Chapter 71 Chapter 70 Tyrion

"They have my son," said Tywin Lannister. "Yes, my lord." The messenger's voice was dull with fatigue.On the chest of his tattered burqa, dried blood covered the dappled boar of House Crakeher. One of your two sons, Tyrion thought.He took a sip of his drink and said nothing, thinking of James.When he raised his hand, the sharp pain rushed straight from his elbow to his mind, reminding him of the feeling of the battlefield.Although he loves his brother, even if he is given all the gold in Casterly Rock City, he doesn't want to stay in the Whispering Forest with his brother.

The princes and generals summoned by my father calmed down and listened to the envoy's statement of what happened.In the spacious and airy long hall of the hotel, only the firewood in the stove is crackling. Tyrion was heartened by the idea of ​​resting at an inn after the long and urgent journey south, even if it was only for one night... only he secretly hoped it wouldn't be this inn full of memories again.Their father ordered them to march at an exhausting pace, and they suffered heavy losses as a result.If the wounded in war cannot keep up, they are left to fend for themselves.Every morning when they set off, some people would fall on the side of the road, fall asleep and never wake up again; in the afternoon, some people would collapse on the side of the road exhausted; , into the night, and even Tyrion himself would have liked to go with them.

A moment ago, he was still upstairs, lying on the soft and comfortable feather bed, hugging Shae's warm body.But his squire came hastily and shook him awake, with reports of men on horseback bringing great news from Riverrun.He knew at once that they had made their trip in vain.Running south, the endless march and the corpses left on the side of the road... all came to nothing.Robb Stark had broken the siege of Riverrun days before. "How is this possible?" moaned Ser Harris Swyfer. "How is it possible? Even after the Battle of the Whispering Wood, Riverrun was still surrounded by armies... What was Ser Jaime thinking? Divided into three places? He should know the risks of doing so, right?"

He knows better than you chinless coward, Tyrion thought.Even though Jaime had lost Riverrun, it still made him angry to hear his brother being slandered by a man like Swyfer.Swyfer was a brazen sycophant, whose greatest achievement in life was to marry his also chinless daughter to Ser Kevan, thereby establishing a relationship with the Lannisters. "I would have done the same," replied the uncle, and Tyrion would never have been so calm if he had spoken. "You have never seen Riverrun, Ser Harris, or you would have known that Jaime had no choice. Riverrun lies at the tip of the delta of the Red Fork, a tributary of the Tumblestone that flows into the Trident, forming a triangular shape." Two sides, and in case of danger, the Tullys would open the upstream gates and build a wide moat on the third side, turning Riverrun into an island in the river. The walls rose high from the water, and the defenders could be seen from the towers. Everything within a few leagues of the opposite bank. To cut off the support of all parties, the attacking party must place an army on the north bank of the Tengshi River, the south bank of the Hongyou River, and the west bank of the moat, that is, between the two rivers. In addition Other than that, there is no other way.

"My lords, Sir Kevan is right," said the messenger. "Our army has densely set up sharpened wooden palisades around the camp, but without any warning, and the river water cut off our camps from each other, such preparations are very difficult. Not enough. They attacked the northern camp first, and the timing was completely unexpected. Marco Piper had been harassing our supply convoy before, but he had only fifty or sixty men. The night before the attack, Ser Jaime took them himself...well, we thought it was Piper's men. We heard the Starks were still on the east side of the Green Fork, heading south...'

"Where are your scouts?" Ser Gregor Clegane's face was carved from stone, the firelight casting an eerie orange on his skin and casting deep shadows under his eye sockets. "Didn't they see anything? Didn't give you any warning?" The bloodied messenger shook his head. "Our scouts have been disappearing lately, and we think it's Marco Piper's fault. And the occasional ones who come back find nothing." "Seeing nothing means he doesn't need eyes," declared the Mountain. "Pull out their eyes and give them to the replacement scout, and tell him: I hope four eyes can see better than two... If he still No, then the next person will have six eyes."

Lord Tywin Lannister turned to look at Ser Gregor, and Tyrion saw a gleam in his father's eyes, but he couldn't tell whether it was approval or disgust.Lord Tywin was usually silent in meetings, preferring to listen to others before speaking, a habit Tyrion had always wanted to emulate.But even for a father, it was unusual for him to be so silent. He hadn't even touched a drink. "You say they launched a night raid?" Ser Kevan asked. The visitor nodded wearily. "The vanguard was led by Heiyu, cut down our guards, cleared the fence, and facilitated the main attack. When our men came to their senses, the opposing cavalry had leaped over the ditch, charged into the camp with swords and torches in their hands. I slept in Xizhai, It is the place between the two rivers. People on our side heard the fight and saw the tents on fire. Lord Brax led everyone on the raft, trying to row to the other side to rescue. However, the current was strong and took us downstream Chong, the defenders of Tully's house found out and launched a bombardment with the catapults on the city wall. I saw with my own eyes that one raft was smashed to pieces, the other three capsized, and the people on it were swept into the river and drowned... ...and those who managed to cross the river found that the Stark army was waiting for them on the other side."

Ser Flement Brax wore a silver and purple burqa with an expression of disbelief on his face. "My father, my lord father—" "My lord, I am sorry," said the messenger. "Lord Brax was in full plate and mail when his raft capsized. He was a warrior." He is a fool, Tyrion thought, swirling his goblet, looking into the vortex.In the middle of the night, fully armed, crossed the rapids on a crude raft, and rushed towards the enemy who was waiting on the other side-if this was called a warrior, he would rather be a coward every time.I wonder if Earl Brax felt particularly heroic when he was dragged into the dark deep water by his heavy armor?

"Afterwards, the camp between the two rivers was also captured by the enemy," the messenger continued. "While we were busy crossing the river, the heavy cavalry of the Stark army lined up in two columns and rushed out from the west. I saw Earl Umber The giant banner of broken chains and the eagle of House Mallister, but the most terrible thing is the imp in the lead, with a monster like wolf at his side. I didn't fight them, I heard that monster killed Four living people killed more than a dozen horses. Later, the spearmen of our army formed a shield wall to block their first charge. Unexpectedly, the Tully family saw that we had no time to look after each other, so they opened the gate of the city of rushing, and Taito S Blackwood led his troops across the drawbridge and attacked our rear."

"Gods bless," cursed Lord Lefford. "Greatjon Umber set fire to our painstakingly built siege tower, and Lord Blackwood found and rescued Ser Edmure Tully and the other prisoners we had locked up. The South Wall was Commanded by Sir Fowler Prest, seeing that the adjacent positions had fallen one after another, he led his two thousand spearmen and two thousand archers to retreat westward in an orderly manner, but the Tyroshi mercenaries who were in charge of the free riders did not Cut off the flag and defected to the enemy." "Damn it," Uncle Kevan's tone was not only surprised, but even more angry. "I warned James not to trust this bastard. People who fight for money will only work for their own pockets."

Lord Tywin's fingers were crossed, his chin resting on his jaw, and only his eyes moved as he listened.His short blond beard framed a face as motionless as a mask.Tyrion, however, noticed tiny beads of sweat on his father's bald head. "How is this possible?" cried Ser Harris Swyfer again. "Ser Jaime has been captured, and the besieging army has been routed... It's a catastrophe!" Sir Adam Marbrand said: "Sir Harris, we all appreciate your pointing out the obvious, but the immediate question is, what should we do next?" "What else? Jaime's army was either killed, captured or fled, and the troops of the Stark family and the Tully family happened to strangle our supply line, and our connection with the west was completely cut off! They can even swagger Who can stop them from marching on Casterly Rock? My lords, we are defeated, and we should seek peace immediately." "Peace?" Tyrion swung his glass thoughtfully, drained it, and then threw the empty glass on the ground, breaking it into a thousand pieces. "Ser Harris, this is the result of the peace. From the moment my good nephew decided to adorn the Red Keep with Lord Eddard's head, all chances of peace were smashed. Now with Robb Starr It's harder to ask for peace than to put wine in a broken glass under the ground. It's him who has the upper hand... Don't you realize?" "Two battles do not make or break the war," Ser Adam insisted. "We are far from defeated. I would gladly take this Stark kid to the field." "Perhaps they will agree to a temporary truce so that the two sides can exchange hostages." Earl Lefford suggested. "Unless they'll trade three for one—that's not enough for us," said Tyrion bitterly. "And who shall we trade for my brother? Lord Eddard's rotting head?" "It is said that Queen Cersei has two of the Prime Minister's daughters," said Lefford hopefully. "If we offer to return the boy's sister..." Ser Adam snorted contemptuously. "He's crazy to trade Jaime Lannister's life for two little girls." "Then redeem Sir James, no matter how much gold it costs." Earl Lefford said. Tyrion rolled his eyes. "If the Stark family is really so short of money, take James' armor and melt it down." "They will take us lightly if we ask for peace," argued Ser Adam. "In my opinion, we should go to war at once." "Well, I'm sure our friends at court will be happy to provide additional troops," said Ser Harris, "and it's time to send someone back to Casterly Rock to form a new army." At this time, Duke Tywin Lannister suddenly stood up. "My son is in their hands!" he repeated, his voice piercing the din like a sword cutting grease. "Back off, all back down." Tyrion was used to being told, so he got up at once, ready to go with the others.But his father took one look at him. "No, Tyrion, you stay. Kevan, you too. The others get out." Tyrion sat back on the bench, too surprised to speak.Ser Kevan walked across the room to the cask. "Uncle," cried Tyrion, "may I trouble you—" "Take it." His father handed him the still glass of wine in front of him. Tyrion was really at a loss now.He only had his drink. Lord Tywin sat down. "As for Stark, you are right. If Lord Eddard is still alive, we can use him as a bargaining chip to reach a truce with Winterfell and Riverrun, so that we have time to deal with Robert's forces. Two brothers. Now he's dead..." His hands clenched into fists. "Nonsense, complete nonsense." "Jo was only a boy," Tyrion explained. "I did a lot of stupid things when I was his age." His father gave him a sharp look. "Really? It's a good thing he didn't marry a whore." Tyrion sipped his wine, wondering how Lord Tywin would look if he threw his glass in his father's face. "Things are worse than you know," continued the father. "We have a new king." Ser Kevan shuddered. "Ningo—who? What have they done to Joffrey?" A trace of disgust swept across Duke Tywin's thin lips. "Nothing... so far at least my grandson still sits on the Iron Throne, but the eunuch has news from the south. Renly Baratheon married Margaery Tiller at Highgarden two weeks ago. Lil was wife and crowned king, to whom the bride's father and brother had knelt and sworn allegiance." "This is bad news." Ser Kevan frowned, the furrows on his brow as deep as canyons. "My daughter orders us to go to King's Landing at once and help defend the Red Keep against 'King Renly' and the Knight of Flowers." He pursed his lips. "Note, she's 'ordering' us in the name of the King and the Council." "How does King Joffrey react to this?" Tyrion asked with a dark interest. "Cersei thinks it is too late to tell him," said Lord Tywin. "She fears he will insist on sending Renly himself." "Send an army? Where's the army?" Tyrion asked. "You don't mean to give this army to him, do you?" "He once declared that he would lead the city guard to go out." Duke Tywin said. "He will take the City Watch with him, and the city will be empty," Ser Kevan said. "Then Lord Stannis of Dragonstone . . . " "Yes." Duke Tywin looked at the dwarf son contemptuously. "Tyrion, I thought you were born only for juggling, but it seems I was wrong." "Why, Father," said Tyrion, "sounds like a compliment." He smiled and leaned forward. "So, what is Stannis doing? He is the elder brother, Renly is only the third son. How will he react to his younger brother becoming king?" Father frowned and said, "From the beginning, I thought Stannis was more dangerous than everyone else combined, but he didn't move. Well, Varys has some information, such as Stannis is building a ship, Stan Ness is recruiting mercenaries, and says Stannis has a Shadowbinder from Asshai, but what does that mean? How much of it is true?" He shrugged angrily. "Kevon, get the map." Ser Kevan did so at once.Lord Tywin unfolded the leather map and flattened it. "Jaime has left us in a mess. Roose Bolton and his remnants are to our north, and our enemies have the Twins and Moat Cailin; on the other hand, Robb Stark sits to the west, unless there is a war. , we cannot retreat back to Lannisterport and Casterly Rock. Now that Jaime has been captured, his army is no more, and Thoros of Myr and Beric Dondarrion will continue to harass our requisition forces. From a distance, there are House Arryn and Stannis Baratheon occupying Dragonstone in the east, and Highgarden and Storm's End in the south are also ready to go." Tyrion smiled slyly. "Father, don't worry, at least Rhaegar Targaryen is not back from the dead." "Tyrion, I hope you can provide some useful advice, not just lip service." said Duke Tywin Lannister. Ser Kevan frowned at the map, his brow creased again. "Right now, Robb Stark has the support of Edmure Tully and the lords of the Three Rivers. Their total strength exceeds our army, and there is Roose behind us. Bolton... Tywin, if you stay here, I'm afraid you will Hit from three sides." "I don't intend to stay here. We have to get rid of Lord Stark before Renly marches from Highgarden. I don't worry about Bolton, he's a cautious man, and the Battle of the Green Fork will only make him worse." Be cautious, so his pursuit won't be quick. So... we set out for Harrenhal early in the morning. Kevan, order Ser Adam's scouts to cover our tracks, and give him as many men as he wants, four to one Squad, no more disappearances..." "Yes, my lord, but...why did you go to Harrenhal? It's an eerie place, and it's said to be cursed." "Let them say," said Lord Tywin, "that Ser Gregor should be set free to lead the band of butchers in plunder. Let Vargo Holt and his mercenaries and Ser Amory Loach go as well." Send them out with three hundred cavalry each, and tell them: From God's Eye to the Red Fork, I want the land between the rivers to be scorched." "My lord, please wait and see." Ser Kevan said and got up. "I'll pass the order right away." He bowed and left. After the father and son were left, Duke Tywin glanced at Tyrion. "Your savages may also like some plundering, you go and tell them: they can go out with Vargo Hutt and plunder as much as they want-whether goods, livestock, or women, take what they like, and take what they don't like." burn." "Teaching Shagga and Timett how to rob is as redundant as teaching a rooster to crow," Tyrion said, "but I'd rather keep them around." They may be rough and unruly, but they are his men after all, I believe. He would rather trust his own people than his father's.He didn't want to just hand them over to others. "Then you have to learn how to control them. I don't want to see them looting houses in the city." "In the city?" Tyrion was confused. "Which city?" "King's Landing. I will send you into the palace." It was the last thing Tyrion Lannister expected.He raised his wine glass and thought while drinking, "What are you sending me into the palace for?" "Steward," said the father abruptly. Tyrion laughed. "I'm afraid my dear old sister has something to say about that!" "Whatever she says, someone has to take care of her son before he brings us all down. I think it's all about half-hearted ministers - our friend Petyr, the great Grand Maester , and Lord Varys, who is missing his second. What were they doing while Joffrey did one stupid thing after another? Who the hell came up with the bad idea to bring this Janos Slynt up? For a nobleman? The fellow's father was a butcher, and they gave him Harrenhal, Harrenhal! That's the king's castle! He won't set foot in it as long as I'm alive. I hear he picked a If I were here, I would force him to change it into a bloody kitchen knife." His father didn't raise his voice, but Tyrion could feel his anger in his golden eyes. "They also drove Selmy away. What's the problem? Yes, he's old, but the name 'Barristan the Fearless' alone is very important in the kingdom. Who does he serve? , Whoever will follow suit, the Hound can play this role? Dogs are used to chew bones under the table, not to be used as equals." He pointed a finger at Tyrion's face. "Since Cersei can't control that brat, it's up to you. If those important ministers dare to play double-faced with us..." Tyrion knew it all too well. "Beheaded," he sighed, "put the spear point in and hang it on the city wall." "You've finally learned something from me." "Father, I have learned a lot," said Tyrion quietly.He drank the wine and put the glass aside thoughtfully.On the one hand, he was very happy, so happy that he dared not admit it; on the other hand, he remembered the battle on the upper Green Fork River not long ago, and wondered if he was sent to defend the "left wing" again. "Why me?" he asked, tilting his head. "Why not my uncle? Why not Ser Adam, Ser Fremont, or Lord Saliot? Why not...someone who is bigger?" Lord Tywin stood up abruptly. "Because you are my son." Only then did he understand.So you've given him up, he thought, you bloody bastard, you thought James was dead, so all you have left is me.Tyrion wanted to slap him, to spit in his face, to pull out his dagger and take out his heart, to see if it was made of gold, as the people said.In the end, though, he just sat quietly, without saying a word. Lord Tywin crossed the room, broken wine glasses clattering at his feet. "One last thing," he said as he reached the door, "you are not allowed to bring that whore into the palace." After his father had gone, Tyrion sat silently in the lobby of the inn for a long time, until at last he climbed the stairs to his comfortable attic room under the clock tower.The room's low ceiling was no hindrance to the dwarf.Looking out of the window, he saw the gallows his father had erected in the yard. When the night wind blew, the body of the proprietress was dangling endlessly on the rope.Her muscles were as thin and battered as the Lannister hopes. He turned and sat down on the edge of the feather bed, and Shae, murmuring sleepily, rolled over to face him.He reached under the comforter and took her soft breasts, and she opened her eyes. "My lord," she smiled lazily. When her nipples hardened, Tyrion leaned over and kissed her. "Baby, I really want to take you to King's Landing," he whispered.