Chapter 20 Chapter 19 Caitlin

"We'll be in King's Landing in an hour!" Caitlin turned her head from the mast rail and said with a forced smile: "Mr. Captain, your sailors have performed very competently. I will give each of them a silver deer to express my gratitude." Captain Morio Tumitis thanked with a half-bow: "Mrs. Stark, you are so generous. It is the best reward to be honored to serve an official lady like you." "I always have to give them." Moriou smiled: "Then respect is worse than obedience." He spoke Common Tongue very fluently, with only a slight Tyroshi accent.For thirty years he had made his living on the narrow seas, first as an oarsman, then as a mate, as he said, and finally as a merchant marine of his own.The brig Stormdancer was his fourth ship, with sixty oars and two masts, and his fastest.

At least she was the fastest in the harbour, at least when Catelyn and Ser Rodrik Cassel made their way down the river without stopping to reach White Harbor.The Tyroshi were notorious for their greed, and Ser Rodrik had advocated hiring a fishing sloop to get out of the Three Sisters, but Catelyn insisted on the galleon.This is a wise choice.Along the way, the wind direction was against them. Without these good oarsmen, I am afraid that they are still struggling in the Five Fingers Peninsula, let alone sailing to the end of the journey, King's Landing. It's almost here, she thought.On her finger, wrapped in a cotton bandage, the cut from the dagger was still aching, and Caitlyn thought the pain was a reminder of what had happened.The little and ring fingers of her left hand could not be bent, and the other three fingers would never regain dexterity.However, if it can be exchanged for Bran's life, what is this?

Then Ser Rodrik came on deck. "My dear friend," said Moriot, with his forked green beard.The Tyroshi love bright colors, even their beards and eyelashes. "Seeing that you look better, I'm really happy for you." "Oh," Rodrik agreed. "In the past two days, I have become more comfortable, and I don't want to commit suicide so much." After speaking, he bowed to Caitlin. "Hello madam." His complexion is really much better. Although he has lost a little weight compared to when they set off from White Harbor, he has almost recovered his original look.He couldn't adapt to the strong wind of the Bite Bay and the fierce waves of the narrow sea. When he passed Dragonstone Island, the storm came and he almost fell into the sea. He escaped safely to the cabin.

"The captain said just now that our voyage is almost over," she said. Ser Rodrik forced a smile. "So fast?" Without his snow-white sideburns and beard, he looked a little strange, as if he had suddenly aged ten years, his stature had shrunk, and his previous mighty strength had disappeared.There was no way to do it. When passing the Bite Bay, he lay on the side of the mast and vomited into the strong wind. By the third time, his beard was hopelessly dirty, so he had to let the sailors shave it with a razor clean. "You guys are talking about business, I won't bother you." Moriou bowed and left.

The sailboat floats on the water like a dragonfly, and the paddles rise and fall in unison.Ser Rodrik held on to the railing and looked out over the speeding land. "I'm really not a good guard." Catelyn patted his arm. "Ser Rodrik, we have arrived safely at our destination, and that is enough." Her other hand groped under the cloak, her fingers stiff and clumsy.The dagger was still at her waist, and she found herself having to touch it now and then to feel at ease. "Then we will go to the king's coach, Gods bless, I hope he is trustworthy." "Sir Alan Santagar is a bit vain, but he is very upright." Sir Rodrik reached out to twirl his beard, but it was in vain.He was a little at a loss and said: "He may recognize the knife... But madam, after we go ashore, we are in danger of being exposed, not to mention that someone in the palace can recognize you at a glance."

Caitlin pursed her lips. "Littlefinger," she murmured.His face came to her, a boy's face, but he was no longer a child.His father had died some years ago, and he was Lord Baelish now, but they still called him Littlefinger.Her younger brother Edmure had given him this nickname in Riverrun a long time ago, because his family's fief was small and located on the smallest peninsula of the Five Fingers, and Petyr was particularly thin among children of the same age. Ser Rodrik cleared his throat. "Lord Baelish used to be, uh..." he stammered, trying to find a more polite word.

Catelyn didn't care about titles. "He was my father's adopted son, and we grew up together at Riverrun. I saw him as a brother, but he... thought of me as more than a sister. When it was announced that Brandon Stark and I were to be wed, he Asked for a duel and the winner could marry me. That was utter madness, Brandon was twenty at the time and Petyr was only fifteen. I begged Brandon to let him go, but he was only in his There was a scar on his body. My father sent him away afterwards, and I haven't seen him again." She raised her face to the waves, as if the brisk sea breeze could blow away the memories. "After Brandon died, he sent me letters at Riverrun, but I burned them all without opening them. For I knew then that Ned would marry me in his brother's place."

Ser Rodrik reached out to touch his beard, but missed again. "Littlefinger is now a member of the Imperial Council." "I knew he would develop a lot," Kaitlyn said. "He was smart from a young age. But smart and smart are two different things. I don't know how much he has changed over the years." The lookout above shouted loudly from the rope, and Captain Morio walked back and forth on the deck to give orders. As the capital King's Landing on the three hills came into view, the entire "Storm Dancer" immediately fell into a panic in the activities.

Catelyn knew that three hundred years ago the highlands were entirely forested, and only a few fishermen settled on the north bank of the Blackwater, where the currents flowed deep into the sea.It was here that Aegon the Conqueror came across from Dragonstone, where his army landed, and built his first rough fortress of timber and earth on the top of the highest hill. Now, as far as Catelyn could see, it was a bustling city, mansions, arbors, barns, brick storehouses, wooden inns and market stalls, taverns, graveyards and brothels, one after another.Even though it was far away, she could still hear the commotion in the fish market.Wide boulevards, winding and winding streets, and alleys that are too narrow for two people to walk side by side shuttle between the buildings.The marble walls of St. Baelor's Cathedral surround the top of Visenya Hill, from which rise seven crystal towers.On the hill of Rhaenys at the other end, there are the charred ruins of the dragon's lair, the ruins of a huge collapsed dome, and the bronze gate that has been closed for a century.Between the two hills, Silent Sisters Street is as straight as an arrow, surrounded by solid high walls.

More than a hundred piers line the waterfront, and countless ships are moored in the port.There was an endless stream of deep-water fishing boats and river rafts, boatmen punting to and from Blackwater Bay, and merchant ships unloading goods from Braavos, Pentos, and Lys.Catelyn caught a glimpse of the Queen's richly decorated yacht, moored beside a deep-draft, black-tar-hulled whaler from Ibben Harbour.Upstream were a dozen or so narrow golden warships, their sails furled, their iron rams beating lightly on the water. Overlooking all this was the Red Keep on Aegon's Hill.It consisted of seven great drum-towers fortified with steel fortifications, a fortress enormous and grim, with domed halls and airtight bridges, barracks, dungeons and barns, and heavy parapets full of arrow holes, all of pale red stone built.Aegon the Conqueror ordered the castle to be built, and his son Maegor the Cruel finished it.After the completion, he beheaded every stonemason, carpenter and architect who participated in the construction of the city, vowing that only the heirs of the true dragon can master the secrets of the Dragon King Fortress.

Unexpectedly, now, the flag flying on the city wall is golden instead of jet black, and the place where the three-headed dragon once spewed flames has become the territory where the crowned stag of the Baratheon family gallops high. A tall-masted swan-ship from the Summer Isles, with white sails on the wind, sailed out of port.The Storm Dancer sailed past her, poised to dock. "Ma'am," said Sir Rodrik, "while I was recuperating in bed, I carefully considered my next move. First of all, you must not enter the city, and I will take Alan to safety alone. I'll see you somewhere." As the sailboat approached the pier, she studied the old knight carefully.Morioh was shouting orders in the rough Valyrian dialect of the Free Cities. "You take as much risk as I do." Sir Rodrik smiled. "I don't think so. Earlier I looked at my reflection in the water and almost didn't recognize myself. My mother was the last person who ever saw me without a beard, and she Been dead for forty years. Ma'am, I am sure I am safe." Morio yelled loudly, and the sixty oars pulled up from the water in unison, and then rowed in the opposite direction.The speed of the boat slowed down, and with another shout, the oars were all retracted into the hull.Immediately after the ship docked, the Tyroshi sailors jumped out of the boat and tied the cables.Morio ran over with a big smile on his face. "Madam, we have arrived at King's Landing as you ordered, and I bet no ship has ever reached our destination so swiftly and smoothly. Do you want to send someone to help carry the luggage to the castle?" "We're not going to the castle, but you can recommend some clean and comfortable hotels, not too far from the river." Captain Tyroshi twirled his green mustache, "That's kind, I know a few stores that meet your requirements. But first of all, forgive me for being rude, we still haven't paid half of the agreed travel expenses. And The extra tip you generously promised was, if I remember correctly, sixty silver coins." "That's for the crew," Catelyn reminded him. "Oh, of course," Morioh said, "but I'll keep them in safekeeping and distribute them when we return to Tyrosh. This is for the sake of their wives and children. Think about it, if we give them now They, ma'am, they're sure to gamble it all up or buy it for a night of fun." "There is nothing wrong with spending money," Ser Rodrik put in, "for winter is coming." "People should be responsible for their own actions," Caitlin said. "This is their hard-earned hard-earned money, and I have nothing to say about how it is spent." "Then follow your orders, ma'am." Moriou replied with a smile while bowing. Just in case, Caitlin gave the money to the sailors face to face, each with a silver stag. As for the two sailors who helped her carry the luggage, they added two extra copper coins.They moved their things to the hotel recommended by Morio, which is located halfway up the Visenya hills and is said to be a time-honored restaurant in Eel Alley.The landlady was a sour crone with a wandering eye who looked them both up and down suspiciously and bit the coin that Catelyn offered her to make sure it was real.Even so, the room was quite spacious and well ventilated, and Moriot said she cooked fish soup that was second to none in the Seven Kingdoms.Best of all, she doesn't ask guests for their first and last names at all. "I think you'd better not stay in the hall," said Ser Rodrik, when he was settled. "Even in a place like this, it's better to be careful." Put on the black cloak again, and pull up the hood. "I'll bring Sir Allen before dark," he promised. "Relax, madam." Caitlin was really tired.The journey had been long and tiring, and she was not young anymore.The window of the room faces an alley between the roofs, and you can just see the black water bay in the distance.She watched Ser Rodrik scurry off into the busy street, disappearing into the crowd, and finally decided to follow his advice.The bed was stuffed with straw instead of feathers, but she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. She was awakened by a banging on the door. Catelyn sat up immediately, and outside the window, the afterglow of the setting sun sprinkled the roof of King's Landing red.She slept longer than expected.There was another knock on the door, and a voice came into the room: "In the name of the king, open the door!" "Wait." She replied, while quickly wrapping herself in the cloak.The dagger lay on the bedside table, and she picked it up hastily before she unbolted the heavy wooden door. Those who flocked into the house wore the uniform of the Metropolitan Watch: black ringmail and golden cloaks.When the leader saw the sharp knife in her hand, he smiled and said: "Madam, there is no need to do this. We are specially here to escort you into the city." "Whose order?" she asked. He produced a ribbon, and Catelyn's throat clenched when she saw it.Gray wax covered with a mockingbird. "Petyr," she said.Unexpectedly, he moved so fast. Something must have happened to Sir Rodrik.She looked at the leading guard, "Do you know who I am?" "I don't know, ma'am." He replied, "Lord Littlefinger only ordered us to take you to see him, and we will never allow you to be wronged." Caitlin nodded: "You wait outside the door, I'll come after I change my clothes." She washed her hands in the sink and dried them with a clean linen cloth.Her fingers were still stiff and clumsy, and with difficulty she put on her corset and fastened the brown sackcloth cloak around her neck.How did Littlefinger know she was here?That would never be what Ser Rodrik said.Despite his age, he has a stubborn temper and is loyal to the point of stubbornness.Had they arrived too late, the Lannisters had arrived in King's Landing before them?Impossible, if so, then Ned must be there, and he will come to fetch her himself.What exactly is going on? She suddenly realized: Morio.The damned Tyroshi knew who they were and where they were staying.She wasn't just trying to figure out how much he'd charged for the news. They prepared the horse for her.When they set off, the street lights had already been lit, Caitlin was surrounded by guards wearing golden cloaks, and felt that the eyes of the whole city were focused on her.When they arrived at the Red Keep, the iron gates had been lowered, and the gates were closed after nightfall, but the windows of the castle were flickering with fire, still alive.The guards left their mounts outside the city walls, and escorted her through a narrow side door and up the steps to the tower. He was alone in the room, sitting at a large wooden table, writing by an oil lamp.When they brought her into the house, he put down his pen and looked at her. "Kate," he said quietly. "Why did you bring me here?" He stood up and waved roughly at the guard. "You can go." The guard left, "It's all right," he said after they left, "I've warned you repeatedly." He noticed her bandages. "your hands……" Caitlin deliberately ignored the implicit question. "I'm not used to being called around like a maid." She said coldly, "You were more or less polite when you were young." "Ma'am, I absolutely didn't mean to offend you." He seemed full of regret, and this expression also brought back vivid memories of Caitlin.He is a cunning and clever child, but every time he gets into trouble, he always looks remorseful, and he has this natural ability.It doesn't look like he's changed much over the years.Petyr had been a small boy and had grown into a small man, an inch or two shorter than Catelyn, but slender and quick, with the sharp features she remembered, and those smiling eyes. gray-green eyes.He has a beard on his chin, and there are a few streaks of silver in his black hair, but he is not yet thirty.This trait matches well with the silver and white mockingbird on his cloak. He has been proud of his young white since he was a child. "How do you know I'm in town?" she asked. "Because Varys is well informed." Petyr smiled narrowly. "He's coming right away, I just want to see you alone first. Kate, we haven't seen each other for a long time, count, how many years?" Catelyn ignored his intimacy, and now she had more important things to ask. "It turned out that the octospider found me." Littlefinger frowned and said, "Don't call him that in person. He is very sensitive, probably related to being a eunuch. Not only does Varys know everything about the city, but he often makes predictions. His eyeliner is everywhere. , he called them his little birds. One of his little birds heard of your arrival. Thank goodness Varys was the first one to look for me when he found out." "Why did you come to me first?" He shrugged. "Why not? I am Chancellor of the Exchequer and the King's Counsellor. Selmy and Lord Renly go north to meet Robert, and Lord Stannis returns to Dragonstone. Only Grand Master Pycelle and I remain. I was the obvious choice, and Varys knew I was still a friend of your sister Lysa." "Does Varys know..." "Lord Varys knows everything . . . except why you're here." He raised an eyebrow. "Why on earth are you visiting?" "Wives miss their husbands, mothers miss their daughters. What's wrong with me visiting?" Littlefinger smiled and said, "Hehe, madam, that's a good excuse, but unfortunately I don't believe it. I know you too well. What is the motto of your Tully family?" Her throat went dry. "Family, duty, honor," she repeated stiffly.He really knew her too well. "Family, duty, honor," he replied, "each of these requires you to stay in Winterfell as ordered by the Prime Minister. My lady, I don't think it's that simple. You wouldn't come to visit me so suddenly if it wasn't important .Just speak up and let me serve you. Old friends are supposed to help." There was a soft knock on the door. "Come in," Littlefinger called. The man who came in was plump, full of makeup, and his head was as smooth as an egg.He was wearing a loose purple silk robe, covered with a vest sewn with gold thread, and velvet soft slippers with pointed front and wide back. "Lady Stark," he said, taking her hand in both of his, "to see you again after so many years is such a joy." His skin was soft and moist, and his breath smelled of lilacs. "Oh, what's wrong with your hand? Dear madam, dare you accidentally burn it? Such delicate hands... The ointment prepared by Grand Maester Pacelle is very effective, or I will send someone to give it to you A can?" Caitlin withdrew her hand from his palm, "My lord, thank you for your kindness, but my wound has already been treated by Master Luwin at home." Varys bowed his head and said, "I am deeply sorry about your son. When I think of his young age, I feel that the gods in the sky are really cruel." Lord Varys, we finally agree. "She said. Varys' title of earl is just a vain position, and this is also to take into account his status as an important court official. In fact, Varys is not the lord of any fiefdom at all. What he controls is just the group of eyeliners under his command. The eunuch spread his hand softly. "My dear lady, I believe we agree on more than that. I have great respect for your husband, our new Hand, and I know we all love King Robert very much." "Yes," she had to say, "without a doubt." "I'm afraid it will be hard to find a king as beloved as our Robert," Littlefinger said sourly, with a narrow smile. "At least that's what Lord Varys heard." "Good lady," Varys said worriedly, "there are many strange people who are proficient in medical skills in the Free Trade City. As long as you nod, I will immediately find such people to heal your little Bran." "Maester Luwin did everything he could," she told him.Here and now she didn't want to talk about Bran, especially with these people.She didn't trust Littlefinger much, much less Varys.She must not let them see her sad face. "Lord Baelish told me just now that I am here now, all thanks to you." Varys giggled like a little girl. "Hehe, that's not it. I think I can't escape the blame, kind lady, I hope you forgive me." He found a chair and sat down leisurely, clasping his hands, "I was thinking, I wonder if I can Would you please show us the dagger?" Catelyn Stark looked at him in amazement, unable to believe what she was hearing.He really was a spider who penetrated all holes, and maybe a magician who knew the art of witchcraft, she thought frantically.He knew things that no one else would know unless... "What have you done to Ser Rodrik?" she demanded. Littlefinger was confused. "I feel like a knight in battle without a lance. What is this dagger? Who is Ser Rodrik?" "Ser Rodrik Cassel is master of Winterfell," Varys told him. "You may rest assured, Lady Stark, that the good knight is safe. The Armory called on Sir Alan Santagar, and the two talked about a dagger. They left the castle together about sundown, and walked back to the rough house where you stayed. They are still there, working Drinking in the hall until you return. Ser Rodrik is very anxious to find you absent." "How do you know these things?" "It's the chirping of the little birds," Varys smiled. "It's my duty, my lady, to inquire, and that's why I know quite a bit." He shrugged. "You did carry the dagger with you, though, didn't you?" Catelyn drew the dagger from her cloak and threw it on the table in front of him. "Take it and have a look, maybe your little bird will tell you who the owner of this dagger is." Varys picked up the dagger with exaggerated grace, then stretched out his thumb and slid across the blade, and when he saw blood, he let out a cry of surprise, let go, and the dagger fell back onto the table. "Be careful," Catelyn told him, "the dagger is sharp." "There is nothing sharper than Valyrian steel," said Littlefinger.Varys glared at Catelyn sullenly as he sucked on his bleeding thumb.Littlefinger picked up the sharp blade and played with it lightly, testing the degree of handiness.Then he threw the dagger into the air and caught it with his other hand. "The weight is just right. The purpose of your visit this time is to find out the owner of the dagger? Madam, then you don't need to go to Sir Allen, you should come to me directly." "If I asked you directly," she said, "what would you say?" "I'll tell you there's only one knife like this in King's Landing," he said, holding the blade between his thumb and forefinger, holding it over his shoulder, and with a flick of his wrist, he slid the dagger across the room deftly.The dagger was right on the door, deeply inserted into the oak board, shaking with the remaining strength. "it is mine." "Is this your knife?" Impossible, Petyr never went to Winterfell. "Until the tourney on Prince Joffrey's name day," he said across the room, drawing his dagger from the wooden door. "Half the court and I bet Ser Jaime would win the joust," Petyr smiled sheepishly, suddenly childish again. "So when Ser Loras Tyrell shot him off his horse, we all lost a little. Ser Jaime lost a hundred gold dragons, the Queen lost an emerald, and I was this Knife. The winner spared Her Majesty's Emerald, but kept everything else." "Who is this man?" Catelyn demanded, her mouth dry with fear and her fingers aching with memory. "Little devil," said Littlefinger.Lord Varys watched her face. "Tyrion Lannister."