"Who's the lord down there?"
A guard called from the ramparts of Seagard.
"Tyrion Lannister!" Ser Thoros of Myr shouted, lifting his spear. "Can't you see the golden lion banner?"
The guard withdrew. After a moment, another face appeared. "This is Lord Walder Frey's castle. No one enters without his command."
"Are you blind?" Thoros shook his spear. "Look at the head on the tip—your beloved Lord Black Walder. Lord Tyrion orders you to open the gates now. Do that, and your lives are safe. If we begin a siege, no mercy for late surrender!"
The head vanished again.
"I know you've only got a hundred men inside. We have a thousand—ten times your number!"
Another guard popped up after a pause.
"We have hostages! Jason Mallister and Patrik Mallister!"
"Did a donkey kick you in the skull?" Thoros bellowed. "Need me to teach you how to spell Mallister and Lannister? We start the siege in ten minutes!" He wheeled his horse around and rode off.
About five minutes later, Seagard's gates swung open. Tyrion rode in with his soldiers, finding the Frey troops packed into the courtyard.
"All of you, listen!" Tyrion called from horseback. "I am Tyrion Lannister, Lord of Harrenhal and Warden of the Riverlands. All officers, step forward!"
Around ten men stepped out.
"Take them away," Tyrion told Brienne. "The rest of you—those willing to serve House Lannister, move to the left. Everyone else to the right."
Roughly a third chose the left.
"Those on the right, remove your armor, set down your weapons, take whatever provisions you need, and you may leave."
"You're really letting them go?" Thoros asked.
"What else should I do? A Lannister always pays his debts, and I keep my word." Tyrion dismounted and addressed the Frey officers. "Take me to Black Walder's study. Then release Lord Jason and Ser Patrek and bring them here."
Black Walder's chambers were in the main tower of Seagard. He didn't bother with a study and handled all his affairs from his bedroom. Two prostitutes were inside; Tyrion ordered them out, then began sifting through the letters on the desk.
"You always do this?" Thoros asked as he rummaged for coins. A few silver stags lay on the table.
"What's at the heart of war? Knights or soldiers?" Tyrion asked his two squires, Edric and Podrick, while reading.
"Knights. Chivalry," Edric Dayne answered.
"I'm not sure, my lord," Podrick said.
"Information," Tyrion replied. "Intelligence tells you when to strike and when to steer clear." He finished the first letter—Walder Frey ordering Black Walder to send food to The Twins.
The second letter demanded grain levies.
So The Twins were short on supplies as well?
Brienne entered. "Those officers—some just came back from The Twins. Supplies there are indeed scarce." Her report confirmed Tyrion's suspicion.
Moments later, the two Mallisters were brought in.
"How can you treat the Lord of Seagard and his heir this way?" Tyrion reproached, though he didn't rise. "Relax, my lords."
"Save your feigned concern, Lannister." Lord Jason Mallister was a tall, lean man with a clean-shaven face, brown hair streaked with white, and fierce blue-gray eyes. His gaunt, sharply cut features shifted as his high cheekbones tensed.
"I am now Warden of the Riverlands, my lord," Tyrion said, putting away the two letters and the last one. "Do you not intend to swear allegiance to me?"
"Dream on!" Lord Jason spat at his feet. "Send me back to the dungeons if you expect me to draw my sword against Tully and Stark. It will never happen!"
"Why would you think that?" Tyrion frowned. "I need you to draw your sword against the Freys. How else do you think I pulled you out of Black Walder's claws?"
Lord Jason hesitated.
"My lord, do you not remember me? By the Lord of Light, Lord Tyrion crushed Black Walder's forces. He is not your enemy," Thoros said. The red priest knew the Lord of Seagard; they had met at several tournaments.
"But… why?"
"Sansa Stark and I are to be wed," Tyrion said. "I make my own choices. Frey and Bolton will be wiped from the table."
"I see—you mean to rule the Riverlands and the North by using her bloodline," Lord Jason said sharply. "You expect me to join you in that scheme?"
"What else?" Tyrion replied, pretending surprise. "Would you rather stand with Frey and Bolton?"
"My allegiance lies only with Tully and Stark!"
"The Starks are my wife, and the Tullys are my kin." Tyrion stood, slipping the third letter away. "Has Lord Jason been locked up too long? Can't tell who his family is?"
"Let me see Edmure. Or the Blackfish," Lord Jason insisted stubbornly. "I answer only to them. Sansa… she's too young."
He doesn't trust the Stark girl, Tyrion thought. Edmure is just a smokescreen—what he wants is the Blackfish. He has no reliable intelligence, and right now the Blackfish's will could determine the fate of the Riverlands.
"Very well, Lord Jason," Tyrion said. "You may remain Lord of Seagard, but Ser Patrek is coming with me."
Jason Mallister looked startled. "What… just…"
"Just let you go?" Tyrion laughed. "What am I supposed to fear? That you'll run to The Twins? Ser Patrek will ride with me to Riverrun to drink with the Tullys. I'll have the Blackfish send you a letter."
"Oh, and before I—or rather the Tullys—send word, don't act rashly. Pretend nothing happened." Tyrion added one last reminder. "I need grain. Keep your gates locked and don't let the rats slip in. And give Ser Patrek armor, weapons, and a good horse."
He left the lord behind and walked out of the main keep.
...
After a short rest, the soldiers departed Seagard again. They marched in a long column with their prisoners. Thoros led the scouts, while the task of carrying Black Walder's severed head went to Gendry.
"This is your prize," Tyrion told the young blacksmith.
"My father won't let this go," Patrek Mallister said to Tyrion on the road back. "He'll rally every force he can against you."
"The Riverlands has no other forces," Tyrion replied, not bothering to look at him. "And with you here, he won't try anything. If Black Walder could use you to force Seagard's gates open, I can do it even better."