grrm.astormofswords-第172章

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　〃I　do；〃　said　Janos　Slynt。　〃I　know　them　too　well。〃
　Jon　peeled　off　his　glove　and　showed　them　his　burned　hand。　〃I　burned　my　hand　defending　Lord　Mormont　from　a　wight。　And　my　uncle　was　a　man　of　honor。　He　would　never　have　betrayed　his　vows。〃
　〃No　more　than　you？〃　mocked　Ser　Alliser。
　Septon　Cellador　cleared　his　throat。　〃Lord　Slynt；〃　he　said；　〃this　boy　refused　to　swear　his　vows　properly　in　the　sept；　but　went　beyond　the　Wall　to　say　his　words　before　a　heart　tree。　His　father's　gods；　he　said；　but　they　are　wildling　gods　as　well。〃
　〃They　are　the　gods　of　the　north；　Septon。〃　Maester　Aemon　was　courteous；　but　firm。　〃My　lords；　when　Donal　Noye　was　slain；　it　was　this　young　man　Jon　Snow　who　took　the　Wall　and　held　it；　against　all　the　fury　of　the　north。　He　has　proved　himself　valiant；　loyal；　and　resourceful。　Were　it　not　for　him；　you　would　have　found　Mance　Rayder　sitting　here　when　you　arrived；　Lord　Slynt。　You　are　doing　him　a　great　wrong。　Jon　Snow　was　Lord　Mormont's　own　steward　and　squire。　He　was　chosen　for　that　duty　because　the　Lord　mander　saw　much　promise　in　him。　As　do　I。〃　
　〃Promise？〃　said　Slynt。　〃Well；　promise　may　turn　false。　Qhorin　Halfhand's　blood　is　on　his　hands。　Mormont　trusted　him；　you　say；　but　what　of　that？　I　know　what　it　is　to　be　betrayed　by　men　you　trusted。　Oh；　yes。　And　I　know　the　ways　of　wolves　as　well。〃　He　pointed　at　Jon's　face。　〃Your　father　died　a　traitor。〃
　〃My　father　was　murdered。〃　Jon　was　past　caring　what　they　did　to　him；　but　he　would　not　suffer　any　more　lies　about　his　father。
　Slynt　purpled。　〃Murder？　You　insolent　pup。　King　Robert　was　not　even　cold　when　Lord　Eddard　moved　against　his　son。〃　He　rose　to　his　feet；　a　shorter　man　than　Mormont；　but　thick　about　the　chest　and　arms；　with　a　gut　to　match。　A　small　gold　spear　tipped　with　red　enamel　pinned　his　cloak　at　the　shoulder。　〃Your　father　died　by　the　sword；　but　he　was　highborn；　a　King's　Hand。　For　you；　a　noose　will　serve。　Ser　Alliser；　take　this　tumcloak　to　an　ice　cell。〃
　〃My　lord　is　wise。〃　Ser　Alliser　seized　Jon　by　the　arm。
　Jon　yanked　away　and　grabbed　the　knight　by　the　throat　with　such　ferocity　that　he　lifted　him　off　the　floor。　He　would　have　throttled　him　if　the　Eastwatch　men　had　not　pulled　him　off。　Thorne　staggered　back；　rubbing　the　marks　Jon's　fingers　had　left　on　his　neck。　〃You　see　for　yourselves；　brothers。　The　boy　is　a　wildling。〃
　
　CHAPTER　70
　TYRION
　
　When　dawn　broke；　he　found　he　could　not　face　the　thought　of　food。　By　evenfall　I　may　stand　condemned。　His　belly　was　acid　with　bile；　and　his　nose　itched。　Tyrion　scratched　at　it　with　the　point　of　his　knife。　One　last　witness　to　endure；　then　my　turn。　But　what　to　do？　Deny　everything？　Accuse　Sansa　and　Ser　Dontos？　Confess；　in　the　hope　of　spending　the　rest　of　his　days　on　the　Wall？　Let　the　dice　fly　and　pray　the　Red　Viper　could　defeat　Ser　Gregor　Clegane？
　Tyrion　stabbed　listlessly　at　a　greasy　grey　sausage；　wishing　it　were　his　sister。　It　is　bloody　cold　on　the　Wall；　but　at　least　I　would　be　shut　of　Cersei。　He　did　not　think　he　would　make　much　of　a　ranger；　but　the　Night's　Watch　needed　clever　men　as　well　as　strong　ones。　Lord　mander　Mormont　had　said　as　much；　when　Tyrion　had　visited　Castle　Black。　There　are　those　inconvenient　vows；　though。　It　would　mean　the　end　of　his　marriage　and　whatever　claim　he　might　ever　have　made　for　Casterly　Rock；　but　he　did　not　seem　destined　to　enjoy　either　in　any　case。　And　he　seemed　to　recall　that　there　was　a　brothel　in　a　nearby　village。
　It　was　not　a　life　he'd　ever　dreamed　of；　but　it　was　life。　And　all　he　had　to　do　to　earn　it　was　trust　in　his　father；　stand　up　on　his　little　stunted　legs；　and　say；　〃Yes；　I　did　it；　I　confess。〃　That　was　the　part　that　tied　his　bowels　in　knots。　He　almost　wished　he　had　done　it；　since　it　seemed　he　must　suffer　for　it　anyway。
　〃My　lord？〃　said　Podrick　Payne。　〃They're　here；　my　lord。　Ser　Addam。　And　the　gold　cloaks。　They　wait　without。〃
　〃Pod；　tell　me　true　。　。　。　do　you　think　I　did　it？〃
　The　boy　hesitated。　When　he　tried　to　speak；　all　he　managed　to　produce　was　a　weak　sputter。
　I　am　doomed。　Tyrion　sighed。　〃No　need　to　answer。　You've　been　a　good　squire　to　me。　Better　than　I　deserved。　Whatever　happens；　I　thank　you　for　your　leal　service。〃
　Ser　Addarn　Marbrand　waited　at　the　door　with　six　gold　cloaks。　He　had　nothing　to　say　this　morning；　it　seemed。　Another　good　man　who　thinks　me　a　kinslayer。　Tyrion　summoned　all　the　dignity　he　could　find　and　waddled　down　the　steps。　He　could　feel　them　all　watching　him　as　he　crossed　the　yard；　the　guards　on　the　walls；　the　grooms　by　the　stables；　the　scullions　and　washerwomen　and　serving　girls。　Inside　the　throne　room；　knights　and　lordlings　moved　aside　to　let　them　through；　and　whispered　to　their　ladies。
　No　sooner　had　Tyrion　taken　his　place　before　the　judges　than　another　group　of　gold　cloaks　led　in　Shae。
　A　cold　hand　tightened　round　his　heart。　Varys　betrayed　her；　he　thought。　Then　he　remembered。　No。　I　betrayed　her　myself。　I　should　have　left　her　with　Lollys。　Of　course　they'd　question　Sansa's　maids；　I'd　do　the　same。　Tyrion　rubbed　at　the　slick　scar　where　his　nose　had　been；　wondering　why　Cersei　had　bothered。　Shae　knows　nothing　that　can　hurt　me。
　〃They　plotted　it　together；〃　she　said；　this　girl　he'd　loved。　〃The　Imp　and　Lady　Sansa　plotted　it　after　the　Young　Wolf　died。　Sansa　wanted　revenge　for　her　brother　and　Tyrion　meant　to　have　the　throne。　He　was　going　to　kill　his　sister　next；　and　then　his　own　lord　father；　so　he　could　be　Hand　for　Prince　Tommen。　But　after　a　year　or　so；　before　Tornmen　got　too　old；　he　would　have　killed　him　too；　so　as　to　take　the　crown　for　his　own　head。〃
　〃How　could　you　know　all　this？〃　demanded　Prince　Oberyn。　〃Why　would　the　Imp　divulge　such　plans　to　his　wife's　maid？〃
　〃I　overheard　some；　m'lord；〃　said　Shae；　〃and　m'lady　let　things　slip　too。　But　most　I　had　from　his　own　lips。　I　wasn't　only　Lady　Sansa's　maid。　I　was　his　whore；　all　the　time　he　was　here　in　King's　Landing。　On　the　morning　of　the　wedding；　he　dragged　me　down　where　they　keep　the　dragon　skulls　and　fucked　me　there　with　the　monsters　all　around。　And　when　I　cried；　he　said　I　ought　to　be　more　grateful；　that　it　wasn't　every　girl　who　got　to　be　the　king's　whore。　That　was　when　he　told　me　how　he　meant　to　be　king。　He　said　that　poor　boy　Joffrey　would　never　know　his　bride　the　way　he　was　knowing　me。〃　She　started　sobbing　then。　〃I　never　meant　to　be　a　whore；　m'lords。　I　was　to　be　married。　A　squire；　he　was；　and　a　good　brave　boy；　gentle　born。　But　the　Imp　saw　me　at　the　Green　Fork　and　put　the　boy　I　meant　to　marry　in　the　front　rank　of　the　van；　and　after　he　was　killed　he　sent　his　wildlings　to　bring　me　to　his　tent。　Shagga；　the　big　one；　and　Timett　with　the　burned　eye。　He　said　if　I　didn't　pleasure　him；　he'd　give　me　to　them；　so　I　did。　Then　he　brought　me　to　the　city；　so　I'd　be　close　when　he　wanted　me。　He　made　me　do　such　shameful　things　。　。　。〃
　Prince　Oberyn　looked　curious。　〃What　sorts　of　things？〃
　〃Unspeakable　things。〃　As　the　tears　rolled　slowly　down　that　pretty　face；　no　doubt　every　man　in　the　hall　wanted　to　take　Shae　in　his　arms　and　fort　her。　〃With　my　mouth　and　。　。　。　other　parts；　m'lord。　All　my　parts。　He　used　me　every　way　there　was；　and　。　。　。　he　used　to　make　me　tell　him　how　big　he　was。　My　giant；　I　had　to　call　him；　my　giant　of　Lannister。〃
　Oswald　Kettleblack　was　the　first　to　laugh。　Boros　and　Meryn　joined　in；　then　Cersei；　Ser　Loras；　and　more　lords　and　ladies　than　he　could　count。　The　sudden　gale　of　mirth　made　the　rafters　ring　and　shook　the　Iron　Throne。　〃It's　true；〃　Shae　protested。　〃My　giant　of　Lannister。〃　The　laughter　swelled　twice　as　loud。　Their　mouths　were　twisted　in　merriment；　their　bellies　shook。　Some　laughed　so　hard　that　snot　flew　from　their　nostrils。
　I　saved　you　all；　Tyrion　thought。　I　saved　this　vile　city　and　all　your　worthless　lives。　There　were　hundreds　in　the　throne　room；　every　one　of　them　laughing　but　his　father。　Or　so　it　seemed。　Even　the　Red　Viper　chortled；　and　Mace　Tyrell　looked　like　to　bust　a　gut；　but　Lord　Tywin　Lannister　sat　between　them　as　if　made　of　stone；　his　fingers　steepled　beneath　his　chin。
　Tyrion　pushed　forward。　〃MY　LORDS！〃　he　shouted。　He　had　to　shout；　to　have　any　hope　of　being　heard。
　His　father　raised　a　hand。　Bit　by　bit；　the　hall　grew　silent。
　〃Get　this　lying　whore　out　of　my　sight；〃　said　Tyrion；　〃and　I　will　give　you　your　confession。〃
　Lord　Tywin　nodded；　gestured。　Shae　looked　half　in　terror　as　the　gold　cloaks　formed　up　around　her。　Her　eyes　met　Tyrion's　as　they　marched　her　from　the　wall。　Was　it　shame　he　saw　there；　or　fear？　He　wondered　what　Cersei　had　promised　her。　You　will　get　the　gold　or　jewels；　whatever　it　was　you　asked　for；　he　thought　as　he　watched　her　back　recede；　but　before　the　moon　has　turned　she'll　have　you　entertaining　the　gold　cloaks　in　their　barracks。
　Tyrion　stared　up　at　his　father's　hard　green　eyes　with　their　flecks　of　cold　bright　gold。　〃Guilty；〃　he　said；　〃so　guilty。　Is　that　what　you　wanted　to　hear？〃
　Lord　Tywin　said　nothing。　Mace　Tyrell　nodded。　Prince　Oberyn　looked　mildly　disappointed。　〃You　admit　you　poisoned　the　king？〃
　〃Nothing　of　the　sort；〃　said　Tyrion。　〃Of　Joffrey's　death　I　am　innocent。　I　am　guilty　of　a　more　monstrous　crime。〃　He　took　a　step　toward　his　father。　〃I　was　born。　I　lived。　I　am　guilty　of　being　a　dwarf；　I　confess　it。　And　no　matter　how　many　times　my　good　father　forgave　me；　I　have　persisted　in　my　infamy。〃
　〃This　is　folly；　Tyrion；〃　declared　Lord　Tywin。　〃Speak　to　the　matter　at　hand。　You　are　not　on　trial　for　being　a　dwarf。〃
　〃That　is　where　you　err；　my　lord。　I　have　been　on　trial　for　being　a　dwarf　my　entire　life。〃
　〃Have　you　nothing　to　say　in　your　defense？〃
　〃Nothing　but　this：　I　did　not　do　it。　Yet　now　I　wish　I　had。〃　He　turned　to　face　the　hall；　that　sea　of　pale　faces。　〃I　wish　I　had　enough　poison　for　you　all。　You　make　me　sorry　that　I　am　not　the　monster　you　would　have　me　be；　yet　there　it　is。　I　am　innocent；　but　I　will　get　no　justice　here。　You　leave　me　no　choice　but　to　appeal　to　the　gods。　I　demand　trial　by　battle。〃
　〃Have　you　taken　leave　of　your　wits？〃　his　father　said。
　〃No；　I've　found　them。　I　demand　trial　by　battle！〃
　His　sweet　sister　could　not　have　been　more　pleased。　〃He　has　that　right；　my　lords；〃　she　reminded　the　judges。　〃Let　the　gods　judge。　Ser　Gregor　Clegane　will　stand　for　Joffrey。　He　returned　to　the　city　the　night　before　last；　to　put　his　sword　at　my　service。〃
　Lord　Tywin's　face　was　so　dark　that　for　half　a　heartbeat　Tyrion　wondered　if　he'd　drunk　some　poisoned　wine　as　well。　He　slammed　his　fist　down　on　the　table；　too　angry　to　speak。　It　was　Mace　Tyrell　who　turned　to　Tyrion　and　asked　the　question。　〃Do　you　have　a　champion　to　defend　your　innocence？〃
　〃He　does；　my　lord。〃　Prince　Oberyn　of　Dome　rose　to　his　feet。　〃The　dwarf　has　quite　convinced　me。〃
　The　uproar　was　deafening。　Tyrion　took　especial　pleasure　in　the　sudden　doubt　he　glimpsed　in　Cersei's　eyes。　It　took　a　hundred　gold　cloaks　pounding　the　butts　of　their　spears　against　the　floor　to　quiet　the　throne　room　again。　By　then　Lord　Tywin　Lannister　had　recovered　himself。　〃Let　the　issue　be　decided　on　the　morrow；〃　he　declared　in　iron　tones。　〃I　wash　my　hands　of　it。〃　He　gave　his　dwarf　son　a　cold　angry　look；　then　strode　from　the　hall；　out　the　king's　door　behind　the　Iron　Throne；　his　brother　Kevan　at　his　side。
　Later；　back　in　his　tower　cell；　Tyrion　poured　himself　a　cup　of　wine　and　sent　Podrick　Payne　off　for　cheese；　bread；　and　olives。　He　doubted　whether　he　could　keep　down　anything　heavier　just　now。　Did　you　think　I　would　go　meekly；