grrm.astormofswords-第152章

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s　men　had　passed　through　Brindlewood　only　yesterday；　Beesbury　told　them；　rushing　to　King's　Landing　beneath　a　peace　banner　of　their　own。　〃With　the　Young　Wolf　dead　Piper　saw　no　point　to　fighting　on。　His　son　is　captive　at　the　Twins。〃　Brienne　gaped　like　a　cow　about　to　choke　on　her　cud；　so　it　fell　to　Jaime　to　draw　out　the　tale　of　the　Red　Wedding。
　〃Every　great　lord　has　unruly　bannermen　who　envy　him　his　place；〃　he　told　her　afterward。　〃My　father　had　the　Reynes　and　Tarbecks；　the　Tyrells　have　the　Florents；　Hoster　Tully　had　Walder　Frey。　Only　strength　keeps　such　men　in　their　place。　The　moment　they　smell　weakness　。　。　。　during　the　Age　of　Heroes；　the　Boltons　used　to　flay　the　Starks　and　wear　their　skins　as　cloaks。〃　She　looked　so　miserable　that　Jaime　almost　found　himself　wanting　to　fort　her。
　Since　that　day　Brienne　had　been　like　one　half…dead。　Even　calling　her　〃wench〃　failed　to　provoke　any　response。　The　strength　is　gone　from　her。　The　woman　had　dropped　a　rock　on　Robin　Ryger；　battled　a　bear　with　a　tourney　sword；　bitten　off　Vargo　Float's　ear；　and　fought　Jaime　to　exhaustion　。　。　。　but　she　was　broken　now；　done。　〃I'll　speak　to　my　father　about　returning　you　to　Tarth；　if　it　please　you；〃　he　told　her。　〃Or　if　you　would　rather　stay；　I　could　perchance　find　some　place　for　you　at　court。〃
　〃As　a　lady　panion　to　the　queen？〃　she　said　dully。
　Jaime　remembered　the　sight　of　her　in　that　pink　satin　gown；　and　tried　not　to　imagine　what　his　sister　might　say　of　such　a　panion。　〃Perhaps　a　post　with　the　City　Watch　。　。　。〃
　〃I　will　not　serve　with　oathbreakers　and　murderers。〃
　Then　why　did　you　ever　bother　putting　on　a　sword？　he　might　have　said；　but　he　bit　back　the　words。　〃As　you　will；　Brienne。〃　One…handed；　he　wheeled　his　horse　about　and　left　her。
　The　Gate　of　the　Gods　was　open　when　they　reached　it；　but　two　dozen　wayns　were　lined　up　along　the　roadside；　loaded　with　casks　of　cider；　barrels　of　apples；　bales　of　hay；　and　some　of　the　biggest　pumpkins　Jaime　had　ever　seen。　Almost　every　wagon　had　its　guards；　men…at…arms　wearing　the　badges　of　small　lordlings；　sellswords　in　mail　and　boiled　leather；　sometimes　only　a　pink…cheeked　farmer's　son　clutching　a　homemade　spear　with　a　firehardened　point。　Jaime　smiled　at　them　all　as　he　trotted　past。　At　the　gate；　the　gold　cloaks　were　collecting　coin　from　each　driver　before　waving　the　wagons　through。　〃What's　this？〃　Steelshanks　demanded。
　〃They　got　to　pay　for　the　right　to　sell　inside　the　city。　By　mand　of　the　King's　Hand　and　the　master　of　coin。〃
　Jaime　looked　at　the　long　line　of　wayns；　carts；　and　laden　horses。　〃Yet　they　still　line　up　to　pay？〃
　〃There's　good　coin　to　be　made　here　now　that　the　fighting's　done；〃　the　miller　in　the　nearest　wagon　told　them　cheerfully。　〃It's　the　Lannisters　hold　the　city　now；　old　Lord　Tywin　of　the　Rock。　They　say　he　shits　silver。〃
　〃Gold；〃　Jaime　corrected　dryly。　〃And　Littlefinger　mints　the　stuff　from　goldenrod；　I　vow。〃
　〃The　Imp　is　master　of　coin　now；〃　said　the　captain　of　the　gate。　〃Or　was；　till　they　arrested　him　for　murdering　the　king。〃　The　man　looked　the　northmen　over　suspiciously。　〃Who　are　you　lot？〃
　〃Lord　Bolton's　men；　e　to　see　the　King's　Hand。〃
　The　captain　glanced　at　Nage　with　his　peace　banner。　〃e　to　bend　the　knee；　you　mean。　You're　not　the　first。　Go　straight　up　to　the　castle；　and　see　you　make　no　trouble。〃　He　waved　them　through　and　turned　back　to　the　wagons。
　If　King's　Landing　mourned　its　dead　boy　king；　Jaime　would　never　have　known　it。　On　the　Street　of　Seeds　a　begging　brother　in　threadbare　robes　was　praying　loudly　for　Joffrey's　soul；　but　the　passersby　paid　him　no　more　heed　than　they　would　a　loose　shutter　banging　in　the　wind。　Elsewhere　milled　the　usual　crowds；　gold　cloaks　in　their　black　mail；　bakers'　boys　selling　tarts　and　breads　and　hot　pies；　whores　leaning　out　of　windows　with　their　bodices　half　unlaced；　gutters　redolent　of　nightsoil。　They　passed　five　men　trying　to　drag　a　dead　horse　from　the　mouth　of　an　alley；　and　elsewhere　a　juggler　spinning　knives　through　the　air　to　delight　a　throng　of　drunken　Tyrell　soldiers　and　small　children。
　Riding　down　familiar　streets　with　two　hundred　northmen；　a　chainless　maester；　and　an　ugly　freak　of　a　woman　at　his　side；　Jaime　found　he　scarcely　drew　a　second　look。　He　did　not　know　whether　he　ought　to　be　amused　or　annoyed。　〃They　do　not　know　me；〃　he　said　to　Steelshanks　as　they　rode　through　Cobbler's　Square。
　〃Your　face　is　changed；　and　your　arms　as　well；〃　the　northman　said；　Iiand　they　have　a　new　Kingslayer　now。〃
　The　gates　to　the　Red　Keep　were　open；　but　a　dozen　gold　cloaks　armed　with　pikes　barred　the　way。　They　lowered　their　points　as　Steelshanks　came　trotting　up；　but　Jaime　recognized　the　white　knight　manding　them。　〃Ser　Meryn。〃
　Ser　Meryn　Trant's　droopy　eyes　went　wide。　〃Ser　Jaime？〃
　〃How　nice　to　be　remembered。　Move　these　men　aside。〃
　It　had　been　a　long　time　since　anyone　had　leapt　to　obey　him　quite　so　fast。　Jaime　had　forgotten　how　well　he　liked　it。
　They　found　two　more　Kingsguard　in　the　outer　ward；　two　who　had　not　worn　white　cloaks　when　Jaime　last　served　here。　How　like　Cersei　to　name　me　Lord　mander　and　then　choose　my　colleagues　without　consulting　me。　〃Someone　has　given　me　two　new　brothers；　I　see；〃　he　said　as　he　dismounted。
　〃We　have　that　honor；　ser。〃　The　Knight　of　Flowers　shone　so　fine　and　pure　in　his　white　scales　and　silk　that　Jaime　felt　a　tattered　and　tawdry　thing　by　contrast。
　Jaime　turned　to　Meryn　Trant。　〃Ser；　you've　been　remiss　in　teaching　our　new　brothers　their　duties。〃
　〃What　duties？〃　said　Meryn　Trant　defensively。
　〃Keeping　the　king　alive。　How　many　monarchs　have　you　lost　since　I　left　the　city？　Two；　is　it？〃
　Then　Ser　Balon　saw　the　stump。　〃Your　hand　。　。　。〃
　Jaime　made　himself　smile。　〃I　fight　with　my　left　now。　It　makes　for　more　of　a　contest。　Where　will　I　find　my　lord　father？〃
　〃In　the　solar　with　Lord　Tyrell　and　Prince　Oberyn。〃
　Mace　Tyrell　and　the　Red　Viper　breaking　bread　together？　Strange　and　stranger。　〃Is　the　queen　with　them　as　well？〃
　〃No；　my　lord；〃　Ser　Balon　answered。　〃You'll　find　her　in　the　sept；　praying　over　King　Joff　…
　〃You！〃
　The　last　of　the　northmen　had　dismounted；　Jaime　saw；　and　now　Loras　Tyrell　had　seen　Brienne。
　〃Ser　Loras。〃　She　stood　stupidly；　holding　her　bridle。
　Loras　Tyrell　strode　toward　her。　〃Why？〃　he　said。　〃You　will　tell　me　why。　He　treated　you　kindly；　gave　you　a　rainbow　cloak。　Why　would　you　kill　him？〃
　〃I　never　did。　I　would　have　died　for　him。〃
　〃You　will。〃　Ser　Loras　drew　his　longsword。
　〃It　was　not　me。〃
　〃Emmon　Cuy　swore　it　was；　with　his　dying　breath。〃
　〃He　was　outside　the　tent；　he　never　saw…〃
　〃There　was　no　one　in　the　tent　but　you　and　Lady　Stark。　Do　you　claim　that　old　woman　could　cut　through　hardened　steel？〃
　〃There　was　a　shadow　I　know　how　mad　it　sounds；　but　。　。　。　I　was　helping　Renly　into　his　armor；　and　the　candles　blew　out　and　there　was　blood　everywhere。　It　was　Stannis；　Lady　Catelyn　said。　His　。　。　。　his　shadow。　I　had　no　part　in　it；　on　my　honor　。　。　。〃
　〃You　have　no　honor。　Draw　your　sword。　I　won't　have　it　said　that　I　slew　you　while　your　hand　was　empty。〃
　Jaime　stepped　between　them。　〃Put　the　sword　away；　ser。〃
　Ser　Loras　edged　around　him。　〃Are　you　a　craven　as　well　as　a　killer；　Brienne？　Is　that　why　you　ran；　with　his　blood　on　your　hands？　Draw　your　sword；　woman！〃
　〃Best　hope　she　doesn't。〃　Jaime　blocked　his　path　again。　〃Or　it's　like　to　be　your　corpse　we　carry　out。　The　wench　is　as　strong　as　Gregor　Clegane；　though　not　so　pretty。〃
　〃This　is　no　concern　of　yours。〃　Ser　Loras　shoved　him　aside。
　Jaime　grabbed　the　boy　with　his　good　hand　and　yanked　him　around。　〃I　am　the　Lord　mander　of　the　Kingsguard；　you　arrogant　pup。　Your　mander；　so　long　as　you　wear　that　white　cloak。　Now　sheathe　your　bloody　sword；　or　I'll　take　it　from　you　and　shove　it　up　some　place　even　Renly　never　found。〃
　The　boy　hesitated　half　a　heartbeat；　long　enough　for　Ser　Balon　Swann　to　say；　〃Do　as　the　Lord　mander　says；　Loras。〃　Some　of　the　gold　cloaks　drew　their　steel　then；　and　that　made　some　Dreadfort　men　do　the　same。　Splendid；　thought　Jaime；　no　sooner　do　I　climb　down　off　my　horse　than　we　have　a　bloodbath　in　the　yard。
　Ser　Loras　Tyrell　slammed　his　sword　back　into　its　sheath。
　〃That　wasn't　so　difficult；　was　it？〃
　〃I　want　her　arrested。〃　Ser　Loras　pointed。　〃Lady　Brienne；　I　charge　you　with　the　murder　of　Lord　Renly　Baratheon。〃
　〃For　what　it's　worth；〃　said　Jaime；　〃the　wench　does　have　honor。　More　than　I　have　seen　from　you。　And　it　may　even　be　she's　telling　it　true。　I'll　grant　you；　she's　not　what　you'd　call　clever；　but　even　my　horse　could　e　up　with　a　better　lie；　if　it　was　a　lie　she　meant　to　tell。　As　you　insist；　however　。　。　。　Ser　Balon；　escort　Lady　Brienne　to　a　tower　cell　and　hold　her　there　under　guard。　And　find　some　suitable　quarters　for　Steelshanks　and　his　men；　until　such　time　as　my　father　can　see　them。〃
　〃Yes；　my　lord。〃
　Brienne's　big　blue　eyes　were　full　of　hurt　as　Balon　Swann　and　a　dozen　gold　cloaks　led　her　away。　You　ought　to　be　blowing　me　kisses；　wench；　he　wanted　to　tell　her。　Why　must　they　misunderstand　every　bloody　thing　he　did？　Aerys。　It　all　grows　from　Aerys。　Jaime　turned　his　back　on　the　wench　and　strode　across　the　yard。
　Another　knight　in　white　armor　was　guarding　the　doors　of　the　royal　sept；　a　tall　man　with　a　black　beard；　broad　shoulders；　and　a　hooked　nose。　When　he　saw　Jaime　he　gave　a　sour　smile　and　said；　〃And　where　do　you　think　you're　going？〃
　〃Into　the　sept。〃　Jaime　lifted　his　stump　to　point。　〃That　one　right　there。　I　mean　to　see　the　queen。〃
　〃Her　Grace　is　in　mourning。　And　why　would　she　be　wanting　to　see　the　likes　of　you？〃
　Because　I'm　her　lover；　and　the　father　of　her　murdered　son；　he　wanted　to　say。　〃Who　in　seven　hells　are　you？〃
　〃A　knight　of　the　Kingsguard；　and　you'd　best　learn　some　respect；　cripple；　or　I'll　have　that　other　hand　and　leave　you　to　suck　up　your　porridge　of　a　morning。〃
　〃I　am　the　queen's　brother；　ser。〃
　The　white　knight　thought　that　funny。　〃Escaped；　have　you？　And　grown　a　bit　as　well；　m'lord？〃
　〃Her　other　brother；　dolt。　And　the　Lord　mander　of　the　Kingsguard。　Now　stand　aside；　or　you'll　wish　you　had。〃
　The　dolt　took　a　long　look　this　time。　〃Is　it　。　。　。　Ser　Jaime。〃　He　straightened。　〃My　pardons；　milord。　I　did　not　know　you。　I　have　the　honor　to　be　Ser　Osmund　Kettleblack。〃
　Where's　the　honor　in　that？　〃I　want　some　time　alone　with　my　sister。　See　that　no　one　else　enters　the　sept；　ser。　If　we're　disturbed；　I'll　have　your　bloody　head。〃
　〃Aye；　ser。　As　you　say。〃　Ser　Osmund　opened　the　door。
　Cersei　was　kneeling　before　the　altar　of　the　Mother。　Joffrey's　bier　had　been　laid　out　beneath　the　Stranger；　who　led　the　newly　dead　to　the　other　world。　The　smell　of　incense　hung　heavy　in　the　air；　and　a　hundred　candles　burned；　sending　up　a　hundred　prayers。　Joff's　like　to　need　every　one　of　them；　too。
　His　sister　looked　over　her　shoulder。　〃Who？〃　she　said；　then；　〃Jaime？〃　She　rose；　her　eyes　brimming　with　tears。　〃Is　it　truly　you？〃　She　did　not　e　to　him；　however。　She　has　never　e　to　me；　he　thought。　She　has　always　waited；　letting　me　e　to　her。　She　gives；　but　I　must　ask。　〃You　should　have　e　sooner；〃　she　murmured；　when　he　took　her　in　his　arms。　〃Why　couldn't　you　have　e　sooner；　to　keep　him　safe？　My　boy　。　。　。
　Our　boy。　〃I　came　as　fast　I　could。〃　He　broke　from　the　embrace；　and　stepped　back　a　pace。　〃It's　war　out　there；　Sister。〃
　〃You　look　so　thin。　And　your　hair；　your　golden　hair　。　。　。
　〃The　hair　will　grow　back。〃　Jaime　lifted　his　stump。　She　needs　to　see。　〃This