iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 506: Sharing Honor and Shame (End)

The cold wind whistled past, and the night sky was like a huge piece of black silk, slowly spreading out across the sky.

“…It is so tonight, and it will be so every night.” The night watchman’s oath echoed for a long time in the cold night sky.

After the oath, everyone stood up slowly with solemn expressions. The new Night's Watchman, Tyrion Lannister, also tried to stand up. However, his legs were numb from kneeling on the ground for so long that he climbed up in a somewhat awkward manner.

Then he couldn't help but stamp his feet in an attempt to relieve the discomfort, but he gasped because of the needle-like pain in his legs.

At this time, the old and powerful voice of the 997th commander-in-chief of the Night's Watch came through the cold wind and floated clearly into everyone's ears: "Welcome, honorable Night's Watch, my good children!"

The people who officially became members of the Night's Watch responded in a low voice, with uneven voices on both sides: "Roar."

“Hahaha…” Looking at these new night watchmen who were not in high spirits, Old Xiong did not care. Instead, he burst into a hearty laugh.

Then, he waved his hand and said loudly: "In order to welcome you to join the glorious Night's Watch, I have already prepared enough fine wine! Boys, follow me, the banquet will begin soon!"

At first everyone was stunned, but after a brief silence, they immediately shouted excitedly: "Oh hoo!"

Seeing their morale suddenly boosted, Old Xiong burst into laughter, then strode down the platform and led everyone to the banquet hall.

They left one after another, talking and laughing. Tyrion, who had originally been mixed in the crowd with short legs, gradually fell behind because of his slow steps.

Tyrion grinned, refused the help of a new Night's Watch brother who was a horse thief, and limped alone at the end.

Walking out of Heart Grove, he saw Ser Bronn waiting for him.

The Knight of Blackwater smiled with a gloating smile on his face: "Congratulations, honorable Night Watchman."

Tyrion casually smoothed his messy hair with his fingers and said with a smile: "Please call me the glorious Night's Watch."

Bronn's eyebrows rose, and his smile turned obscene: "An ancient vow, no wife, no children."

Tyrion raised an eyebrow. "The Seven cannot hear the voice of a dwarf in his homeland."

"Oh, it's obvious that he can't take care of anyone."

As they talked, they started walking. Tyrion moved a little closer to Bronn and asked in a low voice, "I thought I would see you tomorrow. Did they give you any trouble?"

Ser Bronn straightened his chest and grinned: "The Night's Watch is still very polite. Don't forget, I am the Regent Lord Green's man."

Tyrion shrugged. "I envy you, ser."

After walking a few steps, he asked again: "What did they ask you, and how did you answer?"

Hearing this, Ser Bronn stopped joking and told Tyrion everything about their conversation, even carefully adding in the various facial expressions of the people present.

Finally, he spread his hands and said, "We often dig for 'treasures' together (Chapter 419). In addition to me and Little Squid, there are other night watchmen. I am just one of them."

Tyrion nodded thoughtfully, and added: "But you are the only 'outsider'."

Ser Bronn chuckled. "The others are all honorable Night's Watchmen, including the missing squid."

Tyrion paused, pinched his chin, and thought carefully about what Bronn had said in his mind again, and said, "Okay, this matter is over."

He reached out and patted Bronn's thigh. "I have to admit that you are very efficient. Thank you, ser."

With his right arm turning half a circle, Bronn gracefully touched his chest and said, "The Knights of the Blackwater are at your service, my Lord Tyrion."

Tyrion patted Bronn again and smiled. "Remember to find that prince to claim the bounty. I am just a poor Lannister now."

Ser Bronn grinned. "I serve you not for the sake of a golden dragon, but for the honor of a knight."

"you………"

Tyrion took a step back and said in feigned horror: "...Honor? Are you planning to betray me? Don't forget, I am a legendary assassin and mercenary known throughout the Seven Kingdoms."

Ser Bronn said bitterly, "How dare you doubt the honor of the Knights of the Blackwater, my lord?"

Tyrion sighed to the sky, then... reached into his clothes, took out a small purse and threw it over.

Reaching out to take the purse, he weighed it habitually, and an extremely obscene smile appeared on Ser Bronn's face: "I will always be loyal to you, Master Tyrion."

Tyrion shrugged and started walking.

"Let's go, we have to have a good drink tonight. It's rare for Mr. Xiong to be so generous."

"Unfortunately, there's only good wine."

"Hey, be careful, Lord Stannis might hear..."

"Tonight he also..."

In the land tightly shrouded in coldness and silence, two figures, one tall and one short, walked together, and laughter could be heard from time to time. Their footprints, one large and one small, deep and shallow, were imprinted on the snow. …………

As the two of them approached Castle Black's banqueting hall, the sounds of the bustling bustle became clearer.

"Gods be merciful. May all good women stay away from the Night Watch's banquet. The males there will devour them directly."

After Tyrion sighed, he smiled and said, "Well, there are also beautiful men."

"Since you've come to the Wall, you seem like a more kindhearted person, my lord."

As they approached the door, Ser Bronn raised his voice. "I'm a little worried that these drunks will force you to dance for them."

Tyrion grinned. "Everyone loves to see a dwarf dance, sellsword."

Hearing this, Bronn couldn't help but raise his hand to touch his forehead: "No wonder you are so generous. Alas, I can only fight ten at most."

Tyrion patted his waist with his hands, blinked, and said, "In fact, there is a money bag hidden here."

"You know, generous sir, I can actually beat dozens of them... Never mind, I'll beat as many as you can."

"Haha, it's my honor to admire your heroic performance tonight..."

When Ser Bronn, with a flattering smile, was about to open the door for the noble lord, a cold voice suddenly came from the other side: "Tyrion, King Stannis invites you to come in."

Tyrion looked in the direction of the sound and saw several guards wearing the emblem of a flaming heart.

He knew them. These people were the king's guards from the Stormlands, and... according to the news received at noon today, they were all declared traitors to the kingdom by Regent Green, and all their ancestral property was deprived.

"I'll enjoy your performance next time."

Tyrion pulled out a purse from his pocket and threw it directly to Bronn, then turned to Stannis's guards and said, "Please lead the way."

…………

In the banquet hall of the Black Castle, the blazing torches illuminated every corner red.

Long wooden tables were arranged in a haphazard pattern, piled high with ale barrels, sizzling game and rough black bread.

The benches beside the wooden table were already filled with all kinds of night watchmen. Cups of beer were poured into their mouths. The noisy shouts, laughter and conversations intertwined together, making the whole hall like a boiling hot pot.

On the high platform in the banquet hall, the commander-in-chief of the Night Watch, Old Xiong, sat in the main seat, also drinking one cup after another. From time to time, his eyes swept over the lively young men below. Whenever he saw something funny, he would burst into laughter.

To the right of Old Xiong was Lord Eddard Stark, who was invited to attend the Night's Watch banquet. He was almost motionless the rest of the time, except when he was drinking with the people next to him, when he slightly raised the corners of his lips.

On the other side of the hall, the door was slowly opened, and the Lord of the Dreadfort, Roose Bolton, walked in. He walked straight through the crowd, stopped not far from the platform, and nodded slightly to Lord Eddard.

Duke Ed nodded his chin, patted Old Bear's thick shoulders, and left his seat.

The two of them walked one after the other, leaving the hall through a small door on the side, walked into a slightly dim corridor, and came to a small room.

When the door closed, four Stark grey robes followed and stayed outside to guard the door.

Fireworks had already been lit in the small fireplace, and the room was enveloped in a warm glow.

Duke Ed took off his thick black cloak with a fur collar, swung his arm slightly, and threw it aside casually.

Duke Ed was the first to break the silence, his voice low and hoarse: "Any progress?"

After saying that, he pulled up a worn wooden chair and sat in front of the fireplace. His stern face could not hide the tiredness.

Roose Bolton glanced at Eddard with his light eyes and said, "Lord Stannis has never wavered in his demands. He insists... that you must acknowledge him as your king and the vassal of the North."

He walked to the fireplace and stood there. "Lord Ned, please forgive me for being blunt, but our negotiations with Lord Stannis are meaningless. He will only drag the North into the quagmire of war."

After a pause, his tiny voice echoed in the small room: "It can be said that he has lost his legal right to inherit the Iron Throne and is now a homeless wanderer."

He looked at Eddard and said, "For the sake of the North, and in order not to arouse the hostility of the Regent, we should make a choice as soon as possible."

A heavy silence hung over the room like a dark cloud. After a long moment, Lord Eddard sighed and said, "Roose, I cannot betray Robert. He is my brother, and Stannis is Robert's brother and heir."

Lord Roose's voice was like the cold wind outside the house. "My lord, Renly is also Robert's brother, and the Regent has declared Stannis the kinslayer who killed his brother. He has no right to inherit Robert's glory."

Duke Ed closed his eyes in pain: "I will go directly to him about this matter. I must hear it with my own ears to confirm it."

Lord Roose was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly and said, "I believe Lord Stannis will not hide the truth from you. If he has no guilt in his heart, he will tell you the truth."

He added: "I think the North has no objection to Stannis remaining stationed at the Wall, long enough to show the world your kindness."

Lord Eddard opened his eyes, stared at the jumping fire for a while, and said, "I have concerns, not only because of Stannis, but what worries me most is the White Walkers. Winter is coming, and the Seven Kingdoms cannot continue to consume too much power in other wars."

(End of this chapter)