A Shadow and a Wolf

Tyrion XVI

"This is outrageous! An insult! I will not allow it!"

Tyrion didn't lift his eyes from the order he was writing for the officials of the cells of Casterly Rock, Lannisport and all the other castles and towns in the Westerlands. The order was more pressing than the complaints of the woman before him.

"Did you hear me, Imp! I will not allow it!"

Tyrion stopped to write and looked at the woman who stood tall before his desk, fury obvious on her face. Lady Sybell Westerling was no better than her brother, but probably more dangerous. Tyrion had the feeling she was the real mind behind the betrayal of the Westerlings.

"If I were you, Lady Westerling, I would be careful of the words you use in my presence."

Tyrion's words didn't seem to calm the woman. "Lord Tywin promised us a bride for our heir if we played our part, and you give us some wretch."

A silence followed the lady's words. Tyrion looked at her. She was still staring at him, furious. Tyrion put down his pen. He seized a bell on his desk and rang it. Bronn immediately burst through the door and entered Tyrion's solar. Without waiting, he grabbed Sybell Westerling from behind and put a knife on her throat. The woman who stood so tall and proud a moment ago was now paling and shivering like an old woman who could barely stand. Her eyes looked around in distress. The doors shut behind Bronn immediately after he came in.

Tyrion rose from his seat behind his desk and went to stand before the Lady of the Crag. He could be small, but in this moment height meant nothing. He stood taller than the heartless and trembling woman before him. "My lady, I present you Ser Bronn of Blackwater. Surely you heard about him. He's the one who took Clegane's Keep after Ser Gregor unfortunately died. I'm quite certain you know about the way Ser Gregor's men died afterwards. For the right amount of gold, he could kill anybody, and it so happens I have the right amount of gold for your head. A single word from me, and he would slit your throat like it was nothing, and you would run out of blood within seconds. Do you want me to give the word?"

Lady Westerling was panicking. She didn't expect this. To be honest, Tyrion would be happy to see Bronn kill this treacherous schemer, but that wouldn't be for the best. It was never good to kill one of your bannermen's wife in his own solar. Lady Westerling pointed it out herself. "You wouldn't dare. You wouldn't dare. You wouldn't kill the Lady of the Crag inside the walls of the Rock."

"I would. If you were to attack me in hatred for organizing a marriage for your son that you disapproved, then I would be in position to pledge legitimate defense. And after all the schemes you participated to, I don't think people would weep for you, or care for your death, or even question my version of the facts after your role in the Red Wedding."

She was stuck. She knew it, and Tyrion knew it. "Please, my lord. Forgive me. I spoke out of anger. I didn't know what I was saying. Please spare me. I will do everything you ask from me. Everything. Just let me live. I beg you. I won't protest against this marriage. I promise."

That was very satisfying to see this woman pleading for her own life after she insulted him, so proud she was of herself. Tyrion put a mischievous smile on his face. "Let's make a deal, Lady Westerling. You will forget I threatened you today. If you do it, I will be in your debt. And a Lannister always pays his debts. So if you never talk about the way my friend and I threatened you, I will forget you insulted me and my cousin. We will resume this discussion in good terms and do as if nothing ever happened. Is that a deal good enough for you? I fear the other solution is quite at your disadvantage."

The Lady of the Crag seemed confused by the offer, but after a moment she nodded strongly to show her approval. It was a deal. On a sign of Tyrion's head, Bronn let her go.