"Seven bloody hells," Bronn swore, "climbing up this fucking mountain at the dead of night? I'm beginning to regret going into your service again, Imp."
"Lord Imp, if you please," Tyrion said dryly. A man like Bronn had his uses along a perilous journey, but the sellsword has been growing too insolent by far since gaining knighthood and his Stokeworth bride. "And remember the ample reward you have been promised once I sail off. I hope you have never had reason to blame me for being niggardly." Although I know I can be as generous as Lucan the Lavish, and it won't prevent you from selling me back to my sweet sister for a clipped copper.
"The Others can bugger your reward if I'm going to break my neck here," said Bronn. "I could have been snug and warm at Stokeworth, in my wife's bed. And I told you it was madness to send Waters alone."
"One man is easier to conceal than a dozen. We cannot overpower the entire garrison of the Eyrie; our hope lies in stealth, not strength."
"You put too much faith in that bastard, mark my word. He is probably being pushed into one of those sky cells as we speak. He must have scared the girl out of her wits, so that she made a racket and woke the whole castle. Or else, she refused to come, which is even more likely. It's a hard choice between you and Littlefinger, but I'd still prefer the latter."
"She may refuse to come," Tyrion shrugged, "I had to try."
"Why, though?" Bronn looked at him curiously. "What's it to you if Littlefinger sticks it up her slit? You never did that anyway, as far as I know."
I wouldn't expect you to understand. Honor means nothing to you, after all. I'm not even certain it still means anything to me. "Don't speak of what you don't know, Bronn."
"Oh, come," Bronn snorted, "all the guards in the Red Keep knew your pretty little wife is still a maid."
"She can stay a maid as far as I am concerned," snapped Tyrion, "I have reasons of my own for coming here."
"Well, they had bloody better be good reasons, because you're risking more than what the little wench is worth."
"Watch your mouth, Bronn," Tyrion said warningly, "it's my lady wife you're talking about."
Footsteps were heard - of two pairs of feet, if Tyrion could be a sound judge, and a few moments later, Ser Donal and Sansa appeared before him in a patch of moonlight.
"Your lady's here, m'lord," said Waters with a swagger.
"My lord," Sansa said. He had forgotten how gentle her voice was, and how she always minded her manners no matter what. Courtesy is a lady's armor. "I was... exceedingly surprised to get your message. I was told you were..."
"Dead? For all intents and purposes, I am. I hope Ser Donal did not give you too much of a fright, Sansa," said Tyrion, "it was out of my power to warn you, or to make this less sudden."
This was the first time they have spoken to each other since Joffrey's wedding feast. Last time he was so close to her, they were sitting behind a table together, immune to the amusement of jousters and dancing bears. Now they were both fugitives, sought for a murder neither of them – he thought he could be as certain on Sansa's behalf as on his own – committed. He looked at his wife intently, trying to read her expression. Was she looking fearful? Reluctant? Uncertain? Was he truly doing her a favor by taking her away from here, or was he condemning her to a far worse fate?
"It is very... very good of you to come for me, my lord," she finally said, a little hesitantly. "How did you know where to find me?"
"It will suffice to say," Tyrion deliberated for a moment how much he should tell, "if Littlefinger thinks he has a friend in Varys, he is wrong. I assume he did not take you to the Vale out of sheer benevolence?" he said shrewdly.
"No, my lord. He had... certain... designs."
"I have no doubt of that. Well, whatever his designs might have been, he will be forced to relinquish them, for we shall be going away this moment. If it please you," he added. "It is still not too late to turn back, if you would prefer that."
Sansa's eyes met his - blue, guileless, innocent eyes. He saw suspicion in them, but also defiance. "I would not, my lord." She doesn't trust me, and who can blame her? But I expect she would take any chance to get away from our dear friend Lord Baelish. I
"Good. It would have been a shame to have taken so much trouble in vain. We had better hurry, then. Littlefinger, it turns out, is more dangerous than he seems. Claws hidden in soft cat's paws are no less sharp." And I have underestimated him far too long.
"He... he had promised to... take me home," Sansa whispered, casting her eyes down.
"Well, I will make no such promise," Tyrion said briskly, but not unkindly, "even if Winterfell was untouched by war, I couldn't have hoped to convey you there. But I can, and will, take you to safety."
"How shall we go on, then, my lord?"
"We'll start by coming down this thrice-damned mountain. It's a dangerous enough business even while there's daylight, but I'm afraid we have no choice but to do it now. Hopefully, we have a few hours before your disappearance is taken notice of. My man Bronn knows some paths which the Eyrie men are unfamiliar with, and a little later down the road we'll come to an inn whose landlord will keep his mouth shut if he knows what's good for him. Later, we'll be making for across the sea. I don't think we will be caught," he added, "but I should still warn you that if the queen's men find us, it will mean your pretty head rolls together with mine."
"I understand," it seemed that she swallowed with difficulty, but her resolution was unwavering. "My lord, this is all very - very handsome of you - I don't know how I will ever be able to repay - "
"It will suffice if you acknowledge that I am no enemy of yours, Sansa," said Tyrion, "and never have been. I wanted to convey you safely to your lady mother, in exchange for my brother. It pains me to think of all the bloodshed that could have been prevented if the plan had been acted upon. But now, I'm afraid, all I can do is get you away from Littlefinger. The journey won't be easy, though," he warned, "you must know that."
She nodded. "I am ready, my lord."
