Chapter 13 - An Unpleasant Dinner
Steve unpleasantly found himself at the dinner table of Lord Bolton with Brienne of Tarth and a newly healed Jaime Lannister. Rogers painfully watched him fail at cutting a slice of meat with a two pronged fork and only his left hand. Steve had this strange feeling looking down at the fork that he was still a man out of time, but not one from the past for a change … one from the future, but that was not the most unusually thing he noticed at the dinner table; ever since he removed his mask, Lord Bolton could not take his eyes off him.
"I see my men have finally found you something appropriate to wear," said Lord Bolton to Brienne. Steve glared at him.
"Yes." she said sarcastically, "Most kind of them … You're a Stark bannerman, Lord Bolton. I am acting on Lady Stark's orders to return Jaime Lannister to King's Landing."
"When King Robb left Harrenhal, his mother was his prisoner. If she wasn't his mother, he'd have hanged her for treason," said Lord Bolton. There was an awkward pause amongst them, but not complete silence given that Jaime was still trying to cut his meal. The sound of metal on plate was beyond irritating.
"I should send you back to Robb Stark," threaten Lord Bolton. Brienne stuck her own fork in his dinner so that he may cut it.
"You should." said Jaime picking up a slice of meat. "But instead, you're sitting here, watching me fail at dinner. Why might that be?" he said eating the slice. Steve noticed that Lord Bolton never blinked. A lifeless look he'd seen before.
"Wars cost money. Many people would pay a great deal for you." he said.
"We both know who would pay the most. Or make you pay the most if he found out you had captured me and sent me back up north for a summary execution." the Lannister said with confidence.
"You're right. Perhaps the safest thing to do is to kill you both and burn your bodies," Lord Bolton said plainly. Steve clenched his fists underneath the table, ready at a moments notice to grab his shield from his back. Brienne grabbed her knife on the table for eating, but Jaime gently put his own remaining one on top of hers while keeping eye contact with the Bolton. The Lannister kept his arrogant cool.
"It would be, if you honestly believed my father would never find out about it." he said smoothly.
"King Robb is keeping your father quite busy. He doesn't have time for anything else." rebutted Lord Bolton just as calmly. Jaime narrowed his eyes at him knowing his father better than him.
"He'll make time for you." he quietly threatened. They paused. Steve was right to not trust this man.
"As soon as you're well enough to travel, I will allow you to go to King's Landing as restitution for the mistakes my soldiers made. And you will swear to tell your father the truth, that I had nothing to do with your maiming." the Lord concluded. Jaime raised a glass of wine.
"Agreed," he said taking a sip, "Now then … My lady … My knight," he said referring to both Brienne and Steve,"may our journey continue without further incident.
"Oh, she won't be going with you." Lord Bolton interjected.
"Excuse me?" said Steve. He couldn't help himself. The conversation was too hostile. Brienne slowly glanced his way fearful for his sake. Jaime looked at his food and clenched his jaw. He was doing so well, he thought. Lord Bolton hyper focused on Steve.
"That … is a very unusual … accent," he said meticulously.
"Lord Bolton, I am charged with bringing Sir Jaime to… " Brienne tried to interject.
"Where are you from?" he cut her off. It looked like Rogers and Bolton were having a battle of the eyes.
"Why does that matter? I was charged to protect them." Roger said firmly.
"By whom?" demanded Lord Bolton. Jaime had to act fast.
"By Catelyn Stark! As backup, and it appears we did need it," he lied quickly. Bolton glared at him.
"And you have it … you don't need Lady Brienne anymore," he declared.
"She comes with us," the Captain declared. The room became uncomfortable again.
"You're in no place to insist on anything-" Lord Bolton began.
"Your men attacked us … she comes with us … as a part of your … restitution," Steve said cleverly. Tony would be proud. Jaime dared to look upon Lord Bolton who's face barely showed any true emotion ever, but his eyes … his eyes looked like someone had lit a wicked fire behind them.
"Unless you want to tell your people how one man defeated five of yours," Steve added.