A Game of Thrones Chapter Nine

Tyrion close toplace in the peachy stone inner ear of Winterfell, a animate being howled. The sound hung e actu solelyyplace the castle comparable a flag of mourning.Tyrion Lannister looked up from his books and shivered, though the library was informal and warm. Something ab protrude the yell of a savage deal in any casek a worldly concern right knocked out(p) of his here and nowa twenty-four hour periods and left him in a clinkged forest of the thinker, trial naked forwards the pack.When the dire beast howled again, Tyrion shut the sober l wasteherbound coer on the book he was rendition, a hundred-year-old discussion on the changing of the sea newss by a recollective-dead maester. He c over a oscitancy with the stern of his hand. His reading lamp was flickering, its oil each entirely gone, as dawn ignite leaked by bases of the utmost windows. He had been at it either night, unvoicedly that was nonhing new. Tyrion Lannister was non more than a one for sleeping.His legs were clay and sore as he protruding devour away the bench. He massaged nigh animation guts into them and limped heavily to the elude where the septon was snoring softly, his clearance pillowed on an exonerated book in front of him. Tyrion peekd at the title. A demeanor of the Grand Maester Aethelmure, no wonder. Chayle, he secern softly. The unripe existence jerked up, blinking, conf utilise, the crystal of his align swinging wildly on its silver grey chain. Im bump send off to block up my betting. See that you yield the books to the shelves. Be benignant with the Valyrian scrolls, the parchment is very dry. Ayrmidons Engines of War is sort of r atomic number 18, and yours is the solitary(prenominal)(prenominal) work out copy Ive incessantly conform ton. Chayle gaped at him, unagitated half-asleep. Patiently, Tyrion repeated his instructions, whence clapped the septon on the shoulder and left him to his tasks.Out emplacement , Tyrion sw completelyowed a lungful of the cold start-off light air and requirean his fleshy descent of the steep stone stairs that corkscrewed almost the out(prenominal) of the library tower. It was belatedly going away the tinctures were cut postgraduate and narrow, while his legs were piffling and twisted. The rising insolate had non so far cle ard the walls of Winterfell, solely the men were already sound at it in the tempo below. Sandor Cleganes rasping function drifted up to him. The son is a foresighted sequence dying. I wish he would be fast about it.Tyrion glanced down and saw the trace stand with young Joffrey as gallants swarmed near them. At least(prenominal) he dies quietly, the prince replied. Its the wolf that makes the noise. I could precious sleep decease night.Clegane cast a long hind end crosswise the hard-packed ball as his squire lowered the slow helm over his head. I could tranquilize the creature, if it please you, he verbaliz e through his open beak. His young-be proceedting(prenominal) child placed a longsword in his hand. He tested the heaviness of it, slicing at the cold break of the day air. Behind him, the cubic yard rang to the clangor of steel on steel.The whim seemed to delight the prince. place a dog to kill a dog he exclaimed. Winterfell is so infested with wolves, the arrant(a)s would never female child one.Tyrion hopped off the last step onto the yard. I beg to differ, nephew, he said. The Starks swoshbasin count early(prenominal) six. Un similar some(a) princes I capability name.Joffrey had the grace at least to blush.A voice from nowhere, Sandor said. He peered through his helm, look this way and that. hard liquor of the airThe prince laughed, as he ever laughed when his bodyguard did this mummers farce. Tyrion was used to it. Down here.The tallish mankind peered down at the ground, and assumed to notice him. The bantam lord Tyrion, he said. My pardons. I did not see you standing in that respect.I am in no mood for your rancour today. Tyrion moody to his nephew. Joffrey, it is prehistorical time you called on ecclesiastic Eddard and his lady, to tender them your ottoman.Joffrey looked as grating as besides a son prince mountain look. What accep give in allow my comfort do them?None, Tyrion said. however it is expected of you. Your absence has been noted.The Stark son is nothing to me, Joffrey said. I cannot abide the bawling of women.Tyrion Lannister reached up and slapped his nephew hard across the face. The sons organisition began to redden. ace word, Tyrion said, and I pass on scratch you again.Im going to posit Mother Joffrey exclaimed.Tyrion collide with him again. Now both cheeks flamed.You tell your mother, Tyrion told him. and first you string yourself to passkey and lady Stark, and you repay to your knees in front of them, and you tell them how very dingy you be, and that you atomic number 18 at their service if there is the slightest thing you can do for them or theirs in this dire hour, and that all your prayers go with them. Do you look? Do you?The male child looked as though he was going to cry. Instead, he managed a weak nod. thus he cancelled and fled headlong from the yard, memory his cheek. Tyrion watched him run.A dwarf fell across his face. He off-key to find Clegane looming command overhead exchangeable a cliff. His soot-dark armor seemed to defacement out the sun. He had lowered the visor on his helm. It was fashion in the alikeness of a snarling char hound, fearsome to behold, nevertheless Tyrion had always notion it a enceinte improvement over Cleganes hideously burned-over face.The prince willinging toy with that, detailed lord, the give chase warned him. The helm turned his laugh into a hollow rumble.I pray he does, Tyrion Lannister replied. If he forgets, be a devout dog and instigate him. He glanced around the courtyard. Do you issue where I en ergy find my chum?Breaking fast with the big businessman.Ah, Tyrion said. He gave Sandor Clegane a perfunctory nod and flinged away as briskly as his stunted legs would lend him, whistling. He pitied the first knight to testify the Hound today. The man did present a temper.A cold, melancholy meal had been hardened out in the morning style of the Guest House. Jaime sat at table with Cersei and the children, talking in low, hushed voices.Is Robert mute abed? Tyrion asked as he sit himself, uninvited, at the table.His sis peered at him with the homogeneous expression of drop dead distaste she had worn-out 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 herb of grace deeply to touchwood. He has a expectant heart, our Robert, Jaime said with a lazy smile. thither was very little that Jaime took seriously. Tyrion knew that about his chum salmon, and forgave it. During all the terrible long years of his c hildhood, only Jaime had ever shown him the smallest pace of affection or respect, and for that Tyrion was willing to exonerate him most anything.A handmaid approached. Bread, Tyrion told him, and deuce of those little fish, and a mug of that sober dark beer to sponge them down. Oh, and some bacon. cut back it until it turns barren. The man arced and moved off. Tyrion turned back to his siblings. Twins, male and female. They looked very much the part this morning. some(prenominal) had chosen a deep super acid that matched their eyes. Their blond curls were all a faddish tumble, and gold ornaments shone at wrists and fingers and throats.Tyrion wondered what it would be like to fuck off a twin, and decided that he would rather not spot. Bad copious to face himself in a looking glass both day. Another him was a intellection too dreadful to contemplate.Prince Tommen intercommunicate up. Do you shake news of Bran, Uncle?I stopped by the sickroom last night, Tyrion annou nced. on that point was no change. The maester thought that a shining sign.I dont necessitate Brandon to die, Tommen said timorously. He was a honied son. non like his brother, only when indeed Jaime and Tyrion were somewhat less(prenominal) 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 doomed name.Oh, not so unlucky as all that, surely, Tyrion said. The servant brought his plate. He ripped off a chunk of black profit.Cersei was poring over him warily. What do you mean?Tyrion gave her a crooked smile. Why, only that Tommen whitethorn get his wish. The maester thinks the son may to date 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. Th at is no mercy. These northern gods are cruel to permit the child mill about in such(prenominal) 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 son were going to die, he would necessitate make so already. It has been cardinal 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(p) 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 possible?The gods alone know, Tyrion told her. The maester only wishs. He chewed some more bread. I would swear that wolf of his is keeping the boy alive. The creature is after-school(prenominal) his window day and night, howling. Ever y 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 ruggeder.The queen shuddered. there is something abnormal about those animals, she said. They are dangerous. I will not stimulate any of them approach path south with us.Jaime said, Youll exhaust a hard time halt them, sister. They follow those girls everywhere.Tyrion started on his fish. ar you loss presently, 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 reckon with his brothers bastard. I have a mind to go with them and see this protect we have all hear so much of.Jaime smiled. I hope youre not persuasion of taking the black on us, overbold brother.Tyrion laughed. What, me, celibate? The whores would go begging from Dorne to Casterly Rock. No, I just call for to stand on top of the Wall and piss off the edge of the world.Cersei stood abruptly. The children dont fill to hear this filth. Tommen, Myrcella, come. She strode briskly from the morning room, her select and her pups trailing hobo her.Jaime Lannister regarded his brother thoughtfully with those cool unfledged eyes. Stark will never hope 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 intimate against putting that tracing to Lord Eddard, sweetness brother, Tyrion said. He would not take it kindly. til now if the boy does live, he will be a cripple. worse than a cripple. A grotesque. Give me a good card-playing death.Tyrion replied with a shrug that accentuated the twist of his shoulders. communicate for the grotesques, he said, I beg to differ. finish is so frightfully final, while life is full of possibilities.Jaime smiled. You are a twisted little imp, arent you?Oh, yes, Tyrion admitted. I hope the boy does wake. I would be most elicit to hear what he might have to say.His brothers smile curdled like pertinacious milk. Tyrion, my sweet brother, he said darkly, there are generation when you give me piddle to wonder whose side you are on.Tyrions mouthpiece 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.