grrm.astormofswords-第144章

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　Sansa　let　Shae　pull　her　shift　up　over　her　head　and　climbed　into　the　big　wooden　tub。　She　was　tempted　to　ask　for　a　cup　of　wine；　to　calm　her　nerves。　The　wedding　was　to　be　at　midday　in　the　Great　Sept　of　Baelor　across　the　city。　And　e　evenfall　the　feast　would　be　held　in　the　throne　room；　a　thousand　guests　and　seventy…seven　courses；　with　singers　and　jugglers　and　mummers。　But　first　came　breakfast　in　the　Queen's　Ballroom；　for　the　Lannisters　and　the　Tyrell　men…the　Tyrell　women　would　be　breaking　their　fast　with　Margaery…and　a　hundred　odd　knights　and　lordlings。　They　have　made　me　a　Lannister；　Sansa　thought　bitterly。
　Brella　sent　Shae　to　fetch　more　hot　water　while　she　washed　Sansa's　back。　〃You　are　trembling；　m'lady。〃
　〃The　water　is　not　hot　enough；〃　Sansa　lied。
　Her　maids　were　dressing　her　when　Tyrion　appeared；　Podrick　Payne　in　tow。　〃You　look　lovely；　Sansa。〃　He　turned　to　his　squire。　〃Pod；　be　so　good　as　to　pour　me　a　cup　of　wine。〃
　〃There　will　be　wine　at　the　breakfast；　my　lord；〃　Sansa　said。
　〃There's　wine　here。　You　don't　expect　me　to　face　my　sister　sober；　surely？　It's　a　new　century；　my　lady。　The　three　hundredth　year　since　Aegon's　Conquest。〃　The　dwarf　took　a　cup　of　red　from　Podrick　and　raised　it　high。　〃To　Aegon。　What　a　fortunate　fellow。　Two　sisters；　two　wives；　and　three　big　dragons；　what　more　could　a　man　ask　for？〃　He　wiped　his　mouth　with　the　back　of　his　hand。
　The　Imp's　clothing　was　soiled　and　unkempt；　Sansa　noticed；　it　looked　as　though　he'd　slept　in　it。　〃Will　you　be　changing　into　fresh　garb；　my　lord？　Your　new　doublet　is　very　handsome。〃
　〃The　doublet　is　handsome；　yes。〃　Tyrion　put　the　cup　aside。　〃e；　Pod；　let　us　see　if　we　can　find　some　garments　to　make　me　look　less　dwarfish。　I　would　not　want　to　shame　my　lady　wife。〃
　When　the　Imp　returned　a　short　time　later；　he　was　presentable　enough；　and　even　a　little　taller。　Podrick　Payne　had　changed　as　well；　and　looked　almost　a　proper　squire　for　once；　although　a　rather　large　red　pimple　in　the　fold　beside　his　nose　spoiled　the　effect　of　his　splendid　purple；　white；　and　gold　raiment。　He　is　such　a　timid　boy。　Sansa　had　been　wary　of　Tyrion's　squire　at　first；　he　was　a　Payne；　cousin　to　Ser　Ilyn　Payne　who　had　taken　her　father's　head　off。　However；　she'd　soon　e　to　realize　that　Pod　was　as　frightened　of　her　as　she　was　of　his　cousin。　Whenever　she　spoke　to　him；　he　turned　the　most　alarming　shade　of　red。
　〃Are　purple；　gold；　and　white　the　colors　of　House　Payne；　Podrick？〃　she　asked　him　politely。
　〃No。　I　mean；　yes。〃　He　blushed。　〃The　colors。　Our　arms　are　purple　and　white　chequy；　my　lady。　With　gold　coins。　in　the　checks。　Purple　and　white。　Both。〃　He　studied　her　feet。
　〃There's　a　tale　behind　those　coins；〃　said　Tyrion。　〃No　doubt　Pod　will　confide　it　to　your　toes　one　day。　just　now　we　are　expected　at　the　Queen's　Ballroom；　however。　Shall　we？〃
　Sansa　was　tempted　to　beg　off。　I　could　tell　him　that　my　tummy　was　upset；　or　that　my　moon's　blood　had　e。　She　wanted　nothing　more　than　to　crawl　back　in　bed　and　pull　the　drapes。　I　must　be　brave；　like　Robb；　she　told　herself；　as　she　took　her　lord　husband　stiffly　by　the　arm。
　In　the　Queen's　Ballroom　they　broke　their　fast　on　honeycakes　baked　with　blackberries　and　nuts；　gammon　steaks；　bacon；　fingerfish　crisped　in　breadcrumbs；　autumn　pears；　and　a　Dornish　dish　of　onions；　cheese；　and　chopped　eggs　cooked　up　with　fiery　peppers。　〃Nothing　like　a　hearty　breakfast　to　whet　one's　appetite　for　the　seventy…seven…course　feast　to　follow；〃　Tyrion　mented　as　their　plates　were　filled。　There　were　flagons　of　milk　and　flagons　of　mead　and　flagons　of　a　light　sweet　golden　wine　to　wash　it　down。　Musicians　strolled　among　the　tables；　piping　and　fluting　and　fiddling；　while　Ser　Dontos　galloped　about　on　his　broomstick　horse　and　Moon　Boy　made　farting　sounds　with　his　cheeks　and　sang　rude　songs　about　the　guests。
　Tyrion　scarce　touched　his　food；　Sansa　noticed；　though　he　drank　several　cups　of　the　wine。　For　herself；　she　tried　a　little　of　the　Dornish　eggs；　but　the　peppers　burned　her　mouth。　Otherwise　she　only　nibbled　at　the　fruit　and　fish　and　honeycakes。　Every　time　Joffrey　looked　at　her；　her　tummy　got　so　fluttery　that　she　felt　as　though　she'd　swallowed　a　bat。
　When　the　food　had　been　cleared　away；　the　queen　solemnly　presented　Joff　with　the　wife's　cloak　that　he　would　drape　over　Margaery's　shoulders。　〃It　is　the　cloak　I　donned　when　Robert　took　me　for　his　queen；　the　same　cloak　my　mother　Lady　Joanna　wore　when　wed　to　my　lord　father。〃　Sansa　thought　it　looked　threadbare；　if　truth　be　told；　but　perhaps　because　it　was　so　used。
　Then　it　was　time　for　gifts。　it　was　traditional　in　the　Reach　to　give　presents　to　bride　and　groom　on　the　morning　of　their　wedding；　on　the　morrow　they　would　receive　more　presents　as　a　couple；　but　today's　tokens　were　for　their　separate　persons。
　From　Jalabbar　Xho；　Joffrey　received　a　great　bow　of　golden　wood　and　quiver　of　long　arrows　fletched　with　green　and　scarlet　feathers；　from　Lady　Tanda　a　pair　of　supple　riding　boots；　from　Ser　Kevan　a　magnificent　red　leather　jousting　saddle；　a　red　gold　brooch　wrought　in　the　shape　of　a　scorpion　from　the　Dornishman；　Prince　Oberyn；　silver　spurs　from　Ser　Addam　Marbrand；　a　red　silk　tourney　pavilion　from　Lord　Mathis　Rowan。　Lord　Paxter　Redwyne　brought　forth　a　beautiful　wooden　model　of　the　war　galley　of　two　hundred　oars　being　built　even　now　on　the　Arbor。　〃If　it　please　Your　Grace；　she　will　be　called　King　Joffrey's　Valor；〃　he　said；　and　Joff　allowed　that　he　was　very　pleased　indeed。　〃I　will　make　it　my　flagship　when　I　sail　to　Dragonstone　to　kill　my　traitor　uncle　Stannis；〃　he　said。
　He　plays　the　gracious　king　today。　Joffrey　could　be　gallant　when　it　suited　him；　Sansa　knew；　but　it　seemed　to　suit　him　less　and　less。　Indeed；　all　his　courtesy　vanished　at　once　when　Tyrion　presented　him　with　their　own　gift：　a　huge　old　book　called　Lives　of　Four　Kings；　bound　in　leather　and　gorgeously　illuminated。　The　king　leafed　through　it　with　no　interest。　〃And　what　is　this；　Uncle？〃
　A　book。　Sansa　wondered　if　Joffrey　moved　those　fat　wormy　lips　of　his　when　he　read。
　〃Grand　Maester　Kaeth's　history　of　the　reigns　of　Daeron　the　Young　Dragon；　Baelor　the　Blessed；　Aegon　the　Unworthy；　and　Daeron　the　Good；〃　her　small　husband　answered。
　〃A　book　every　king　should　read；　Your　Grace；〃　said　Ser　Kevan。
　〃My　father　had　no　time　for　books。〃　Joffrey　shoved　the　tome　across　the　table。　〃If　you　read　less；　Uncle　Imp；　perhaps　Lady　Sansa　would　have　a　baby　in　her　belly　by　now。〃　He　laughed　。　。　。　and　when　the　king　laughs；　the　court　laughs　with　him。　〃Don't　be　sad；　Sansa；　once　I've　gotten　Queen　Margaery　with　child　I'll　visit　your　bedchamber　and　show　my　little　uncle　how　it's　done。〃
　Sansa　reddened。　She　glanced　nervously　at　Tyrion；　afraid　of　what　he　might　say。　This　could　turn　as　nasty　as　the　bedding　had　at　their　own　feast。　But　for　once　the　dwarf　filled　his　mouth　with　wine　instead　of　words。
　Lord　Mace　Tyrell　came　forward　to　present　his　gift：　a　golden　chalice　three　feet　tall；　with　two　ornate　curved　handles　and　seven　faces　glittering　with　gemstones。　〃Seven　faces　for　Your　Grace's　seven　kingdoms；〃　the　bride's　father　explained。　He　showed　them　how　each　face　bore　the　sigil　of　one　of　the　great　houses：　ruby　lion；　emerald　rose；　onyx　stag；　silver　trout；　blue　jade　falcon；　opal　sun；　and　pearl　direwolf。
　〃A　splendid　cup；〃　said　Joffrey；　〃but　we'll　need　to　chip　the　wolf　off　and　put　a　squid　in　its　place；　I　think。〃
　Sansa　pretended　that　she　had　not　heard。
　〃Margaery　and　I　shall　drink　deep　at　the　feast；　good　father。〃　Joffrey　lifted　the　chalice　above　his　head；　for　everyone　to　admire。
　〃The　damned　thing's　as　tall　as　I　am；〃　Tyrion　muttered　in　a　low　voice。　〃Half　a　chalice　and　Joff　will　be　falling　down　drunk。〃
　Good；　she　thought。　Perhaps　he'll　break　his　neck。
　Lord　Tywin　waited　until　last　to　present　the　king　with　his　own　gift：　a　longsword。　Its　scabbard　was　made　of　cherrywood；　gold；　and　oiled　red　leather；　studded　with　golden　lions'　heads。　The　lions　had　ruby　eyes；　she　saw。　The　ballroom　fell　silent　as　Joffrey　unsheathed　the　blade　and　thrust　the　sword　above　his　head。　Red　and　black　ripples　in　the　steel　shimmered　in　the　morning　light。
　〃Magnificent；〃　declared　Mathis　Rowan。
　〃A　sword　to　sing　of；　sire；〃　said　Lord　Redwyne。
　〃A　king's　sword；〃　said　Ser　Kevan　Lannister。
　King　Joffrey　looked　as　if　he　wanted　to　kill　someone　right　then　and　there；　he　was　so　excited。　He　slashed　at　the　air　and　laughed。　〃A　great　sword　must　have　a　great　name；　my　lords！　What　shall　I　call　it？〃
　Sansa　remembered　Lion's　Tooth；　the　sword　Arya　had　flung　into　the　Trident；　and　Hearteater；　the　one　he'd　made　her　kiss　before　the　battle。　She　wondered　if　he'd　want　Margaery　to　kiss　this　one。
　The　guests　were　shouting　out　names　for　the　new　blade。　Joff　dismissed　a　dozen　before　he　heard　one　he　liked。　〃Widow's　Wail！〃　he　cried。　〃Yes！　It　shall　make　many　a　widow；　too！〃　He　slashed　again。　〃And　when　I　face　my　uncle　Stannis　it　will　break　his　magic　sword　clean　in　two。〃　Joff　tried　a　downcut；　forcing　Ser　Balon　Swann　to　take　a　hasty　step　backward。　Laughter　rang　through　the　hall　at　the　look　on　Ser　Balon's　face。
　〃Have　a　care；　Your　Grace；〃　Ser　Addam　Marbrand　warned　the　king。　〃Valyrian　steel　is　perilously　sharp。〃
　〃I　remember。〃　Joffrey　brought　Widow's　Wail　down　in　a　savage　twohanded　slice；　onto　the　book　that　Tyrion　had　given　him。　The　heavy　leather　cover　parted　at　a　stroke。　〃Sharp！　I　told　you；　I　am　no　stranger　to　Valyrian　steel。〃　It　took　him　half　a　dozen　further　cuts　to　hack　the　thick　tome　apart；　and　the　boy　was　breathless　by　the　time　he　was　done。　Sansa　could　feel　her　husband　struggling　with　his　fury　as　Ser　Osmund　Kettleblack　shouted；　〃I　pray　you　never　turn　that　wicked　edge　on　me；　sire。〃
　〃See　that　you　never　give　me　cause；　ser。〃　Joffrey　flicked　a　chunk　of　Lives　of　Four　Kings　off　the　table　at　swordpoint；　then　slid　Widow's　Wail　back　into　its　scabbard。
　〃Your　Grace；〃　Ser　Garlan　Tyrell　said。　〃Perhaps　you　did　not　know。　In　all　of　Westeros　there　were　but　four　copies　of　that　book　illuminated　in　Kaeth's　own　hand。〃
　〃Now　there　are　three。〃　Joffrey　undid　his　old　swordbelt　to　don　his　new　one。　〃You　and　Lady　Sansa　owe　me　a　better　present；　Uncle　Imp。　This　one　is　all　chopped　to　pieces。〃
　Tyrion　was　staring　at　his　nephew　with　his　mismatched　eyes。　〃Perhaps　a　knife；　sire。　To　match　your　sword。　A　dagger　of　the　same　fine　Valyrian　steel　。　。　。　with　a　dragonbone　hilt；　say？〃
　Joff　gave　him　a　sharp　look。　〃You　。　。　。　yes；　a　dagger　to　match　my　sword；　good。〃　He　nodded。　〃A　。　。　。　a　gold　hilt　with　rubies　in　it。　Dragonbone　is　too　plain。〃
　〃As　you　wish；　Your　Grace。　〃　Tyrion　drank　another　cup　of　wine。　He　might　have　been　all　alone　in　his　solar　for　all　the　attention　he　paid　Sansa。　But　when　the　time　came　to　leave　for　the　wedding；　he　took　her　by　the　hand。
　As　they　were　crossing　the　yard；　Prince　Oberyn　of　Dorne　fell　in　beside　them；　his　black…haired　paramour　on　his　arm。　Sansa　glanced　at　the　woman　curiously。　She　was　baseborn　and　unwed；　and　had　home　two　bastard　daughters　for　the　prince；　but　she　did　not　fear　to　look　even　the　queen　in　the　eye。　Shae　had　told　her　that　this　Ellaria　worshiped　some　Lysene　love　goddess。　〃She　was　almost　a　whore　when　he　found　her；　m'lady；〃　her　maid　confided；　〃and　now　she's　near　a　princess。〃　Sansa　had　never　been　this　close　to　the　Dornishwoman　before。　She　is　not　truly　beautiful；　she　thought；　but　something　about　her　draws　the　eye。
　〃I　once　had　the　great　good　fortune　to　see　the　Citadel's　copy　of　Lives　of　Four　Kings；〃　Prince　Obe