A Beast's Heart (english version)

18.

"The Starks have strengthened their ranks too much. Now that summer is over, they will hardly have enough food to feed their horses and men."
I had retreated to a slightly darker corner of the room, close to the door. Perhaps the Lannister needed something more. Besides, I found it highly amusing to watch the already tall Lord Tywin reprimand the even taller Ser Gregor Clegane, who shrank a little under the lion's gaze.
"They know winter better than we do by far, the cold will do them no harm."
Tywin seemed to virtually pierce the mountain with his probing gaze. I could feel exactly the tension in the air. You could almost smell the fear of the other five men. Lord Tywin must be very powerful and brutal indeed if they all cowered before him in such intimidation, like children before something that frightened them.
"Our spies report growing discontent among the lords of the north. They wish to go home and harvest the crops before they spoil in the fields," the mountain explained.
An amused snort escaped the lion before his gaze became even more piercing.
"And I'm sure if those same spies steal into our camps, they'll report growing discontent among the lords of the south. We are at war, no one is content!" he paused meaningfully for a moment and then returned to the matter at hand, "We have simply underestimated young Stark for far too long. He knows a lot about warfare and his men idolise him. As long as he keeps winning battles, they will believe he is the King of the North. You hoped he would make mistakes, but he won't. Not without our help.", Tywin looked around once significantly questioning, "How do we solve the problem?"
A man in the far corner from the table had his eyes fixed dully on his food and now raised his voice. His hair was blond and lacklustre, his eyes tired and sunken.
"We've been working all night, my lord. Perhaps some sleep would do us good."
I looked expectantly at Tywin while the others minimally ducked their heads. His expression hardened even more and his jaws ground as if he had to control himself from immediately bursting into a rage and shouting at him.
"You most certainly are, Reginald. And because you are my cousin, I may even let you awaken from your sleep. Go, surely your wife misses you already!"
Reginald looked up from his plate in confusion before meeting his cousin's scowl. He swallowed.
"My wife is in Lannisport...?"
"Well, you'd better ride off," Tywin gestured briefly to the door with a nod of his head, "Go before I change my mind and send her your head."
I almost spilled the jug, I winced so hard. Just like that, Lord Tywin had threatened his kinsman with death. Just like that, in a calm tone. No yelling, no thumping. And the worst of it was - even though I had only known him since yesterday, I was completely sure that he would carry out his threat. He was indeed a beast through and through.
"You'd be scrubbing pots in the field kitchen by now if you weren't a Lannister! Out!"
Reginald jumped up and hurriedly fled past me out of the room. Tywin had spoken completely calmly, only the "Out" coming with surprisingly loud emphasis. His eyes sparkled like ice in the sunlight and I automatically began to freeze as I met his gaze and approached the table to pour wine again.
"No wine, water," he spoke again completely calmly and gently, as if the incident had never happened, "We will stay here for a while."
It was only in this sentence that I could hear a bitter undertone again and the others fell silent with bowed heads. I obediently bowed my head and was about to head for the door when the lord snapped and held me back.
"Oh, little one... Where did you come from anyway?"
I turned to face him. The ice in his eyes seemed to thaw a little, sparkling curiously. I tilted my head slightly and eyed him suspiciously. Why was he asking me that all of a sudden?
"From a village near Maidenpool, my lord."
He nodded briefly in understanding, fixing me with his gaze, which again took on its probing form and seemed to penetrate his counterpart - in this case me.
"And who are the Lords of Maidenpool, help me."
His voice was so unusually soft. He took away almost all my suspicion with it and the longer I looked into those blue eyes, the more I forgot where I was and who we were. Maidenpool lords... I had heard that once in a conversation between my parents when my father had complained. I found it increasingly difficult to think. Spasmodically, I tried to remember until it suddenly came to me.
"The House of Muton, my lord," I answered triumphantly and another sparkle entered his eyes. A twinkle like the eyes of a hunter sensing his prey.
"And what does her sigil show?"
I had seen that a few times before, carried on waving banners past our village. Besides, the dressmaker Henryette had often designed garments for the lords and had immortalised her seal on them. So I didn't find the answer so difficult this time, however I was honestly puzzled as to why he, as a lord, didn't know that.
"A red salmon. I thought lords knew their houses among themselves, did you not know that?"
An amused snort and low chuckle spread among the men. For a moment the lord and I stared at each other, then he let his gaze sweep the round witheringly and silence fell again. He ended back at me and his voice went quiet, just as it had earlier when he spoke to Reginald.
"Fetch that water."
Had my question been wrong now? There was something withering in his gaze and I swallowed before quickly tilting my head again and turning away. Had I offended him now? Suddenly a feeling of satisfaction spread through me. The simple girl had unknowingly dealt a blow to the big bad beast. And that was only because of a simple question...