grrm.astormofswords-第209部分

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hrough　the　Wall　。　。　。　those　who　will　swear　me　their　fealty；　pledge　to　keep　the　king's　peace　and　the　king's　laws；　and　take　the　Lord　of　Light　as　their　god。　Even　the　giants；　if　those　great　knees　of　theirs　can　bend。　I　will　settle　them　on　the　Gift；　once　I　have　wrested　it　away　from　your　new　Lord　mander。　When　the　cold　winds　rise；　we　shall　live　or　die　together。　It　is　time　we　made　alliance　against　our　mon　foe。〃　He　looked　at　Jon。　〃Would　you　agree？〃
　〃My　father　dreamed　of　resettling　the　Gift；〃　Jon　admitted。　〃He　and　my　uncle　Benjen　used　to　talk　of　it。〃　He　never　thought　of　settling　it　with　wildlings；　though　。　。　。　but　he　never　rode　with　wildlings；　either。　He　did　not　fool　himself；　the　free　folk　would　make　for　unruly　subjects　and　dangerous　neighbors。　Yet　when　he　weighed　Ygritte's　red　hair　against　the　cold　blue　eyes　of　the　wights；　the　choice　was　easy。　〃I　agree。〃
　〃Good；〃　King　Stannis　said；　〃for　the　surest　way　to　seal　a　new　alliance　is　with　a　marriage。　I　mean　to　wed　my　Lord　of　Winterfell　to　this　wildling　princess。〃
　Perhaps　Jon　had　ridden　with　the　free　folk　too　long；　he　could　not　help　but　laugh。　〃Your　Grace；〃　he　said；　〃captive　or　no；　if　you　think　you　can　just　give　Val　to　me；　I　fear　you　have　a　deal　to　learn　about　wildling　women。　Whoever　weds　her　had　best　be　prepared　to　climb　in　her　tower　window　and　carry　her　off　at　swordpoint　。　。　。〃
　〃Whoever？〃　Stannis　gave　him　a　measuring　look。　〃Does　this　mean　you　will　not　wed　the　girl？　I　warn　you；　she　is　part　of　the　price　you　must　pay；　if　you　want　your　father's　name　and　your　father's　castle。　This　match　is　necessary；　to　help　assure　the　loyalty　of　our　new　subjects。　Are　you　refusing　me；　Jon　Snow？〃
　〃No；〃　Jon　said；　too　quickly。　It　was　Winterfell　the　king　was　speaking　of；　and　Winterfell　was　not　to　be　lightly　refused。　〃I　mean　。　。　。　this　has　all　e　very　suddenly；　Your　Grace。　Might　I　beg　you　for　some　time　to　consider？〃
　〃As　you　wish。　But　consider　quickly。　I　am　not　a　patient　man；　as　your　black　brothers　are　about　to　discover。〃　Stannis　put　a　thin；　fleshless　hand　on　Jon's　shoulder。　〃Say　nothing　of　what　we've　discussed　here　today。　To　anyone。　But　when　you　return；　you　need　only　bend　your　knee；　lay　your　sword　at　my　feet；　and　pledge　yourself　to　my　service；　and　you　shall　rise　again　as　Jon　Stark；　the　Lord　of　Winterfell。〃
　
　CHAPTER　77
　TYRION
　
　When　he　heard　noises　through　the　thick　wooden　door　of　his　cell；　Tyrion　Lannister　prepared　to　die。
　Past　time；　he　thought。　e　on；　e　on；　make　an　end　to　it。　He　pushed　himself　to　his　feet。　His　legs　were　asleep　from　being　folded　under　him。　He　bent　down　and　rubbed　the　knives　from　them。　I　will　not　go　stumbling　and　waddling　to　the　headsman's　block。
　He　wondered　whether　they　would　kill　him　down　here　in　the　dark　or　drag　him　through　the　city　so　Ser　Ilyn　Payne　could　lop　his　head　off。　After　his　mummer's　farce　of　a　trial；　his　sweet　sister　and　loving　father　might　prefer　to　dispose　of　him　quietly；　rather　than　risk　a　public　execution。　I　could　tell　the　mob　a　few　choice　things；　if　they　let　me　speak。　But　would　they　be　that　foolish？
　As　the　keys　rattled　and　the　door　to　his　cell　pushed　inward；　creaking；　Tyrion　pressed　back　against　the　dampness　of　the　wall；　wishing　for　a　weapon。　I　can　still　bite　and　kick。　I'll　die　with　the　taste　of　blood　in　my　mouth；　that's　something。　He　wished　he'd　been　able　to　think　of　some　rousing　last　words。　〃Bugger　you　all〃　was　not　like　to　earn　him　much　of　a　place　in　the　histories。
　Torchlight　fell　across　his　face。　He　shielded　his　eyes　with　a　hand。　〃e　on；　are　you　frightened　of　a　dwarf？　Do　it；　you　son　of　a　poxy　whore。〃　His　voice　had　grown　hoarse　from　disuse。
　〃Is　that　any　way　to　speak　about　our　lady　mother？〃　The　man　moved　forward；　a　torch　in　his　left　hand。　〃This　is　even　more　ghastly　than　my　cell　at　Riverrun；　though　not　quite　so　dank。〃
　For　a　moment　Tyrion　could　not　breathe。　〃You？〃
　〃Well；　most　of　me。〃　Jaime　was　gaunt；　his　hair　hacked　short。　〃I　left　a　hand　at　Harrenhal。　Bringing　the　Brave　panions　across　the　narrow　sea　was　not　one　of　Father's　better　notions。〃　He　lifted　his　arm；　and　Tyrion　saw　the　stump。
　A　bark　of　hysterical　laughter　burst　from　his　lips。　〃Oh；　gods；〃　he　said。　〃Jaime；　I　am　so　sorry；　but　。　。　。　gods　be　good；　look　at　the　two　of　us。　Handless　and　Noseless　the　Lannister　boys。〃
　〃There　were　days　when　my　hand　smelled　so　bad　I　wished　I　was　noseless。〃　Jaime　lowered　the　torch；　so　the　light　bathed　his　brother's　face。　〃An　impressive　scar。〃
　Tyrion　turned　away　from　the　glare。　〃They　made　me　fight　a　battle　without　my　big　brother　to　protect　me。〃
　〃I　heard　tell　you　almost　burned　the　city　down。〃
　〃A　filthy　lie。　I　only　burned　the　river。〃　Abruptly；　Tyrion　remembered　where　he　was；　and　why。　〃Are　you　here　to　kill　me？〃
　〃Now　that's　ungrateful。　Perhaps　I　should　leave　you　here　to　rot　if　you're　going　to　be　so　discourteous。〃
　〃Rotting　is　not　the　fate　Cersei　has　in　mind　for　me。〃
　〃Well　no；　if　truth　be　told。　You're　to　be　beheaded　on　the　morrow；　out　on　the　old　tourney　grounds。〃
　Tyrion　laughed　again。　〃Will　there　be　food？　You'll　have　to　help　me　with　my　last　words；　my　wits　have　been　running　about　like　a　rat　in　a　root　cellar。〃
　〃You　won't　need　last　words。　I'm　rescuing　you。〃　Jaime's　voice　was　strangely　solemn。
　〃Who　said　I　required　rescue？〃
　〃You　know；　I'd　almost　forgotten　what　an　annoying　little　man　you　are。　Now　that　you've　reminded　me；　I　do　believe　I'll　let　Cersei　cut　your　head　off　after　all。〃
　〃Oh　no　you　won't。〃　He　waddled　out　of　the　cell。　〃Is　it　day　or　night　up　above？　I've　lost　all　sense　of　time。〃
　〃Three　hours　past　midnight。　The　city　sleeps。〃　Jaime　slid　the　torch　back　into　its　sconce；　on　the　wall　between　the　cells。
　The　corridor　was　so　poorly　lit　that　Tyrion　almost　stumbled　on　the　turnkey；　sprawled　across　the　cold　stone　floor。　He　prodded　him　with　a　toe。　〃Is　he　dead？〃
　〃Asleep。　The　other　three　as　well。　The　eunuch　dosed　their　wine　with　sweetsleep；　but　not　enough　to　kill　them。　Or　so　he　swears。　He　is　waiting　back　at　the　stair；　dressed　up　in　a　septon's　robe。　You're　going　down　into　the　sewers；　and　from　there　to　the　river。　A　galley　is　waiting　in　the　bay。　Varys　has　agents　in　the　Free　Cities　who　will　see　that　you　do　not　lack　for　funds　。　。　。　but　try　not　to　be　conspicuous。　Cersei　will　send　men　after　you；　I　have　no　doubt。　You　might　do　well　to　take　another　name。〃
　〃Another　name？　Oh；　certainly。　And　when　the　Faceless　Men　e　to　kill　me；　I'll　say；　'No；　you　have　the　wrong　man；　I'm　a　different　dwarf　with　a　hideous　facial　scar。〃'　Both　Lannisters　laughed　at　the　absurdity　of　it　all。　Then　Jaime　went　to　one　knee　and　kissed　him　quickly　once　on　each　cheek；　his　lips　brushing　against　the　puckered　ribbon　of　scar　tissue。
　〃Thank　you；　Brother；〃　Tyrion　said。　〃For　my　life。〃
　〃It　was　。　。　。　a　debt　I　owed　you。〃　Jaime's　voice　was　strange。
　〃A　debt？〃　He　cocked　his　head。　〃I　do　not　understand。〃
　〃Good。　Some　doors　are　best　left　closed。〃
　〃Oh；　dear；〃　said　Tyrion。　〃Is　there　something　grim　and　ugly　behind　it？　Could　it　be　that　someone　said　something　cruel　about　me　once？　I'll　try　not　to　weep。　Tell　me。〃
　〃Tyrion　。　。　。〃
　Jaime　is　afraid。　〃Tell　me；〃　Tyrion　said　again。
　His　brother　looked　away。　〃Tysha；〃　he　said　softly。
　〃Tysha？〃　His　stomach　tightened。　〃What　of　her？〃
　〃She　was　no　whore。　I　never　bought　her　for　you。　That　was　a　lie　that　Father　manded　me　to　tell。　Tysha　was　。　。　。　she　was　what　she　seemed　to　be。　A　crofter's　daughter；　chance　met　on　the　road。〃
　Tyrion　could　hear　the　faint　sound　of　his　own　breath　whistling　hollowly　through　the　scar　of　his　nose。　Jaime　could　not　meet　his　eyes。　Tysha。　He　tried　to　remember　what　she　had　looked　like。　A　girl；　she　was　only　a　girl；　no　older　than　Sansa。　〃My　wife；〃　he　croaked。　〃She　wed　me。〃
　〃For　your　gold；　Father　said。　She　was　lowborn；　you　were　a　Lannister　of　Casterly　Rock。　All　she　wanted　was　the　gold；　which　made　her　no　different　from　a　whore；　so　。　。　。　so　it　would　not　be　a　lie；　not　truly；　and　。　。　。　he　said　that　you　required　a　sharp　lesson。　That　you　would　learn　from　it；　and　thank　me　later　。　。　。〃
　〃Thank　you？〃　Tyrion's　voice　was　choked。　〃He　gave　her　to　his　guards。　A　barracks　full　of　guards。　He　made　me　。　。　。　watch。〃　Aye；　and　more　than　watch。　I　took　her　too　。　。　。　my　wife　。　。　。
　〃I　never　knew　he　would　do　that。　You　must　believe　me。〃
　〃Oh；　must　I；〃　Tyrion　snarled。　〃Why　should　I　believe　you　about　anything；　ever？　She　was　my　wife！〃
　〃Tyrion…it　。　。　。〃
　He　hit　him。　It　was　a　slap；　backhanded；　but　he　put　all　his　strength　into　it；　all　his　fear；　all　his　rage；　all　his　pain。　Jaime　was　squatting；　unbalanced。　The　blow　sent　him　tumbling　backward　to　the　floor。　〃I　。　。　。　I　suppose　I　earned　that。〃
　〃Oh；　you've　earned　more　than　that；　Jaime。　You　and　my　sweet　sister　and　our　loving　father；　yes；　I　can't　begin　to　tell　you　what　you've　earned。　But　you'll　have　it；　that　I　swear　to　you。　A　Lannister　always　pays　his　debts。〃　Tyrion　waddled　away；　almost　stumbling　over　the　turnkey　again　in　his　haste。　Before　he　had　gone　a　dozen　yards；　he　bumped　up　against　an　irongate　that　closed　the　passage。　Oh；　gods。　it　was　all　he　could　do　not　to　scream。
　Jaime　came　up　behind　him。　〃I　have　the　gaoler's　keys。〃
　〃Then　use　them。〃　Tyrion　stepped　aside。
　Jaime　unlocked　the　gate；　pushed　it　open；　and　stepped　through。　He　looked　back　over　his　shoulder。　〃Are　you　ing？〃
　〃Not　with　you。〃　Tyrion　stepped　through。　〃Give　me　the　keys　and　go。　I　will　find　Varys　on　my　own。〃　He　cocked　his　head　and　stared　up　at　his　brother　with　his　mismatched　eyes。　〃Jaime；　can　you　flght　left…handed？〃
　〃Rather　less　well　than　you；〃　Jaime　said　bitterly。
　〃Good。　Then　we　will　be　well　matched　if　we　should　ever　meet　again。　The　cripple　and　the　dwarf。〃
　Jaime　handed　him　the　ring　of　keys。　〃I　gave　you　the　truth。　You　owe　me　the　same。　Did　you　do　it？　Did　you　kill　him？〃
　The　question　was　another　knife；　twisting　in　his　guts。　〃Are　you　sure　you　want　to　know？〃　asked　Tyrion。　〃Joffrey　would　have　been　a　worse　king　than　Aerys　ever　was。　He　stole　his　father's　dagger　and　gave　it　to　a　footpad　to　slit　the　throat　of　Brandon　Stark；　did　you　know　that？〃
　〃I　。　。　。　I　thought　he　might　have。〃
　〃Well；　a　son　takes　after　his　father。　Joff　would　have　killed　me　as　well；　once　he　came　into　his　power。　For　the　crime　of　being　short　and　ugly；　of　which　I　am　so　conspicuously　guilty。〃
　〃You　have　not　answered　my　question。〃
　〃You　poor　stupid　blind　crippled　fool。　Must　I　spell　every　little　thing　out　for　you？　Very　well。　Cersei　is　a　lying　whore；　she's　been　fucking　Lancel