Patrek Mallister hadn't believed a word Tyrion said at first. But once he reached the siege lines outside Riverrun, he could no longer deny it.
Edmure Tully and Marq Piper were drinking hard in a tent, joined by Greatjon and a bearded Lannister Patrek recognized: Daven.
"I want in," Thoros said, rubbing his hands. "You can't drink your fill in a cave."
"You and Patrek can stay," Tyrion said. "Tomorrow morning you, me, and Edmure Tully will go down to meet the Blackfish."
"No problem."
Podrick Payne led Edric Dayne toward the squires' tent. Their names sounded exactly like something a pair of squires ought to have.
"Arya Stark!" Tyrion called as he approached the women's tent, where Sansa, Arya, and Brienne were staying.
"I don't like hearing your voice!" Arya shouted from inside. "If you need something, talk to Sansa, don't come he—"
The horse-faced girl poked her head out, then froze. Behind Tyrion stood Brienne, and behind the tall beauty stood Gendry.
"Gendry!" She bolted out of the tent.
"Brienne, take the lady and the Smith around the camp," Tyrion ordered. "Don't let them run off. Remember, we're meeting Lady Stoneheart tomorrow. If the horse-faced girl refuses to meet her mother, my vows are void."
"I'll keep an eye on them, my lord," Brienne said with a nod.
Tyrion stepped inside. Sansa sat on the bed.
"Embroidering?" he asked, settling across from her.
A lady's tent was nothing like the men's—no stench, no sour reek. Thank the gods she wasn't a wild girl like Arya.
"Yes, my lord." Sansa moved to rise, but Tyrion motioned for her to stay.
"My lord… did you win your first victory?"
"Black Walder's skull is split. Dead as dead gets," Tyrion said. "Seagard is free of Frey control. Crushing them is only a matter of time."
"So…" Sansa hesitated. "Does that mean… we're getting married?"
"There's one important step left," Tyrion said. "Tomorrow we go to see Lady Stoneheart. She asked specifically for you, Arya, and Brynden Tully."
"Lady Stoneheart?"
"Yes. I swore to bring you to your mother," Tyrion said. "Tomorrow I fulfill that oath. You and your sister will see her."
Sansa covered her mouth, startled.
"My lord, I'm so grateful, but… my mother isn't…"
"True," Tyrion said. "She was dead. Explaining this is complicated, but it's the truth. I saw it myself. She was brought back by the power of the Lord of Light."
"Brought back?"
"She may look frightening, but she is still your mother," Tyrion told her gently. "Trust me, she won't harm you. You don't need to fear her."
"Why would I fear her?"
"You'll understand tomorrow. Just remember what I've said," Tyrion repeated. "Your mother—Lady Stoneheart—will tell you what to do. Do as she says. Don't question, don't panic. I'll be there to protect you. If the Blackfish joins us, he'll protect you too. Do you understand?"
Sansa nodded.
...
At dawn the next morning, before Riverrun's gates, the Blackfish sat his horse as he always did, blue eyes cold and commanding. He saw Edmure Tully but didn't bother greeting him.
"Lust Demon, back again—and with help this time. Who's this?" Brynden narrowed his eyes. "Thoros of Myr? Has your Lord of Light gone rotten?"
"Ah, Blackfish," the red priest urged his horse forward. "Long time no see. How have you been?"
"Spare me the small talk," Tyrion said. "Let's get to business."
"Exactly what I intended to say," the Blackfish replied.
"Lady Catelyn wishes to see you," Thoros said. "Or rather—Lady Stoneheart."
"Are you drunk, you bald fool?" the Blackfish snapped, anger flaring. He clearly thought Thoros was mocking him. "Catelyn Tully is dead. The Freys murdered her. The Lannisters were accomplices!" He jabbed a finger at Tyrion.
"The Boltons were the accomplices," Tyrion corrected.
"She has been resurrected, granted new life by the Lord of Light," Thoros said, hands pressed together devoutly. "Praise R'hllor."
"Setting aside whether I believe your god can raise the dead," the Blackfish said, "even if she lives again, I won't take a single step away from Riverrun."
"I can allow Edmure Tully to return to Riverrun," Tyrion said. "A foundation for our cooperation. It's the largest concession I can offer."
The Blackfish's eyes brightened. He looked at the Lust Demon, uncertain which of them was the fool.
"I believe we can reach an agreement this time," Tyrion continued. "Of course, if Edmure intends to hide away in Riverrun for the rest of his days, I'll have you executed."
"Ha!" Blackfish barked a laugh. "Fear? Me?"
"Not just you," Tyrion said. "Marq Piper and Patrek Mallister as well. I'll hang all three of you from Riverrun's gates. Of course, Lord Edmure wouldn't let me do that… would he?"
Edmure Tully felt a cold shiver crawl down his spine.
"But I trust it won't come to that," Tyrion went on. "After meeting Lady Stoneheart once, with Thoros's help, I dealt with Black Walder. Perhaps after another meeting, the Blackfish will help me take The Twins?"
Brynden Tully narrowed his eyes. "Stop bragging. Are you exchanging the prisoner or not?" He clearly feared Tyrion might go back on his word.
"Come now, Blackfish," Tyrion said. "Hand over your weapons. And your armor—take it off… no need for the breeches. And get off your horse." He watched as the Blackfish dropped from the saddle, unbuckling his gear and peeling off his scale mail.
"Uncle!" Edmure tried to speak, but was interrupted.
"Uncle, get into the city," Tyrion said. "A shame you won't get to see Lady Catelyn."
Edmure rode past the Blackfish. For a heartbeat Tyrion thought he might pull Brynden up onto the saddle and flee, but thankfully, he didn't.
"Brynden Tully," Tyrion said, now looking at him up close. "You're my prisoner."
"Don't celebrate too soon, Lust Demon," the Blackfish said coldly. "You've killed so many Freys. If you execute me, no one in the Riverlands will ever obey Lannister orders again."
"I won't execute you," Tyrion said. "I'm just curious—why did your niece send for you? What does she want? Do you know, Thoros?"
"I do not know, my lord," Thoros replied. "I have no right to question the Lady's intentions."
But I can guess what she's after, Tyrion thought.
...
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