"I'm sorry, sir, we're full in every room," Martha said humbly. "Every single room."
Four people appeared: an old man in a Night's Watchman's black robe, two servants… and him, the short man standing there unharmed. "My men can sleep in the stables, and as for me, I don't need a large room," he said nonchalantly.
Martha Hyde was at a loss for words. "Really, my lord, there isn't a single room left…"
Tyrion Lannister took a coin from his pocket, glanced around at the people, and said as he walked inside, "Is there no way I can fix this…" He tapped the coin on the table, making a metallic sound.
A free rider in a faded cloak said, "You can sleep in my room."
"Look, this is a smart man," Tyrion said, tossing the coin over, which the free rider caught in mid-air. The dwarf turned to Martha Hyde and said, "Could you get me something to eat? Euren, you'll eat with me."
The Night's Watchman named Euryn replied, "Yes, sir!"
The dwarf didn't even glance at the room. Caesars didn't approach rashly, secretly calculating something.
"Lord Lannister!" Marillion suddenly jumped up and ran over to promote his music.
The dwarf sourly refused. He glanced at the singer with his uneven eyes, about to look away… when he seemed to see something. He stared at it in confusion for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "Lady Stark!" he said. "It's such an honor to meet you here!"
The woman frowned, turning to Tyrion, who continued, "It was a great pity I didn't see you at Winterfell."
The crowd murmured, sensing their attention focused on the woman called Lady Stark.
"Lady Stark…?!" Martha Hyde exclaimed in surprise.
Catelyn Stark glanced at her landlady, then at Tyrion, and said nothing. She stood up and removed her hood.
"I am still the same Catelyn Tully I was when I left."
She calmly addressed the man sitting in the corner. "Sir," she approached, "is the black bat of Harrenhal embroidered on your coat?"
The man quickly rose and replied, "Yes, madam."
"Is Lady Riveran a loyal and trustworthy friend of my father, Hoster Tully of Riverrun?"
"She is," the man answered firmly.
Tyrion blinked, a look of bewilderment in his asymmetrical eyes.
A sense of foreboding washed over Caesars, and he instinctively reached
for his sword… "The red steed emblem has always been a welcome gift in Riverrun," she said to a fat man by the fireplace. "My father considers Lord Junos Brecken his longest and most loyal ally."
The man rose. "The lord is honored to be trusted by him."
"I envy your father having so many friends, Lady Stark," Tyrion said, bewildered. "But I don't understand what you're trying to say."
She ignored him and turned to the group of men in grey-blue robes. These twenty-odd men were the key. "I recognize your mark, Lord Frey of the Twins. How is your master, sir?"
Their leader stood. "Lord Walder is well, madam. He has invited your father to his ninetieth nameday, and he intends to marry another lady."
"Ha," Tyrion chuckled.
Catelyn glanced back at him and said, "This man, who came to my house as a guest, plotted to murder…my ten-year-old son." Pointing at Tyrion, she continued, "In the name of King Robert and all the lords, I beg you to subdue him and take him back to Winterfell to await the King's just judgment."
Instantly, a dozen longswords were drawn!
The plump landlady shrieked, "My lords, please, please don't draw your swords here!"
Tyrion grabbed one of his men's arms before his two followers were chopped into pieces. "Jack, where has your manners gone? Didn't our kind landlady say no swords? Hurry up and do it." He forced a smile, knowing it must look terrible on others. "Lady Stark, I think you must be mistaken. I have nothing to do with your son. I swear on my honor—"
"The honor of the Lannisters." She said only this, then held up her hand for everyone in the room to see. "This scar is from his dagger. He sent someone to slit my son's throat with that knife."
The surrounding crowd was enraged, practically steaming under the influence of the wound on Catelyn's hand. "Kill him!" said a drunken prostitute behind her, followed by the others in unbelievable speed. These were complete strangers, who had been quite friendly just moments before, now acting like relentless, bloodthirsty hounds, demanding a death sentence.
*Clang!*
In the blink of an eye, the blade was drawn, and Caesars felled the short, stout man with a single stroke, then placed the sword against Catelyn's neck from behind. It all happened in an instant; no one had time to react.
"Yo! Tyrion, brother, long time no see~" Caesars said with a smile.
Tyrion froze, then exclaimed, "You are…you are Caesars?!"
"Thanatos?! The 'Stone Dragon Lord'?!" the crowd gasped in astonishment.
"Heh heh, looks like you owe me a favor this time!"
Caesars casually grabbed a rope hanging on the wall and told Tyrion to tie Catelyn up. "Take her away first, I'll follow later…"
Before he could refuse, Caesars abandoned Catelyn and, after they retreated, stood in the doorway.
Two Frey men, oblivious to their impending doom, rushed forward. Caesars showed no mercy, deflecting their blades with a flick of his sword and plunging his sword into their vitals. In an instant, both men were dead.
…
"I'm sorry, I can't join you, my family…"
"Very well…"
"But if you ever need anything in the future, I'll do my best to help you," Tyrion said. "Lannisters always pay their debts!"
With that, he left Caesars and the bound, gagged Catelyn behind.
Caesars saw Tyrion off, then turned to his mortal enemy's wife, Catelyn Stark, licked his lips, and revealed a lewd smile…