Snow // Willas Tyrell // Oberyn Martell

36. Carry the burden

'You will be pleased to know that our mutual friend is doing quite well in lady sansa's service.' Varys said to tyrion.

'Good,' Tyrion answered 'one of my better ideas.'

'And it seems the grandmaster has found himself into a black cell? Well played my Lord hand but should I be worried? Slynt and now Pycelle the small council grows smaller every day.'

'Counselors have a reputation for serving past tense poorly. I don't mean to follow ned stark to the grave.' Tyrion told him.

'Power is a curious thing my Lord. Are you fond of riddles?'

'Why am I about to get one?'

'Three great men sit in a room a king a priest and a rich man between them stand a common sell sword each great man lets the sell sword kill the other two. Who lives and who dies?' varys questioned him.

'Depends on the sell sword' Tyrion told him.

'It doesn't, he's neither Crown, nor gold, nor favor with the gods.' Varys told him.

'He has a sword the power of life and death.' Tyrion went on.

'But if it's swordsman who rule why do we pretend kings have all the power?' varys questioned.

'I've decided I don't like riddles.' tyrion said

'Power resides where men believe it lies' Varys informed him 'It's a trick, a shadow on the wall and a very small man can cast a very large shadow.'

++

A crossbow was pointed at Sansa, but Joffrey put down the crossbow a smug look on his face.

'My mother insists you stay alive so we'll have to find another way to punish... your brother,' Joffrey said sitting back down. 'Leave her face I like a pretty' Joffrey said as his guard started to beat sansa. 'My ladies overdressed, unburden her.' Joffrey told him meryn ripped at her dress, sansa on her knees cried out. The door slammed open and all heads turned.

'if we want robb stark to hear us we are going to have to speak louder!' Joffrey decreed.

'What the bloody hell is the meaning of all of this?' Tyrion said storming forward Bronn behind him.

'I was following orders' Meryn told him confidently.

'Who orders someone to beat a helpless girl?' Tyrion questioned incredulously.

'One that follows the king you best learned that imp!' Meryn, always the loyal servant. Til the end. 'I do not bow before anyone unworthy of-'

'My grace,' Tyrion stepped forward, ignoring meryn, 'She is to be your queen, have you no honor for her dignity?' he questioned, sandor came down the steps and wrapped his cloak around her sansa was shaking as she pulled it tighter around her.

'She committed crimes' Joffrey said as Josie ran in dropped before sansa.

'What the hell happened?' she hissed as Sansa clung to her.

'She is not her brother you halfwit.' Tyrion told him, Josie turned to see Tyrion defending her sister.

'You can't talk to me like that!' Joffrey declared. 'The king has can do as he likes!' Joffrey told them.

'The mad king did is he liked, has your uncle Jaime ever told you what happened to him?' Tyrion reminded him.

'No one threatens his grace in the presence of the kings guard!' Meryn said threateningly.

'I'm not threatening the king ser I am educating my nephew. Bronn next time Ser Meryn speaks kill him. That was a threat, see the difference?' Tyrion walked back down to Sansa cautiously he offered her hand she wrapped the cloak tighter around her before accepting his hand and standing up, Josie wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they walked following him out.

'I apologize for my nephews behavior... tell me the truth do you want an end to this engagement?'

'I am loyal to King Joffrey my one true love.' Sansa said obediently as she walked off.

'Lady stark you may survive us yet.' Tyrion said, looking to Josie.

'Thank you Tyrion.' Josie said softly following after her sister and she disappeared.

'The little king is backed up clogged from balls to brains.' Bronn told him.

'Do you think dipping his wick will cure his ales?' Tyrion questioned, his eyes still focused on the spot where Josie was.

'There's no cure for being a cunt but the boy is at that age and he's got nothing to do all day except pick wings off flies. It couldn't hurt to get some of the poison out.' Bronn suggested.

+++

'I'm so sorry, I wasn't there soon.' Josie said immediately.

"It's not your fault.'

"Tyrion is right, we need to end this engagement, the first chance we get.' Josie told her in hushed voices as Shae emerged. 'Out.' Josie demanded and shae nodded sending a glare in Josie's direction as she pulled the door closed.

'No, I am loyal-'

'I am loyal to you.' Josie told her,' not these people.' Josie said holding sansa's shaking body in her arms.

'I am loyal to King Joff-'

'Fine,' Josie muttered. 'I will run you a warm bath and hopefully the warm water will help with the pain and inflammation. I can get you milk of the poppy as well.' Josie offered and Sansa nodded. 'I care about you, tell me what you need.' Josie told her. 'please, don't suffer alone, let me help you carry this burden.'