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{{Infobox Chapter ACfK
 
{{Infobox Chapter ACfK
| pov = [[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]]
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| pov = [[Tyrion Lannister]]
 
| place        = [[King's Landing]]
 
| place        = [[King's Landing]]
 
| title = Tyrion V
 
| title = Tyrion V
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| arc next = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 25|Tyrion VI]]
 
| arc next = [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 25|Tyrion VI]]
 
}}
 
}}
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__NOTOC__
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[[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] visits the [[Guildhall of the Alchemists]] to discuss the production of [[wildfire]] then meets with Ser [[Cleos Frey]] about [[Robb Stark]]'s peace terms. On the way back to the [[Red Keep]], Tyrion passes a prophet preaching of corruption and incest. When he finds [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] waiting in his solar, the pair argue about strategy and sending [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]] to [[Dorne]], which gives Tyrion the identity of an informer.
  
[[Tyrion Lannister]] visits the [[Guildhall of the Alchemists]] about the preparation of the [[Wildfire]], and then meets with Ser [[Cleos Frey]] about [[Robb Stark]]’s terms for peace. He is returning to the [[Red Keep]] when he passes a crowd listening to a prophet corruption, talking about incest, and the even the [[High Septon]] forgetting the gods. When he returns to his chamber he finds [[Cersei Lannister|Cersie]] waiting for him to rant about sending her daughter [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]] to [[Dorne]]. Now Tyrion knows the informer.
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==Synopsis==
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[[File:Wildfire.jpg|thumb|300px|left|Tyrion inspect a jar of wildfire (''[[Game of Thrones]]'')]]
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[[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] is glad he took the advice to dress warmly, despite looking like a ball of striped fur bundled up in his [[shadowcat|shadowskin]] cloak. Deep under [[Rhaenys's Hill]], the chill in the dank vaults behind the [[Guildhall of the Alchemists]] is so bone-deep that even [[Timett]] retreated after a brief taste.
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By the light of a sealed lamp, Tyrion inspects a fragile, grapefruit-shaped clay jar. The jar has a pebbled texture to keep it from slipping when grasped, and when Tyrion tilts it to peer inside the murky green [[wildfire]] oozes toward the lip. When Tyrion remarks on its thickness, the pallid and obsequious [[Pyromancer]] [[Hallyne]] explains that "the substance" (as the pyromancers call it) flows more easily as it warms.
 +
 
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Tyrion is annoyed by the alchemists' pretentiousness. Their habits of calling each other "wisdom" and hinting at vast stores of secret knowledge do not match the reality of a declining guild in moth-eaten robes who no longer even pretend to transmute metals. The [[Maesters]] of the [[Citadel]] have supplanted the once-powerful guild in almost every respect
―except the creation of wildfire, which remains a closely-guarded guild secret.
 +
 
 +
Hallyne explains that once kindled, wildfire cannot be quenched and will seep into cloth, wood, leather, or even steel and set them afire as well. Tyrion recalls from the flaming sword of [[Thoros of Myr]] that even a thin coating can burn for an hour, though it ruins the sword. When Tyrion asks why the wildfire doesn't seep into the clay pots, Hallyne explains that it does, and thus they have a lower vault full of pots from the reign of King [[Aerys II Targaryen]], whose fancy it was to shape the jars like fruit. By rights, those jars should be destroyed, but so many of the guild's masters were killed during the [[Sack of King's Landing]] that they lack the skill and have flooded the vaults instead. Hallyne adds that the [[wildfire plot|whereabouts]] of much of King Aerys's stock was also lost, such as a cache of two hundred jars discovered only last year under the [[Great Sept of Baelor]]. Hallyne admits this older stock can still be used, but urges extreme caution, since wildfire grows more volatile with age and will self-ignite if left in even direct sunlight for too long, causing it to expand violently and create a chain reaction among nearby jars.
 +
 
 +
When Tyrion asks how many jars they have, Hallyne quotes the morning's count by Wisdom [[Munciter]] as 7,840 jars, including 4,000 from King Aerys' older stock and says he is confident the guild will meet its promise of 10,000 jars. Tyrion is astonished, delighted, and terrified. He knows creating wildfire is a lengthy and dangerous process, and thought the number was only a wild boast. He insists he does not want any undue haste or defective wildfire, but Hallyne assures him the wildfire is prepared only by trained acolytes in work cells designed to fill with sand and smother any fires―and the hapless acolyte. Tyrion is interested in inspecting how such a cell would work, but he does not have time.
 +
 
 +
Hallyne reiterates the importance of handling wildfire with care, suggesting that common soldiers in the frenzy of battle may not be as considerate as trained pyromancers, and any little mistake could be catastrophic. In response, Tyrion requests as many spare jars as possible to be delivered to each of the city gates.  
  
==Synopsis==
+
As they walk back, Hallyne stresses the honor of welcoming the [[Hand of the King]] for the first time since Lord [[Rossart]], who was of their guild himself. The mention of Rossart reminds Tyrion of the stories of Mad King Aerys II using the alchemists to burn his enemies, and he decides it would be best to keep [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] well away from the pyromancers to prevent him getting the same idea. As such, when Hallyne proposes hosting a feast for Joffrey, Tyrion explains that Joffrey has forbidden feasting (at Tyrion's insistence) until the war is won. However, Tyrion has no objections when Hallyne instead proposes a demonstration of the "dread secrets" of his ancient order at the [[Red Keep]]; there is no harm in a few magic tricks.
[[Tyrion Lannister|Tyrion]] had been warned to dress warmly, which he did, and it is cold in the vaults under the [[Guildhall of the Alchemists]]. In the once powerful guild only a few pretended to work on transmuting metals, and the maesters had supplanted the achemists almost everywhere. The Pyromancer [[Hallyne]] hands Tyrion one of the rough-surfaced (so it does not slip out of a man’s grap) hand-sized clay pots that hold the murky green [[Wildfire]]. Tyrion is told that it is thick because of the cold, that it will burn until there is no more (water will not quench it), and it will seep into cloth, wood, leather and steel; Tyrion remembers the sword of [[Thoros of Myr]] would burn for an hour, but the sword had to be replaced afterwards. When Tyrion asks about it seeping into the clay pots and is told that it does, that there are pots form King [[Aerys I Targaryen]] are stored in the lower vaults, which have been filled with water because the pots are so rip; they should have destroyed, but there are so few masters remaining that the task would be daunting. These pots could be used, but would be much more dangerous because they have a greater tendency to self-ignite. When Tyrion asks the count it is 7,840 jars which includes 4,000 from King Aerys day, Hallyne states that Wisdom [[Munciter]] confirmed that they should be able to produce the 10,000 promised the queen; Tyrion does not know exactly how the Wildfire is made, but does know it is a lengthy, dangerous and time consuming process and assumed 10,000 was a bit of a boast. He was not sure he should be happy or terrified, and expresses his concern with undue haste. He is assured that the substance is only being handled by trained acolytes in specially designed stone cells. Tyrion asks if they have ample jars and is assured they do, so he tells them he wants a few thousand empty jars, and to have then sent to the captains of each gate. Tyrion asks to be escorted back to his litter.  
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 +
[[File:Alchemist's Guild Hall Jonny Klein.png|350px|right|thumb|The Alchemists' Guild Hall - by Jonny Klein. © Fantasy Flight Games.]]
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After navigating the twists and turns of the Guildhall, they come to the long and echoing Gallery of the Iron Torches, where columns of wildfire flames burn around black metal columns and reflect off the black marble walls to bathe the hall in emerald light. However, Tyrion is less impressed because he knows the cost of wildfire means the torches have been lit only to impress him.
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After bidding farewell to Hallyne on the doorstep, Tyrion descends the broad steps to the Street of Sisters near [[Visenya's hill]] where Timett waits with his litter and an escort of [[Burned Men]], a most appropriate escort for a visit to the pyromancers and a necessary precaution since Joffrey rained arrows on a hungry mob at the gates of the Red Keep only three days past. Tyrion is surprised to find [[Bronn]] waiting as well, with two messages: Ser [[Jacelyn Bywater]] urgently requires Tyrion at the [[Gate of the Gods]] and Cersei commands him to attend her in her chambers. Tyrion decides to see Bywater first, as the man is not prone to waste his time and forcing Cersei to wait will make her angry and stupid, which he prefers to composed and cunning.
 +
 
 +
The normally-busy food market inside the Gate of the Gods is nearly deserted as Tyrion crosses it to meet Ser Jacelyn, who informs him that Ser [[Cleos Frey]] has arrived with peace terms from [[Robb Stark]]. Tyrion is  pleased, but Cleos proves reluctant to discuss the terms since his orders are to deliver them directly to Cersei. Gaunt and haggard from his journey, Cleos describes the dire situation around the [[Gods Eye]] and the [[kingsroad]], where the river lords are burning their own crops to starve the Lannisters, who are in turn torching every village and killing the smallfolk. Tyrion dismisses this as the way of war while Cleos adds that even with a peace banner his party was attacked twice by [[broken men]], losing three men and another six wounded.
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When Tyrion is amused by Robb's impossible peace terms, Cleos shares that Robb sits idle at [[Riverrun]], likely afraid to face Lord [[Tywin Lannister|Tywin]] in battle, and grows weaker as the river lords disperse to defend their lands. Tyrion wonders if that was his father's plan, then informs Cleos that the terms―including the exchange of [[Willem Lannister]] and Cleos' brother [[Tion Frey]] for [[Sansa Stark|Sansa]] and [[Arya Stark]]―are unacceptable, and Cleos will be expected to carry the [[small council]]'s counteroffer back to Riverrun. Cleos is not pleased with the prospect of recrossing a war zone and points out that it is [[Catelyn Stark]] who wants this peace, not Robb. Tyrion counters that Catelyn wants her daughters and urges Cleos to rest and await further instructions.
 +
 
 +
Tyrion rejoins Jacelyn Bywater watching several hundred recruits drilling beyond the gate. With so many refugees, there is no lack of men joining the [[City Watch of King's Landing|City Watch]] for food and a bed, but Tyrion has no illusions about their worth in battle. He commends Bywater for contacting him and instructs him to give Ser Cleos and his escort every hospitality but to keep them outside the city to hide the truth of conditions there. He also instructs Bywater to use the jars the alchemists will deliver to train spitfire crews to handle wildfire using paint and burning oil. Bywater calls this a wise measure, although he has no love for "alchemist's piss". Tyrion agrees, but insists he must use what he is given.
 +
 
 +
Back in his litter, Tyrion reflects that if he can use negotiations to keep Robb dreaming of an easy peace at Riverrun until Ser [[Stafford Lannister]] readies his new host at [[Casterly Rock]], then Stafford and Lord Tyrwin can smash Robb's forces between them. Tyrion only wishes the [[House Baratheon|Baratheon]]s would be as accommodating. With [[Renly Baratheon|Renly]] creeping up the [[roseroad]] with his massive southron army and [[Stannis Baratheon|Stannis]] poised to sail his fleet up the [[Blackwater Rush]] any day, Tyrion takes small comfort from his stockpile of wildfire.
  
Hallyne tells Tyrion that it was a great honor and it has not been since the time of Aerys I that a Hand has come to them; Aerys I took great interest in their work. Tyrion tells them that [[Joffrey Baratheon|Joffrey]] will be interested too, thinking to himself that he wants to keep Joffrey away. Hallyne then states that he has spoken to his sister [[Cersei Lannister|Cersei]] about the king visiting and that they would have a great feast. Tyrion states that the king dies not think feasts are appropriate while the people starve. So Hallyne proposes just a small demonstration of their powers to distract the king from his cares.
+
A commotion in Cobbler's Square pulls Tyrion out of his musings. A sizable crowd listens to the rantings of a prophet garbed as a [[Faith of the Seven#Begging Brothers|begging brother]]. Calling the [[red comet]] in the sky above [[Aegon's high hill]] "the Father's Scourge", he proclaims:
 +
{{Quote|We have become swollen, bloated, foul. Brother couples with sister in the bed of kings, and the fruit of their incest capers in his palace to the piping of a twisted little [[monkey]] demon. Highborn ladies fornicate with fools and give birth to monsters! Even the [[High Septon]] has forgotten the gods! He bathes in scented waters and grows fat on lark and lamprey while his people starve! Pride comes before prayer, maggots rule our castles, and gold is all... but no more! The Rotten Summer is at an end, and the [[Robert I Baratheon|Whoremonger King]] is brought low! When the boar did open him, a great stench rose to heaven and a thousand snakes slid forth from his belly, hissing and biting! There comes the Harbinger! Cleanse yourselves, the gods cry out, lest ye be cleansed! Bathe in the wine of righteousness, or you shall be bathed in fire! Fire!}}
 +
Wounded by being called a "twisted little monkey demon", Tyrion takes solace from the hoots of derision drowning the echoing shouts as he orders the Burned Men to clear a path. He agrees with the prophet about the High Septon, however, smiling at the memory of a joke [[Moon Boy]] made at the gluttonous cleric's expense.
  
Finally they reach a gallery of iron torches where columns of green fire dance around black metal columns 20 feet tall, the flames shimmering off the black marble of the walls and floor. Tyrion knows that they were only lit that morning in his honor the cost of wildfire being what it was. He emergest onto the Street of the Sisters at the foot of [[Visenya's hill]] where [[Timett]] and an escort of [[Mountain clans#The Burned Men|Burned Men]], which Tyrion thought appropriate, wait with his litter—Joffrey had recently gained more hatred by having arrows fired at a crowd gathered at the gates of the [[Red Keep]]. [[Bronn]] is also there with messages: [[Jacelyn Bywater|Ironhand]] urgently requires him at [[Gate of the Gods]] and Cersei has demanded him at [[Red Keep#Maegor's Holdfast|Maegor's Holdfast]]—his stripling cousin [[Lancel Lannister]] delivered the message. Tyrion states he will see Ironhand wants, and then attend to his sister.
+
Returning to the Red Keep without further incident, Tyrion ascends to his chambers in a hopeful mood, thinking all he needs is time to piece it all together. Entering his solar, he is confronted by Cersei, who is furious at him for ignoring her summons and plotting to sell her only daughter like a bag of oats. Knowing his [[A Clash of Kings-Chapter 17|ploy]] has worked, Tyrion points out princesses like [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]] are born for such marriage alliances, unless Cersei planned to wed her to her brother [[Tommen Baratheon|Tommen]]. Cersei declares she will not allow Myrcella to be shipped off to [[Dorne]]. Without missing a beat, Tyrion points out that Dorne will be much safer than King's Landing, and the feud between the Lannisters and [[House Martell]] goes back only a generation, whereas the Dornishmen have warred with [[Storm's End]] and [[Highgarden]] for a millennium.
  
He arrives at the gate to be told that [[Cleos Frey]] arrived under a peace banner with a letter containing peace terms from [[Robb Stark]]. When Tyrion meets Ser Cleos he notes that he looks very gaunt, and is told that the river lords are burning their own crops to try to starve [[House Lannister|the Lannisters]] and the Lannister foragers are torching every village and putting smallfolk to the sword. They were attacked twice by scavengers, losing 3 with 6 wounded. Ser Cleos states he wants to speak to Cersei as commanded, and Tyrion tells him she is occupied. Tyrion asks what Robb is doing and is told sitting idle at [[Riverrun]]—Cleos thinks he fears facing [[Tywin Lannister]]—and his strength grows less everyday as the river lords disperse to defend their own lands. Tryion notes that this is as his father plans, and then states the terms will not do. Cleos asks if they will at least exchange the Stark girls for [[Tion Frey]] and [[Willem Frey]]. Tyrion states no, nand that he will consult with the queen and [[Small Council]] on exchange of captives. He tells Tyrion that Lady [[Catelyn Stark|Catelyn]] wants peace and her daughter, but Robb will not yield easily.
+
Tyrion explains that he proposed nine-year-old Myrcella become a ward of Prince [[Doran Martell]] until she turns fourteen, at which time she will marry [[Trystane Martell]], who is just two years older. Cersei insists Myrcella will be a hostage, but Tyrion opines that she will be treated more kindly than Sansa Stark, especially with Ser [[Arys Oakheart]] of the [[Kingsguard]] as her [[sworn shield]]. Cersei still worries that Doran Martell might kill Myrcella to avenge the murder of his sister [[Elia Martell]], but Tyrion insists Doran is too honorable to murder an innocent girl and the terms are too rich to refuse: he has also promised the prince his sister's killer, a council seat, and some castles on the [[Dornish Marches]]. Cersei accuses Tyrion of offering too much without her consent, but he insists Doran would not accept less and asks if Cersei means to offer sexual favors instead. When she slaps him, Tyrion promises her it will be the last time, but Cersei only laughs and suggests Tyrion's faith that their father's letter will protect him might be as misguided as [[Eddard Stark]]'s faith in King [[Robert I Baratheon|Robert]]'s last will. Tyrion notes to himself that unlike Lord Eddard he has the City Watch, his clansmen, and a party of sellswords, though he supposes Stark had delusions of support as well.
  
He joins Ironhand watching several hundred new recruits drilling in the field; there is no shortage of recruits for the [[City Watch of King's Landing]] who want food and a bed. Tells him that he will keep Ser Cleos, and will see to the needs of his escort, but they will not enter the city to see the conditions. He then tells Ironhand that he will be getting pots from the Alchemists, to fill them with green paint and to drill the men with them. Eliminate and men with green paint on them and then train with lamp oil, working on lighting the jars.
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Rather than argue, Tyrion declares that Renly and Stannis will mount Myrcella's head beside Cersei's if they take the city. To his astonishment, Cersei begins to cry, something Tyrion has not seen since they were children. Awkwardly he moves to comfort her, but she wrenches away, which hurts more than any slap. He promises nothing will happen to Myrcella, but Cersei calls him a liar and declares he has not kept his promise to free Jaime. Tyrion assures her that Jaime remains safe at Riverrun until he can find a way to free him.
  
Back in his litter he thinks that Robb Stark has given him a golden chance—let him wait at Riverrun dreaming of peace; Tyrion would send Ser Cleos with his own terms while his cousin Ser [[Stafford Lannister]] trains his troops in [[Casterly Rock]], and then smash Robb between Ser Stafford and Tywin’s hosts. It was [[Stannis Baratheon]] and [[Renly Baratheon]] that concerned him.
+
Cersei laments that if she were a man she would not have allowed any of this to happen. She wonders how Jaime could let himself be captured and questions what their father is doing hiding in [[Harrenhal]]. Tyrion assures her Lord Tywin is making war, proposing that Tywin is a lion waiting to pounce while Robb is a fawn frozen by fear. Cersei is not convinced, pointing out that Jaime would not sit idle if their father were the prisoner. To himself, Tyrion agrees that Jaime never had any patience, but he only says that not everyone can be as bold as Jaime, but there are other ways to win a war, and Harrenhal is strong and well situated.
  
There is a crowd listening to a prophet when the litter passes through Cobbler's Square. The prophet is talking about corruption as the [[Red Comet]] is directly behind the prophet over the castle of [[[Aegon's high hill]]. The prophet calls the comet the “Father’s scourge.” He proclaims:
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Cersei adds that King's Landing is neither and Renly's host will soon be at their gates. Tyrion assures her the city will not fall in a day, giving Lord Tywin time to march down the kingsroad to take Renly in the rear. Hungry for reassurance, Cersei asks what will happen if Robb Stark marches. Tyrion explains that Harrenhal prevents [[Roose Bolton]] from crossing the [[Trident]] to reunite the [[Northmen|northern]] forces, and even if he could, Robb does not have the strength to take Harrenhal and march on King's Landing. Meanwhile, Lord Tywin's army lives on the fat of the [[riverlands]] and their uncle Stafford is raising another army at Casterly Rock.
{{Quote|We have become swollen, bloated, foul. Brother couples with sister in the bed of kings, and the fruit of their incest capers in his palace to the piping of a twisted little monkey demon. Highborn ladies fornicate with fools and give birth to monsters! Even the [[High Septon]] has forgotten the gods! He bathes in scented waters and grows fat on lark and lamprey while his people starve! Pride comes before prayer, maggots rule our castles, and gold is all... but no more! The Rotten Summer is at an end, and the Whoremonger King is brought low! When the boar did open him, a great stench rose to heaven and a thousand snakes slid forth from his belly, hissing and biting!” He jabbed his bony finger back at comet and castle. “There comes the Harbinger! Cleanse yourselves, the gods cry out, lest ye be cleansed! Bathe in the wine of righteousness, or you shall be bathed in fire! Fire!}}
 
  
There are shouts of “Fire!” but shouts of derision almost drown those shouts out, which Tyrion takes solace from. He thinks that he prophet has a point about the High Septon. The Burned men clear a path through the crowd. Tyrion reaches the Red Keep without further incident.
+
Wondering how Tyrion knows all this, Cersei asks if Lord Tywin confided in him. Tyrion replies that he only looked at a map, which causes Cersei to accuse him of mere speculation. Drawing out Robb's peace offer, Tyrion asks why Robb would offer terms―even unacceptable terms―if he were winning. Suddenly all queen again, Cersei asks how the terms came to Tyrion instead of her, but Tyrion quips that his job as Hand is to hand her things. As he hands her the letter, Tyrion muses that getting slapped by Cersei is a small price to pay for her agreement to the Dornish marriage, which he can sense he will now get. The identity of an informer is just the plum in his pudding.
  
In his Solar, Cersei is waiting for him. She demands to know why he did not repond to her summons and he demands to know who let her into his tower; she tells him that this is her son’s royal castle. Tyrion then states he was about to come to her. She questions this. Cersei then calls him a disgusting worm sending her daughter [[Myrcella Baratheon|Myrcella]] to [[Dorne]]. Tyrion tells Cersei  that Myrcella will be safer in Dorne, even though [[House Martell]] has no cause to love the Lannisters, as pointed out by Cersei. Tyrion tells Cersei that Myrcella is ninea and [[Trystane Martell]] eleven, and Renly has taken House Martell’s allegiance for granted and the house has warred against [[Storm's End]] and [[Highgarden]] for a thousand years. Tyrion states [[Doran Martell]] is honorable and Myrcella will be a guest, treated better than [[Sansa Stark]] has been treated, while Cersei claims she will be a hostage. Cersei states he offered too much, and Tyrion tells her he could not have offered less. When Cersei continues with it being too much, Tyrion angrily asks if Cersei would offer the hole between her legs. For this he gets a slap, to which he tells her that is that last time she will strike him. She then tells him that father’s paper will keep him no safer than the paper [[Eddard Stark]] had kept him. Tyrion controls his temper and asks Cersei how safe Myrcella will be in King’s Landing when it fell; Myrcella’s head would be mounted next to Cersei’s. Cersei begins to cry, which stuns Tyrion.
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==Character List==
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{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
 +
|- valign="top"
 +
| style="width:33;" |
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'''Appearing:'''
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*[[Tyrion Lannister]]
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*[[Timett]]
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*[[Hallyne]]
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*[[Bronn]]
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*[[Jacelyn Bywater]]
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*[[Cleos Frey]]
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*[[Cersei Lannister]]
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| style="width:33;" |
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'''Mentioned:'''
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*[[Thoros of Myr]]
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*[[Robert I Baratheon]]
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*[[Aerys II Targaryen]]
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*[[High Septon (fat one)]]
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*[[Munciter]]
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*[[Malliard]]
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*[[Jaehaerys II Targaryen]]
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*[[Rossart]]
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*[[Jaime Lannister]]
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*[[Lancel Lannister]]
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*[[Robb Stark]]
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| style="width:33;" |
 +
'''Mentioned:'''
 +
*[[Tywin Lannister]]
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*[[Eddard Stark]]
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*[[Sansa Stark]]
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*[[Arya Stark]]
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*[[Tion Frey]]
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*[[Willem Lannister]]
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*[[Catelyn Stark]]
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*[[Stafford Lannister]]
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*[[Renly Baratheon]]
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*[[Stannis Baratheon]]
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*[[Moon Boy]]
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| style="width:33;" |
 +
'''Mentioned'''
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*[[Crawn]]
 +
*[[Myrcella Baratheon]]
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*[[Tommen Baratheon]]
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*[[Doran Martell]]
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*[[Trystane Martell]]
 +
*[[Arys Oakheart]]
 +
*[[Varys]]
 +
*[[Aegon I Targaryen]]
 +
*[[Roose Bolton]]
 +
|}
  
==References and Notes==
 
{{References|2}}
 
*Analyses and summary of the chapter [http://slynt.blogspot.com/2011/09/re-read-tyrion-v.html in the course of a 10th reread] by Slynt.
 
*[http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/03/a-read-of-ice-and-fire-a-clash-of-kings-part-10 Review and summary] by Leigh Butler.
 
  
 
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Clash of Kings: Chapter 20]]
 
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters|A Clash of Kings: Chapter 20]]
 
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Tyrion Lannister]]
 
[[Category: A Song of Ice And Fire chapters--POV Tyrion Lannister]]
 
[[Category:Chapters which take place in King's Landing]]
 
[[Category:Chapters which take place in King's Landing]]
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[[Category:Chapters which take place at the Red Keep]]
  
 
[[fr:A Clash of Kings, Chapitre 21, Tyrion]]
 
[[fr:A Clash of Kings, Chapitre 21, Tyrion]]
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[[pt:A Fúria dos Reis - Capítulo 20]]

Revision as of 15:19, 4 August 2019

Tyrion V
A Clash of Kings chapter
AClashOfKings.jpg
POV Tyrion Lannister
Place King's Landing
Page 225 UK HC (Other versions)
Chapter chronology (All)
Tyrion IV
Arya V  ← Tyrion V →  Bran III

Tyrion VI

Tyrion visits the Guildhall of the Alchemists to discuss the production of wildfire then meets with Ser Cleos Frey about Robb Stark's peace terms. On the way back to the Red Keep, Tyrion passes a prophet preaching of corruption and incest. When he finds Cersei waiting in his solar, the pair argue about strategy and sending Myrcella to Dorne, which gives Tyrion the identity of an informer.

Synopsis

Tyrion inspect a jar of wildfire (Game of Thrones)

Tyrion is glad he took the advice to dress warmly, despite looking like a ball of striped fur bundled up in his shadowskin cloak. Deep under Rhaenys's Hill, the chill in the dank vaults behind the Guildhall of the Alchemists is so bone-deep that even Timett retreated after a brief taste.

By the light of a sealed lamp, Tyrion inspects a fragile, grapefruit-shaped clay jar. The jar has a pebbled texture to keep it from slipping when grasped, and when Tyrion tilts it to peer inside the murky green wildfire oozes toward the lip. When Tyrion remarks on its thickness, the pallid and obsequious Pyromancer Hallyne explains that "the substance" (as the pyromancers call it) flows more easily as it warms.

Tyrion is annoyed by the alchemists' pretentiousness. Their habits of calling each other "wisdom" and hinting at vast stores of secret knowledge do not match the reality of a declining guild in moth-eaten robes who no longer even pretend to transmute metals. The Maesters of the Citadel have supplanted the once-powerful guild in almost every respect
―except the creation of wildfire, which remains a closely-guarded guild secret.

Hallyne explains that once kindled, wildfire cannot be quenched and will seep into cloth, wood, leather, or even steel and set them afire as well. Tyrion recalls from the flaming sword of Thoros of Myr that even a thin coating can burn for an hour, though it ruins the sword. When Tyrion asks why the wildfire doesn't seep into the clay pots, Hallyne explains that it does, and thus they have a lower vault full of pots from the reign of King Aerys II Targaryen, whose fancy it was to shape the jars like fruit. By rights, those jars should be destroyed, but so many of the guild's masters were killed during the Sack of King's Landing that they lack the skill and have flooded the vaults instead. Hallyne adds that the whereabouts of much of King Aerys's stock was also lost, such as a cache of two hundred jars discovered only last year under the Great Sept of Baelor. Hallyne admits this older stock can still be used, but urges extreme caution, since wildfire grows more volatile with age and will self-ignite if left in even direct sunlight for too long, causing it to expand violently and create a chain reaction among nearby jars.

When Tyrion asks how many jars they have, Hallyne quotes the morning's count by Wisdom Munciter as 7,840 jars, including 4,000 from King Aerys' older stock and says he is confident the guild will meet its promise of 10,000 jars. Tyrion is astonished, delighted, and terrified. He knows creating wildfire is a lengthy and dangerous process, and thought the number was only a wild boast. He insists he does not want any undue haste or defective wildfire, but Hallyne assures him the wildfire is prepared only by trained acolytes in work cells designed to fill with sand and smother any fires―and the hapless acolyte. Tyrion is interested in inspecting how such a cell would work, but he does not have time.

Hallyne reiterates the importance of handling wildfire with care, suggesting that common soldiers in the frenzy of battle may not be as considerate as trained pyromancers, and any little mistake could be catastrophic. In response, Tyrion requests as many spare jars as possible to be delivered to each of the city gates.

As they walk back, Hallyne stresses the honor of welcoming the Hand of the King for the first time since Lord Rossart, who was of their guild himself. The mention of Rossart reminds Tyrion of the stories of Mad King Aerys II using the alchemists to burn his enemies, and he decides it would be best to keep Joffrey well away from the pyromancers to prevent him getting the same idea. As such, when Hallyne proposes hosting a feast for Joffrey, Tyrion explains that Joffrey has forbidden feasting (at Tyrion's insistence) until the war is won. However, Tyrion has no objections when Hallyne instead proposes a demonstration of the "dread secrets" of his ancient order at the Red Keep; there is no harm in a few magic tricks.

The Alchemists' Guild Hall - by Jonny Klein. © Fantasy Flight Games.

After navigating the twists and turns of the Guildhall, they come to the long and echoing Gallery of the Iron Torches, where columns of wildfire flames burn around black metal columns and reflect off the black marble walls to bathe the hall in emerald light. However, Tyrion is less impressed because he knows the cost of wildfire means the torches have been lit only to impress him.

After bidding farewell to Hallyne on the doorstep, Tyrion descends the broad steps to the Street of Sisters near Visenya's hill where Timett waits with his litter and an escort of Burned Men, a most appropriate escort for a visit to the pyromancers and a necessary precaution since Joffrey rained arrows on a hungry mob at the gates of the Red Keep only three days past. Tyrion is surprised to find Bronn waiting as well, with two messages: Ser Jacelyn Bywater urgently requires Tyrion at the Gate of the Gods and Cersei commands him to attend her in her chambers. Tyrion decides to see Bywater first, as the man is not prone to waste his time and forcing Cersei to wait will make her angry and stupid, which he prefers to composed and cunning.

The normally-busy food market inside the Gate of the Gods is nearly deserted as Tyrion crosses it to meet Ser Jacelyn, who informs him that Ser Cleos Frey has arrived with peace terms from Robb Stark. Tyrion is pleased, but Cleos proves reluctant to discuss the terms since his orders are to deliver them directly to Cersei. Gaunt and haggard from his journey, Cleos describes the dire situation around the Gods Eye and the kingsroad, where the river lords are burning their own crops to starve the Lannisters, who are in turn torching every village and killing the smallfolk. Tyrion dismisses this as the way of war while Cleos adds that even with a peace banner his party was attacked twice by broken men, losing three men and another six wounded.

When Tyrion is amused by Robb's impossible peace terms, Cleos shares that Robb sits idle at Riverrun, likely afraid to face Lord Tywin in battle, and grows weaker as the river lords disperse to defend their lands. Tyrion wonders if that was his father's plan, then informs Cleos that the terms―including the exchange of Willem Lannister and Cleos' brother Tion Frey for Sansa and Arya Stark―are unacceptable, and Cleos will be expected to carry the small council's counteroffer back to Riverrun. Cleos is not pleased with the prospect of recrossing a war zone and points out that it is Catelyn Stark who wants this peace, not Robb. Tyrion counters that Catelyn wants her daughters and urges Cleos to rest and await further instructions.

Tyrion rejoins Jacelyn Bywater watching several hundred recruits drilling beyond the gate. With so many refugees, there is no lack of men joining the City Watch for food and a bed, but Tyrion has no illusions about their worth in battle. He commends Bywater for contacting him and instructs him to give Ser Cleos and his escort every hospitality but to keep them outside the city to hide the truth of conditions there. He also instructs Bywater to use the jars the alchemists will deliver to train spitfire crews to handle wildfire using paint and burning oil. Bywater calls this a wise measure, although he has no love for "alchemist's piss". Tyrion agrees, but insists he must use what he is given.

Back in his litter, Tyrion reflects that if he can use negotiations to keep Robb dreaming of an easy peace at Riverrun until Ser Stafford Lannister readies his new host at Casterly Rock, then Stafford and Lord Tyrwin can smash Robb's forces between them. Tyrion only wishes the Baratheons would be as accommodating. With Renly creeping up the roseroad with his massive southron army and Stannis poised to sail his fleet up the Blackwater Rush any day, Tyrion takes small comfort from his stockpile of wildfire.

A commotion in Cobbler's Square pulls Tyrion out of his musings. A sizable crowd listens to the rantings of a prophet garbed as a begging brother. Calling the red comet in the sky above Aegon's high hill "the Father's Scourge", he proclaims:

We have become swollen, bloated, foul. Brother couples with sister in the bed of kings, and the fruit of their incest capers in his palace to the piping of a twisted little monkey demon. Highborn ladies fornicate with fools and give birth to monsters! Even the High Septon has forgotten the gods! He bathes in scented waters and grows fat on lark and lamprey while his people starve! Pride comes before prayer, maggots rule our castles, and gold is all... but no more! The Rotten Summer is at an end, and the Whoremonger King is brought low! When the boar did open him, a great stench rose to heaven and a thousand snakes slid forth from his belly, hissing and biting! There comes the Harbinger! Cleanse yourselves, the gods cry out, lest ye be cleansed! Bathe in the wine of righteousness, or you shall be bathed in fire! Fire!

Wounded by being called a "twisted little monkey demon", Tyrion takes solace from the hoots of derision drowning the echoing shouts as he orders the Burned Men to clear a path. He agrees with the prophet about the High Septon, however, smiling at the memory of a joke Moon Boy made at the gluttonous cleric's expense.

Returning to the Red Keep without further incident, Tyrion ascends to his chambers in a hopeful mood, thinking all he needs is time to piece it all together. Entering his solar, he is confronted by Cersei, who is furious at him for ignoring her summons and plotting to sell her only daughter like a bag of oats. Knowing his ploy has worked, Tyrion points out princesses like Myrcella are born for such marriage alliances, unless Cersei planned to wed her to her brother Tommen. Cersei declares she will not allow Myrcella to be shipped off to Dorne. Without missing a beat, Tyrion points out that Dorne will be much safer than King's Landing, and the feud between the Lannisters and House Martell goes back only a generation, whereas the Dornishmen have warred with Storm's End and Highgarden for a millennium.

Tyrion explains that he proposed nine-year-old Myrcella become a ward of Prince Doran Martell until she turns fourteen, at which time she will marry Trystane Martell, who is just two years older. Cersei insists Myrcella will be a hostage, but Tyrion opines that she will be treated more kindly than Sansa Stark, especially with Ser Arys Oakheart of the Kingsguard as her sworn shield. Cersei still worries that Doran Martell might kill Myrcella to avenge the murder of his sister Elia Martell, but Tyrion insists Doran is too honorable to murder an innocent girl and the terms are too rich to refuse: he has also promised the prince his sister's killer, a council seat, and some castles on the Dornish Marches. Cersei accuses Tyrion of offering too much without her consent, but he insists Doran would not accept less and asks if Cersei means to offer sexual favors instead. When she slaps him, Tyrion promises her it will be the last time, but Cersei only laughs and suggests Tyrion's faith that their father's letter will protect him might be as misguided as Eddard Stark's faith in King Robert's last will. Tyrion notes to himself that unlike Lord Eddard he has the City Watch, his clansmen, and a party of sellswords, though he supposes Stark had delusions of support as well.

Rather than argue, Tyrion declares that Renly and Stannis will mount Myrcella's head beside Cersei's if they take the city. To his astonishment, Cersei begins to cry, something Tyrion has not seen since they were children. Awkwardly he moves to comfort her, but she wrenches away, which hurts more than any slap. He promises nothing will happen to Myrcella, but Cersei calls him a liar and declares he has not kept his promise to free Jaime. Tyrion assures her that Jaime remains safe at Riverrun until he can find a way to free him.

Cersei laments that if she were a man she would not have allowed any of this to happen. She wonders how Jaime could let himself be captured and questions what their father is doing hiding in Harrenhal. Tyrion assures her Lord Tywin is making war, proposing that Tywin is a lion waiting to pounce while Robb is a fawn frozen by fear. Cersei is not convinced, pointing out that Jaime would not sit idle if their father were the prisoner. To himself, Tyrion agrees that Jaime never had any patience, but he only says that not everyone can be as bold as Jaime, but there are other ways to win a war, and Harrenhal is strong and well situated.

Cersei adds that King's Landing is neither and Renly's host will soon be at their gates. Tyrion assures her the city will not fall in a day, giving Lord Tywin time to march down the kingsroad to take Renly in the rear. Hungry for reassurance, Cersei asks what will happen if Robb Stark marches. Tyrion explains that Harrenhal prevents Roose Bolton from crossing the Trident to reunite the northern forces, and even if he could, Robb does not have the strength to take Harrenhal and march on King's Landing. Meanwhile, Lord Tywin's army lives on the fat of the riverlands and their uncle Stafford is raising another army at Casterly Rock.

Wondering how Tyrion knows all this, Cersei asks if Lord Tywin confided in him. Tyrion replies that he only looked at a map, which causes Cersei to accuse him of mere speculation. Drawing out Robb's peace offer, Tyrion asks why Robb would offer terms―even unacceptable terms―if he were winning. Suddenly all queen again, Cersei asks how the terms came to Tyrion instead of her, but Tyrion quips that his job as Hand is to hand her things. As he hands her the letter, Tyrion muses that getting slapped by Cersei is a small price to pay for her agreement to the Dornish marriage, which he can sense he will now get. The identity of an informer is just the plum in his pudding.

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