A Clash of Kings-Chapter 8

Tyrion meets with Lord Janos Slynt, providing him plenty of wine. He asks about Eddard Stark’s death, and who he recommended for the next Command of the City Watch. He then has Slynt taken into custody to join the Night's Watch. Next he meets with Varys who he asks about the death of King Robert’s bastard baby daugter.

Synopsis

Tyrion is having Lord Janos Slynt, a butcher’s son, for a guest, and getting him drunk. Tyrion notes that Slynt does not sip his wine, and is dribbling his wine. One of Tyrion’s first acts was to find the finest cook in the city, and now was very full. Slynt is very impressed with the food. When Slynt calls him lord, Tyrion tells him he is not a lord, and to call him Tyrion. Tyrion asks who should succeed him when he leaves the City Watch to take up residence at Harrenhal, he tells Slynt that he was bold to take Harrenhal for his seat, which is huge, costly to maintain, and curses. Slynt suggests Allar Deem. Tyrion mentions Ser Jacelyn Bywater, knighted at Pyke after losing his hand in the battle, but Slynt says he is too rigid and too honorable. Tyrion mentions that Allar is little loved in the streets, and Slynt states he is feared, which is better. Tyrion then states that he heard Allar Deem killed a young whore and her infant daughter Barra, a bastard of King Robert. Slynt states that he chose Deem because he hard man and always does what he was told, even if it was killing a whore and a child, and never a word afterwards. Tyrion asks him who ordered him to kill the whore’s bastard, but Slynt will not reveal the answer, priding himself on doing a deed with never a question asked, much like Deem. Tyrion suggests the Jeor Mormont, commander of the Night's Watch, could use men like him and Deem. Slynt states there is little chance.

When Tyrion questions him about Lord Eddard Stark’s death, saying even Varys was surprised by the King’s decision. Tyrion then tells him that Varys had helped persuade Cersei to allow Ned to take the black. Tyrion notes that the king is a child of 13. Slynt calls Lord Stark a traitor for trying to buy him, to which Tyrion retorts, "Little dreaming that you had already been sold." Slynt gets angry at this, telling Tyrion he has no right to question his honor. Tyrion retorts that Slynt has no honor and threatens him, saying that he should thank the gods it was Tyrion he had to deal with, and not his lord father. Tyrion tells him two younger boys will become squires, and the eldest will inherit the title and lands, but not Harrenhal. Slynt is will join the Night's Watch, and will travel to the Wall on a carrack Summer's Dream. Slynt is enraged, and tells Tyrion he will speak to the Littlefinger, Cersei, and other friends about this, and strides to the door. He throws it open to find Ser Jacelyn Bywater and six Gold Cloaks move into the chamber behind to take him into custody. Tyrion tells Slynt that Bywater is the new Commander of the City Watch, then Tyrion hands Bywater of list of six others that will join Slynt for Eastwatch-by-the-sea, and that it would not be taken amiss if Allar Deem should get swept overboard.

Varys immediately strides into the hall. Tyrion tells him that he is tempted to do to Varys the same as Deem, and then accuses the eunuch of not telling him that it was his sister who sent the gold cloaks after the whore’s bastard, which makes Varys nervous, and asks for forgiveness. Tyrion refuses, thinking he hands out justice for the sorry likes of Slynt and Deem while his sister continues on her savage course. He then tells Varys he will in the future tell him everything he knows. Varys tells Tyrion he did not think that a baseborn baby girl would be considered a theat. but he had taken steps to save another bastard, this one an older boy (Gendry). Varys continues by saying that the whore loved the king, and Tyrion asks if a whore can love anyone, thinking of Shae, and remember telling her that she helped him most between the sheets, and seeing in her eyes that it was not what she wanted to hear.

Tyrion again talks with Varys about Eddard’s death, aware that Slynt and Ser Ilyn Payne had carried out the King’s sentence without hesitation, almost as if they expected it. Varys states his grace cannot commit further follies that with the City Watch under the command of Bywater, at Varys recommendation, but there is the Lannister red cloaks. Tyrion states that Vylarr’s loyalty to Casterly Rock, and knows that Tryion is here under his father’s authority, and they are only a 100, while Tyrion has half again as many men.

Tyrion next asks Varys why he is so helpful and Varys replies “You are the Hand. I serve the realm, the king, and you,” and Tyrion asks “As you served Jon Arryn and Eddard Stark?” Varys states he served as best he could, and that he does not think Tyrion will have the same fate.

Varys then asks Tyrion about the answer to his riddle, and Tyrion says the sellsword holds the true power. Varys asks, "If it is the swordsmen who rule in truth, why pretend kings hold the power?" That day at Sept of Baelor, neither the godly High Septon, nor the lawful Queen Regent, nor the ever-knowledgeable Varys could prevent Lord Eddard’s death. He asks who truly killed Eddard: the King who gave the command, Ser Ilyn who swung the sword, or another? When Tyrion asks if he will answer his riddle Varys states “Here, then. Power resides where men believe it resides. No more and no less.” Tyrion states “Lord Varys, I am growing strangely fond of you. I may kill you yet, but I think I’d feel sad about it.” To this Varys replies “I will take that as high praise.”

Varys now informs Tyrion that the master of the King’s Galley White Hart plans to depart to join Stannis Baratheon. Tyrion states that this would be a good use of Joffrey’s justice, which will be a warning to the other captains. Next Varys tells how Ser Horas Redwyne and Ser Hobber Redwyne have bribed a guard on the postern gate, and will leave on the Pentoshi trading galley Moonrunner. Tyrion instructs Varys to have Bywater send the guard to the Night’s Watch. Next it is that the clansman Timett killed a man for cheating, and since Varys is sure he was, Tyrion states Timett should get their thanks. Next is that the Red Comet has brought prophets in the streets foretelling doom and destruction. Tyrion instructs “We are close on the three hundredth year since Aegon’s Landing, I suppose it is only to be expected. Let them rant.” Finally “Lord Gyles rose to lift a cup to the king, and Ser Balon Swann was heard to remark, ‘We’ll need three cups for that.’” Tyrion states he is not interested in treasonous table talk. Varys states this is wise. With this Varys takes his leave.

Tyrion visits Bronn in his solar and remarks that he probably replaced one of Littlefinger’s men with one belonging to Varys when he made Ser Jacelyn the Commander of the City Watch. Bronn then tells Tyrion the story on how Timett killed the man. Next Tyrion asks Bronn, who is recruiting for Tyrion’s guard, how it goes, and is told that he has three new men. He asks Bronn if he would kill an infant girl without question if he were commanded to. Bronn replies, "Without question? No. I’d ask how much." Tyrion now thinks how he does not need Slynt or Deem, he has a hundred of his own. He wants to laugh, cry, but mostly be with Shae.

External Links

• Analysis and review of the chapter in the course of a 10th reread of the books by Slynt.
• Humorous review of the chapter by Jason.
• Review and summary by Leigh Butler.