Game of Thrones: Knight's Honor-Chapter 356: The Hand Cast Aside

The room was silent for a moment as the Lannister brothers slowly recovered from their concern over Tywin's sudden change in character.

Tyrion got up, took another bottle from the nearby cabinet, grabbed an extra glass for Jaime, and poured them each a drink.

"You didn't come just to tell me Father's changed," he said, "and you're not here to chat about inheriting Casterly Rock either. So what is it? What do you need my help with?"

Jaime took a sip and said, "I want you to help me save Cersei."

"Absolutely not." Tyrion shook his head without hesitation. "If Lynd weren't involved, maybe we could talk. We'd just have to beg House Tyrell—offer them some concessions, worst case. But Garlan Tyrell anticipated that we'd come pleading afterward. That's why he added a condition: Lynd had to serve as the witness. So now it's not about whether we agree, or whether Cersei will become a holy sister. Lynd has a duty to fulfill—as witness, he's bound to take her to the Redemption Sept."

Jaime's face hardened. "Then we'll just have to wait until she arrives at the Redemption Sept, and figure out a way to break her out."

"Break someone out of the Redemption Sept? What idiot gave you that brilliant idea?" Tyrion looked at him in disbelief, then turned to Bronn, who had been quietly watching from the side.

"Was it you? Bronn, did you come up with that nonsense?"

"Of course not," Bronn said quickly, shaking his head. "Do I look like someone who'd come up with a suicidal plan like that?" He turned to Jaime and added with a scoff, "If you're looking for a way to die, there are better options. Try leaping off the city walls—it'll be quicker than storming the Redemption Sept."

Jaime glanced between the two of them, confused. "What's wrong with trying to rescue someone from the Redemption Sept? Why are you both acting like it's insane?"

"What's wrong? Everything," Tyrion said, climbing onto the stool to look Jaime in the eye. "Trying to break into the Redemption Sept is as good as marching to your death. Forget the Stone Giant Guard—those things are terrifying enough on their own. But even without them, the Sept is protected by Septon-warriors chosen by the gods. Each one is an elite fighter, handpicked from thousands. Then you've got the Redemptor Sisters from the Sept and the Silent Brothers from the Silent Court. They're like monsters in human form.

"On the way back from the Vale, Bronn and I saw a group of ten Silent Brothers and Redemptor Sisters take on nearly a thousand Riverlands rebels—and cut them down like they were nothing. Only a few dozen escaped, and not a single robe on the clergy had so much as a tear. And you want to rescue someone from the heart of that fortress? How is that not suicide?"

Jaime stood frozen, stunned. "He lied to me... He lied to me..." he muttered.

Seeing him like that, Tyrion instantly realized who had put the idea in his head. But he didn't know how to console his brother—he could only sigh and reach out to pat Jaime's shoulder.

Once Jaime's expression eased slightly, Tyrion spoke again.

"You'd best stay out of this. There's no way out for Cersei. Unless Lynd... No, even if you and I begged together, he wouldn't change his mind. That's not who he is."

Bronn suddenly chimed in. "Maybe you could try Queen Nymeria of the Kingdom of Lorne. I've heard Lynd loves his wife deeply. If she pleaded on Queen Cersei's behalf, maybe—just maybe—he'd let her go."

Jaime's eyes lit up at the suggestion. But Tyrion shook his head.

"Even if you had the time to make it all the way to Ny Sar—and that alone would take too long—Queen Nymeria would never agree to such a request."

With all hope dashed, Jaime looked dejected. He no longer had the heart to stay. He got to his feet and left, planning to return to the Red Keep to spend more time with Cersei.

As he left, Tyrion called out to Bronn, asking him to stay behind.

"How's Shae?" he asked quietly once they were alone. "You got her out safely, didn't you?"

"Don't worry," Bronn said with a nod. "I saw her get on the ship with my own eyes." Then he frowned. "What's going on with you? Back when the war was raging, you didn't let me move her. Now that everything's calmed down, you suddenly insist I get her out—and you had me tell her some really cruel things. Do you have any idea how broken she looked when she left? I could barely watch."

"I don't want her to become another Tysha," Tyrion said, his voice heavy. "Father knows about her. I had to get her to safety before he made a move. Otherwise... Leaving was the only way—to protect her, and to protect myself."

"What now?" Bronn asked. "Are you just going to sit here locked up? If you want to escape, I can help."

"You? Help me?" Tyrion raised an eyebrow and gave Bronn a sidelong look. "You know I can't afford to pay you right now."

Bronn tilted his head back with a grin. "This one's on the house. We're friends, aren't we? Besides, if you hadn't named me Lord of Duskendale and forced Lord Tywin to recognize the title, I'd still be just a sellsword. Least I can do is help you out once—free of charge."

Tyrion thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Forget it. Even if I ran, where would I go?"

Bronn reminded him, "You could go to Summerhall. I remember you saying Prince Lynd thinks highly of you—he's invited you to take a post there more than once."

"Summerhall?" Tyrion looked tempted, but then shook his head again. "No... I'll stay in King's Landing. If I went to Summerhall, I..."

...

Just then, Podrick burst into the room in a panic, shouting as he ran, "Bad news, my lord! Bad news!"

"Stop! Stop! Catch your breath first," Tyrion ordered. "What's happened?"

Podrick came to a halt, panting. After a few deep breaths, he managed to speak more clearly. "You've been accused! Someone's charged you with treason—saying that during the city's defense, you tried to hand King's Landing over to Stannis."

Before Tyrion could respond, Bronn let out a snort of laughter.

"Which idiot came up with that one? And people actually believe it?"

Podrick quickly replied, "A lot of people believe it—and there's supposedly evidence. His Grace Joffrey has officially taken up the case. He says he'll hold a trial after his wedding."

"Evidence?" Tyrion looked baffled. "What evidence?"

Podrick explained, "That letter you wrote to Stannis before the battle—they're using it as proof."

Tyrion frowned. "That letter was a plea! I urged Stannis to give up the siege. Dozens of people knew about that letter—its contents weren't even secret. How can that be used as evidence?"

Podrick said, "Ser Cleven, the one who accused you, claims the letter was full of hidden messages—subtle codes that showed you were trying to defect to Stannis, but you asked for too much, and he turned you down."

"Ser Cleven? You mean cross-eyed Cleven? The same man whose estate I seized?" Tyrion's voice rose in outrage. "That man's word is worth nothing! He's the one who's always wanted to side with Stannis! His wife is Stannis's cousin, and back when Stannis was Master of Ships, Cleven served as his squire! How could anyone take his word seriously?"

Bronn reminded him, "But Joffrey believed him."

Tyrion froze. After a long silence, he finally asked, "What about my father? Did Lord Tywin allow this nonsense to go forward?"

Podrick replied, "The Lord was out inspecting the city at the time—he wasn't at the Red Keep. His Grace Joffrey was in the throne room, holding public court for the people of King's Landing. Ser Cleven made the accusation right then and there. The citizens in the hall started shouting for a trial, and His Grace immediately declared that you'd stand trial for treason. Even Lord Garlan tried to speak up for you, but it didn't help."

Tyrion sank heavily into a chair, completely stunned by the sudden blow.

Bronn, unconcerned, said, "You pushed that boy too far. You slapped him in the face over and over in front of everyone. Of course he hates you. This time he saw an opening—or maybe he didn't even wait for one and planned it himself. Otherwise, how convenient is it that that so-called knight made his accusation while Lord Tywin happened to be away? However you look at it, the boy wants you dead. You really should think seriously about what I said earlier. If you stay here, you might actually get killed. No matter how useless he is, he's still the king—and you're not going to win that fight."

Tyrion said nothing. He just sat there, stunned.

...

When word of the accusation reached the rest of the Seven Kingdoms, people across the realm—whether they bore grudges against House Lannister or had friendly ties with the Westerlands—could only shake their heads at the absurdity of it all. While most were biased enough to believe that Addam Marbrand, commander of the Gold Cloaks, had contributed the most to the city's defense, even they couldn't completely deny Tyrion's role.

Especially in the final battle, when Tyrion led the last line of defense inside the Red Keep, holding out just long enough for Garlan Tyrell to arrive with his cavalry. Even veterans like Brynden Blackfish and Bronze Yohn Royce wouldn't dare claim they could've done better.

By all accounts, Tyrion was undeniably one of the key figures responsible for saving King's Landing. And he was a Lannister. At the time of Stannis's assault, the defenders held the advantage. Stannis lacked ships and siege weapons. There was no plausible reason Tyrion would have tried to surrender the city.

So those who heard the news were certain—Tyrion was being framed. But none of them were willing to speak up. Beyond their natural disdain for dwarfs, the more important reason was this: it was an internal conflict within House Lannister. They would rather watch from the sidelines than get involved in someone else's family feud.

What puzzled many was that Tywin Lannister didn't put a stop to the farce. Instead, he publicly stated that if Tyrion were found guilty, he would be sent to the Wall in black robes to join the Night's Watch.

It was clear—once Jaime gave up the white cloak and agreed to inherit Casterly Rock, Tyrion was no longer needed. In fact, he had become a liability. That thorn in Tywin's side that had festered for years—he was finally ready to pull it out.

...

Beyond the Lannister infighting, what truly captured everyone's attention was Tywin's surprising move to invite House Martell of Dorne to King's Landing to join the Small Council.

Even the common folk of the Seven Kingdoms knew how deep the Martells' hatred ran toward the Lannisters of the Westerlands. If Lynd and Summerhall hadn't blocked their path north and held them in check, the Martells might've already joined the war.

Yet here was Tywin, seemingly courting trouble, extending an invitation—and the Martells had accepted. The man they sent was none other than Prince Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper himself, whose hatred for the Lannisters was known far and wide. Many could sense that another storm was about to hit King's Landing.

The more astute observers soon realized what Tywin was really up to. The Martells' hatred might have been a problem—but the real threat now was House Tyrell's growing dominance in the capital.

At this point, House Lannister only controlled the Red Keep. Beyond its walls, the city belonged to the Tyrells. The old Gold Cloaks had essentially been reduced to the Red Keep's garrison, while the rest of the city's defenses were now in the hands of Westerlands soldiers aligned with House Tyrell. All the gates had been handed over to them. And Garlan Tyrell was the one orchestrating it all.

Even more shocking was that Joffrey—who by rights should have been closer to Tywin—seemed to favor Garlan instead. At meetings in the throne room, he allowed Garlan to stand on the steps beside Tywin, as if the two were equals, completely forgetting that it was Garlan who had stripped his mother of her freedom.

So speculation ran rampant: Tywin had brought House Martell into the capital to balance out House Tyrell's overwhelming influence. After all, the Westerlands and Dorne had a history of frequent border clashes, and their relationship had always seemed bitter.

House Tyrell, predictably, was furious about the Martells' arrival. They publicly condemned Tywin's move as inviting wolves into the house.

But only Lynd knew the truth: the relationship between House Tyrell and House Martell wasn't nearly as hostile as it appeared. Behind the scenes, they were on good terms. The past conflicts were all for show. And now, with Tywin bringing House Martell into King's Landing, he had only strengthened House Tyrell's position.

In that sense, calling it "inviting wolves into the house" wasn't an exaggeration at all.