A Beast's Heart (english version)

10.

The limp bodies around me came to life, slowly rising from the dirt. They lined up next to each other in several rows, all facing forward. I was worried about what would happen now and instinctively pulled Arya and Hot Pie behind Gendry and me.
"What are you doing?" asked Hot Pie and I lowered my voice.
"If he doesn't see you, he doesn't realise you. If something were to happen to all of us right away, you might be spared."
"He'll pick out someone to torture," Jonathan suddenly muttered to my right and I startled a little. I hadn't heard him coming.
"Why is he doing that?" asked Gendry and Jonathan shrugged.
"Because they want to find the Brotherhood," whispered another woman behind us, "The Brotherhood without Banners."
I was about to ask more specifically when the mountain came towards us. Everyone bowed their heads, only Jonathan looked him firmly in the eye. I felt Clegane's gaze move over each one, felt it boiling hot on myself.
"You!"
My blood seemed to freeze in my veins as I very slowly lifted my gaze. Was it really over with me now? Was this the punishment for my mistakes?
To my amazement, Ser Gregor's gaze was on Jonathan and already two soldiers were pulling him out. He gave me another pitiful look and I remembered.
"Seven blessings, Jonathan!", I called after him hastily and he smiled vaguely. Then I got another slap from a soldier.
"Shut up, you freak!"
The other prisoners squatted down again, looking at the ground. I saw Jonathan disappear into the crowd of red capes and it wasn't long before I could hear his bright scream. It went through one's spine, reminding me of my little brother. I inevitably began to tremble and pulled my knees in tighter. How could people be so cruel...?

The following days passed in the same way. Only with each day it became one person emptier in our pen. Every day Gendry and I stood protectively in front of Arya and Hot Pie. Even though their company got on my nerves, they reminded me of my family.
Meanwhile, the old woman was also dead. Compared to Jonathan, I had hardly heard her. She was heard to fall silent, though. Forever.
She's back with her family now, I had reassured myself, and when it's your turn, you will be too.
We were all lined up again, letting the mountain stare at us. I hated him. Abysmally. And I hated Lord Tywin even more, because Clegane was carrying out his orders!
"You!"
Again we looked up at him extremely slowly and this time the shock really hit me.
Again the guards reached beside me, but this time to my left. Gendry stared at me with wide eyes as they pulled him out of the pen. I heard Arya start to protest behind me and pressed her silently against my back. Hot pie covered his mouth while the soldiers took Gendry away. I watched him disappear into the crowd, stood on tiptoe, stretched as high as I could. But I no longer saw him. I was shaking. The others were already crouching down in the mud again, I now remained sitting at the front of the pen. I stared at the front gate, trying to stay calm. I couldn't hear Gendry screaming.
Don't let that get to you, I thought seriously, and my gaze became indifferent again. It wouldn't save him either. Forget about him.
"We have to do something!" said Arya and I coolly placed my gaze on her.
"Forget about him. It's over."
"You don't care about him?!" the young girl protested and I narrowed my eyes. White lies for self-protection were allowed.
"Yes."
"Lenn, you're a rotten pig! He liked you and would have done so much for you! You were like a brother to him, he told me so himself!"
"If I was in his place, he wouldn't have done anything either. No one would have! Now just stop it."
I stared at the big entrance gate again and heard distant horse whinnying. Also hoof beats, which grew louder and louder. Someone was coming, I was sure. My suspicions were confirmed when the soldiers all bowed their heads. Then I saw him.
First I saw the white horse. I had never seen a more beautiful one. It snorted as it trotted into the yard, its mane fluttering in the light wind.
My gaze wandered higher, over iron gloves to a shining breastplate. It was wrapped in a cloak. I had never seen a brighter red! It reminded me of blood. It made my anger rise.
The horse stopped in the middle of the yard and its rider looked around scrutinisingly. His brow was deeply furrowed, no smile graced the corners of his mouth. Not even a tiny one. He looked nobler than any of the other soldiers. I was sure that this had to be Lord Tywin Lannister....