A Beast's Heart (english version)

22.

"Lord Tywin."
"Baelish. Wine?"
"Yes, with pleasure."
Both men took seats at the table as I took my tankard and poured for them. Tywin's eyes twinkled suspiciously as he eyed the lord to his right. Unobtrusively, I did the same.
Lord Baelish seemed rather slight in stature, nor was he nearly as tall as Tywin. His green-grey eyes darted back and forth like quick shadows, taking in every single detail he wanted. His neat beard made him look older, as did the silver hairline at his temples. Yet he still seemed graceful and agile. His gestures reminded me strongly of those of a cat. So did his looks.
"How is the capital?" inquired Tywin.
"I came here by direct route from Renly Baratheon's camp."
"King Renly the Blessed," Tywin snorted in amusement, "A short reign. Murdered by a woman, I hear."
Lord Baelish's voice was always low and careful. Groping like a snake, also just as hissing. Especially when he emphasised certain words.
"So they say. But there are also rumours that other powers were at work. Dark forces."
He emphasised the last two words strongly, while his eyes sparkled knowingly. All suspicion in me was aroused as I ticked around both of them, waiting to pour anew. Baelish already looked very dangerous to me.
"Come here," Tywin said suddenly and I felt his hand close around mine briefly and pull me towards him. We looked straight into each other's eyes for a moment and it seemed like that moment would last for ages. I poured wine into the cup he held out to me, then his interest turned back to his guest.
"Men love to blame demons when their grand plans unravel."
You blame it on your men, it occurred to me, and I had to bite my tongue hard not to say this aloud.
"I am, after all, of the opinion that such chaos often leads to short-term opportunities that should be seized."
Tywin looked bored. Bored and consequently annoyed. He hated boredom, found it a waste of time. He was a practical man.
"You say that as if you were the first person to notice it. Of course, a crisis brings opportunities. What other brilliant insights do you bring me today?"
Baelish seemed perplexed for a moment, then took a sip of wine and continued hastily.
"After the Lannisters and Starks, the Tyrells have the largest army. Their land is the most fertile of all the seven kingdoms, it feeds soldiers and horses-"
"Yes, yes," Tywin cut him off. Baelish understood the innuendo, he took it too far.
"The Tyrells have yet to speak out for any of the living kings. Loras is bent on revenge, he blames Stannis for Renly's death. And Margaery..."
"... Wants to be queen," Tywin finished, and the cat lord - as I had silently christened him to myself - nodded with an amused snort.
"Yes, she does."
So many names I could do so little with. Renly, Loras, Margaery, Stannis....
"House Tyrell is in rebellion against the Iron Throne. Against my grandson," Tywin stated, frowning wickedly.
"That's right. And that treason should probably be punished one day. After Stannis and Robb Stark have been defeated."
Tywin's gaze flew back to me and I jutted my chin in understanding.
"More wine for Lord Baelish."
"Allow me to represent your family's interests. I believe I can make an advantageous agreement-"
Tywin interrupted Baelish once more.
"Has the Tyrell army returned to Rosengarten yet?"
"Aye."
Then it happened to me. So engrossed in the lords' conversation, I got stuck on the corner of the table and the wine ended up everywhere - but not in Baelish's cup. The lion snorted in annoyance as I fished for a rag and frantically wiped around Lord Petyr.
"Excuse me, my lord!", I muttered as I did so.
"It's only wine." he replied. I looked gratefully into his cat-like eyes for a brief moment, when Tywin abruptly interrupted the moment and returned to the matter at hand.
"Would you ride there yourself?"
"Tonight, with your permission."
Tywin stroked his beard briefly, as he always did when he was thinking. The white beard, a light gold still shimmered through it. He had probably been blond once, too.
"You'll have the answer by tonight. That will be all, girl."
I nodded and slowly put the jug away.
"What else?", Tywin turned his full attention to Petyr and I moved very slowly towards the door to catch at least a bit more.
"At your son Tyrion's behest, I met Catelyn Stark."
Finally, a name that roughly meant something to me!
"Why is that?"
Tywin sounded curious and tense at the same time. And when I turned to him one last time, he had leaned forward to his interlocutor with interest.
"He had an interesting proposition for her regarding her daughters." ...