A Game of Thrones Chapter Fifty-six

TyrionChella daughter of Cheyk of the faint Ears had gone ahead to sc resolve out, and it was she who brought back al-Quran of the forces at the crossroads. By their fires I c everywhere them twenty universal gravitational constant junctionless, she verbalise. Their banners are red, with a luxurious king of beasts.Your bewilder? Bronn asked.Or my chum Jaime, Tyrion wee tongue to. We sh every(prenominal) know soon enough. He surv oculusd his hassle band of brigands n head three hundred Stone Crows, Moon Brothers, Black Ears, and burned-out Men, and those however the becharmd of the army he hoped to grow. Gunthor pas blade of Gurn was raising the other clans til now now. He enjoyed what his lord become would practise of them in their skins and irregulars of stolen poise. If truth be t old(a), he did non know what to make of them himself. Was he their com worldder or their captive? clam up to of the cadence, it hold backmed to be a little of both. It wo rld advocator be best if I rode atomic pile alone, he suggested.Best for Tyrion parole of Tywin, give tongue to Ulf, who spoke for the Moon Brothers.Shagga glowered, a frightening sight to satisfy. Shagga word of honor of Dolf likes this non. Shagga volition go with the boyman, and if the boyman lies, Shagga leave stern meat cleaver shoot his humankindand feed it to the goats, yes, Tyrion express wearily. Shagga, I pass along you my word as a Lannister, I will return.why should we trust your word? Chella was a sm any hard woman, matted as a boy, and no fool. low-lying lords set out lied to the clans forward.You wound me, Chella, Tyrion verbalize. here I thought we had become such(prenominal) friends. But as you will. You shall ride with me, and Shagga and head for the Stone Crows, Ulf for the Moon Brothers, and Timett watchword of Timett for the burn Men. The clans hands exchanged wary looks as he named them. The rest shall wait here until I send for you. Tr y non to come out and maim each other tour Im gone.He aim his heels to his provide and trotted collide with, openhanded them no choice and to attach to or be left behind. any was fine with him, so long as they did not sit work by dint of to blab out for a day and a night. That was the nark with the clans they had an absurd notion that every mans congresswoman should be heard in council, so they argued about everything, endlessly. Even their wo hands were allowed to speak. Small wonder that it had been hundreds of years since they last threatened the vale with anything beyond an occasional raid. Tyrion meant to change that.Brorm rode with him. rear themafter a ardent bit of grumblingthe five clans hands followed on their little garrons, scrawny things that looked like ponies and scrambled up rock borders like goats.The Stone Crows rode together, and Chella and Ulf stayed c fall asleep as well, as the Moon Brothers and Black Ears had strong bonds between them. Timet t give-and-take of Timett rode alone. every clan in the Mountains of the Moon feared the burnt Men, who mortified their flesh with fire to ready up their courage and (the others say) roasted babies at their feasts. And yet the other burn Men feared Timett, who had put out his deliver left eye with a white-hot knife when he reached the age of manhood. Tyrion ga on that pointd that it was more general for a boy to burn dispatch a nipple, a finger, or (if he was truly brave, or truly mad) an ear. Timetts clotheshorse Burned Men were so awful by his choice of an eye that they quick named him a red hand, which seemed to be about sort of a war chief.I wonder what their king burned off, Tyrion express to Bronn when he heard the tale. Grguilding, the sellsword had tugged at his fork . . . simply til now Bronn unploughed a respectful tongue around Timett. If a man was mad enough to put out his own eye, he was marvellous to be gentle to his enemies.Distant watchers peere d quite a little from towers of unmortared stone as the party descended through the foothills, and once Tyrion saw a consume land wing. Where the high road squirm between two rocky outcrops, they came to the first off strong point. A low earthen wall four feet high closed(a) off the road, and a dozen crossbowwork force do work the heights. Tyrion halted his followers out of range and rode to the wall alone. Who commands here? he shouted up.The captain was quick to appear, and even quicker to allot them an escort when he recognized his lords parole. They trotted ago blackened fields and burned holdfasts, flock to the riverlands and the Green Fork of the Trident. Tyrion saw no bodies, entirely the air was full of ravens and carrion crows on that point had been fighting here, and recently.Half a compact from the crossroads, a barricade of sharpened post had been erected, manned by pike manpower and archers. Behind the line, the clique spread out to the far distance. r epress fingers of smoke rose from hundreds of cookfires, mailed men sat low channelises and honed their blades, and familiar banners fluttered from staffs shake off into the muddy ground.A party of mount horsemen rode forward to challenge them as they approached the lay on the line. The nickname who led them wore silver armor beautify with amethysts and a striped purple-and-silver cloak. His shield stupe a unicorn sigil, and a spiral bird of Minerva two feet long jutted up from the os frontale of his horsehead maneuver. Tyrion reined up to greet him. Ser Flement.Ser Flement Brax displace his visor. Tyrion, he said in astonishment. My lord, we all feared you dead, or . . . He looked at the clansmen uncertainly. These . . . companions of yours . . . doorknocker friends and loyal retainers, Tyrion said. Where will I guess my lord paternity?He has taken the inn at the crossroads for his quarters.Tyrion laughed. The inn at the crossroads Perhaps the gods were just after a ll. I will see him at once.As you recite, my lord. Ser Flement wheeled his horse about and shouted commands. Three rows of stakes were pulled from the ground to make a pickle in the line. Tyrion led his party through. manufacturer Tywins camp spread over leagues. Chellas look of twenty thousand men could not be far wrong. The park men camped out in the open, but the knights had throw up tents, and just about of the high lords had erected pavilions as large as houses. Tyrion spied the red ox of the Presters, manufacturer Crakehalls brindled boar, the burning tree of Marbrand, the badger of Lydden. Knights called out to him as he enduretered past, and men-at-arms gaped at the clansmen in open astonishment.Shagga was goggle back beyond a certainty, he had neer seen so many men, horses, and weapons in all his days. The rest of the mountain brigands did a better job of guarding their faces, but Tyrion had no doubts that they were full as much in awe. Better and better. The more impressed they were with the power of the Lannisters, the easier they would be to command.The inn and its stables were much as he remembered, though little more than tumbled stones and blackened foundations remained where the rest of the village had s as well asd. A gibbet had been erected in the yard, and the body that swung on that point was covered with ravens. At Tyrions approach they took to the air, squawking and disturbance their black wings. He dismounted and glanced up at what remained of the corpse. The birds had eaten her lips and eyes and most of her cheeks, baring her dye red teeth in a hideous smile. A room, a meal, and a flagon of wine, that was all I asked, he reminded her with a sigh of reproach.Boys emerged hesitantly from the stables to see to their horses. Shagga did not deficiency to give his up. The lad wont slew your mare, Tyrion assured him. He only wants to give her some oats and water and brush out her coat. Shaggas coat could allow used a good brush ing too, but it would fork out been less than tactful to mention it. You cede my word, the horse will not be harmed.Glaring, Shagga let go his grip on the reins. This is the horse of Shagga son of Dolf, he roared at the stableboy.If he doesnt give her back, chop off his manhood and feed it to the goats, Tyrion promised. Provided you can construe some.A pair of house guards in crimson cloaks and lion-crested helms stood under the inns sign, on any side of the door. Tyrion recognized their captain. My produce?In the common room, mlord.My men will want meat and mead, Tyrion told him. See that they get it. He entered the inn, and there was Father.Tywin Lannister, ecclesiastic of Casterly joggle and Warden of the West, was in his middle fifties, yet hard as a man of twenty. Even seated, he was tall, with long legs, broad shoulders, a prostrate patronage. His thin arms were corded with muscle. When his once-thick meretricious hair had begun to recede, he had commanded his barber to neaten his head maestro Tywin did not imagine in half measures. He razored his lip and chin as well, but kept his side-whiskers, two great thickets of wiry golden hair that covered most of his cheeks from ear to jaw. His eyes were a pale green, specked with gold. A fool more unadvisable than most had once jested that even master key Tywins shit was flecked with gold. Some said the man was still alive, deep in the bowels of Casterly Rock.Ser Kevan Lannister, his aims only surviving brother, was sharing a flagon of ale with victor Tywin when Tyrion entered the common room. His uncle was portly and balding, with a close-cropped yellow beard that followed the line of his colossal jaw. Ser Kevan saw him first. Tyrion, he said in surprise.Uncle, Tyrion said, bowing. And my lord father. What a frolic to check you here. manufacturer Tywin did not stir from his head, but he did give his dwarf son a long, searching look. I see that the rumors of your demise were unfounded.Sorr y to disappoint you, Father, Tyrion said. No need to leap up and overlay me, I wouldnt want you to strain yourself. He crossed the room to their table, acutely conscious of the way his stunted legs made him totter with every step. Whe neer his fathers eyes were on him, he became uncomfortably aware of all his deformities and shortcomings. smorgasbord of you to go to war for me, he said as he climbed into a chair and helped himself to a cup of his fathers ale.By my lights, it was you who started this, superior Tywin replied. Your brother Jaime would never have meekly submitted to capture at the hands of a woman.Thats one way we differ, Jaime and I. Hes taller as well, you whitethorn have noticed.His father ignored the sally. The purity of our House was at stake. I had no choice but to ride. No man sheds Lannister blood with impunity.Hear Me Roar, Tyrion said, grinning. The Lannister words. Truth be told, none of my blood was actually shed, although it was a close thing once o r twice. Morrec and Jyck were killed.I suppose you will be wanting some new men.Dont perturb yourself, Father, Ive acquired a few of my own. He attempt a swallow of the ale. It was brown and yeasty, so thick you could almost chew it. genuinely fine, in truth. A pity his father had hanged the inn handle. How is your war going?His uncle answered. Well enough, for the nonce. Ser Edmure had disordered small troops of men along his borders to stop our rapacious, and your lord father and I were able to destroy most of them gradually before they could regroup.Your brother has been covering himself with glory, his father said. He smashed the Lords Vance and piper at the Golden Tooth, and met the massed power of the Tullys under the walls of Riverrun. The lords of the Trident have been put to rout. Ser Edmure Tully was taken captive, with many of his knights and bannermen. Lord Blackwood led a few survivors back to Riverrun, where Jaime has them under siege. The rest fled to their own strongholds.Your father and I have been marchland on each in turn, Ser Kevan said. With Lord Blackwood gone, Raventree fell at once, and noblewoman Whent yielded Harrenhal for want of men to defend it. Ser Gregor burnt out the Pipers and the Brackens . . . Leaving you unopposed? Tyrion said.not wholly, Ser Kevan said. The Mallisters still hold Seagard and Walder Frey is marshaling his levies at the Twins.No matter, Lord Tywin said. Frey only takes the field when the feel of victory is in the air, and all he smells now is ruin. And Jason Mallister lacks the strength to fight alone. one time Jaime takes Riverrun, they will both be quick enough to bend the knee. Unless the Starks and the Arryns come frontward to oppose us, this war is good as won.I would not fret too much about the Arryns if I were you, Tyrion said. The Starks are another(prenominal)(prenominal) matter. Lord Eddardis our armamentage, his father said. He will lead no armies while he rots in a dungeon under the Red Keep.No, Ser Kevan tallyd, but his son has called the banners and sits at Moat Cailin with a strong host around him.No sword is strong until its been tempered, Lord Tywin declared. The Stark boy is a child. No doubt he likes the weighty of warhorns well enough, and the sight of his banners fluttering in the wind, but in the end it comes lot to butchers work. I doubt he has the stomach for it.Things had gotten interesting while hed been away, Tyrion reflected. And what is our fearless monarch butterfly doing whilst all this butchers work is being done? he wondered. How has my lovely and persuasive sister gotten Robert to agree to the imprisonment of his dear friend Ned?Robert Baratheon is dead, his father told him. Your nephew reigns in Kings Landing.That did take Tyrion aback. My sister, you mean. He took another gulp of ale. The realm would be a much different place with Cersei view in place of her husband.If you have a mind to make yourself of use, I will give you a command, his father said. Marq Piper and Karyl Vance are loose in our rear, raiding our lands across the Red Fork.Tyrion made a tsking sound. The gall of them, fighting back. Ordinarily Id be glad to punish such rudeness, Father, but the truth is, I have public press business elsewhere.Do you? Lord Tywin did not seem awed. We also have a pair of Ned Starks afterthoughts making a botheration of themselves by harassing my foraging parties. Beric Dondarrion, some upstart lordling with delusions of valor. He has that fat jape of a priest with him, the one who likes to set his sword on fire. Do you think you index be able to deal with them as you scamper off? Without making too much a botch of it?Tyrion wiped his verbalise with the back of his hand and smiled. Father, it warms my heart to think that you might entrust me with . . . what, twenty men? Fifty? Are you sure you can spare so many? Well, no matter. If I should come across Thoros and Lord Beric, I shall spank them both. He climbed surmount from his chair and waddled to the sideboard, where a wheel of venose white cheese sat skirt by fruit. First, though, I have some promises of my own to keep, he said as he sliced off a wedge. I shall require three thousand helms and as many hauberks, plus swords, pikes, stain spearheads, maces, battleaxes, gauntlets, gorgets, greaves, breastplates, wagons to carry all thisThe door behind him opened with a crash, so violently that Tyrion almost dropped his cheese. Ser Kevan leapt up swearing as the captain of the guard went flying across the room to smash against the hearth. As he tumbled down into the cold ashes, his lion helm askew, Shagga snapped the mans sword in two over a knee thick as a tree trunk, threw down the pieces, and lumbered into the common room. He was preceded by his stench, riper than the cheese and instant out in the closed space. Little redcape, he snarled, when next you bare steel on Shagga son of Dolf, I will chop off your manhood and roast it in th e fire.What, no goats? Tyrion said, taking a sting of cheese.The other clansmen followed Shagga into the common room, Bronn with them. The sellsword gave Tyrion a contrite shrug.Who might you be? Lord Tywin asked, sang-froid as snow.They followed me home, Father, Tyrion explained. May I keep them? They dont eat much.No one was blissful. By what right do you savages intrude on our councils? demanded Ser Kevan.Savages, lowlander? head might have been fine-looking if you washed him. We are put down men, and free men by rights sit on all war councils.Which one is the lion lord? Chella asked.They are both old men, announced Timett son of Timett, who had yet to see his twentieth year.Ser Kevans hand went to his sword hilt, but his brother placed two fingers on his wrist and held him fast. Lord Tywin seemed unperturbed. Tyrion, have you bury your courtesies? Kindly acquaint us with our . . . recognise guests.Tyrion licked his fingers. With pleasure, he said. The fair maid is Chella daughter of Cheyk of the Black Ears.Im no maid, Chella protested. My sons have taken fifty ears among them.May they take fifty more. Tyrion waddled away from her. This is Conn son of Coratt. Shagga son of Dolf is the one who looks like Casterly Rock with hair. They are Stone Crows. Here is Ulf son of Umar of the Moon Brothers, and here Timett son of Timett, a red hand of the Burned Men. And this is Bronn, a sellsword of no particular allegiance. He has already changed sides twice in the short time Ive known him, you and he ought to get on famously, Father. To Bronn and the clansmen he said, May I inclose my lord father, Tywin son of Tytos of House Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, Warden of the West, Shield of Lannisport, and once and future blow over of the King.Lord Tywin rose, dignified and correct. Even in the west, we know the prowess of the warrior clans of the Mountains of the Moon. What brings you down from your strongholds, my lords?Horses, said Shagga.A promise of silk and steel, said Timett son of Timett.Tyrion was about to key out his lord father how he proposed to reduce the Vale of Arryn to a smoking wasteland, but he was never given the chance. The door banged open again. The messenger gave Tyrions clansmen a quick, queer look as he dropped to one knee before Lord Tywin. My lord, he said, Ser Addam bid me tell you that the Stark host is moving down the causeway.Lord Tywin Lannister did not smile. Lord Tywin never smiled, but Tyrion had learned to read his fathers pleasure all the same, and it was there on his face. So the wolfling is leaving his den to play among the lions, he said in a voice of quiet satisfaction. Splendid. Return to Ser Addam and tell him to fall back. He is not to engage the northerners until we arrive, but I want him to harass their flanks and destiny them farther south.It will be as you command. The rider took his leave.We are well placed here, Ser Kevan pointed out. Close to the ford and ringed by pits and spikes. I f they are coming south, I say let them come, and break themselves against us.The boy may hang back or lose his courage when he sees our numbers, Lord Tywin replied. The earlier the Starks are broken, the sooner I shall be free to deal with Stannis Baratheon. Tell the drummers to beat assembly, and send word to Jaime that I am marching against Robb Stark.As you will, Ser Kevan said.Tyrion watched with a pale fascination as his lord father turned next to the half-wild clansmen. It is said that the men of the mountain clans are warriors without fear.It is said truly, Conn of the Stone Crows answered.And the women, Chella added.Ride with me against my enemies, and you shall have all my son promised you, and more, Lord Tywin told them.Would you pay us with our own coin? Ulf son of Umar said. Why should we need the fathers promise, when we have the sons?I said cipher of need, Lord Tywin replied. My words were courtesy, nothing more. You need not join us. The men of the winterlands are made of iron and ice, and even my boldest knights fear to face them.Oh, deftly done, Tyrion thought, smiling crookedly.The Burned Men fear nothing. Timett son of Timett will ride with the lions.Wherever the Burned Men go, the Stone Crows have been there first, Conn declared hotly. We ride as well.Shagga son of Dolf will chop off their manhoods and feed them to the crows.We will ride with you, lion lord, Chella daughter of Cheyk agreed, but only if your halfman son goes with us. He has bought his breath with promises. Until we hold the steel he has pledged us, his life is ours.Lord Tywin turned his gold-flecked eyes on his son.Joy, Tyrion said with a resigned smile.