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After filling their bellies with good food and drink, Tyrion and the others retired to their chambers to sleep.
The maids had eaten as well and were deeply grateful. To be honest, Tyrion felt a pang of desire to take one of them along—but what could he do? He still held little influence, and what little he had came only from his father and the weight of his family name.
Jaime chose to stay in the same room as Tyrion. Being his older brother, it was his duty to protect him. The other knights slept in separate rooms.
The next morning, they gathered again in the soldiers' kitchen for breakfast. The maids came, set bread and drink on the table, and departed.
"When will we leave?" Tyrion asked, yawning, still clearly sleepy.
"We'll depart once we've finished breakfast," Jaime replied. "Eat as much as you can—I don't know when we'll have another meal."
The soldiers exchanged glances, and Tyrion's eyes widened. Better eat well—no one wanted to go hungry on the road.
They ate as much as they could, calling the maids again and again for more. Only when they were completely full did they stop.
Afterward, they gathered their belongings. Before leaving, Jaime took out seven silver stars and paid for their meals—covering only the food, as lodging had been offered free of charge.
They went to the stables, mounted their horses, and continued their journey. Tyrion climbed onto his horse with Jaime's help and fell in step behind him.
They set out in the morning, crossed the mountain pass, and by midday had left the lands of Golden Tooth behind.
Tyrion asked his brother and the knights what their next stop would be. They replied that it would be Pinkmaiden Castle.
The name Pinkmaiden comes from the soft, rosy hue of the stones used in its construction, which catch the evening light as if the entire castle were tinted with rosé wine.
Its walls are not as tall as those of Harrenhal or Riverrun, but they are graceful and well-kept, with slender towers and reddish rooftops.
Tyrion knew from books and general knowledge that Pinkmaiden was commanded by House Piper, an old and proud Riverlands house known for its cheerful, courteous, and at times libertine nature—a stark contrast to the rigidity of other river houses.
Their sigil shows a nude maiden dancing on a field of blue and pink, reflecting their romantic and carefree temperament.
The Pipers were respected warriors, but also famous for their beauty and hospitality. Among the river families, they were some of the most sociable, keeping good relations with Houses Tully, Vance, and Darry.
They traveled across the Riverlands, and after five days they arrived at Pinkmaiden Castle.
It had been a tiring journey, and during that time they ate very little. Only small meals found along the way—not nearly enough for six men and one dwarf to satisfy their hunger.
As they approached Pinkmaiden, Tyrion caught sight of the castle.
The surrounding land was a mosaic of green fields, small woods, and streams feeding the Red Fork. The air was mild, mornings veiled in mist, with a constant sense of fertile humidity.
It was a beautiful sight. The first thing Tyrion noticed were the rose-colored towers reflected in the water.
"By the gods, it's even more beautiful than I imagined," said Tyrion.
"I know, I think the same, Lord Tyrion," replied one of the knights.
They rode closer and reached the gates, where guards escorted them inside.
It was still daylight, around two o'clock in the afternoon, when they arrived.
According to Jaime, the current lord of Pinkmaiden Castle was Clement Piper, the feudal lord over several minor vassals in the surrounding lands.
He had a good reputation among neighboring lords—considered fair and moderate, not inclined to cruelty.
They introduced themselves, and as the realm was at peace, their arrival caused no trouble.
Clement Piper had two children, both still young: Karyl Piper and Marq Piper.
After arriving, Tyrion and Jaime exchanged a few words with the lord of Pinkmaiden, explaining their situation. They told him they were heading to the tournament at Harrenhal and asked if they might stay briefly to rest and resupply.
Clement agreed. After a few hours, their horses had rested and been fed.
By late afternoon, around five o'clock, they departed Pinkmaiden, not lingering long.
Their next destination was Acorn Hall, the seat of House Smallwood in the Riverlands. It is located southeast of Riverrun, northeast of Pinkmaiden, and north of Stone Sept. Nearby lie Heart's Home and Black Hollow Bend.
The ruler of Acorn Hall is Lord Theomar Smallwood, of the Faith of the Seven.
The Faith of the Seven, also known as the Holy Faith or simply the Faith, is the dominant religion in most of the Seven Kingdoms. Its followers are rare in the North and the Iron Islands, where the Old Gods and the Drowned God remain strong. The Seven are sometimes called the "new gods" to distinguish them from the old gods of the First Men.
Tyrion knew little about religion in this world, but he already understood that the gods were real and spread throughout the lands.
They traveled across the Riverlands for two days before reaching Acorn Hall, located east-northeast of Pinkmaiden Castle, still within the territory of House Tully of Riverrun.
It was not far from small villages and river roads, connected to other minor castles in the region, such as Darry, Vance, Piper, and eventually Harrenhal to the north.
Acorn Hall was smaller and simpler than Harrenhal or Pinkmaiden, but still well fortified. It was surrounded by oak woods (hence the name), fertile fields, and streams feeding the Red Fork.
It had rounded towers, moderate walls, and cozy inner courtyards. The castle served as the residence of the Smallwood family, a refuge for vassals, and a collection point for taxes and tributes from nearby villages.
As they approached, Tyrion could see Acorn Hall: a small castle with stone walls and a large oak keep. Near the kennels stood a forge, long unused.
Their journey took three days, and they arrived as night was falling; the sun was no longer visible in the sky.
They were greeted by knights of Lord Theomar Smallwood, and Jaime again explained their purpose, asking permission to stay.
The Smallwood sigil was a brown acorn on a green field.
They entered the castle, spent the night, ate, and prepared to continue their journey the following day.
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