Chapter 42 Tyrion Returning South
From here to the south, the King's Road runs parallel to the Green Fork, a tributary of the Trident. It passes through prosperous towns, solid farmsteads, and the castles of river nobles. It also passes through fertile valleys and lush green trees, to the King's Road and the Trident. There is a hotel at the intersection of the rivers, just north of the confluence of the three rivers. Tyrion decided to take a break there.
From the Great Wall to the Riverlands, from the end of the world where life could be frozen to the current Hejian area where the fragrance of flowers and the warmth of spring can easily arouse lust, it is like two worlds. Tyrion rode a tall horse. Although he was short and deformed, the horse had a tacit understanding with him. He couldn't help but sigh that his brother Jaime was not only a strong knight in martial arts, but also a good horseman.
Yoren "Wandering Crow", who was dressed in black clothes of the Night's Watch, buried his face in his cloak and walked in front of Tyrion without saying a word. Tyrion clearly felt that when he was in the northern border north of the Neck, Yoren the Night's Watch, who was responsible for recruiting murderers, thieves and desperadoes to join the Great Wall, could still go to the north where food was scarce. The people of the North would welcome him into their houses for a meal. Of course, Yoren did not eat in vain. He gave some copper coins brought from the Great Wall and given by the Stark family to the residents who entertained them.
Once they set foot on the land of the south, except for a few families with the blood of the northern ancestors who stayed in the Riverlands and were willing to entertain them with guest etiquette, other villages and towns in the Riverlands regarded them as criminals and scum. For fear of avoiding it.
Every time Tyrion saw this scene, he would raise his chest and try to highlight the Lannister golden lion emblem on his clothes. Unfortunately, even the noble Lannister family in the West did not have a short dwarf with a more beautiful figure. It is eye-catching that even though he is known as the "Little Devil" all over the world, no one recognizes him, but the two followers following him will loudly remind him that he is "Lord Lannister".
"Look at that dwarf!" Before the entourage stepped forward to report his identity, Tyrion heard more of these words. Most of them were children's playful words, but the ignorant adults also followed behind and laughed, wanting to come to the door and refuse. They serve. Of course, this is a minority. Although most people in the river are reluctant, they seem to be afraid of the black clothes of the Night Watch. It is probably because the image of many desperadoes joining the Night Watch has left such a deep impression on these people, so they do not dare to get into trouble.
Isn't a Lannister's roar worth fearing? Tyrion wanted to shout at them, but unfortunately the dwarf's body was too conspicuous, covering up the burly figure of the lion.
"How the black brothers on the Wall envy you, Yoren." Tyrion spoke.
Yoren lifted up the cloak with his hand, "Why do you envy me?" His beard was as dark and oily as a bush, and was covered with lice and fleas. Tyrion had been at the Great Wall for several days, and had long been accustomed to the informality of these Night's Watchmen.
At least Lord Mormont is still neatly dressed. Unfortunately, the bald head may not be beautiful, but his furry gray beard hangs down to his chest, but it is well taken care of and looks clean and smooth. In comparison, Yoren's beard looked like it had been soaked in muddy water overnight before mounting his horse.
"Your poor brothers of the Night's Watch live with ice, snow and weird spirits on the Great Wall, while you, Yoren, are traveling south with Lord Lannister, and maybe you can even stay in a brothel for a few nights. Don't worry, I'm very interested in this place. Everything is familiar, at least they won’t let their cuteness fool you out of the house naked.” Tyrion whistled and said with a smile.
Yoren laughed. Tyrion had rarely seen him laugh during his journey, especially in the South.
"They will never come to the south, life or death." Yoren said this. "They swore an oath to be night watchmen for the rest of their lives, until they die." The old horse under Yoren's crotch was a little restless, and he pulled it tightly. The reins are dangerously controlled.
Tyrion shook his head nonchalantly, "That's because there is no one to help them lead the way. The patrol soldiers in the north will just arrest them as deserters." The patrol soldiers in the north only recognized one night watchman heading south, and that was the man in front of them, Lang Crow You. Lun, obviously they are very familiar with each other, have a good relationship, and even take the initiative to help supply supplies.
"The south has sweet floral aromas, sweet and sour wine, beautiful sunsets, fruits and vegetables, and if you can, you can also eat meat. Besides, there are girls who are willing to spread their legs for money along the way." Leon muttered, obviously not caring about the oath Yoren said. If the broken oath was the only reason that prevented the brothers of the Night's Watch from wanting to go south, he would rather believe in the Stark family's spear and pursuit and trial.
Yoren shook his head, "I'm afraid you don't know this, Lord Lannister."
"Just call me Tyrion, Yoren." Tyrion suggested.
"Okay, Tyrion, since you insist." Yoren chewed the dried meat, "It's not easy for the brothers of the Night's Watch to cross the North in black, not to mention that they can't stay in the South. If the lord who had judged them knew that they were coming back, they would definitely behead them. They would have no choice but to turn into bandits, and under King Robert's rule, there were few bandits on the loose. "
Tyrion nodded thoughtfully, and the silent attendant pointed at the black smoke in front of him. "The Inn at the Crossroads, Lord Tyrion."
The four people in the group quickened their pace. Yoren's old horse was not very fast. Tyrion tried his best to take care of the old night watchman, but also deliberately slowed down, and his horse galloped ahead.
The night has gradually pushed the afterglow of the sunset to further corners, and darkness and humidity have found Tyrion, making him feel uncomfortable all over.
"I heard that shadow lynx appeared in this place, and it was so ferocious that it frightened people." The younger follower looked around in fear, his horse resting on his crotch.
"Shadow lynxes mostly hang out in the valley. There are so many knights coming and going here, so the lynxes will stay away." The older follower explained disdainfully.
Yoren said nothing, and Tyrion looked at his face, wondering whether this raven from Castle Black had patrolled the Haunted Forest north of the Wall in his youth, and might have seen the Children of the Forest and giants.
The two followers tried their best to argue with each other about how the shadow lynx lived, how it hunted, and how terrifying it was, and they kept shouting.
"God! If you guys tell me how shadow lynx mate, I'll be a little interested." Tyrion said impatiently. Sooner or later, the cries of these two people will attract the beasts hidden deep in the riverland forests. Maybe there are lonely ghosts. The attendant immediately shut up. He didn't know whether his impatient words had an effect, or whether the gentle light of the hotel naturally had a sacred effect on tired travelers to stop the noise and mumbling.
The waiter came out and said in a child's high-pitched voice, "The hotel is full, please leave, gentlemen." He glanced at Yoren in black, hesitated, and said "Master" .
"If you were an ordinary person," Tyrion, who had always been very agile, rolled over and dismounted, "he might have yelled and turned around to go home. After all, there are so many mercenaries and knight masters living in the inn." He glanced at the stable where the food was stopped. It's a grass horse, with the coat of arms representing the castle family on the saddle. The Frey family of the Twins. It seems that one of the descendants of Old Walder is staying here. There is also the black bat pattern of Harrenhal. Gee, many people Here, business is indeed booming.
"I really want to participate in the Prime Minister's tourney!" the younger attendant said excitedly, "This place is full of knights!"
When Tyrion and his entourage entered the inn, the older attendant shouted loudly, "Boss, find someone to help us feed the horses. Our Lord Lannister wants a room and a hot bath."
The boss was a fat woman, and she showed a terrifying red smile that Tyrion had never seen in his life. She bowed and said: "I'm so sorry, sir, it's full, you see." She pointed to the hall.
Tyrion looked around and saw that the boss was not lying. The hall was filled with knights, retainers, and strong mercenaries who seemed to be drinking blood for a living.
"My men can just sleep on the horse porch, but as for me? Haha, you can see it, right? I don't need a big room." Tyrion laughed mockingly, "The fire is warm enough, and there aren't too many fleas in the straw. I’m very satisfied.”
The fat woman didn't seem to know what to do. She was so anxious that she couldn't speak clearly, "The people who are harmed by this martial arts tournament are all human beings. Sir, there are too many people. This is outrageous."
Tyrion had his own way of dealing with it, which was different from his brother Jaime's sword. He took out a coin from his pocket, threw it over his head, caught it, and played it again. He believed that even a blind person could see it. It turns out that this is golden gold.
A freerider in a faded blue cloak stood up. "Sir, if you don't mind, then you can stay in my room."
"How smart." Tyrion winked and smiled at Yoren behind him, who just pulled his black clothes and remained silent.
Throwing the gold coin to the free rider, Tyrion glanced at the dining table and said to the fat woman: "I guess there's nothing wrong with the food?"
The fat woman nodded repeatedly, "No problem, I guarantee your satisfaction. Sir, you can eat whatever you want."
"Roast a bird, as long as it has meat, chicken, duck or pigeon will do. Take good care of my brothers in black. It's best to have a bottle of the best wine here. Yoren, I think the Great Wall will drink it, hahaha!" Tyrion! After giving the instructions, he joked to Yoren.
"No problem, let's eat with you." Yoren sat at the dining table and finally put away his black cloak.
Tyrion hummed a tune and prepared to sit down.
A discordant voice appeared, "My lord, may I have the honor to entertain you during your meal? Let me sing a song in praise of your father, Lord Tywin, for his great victory!"
"Then you'd better stuff this pigeon meat into your mouth, I'm afraid it will make you sick to your stomach." Tyrion said harshly. He looked towards the singer and took a look, but saw Lady Catelyn who was about to turn away?
Tyrion stood up and smiled, "Mrs. Stark? What a surprise."
The singer opened his mouth in surprise. He looked at the woman who heard him mocking Winterfell. Was she Lady Stark?
Sir Rodrik cursed several times, and Tyrion also noticed him, "Sir Rodrik, haha, Yoren, your lord's wife and trainer have gone south."
"The Night's Watch has no kings, only Lord Commanders." Yoren muttered, but he still said hello to Lady Stark.
Catelyn nodded slightly and looked at Tyrion with no kindness in her eyes.
(End of chapter)