Chapter 40 Chapter Forty Caitlin
They were spotted by scouts drinking from their horses by a muddy stream, two days' ride from Riverrun.Catelyn had never been so relieved to see the twin towers of House Frey.
When asked this person to bring them to meet her uncle, he said: "Lord Heiyu is following His Majesty the King to go west, madam. Now Martin Hewen will take over his position and command the reconnaissance force."
"I see." In the Twins, she had seen this River: one of Lord Walder Frey's bastard sons, Ser Perwyn's half-brother.She wasn't surprised that Robb led the attack on the Lannister family's stronghold. It was obvious that he had considered everything before sending her to Renly to negotiate. "Where are the He Wen people?"
"His camp is a two-hour ride away, ma'am."
"Take us to him," she ordered.Brienne helped her mount, and they set off at once.
"Are you back from Bitterbridge, madam?" asked the scout on the way.
"No." She didn't dare to do that.After Renly's death, Catelyn wasn't sure what his young widow and her protectors would think of her.So she deliberately changed her return route and ventured across the combat zone.She watched the fertile riverlands turn to gray and black scorched earth under the Lannister's roar, and the stories brought back by the scouts every night made it difficult for her to sleep. "Lord Renly is slain," she added.
"We also hope it's a Lannister rumour, or—"
"Unfortunately not. Now my brother runs Riverrun?"
"Yes, ma'am. Your Majesty ordered Ser Edmure to stay at Riverrun and defend the rear."
May the gods give him the strength to do his job, Catelyn thought, and the wisdom to do so. "Is there any news from Robb in the west?"
"Haven't you heard of it?" He looked surprised. "Your Majesty has won a great victory at Oxford, and the Lannisters have been beaten to pieces, and the enemy's leader, Sir Steve Lannister, has also been killed."
Ser Wendel Manderly let out a cheery cry, but Catelyn only nodded.Tomorrow's test taught her more concern than yesterday's victory.
Martin Rivers is camped in a crumbling estate, next to an open stable and hundreds of new graves.When Catelyn dismounted, he stepped forward and knelt on one knee in salute. "It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am. Your brother instructed us to pay close attention and wait for your arrival at any time, and told us to escort you back to Riverrun at full speed once we find you without delay."
Caitlin's heart tightened. "What happened to my father?"
"No, ma'am, Duke Horst's condition hasn't changed." He Wen was a ruddy man who didn't have much resemblance to his half-brothers. "We were only concerned that you might run into Lannister scouts. Lord Tywin has left Harrenhal and is heading west with all his troops."
"Please get up," she told He Wen, frowning.Thankfully, gods behold, it won't be long before Stannis Baratheon marches too. "How far is Lord Tywin from us?"
"It's hard to say whether it's a three-day or four-day ride. We have eyeliners on every road, but it's really not suitable to stay here for a long time."
They didn't linger.He Wen immediately ordered the camp to be dismantled, mounted his horse and escorted Caitlin to set off.He had nearly fifty men under him, and above his head were the banners of the Direwolf, the Twin Towers, and the Leaping Trout.
Her guards asked eagerly for news of Robb's victory at Oxford, and River kept on answering: "There's a singer from Riverrun who calls himself Raymond the Lime Bard, and he's composed a song for the battle. You must listen to this song, my lady. Raymond called it "Wolf in the Night." He went on to tell how the remnants of Ser Stavor's army retreated to Lannisport.The Young Wolf Lord struggled to take Casterly Rock for a while due to a lack of siege machines, but he made the Lannisters pay for his ravages in the riverlands.Lord Karstark and Lord Glover rushed to the coast, Countess Mormont seized thousands of livestock and prepared to drive them back to Riverrun, and Greatjon occupied the towns of Castamere, Nunn Gold mines in places like Fort and Pendry Hills.Ser Wendel laughed. "The gold is gone, and the Lannisters are in a hurry."
"How did Your Grace take the Golden Tooth?" Ser Perwyn Frey asked his bastard brother. "This city is as solid as gold, and it happens to strangle the main road of the mountain pass."
"Your Majesty didn't attack hard, but went around in the dark. I heard that the road led by the direwolf was his gray wind. This beast sniffed out a path taken by goats, hid behind the ridge, and turned over the pass. The path The twists and turns are rocky, and only a single rider can walk, but when the whole army passes by, the Lannister army in the watchtower will not feel it." He Wen lowered his voice. "It is said that after the battle, His Majesty personally dug out the heart of Steve Lannister and rewarded his wolf."
"I don't believe that nonsense," said Catelyn sharply. "My son is no savage."
"My lady is right. But even if it is true, the beast deserves it. Gray Wind is no ordinary wolf. Someone once heard the Greatjon say that it was the old gods of the north who gave you these direwolves Son's."
Caitlin recalled the day the children found the pup in the first snow in late summer.There are five wolfs in total, three males and two females, which match the five legitimate sons of the Stark family... and the sixth wolf, with white fur and red eyes, is for Ned's illegitimate son Jon. Prepared by Jon Snow.They were no ordinary wolves, she thought, and they were not.
That night, after they set up camp, Brienne came to her barracks. "Madame, you have returned to your own people safe and sound, and there is only one day's ride away from your brother's castle. Please allow me to say goodbye to you."
Caitlin wasn't surprised.The unassuming young girl stayed away from people all the way, spending most of her time tending to the horses, brushing them and cleaning debris from kick irons.She also helped Shad cook and clean, and hunted with the others.Whatever Catelyn asked, Brienne did it with heart and without complaint; whatever Catelyn asked, she answered politely, never talking, never crying, and never laughing.Every day she walked with them, every night she slept with them, but she was never one of them.
On Renly's side, isn't she the same?Catelyn thought, at the feast, in the field, even in Renly's tent with the Rainbow Guards who were her brothers... She had built herself a wall deeper than Winterfell's walls.
"Where are you going without us?" Caitlin asked her.
"Go back," Brienne said, "to Storm's End."
"Alone." It wasn't a question.
That broad face is like a calm pool of water, unable to reveal the secrets deep inside. "yes."
"You want to kill Stannis."
Brienne's thick, callused fingers gripped the hilt of the sword that had been 'his'. "I swore it three times. You heard it too."
"Yes," Kaitlyn admitted.She knew that the girl had thrown away all the blood-stained clothes except the rainbow cloak.When she left in a hurry, Brienne didn't have time to take away her belongings. Now, she can only borrow Sir Wendell's clothes, which looks very weird, but no one in this group has such big clothes except Wendell. "Oaths must be kept, I agree, but Stannis is strong now, and he will undoubtedly have many guards who have sworn to protect him."
"I'm not afraid of them. I'm as strong as they are. I shouldn't have flinched in the first place."
"That's what worries you. Afraid some fool will call you a coward?" She sighed. "Renly's death was not your fault. You served him so faithfully. But now you want to follow him underground, and it's not in anyone's interest." She held out her hand, trying to comfort him. "I get it, it's hard—"
Brienne waved her away. "No one understands."
"You're wrong," Caitlin said sharply. "Every morning, when I wake up, the first thing I think of is that Ned is gone. I can't wield a sword, but I dream of being able to gallop into King's Landing, with my hands clenched Grab Cersei's white neck tightly and force her to die."
The "beauty" raised her eyes, which were the only part of her body that could be called beautiful. "If you have such a dream, why stop me? Is it because of what Stannis revealed during the negotiations?"
Yeah?Catelyn glanced across the camp.Two soldiers were holding spears in their hands, and sentry back and forth. "I have been taught since I was a child that in this world good men should stand up against evil. And Renly's death was undoubtedly a very evil thing. But they also told me that the power of kings is not determined by force." Can force it. If Stannis is really our rightful king—”
"He wasn't, not even Robert, did His Majesty Renly say that? Jaime Lannister murdered the true king, and Robert killed his rightful heir at the Trident. When they Where are the gods when this is done? The gods don't care about mortals any more than kings care about peasants."
"A good king cares."
"Lord Renly... Your Majesty, he... he would have been the best king, my lady, he was so kind, he..."
"He has left us, Brienne," she said, in the softest tone. "Only Stannis and Joffrey remain...and my son."
"He won't...you won't make peace with Stannis, will you? Bow to him? You won't..."
"Honestly, Brienne, I really don't know. My son might want to be king, but I can't be queen queen of any kind...I just want to be a good mother and see my baby safe, no matter the cost .”
"I wasn't born to be a mother. I'm going to fight."
"Then fight...but for the living, not the dead. Remember, Renly's enemies are also Robb's enemies."
Brienne stared at the ground, pacing slowly. "I don't know your son, ma'am." She looked up, "but I will be at your service if you accept it."
Caitlin was taken aback. "Why do I?"
Her question bothered Brienne a little. "You helped me, in Renly's tent... when they thought it was me... it was me..."
"You are innocent."
"Having said that, you didn't need to do that. You could have them kill me. I'm not important to you at all."
Maybe I just don't want to be the only witness to a dark truth, Catelyn thought. "Brennie, I've taken many ladies with me over the years, but they're not like you. You see, I know nothing about combat."
"Yes, but you don't lack for courage. Maybe it's not bloody courage, but... I don't know... I think it's a woman's kind of courage. And I understand that when the time comes, you won't Keep me by force. Promise me on this condition, and promise not to prevent me from taking revenge on Stannis."
Stannis' words echoed in Catelyn's ears, that he, too, would one day die, and it felt like a cold wind on the back of his neck. "I will not stop you from taking revenge on Stannis when the time comes."
The tall girl knelt awkwardly, drew Renly's longsword, and laid it at Catelyn's feet. "I am your man now, ma'am. I am your loyal bodyguard, or... whatever role you put me in. I will keep you safe and obey your orders. In times of need, I will dedicate my Life. By the gods old and new, I solemnly swear."
"I swear that you will always have a place by my hearth, that you will drink at my table and eat meat at my table. I swear that your service will never be dishonored. In the name of the gods old and new , I solemnly swear. Get up." She held another woman's hand tightly in her own, and laughed uncontrollably.How many times have I watched Ned accept another's oath of allegiance?She couldn't help thinking: I don't know what he should say when he saw my scene today?
The next day, they crossed the Red Fork River.Here, upstream from Riverrun, the river made a sharp bend, making the river muddy and shallow.The crossing was guarded by a mixed force of archers and spearmen, bearing the eagle of House Mallister on their breasts.They saw Catelyn's banner, and they emerged from behind the sharpened stakes, and sent one from the other bank to lead her company across. "Slow down and be careful. Come on, ma'am," the soldier warned, grabbing her horse's bridle, "we've buried iron nails at the bottom of the water, and look, and these stones are full of thistles. Every crossing is So it is arranged. This is your brother's order."
Edmure wants to fight here.Thinking of this, she felt a knot in her stomach, but said nothing.
Between the Red Fork and the Tumstone, they encountered a large number of civilians who had sought refuge in Riverrun.Some shouted at cattle, others pulled carts, and when Catelyn passed, people gave way, cheering her, "Long live Tully!" or "Long live a Stark!" They passed through a vast encampment, flying the scarlet banner of House Blackwood.Lucas bid her farewell and went to join his father, Lord Tytos.Others move on.
Catelyn spotted a huge camp on the north bank of the Tumshi, too, with familiar banners waving in the wind—Marco Piper's dancing maiden banner, the peasants' banner of House Darry, the red and white twin snakes of House Peggy.They are all father's vassals, and they are all princes of the Three Rivers Valley.Before she left Riverrun, they had all scattered to defend their lands.Now that they were together again, there could only be one reason—Edmure had summoned them.Gods, save us, he is going to fight Lord Tywin head-on.
From a distance, Catelyn saw something black dangling from the walls of Riverrun. When she got closer, she saw that it was a dead man hanging from the battlements, shaking feebly at the end of the long rope.The hemp rope was wrapped around the neck, and the face was swollen and black. Although the body was full of crows, the crimson cloak was still very eye-catching on the sandstone city wall.
"They hanged quite a few Lannisters," Hal Moran commented.
"What a sight," said Sir Wendel Manderly cheerfully.
"My friends can't wait for us to start," joked Perwyn Frey.The others laughed, except Brienne, who stared intently at the row of corpses without speaking or smiling.
If they killed the Kingslayer, it would be my daughter's death sentence.Caitlin kicked the horse's belly and broke into a gallop.Hal Moran and Robin Flint rode past her, shouting toward the gatehouse.The guards must have spotted her banner early, though, and the gates were raised by the time they approached.
Edmure rode out from the castle to meet her, accompanied by three of her father's subordinates—Sir Desmond Greer, the pot-bellied head coach, Uthereth Wayne, the steward, and Roy, the captain of the guards. Ser Bing Rigg, with a big bald head.All three were the same age as Duke Hoster, and they had dedicated their lives to her father.They're all old, Caitlin realized.
Edmure wore a red and blue cloak with the silver fish embroidered on it.Judging from his face, it seems that he hasn't trimmed his beard since she went south, and the fiery red beard has grown all over his chin. "Kate, it's great that you returned safely. When we heard about Renly's death, we were really worried about your safety. Right now, Duke Tywin has also started to act."
"I heard. How is father?"
"It's good and bad, it's capricious..." He shook his head. "He's looking for you. I don't know how to explain it to him."
"I'll see him right away," she promised. "Is there any news from Storm's End after Renly's death? What about Bitterbridge?" Raven couldn't deliver the message to the travelers on the road, and Catelyn was eager to know what happened after they left.
"There is no news from Bitterbridge. Ser Cortnay Penrose, castellan of Storm's End, has sent three birds in succession, all pleas for help. Stannis has sent him by land and sea Surrounded. Penrose declares that he will serve any king who breaks the siege. He writes that he fears Stannis will do harm to the child. What is the child, do you know?"
"Edric Storm," Brienne told them. "Robert's bastard son."
Edmure looked back at her curiously. "Stannis has promised that if the garrison gives up the castle and the child is delivered to him within two weeks, he will let them go free. But it seems that Ser Cortnay will not accept it."
All this he would do for a bastard boy not of his own blood, Catelyn thought. "Did you reply to him?"
Edmure shook his head again. "How? As things stand, we can't help him, or give him any hope. Besides, Stannis is not our enemy."
Sir Robin Legge said, "Madam, will you tell the truth about Lord Renly's death? We have heard all kinds of strange rumors."
"Kate," said his brother, "some say you killed Renly, and some say it was some Southern woman." His eyes rested on Brienne.
"It is true that my king was murdered," the girl answered quietly, "but not by Lady Catelyn. I swear by my sword, and the gods old and new bear witness."
"This is Brienne of Tarth, daughter of Lord Selwyn the Evenstar, who was one of Renly's Rainbow Guards," Catelyn told them. "It is my honor, Brienne, to present to you my brother, Ser Edmure Tully, heir to Riverrun. This is Uthereth Wayne, his steward. These two are Robin Ser Lyger and Ser Desmond Greer."
"It is a great honor," Sir Desmond replied, and the others also greeted.The girl blushed, and this ordinary etiquette also embarrassed her.If Edmure thought she was a strange woman, at least he had the courtesy to keep his mouth shut.
"Britenne was with Renly when he died, and so was I," Catelyn went on, "but his death has nothing to do with us." On this occasion, many people were present, so she pointed to the corpse hanging on the city wall. "Who did you hang?"
Edmure looked up, looking uneasily at the corpses. "Sir Cleo's entourage, he has returned with the Queen Mother's reply to us."
Caitlin was shocked. "You killed the envoy?"
"What kind of envoys are they," Edmure declared. "They promised to keep the peace and handed over their weapons at the same time, so I allowed them to move freely in the castle. For the first three nights, they happily ate meat and wine with us, and I had a good talk with that Sir Cleo But, who would have thought that on the fourth night, these people would rescue the kingslayer," he said angrily, "that tall brute killed two guards with his bare hands, and put his arms around their throats, Smash their heads to pieces. Then the scrawny little monkey next to him opened Lannister's cell door with half a piece of wire, and the gods cursed him. That damned actor over there, who came from nowhere, pretended to be Use my voice to order the guards to open the water gate. Engel, Depp and the elder Lu all swore to be so. You see, I don’t believe anyone’s voice can be like mine, but these idiots still opened the gate.”
It was the imp's trick, Catelyn surmised, as he had shown the same cunning back in the Eyrie.She had once thought Tyrion was the least threatening Lannister, but now she wasn't so sure. "How did you catch them?"
"Oh, I happened to be out of town when it happened. I went across the Tengshi River... oh..."
"Stay in a brothel or have an affair? Continue with the story just now."
Edmure turned as red as his beard. "I came back early that day, and rushed back from the outside an hour before dawn. The elder Lu saw my boat from a distance, recognized my face, and finally began to suspect who was giving orders under the city last night, so he raised the alarm."
"Tell me you didn't let the Kingslayer get away."
"No, but we paid a huge price. James has a sword, he killed Paul Penford and Sir Desmond's squire Meath, seriously injured Depp, and Master Wayman said he would not live for a few more days. It was a bloody battle During the fight, many red-robed guards came to join the battle, some empty-handed, some with weapons. I hanged them and the four spies, and the rest were sent to the dungeon. Jaime was also imprisoned .We will not let him escape again, this time, he was put in a dark cell, handcuffed and chained to the wall."
"Where's Cleo Frey?"
"He swears he knows nothing. Who knows? He's half Lannister, half Frey, and a liar of both. I put him in Jaime's old cell in the Tower."
"Didn't you say he came back with peace terms?"
"If you can call it a 'peace condition.' I guarantee you'll hate it as much as I do."
"Can we not count on any aid from the south, Lady Stark?" asked Uthereth Wayne, father's steward. "As for the accusation of incest... Lord Tywin will not tolerate the slightest insult, and will seek to wash his daughter's stain away in the blood of his accuser. Lord Stannis should have seen it clearly. He had no choice but to come to an agreement with us."
He made a pact with a stronger and darker force. "We'll talk about that later." She galloped across the drawbridge, no longer looking at the row of horrific corpses.The younger brother followed closely behind.They rushed into the upper courts of Riverrun, and there was confusion everywhere.A naked boy ran past, and Caitlin pulled on the reins so as not to run into him.She looked around in panic. Hundreds of civilians had been allowed to hide in the castle, setting up huts beside the city walls.Children are playing everywhere, and the courtyard is full of cows, sheep and chickens. "Who are these people?"
"They are my people, Kate," Edmure answered, "and they are afraid."
The siege is imminent, only my cute silly brother will collect a bunch of useless mouths.Catelyn knew Edmure was soft-hearted, and sometimes she even thought he was soft-headed.To be honest, that's what she likes about him, but right now...
"Is it possible to contact Robb with a raven?"
"His Majesty is on a march, my lady," Ser Desmond replied. "The birds couldn't find him."
Ussels Wayne coughed. "Lady Stark, before your young Majesty the King set off, he instructed us to send you to the Twins as soon as you returned. He asked you to get to know Lord Walder's daughters in advance, and when the time is right, he can choose a bride."
"We'll provide you with good horses and plenty of supplies," promised the younger brother. "Before you leave, you have to prepare—"
"I'm staying," Catelyn said, and dismounted.She would not leave Riverrun and her dying father behind to pick a future wife for Robb.Robb wanted to keep me safe, and I can't blame him, it's just that his excuses were too corny. "Child," she called, and a little urchin ran out of the stable to take her reins.
Edmure also jumped off his horse.He was a full head taller than her, but would always be her little brother. "Kate," he said sullenly, "Lord Tywin is—"
"He is leading his army westward to defend his territory. We just need to close the city gates and guard the city well, and we should be able to live in peace."
"This is the land of Tully," Edmure announced. "If Tywin Lannister wants to pass through unscrupulously, I will teach him a lesson."
Like the lesson you gave his son?Once the self-esteem is touched, the younger brother will become as stubborn as a river stone.They both knew how Edmure's army had been torn to bloody shreds by Ser Jaime the last time he called for battle. "Facing Duke Tywin on the battlefield, if we win, we will gain nothing, but if we lose, we will lose everything," Caitlin changed her strategy.
"The yard is not the place to discuss battle plans."
"Yes, where should we discuss it?"
The younger brother's face fell.For a moment she thought he was losing his temper, but finally he said suddenly, "Go to the godswood. If you insist."
She followed him down the corridor to the entrance of the godswood.Edmure was sullen and sullen when he was angry.Caitlyn was sorry for hurting him, but now that the situation was serious, he couldn't care less about his ego.When only the siblings were left in the forest, Edmure looked back at her.
"You don't have the troops to confront Lord Tywin head-on," she said bluntly.
"I gathered all the forces of my family, a total of 8,000 infantry and 3,000 cavalry," Edmund said.
"This means that Lord Tywin's army is almost twice as large as yours."
"Robb could have won through tougher circumstances," Edmure replied, "and I have a good plan. You forget that we also have Roose Bolton, Lord Tywin defeated him at the Green Fork." , but did not take advantage of the victory. Now, when Lord Tywin left Harrenhal, Bolton reoccupied Ruby Bank and Crossroads. He has ten thousand soldiers in his hand. I have ordered Herman Tallhar to take Luo Bai's troops stationed at the Twins are heading south to meet—"
"Edmure, Robb let these people stay in the Twins, and make sure that Lord Walder doesn't have two hearts."
"He's right," Edmure said stubbornly. "The Freys fought valiantly in the Whispering Wood, and we hear old Sir Stevron died at Oxford. Ser Lyman, Black Wald, and the others went west with Robb, and Martin stayed here , well done on scouting, and Ser Perwyn escorted you safely to Renly's side. Gods, what more could we ask of them? Robb is engaged to Lord Walder's daughter, I heard Roose Bolton also married one. By the way, didn’t you adopt his two grandsons in Winterfell?”
"The adopted son is a hostage in case of need." She had no news of Sir Stevron's death, nor of Bolton's marriage.
"Then we have two, isn't it safer? Listen, Kate, Bolton needs men from Frey, and men from Ser Herman. I have ordered him to march and take Harrenhal back."
"This task is not easy."
"Yes, but as long as this city falls, Lord Tywin will have nowhere to retreat. My own army will stubbornly resist his attempt to cross the river at the crossing of the Red Fork River. If he intends to cross the river by force, the end will be the same as that of the Trident River. Rhaegar. If he retreats, he will be caught between Riverrun and Harrenhal, and when Robb returns we can finish him cleanly."
There was great confidence in her brother's voice, but how Catelyn wished Robb hadn't taken Uncle Brynden with him.Heiyu has experienced dozens of battles in his life, Edmure has only experienced one, and this only time was a complete defeat.
"It's a great program," he concluded. "Lord Tytos said so, and so did Lord Janos. Think about it, when did Blackwood and Bracken agree on an uncertain matter?"
"Just do what you want." She suddenly felt very tired.Maybe she shouldn't be against him, maybe it's a great plan and she's just a woman.She only wished Ned was here, or Uncle Brynden, or... "Have you asked your father's opinion?"
"Father's current situation, how can he bother with these strategic issues? Two days ago, he planned to marry you to Brandon Stark! If you don't believe me, go and see for yourself. This plan will work, Kate, you Just wait and see."
"I hope so, Edmure. I do." She kissed her brother to let him know, and went to her father.
Lord Hoster Tully was no different from the day she left him—in bed, haggard, with skin pale and clammy.The room was filled with the smell of sickness, the smell of sick people's urine and medicine, which was disgusting.She pulled back the bed curtain, and my father let out a low moan, and opened his eyes tremblingly.He stared at her for a long time, as if he didn't understand who she was, or wondered what she was going to do.
"Dad." She kissed him, "I'm back."
He seemed to remember her. "You're gone," he murmured, his lips barely moving.
"Yes," she said. "Robb sent me south, but I was back soon."
"The south... where... is the Eyrie in the south, dear? I can't remember... oh my darling, I'm afraid... do you forgive me, child?" The old man's tears flowed quietly slipped from the cheek.
"You didn't do anything for me to forgive, Dad." She pushed back his limp white hair and stroked his forehead.No matter how many drugs the maester took, his body still burned with high fever.
"It's a good arrangement," whispered my father. "Jon is a good man, a good man...strong, kind...takes care of you...he'll take care of you...besides he was born high, listen to me, you must go, I'm your father...your father... You're going to marry Kate, yes, you're going to..."
He thought I was Lysa, Catelyn realized.Gods be merciful, he talks like we're both unmarried.
Her father held her hand tightly with both hands, his trembling palms looked like a pair of frightened white doves. "That kid... shameless... don't mention that name again, your responsibility... your mother, if she is alive..." A painful convulsion suddenly penetrated the whole body, and Lord Horst couldn't help shouting. "Oh gods forgive me, forgive me, forgive me. My medicine..."
Master Wayman immediately entered the door and poured medicine into him with a cup.Lord Hoster eagerly sucked on the thick white drink like a nursing baby.Tranquility finally returned to his body. "He will be asleep in a moment, my lady," the maester told her when the medicine cup was drained.The remnants of the poppy's milk formed sticky white circles around his father's lips, and Master Wayman wiped it off for him with his sleeve.
Caitlin couldn't stand it anymore.What a strong and proud man Horst Tully had been, it made her heart ache when she became like this now.She went out and stood on the balcony.The courtyard below was crowded with refugees, and it was very noisy with people coming and going; but outside the city wall, the big river was long, pure and untainted, flowing from ancient times.These are his great rivers, and in a little while they will send him on his last journey, and bring him back to them.
Maester Wayman came out with her. "My lady," he said softly, "I do my best, but I fear he won't last long. Send a messenger to tell his brother that Ser Bryndon will be back."
"Okay," Caitlin said, her voice rough with grief.
"Should we also invite Lady Lysa?"
"Lysa won't come."
"If you wrote her a letter of your own, perhaps..."
"Well, if you think it works, I'll write it." She couldn't help but wonder who that "shameless boy" of Lysa was.Probably some young squire or hedge knight... but judging from his father's violent reaction, maybe it was just a merchant's son or a lowly apprentice or something, maybe even a singer.Lysa likes singers the most.I don't want to blame her, no matter how noble Jon Arryn is, after all he is a full twenty years older than his father.
The younger brother cleared out the tower where she and Lysa had lived together as a girl and let her live there.The thought of being able to sleep on that feather bed again felt so good.The fireplace must be lit with a warm fire early, lie on that bed, and the whole world will no longer be bleak.
However, it was Ussels Wayne who was waiting for her at the door of the bedroom, and beside him were two women in gray clothes, their faces were hidden in the hood, only two eyes were exposed.Caitlin understood immediately. "Ned?"
The Silent Sisters lowered their gazes.Utherless said, "Ser Cleo has brought him back from King's Landing, my lady."
"Take me to him," she ordered.
They laid him down on a trestle table, and covered his body with a banner, the Stark banner of gray and white on a white field. "I want to see him," Kaitlyn said.
"Only the skeleton remains, madam."
"I want to see him," she repeated.
A Sister of Silence unfurls the banner.
Bones, Catelyn thought, this is not Ned, this is not the man she loved, this is not the father of her child.His hands were clasped in front of his chest, a long sword clasped in bony fingers, but those were not Ned's hands, those were so strong and full of life.They dressed the skeleton in Ned's clothes, a white velvet coat of fine workmanship, with the direwolf embroidered at the heart, but there was no warm flesh beneath it, the flesh and arms of so many nights she had spent on her pillow .The skull was sewn to the body with good silver thread, but all the skulls looked the same, and from the hollow sockets she could not find a single glimpse of her husband's dark gray eyes, which were like mist Soft and strong as a rock.They had crows eat his eyes, she knew.
Caitlin turned around. "It's not his sword."
"'Ice' has not been returned, ma'am," Utheres said, "only Lord Ed's remains have returned home."
"Even so, I should thank the Queen Mother."
"Thank the imp, ma'am. It was his order."
Someday I will thank all of them well. “我很感激你们所做的一切，姐妹们。”凯特琳说，“然而我不得不托付你们另一项任务。艾德公爵是史塔克家族的人，他的遗骨应当安息在临冬城下。”将来他们会为他造好雕像，一尊和他容颜相仿的石头静坐在黑暗之中，脚边靠着冰原狼，膝上放有宝剑。 “务必为姐妹们准备脚力上好的马，提供路途所需的一切事物，”她告诉乌瑟莱斯·韦恩。 “此去临冬城，由哈尔·莫兰负责护送，身为临冬城侍卫队长，这是他的职责。”她回头凝望那堆骨骼，那是她的夫君和挚爱仅存的一切。 “现在走吧，都走吧。今晚我要好好陪陪奈德。”
灰衣女人朝她鞠躬敬礼。据说，静默姐妹们从不和活人交谈，凯特琳迟钝地忆起，她们只与死者对话。现在，她好嫉妒啊……