Lady Stark, but Lord Robb should come and bow to His Majesty in person, not in mother's skirts."
"King Robb is up against a mighty foe, my lord," Catelyn answered coldly and politely. "He is not jostling."
Renly grinned. "Relax, Lord Randyll, don't be so reckless." He summoned a squire in the finery of Storm's End. "Go and arrange accommodation for the lady's entourage, and make sure they are safe and comfortable. I will invite Lady Caitlin to live in my own tent. Since the kind Lord Caswell gave me his castle for my use, the tent has been empty for several times. God. Madam, after you have rested, I am honored to invite you to have dinner with us and attend the banquet arranged by the baron. This is a farewell banquet, and my lord must have been looking forward to my hungry soldiers leaving soon! "
"Not so, Your Majesty," protested a slender young man, presumably Caswell. "Everything I have belongs to you."
"When people say that to my old brother Robert, he always believes it," said Renly. "Have you any daughters?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. There are two."
"Then you should thank the gods, I'm not Robert. All the women in the world, the only thing I want is my lovely queen." Renly put his arms around Margaery and helped her up. "We'll talk when you've recovered enough, Mrs. Caitlin."
Renly led his bride toward the castle, while his squires led Catelyn to the king's great tent of green silk. "If you need anything, please just ask, madam."
Can't say enough about this place Caitlin, what more do I need?The space in the tent is larger than the hall of an ordinary hotel, and all kinds of luxuries abound: feather mattresses and fur pajamas, a large bathtub with wooden panels inlaid with copper, large enough for two people to share, countless charcoal basins to dispel the cold air in the cold night , a suspended leather folding chair, a desk with inkwells and quills, and plates of peaches, plums, and pears, a jug of wine surrounded by delicate silver cups, a pile of cedar wood The chest was full of Renly's change of clothes, books, and battle maps, as well as a high harp, a longbow, and a bag of arrows.Surrounded by a pair of red-tailed falcons and a pile of well-crafted weapons.He couldn't bear to treat himself badly, this Renly, she thought as she watched.No wonder his army moves so slowly.
On either side of the tent entrance stood the king's armored sentinel: a forest-green full plate, carved with gold ornaments, and a helmet with two huge golden antlers.The armor was polished so shiny that she could see her own face through the breastplate, staring at her as if buried in a deep green river.The face of a drowned woman, Catelyn thought.Are you overwhelmed with sorrow?She turned her head decisively, hating her fragility.How can I have time to look at myself and feel sorry for myself?She must hurry to wash the dust from her hair and get dressed for a king's feast.
Those who went to the castle with her included Sir Wendel Manderly, Lucas Blackwood, Sir Perwyn Frey and several other nobles.The "great hall" of Caswell Castle was actually not that big. Renly's knights crowded the room, and they could only make seats for Catelyn's entourage on the benches.Catelyn sat on the dais, with red-faced Lord Matus Rowan on her left and Ser Jon of House Fossoway, the green apple.Ser Jon was kind and joking; Lord Rowan greeted her father, siblings and children politely.
Brienne of Tarth sat at the end of the long table.Instead of a lady's gown, she wore knightly clothes: a velvet doublet quartered with roses and heaven, breeches, boots, and a well-made swordbelt, and a new rainbow cloak back.But no clothes could hide her plain features: giant, freckled hands, round, flat face, protruding teeth.Without the armor, her figure looked extremely ugly, with broad hips, thick thighs, bulging, fat shoulders, but no breasts at all.From her every action, it can be seen that she herself is deeply troubled and suffers in silence.She only gave brief answers when necessary and almost never took her eyes off her food.
The food supply here is indeed sufficient, and the war has not touched the rich and prosperous Highgarden.In the performances of singers and jugglers, pears poached in strong wine were first enjoyed, followed by delicious small fish boiled and crisped in salt and roosters stuffed with onions and mushrooms.Then came great loaves of browned bread, heaps of turnips, sweet corn, and peas, prime ham and roast goose, plates full of beer and barley mounds of wild venison.For dessert, Baron Caswell's servants brought out a plate of pastries made by the castle kitchen, including cream swans, candied unicorns, lemon cakes in the shape of roses, spiced honey biscuits, blackberry pies, and apple crisps. , Butter cheese and other sumptuous dinners did not boost Caitlin's appetite, but right now, the success of her mission depends entirely on her strength, and she can't show her vulnerability at all.So bit by bit, she ate it, watching the king carefully.To Renly's left sat his young bride, and to his right was the bride's brother.Ser Loras had recovered from the day's misfortune, though a white linen bandage was still bound across his brow.He was as handsome as Catelyn had expected.His eyes are no longer dull, but become smart and lively; his beautiful brown hair with natural curly curls will make many girls envious.The tattered cloak from the tourney had been replaced by a new one—the rich striped silk cloak of Renly's Rainbow Guard, fastened by the golden rose of Highgarden. Or leaning over to press her soft kisses on the cheek, but most of the time was spent bantering or whispering to Ser Loras.Clearly, the king enjoyed the food and wine, but he didn't drink or overeat.He laughed heartily from time to time, and he was able to converse cordially no matter whether he was with a noble lord or a lowly maid.
Some guests were less restrained.They drank too much and made too much noise for her to be at peace.Earl William's sons Josula and Ellis argued over who would be the first to climb the walls of King's Landing; Earl Varner held a maid on his knees, nuzzled her neck, and stretched out his hands. into each other's corsets; Green Goode, who calls himself a singer, is strumming a harp, playing a song about a lion's tail knotted; and the most dramatic was Ser Tanton of House Fossoway of the Red Apple, who jumped on the table and vowed to kill Sandor Clegane in a one-on-one duel.People wouldn't have laughed so hard if the Sir hadn't happened to have one of his feet stuck in the cruet.
The drama reaches its climax when a fat jester leaps from a gilded tin bucket wearing a cloth lion cap and chases a dwarf around a table, hitting him on the head with a balloon.After King Renly laughed, he asked the Fool why he was chasing his "brother". "Why, my lord, I am a kinslayer," replied the Fool.
"Kingslayer! You fool of fools," said Renly, and the room roared with laughter.
Lord Rowan, sitting beside her, did not join in the frolicking. "They're so young," he said.
yes.The Knight of Flowers was not yet two years old when Robert slew Prince Rhaegar on the Trident.Most of them are also of this age.They were babes when King's Landing fell, and childhood when Balon Greyjoy raised his armies in the Iron Islands.They've never seen bloodshed before, Catelyn thought, watching Lord Bryce encourage Ser Robert to do a dagger trick.To them it was but a game, a grand tourney in which they would hunt for glory, honor, and favor.They are children addicted to songs and stories, and children always think they are powerful.
"They will grow and mature in war," Catelyn said, "just like us." She was a little girl herself when Robert, Ned, and Arryn raised the banner of rebellion against Aerys Targaryen. .But by the time the war was over, she had become a real woman. "I pity them."
"Why?" Lord Rowan asked her. "Look at them, young and strong, full of life and laughter. Ha, so full of life, so full of life that they don't know what to do. I dare say that there will be countless bastards born tonight. Why? Have mercy on them?"
"Because it will not be long," Catelyn answered sadly, "for they are knights of summer, and winter is coming."
"You are wrong, Lady Caitlin," Brienne looked at her with eyes as deep as armor, "We are knights of summer, and winter will never come to us.会有歌谣传唱我们的事迹。在歌谣里，永远都是夏天。在歌谣里，所有的骑士都是英雄，所有的少女都是美人，阳光则永远普照大地。”
孩子，不论你情愿与否，凛冬终将降临到每个人身边，凯特琳心想。对我而言，它降临在奈德横死的那一刻；对你而言，它也将降临，只怕会快得超乎你的想象。她没有心情去探讨这个话题国王替她接了围。“凯特琳夫人，”蓝礼唤道。“我想呼吸新鲜空气，陪我出去走走好吗？”
凯特琳立刻起身。 "my pleasure."
布蕾妮也跟着起立。“陛下，您不能没有保护。请稍等片刻，容我穿戴铠甲。”
蓝礼国王微笑：“如果我在卡斯威爵爷的城堡深处，在我全部军队的包围下都不安全，那么多一把剑又有什么用呢……即便那是你的剑，布蕾妮。请坐下来好好用餐。需要你的时候，我自会召唤。”
他的言语给她的打击比她今天下午在武场上承受的任何一记都要深重。“遵命，陛下。”她垂头丧气地坐下来，不再抬眼。蓝礼挽起凯特琳的手臂，带她离开大厅，路遇一名无精打采的卫兵。对方一见他连忙立正，差点没把长矛松脱。蓝礼拍拍兵士的肩膀，跟他说了句俏皮话。
“请这边走，夫人。”国王带她穿过一道矮门，来到一座塔楼的阶梯前。接着他们向上爬去，途中他说：“呃，只怕巴利斯坦·塞尔弥爵士和您儿子一块待在奔流城吧？”
“没有，”她困惑地答道，“难道他不在乔佛里身边？他可是御林铁卫的队长啊。”
蓝礼摇头。“兰尼斯特嫌他老迈，将他的披风给了猎狗。听说他离开君临时，发誓为真正的国王继续服务。今日下午布蕾妮要求的那件披风，原本是我留给塞尔弥的，希望他能投奔于我。他一直没在高庭出现，我猜想他或许去了奔流城。”
“我们没见到他。”
“唉，他老则老矣，可确实是个好人。但愿他别受什么伤害。兰尼斯特都是些大混蛋。”他们又上几级阶梯。“劳勃逝世当晚，我打算用手下百名卫士援助您丈夫，我劝他把乔佛里控制起来。如果他听了我的话，眼下他就是摄政王，我也不必出兵去争夺王位了。”
“奈德拒绝了你。”这还用说吗？
“他发誓保护劳勃的孩子，”蓝礼说。“而我没有独自起事的实力。所以一当艾德大人赶走了我，我只能抓紧时间，一走了之。如果不走，王后会让我和我哥死在一起。”
如果你留在君临，全力支持奈德，他一定还活着，凯特琳苦涩地想。
“我很欣赏您丈夫，夫人。他一直都是劳勃最忠实的朋友，我明白……但恕我直言，他脑筋太死，不懂能屈能伸的道理。现在，让我给您展示一番。”阶梯到了尽头，蓝礼推开一扇木门，带她踱到屋顶。
卡斯威男爵的堡垒其实没有高到可以称为塔楼的程度，只因四周都是平坦空旷的原野，凯特琳才能极目眺望遥远的地平线。不论望向何方，惟有焰火可见。火焰如同坠落的繁星，覆盖四野，组合成无穷无尽的星辰大海。“夫人，请您好好算算。”蓝礼平静地说，“即便数到旭日东升也数不完。奔流城夜间有多少营火，能告诉我吗？”
凯特琳听着隐隐约约的音乐声从大厅里渗透而出，发散于夜空之中。她不敢去点数那繁星。
“听说您儿子越过颈泽时身边跟了两万人马，”蓝礼续道，“现在三河诸侯也追随他，或许他有了四万人。”
没有，她想，相去甚远，我们打仗折了不少兵马，还有的回家忙收获去了。
“而在这里，我有两倍于此的军队，”蓝礼道，“这还仅是我手下大军的一部分。梅斯·提利尔带着一万兵士留守高庭，另一支强大的队伍替我看守风息堡，不久多恩人也定将带着他们的军力加入我方。还有，别忘了我哥哥史坦尼斯，他拥有龙石岛，统御狭海诸侯。”
“忘了史坦尼斯的恐怕正是您吧，”凯特琳道，话一出口，方才觉得过于尖锐。
“您指的是……他的继承权？”蓝礼大笑。“就让我们直说吧，夫人。史坦尼斯要当上国王那才叫可怕。不，他不适合当国王。人们尊敬他，甚至畏惧他，但没有人喜欢他。”
“可他仍旧是你的兄长。如果你们兄弟俩真有这个权利要求铁王座，那也应当是史坦尼斯大人。”
蓝礼耸耸肩。“告诉我，我老哥劳勃有什么权利要求铁王座？”他没有等她回答。“噢，的确人们传说拜拉席恩家族和坦格利安家之间有血亲关系，数百年前的联姻，私生次子和老王的大女儿……除了学士谁在乎这个？不，劳勃得到王座靠的是他的战锤。”他伸出手臂，扫过无边无际的篝火。“是的，这就是我的权利，和劳勃当初一样。如果您儿子象他父亲支持劳勃一般支持我，他将发现我是个慷慨的人。我会乐于承认他的一切领地、头衔和荣誉。只要他高兴，他可以永远统治临冬城。如果他愿意，他甚至可以保留北境之王的称号。只需他向我屈膝臣服，承认我是他的主人。国王的称呼不过就是一句话，而顺从，忠诚，服务……这些才是我的目的。”
“如果他不愿把这些给您呢，大人？”
“我想当个国王，夫人，并且决不要一个肢解的王国。我说得还不够明白吗？三百年前，一位史塔克的王向龙王伊耿屈膝，因为他知道自己没机会成功。这是明智之举。您儿子为何就不能当个明理的人呢？只要他投入我帐下，便能底定大局。我们——”蓝礼突然停下，烦乱地望着前方。 "what happened?"
铁链的卡嗒声宣告闸门正被升起。在下方的院落，一位带着有翼头盔的骑手猛力催促着他那匹气喘吁吁的坐骑。“有急事禀报王上！”他高喊。
蓝礼从城垛口探出头。“我在这里，爵士。”
“陛下。”骑手踢马靠前。“我尽了最大努力赶来。从风息堡。我们被包围了，陛下，科塔奈爵士正与他们交战，但是……”
“这……这不可能。泰温大人离开赫伦堡，我怎会一无所知？”
“不是兰尼斯特，主公。是史坦尼斯公爵兵临城下。现在，他自称为：史坦尼斯国王。”