Difference between revisions of "A Clash of Kings-Chapter 20"

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{{Infobox Chapter ACfK
 
{{Infobox Chapter ACfK
| pov = [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]]
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| pov = [[Tyrion Lannister]]
 
| place        = [[King's Landing]]
 
| place        = [[King's Landing]]
 
| title = Tyrion V
 
| title = Tyrion V
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[[Tyrion Lannister]] visits the [[Guildhall of the Alchemists]] about the preparation of the [[Wildfire]], and then meets with Ser [[Cleos Frey]] about [[Robb Stark]]’s terms for peace. He is returning to the [[Red Keep]] when he passes a crowd listening to a prophet corruption, talking about incest, and the even the [[High Septon]] forgetting the gods. When he returns to his chamber he finds [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] waiting for him to rant about sending her daughter [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]] to [[Dorne]]. Now Tyrion knows the informer.
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[[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] visits the [[Guildhall of the Alchemists]] to discuss the production of [[wildfire]] then meets with Ser [[Cleos Frey]] about [[Robb Stark]]'s peace terms. On the way back to the [[Red Keep]], Tyrion passes a prophet preaching of corruption and incest. When he finds [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] waiting in his solar, the pair argue about strategy and sending [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]] to [[Dorne]], which gives Tyrion the identity of an informer.
  
 
==Synopsis==
 
==Synopsis==
Head pyromancer [[Hallyne]] is showing [[Tyrion Lannister]] around in a long and dark vault, introducing him to [[wildfire]]. The murky green "substance", as the pyromancers call it, is stored here in numerous little clay jars standing on tables between damp walls full of nitre. The vault is located deep under [[Rhaenys's hill|Rhaenys's Hill]] and reached via steps leading down from the [[Guildhall of the Alchemists]]. Tyrion had been warned to dress warmly, which he did with a large shadowskin coat he once got in the [[Mountains of the Moon]]. The place is indeed cold, so cold that [[Timett]] retreated after a brief taste of it.
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[[File:Wildfire.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Tyrion inspect a jar of wildfire (''[[Game of Thrones]]'')]]
  
Picking up one of the grapefruit-like, hand-sized jars (well, hand-sized for normal men), Tyrion notices that the pottery is both fragile and roughened. Hallyne explains that the uneven surface is intentional to keep the jars from slipping when grasped, also sharing that it was [[Aerys II Targaryen|Mad King Aerys]] who came up with the idea of giving the containers the shape of fruits. The liquid is thick, Tyrion observes. That's because of the cold, he learns. However, it will flow more easily, like lamp oil, when it enters warmer surroundings, eventually self-igniting if those surroundings are too hot. Thus wildfire jars shouldn't be left in the open sun, even for a short time. Once it has been kindled, the liquid will start to expand violently, with the jar inevitably exploding at some point, causing a chain reaction if other jars happen to be located nearby. Morever, wildfire will burn until nothing is left and cannot be quenched by water. It seeps into cloth, wood, leather, steel, lighting them as well. Even a thin coating can burn for an hour, as Tyrion remembers from the flaming sword of [[Thoros of Myr]], which, however, had to be replaced after each melee. (The costs were covered by [[Robert Baratheon|King Robert]], as he was fond of Thoros.) Hallyne instructs Tyrion that wildfire even oozes into the clay of its own jars. This makes older stock a delicate matter, in particular as wildfire also gets more fickle with age. There are in fact 4,000 containers left from the times of the Mad King, sealed with wax and stored in a lower vault that is watered, Hallyne shares.
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[[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] is glad he took the advice to dress warmly, despite looking like a ball of striped fur bundled up in his [[shadowcat|shadowskin]] cloak. Deep under [[Rhaenys's Hill]], the chill in the dank vaults behind the [[Guildhall of the Alchemists]] is so bone-deep that even [[Timett]] retreated after a brief taste.  
  
Tyrion is annoyed by how pretentious the pyromancers are, calling each other "Wisdom" and hinting at the vast secret knowledge they possess. That doesn't fit the reality, where the once powerful guild has only a few members left, who don't even pretend anymore that they transmute metals, and where the head pyromancer wears robes that look patchy and moth-eaten, as Tyrion hasn't failed to notice. Hallyne himself admits that the members of his guild were so decimated during the [[Sack of King’s Landing]] that those remaining weren't up to the task of destroying the stocks left from the [[The Wildfire Plot|Wildfire Plot]], as should have happened. Over the last few centuries, the pyromancers have been supplanted by the [[maester]]s in almost every respect -- except when it comes to the creation of wildfire, the recipe for which is kept a closely guarded secret.  
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By the light of a sealed lamp, Tyrion inspects a fragile, grapefruit-shaped clay jar. The jar has a pebbled texture to keep it from slipping when grasped, and when Tyrion tilts it to peer inside the murky green [[wildfire]] oozes toward the lip. When Tyrion remarks on its thickness, the pallid and obsequious [[Pyromancer]] [[Hallyne]] explains that "the substance" (as the pyromancers call it) flows more easily as it warms.
  
Can the older stocks still be used? They can, Hallyne informs Tyrion, although they have to be treated with special care. So how large are the stocks all in all? Hallyne explains that, by a count made by Wisdom [[Munciter]] the same day, the guild currently guards 7,840 jars of wildfire, including the ones from King Aerys' days (a stock that increased by 200 jars the year before, when, to the immense terror of the [[High Septon (Fat One)|High Septon]], as many were discovered in a storeroom under the [[Great Sept of Baelor]] and brought to the Guildhall in a delicate and secret operation supervised by Hallyne himself). Thus the pyromancers should be able to keep the promise, made to [[Cersei Lannister|Queen Cersei]], of delivering 10,000 jars of wildfire, as Wisdom [[Malliard]] and Hallyne calculate. Tyrion is astonished. He thought that number was only a wild boast, as he knows that the process of creating wildfire is lengthy and dangerous. Isn't some undue haste involved here, probably leading to defective wildfire? Aren't any mishaps possible during production? Hallyne assures Tyrion that the substance is only handled by trained acolytes and produced in one-man work cells with rooms full of sand above. If a fire breaks out, a secret mechanism releases the sand, which will smother the blaze -- and the guilty acolyte as well, Tyrion adds. He is so intrigued by this whole set-up that he intends to inspect such a cell at some point, maybe after the [[War of the Five Kings|war]] has ended, he thinks by himself.
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Tyrion is annoyed by the alchemists' pretentiousness. Their habits of calling each other "wisdom" and hinting at vast stores of secret knowledge do not match the reality of a declining guild in moth-eaten robes who no longer even pretend to transmute metals. The [[Maesters]] of the [[Citadel]] have supplanted the once-powerful guild in almost every respect
―except the creation of wildfire, which remains a closely-guarded guild secret.
  
Hallyne comes back to the importance of handling the jars with care. While the pyromancers always have the power of wildfire in mind, common soldiers may not be so considerate, he suggests. This could lead to a catastrophe, as Hallyne's father already explained to King Aerys and his grandfather to [[Jaehaerys II Targaryen|King Jaehaerys]]. Tyrion inquires whether the guild has a sufficient supply of jars. Hallyne answers that they have. He is bewildered when Tyrion asks whether the pyromancers can cede a few thousand empty jars to him, to be delivered to the captains in charge at each of the city gates. Tyrion does not share what exactly he intends to do with the jars, yet he hints that his request has been triggered by Hallyne repeatedly stressing that wildfire needs to be handled carefully.
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Hallyne explains that once kindled, wildfire cannot be quenched and will seep into cloth, wood, leather, or even steel and set them afire as well. Tyrion recalls from the flaming sword of [[Thoros of Myr]] that even a thin coating can burn for an hour, though it ruins the sword. When Tyrion asks why the wildfire doesn't seep into the clay pots, Hallyne explains that it does, and thus they have a lower vault full of pots from the reign of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], whose fancy it was to shape the jars like fruit. By rights, those jars should be destroyed, but so many of the guild's masters were killed during the [[Sack of King's Landing]] that they lack the skill and have flooded the vaults instead. Hallyne adds that the [[wildfire plot|whereabouts]] of much of King Aerys's stock was also lost, such as a cache of two hundred jars discovered only last year under the [[Great Sept of Baelor]]. Hallyne admits this older stock can still be used, but urges extreme caution, since wildfire grows more volatile with age and will self-ignite if left in even direct sunlight for too long, causing it to expand violently and create a chain reaction among nearby jars.  
  
Tyrion has seen enough and asks Hallyne to escort him back to his litter. While climbing the stairs back up, the pyromancer stresses what an honor it has been to welcome the [[Hand of the King]] at the Guildhall, something that hasn't happened since the times of [[Rossart]], who, however, was a pyromancer himself. The mention of Rossart as well as of the interest King Aerys took in the work of the pyromancers reminds Tyrion of some of the stories his brother [[Jaime Lannister|Jaime]] told him about those days, such as the Mad King using the alchemists for burning the flesh off his enemies. Thus he is apprehensive when Hallyne brings up an idea he has already talked about with Cersei, namely that [[Joffrey Baratheon|King Joffrey]] himself could visit the Guildhall for a feast. Tyrion suspects that any direct contact with the pyromancers could trigger Joffrey to use them the same way the Mad King did. He tells Hallyne that, in light of smallfolk starving, the King has banned all feasts until the war has been won. Which he only did on his uncle's insistence, as Tyrion thinks by himself. Hallyne then proposes that he and some of his brothers make a demonstration of the "dread secrets of our ancient order" at the [[Red Keep]] to distract Joffrey from his many duties, and Tyrion has no objections against what he suspects would merely constitute a few magic tricks.
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When Tyrion asks how many jars they have, Hallyne quotes the morning's count by Wisdom [[Munciter]] as 7,840 jars, including 4,000 from King Aerys' older stock and says he is confident the guild will meet its promise of 10,000 jars. Tyrion is astonished, delighted, and terrified. He knows creating wildfire is a lengthy and dangerous process, and thought the number was only a wild boast. He insists he does not want any undue haste or defective wildfire, but Hallyne assures him the wildfire is prepared only by trained acolytes in work cells designed to fill with sand and smother any fires―and the hapless acolyte. Tyrion is interested in inspecting how such a cell would work, but he does not have time.
  
After a walk through the twists and turns of the Guildhall, they come to the [[Guildhall of the Alchemists#Gallery of the Iron Torches|Gallery of the Iron Torches]], a marked contrast to the rest of this building of black stone. In the long echoing chamber with walls and floors of polished black marble, columns of wildfire surround high black metal columns, creating an effect of emerald radiance. However, Tyrion is not that much impressed, as he knows that wildfire is too valuable to be wasted on such effects and that the huge iron torches have only been lit for the special occasion of his visit, to be extinguished shortly after he has left. They emerge atop the steps of the Guildhall that lead down to the Street of the Sisters near [[Visenya's hill|Visenya's Hill]] and Tyrion bids farewell to Hallyne. He walks down to his litter, where Timett and a number of [[Mountain clans#The Burned Men|Burned Men]] are waiting for him, the latter a most appropriate escort considering his task at the Guildhall, Tyrion thinks. They are also a necessary precaution, as only three days ago King Joffrey has made the Crown more enemies by having his men shoot at protesters who had gathered at the gates of the Red Keep chanting for food, killing four, then telling the crowd he gave them leave to eat their dead.  
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Hallyne reiterates the importance of handling wildfire with care, suggesting that common soldiers in the frenzy of battle may not be as considerate as trained pyromancers, and any little mistake could be catastrophic. In response, Tyrion requests as many spare jars as possible to be delivered to each of the city gates.  
  
Tyrion is surprised to find [[Bronn]] at the litter as well. Bronn has two messages for Tyrion: [[Jacelyn Bywater]], the Commander of the [[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]], urgently requires him at [[Gate of the Gods]] and Cersei has "summoned" him to [[Red Keep#Maegor's Holdfast|Maegor's Holdfast]], the latter message delivered by [[Lancel Lannister]]. Tyrion decides to see Bywater first, as the man isn't prone to waste his time whereas letting Cersei wait will arouse her anger, making her act stupidly, which Tyrion prefers to her composed cunning.
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As they walk back, Hallyne stresses the honor of welcoming the [[Hand of the King]] for the first time since Lord [[Rossart]], who was of their guild himself. The mention of Rossart reminds Tyrion of the stories of Mad King Aerys II using the alchemists to burn his enemies, and he decides it would be best to keep [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] well away from the pyromancers to prevent him getting the same idea. As such, when Hallyne proposes hosting a feast for Joffrey, Tyrion explains that Joffrey has forbidden feasting (at Tyrion's insistence) until the war is won. However, Tyrion has no objections when Hallyne instead proposes a demonstration of the "dread secrets" of his ancient order at the [[Red Keep]]; there is no harm in a few magic tricks.
  
The litter arrives at the Gate of the Gods and Tyrion notices that the usually busy market square inside is nearly deserted. Bywater informs him that Ser [[Cleos Frey]] has arrived with peace terms from [[Robb Stark]]. Tyrion is pleased with this news. He meets Ser Cleos, who looks gaunt and is hesitant to talk with Tyrion, as his orders are to deliver the message to Cersei. He describes the dire situation in the [[Riverlands]], in particular around the [[Gods Eye]] and along the [[Kingsroad]]: The river lords are burning their own crops trying to starve the [[House Lannister|Lannisters]], while the Lannister foragers are torching every village and putting smallfolk to the sword. That's just the way of war, Tyrion thinks. Cleos tells him that, even with a peace banner, his group was attacked twice by marauders on its way to King's Landing, losing three with six wounded. Tyrion studies Robb's impossible peace terms and is amused. Cleos shares that Robb is idle at [[Riverrun]], probably afraid of facing [[Tywin Lannister]] on the battlefield, while he is weakened every day because river lords are leaving his host to defend their own lands. Tyrion wonders whether all of this is how his father intended it, then informs Cleos that the terms are inacceptable, including exchanging [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] and [[Arya Stark]] for [[Tion Frey]] and [[Willem Lannister]]. Yet he is going to consult with Cersei and the [[Small Council]] on own propositions for an exchange of hostages, to be delivered by Cleos. Cleos isn't pleased with the prospect of going back to Riverrun and tells Tyrion that Robb will not give in easily. It is in fact his mother, [[Catelyn Stark]], who wants this peace, not him. Tyrion says Cleos should rest and that he will send for him when more is known.
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[[File:Alchemist's Guild Hall Jonny Klein.png|350px|right|thumb|The Alchemists' Guild Hall - by Jonny Klein. © Fantasy Flight Games.]]
  
Tyrion joins Bywater watching several hundred new recruits drilling in the field. There is no shortage of recruits for the [[City Watch of King's Landing]], because men just want food and a bed, yet Tyrion has no illusions about how useful these ragged creatures will be in a battle. He tells Bywater he did the right thing contacting him and that he will leave Cleos in Bywater's care. Cleos is to receive every hospitality, including maesters treating his wounded escorts, yet none of them is to set foot into the city, as Tyrion doesn't want information about the conditions in the capital to reach Riverrun. He also informs Bywater about the jars that will be delivered by the alchemists to the city gates, instructing him to train the men at the spitfires with them on how to use wildfire, first by filling them with green paint, then with burning lamp oil. Men who spatter the paint or burn themselves firing the lamp oil should be replaced. The rest might eventually be trusted to handle wildfire. Bywater thinks this is a wise measure, although he has no love for "alchemist's piss". Tyrion agrees, yet he has to use what is given to him.
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After navigating the twists and turns of the Guildhall, they come to the long and echoing Gallery of the Iron Torches, where columns of wildfire flames burn around black metal columns and reflect off the black marble walls to bathe the hall in emerald light. However, Tyrion is less impressed because he knows the cost of wildfire means the torches have been lit only to impress him.
  
Back in his litter, Tyrion considers the implications of Robb's peace terms. He thinks they offer a golden chance for the Lannisters and intends to send Cleos back and forth between King's Landing and Riverrun, feeding Robb's illusion that real negotiations about an easy peace are going on while gaining some time for Ser [[Stafford Lannister]] to train his new troops at [[Casterly Rock]]. Once that host is ready, Stafford's and Tywin's armies could march on Riverrun, smashing the [[House Stark|Starks]] and [[House Tully|Tullys]] between them. What bothers Tyrion more right now than the [[King in the North]] are the two Baratheon kings, with [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]] moving his huge army towards King's Landing along the [[Roseroad]] and [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] probably sailing his equally huge fleet up the [[Blackwater Rush]] any day now. The thought of the large stock of wildfire that will be available gives Tyrion some comfort, but still...
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After bidding farewell to Hallyne on the doorstep, Tyrion descends the broad steps to the Street of Sisters near [[Visenya's hill]] where Timett waits with his litter and an escort of [[Burned Men]], a most appropriate escort for a visit to the pyromancers and a necessary precaution since Joffrey rained arrows on a hungry mob at the gates of the Red Keep only three days past. Tyrion is surprised to find [[Bronn]] waiting as well, with two messages: Ser [[Jacelyn Bywater]] urgently requires Tyrion at the [[Gate of the Gods]] and Cersei commands him to attend her in her chambers. Tyrion decides to see Bywater first, as the man is not prone to waste his time and forcing Cersei to wait will make her angry and stupid, which he prefers to composed and cunning.
  
A commotion at Cobbler's Square takes Tyrion out of his musings as his litter passes by. A sizable crowd has gathered to listen to the rantings of a prophet, his garb of undyed wool with a hempen rope as belt identifying him as one of the begging brothers. Calling the [[Red Comet]] in the sky above [[Aegon's high hill|Aegon's High Hill]] the “Father’s scourge”, he proclaims:
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The normally-busy food market inside the Gate of the Gods is nearly deserted as Tyrion crosses it to meet Ser Jacelyn, who informs him that Ser [[Cleos Frey]] has arrived with peace terms from [[Robb Stark]]. Tyrion is  pleased, but Cleos proves reluctant to discuss the terms since his orders are to deliver them directly to Cersei. Gaunt and haggard from his journey, Cleos describes the dire situation around the [[Gods Eye]] and the [[kingsroad]], where the river lords are burning their own crops to starve the Lannisters, who are in turn torching every village and killing the smallfolk. Tyrion dismisses this as the way of war while Cleos adds that even with a peace banner his party was attacked twice by [[broken men]], losing three men and another six wounded.
{{Quote|We have become swollen, bloated, foul. Brother couples with sister in the bed of kings, and the fruit of their incest capers in his palace to the piping of a twisted little monkey demon. Highborn ladies fornicate with fools and give birth to monsters! Even the [[High Septon]] has forgotten the gods! He bathes in scented waters and grows fat on lark and lamprey while his people starve! Pride comes before prayer, maggots rule our castles, and gold is all... but no more! The Rotten Summer is at an end, and the Whoremonger King is brought low! When the boar did open him, a great stench rose to heaven and a thousand snakes slid forth from his belly, hissing and biting!” He jabbed his bony finger back at comet and castle. “There comes the Harbinger! Cleanse yourselves, the gods cry out, lest ye be cleansed! Bathe in the wine of righteousness, or you shall be bathed in fire! Fire!}}
 
  
Some in the crowd pick up the "Fire!" shout, but there seem to be more who deride the prophet. Tyrion takes solace from this, as he orders the Burned Men to clear a path through the group and weighs the comment about the "twisted little monkey demon". The prophet does have a point about the High Septon, though, Tyrion thinks, smiling as he remembers a joke [[Moon Boy]] made the other day about the cleric's gluttonous ways.
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When Tyrion is amused by Robb's impossible peace terms, Cleos shares that Robb sits idle at [[Riverrun]], likely afraid to face Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] in battle, and grows weaker as the river lords disperse to defend their lands. Tyrion wonders if that was his father's plan, then informs Cleos that the terms―including the exchange of [[Willem Lannister]] and Cleos' brother [[Tion Frey]] for [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] and [[Arya Stark]]―are unacceptable, and Cleos will be expected to carry the [[small council]]'s counteroffer back to Riverrun. Cleos is not pleased with the prospect of recrossing a war zone and points out that it is [[Catelyn Stark]] who wants this peace, not Robb. Tyrion counters that Catelyn wants her daughters and urges Cleos to rest and await further instructions.
  
Having arrived at the Red Keep without any further incidence, Tyrion climbs the step to his solar. The developments of the day have made him a bit more hopeful. What he needs most is time, in particular for completing the construction of the chain he has ordered. When he is entering his chambers, Cersei is already there, furious that her brother left her waiting. Tyrion is angry as well, as [[Crawn]] and his [[Mountain clans#The Moon Brothers|Moon Brothers]] were supposed to guard the place in his absence. Cersei calls him a "disgusting little worm" for planning to mary off her only daughter [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]] like she was a bag of oats. Thus Tyrion knows his plot has been successful and he's curious now who shared the information with Cersei. Tyrion suggests that princesses are there to get married and asks Cersei whether she had intended for Myrcella to wed her brother [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]], prompting Cersei to slap a cup of wine out of his hand.
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Tyrion rejoins Jacelyn Bywater watching several hundred recruits drilling beyond the gate. With so many refugees, there is no lack of men joining the [[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]] for food and a bed, but Tyrion has no illusions about their worth in battle. He commends Bywater for contacting him and instructs him to give Ser Cleos and his escort every hospitality but to keep them outside the city to hide the truth of conditions there. He also instructs Bywater to use the jars the alchemists will deliver to train spitfire crews to handle wildfire using paint and burning oil. Bywater calls this a wise measure, although he has no love for "alchemist's piss". Tyrion agrees, but insists he must use what he is given.
  
Cersei declares that, as Queen Regent, she forbids Myrcella to be shipped off to [[Dorne]] the way she was shipped off to marry King Robert. Tyrion insists that Myrcella will be safer in Dorne than in King's Landing, even though [[House Martell]] has no cause to love the Lannisters, as pointed out by Cersei. After all, the feud between the Lannisters and the Martells only dates back one generation whereas the Martells have warred against [[Highgarden]] and [[Storm's End]] for a thousand years. Besides, [[Doran Martell]] will likely treat Myrcella better than Sansa has been treated by Joffrey. The plan is to have Myrcella be the guest of the Martells for the next five years, under the protection of Ser [[Arys Oakheart]], then let her marry [[Trystane Martell]] who is just two years older. Myrcella is not going to be a guest but a hostage, Cersei insists, and Prince Doran might decide to kill her at any point to avenge the murder of his sister, [[Elia Martell|Queen Elia]]. Tyrion dismisses the thought as he considers Prince Doran an honorable man. Besides, the other things he has offered Dorne for cementing an alliance with House Lannister -- handing over Elia's murderer, a council seat, castles in the [[Dornish Marches]] -- are even more attractive than a marriage bond, guaranteeing that Prince Doran will not refuse them and will keep Myrcella safe. Cersei accuses Tyrion of having offered too much and without her consent at that. Tyrion is derisive: What would Cersei have offered the Prince of Dorne instead, the hole between her legs? She slaps him. He promises her that this is the last time that this ever happened. She laughs at him and tells him not to threaten her, delivering an own threat by suggesting that Tyrion's belief that their father's letter protects him might be equally misguided as [[Eddard Stark]]'s belief that he was protected by King Robert's last will. Tyrion weighs this comment by himself. While Lord Eddard could not rely on the City Watch, nor on sellswords or Northern clansman, is it really wise to put his trust in men like [[Varys]], Bywater and Bronn?
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Back in his litter, Tyrion reflects that if he can use negotiations to keep Robb dreaming of an easy peace at Riverrun until Ser [[Stafford Lannister]] readies his new host at [[Casterly Rock]], then Stafford and Lord Tyrwin can smash Robb's forces between them. Tyrion only wishes the [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]]s would be as accommodating. With [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]] creeping up the [[roseroad]] with his massive southron army and [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] poised to sail his fleet up the [[Blackwater Rush]] any day, Tyrion takes small comfort from his stockpile of wildfire.
  
To calm Cersei down, Tyrion tries a different approach. He suggests that Renly and Stannis would put both hers and Myrcella's head on spikes, if they conquer King's Landing. To his utmost bewilderment, this comment prompts Cersei to cry, something Tyrion has not seen since they were children. Awkwardly he tries to comfort the angry and grief-stricken sister, yet is rejected in a hurtful manner. Still, he assures Cersei he didn't want to frighten her, promising her that nothing will happen to Myrcella. She calls him a liar who gives empty promises, proven by his failure to deliver on his promise to free Jaime. Jaime will be safe in Riverrun until he finds a way to free him, Tyrion assures her again.  
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A commotion in Cobbler's Square pulls Tyrion out of his musings. A sizable crowd listens to the rantings of a prophet garbed as a [[Faith of the Seven#Begging Brothers|begging brother]]. Calling the [[red comet]] in the sky above [[Aegon's high hill]] "the Father's Scourge", he proclaims:
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{{Quote|We have become swollen, bloated, foul. Brother couples with sister in the bed of kings, and the fruit of their incest capers in his palace to the piping of a twisted little [[monkey]] demon. Highborn ladies fornicate with fools and give birth to monsters! Even the [[High Septon]] has forgotten the gods! He bathes in scented waters and grows fat on lark and lamprey while his people starve! Pride comes before prayer, maggots rule our castles, and gold is all... but no more! The Rotten Summer is at an end, and the [[Robert I Baratheon|Whoremonger King]] is brought low! When the boar did open him, a great stench rose to heaven and a thousand snakes slid forth from his belly, hissing and biting! There comes the Harbinger! Cleanse yourselves, the gods cry out, lest ye be cleansed! Bathe in the wine of righteousness, or you shall be bathed in fire! Fire!}}
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Wounded by being called a "twisted little monkey demon", Tyrion takes solace from the hoots of derision drowning the echoing shouts as he orders the Burned Men to clear a path. He agrees with the prophet about the High Septon, however, smiling at the memory of a joke [[Moon Boy]] made at the gluttonous cleric's expense.
  
Cersei betrays her frustration that her gender keeps her from acting the way she thinks necessary, while the other men in her family, those not called Jaime, are proving ineffective in this war. What is their father doing in [[Harrenhal]], is he hiding? Why are he and Robb Stark not engaged in battle? Tyrion proposes an allegory with Tywin as lion and Robb as fawn. While the lion lying in wait speaks for composure and deliberation, the fawn lying in wait just betrays fear. Cersei is not convinced, pointing out that Jaime would not sit idly by, if their father was the prisoner. Tyrion knows she is right. An impatient Jaime would probably try to storm the walls of Riverrun, wasting his forces in the process, he thinks by himself. Yet what he says is that not everyone can be as bold as Jaime. Cersei should trust their father; Harrenhal is strong and well situated. Whereas King's Landing is not, Cersei adds. What if Renly storms the city? Tyrion tells her that the city can't be conquered in a day and that, in case King's Landing comes under siege, Lord Tywin will march his forces swiftly down the Kingsroad and fall into Renly's rear. Tyrion notices that his words give Cersei some reassurance. But what if Robb Stark decides to march? Tyrion tries to explain the disadvantage of Riverrun's position: Harrenhal prevents [[Roose Bolton]] from crossing the nearby fords of the [[Trident]] to reunite the northern foot forces with the rest of the host and if Robb intends to march on King's Landing, Harrenhal is in the way and too strong to be conquered probably even by the combined forces of Stark and Bolton. In the meantime, their father feeds his troops on the fat of the Riverlands and their uncle Stafford is raising a new army in Casterly Rock.
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Returning to the Red Keep without further incident, Tyrion ascends to his chambers in a hopeful mood, thinking all he needs is time to piece it all together. Entering his solar, he is confronted by Cersei, who is furious at him for ignoring her summons and plotting to sell her only daughter like a bag of oats. Knowing his [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 17|ploy]] has worked, Tyrion points out princesses like [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]] are born for such marriage alliances, unless Cersei planned to wed her to her brother [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]]. Cersei declares she will not allow Myrcella to be shipped off to [[Dorne]]. Without missing a beat, Tyrion points out that Dorne will be much safer than King's Landing, and the feud between the Lannisters and [[House Martell]] goes back only a generation, whereas the Dornishmen have warred with [[Storm's End]] and [[Highgarden]] for a millennium.
  
Cersei wonders how Tyrion knows all this. Did Lord Tywin really share his thoughts with his son? Tyrion replies that he has merely looked at a map to realize what is going on. Cersei becomes disdainful: "You have conjured every word of this in that grotesque head of yours, haven't you, Imp?" Tyrion decides it's time to inform her about the peace terms offered by Robb Stark, drawing out the letter Cleos brought. The terms are unacceptable, but it is a beginning, Tyrion tells her. Cersei takes the role of the Queen on again and wants to see the letter, asking how it is possible that it was not delivered to her frist. Tyrion jests that he his Hand to the King, so his task is to hand her things. He thinks by himself that getting slapped by Cersei is a small price to pay for the Dornish marriage, which he will get now, he senses. In addition, he has learned who Cersei's informer is, which really is the plum in this pudding for Tyrion.
+
Tyrion explains that he proposed nine-year-old Myrcella become a ward of Prince [[Doran Martell]] until she turns fourteen, at which time she will marry [[Trystane Martell]], who is just two years older. Cersei insists Myrcella will be a hostage, but Tyrion opines that she will be treated more kindly than Sansa Stark, especially with Ser [[Arys Oakheart]] of the [[Kingsguard]] as her [[sworn shield]]. Cersei still worries that Doran Martell might kill Myrcella to avenge the murder of his sister [[Elia Martell]], but Tyrion insists Doran is too honorable to murder an innocent girl and the terms are too rich to refuse: he has also promised the prince his sister's killer, a council seat, and some castles on the [[Dornish Marches]]. Cersei accuses Tyrion of offering too much without her consent, but he insists Doran would not accept less and asks if Cersei means to offer sexual favors instead. When she slaps him, Tyrion promises her it will be the last time, but Cersei only laughs and suggests Tyrion's faith that their father's letter will protect him might be as misguided as [[Eddard Stark]]'s faith in King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]]'s last will. Tyrion notes to himself that unlike Lord Eddard he has the City Watch, his clansmen, and a party of sellswords, though he supposes Stark had delusions of support as well.
 +
 
 +
Rather than argue, Tyrion declares that Renly and Stannis will mount Myrcella's head beside Cersei's if they take the city. To his astonishment, Cersei begins to cry, something Tyrion has not seen since they were children. Awkwardly he moves to comfort her, but she wrenches away, which hurts more than any slap. He promises nothing will happen to Myrcella, but Cersei calls him a liar and declares he has not kept his promise to free Jaime. Tyrion assures her that Jaime remains safe at Riverrun until he can find a way to free him.
 +
 
 +
Cersei laments that if she were a man she would not have allowed any of this to happen. She wonders how Jaime could let himself be captured and questions what their father is doing hiding in [[Harrenhal]]. Tyrion assures her Lord Tywin is making war, proposing that Tywin is a lion waiting to pounce while Robb is a fawn frozen by fear. Cersei is not convinced, pointing out that Jaime would not sit idle if their father were the prisoner. To himself, Tyrion agrees that Jaime never had any patience, but he only says that not everyone can be as bold as Jaime, but there are other ways to win a war, and Harrenhal is strong and well situated.
 +
 
 +
Cersei adds that King's Landing is neither and Renly's host will soon be at their gates. Tyrion assures her the city will not fall in a day, giving Lord Tywin time to march down the kingsroad to take Renly in the rear. Hungry for reassurance, Cersei asks what will happen if Robb Stark marches. Tyrion explains that Harrenhal prevents [[Roose Bolton]] from crossing the [[Trident]] to reunite the [[Northmen|northern]] forces, and even if he could, Robb does not have the strength to take Harrenhal and march on King's Landing. Meanwhile, Lord Tywin's army lives on the fat of the [[riverlands]] and their uncle Stafford is raising another army at Casterly Rock.
 +
 
 +
Wondering how Tyrion knows all this, Cersei asks if Lord Tywin confided in him. Tyrion replies that he only looked at a map, which causes Cersei to accuse him of mere speculation. Drawing out Robb's peace offer, Tyrion asks why Robb would offer terms―even unacceptable terms―if he were winning. Suddenly all queen again, Cersei asks how the terms came to Tyrion instead of her, but Tyrion quips that his job as Hand is to hand her things. As he hands her the letter, Tyrion muses that getting slapped by Cersei is a small price to pay for her agreement to the Dornish marriage, which he can sense he will now get. The identity of an informer is just the plum in his pudding.
 +
 
 +
==Character List==
 +
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| style="width:33;" |
 +
'''Appearing:'''
 +
*[[Tyrion Lannister]]
 +
*[[Timett]]
 +
*[[Hallyne]]
 +
*[[Bronn]]
 +
*[[Jacelyn Bywater]]
 +
*[[Cleos Frey]]
 +
*[[Cersei Lannister]]
 +
| style="width:33;" |
 +
'''Mentioned:'''
 +
*[[Thoros of Myr]]
 +
*[[Robert I Baratheon]]
 +
*[[Aerys II Targaryen]]
 +
*[[High Septon (fat one)]]
 +
*[[Munciter]]
 +
*[[Malliard]]
 +
*[[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]]
 +
*[[Rossart]]
 +
*[[Jaime Lannister]]
 +
*[[Lancel Lannister]]
 +
*[[Robb Stark]]
 +
| style="width:33;" |
 +
'''Mentioned:'''
 +
*[[Tywin Lannister]]
 +
*[[Eddard Stark]]
 +
*[[Sansa Stark]]
 +
*[[Arya Stark]]
 +
*[[Tion Frey]]
 +
*[[Willem Lannister]]
 +
*[[Catelyn Stark]]
 +
*[[Stafford Lannister]]
 +
*[[Renly Baratheon]]
 +
*[[Stannis Baratheon]]
 +
*[[Moon Boy]]
 +
| style="width:33;" |
 +
'''Mentioned'''
 +
*[[Crawn]]
 +
*[[Myrcella Baratheon]]
 +
*[[Tommen Baratheon]]
 +
*[[Doran Martell]]
 +
*[[Trystane Martell]]
 +
*[[Arys Oakheart]]
 +
*[[Varys]]
 +
*[[Aegon I Targaryen]]
 +
*[[Roose Bolton]]
 +
|}
  
 
==References and Notes==
 
==References and Notes==
Line 59: Line 119:
 
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Tyrion Lannister]]
 
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Tyrion Lannister]]
 
[[Category:Chapters which take place in King's Landing]]
 
[[Category:Chapters which take place in King's Landing]]
 +
[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Red Keep]]
  
 
[[fr:A Clash of Kings, Chapitre 21, Tyrion]]
 
[[fr:A Clash of Kings, Chapitre 21, Tyrion]]
 +
[[pt:A Fúria dos Reis - Capítulo 20]]

Latest revision as of 13:44, 19 February 2021

Tyrion V
A Clash of Kings chapter
AClashOfKings.jpg
POV Tyrion Lannister
Place King's Landing
Page 225 UK HC (Other versions)
Chapter chronology (All)
Tyrion IV
Arya V  ← Tyrion V →  Bran III

Tyrion VI

Tyrion visits the Guildhall of the Alchemists to discuss the production of wildfire then meets with Ser Cleos Frey about Robb Stark's peace terms. On the way back to the Red Keep, Tyrion passes a prophet preaching of corruption and incest. When he finds Cersei waiting in his solar, the pair argue about strategy and sending Myrcella to Dorne, which gives Tyrion the identity of an informer.

Synopsis

Tyrion inspect a jar of wildfire (Game of Thrones)

Tyrion is glad he took the advice to dress warmly, despite looking like a ball of striped fur bundled up in his shadowskin cloak. Deep under Rhaenys's Hill, the chill in the dank vaults behind the Guildhall of the Alchemists is so bone-deep that even Timett retreated after a brief taste.

By the light of a sealed lamp, Tyrion inspects a fragile, grapefruit-shaped clay jar. The jar has a pebbled texture to keep it from slipping when grasped, and when Tyrion tilts it to peer inside the murky green wildfire oozes toward the lip. When Tyrion remarks on its thickness, the pallid and obsequious Pyromancer Hallyne explains that "the substance" (as the pyromancers call it) flows more easily as it warms.

Tyrion is annoyed by the alchemists' pretentiousness. Their habits of calling each other "wisdom" and hinting at vast stores of secret knowledge do not match the reality of a declining guild in moth-eaten robes who no longer even pretend to transmute metals. The Maesters of the Citadel have supplanted the once-powerful guild in almost every respect
―except the creation of wildfire, which remains a closely-guarded guild secret.

Hallyne explains that once kindled, wildfire cannot be quenched and will seep into cloth, wood, leather, or even steel and set them afire as well. Tyrion recalls from the flaming sword of Thoros of Myr that even a thin coating can burn for an hour, though it ruins the sword. When Tyrion asks why the wildfire doesn't seep into the clay pots, Hallyne explains that it does, and thus they have a lower vault full of pots from the reign of King Aerys II Targaryen, whose fancy it was to shape the jars like fruit. By rights, those jars should be destroyed, but so many of the guild's masters were killed during the Sack of King's Landing that they lack the skill and have flooded the vaults instead. Hallyne adds that the whereabouts of much of King Aerys's stock was also lost, such as a cache of two hundred jars discovered only last year under the Great Sept of Baelor. Hallyne admits this older stock can still be used, but urges extreme caution, since wildfire grows more volatile with age and will self-ignite if left in even direct sunlight for too long, causing it to expand violently and create a chain reaction among nearby jars.

When Tyrion asks how many jars they have, Hallyne quotes the morning's count by Wisdom Munciter as 7,840 jars, including 4,000 from King Aerys' older stock and says he is confident the guild will meet its promise of 10,000 jars. Tyrion is astonished, delighted, and terrified. He knows creating wildfire is a lengthy and dangerous process, and thought the number was only a wild boast. He insists he does not want any undue haste or defective wildfire, but Hallyne assures him the wildfire is prepared only by trained acolytes in work cells designed to fill with sand and smother any fires―and the hapless acolyte. Tyrion is interested in inspecting how such a cell would work, but he does not have time.

Hallyne reiterates the importance of handling wildfire with care, suggesting that common soldiers in the frenzy of battle may not be as considerate as trained pyromancers, and any little mistake could be catastrophic. In response, Tyrion requests as many spare jars as possible to be delivered to each of the city gates.

As they walk back, Hallyne stresses the honor of welcoming the Hand of the King for the first time since Lord Rossart, who was of their guild himself. The mention of Rossart reminds Tyrion of the stories of Mad King Aerys II using the alchemists to burn his enemies, and he decides it would be best to keep Joffrey well away from the pyromancers to prevent him getting the same idea. As such, when Hallyne proposes hosting a feast for Joffrey, Tyrion explains that Joffrey has forbidden feasting (at Tyrion's insistence) until the war is won. However, Tyrion has no objections when Hallyne instead proposes a demonstration of the "dread secrets" of his ancient order at the Red Keep; there is no harm in a few magic tricks.

The Alchemists' Guild Hall - by Jonny Klein. © Fantasy Flight Games.

After navigating the twists and turns of the Guildhall, they come to the long and echoing Gallery of the Iron Torches, where columns of wildfire flames burn around black metal columns and reflect off the black marble walls to bathe the hall in emerald light. However, Tyrion is less impressed because he knows the cost of wildfire means the torches have been lit only to impress him.

After bidding farewell to Hallyne on the doorstep, Tyrion descends the broad steps to the Street of Sisters near Visenya's hill where Timett waits with his litter and an escort of Burned Men, a most appropriate escort for a visit to the pyromancers and a necessary precaution since Joffrey rained arrows on a hungry mob at the gates of the Red Keep only three days past. Tyrion is surprised to find Bronn waiting as well, with two messages: Ser Jacelyn Bywater urgently requires Tyrion at the Gate of the Gods and Cersei commands him to attend her in her chambers. Tyrion decides to see Bywater first, as the man is not prone to waste his time and forcing Cersei to wait will make her angry and stupid, which he prefers to composed and cunning.

The normally-busy food market inside the Gate of the Gods is nearly deserted as Tyrion crosses it to meet Ser Jacelyn, who informs him that Ser Cleos Frey has arrived with peace terms from Robb Stark. Tyrion is pleased, but Cleos proves reluctant to discuss the terms since his orders are to deliver them directly to Cersei. Gaunt and haggard from his journey, Cleos describes the dire situation around the Gods Eye and the kingsroad, where the river lords are burning their own crops to starve the Lannisters, who are in turn torching every village and killing the smallfolk. Tyrion dismisses this as the way of war while Cleos adds that even with a peace banner his party was attacked twice by broken men, losing three men and another six wounded.

When Tyrion is amused by Robb's impossible peace terms, Cleos shares that Robb sits idle at Riverrun, likely afraid to face Lord Tywin in battle, and grows weaker as the river lords disperse to defend their lands. Tyrion wonders if that was his father's plan, then informs Cleos that the terms―including the exchange of Willem Lannister and Cleos' brother Tion Frey for Sansa and Arya Stark―are unacceptable, and Cleos will be expected to carry the small council's counteroffer back to Riverrun. Cleos is not pleased with the prospect of recrossing a war zone and points out that it is Catelyn Stark who wants this peace, not Robb. Tyrion counters that Catelyn wants her daughters and urges Cleos to rest and await further instructions.

Tyrion rejoins Jacelyn Bywater watching several hundred recruits drilling beyond the gate. With so many refugees, there is no lack of men joining the City Watch for food and a bed, but Tyrion has no illusions about their worth in battle. He commends Bywater for contacting him and instructs him to give Ser Cleos and his escort every hospitality but to keep them outside the city to hide the truth of conditions there. He also instructs Bywater to use the jars the alchemists will deliver to train spitfire crews to handle wildfire using paint and burning oil. Bywater calls this a wise measure, although he has no love for "alchemist's piss". Tyrion agrees, but insists he must use what he is given.

Back in his litter, Tyrion reflects that if he can use negotiations to keep Robb dreaming of an easy peace at Riverrun until Ser Stafford Lannister readies his new host at Casterly Rock, then Stafford and Lord Tyrwin can smash Robb's forces between them. Tyrion only wishes the Baratheons would be as accommodating. With Renly creeping up the roseroad with his massive southron army and Stannis poised to sail his fleet up the Blackwater Rush any day, Tyrion takes small comfort from his stockpile of wildfire.

A commotion in Cobbler's Square pulls Tyrion out of his musings. A sizable crowd listens to the rantings of a prophet garbed as a begging brother. Calling the red comet in the sky above Aegon's high hill "the Father's Scourge", he proclaims:

We have become swollen, bloated, foul. Brother couples with sister in the bed of kings, and the fruit of their incest capers in his palace to the piping of a twisted little monkey demon. Highborn ladies fornicate with fools and give birth to monsters! Even the High Septon has forgotten the gods! He bathes in scented waters and grows fat on lark and lamprey while his people starve! Pride comes before prayer, maggots rule our castles, and gold is all... but no more! The Rotten Summer is at an end, and the Whoremonger King is brought low! When the boar did open him, a great stench rose to heaven and a thousand snakes slid forth from his belly, hissing and biting! There comes the Harbinger! Cleanse yourselves, the gods cry out, lest ye be cleansed! Bathe in the wine of righteousness, or you shall be bathed in fire! Fire!

Wounded by being called a "twisted little monkey demon", Tyrion takes solace from the hoots of derision drowning the echoing shouts as he orders the Burned Men to clear a path. He agrees with the prophet about the High Septon, however, smiling at the memory of a joke Moon Boy made at the gluttonous cleric's expense.

Returning to the Red Keep without further incident, Tyrion ascends to his chambers in a hopeful mood, thinking all he needs is time to piece it all together. Entering his solar, he is confronted by Cersei, who is furious at him for ignoring her summons and plotting to sell her only daughter like a bag of oats. Knowing his ploy has worked, Tyrion points out princesses like Myrcella are born for such marriage alliances, unless Cersei planned to wed her to her brother Tommen. Cersei declares she will not allow Myrcella to be shipped off to Dorne. Without missing a beat, Tyrion points out that Dorne will be much safer than King's Landing, and the feud between the Lannisters and House Martell goes back only a generation, whereas the Dornishmen have warred with Storm's End and Highgarden for a millennium.

Tyrion explains that he proposed nine-year-old Myrcella become a ward of Prince Doran Martell until she turns fourteen, at which time she will marry Trystane Martell, who is just two years older. Cersei insists Myrcella will be a hostage, but Tyrion opines that she will be treated more kindly than Sansa Stark, especially with Ser Arys Oakheart of the Kingsguard as her sworn shield. Cersei still worries that Doran Martell might kill Myrcella to avenge the murder of his sister Elia Martell, but Tyrion insists Doran is too honorable to murder an innocent girl and the terms are too rich to refuse: he has also promised the prince his sister's killer, a council seat, and some castles on the Dornish Marches. Cersei accuses Tyrion of offering too much without her consent, but he insists Doran would not accept less and asks if Cersei means to offer sexual favors instead. When she slaps him, Tyrion promises her it will be the last time, but Cersei only laughs and suggests Tyrion's faith that their father's letter will protect him might be as misguided as Eddard Stark's faith in King Robert's last will. Tyrion notes to himself that unlike Lord Eddard he has the City Watch, his clansmen, and a party of sellswords, though he supposes Stark had delusions of support as well.

Rather than argue, Tyrion declares that Renly and Stannis will mount Myrcella's head beside Cersei's if they take the city. To his astonishment, Cersei begins to cry, something Tyrion has not seen since they were children. Awkwardly he moves to comfort her, but she wrenches away, which hurts more than any slap. He promises nothing will happen to Myrcella, but Cersei calls him a liar and declares he has not kept his promise to free Jaime. Tyrion assures her that Jaime remains safe at Riverrun until he can find a way to free him.

Cersei laments that if she were a man she would not have allowed any of this to happen. She wonders how Jaime could let himself be captured and questions what their father is doing hiding in Harrenhal. Tyrion assures her Lord Tywin is making war, proposing that Tywin is a lion waiting to pounce while Robb is a fawn frozen by fear. Cersei is not convinced, pointing out that Jaime would not sit idle if their father were the prisoner. To himself, Tyrion agrees that Jaime never had any patience, but he only says that not everyone can be as bold as Jaime, but there are other ways to win a war, and Harrenhal is strong and well situated.

Cersei adds that King's Landing is neither and Renly's host will soon be at their gates. Tyrion assures her the city will not fall in a day, giving Lord Tywin time to march down the kingsroad to take Renly in the rear. Hungry for reassurance, Cersei asks what will happen if Robb Stark marches. Tyrion explains that Harrenhal prevents Roose Bolton from crossing the Trident to reunite the northern forces, and even if he could, Robb does not have the strength to take Harrenhal and march on King's Landing. Meanwhile, Lord Tywin's army lives on the fat of the riverlands and their uncle Stafford is raising another army at Casterly Rock.

Wondering how Tyrion knows all this, Cersei asks if Lord Tywin confided in him. Tyrion replies that he only looked at a map, which causes Cersei to accuse him of mere speculation. Drawing out Robb's peace offer, Tyrion asks why Robb would offer terms―even unacceptable terms―if he were winning. Suddenly all queen again, Cersei asks how the terms came to Tyrion instead of her, but Tyrion quips that his job as Hand is to hand her things. As he hands her the letter, Tyrion muses that getting slapped by Cersei is a small price to pay for her agreement to the Dornish marriage, which he can sense he will now get. The identity of an informer is just the plum in his pudding.

Character List

Appearing:

Mentioned:

Mentioned:

Mentioned

References and Notes