Chapter 45 Chapter 45 Tyrion

"The queen intends to send Prince Tommen away." Ser Lancel kept his voice low even as they knelt in the silent dark of the sept, surrounded by flickering candles and heavy shadows. "Lord Gales will disguise him as a squire and take him into hiding at Rosby. They plan to dye his hair black and claim he's the son of a hedge knight." "Is she afraid of the mob? Or me?" "Scared," Lancel said. "Oh," said Tyrion, who hadn't the slightest idea of ​​the plan.Had Varys' little bird failed him this time?It seems that spiders also doze off...or is the eunuch playing some more subtle trick? "Thank you very much, sir."

"Will you grant my request?" "Perhaps." Lancel wanted to lead the battle himself in the next battle.It is a heroic way to die young.These young knights always thought that they were invincible. After his cousin slipped away, Tyrion lingered a little longer in the sept.He took one candle and lit another before the warrior's altar.Guard my brother, you bloody bastard, he's your people.He also ordered one at the Stranger, for himself. That night, after the Red Keep had darkened, Bronn came to his room.He was sealing a letter, "Bring it to Ser Jacelyn Bywater," and the dwarf dripped heated gold wax onto the parchment.

"What's written on it?" Bronn couldn't read, so he would ask this impertinent question. "Ask him to pick fifty of the best swordsmen to inspect the Avenue of Roses." Tyrion stamped his seal on the soft wax. "Stannis will take the Kingsroad." "Oh, of course I know. Tell Bywater, don't listen to what the letter says, and lead someone north, and lay an ambush on Rosby Road. Gales will set off to return to his castle in two days, bringing a dozen soldiers with him." , a bunch of servants, and my nephew. Prince Tommen will dress like a squire."

"You're going to take that kid back, aren't you?" "No. I want him to go on to Rosby City." Getting the boy out of King's Landing was one of his sister's few good ideas, and Tyrion decided to follow suit.In Rosby, Tommen would not be threatened by the mob, and separating him from his brother would present Stannis with a tricky situation: even if King's Landing was stormed and Joffrey killed, House Lannister would still have an heir to the throne. "Earl Gyles is too weak to run, too cowardly to fight. Once he is held hostage, he will obediently obey orders and instruct his deputy castellan to open the city gate. After entering the city, Bywater should immediately disperse the guards to ensure Tommen's safety." .Ask him for me, how does the title of Lord Bywater sound?"

"Count Bronn sounds better. I can do things like rob children. As long as I can get a title for fun, I can sing a lullaby in my arms." "I need you more here," said Tyrion.And I don't worry about handing over my nephew to you.If anything happens to Joffrey, the Lannisters will depend on young Tommen to keep the Iron Throne.Ser Jacelyn and his gold cloaks would protect the boy; Bronn and his sellswords would gladly betray him to their enemies. "How will the new lord deal with the old lord?" "As long as he likes, just remember to feed him well, I don't want him to die." Tyrion stood up with his hands on the table. "My sister will send a Kingsguard to protect the prince."

Bronn didn't care. "The Hound is Joffrey's pet, and he won't leave him. The others are no match for Iron Hands and Golden Robes." "Tell Ser Jacelyn that if you are going to kill, it must not be done in Tommen's presence." Tyrion threw on a heavy dark brown wool cloak. "My nephew is soft-hearted." "Are you sure he's a Lannister?" "I'm not sure of anything except that winter and war are coming," he said. "Come on, I'll walk with you for a while." "To Sataya's?" "The one who knows me is none other than you."

They left by the side door in the north wall.Tyrion drove his mount along Nightshade Alley "De De".Hearing the sound of horseshoes on the cobblestones, several ghostly Chongchong shadows hurried into the corner, and no one dared to strike up a conversation.The Imperial Council has extended the curfew time, and whoever stays on the street after the evening bell rings will be punished with death.This measure somewhat restored order in King's Landing, with a quarter of the number of dead bodies found in the market each morning, yet Varys reported that people cursed him for it.They should be grateful to me for keeping them strong enough to curse.When they passed Coppersmith Lane, they encountered two guards in gold robes. When the guards realized their identities, they quickly apologized to the Prime Minister for their rude behavior and waved them to continue on the road.Here they parted ways, and Bronn turned south, to the Mudgate.

Tyrion was supposed to continue riding toward Shataya's brothel, but Patience suddenly abandoned him.He reined in his horse and turned, scanning the street behind him.No sign of tracking.The windows were either dark or closed tightly.Nothing could be heard except the howling wind in the alley.If Cersei has me followed tonight, he'll have to be a mouse. "Fuck it," he murmured.He was tired of the days of fear, so he turned his horse's head, kicked hard, and galloped away.If someone is following, let's try our riding skills.Under the bright moonlight, the horse's hooves stepped across the cobblestone ground, and he galloped out of the narrow alleys and ran towards his lover.

As he knocked on the door, he heard faint music wafting from the spiked stone walls.One of the pair of Ibans led him in.Tyrion handed him the horse and asked, "Who is it?" The lozenge panes of the great hall glowed yellow, and he heard the man singing. The Iban shrugged. "The Pot Belly Singer." Walking from the stable to the house, the singing grew louder and louder.Tyrion never liked singers.And this one, though he had not yet met, had a presentiment that he was more repulsive than his kind.As soon as the door was pushed open, the man stopped immediately. "Your Excellency!" he murmured, kneeling down, "what an honor, what an honor." He was bald with a belly like a kettle.

"My lord." Shae smiled when she saw him.He liked her smile, the kind that came across her pretty face without thinking.She was wearing a purple silk dress with a silver belt around her, which perfectly matched her black hair and fair skin. "Honey," he called to her, "who is this?" The singer looked up. "I'm called Simon the Silver Tongue, my lord. I'm an actor, a singer, a storyteller—" "Still a fool," Tyrion finished for him. "What did you call me when I walked in?" "What's your name? I'm..." Simon's silver tongue seemed to have turned into a lead tongue. "My lord, I mean, what an honor..."

"A wise man pretends he doesn't know me. You can't fool me, but you should try. Now, what shall I do with you? You know my sweet Shae, you know where she lives, and you know I'll visit alone at night." "My lord! I swear, I will never tell anyone..." "At least we agree on this. Good night." After that, Tyrion took Shae upstairs. "Now my singer won't sing again," she said coquettishly, "you scared his voice away." "A little bit of fear helps him brew the high note." She closes the bedroom door. "You're not going to hurt him, are you?" She lit a scented candle and knelt down to remove his shoes. "On nights when you don't come, his songs comfort me." "Of course I want to come every night, baby," he said, as she massaged the soles of his feet. "How does he sing?" "It's not bad, it's not bad, it's just okay." Tyrion pushed back her robes and buried his face in her breasts.Even if the whole city stinks like a pigsty, her breasts are always fragrant. "Keep him if you like, but be careful. He is not allowed to wander around the city and gossip in taverns." "He won't—" she started, but Tyrion's lips sealed her mouth. Today, enough talk has been said, he just wants to seek the simple and sweet pleasure between Shae's thighs.At least here, he is welcome and wanted. Afterwards he took his arm from under her head, put on his coat, and went out into the garden.The half moon illuminates the silvery leaves of the fruit trees, which are also reflected on the water surface of the stone bath, rippling.Tyrion sat down on the edge of the water, and somewhere to the right, a cricket chirped, and the sight was comforting.So peaceful, he thought, but for how long? A burst of stench hit him suddenly, and he turned his head.Shae stood by the door, wearing the silver robe he had given her.I fell in love with a girl as white as winter snow, and the moonlight reflected on her temples.Behind her, there was a fat beggar in a patched filthy robe, his bare feet covered in mud, and a bowl hung around his neck by a leather cord, like a monk wearing a crystal.He smelled enough to choke a rat. "Lord Varys has come to see you," Shae announced. The beggar blinked at her in astonishment.Tyrion laughed. "That's incredible. I didn't even recognize it. How did you know?" She shrugged. "He's still him. Just dressed differently." "Not only that, but they look and smell and walk differently," said Tyrion. "Most men fall for it." "Maybe most women do too, but prostitutes are different. As a prostitute, you have to learn to recognize people but not clothes, otherwise you will die on the street sooner or later." The scar on Varys' foot was fake, but the hurt look on his face was not a disguise.Tyrion couldn't help chuckling. "Shae, will you bring us some wine?" "I'm disturbed in the middle of the night, and I dare not tell you why, my lord," Varys said after Shae left. "I have terrible news." "You'll have to wear a black feather coat in the future, Varys, you're as bad as a crow." Tyrion stood up awkwardly, a little afraid to ask. "Is it Jaime?" If they hurt him, I won't let them go. "No, my lord, it is another matter. Ser Cortnay Penrose is dead. Storm's End has opened its gates to Stannis Baratheon." Frustration drove all thoughts from Tyrion's mind.Shae came back with the red wine, he took a sip, and threw the glass backhandedly, hitting the wall of the room and bursting.She raised her hand to shield the debris.The red wine flowed along the stone wall, like many long fingers, black in the moonlight. "He bastard!" Tyrion snapped. Varys smiled, showing a mouth full of rotten teeth. "Who is the bastard, my lord? Ser Cortnay or Lord Stannis?" "Both of them." Storm's End was impregnable, and it was estimated that it could last for half a year or even longer... so that his father would have enough time to deal with Robb Stark. "What's the matter?" Varys glanced at Shae. "My lord, do we have to disturb your lovely lady's sleep with such a horrible and bloody story?" "Miss Noble would be afraid," said Shae, "but I won't." "You should be afraid," Tyrion told her. "Once Storm's End falls, Stannis will march on King's Landing." He now regrets throwing the wine out. "Lord Varys, give us a moment, and I will ride back to the castle with you right away." "I'll be waiting for you at the stable." He bowed and left with heavy steps. Tyrion drew Shae towards him and sat beside him. "You are not safe here." "I have walls and guards from you." "They are sellswords," said Tyrion. "They love my gold, but they will not pay it back with death; as for these walls, one man steps on the other's shoulders, and they can be turned over in a blink of an eye. During the last riot, a mansion very similar to this one was destroyed. Burn, the owner of the house is a goldsmith, and they cut him to pieces just because he stored grain. They also tore the archbishop to pieces, raped Norris dozens of times, and smashed Sir Allen's head flat. You Think about it, what would they do if they caught the prime minister's lover?" "You mean the Prime Minister's whore?" She looked at him with those big, fearless eyes. "Oh, how I wish to be your lover, my lord. I shall wear all the fine clothes you have given me, the silks, the brocade, the gold thread...and the jewels you have given me, and hold your hand, and at dinner by your side. I can bear you a son, I know I can... I know I will never disgrace you." My love for you has already disgraced me. "It's a sweet dream, Shae. But, my dear, please put it aside, I beg you, it will never come true." "Because of the Queen Mother? I'm not afraid of her." "But I'm afraid." "Then kill her, and it's over. There is no relationship between you." Tyrion sighed. "She was my own sister, and the murder of a blood relative would be the wrath of God and eternal damnation. Besides, whatever you or I may think of Cersei, she was well loved by my father and brother. Thank the gods, my Wisdom is enough to deal with anyone in the Seven Kingdoms, but against Jaime who wields a sharp sword, I can only do nothing." "That Young Wolf Lord and Lord Stannis have swords too, but neither of them can frighten you." You know so little about the world, my dear. "To fight them, I have all the Lannisters at my back; to fight Jaime or Father, I'm hunchbacked and short-legged." "You still have me." Shae rushed over to kiss him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her kisses always turned him on, and this time was no exception, but Tyrion pulled away gently. "Not now, really, honey, I have a... well, let's call it a embryonic plan. I'm thinking, maybe I can sneak you into the castle's kitchen." Shae's face froze. "kitchen?" "Yes. If this matter is left to Varys, there should be no trace." She giggled and said, "My lord, I will poison you to death. In the past, everyone who tasted my cooking skills told me: You are a real whore." "The Red Keep has plenty of good cooks, as well as butchers and bakers. I want you to pretend to be a cook." "Dishwasher girl," she said, "in a messy brown shirt. Your Excellency wants to see me like this?" "My lords want you to live," said Tyrion. "You can't wash the pots and pans in silk and velvet, can you?" "Are you tired of me?" She reached into his underwear and found his cock.Two quick strokes and it's firm. "He wants me too," she smiled. "Would you like to make love to the cook, my lord? You could sprinkle flour on me and suck broth from my teats, or..." "Stop it." Her performance reminded him of Dan Xi who tried her best to win the bet.He pulled her hand away, preventing her from further mischief. "This is not the time to exercise in bed, Shae. Your personal safety is at stake." Her smile disappeared. "I didn't mean to annoy adults, it's just...can't you give me more guards?" Tyrion let out a long sigh.She's too young to understand, he reminded himself.He took her hand. "Jewelry can be bought new, clothes can be remade, and they are twice as beautiful as old ones. To me, you are the most precious thing in this house. Although the Red Castle is not safe, at least it is better than here. I want you to go there .” "In the kitchen," she said flatly, "washing the dishes and cleaning the pots." "For now." "My father made me his cook," she said through gritted teeth. "So I ran away." "Didn't you say you ran away because your father wanted you for himself?" he reminded her. "That's right. I don't like washing dishes and cleaning pots, and I don't like his thing in me." She shook her head. "Why can't you take me into your tower? Half of the lords in the court have mistresses to warm their beds." "I was expressly forbidden to bring you into the palace." "It's all your stupid father's fault." Shae pouted. "You've grown up, how many whores you want to raise is up to you, and he still thinks you're a hairless child? What can he do to you, spanking?" He slapped her across the face.Not very heavy, but not light either. "You bastard," he said. "You bastard. Don't laugh at me. You can't." For a while Shae said nothing, and the only sound was the chirping of crickets. "Forgive me, my lord," she finally said in a low, dull voice, "I didn't mean to be presumptuous." I didn't mean to hit you either.Gods be merciful, am I about to become Cersei? "I'm sorry," he said, "we're all at fault. But, Shae, you don't understand." The words he didn't want to mention poured out of his mouth like a horse murmuring. "When I was thirteen, I married a farmer's daughter, or I thought she was a farmer's daughter. I was so carried away by love that I loved her blindly and thought she felt the same way about me. Well, it was my father who made me see the truth. My bride was Jaime's whore, and he sent her to give me my first taste of sex." And I believed all this, what a fool. The big fool of medicine. "In order to make the lesson more thorough, Lord Tywin handed over my wife to the entire battalion of guards, let them enjoy it freely, and ordered me to watch the whole process." After everyone finished, he asked me to do it again with her, the last time, Erase all memories of love and tenderness. "So you can remember the real her," he said, and I should have defied him, but my dick did, so I did. "After that, my father broke the engagement. The monks also said that this marriage never happened." He squeezed her hand hard. "Please, don't mention the Tower any more. I only want you to stop in the kitchen. Once Stannis is defeated, I'll give you a new house, and lots of silk as soft as your hand. " Shae's eyes widened, but he couldn't read the meaning. "If my hands wash the stove and wash the dishes all day long, they won't be so soft again. Will you need their touch when they're red and rough and cracked from the hot water and lye soap?" "It will be needed more," he said. "Whenever I see them, I think of your courage." He couldn't see if she believed it.She just lowered her eyes. "I am at your command, my lord." It was obvious that this was as much as she could take tonight.He kissed her on the slapped cheek, trying to take away her pain. "I'll send someone to pick you up." Varys was waiting at the stables as promised.His horse looked not only lame, but half dead.Tyrion mounted too, a sellsword opened the gate, and they rode out in silence.Gods help me, why did I tell her about Tessa?he questioned himself, suddenly feeling a little scared.There are some secrets that should never be told, some shames that a man should take to his grave.What does he want from her?forgive?What did it mean for her to look at him like that?Did she really hate scrubbing pots, or could she not stand his confession?After hearing what I said, how could she still love me?A part of him said so, while another sneered: Stupid dwarf, of course that bitch loves you, she loves your gold and jewels. The old elbow pain was dull, and it twitched with the rise and fall of the horse's hoof.He almost imagined hearing the sound of bones rubbing inside, maybe he should go see a maester and get some medicine to relieve the pain... But since Pycelle's true identity was revealed, Tyrion Lannister no longer Trust the Bachelor.Only the gods know who they conspired with and what they added to your potion. "Varys," he said, "I'm going to take Shae into the castle without Cersei knowing." He outlined his kitchen plans succinctly. After listening to him, the eunuch giggled and said, "Of course, I will do as my lord wants... But I must warn you, there are many eyes and ears in the kitchen. Even if the girl is not suspicious, she will be punished by thousands of people." Cross-examination of questions: where was born? Who were the parents? How did she get to King's Landing? Since she couldn't tell the truth, she had to lie, and lie, and lie." He glanced at Tyrion. "Besides, such a young, pretty girl in the kitchen would arouse more than just curiosity. She would be touched, pinched, patted, petted. Pan-washers would crawl into her blankets in the dark. Lonely The cook will want her for a wife. And the baker will pinch her breasts with floured hands." "I'd rather have her fondled than hurt," said Tyrion. Varys rode a few steps forward, and said suddenly, "Maybe there is another way. It just so happens that the maid serving Countess Tanda's daughter has been stealing her jewels, and if I tell Lady Tanda , she will send her away immediately. Then, her daughter will need a new maid." "I see." It could work, Tyrion saw immediately.A lady maid dresses a million times better than a cook, and can even wear a piece or two of jewelry.Shae would be delighted.And in Cersei's eyes, Lady Tanda is dull and hysterical, and Norris is as dull as a cow.She doesn't like to deal with them. "Norris is timid and not suspicious," Varys said. "She'll believe any story anyone tells. Since she was stripped of her virginity by the mob, she doesn't even come out of her room very much, so Shae doesn't stand out...and she doesn't get too far away when you need comfort." Far." "The Prime Minister's Tower is under constant surveillance, and you know it as well as I do. If Norris's maid keeps running towards me, Cersei won't be surprised." "Maybe, I have a way to send that child into your room without anyone noticing. The Shatyana family is not the only one with a secret door." "The secret door? To my chambers?" Tyrion was more exasperated than surprised.Of course it was, otherwise why would Maegor the Cruel have put to death all the workers who built the castle?It must be for secrecy. "Yes, I guess so. Tell me, where is the door? In the study? In the bedroom?" "My friend, you won't have the heart to tell me all my little secrets, will you?" "Keep them our little secrets from now on, Varys." Tyrion looked up at the eunuch, still in his smelly suit. "If you're on my side..." "What is there to doubt?" "Yeah, I trust you completely." A wry smile echoed through the closed windows. "Really, I trust you as my blood. Well, tell me, how did Cortnay Penrose die?" "It is said that he committed suicide by jumping off a building." "Suicide by jumping off a building? Impossible, I don't believe it!" "His guards didn't see anyone enter his room, and they didn't find anyone inside afterward." "Perhaps the killer hid in the house beforehand, under the bed," Tyrion thought, "or climbed in from the roof with a rope. Or maybe the guards were lying, and who knows if they did it themselves? " "No doubt you are right, my lord." His smug tone was clearly disapproving. "You don't think so? What the hell is going on here?" Varys didn't speak for a long time.The only sound was the solemn patter of a horse's hooves on the cobblestones.Finally, the eunuch cleared his throat: "My lord, do you believe in ancient power?" "You mean magic?" said Tyrion impatiently. "Blood magic, curses, shapeshifting...what?" he snorted. "Are you implying that Sir Cortnay died of magic?" "Ser Cortnay challenged Lord Stannis on the morning of his death. May I ask, would a desperate man make such a move? It was also strange that Lord Renly was accidentally murdered mysteriously. At that time, he The battle formation has been formed, and we are about to set out to fight my brother." The eunuch paused for a moment. "My lord, you once asked me how I was eunuched." "I remember," said Tyrion, "that you didn't want to talk about it." "Not now, but..." The pause was longer than before, and when Varys spoke again, his voice was different from usual. "I was an orphan, and I was apprenticed to a touring troupe. Our master had a little freighter that took us up and down the Narrow Sea, performing in the Free Cities, and sometimes to Oldtown and King's Landing." "One day, when we were performing in Mill, a strange man came to the troupe. After the performance, he offered to buy me from the boss. The price he offered was too attractive, and the boss couldn't refuse. Enjoying the little boy, I was worried that the man was going to do the same, so I was scared. Who knew that the only thing he wanted from all over me was my penis. He made me drink a dose of medicine, and I couldn't move or speak, but all senses It was all clear. Then, with a long machete, he cut off my penis from root to stem, while muttering. I watched him put my penis into the brazier and burn it. The flame turned blue color, I heard a voice answering his call, though I do not know its language." "While he was dealing with me, my troupe sailed away, and after that I was of no use to him, so he drove me away. I asked him what should I do? He replied that he advised me to die I hated him, so I decided to live. I begged, stole, sold what was left of me, made money by any means, and soon became a famous thief in Myr. As I grew older, I found that stealing the contents of people's letters , are often more valuable than the contents of the purse.” "But the events of that night still haunt my dreams. It wasn't the wizard, my lord, nor his knife, nor even the way my penis withered in the flames, but the voice. The voice in the flames. Is it a god? Is it a demon? Is it a trick of a magician?... No, I know all the tricks, only this one I don't know. The only thing I can be sure of is that he summoned 'it', and 'it' responded, and from that day on I hated magic and all who practice it. If Stannis was one of them, I would have him dead." After he had finished, they rode in silence for some time.Finally Tyrion said: "A sad story. I am sorry." The eunuch sighed. "You're sorry, but you don't believe it. No, my lord, there's no need to apologize. I drank the medicine and it hurt so badly, and it happened a long, long time ago, across the ocean. I've I told myself that the voice was just a hallucination from a nightmare." "I believe in swords, and in money, and in the wisdom of men," said Tyrion. "And I believe that there were dragons. I have seen their skulls, after all." "May it be the worst thing you ever saw, my lord." "We agree on that," Tyrion smiled. "As for Ser Cortnay's death, well, didn't Stannis hire some ships in the Free Cities? Maybe he bought himself a skilled assassin." .” "A very sophisticated assassin." "Such people do exist. I often fantasize that one day I will be rich enough to hire Faceless Men to assassinate my dear sister." "Whatever the cause of Ser Cortnay's death," Varys said, "the man is dead and the castle has fallen. From now on, Stannis can move freely." "Have we any chance of persuading the Dornishmen to attack the Far Lands?" Tyrion asked. "No." "What a pity. Well, at least they can keep the lords of the Frontier at bay. Any news from my father?" "I have not received news that Lord Tywin has successfully crossed the Red Fork River. If he does not step up his actions, he may be attacked from two sides. The oak leaf banner of the Oakheart family and the golden tree banner of the Rowan family are already on the north bank of the Mander River Appear." "No news from Littlefinger?" "Perhaps he never reached Bitterbridge at all, and perhaps he died there. All I know is that Lord Tarly took charge of Renly's army and executed many, chiefly the Florents. And Lord Caswell shut himself up Into the castle." Tyrion threw back his head and laughed. Varys reined in his horse in bewilderment. "grown ups?" "Can't you see the irony, Lord Varys?" Tyrion waved to the shuttered windows, to the sleeping city. "Storm's End has fallen, and Stannis is coming to King's Landing with fire and sword, and God knows what dark powers. Our good people have no protection, no Jaime, no Robert, no Renly , without Rhaegar, without their beloved Knight of Flowers, only me, only this guy they hate." He laughed again. "This dwarf, this treacherous minister, this deformed little monkey. I am the only one in this chaos."