Re-reading Song of Ice and Fire

Chapter 8, Tyrion
Summary
Tyrion drinks with Lord Janos Slynt. After the conversation Tyrion gives Slynt to the new captain of the gold cloaks with orders to send him and his trusted men to the Wall. When Janos is taken away Varys visits Tyrion. They talk about Slynt’s involvement in Ned’s death and murder of Robert’s bastard. Varys reveals that he planned for one boy to escape Cersei’s wrath.

Quotes

“I told them to throw Allar Deem into the sea. I am sorely tempted to do the same with you.”
“You might be disappointed by the result,” Varys replied.
“The storms come and go, the waves crash overhead, the big fish eat the little fish, and I keep on paddling.”

“Alas, no. There was another bastard, a boy, older. I took steps to see him removed from harm’s way… but I confess, I never dreamed the babe would be at risk. A baseborn girl, less than a year old, with a whore for a mother. What threat could she pose?”
“She was Robert’s,” Tyrion said bitterly.

Who truly killed Eddard Stark do you think? Joffrey, who gave the command? Ser Ilyn Payne, who swung the sword? Or… another?”

Tyrion had the City Watch now, plus a hundred-and-a-half fierce clansmen and a growing force of sellswords recruited by Bronn. He would seem well protected. Doubtless Eddard Stark thought the same.

“How do you know which ones to hire?”
“I look them over. I question them, to learn where they’ve fought and how well they lie.”
Bronn smiled. “And then I give them a chance to kill me, while I do the same for them.”
“Have you killed any?”
“No one we could have used.”
“And if one of them kills you?”
“He’ll be one you’ll want to hire.”

Commentary

This is one of my favorite chapters, full of hidden schemes and meanings.

First of all, Tyrion is starting to build his domain in King’s Landing. He’s killing two birds with one stone by removing the butcher Janos Slynt and replacing him with his own man (or, as he reflects, replacing Littlefinger’s man with Varys’). He thinks that securing the gold cloaks plus the army of mercenaries recruited by Bronn should make him feel safe, but he also keeps in mind that Ned was also feeling safe and it didn’t do him much good.

Tyrion is also having an interesting conversation with the Spider himself. Tyrion tells Varys that he’s tempted to remove him just like he did it with Slynt, but Varys doesn’t seem scared. He even kind of boasts, that big fish come and go and he keeps on paddling.

Varys also says something very intriguing. He hints on the possibility that it was not Ilyn Payne, nor Joffrey that killed Ned Stark. He leaves the question hanging in there and the general understanding is that it was Joffrey that gave the command and should bear the responsibility, but what if there was someone else, who convinced Joffrey that leaving Stark alive would be a sign of weakness or that he should punish Ned for the humiliation Arya put him through? Just a thought to ponder.

There is one more plot touched in this chapter - Robert’s bastards. Cersei wants them dead and she doesn’t hesitate sending men to kill new born children. Varys reveals to have plotted to hide one of Robert’s bastards. It’s logical to assume that he’s talking about Gendry. What were his reasons? Who can tell? Does he have a plan that involves Gendry? Did he do it to honor Robert’s life? To save his child knowing that the “true-born” were not his own? Or did he just do it to spite Cersei? I wonder.

The last thing that amused me greatly in this chapter is once again the filled with cynism comedic duo of Tyrion and Bronn. Those two are worth each other.

Chapter 3, Tyrion
Summary
Tyrion invites himself into the small council meeting. He delivers the letter from Lord Tywin naming him the Hand of the King. The members of the council welcome him, Cersei is not happy with that. Tyrion calms her with the promise of freeing Jaime. After the clash with his sister Tyrion makes way to the inn where he finds Shae and Varys.

Quotes

“We needed Slynt’s gold cloaks. Eddard Stark was plotting with Renly and he’d written to Lord Stannis, offering him the throne. We might have lost all. Even so, it was a close thing. If Sansa hadn’t come to me and told me all her father’s plans…”
Tyrion was surprised. “Truly? His own daughter?” Sansa had always seemed such a sweet child, tender and courteous.
“The girl was wet with love. She would have done anything for Joffrey, until he cut off her father’s head and called it mercy. That put an end to that.”

“You will share all your plans and intentions with me before you act, and you will do nothing without my consent. Do you understand?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Do you agree?”
“Certainly,” he lied. “I am yours, sister.” For as long as I need to be.

“In a room sit three great men, a king, a priest, and a rich man with his gold. Between them stands a sellsword, a little man of common birth and no great mind. Each of the great ones bids him slay the other two. ‘Do it’ says the king, ‘for I am your lawful ruler.’ ‘Do it’ says the priest, ‘for I command you in the names of the gods.’ ‘Do it’ says the rich man, ‘and all this gold shall be yours.’ So tell me-who lives and who dies?” Bowing deeply, the eunuch hurried from the common room on soft slippered feet.
When he was gone, Chella gave a snort and Shae wrinkled up her pretty face. “The rich man lives. Doesn’t he?”
Tyrion sipped at his wine, thoughtful. “Perhaps. Or not. That would depend on the sellsword, it seems.”

Fool, he thought to himself afterward, as they lay in the center of the sagging mattress amidst the rumpled sheets. Will you never learn, dwarf? She’s a whore, damn you, it’s your coin she loves, not your cock. Remember Tysha?

Commentary

There is a reason why Tyrion is the favorite character of great many readers. He’s very smart. He can be strong and ruthless (take note how he faced Cersei and Ser Mandon), but at the same time he’s human, he has a heart, he longs for closeness. His misguided tries to find it with Shae will only lead to tragedy. And the most painful thing is - he *knows* it! The heart does not listen to reason though…

With Tyrion’s arrival in King’s Landing we’re back in the world of politic intrigues. Cersei wants to rule the kingdom, Tyrion wants to do the same, Littlefinger will have to answer for the Valyrian dagger and Varys finds out the biggest secret Imp has - Shae. Everyone is lying. What is the truth behind all the lies? It’s fun to guess!

The most intriguing bit of this chapter (for me at least) is the riddle Varys leaves Tyrion with. Three people each powerful in their own way and one sellsword. Who holds the real power here? The sellsword it seems. This story in conjunction with what Cersei says about the way she dealt with Ned Stark got me thinking. Was it really up to Petyr Baelish? After Robert’s death there was one power in King’s Landing to make new king - the gold cloaks. Littlefinger secured them for Lannisters when Ned refused to heed his advice. Seems that he was the man with the sword.

I’ll leave you to digest this chapter with one last note. Look at how Tyrion looks at the world, how he perceives the feelings. Everything comes back to Tysha. His cynicism, irony, detachment, it all started with the betrayal of the one person he believed loved him despite what he was.

Chapter 69, Tyrion
Summary
Messenger reaches the Lannister host. He brings news of Robb’s victory in Whispering Wood and Riverrun. Tywin learns that Jaime is taken prisoner. Lannisters gather to decide what to do with the war they’re losing. Finally Lord Tywin decides to move with his army to Harrenhal and send Tyrion to Kings Landing to serve as the Hand of the King.

Quotes

“Peace?” Tyrion swirled his wine thoughtfully, took a deep draft, and hurled his empty cup to the floor, where it shattered into a thousand pieces. “There’s your peace, Ser Harys. My sweet nephew broke it for good and all when he decided to ornament the Red Keep with Lord Eddard’s head. You’ll have an easier time drinking wine from that cup than you will convincing Robb Stark to make peace now. He’s winning… or hadn’t you noticed?”

Lord Tywin looked down at his son. “I had thought you were the one made for motley, Tyrion, but it would appear that I was wrong.”
“Why, Father,” said Tyrion, “that almost sounds like praise.” He leaned forward intently.

A part of him was more pleased than he cared to admit. Another part was remembering the battle upriver, and wondering if he was being sent to hold the left again. “Why me?” he asked, cocking his head to one side. “Why not my uncle? Why not Ser Addam or Ser Flement or Lord Serrett? Why not a… bigger man?”
Lord Tywin rose abruptly. “You are my son.”
That was when he knew. You have given him up for lost, he thought. You bloody bastard, you think Jaime’s good as dead, so I’m all you have left.

Commentary

This chapter comes like a breath of fresh air after the stink of death surrounding last few.

This does not make up for death of Robert, Ned and Drogo, but it’s nice to see Lannisters on the run for a change. There are some who want to make peace with Robb, but Tyrion points out that this option was forfeit when Ned was killed. There is only one way to end this war now.

It’s interesting to see how detached Tyrion is from this whole business. Even the thought of his brother in being held in captivity doesn’t seem to move him much. It’s only after Lord Tywin sends him to Kings Landing to rule as the Hand of the King his emotions surface. But instead of being happy that father finally acknowledges his value he gets mad. He’s certain that Lord Tywin only turned to him because he thought he’s everything he has left, that with Ned’s death there is no chance that Jaime will be freed.

I can’t begin to imagine what Tyrion had to feel right there and then. Being an imp was tough enough in itself, but the rejection he had to deal with every day could turn the best man into a bitter bastard.

The topic of “good” and “bad” characters in SOIAF was discussed many times. I’m very tough in my judgment. No matter how many maidens Jaime rescues I will still consider him an evil man. Tyrion though… He’s a bastard, he has a foul mouth, he can be cruel at times, but all in all I consider him to be “good”. Even though he’s a Lannister.

Chapter 62, Tyrion
Summary
Lord Tywin requests that Tyrion rides with his clansmen in vanguard, under the command of Ser Gregor Clegane. Dwarf is upset with this assignment and leaves the dinner to join the whore Bronn found for him, Shae. The next morning brings the battle with Stark army. Tyrion and his savages defend the river on the left side of the battlefield. During the battle dwarf manages to kill one knight and take another one prisoner. Lannister army is victorious, however the battle did not go according to Lord Tywin’s plan, who planned the left side to collapse and lure Starks into the trap. Lannisters learn that Robb is hurrying to help the besieged Riverrun.

Quotes

“I saw that great hairy one today, the one who insisted that he must have two battle-axes, the heavy black steel ones with twin crescent blades.”
“Shagga likes to kill with either hand,” Tyrion said as a trencher of steaming pork was laid in front of him.
“He still had that wood-axe of his strapped to his back.”
“Shagga is of the opinion that three axes are even better than two.”

No one looked at him. No one spoke to him. No one paid him any mind. He was surrounded by men sworn to House Lannister, a vast host twenty thousand strong, and yet he was alone.

“In good time. Are you a maiden, Shae?”
“If it please you, m’lord,” she said demurely.
“What would please me would be the truth of you, girl.”
“Aye, but that will cost you double.”
Tyrion decided they would get along splendidly.

Tyrion saw Shagga catch a spearman full in the chest as the fool came on at a run, saw his axe shear through mail and leather and muscle and lungs. The man was dead on his feet, the axehead lodged in his breast, yet Shagga rode on, cleaving a shield in two with his left-hand battle-axe while the corpse was bouncing and stumbling bonelessly along on his right.

Commentary

This chapter is divided into two parts. The first one is a study of Tyrion and his relations with father, Lord Tywin. There doesn’t seem to be the end to humiliation. Tywin Lannister treats Tyrion like a burden he has to bear, however unpleasant it might be. And I can’t stop to wonder if Tyrion was really sent to die “defending the left”. It was his father’s plan after all to send him into heat of the battle where his forces were predicted to collapse. Very disturbing thought.

A key character to Tyrion storyline is introduced: the whore Shae. Feeling that his life may end abruptly on the next day imp intends to go down remembering the best world has to offer. Unfortunately he also engages himself emotionally and this will be his undoing. In the long run.

Second part of the chapter is the battle in most splendid GRRM style. Armies of the Wolf and the Lion clash for the first time and reader is drawn into the killing game with the speed of a charging horse.

What I liked about this battle in particular is the point of view of the dwarf, who is no warrior. Following his like of thinking might be close to what most of us would have thought in similar situation. Contemplating death in this situation is only natural, but is it what heroes do? Tyrion doesn’t seem to have the answer…

What I did not get though is why the army under Roose Bolton marched all night to give Lannisters the battle on their terms, give them the advantage of being rested. The point was to delay Lord Tywin as much as possible, to give Robb enough time to break the siege. Why force the battle?

The ending of this chapter brings a bit of hope as Lannisters realize that they have been outwitted by Robb, who’s on his way to relieve Riverrun.

Chapter 56, Tyrion
Summary
Tyrion and his clansmen escort reach Lannister army. They meet with Lord Tywin. Tyrion gets up to speed with current events. Jaime destroyed Edmure’s host and has taken him prisoner. He’s laying siege to Riverrun. The clansmen join the army and march against Robb Stark.

Quotes

Even Brorm kept a respectful tongue around Timett. If a man was mad enough to put out his own eye, he was unlikely to be gentle to his enemies.

“No sword is strong until it’s been tempered,” Lord Tywin declared. “The Stark boy is a child. No doubt he likes the sound of warhorns well enough, and the sight of his banners fluttering in the wind, but in the end it comes down to butcher’s work. I doubt he has the stomach for it.”

Commentary

In this chapter we see where Tyrion got his extremely cynical attitude from. There is no love between him and his father. Imp’s cynicism is a defense mechanism he developed growing up deformed and unloved child.

As the story evolves the boundaries between good and bad (Starks vs Lannisters) start to fade. Not every Lannister has the cold heart of Tywin Lannister and not all Starks (and Tully’s) can be considered good. Moral ambiguity creeps slowly into the tale.

What I particularly like in this chapter is how Lord Tywin makes a mistake by underestimating young Stark. Ned has taught his boy well. He’s very smart and more importantly, he listens to his liege lords. His father would be proud.