A Beast's Heart (english version)

26.

By now I was repeating the letters for the fifth time, memorising their sounds. Tywin had finished eating and was walking around the room. He seemed to be looking for something.
"Lena, have you seen the letter that was here on the table yesterday?"
I didn't hear him, staring intently at the letters. Tywin has a beautiful handwriting, I thought. Partly curved, partly rather hard and angular, the letters caught my eye. Would I be able to write like that one day? Would I learn to write as I read?
Tywin slammed his hands down on the table in front of me and I flinched.
"I'm talking to you!"
Startled, I looked up at him, he seemed very irritated.
"There was a letter on the table here just last night, regarding Robb Stark. Did you see it?"
"When I entered the room this morning, there was only a blank map and your pen with ink on the table, my lord. There was no letter."
I did not understand what he wanted to know from me now. He leaned forward, looking me scrutinisingly straight in the eyes.
"If you're lying, Lena, then I swear to you..."
The door was yanked open and a soldier came rushing in.
"My lord!"
My eyes widened and the disgust came up again. It was Lorch.
Tywin turned to face him, just then Lorch toppled over and fell to the floor. I quickly looked at Tywin, whose eyes widened. He stared down at the motionless Lorch, then I heard myself roar.
"Guards!"
I put my hand over my mouth and looked again at Tywin, startled. He woke from his stupor of shock and looked slowly at me. He should have called for the guards and I knew it. We looked into each other's eyes as two more soldiers rushed into the room, almost tripping over Lorch.
"An assassination," Tywin growled, pointing at the body, "Find the culprit and bring him to me! Question everyone in this courtyard! And eliminate...that man."
Lorch's one hand was clenched into a fist.
"Wait, my lord," I sidled up to the dead man and pulled a scrap of paper from his hand, "I believe he was bringing you something."
I handed him the scrap and he quickly skimmed the lines.
"The letter I was looking for. Apparently someone stole it and he brought it back to me."
Lorch's corpse was carried away and I gazed after him with a low growl. Inevitably, my fingertips found my cheek. Everyone got what they deserved.
"What's wrong?"
Tywin had sat back down and was eyeing me. I looked to him.
"That was the one who hit me yesterday."
"Him? Well, I guess I'll save myself a rope then. Come back here and I'll quiz you on the letters again."
I sat down next to him and already he was typing randomly on the paper.
"T...L...A...S...", I remembered what I had learnt and could name all the letters. Tywin nodded.
"That should do for now. From now on, you will keep me company every night and study. Understood?"
I nodded. He really meant it.
"Good, then go about your duties. I have work to do."
Lowering my head, I rose and strode to the door. I turned around again and saw him put my study note back in the book and fold it shut before he pulled up some paper and dipped his quill in the ink....

Throughout the day, I could see soldiers and servants alike being interrogated. I went to the forge where Hot Pie and Arya were already waiting.
"Did they question you too?", I inquired and they both nodded.
"An assassination attempt on Lord Tywin.... I would never dare!" said Hot Pie and Arya playfully poked him in the side.
"You wouldn't dare do anything!"
They both started to scuffle a bit and I took my distance. My cheek was still sore and I didn't want to add to my wounds today.
Gendry joined us and the two brawlers separated.
"So?" inquired Hot Pie, "How did it go?"
Gendry shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't know of any assassination attempts. And since I'm standing here with you, they seem to think I do too."
"What do you think will happen to the guilty party?"
I stared into the distance, picturing the scenario.
"Lord Tywin will hang him. Or behead him. But only after he's tortured by Ser Gregor."
Arya shifted a little uneasily. I saw Hot Pie reach for her hand briefly and squeeze it reassuringly.
"Don't worry, nothing will happen to us. After all, it wasn't us."
This scene reminded me of my brother and me when a big boy in our neighbourhood had stolen something and tried to blame it on my brother. At ten, I had my first real battle of words, standing my ground against the boy. I didn't care that the evidence was obviously against him. I was proud that I had been able to defend my brother.
A brief smile flitted across my face, then I pushed the memory away. Now was not the time to mourn. Utmost caution was needed, an assassin was running through Harrenhal. A murderer of his own ranks...