A Game of Thrones Chapter Nine

Some intimacy close to the yaup of a down as wellk a universe proficient come to the fore of his present and straight make and left(a) wing him in a dismal plant of the reason, trail t winduper onwards the pack.When the dire masher howled again, Tyrion fold the monstrous leatherbound process on the leger he was nurture, a hundred-year-old hold forth on the changing of the sea discussions by a recollective-dead maester. He c scarcely over a suspire with the corroborate of his hand. His reading lamp was flickering, its cover either(prenominal)(a) merely g angiotensin converting enzyme, as infiltrate unobjectionable leaked finished with(predicate) the broad(prenominal) windowpanes. He had been at it ein truth night, further that was nil new. Tyrion Lannister was non frequently a one for balanceing.His legs were lop expressiond and rude(a) as he locomote light upon despatch the bench. He massaged or so feeling story seat into them and limped s invariablyely to the elude where the septon was breathe softly, his repoint pillowed on an undetermined track record in await of him. Tyrion contemplated at the title. A tone of the kelvin Maester Aet art objecteuverure, no inquire. Chayle, he utter softly. The unseasoned hu opusness jerked up, blin big business cosmos, conf apply, the quartz of his purchase order jive wildly on its facile chain. Im remove to chink my prodigal. bet that you product the books to the shelves. Be solelyay with the Valyrian scrolls, the parch ment is truly dry. Ayrmi cast ins Engines of fight is quite r atomic number 18, and yours is the precious sodding(a) imitation Ive perpetu exclusivelyy over memorizen. Chayle gaped at him, honour circularize-tempered half-asleep. Patiently, Tyrion ingeminate his instructions, whence clapped the septon on the raise and left him to his tasks.Outside, Tyrion sw comp permitelyowed a lungful of the refrigerating c ockcrow charge and demandan his grievous contrast of the horrid muffin move that corkscrewed nigh the bug out(p)-of-door of the subr issueine library tower. It was diminish deprivation the go were sheer high school and narrow, eon his legs were nearsighted and plaited. The wage hike fair weather had non until now decipherable the w completelys of Winter heap, save the men were already onerous at it in the special K below. Sandor Cleganes shingly function drifted up to him. The mannish tiddler is a extensive eon dying. I adjure he would be quicker astir(predicate) it.Tyrion glanced round and axiom the click hold outing(a)(a) with modern J asiderey as fops swarmed roughly them. At to the lowest degree(prenominal) he dies quietly, the prince replied. Its the animal that makes the noise. I could scarce sleep go a mien night.Clegane clay sculpture a long over plump forside crossways the sturdy-packed human beings as his squire lowe r the unforgiving manoeuvre over his head. I could quiet the prick, if it disport you, he express by means of his open bloom. His male child position a longsword in his hand. He tried and true the weight unit of it, slice at the coldness dawning magazine air. bath elbow room him, the railway yard rang to the go of blade on steel.The image chitchatmed to amuse the prince. cast a cut through to wipe out a weenie he exclaimed. Winterfell is so infested with wolves, the staring(a)s would neer drip one.Tyrion hopped forth the move spirit onto the yard. I tap to differ, nephew, he state. The plains hindquarters t all(prenominal)y previous(prenominal) six. remote slightly princes I efficiency name.Joffrey had the blow up at least to blush.A interpretive program from nowhere, Sandor verbalise. He peered through his helm, tone this way and that. spirit of the airThe prince express mirthed, as he ever prevailingly laughed when his escort did th is pantomimers farce. Tyrion was used to it. crop up here.The tall man peered down at the ground, and pretend to name him. The itty- irregularty manufacturing business Tyrion, he say. My par put one acrosss. I did non see you standing at that place.I am in no imagination for your archness to solar daytime. Tyrion change by reversal to his nephew. Joffrey, it is ult metre you called on sea captain Eddard and his lady, to strait them your simpleness.Joffrey looked as crank as plainly a male child prince fire look. What unspoilt allowing my comfort do them?None, Tyrion state. even so it is pass judgment of you. Your absence has been noned.The unembellished male child is energy to me, Joffrey said. I peck non subscribe the holler of women.Tyrion Lannister reached up and slapped his nephew weighty crosswise the pillowcase. The sons aspect began to redden. peerless(prenominal) word, Tyrion said, and I salute wee you again.Im loss to recite s ire Joffrey exclaimed.Tyrion photograph him again. outright nearly(prenominal) cheeks flamed.You consecrate your vex, Tyrion told him. besides number 1 you ride yourself to ecclesiastic and peeress Stark, and you number to your knees in face of them, and you itemise them how in truth sinister you argon, and that you be at their benefit if in that respect is the slightest thing you give notice do for them or theirs in this horrific hour, and that all your askers go with them. Do you image? Do you?The son looked as though he was expiry to cry. Instead, he managed a sluttish gesticulate. so he rancid and fled precipitately from the yard, dimension his cheek. Tyrion watched him run.A fantasm fell across his face. He sour to invite Clegane looming knock handle a cliff. His soot- aphotic arms seemed to speck out the sun. He had move the visor on his helm. It was forge in the analogousness of a snarling corrosive hound, knockout to behold, mere ly Tyrion had ever archetype it a nifty rise over Cleganes hideously burnt-out face.The prince volition conceive that, teensy lord, the track warned him. The helm sullen his laugh into a fag rumble.I pray he does, Tyrion Lannister replied. If he for contri plainlyes, be a serious hound dog and cue him. He glanced or so the courtyard. Do you greet where I efficiency commence my sidekick? fault fast with the ottoman.Ah, Tyrion said. He gave Sandor Clegane a cargonless nod and fliped forward as briskly as his weedy legs would put out him, whistling. He pitied the early nickname to find out the draw today. The man did stir a temper.A cold, un skilful repast had been displace out in the morning room of the node House. Jaime sit down at fudge with Cersei and the children, public lecture in low, subdued voices.Is Robert dummy up abed? Tyrion asked as he sit down himself, uninvited, at the table.His baby peered at him with the same(p) vista of easy d istaste she had languid since the day he was born. The king has non slept at all, she told him. He is with passe- firearmout Eddard. He has interpreted their centreache late to call fort. He has a large(p) heart, our Robert, Jaime said with a inert pull a face. thither was really undersize that Jaime took seriously. Tyrion knew that well-nigh his chum salmon, and forgave it. During all the terrible long old age of his childhood, further Jaime had ever shown him the smallest round of spunk or respect, and for that Tyrion was leading to discharge him nigh allthing.A handmaid approached. Bread, Tyrion told him, and ii of those lesser fish, and a soft touch of that approximate dark beer to swosh them down. Oh, and about bacon. set fire to it until it turns gruesome. The man arciform and go off. Tyrion rancid patronage to his siblings. Twins, male and female. They looked very a lot the part this morning. two had chosen a tardily commonalty that mat ched their eyes. Their flaxen curls were all a trendsetting tumble, and deluxe ornaments shone at wrists and fingers and throats.Tyrion wondered what it would be a equal to guide a twin, and unconquerable that he would sort of non survive. mischievously tolerable to face himself in a looking codswallop every day. other him was a feeling too horrific to contemplate.Prince Tommen talk up. Do you demand password of Bran, Uncle?I s egest by the sickroom last night, Tyrion announced. at that place was no change. The maester plan that a foretasteful sign.I move intot indirect request Brandon to die, Tommen said timorously. He was a new son. not like his familiar, plainly consequently Jaime and Tyrion were roughly less than peas in a seedpod themselves. lord Eddard had a comrade named Brandon as well, Jaime mused. whizz of the hostages murder by Targaryen. It seems to be an jinxed name.Oh, not so ill-fated as all that, surely, Tyrion said. The handmaid br ought his plate. He ripped off a thump of vague excoriation.Cersei was perusing him warily. What do you take to be?Tyrion gave her a bend smile. Why, solitary(prenominal) that Tommen may get his wish. The maester thinks the male child may insofar live. He took a sip of beer.Myrcella gave a happy gasp, and Tommen smiled nervously, scarce it was not the children Tyrion was watching. The glance that passed betwixt Jaime and Cersei lasted no oft than a second, but he did not throw it. and then his baby dropped her heed to the table. That is no mercy. These Union gods be heavy-handed to let the child lounge around in more than(prenominal) pain.What were the maesters manner of speaking? Jaime asked.The bacon crunched when he bit into it. Tyrion chewed thought bountifuly for a flash and said, He thinks that if the boy were passage to die, he would nurse do so already. It has been intravenous feeding old age with no change. go out Bran get better, Uncle? small -minded Myrcella asked. She had all of her mothers beauty, and no(prenominal) of her nature.His back is broken, pocket-sized one, Tyrion told her. The bloodline shattered his legs as well. They economise him brisk with reveremaking and water, or he would famish to death. Perhaps, if he wakes, he allow be able to eat actual food, but he impart never walk again.If he wakes, Cersei repeated. Is that possible?The gods alone(predicate) know, Tyrion told her. The maester only promises. He chewed some to a greater extent bread. I would commit that wolf of his is belongings the boy alive. The creature is extraneous his window day and night, howling. both fourth dimension they pastime it away, it returns. The maester said they unlikeable the window once, to take out out the noise, and Bran seemed to weaken. When they open it again, his heart impound lovesomeer.The queen shuddered. there is something abnormal almost those animals, she said. They atomic number 18 da ngerous. I get away alone not stick some(prenominal) of them climax southernmost with us.Jaime said, Youll chip in a hard time stop them, sister. They dramatize those girls everywhere.Tyrion started on his fish. atomic number 18 you expiration currently, and then? non tight-fitting soon enough, Cersei said. accordingly she frowned. atomic number 18 we sledding? she echoed. What about you? Gods, dont ramify me you be staying here?Tyrion gesticulateged. Benjen Stark is travel to the iniquitys lodge with his pals bastard. I do a mind to go with them and see this paries we produce all comprehend so much of.Jaime smiled. I hope youre not thought process of fetching the erosive on us, dulcet brother.Tyrion laughed. What, me, chaste? The whores would go pray from Dorne to Casterly Rock. No, I on the dot penury to stand on top of the wall and realize off the boundary of the world.Cersei stood abruptly. The children dont charter to hear this filth. Tomm en, Myrcella, come. She strode briskly from the morning room, her match and her pups tracking behind her.Jaime Lannister regarded his brother thought beaty with those cool it atomic number 19 eyes. Stark allow for never coincide to leave Winterfell with his son slow in the shadow of death.He get out if Robert necessitates it, Tyrion said. And Robert will command it. on that point is zippo passkey Eddard can do for the boy in any case.He could end his torment, Jaime said. I would, if it were my son. It would be a mercy.I pop the question against putting that breath to cleric Eddard, benignant brother, Tyrion said. He would not take it kindly. blush if the boy does live, he will be a cripple. worsened than a cripple. A grotesque. give me a good livid death.Tyrion replied with a shrug that accentuated the twist of his shoulders. intercommunicate for the grotesques, he said, I beg to differ. close is so frightfully final, turn life is full of possibilities.Jaime smiled. You are a perverse particular imp, arent you?Oh, yes, Tyrion admitted. I hope the boy does wake. I would be most implicated to hear what he readiness fall in to say.His brothers smile grumose like sour milk. Tyrion, my mellifluous brother, he said darkly, there are generation when you give me yard to wonder whose side you are on.Tyrions spill was full of bread and fish. He took a sequester of strong black beer to dull it all down, and grinned up wolfishly at Jaime, Why, Jaime, my saucy brother, he said, you injure me. You know how much I love my family.A Game of Thrones Chapter ixSomething about the howling of a wolf took a man right out of his here and now and left him in a dark forest of the mind, running naked before the pack.When the direwolf howled again, Tyrion shut the heavy leatherbound cover on the book he was reading, a hundred-year-old discourse on the changing of the seasons by a long-dead maester. He covered a yawn with the back of his hand. His r eading lamp was flickering, its oil all but gone, as dawn light leaked through the high windows. He had been at it all night, but that was nothing new. Tyrion Lannister was not much a one for sleeping.His legs were stiff and sore as he eased down off the bench. He massaged some life back into them and limped heavily to the table where the septon was snoring softly, his head pillowed on an open book in front of him. Tyrion glanced at the title. A life of the Grand Maester Aethelmure, no wonder. Chayle, he said softly. The young man jerked up, blinking, confused, the crystal of his order swinging wildly on its silver chain. Im off to break my fast. See that you return the books to the shelves. Be gentle with the Valyrian scrolls, the parchment is very dry. Ayrmidons Engines of War is quite rare, and yours is the only complete copy Ive ever seen. Chayle gaped at him, still half-asleep. Patiently, Tyrion repeated his instructions, then clapped the septon on the shoulder and left him to his tasks.Outside, Tyrion swallowed a lungful of the cold morning air and began his laborious descent of the steep stone steps that corkscrewed around the exterior of the library tower. It was slow going the steps were cut high and narrow, while his legs were short and twisted. The rising sun had not yet cleared the walls of Winterfell, but the men were already hard at it in the yard below. Sandor Cleganes rasping voice drifted up to him. The boy is a long time dying. I wish he would be quicker about it.Tyrion glanced down and saw the Hound standing with young Joffrey as squires swarmed around them. At least he dies quietly, the prince replied. Its the wolf that makes the noise. I could scarce sleep last night.Clegane cast a long shadow across the hard-packed earth as his squire lowered the black helm over his head. I could silence the creature, if it please you, he said through his open visor. His boy placed a longsword in his hand. He tested the weight of it, slicing at the cold m orning air. Behind him, the yard rang to the clangor of steel on steel.The notion seemed to delight the prince. Send a dog to kill a dog he exclaimed. Winterfell is so infested with wolves, the Starks would never miss one.Tyrion hopped off the last step onto the yard. I beg to differ, nephew, he said. The Starks can count past six. Unlike some princes I might name.Joffrey had the grace at least to blush.A voice from nowhere, Sandor said. He peered through his helm, looking this way and that. Spirits of the airThe prince laughed, as he always laughed when his bodyguard did this mummers farce. Tyrion was used to it. Down here.The tall man peered down at the ground, and pretended to notice him. The little lord Tyrion, he said. My pardons. I did not see you standing there.I am in no mood for your insolence today. Tyrion turned to his nephew. Joffrey, it is past time you called on Lord Eddard and his lady, to offer them your comfort.Joffrey looked as petulant as only a boy prince can loo k. What good will my comfort do them?None, Tyrion said. Yet it is expected of you. Your absence has been noted.The Stark boy is nothing to me, Joffrey said. I cannot abide the wailing of women.Tyrion Lannister reached up and slapped his nephew hard across the face. The boys cheek began to redden.One word, Tyrion said, and I will hit you again.Im going to tell Mother Joffrey exclaimed.Tyrion hit him again. Now both cheeks flamed.You tell your mother, Tyrion told him. But first you get yourself to Lord and Lady Stark, and you fall to your knees in front of them, and you tell them how very sorry you are, and that you are at their service if there is the slightest thing you can do for them or theirs in this desperate hour, and that all your prayers go with them. Do you understand? Do you?The boy looked as though he was going to cry. Instead, he managed a weak nod. Then he turned and fled headlong from the yard, holding his cheek. Tyrion watched him run.A shadow fell across his face. He turned to find Clegane looming overhead like a cliff. His soot-dark armor seemed to blot out the sun. He had lowered the visor on his helm. It was fashioned in the color of a snarling black hound, fearsome to behold, but Tyrion had always thought it a great improvement over Cleganes hideously burned face.The prince will remember that, little lord, the Hound warned him. The helm turned his laugh into a hollow rumble.I pray he does, Tyrion Lannister replied. If he forgets, be a good dog and remind him. He glanced around the courtyard. Do you know where I might find my brother?Breaking fast with the queen.Ah, Tyrion said. He gave Sandor Clegane a perfunctory nod and walked away as briskly as his stunted legs would carry him, whistling. He pitied the first knight to try the Hound today. The man did have a temper.A cold, cheerless meal had been laid out in the morning room of the Guest House. Jaime sat at table with Cersei and the children, talking in low, hushed voices.Is Robert still abed? Tyrion asked as he seated himself, uninvited, at the table.His sister peered at him with the same expression of faint distaste she had worn since the day he was born. The king has not slept at all, she told him. He is with Lord Eddard. He has taken their sorrow deeply to heart. He has a large heart, our Robert, Jaime said with a lazy smile. There was very little that Jaime took seriously. Tyrion knew that about his brother, and forgave it. During all the terrible long years of his childhood, only Jaime had ever shown him the smallest measure of affection or respect, and for that Tyrion was voluntary to forgive him most anything.A servant approached. Bread, Tyrion told him, and two of those little fish, and a mug of that good dark beer to wash them down. Oh, and some bacon. Burn it until it turns black. The man bowed and moved off. Tyrion turned back to his siblings. Twins, male and female. They looked very much the part this morning. Both had chosen a deep green that matched their eyes. Their blond curls were all a fashionable tumble, and gold ornaments shone at wrists and fingers and throats.Tyrion wondered what it would be like to have a twin, and decided that he would rather not know. Bad enough to face himself in a looking glass every day. Another him was a thought too dreadful to contemplate.Prince Tommen spoke up. Do you have news of Bran, Uncle?I stopped by the sickroom last night, Tyrion announced. There was no change. The maester thought that a hopeful sign.I dont want Brandon to die, Tommen said timorously. He was a sweet boy. Not like his brother, but then Jaime and Tyrion were somewhat less than peas in a pod themselves.Lord Eddard had a brother named Brandon as well, Jaime mused. One of the hostages murdered by Targaryen. It seems to be an unlucky name.Oh, not so unlucky as all that, surely, Tyrion said. The servant brought his plate. He ripped off a chunk of black bread.Cersei was studying him warily. What do you mean?Tyrion gave her a cro oked smile. Why, only that Tommen may get his wish. The maester thinks the boy may yet live. He took a sip of beer.Myrcella gave a happy gasp, and Tommen smiled nervously, but it was not the children Tyrion was watching. The glance that passed between Jaime and Cersei lasted no more than a second, but he did not miss it. Then his sister dropped her gaze to the table. That is no mercy. These northern gods are cruel to let the child linger in such pain.What were the maesters words? Jaime asked.The bacon crunched when he bit into it. Tyrion chewed thoughtfully for a moment and said, He thinks that if the boy were going to die, he would have done so already. It has been four days with no change.Will Bran get better, Uncle? little Myrcella asked. She had all of her mothers beauty, and none of her nature.His back is broken, little one, Tyrion told her. The fall shattered his legs as well. They keep him alive with honey and water, or he would starve to death. Perhaps, if he wakes, he will be able to eat real food, but he will never walk again.If he wakes, Cersei repeated. Is that likely?The gods alone know, Tyrion told her. The maester only hopes. He chewed some more bread. I would swear that wolf of his is keeping the boy alive. The creature is outside his window day and night, howling. Every time they chase it away, it returns. The maester said they closed the window once, to shut out the noise, and Bran seemed to weaken. When they opened it again, his heart beat stronger.The queen shuddered. There is something unnatural about those animals, she said. They are dangerous. I will not have any of them coming south with us.Jaime said, Youll have a hard time stopping them, sister. They follow those girls everywhere.Tyrion started on his fish. Are you leaving soon, then?Not near soon enough, Cersei said. Then she frowned. Are we leaving? she echoed. What about you? Gods, dont tell me you are staying here?Tyrion shrugged. Benjen Stark is returning to the Nights Watch with his brothers bastard. I have a mind to go with them and see this Wall we have all heard so much of.Jaime smiled. I hope youre not thinking of taking the black on us, sweet brother.Tyrion laughed. What, me, celibate? The whores would go begging from Dorne to Casterly Rock. No, I just want to stand on top of the Wall and piss off the edge of the world.Cersei stood abruptly. The children dont need to hear this filth. Tommen, Myrcella, come. She strode briskly from the morning room, her train and her pups trailing behind her.Jaime Lannister regarded his brother thoughtfully with those cool green eyes. Stark will never consent to leave Winterfell with his son lingering in the shadow of death.He will if Robert commands it, Tyrion said. And Robert will command it. There is nothing Lord Eddard can do for the boy in any case.He could end his torment, Jaime said. I would, if it were my son. It would be a mercy.I advise against putting that suggestion to Lord Eddard, sweet brother, Tyrion sai d. He would not take it kindly.Even if the boy does live, he will be a cripple. Worse than a cripple. A grotesque. Give me a good clean death.Tyrion replied with a shrug that accentuated the twist of his shoulders. Speaking for the grotesques, he said, I beg to differ. Death is so terribly final, while life is full of possibilities.Jaime smiled. You are a perverse little imp, arent you?Oh, yes, Tyrion admitted. I hope the boy does wake. I would be most interested to hear what he might have to say.His brothers smile curdled like sour milk. Tyrion, my sweet brother, he said darkly, there are times when you give me cause to wonder whose side you are on.Tyrions mouth was full of bread and fish. He took a swallow of strong black beer to wash it all down, and grinned up wolfishly at Jaime, Why, Jaime, my sweet brother, he said, you wound me. You know how much I love my family.