Walking down the long corridor, Tyrion Lannister suddenly found himself thinking that although the Eyrie was smaller than the castles of the great houses of Westeros, it was widely considered impregnable.
Compared to Casterly Rock, which was more difficult to conquer?
He believed his own home was still the stronger fortress. In truth, Casterly Rock had never fallen. It was the largest, richest, and best-defended castle in all the Seven Kingdoms.
"Don't think about running," Ser Vardis said as he opened the door and gestured Tyrion Lannister inside. "I won't post guards this time. I trust you'll keep your word—keep your honor."
Clearly, he was certain Tyrion wouldn't try to escape under these circumstances.
"I will," Tyrion Lannister said, nodding while thoughts raced through his mind. "I'd also like a candle and some water."
"Water to drink, and water to wash."
"I'll have someone bring it," Ser Vardis replied with a nod. "Then until tomorrow, succubus."
He closed the door behind him. There was no sound of a lock.
Tyrion Lannister crouched in the corner, heart still pounding despite the plan he had formed.
He wasn't sure how much time passed before footsteps sounded outside the door again.
"Lord Tyrion Lannister," a man called from outside. "Are you still awake?"
"I'm very much awake. From the sound of your voice, is that Bronn?" Tyrion Lannister replied. "State your business."
"I'm pleased you remember my voice," the sellsword said. "I was sent—by… well, by a certain knight—to bring you a candle and water."
"Then come in," Tyrion Lannister said.
The door opened. Bronn entered, holding a candle in his left hand and a waterskin in his right. The flickering light revealed his face.
He had the lean, hungry look of a wolf—black hair, dark eyes, and rough stubble.
A servant followed behind him, carrying a wooden basin filled with water.
"Put it there," Bronn said, pointing to an empty spot. Then he dripped wax onto the head of a plaster statue and fixed the candle in place.
The wavering flame illuminated the room, making the statues seem to sway and dance. The servant looked frightened; he clattered the basin onto the floor.
"You can go," Bronn told him. The servant hurried out, pulling the door shut.
The two men stood in silence for a moment before Bronn spoke first.
"You're quite cautious."
"Of course," Tyrion Lannister said. "I was worried Lady Catelyn Stark might have bought you to take my head. But thinking it through—that's something I would do. A Stark wouldn't."
"True enough," Bronn said. "I came of my own accord. No one paid me."
"Lady Stark didn't pay you?" Tyrion Lannister asked. "For dragging me here."
"Oh, she paid me. But it was pitiful." Bronn named a figure.
"Seven save us!" Tyrion Lannister exclaimed theatrically, though he had no real sense of the amount. "That's less than I spend on a night's drinking!"
Bronn nodded, his dark eyes growing thoughtful.
"But if you work for me, the reward will be far more generous than that miserly woman's," Tyrion Lannister said, glancing at the waterskin and licking his lips. "A Lannister always pays his debts."
Bronn nodded again and handed him the waterskin.
Tyrion Lannister took several long gulps.
When he finished, wiping his mouth, Bronn produced bread and dried meat from his coat."This wasn't from that knight."
"Vardis," Tyrion Lannister said, accepting the food. "This might be worth a silver stag—but to a Lannister in need, it's worth a golden dragon."
A smile began to creep across Bronn's face."But if you can't leave this place, no price matters."
"True," Tyrion Lannister agreed, eating as he spoke. "So you've come to help me?"
"If you want a champion, I'd gladly fight for you," Bronn said. "I know your purse would be generous."
"If Ser Vardis were the one dueling me, I'd pick you," Tyrion Lannister said. "As for Rodrik—that fat old man is old, wounded, and slow. I don't think he'll be much of a match."
"But he's strong," Bronn said, leaning back against the door. "If he catches you, it won't be pleasant."
Tyrion Lannister noticed how Bronn positioned himself—his head resting lightly against the wood so he could hear footsteps outside and prevent anyone from bursting in. The sellsword was careful.
"If he were ten years younger, he'd be troublesome," Tyrion Lannister said. "But he's twice my age."
"I'll circle him, wear him down, drain his strength and patience. He's injured—he won't last long."
"And I have longer reach, more agility, more speed. I'll use my advantages. This old wolf won't bare his teeth against a young lion."
"Speed beats strength," Tyrion Lannister concluded.
"Well said," Bronn nodded. "If I hadn't seen your hands, I'd believe you were as skilled with a blade as the Kingslayer."
Tyrion Lannister laughed and wiped his mouth. The food was gone. He rubbed his hands on his ragged clothes—hands without calluses, hands that had never trained with a sword.
"Still, I have another plan," Tyrion Lannister continued. "We escape tonight. You get me through the Bloody Gate, I find my father, and I'll pay you a fortune."
Bronn chuckled and shook his head."No horses. We wouldn't get ten miles before being caught. I'm not risking that."
"And if we were caught, you might not die—but I'd almost certainly end up hanging outside the Bloody Gate."
"You sly devil, don't try to trick me," Bronn added. "I'm not that simple jailer you played."
"Mord?" Tyrion Lannister asked. "What did he say?"
"When I passed him, he kept muttering one word—gold." Bronn paused, then burst out laughing. "And something about your backside."
"Seems being handsome isn't always a blessing," Tyrion Lannister sighed. "That fool thinks he wins either way—gold if I win, and his twisted fantasies if I lose."
"Your plan is good, but unnecessary," Bronn said, rising and pushing the door open. "Even the best plans require flawless execution. And if you slip…"
"Don't worry. I won't let your investment go to waste," Tyrion Lannister promised. "Besides, I have a secret weapon."
"Oh?" Bronn paused.
"I wasn't planning to tell you in advance," Tyrion Lannister said.
"Let me guess," Bronn said with a sly wink. "You'll use magic and have one of these plaster men fight for you, succubus."