A Beast's Heart (english version)

21.

The next few days passed in silence. Tywin behaved coolly as always, there were no more such lessons as the one with the sword. I was almost ready to tell myself that those moments had never really happened. His hand on mine, his penetrating gaze, the slightly softer voice. Only the sword itself kept me from thinking it was just a dream. Since then it had hung unused in a holder above the fireplace and this was the proof. It had really happened. But the lord didn't seem to care, he worked and ate and worked until late at night. He very rarely left the tower and I can't remember when I'd ever seen so many candles burning before. I never had, was the answer.
Tywin had once again called his men to him and sat grimly at the head of the table. His brow was deeply furrowed and his blue eyes seemed to shoot sparks as he stared witheringly at the mountain.
"Can you read?"
Ser Gregor blinked several times and returned the lion's gaze. I had retreated back to the corner and was silently watching the scene.
"My lord?" the Mountain asked in confusion, probably thinking he had misheard.
"Can you read?" repeated Tywin, this time sharper and more insistent than he already was. The others were already ducking their heads again; I couldn't take my eyes off them.
"This letter with details of troop movements was intended for Lord Damon of House Marbrand. But it was sent to Lord Marlyn of House Dormand."
Ser Gregor swallowed and stared at the lion.
"I beg your pardon, my lord-"
Tywin seemed to be fuming with rage. But outwardly he remained calm as always. He interrupted the mountain and looked to me.
"Girl! Bring me the history of the great and small houses. It lies..."
I didn't let him finish at all, but headed straight for the biggest and heaviest book. Like a drowning man holding his driftwood, I held it in both hands and placed it in front of Tywin. It seemed to me that I could hear a hoarse little laugh rumbling in his chest, then he leaned forward again and I pulled back.
"My assistant can read better than you!"
Tywin rose and opened the heavy book. He flipped through a few pages, then his blue eyes found the mountain again.
"To whom is House Dormand in fealty?"
Ser Gregor exhaled audibly, blinked several times, and considered for a few moments.
"My lord, I..."
"By the Starks of Winterfell! Who have 20,000 men and my son!" thundered Tywin now, loud as hell by his standards, and all present - including me - ducked their heads. I looked tensely back and forth between the two of them, pressing myself a little more into the shadows.
"I had believed you were capable of more than brutally torturing peasants," Tywin now spoke completely calmly again, his gaze alone revealing the true anger in him, "but it seems I overestimated you. If you put my son's life in danger again, I will..."
Tywin paused, staring angrily at the huge soldier. He was going to have his cousin Reginald beheaded for an impertinence. What would Ser Gregor face? Various images of a tortured and finally executed Mountain developed in my mind and I relished each one with great satisfaction. The thought pleased me greatly.
"Go now.", Tywin snapped me out of my musings and the mountain rose with a minimal snort before stomping to the door and leaving. Everyone watched him go, I was making my rounds and pouring new wine when Lord Tywin suddenly stood behind me.
"Put the book back."
With a nod of my head I obeyed, and a moment later heard his soft whisper close to my ear for the first time.
"Maybe I should let you work out our next battle plan while you're about it."
I felt warm as hell under the praise and inevitably a hot-cold shiver beaded down my spine. Was he seriously assuming now that I could read? We really needed to talk about that again, because that wasn't the case. I had just guessed about the book earlier. Not that he would let me read something later and then accuse me of lying.
I was pulled from my thoughts when a soldier stood in the doorway and raised his voice.
"Lord Petyr Baelish."
Tywin nodded in understanding and looked at his remaining companions.
"Leave us," he spoke quietly and the men briskly left the room. I ran my hand thoughtfully through my short blond hair, wondering what kind of man was about to reveal himself to us. A tall one, a short one? A slender or more muscular body? A mind like Ser Gregor's or as sharp as Tywin's? Questions upon questions.
"Clear all this!" hissed Tywin, making a sprawling gesture across the table. I was startled out of my thoughts and hurriedly gathered up all the disturbing objects before the door opened and a man entered with stealthy movements....