I couldn't stand waiting for more discussion, so thought I would start up the next two chapters, but I only have time for one tonight -- maybe someone else could take up the Arya chapter? If not I will tackle it later this week.
Chapter 12 is a Tyrion chapter. When it opens Tyrion has gotten up from his bed and gone to the rooms of Varys, the eunuch. Varys, of course, always knows everything that is going on in King's Landing! Tyrion questions him as to what is going on in the political situation, as well as in his family. He learns that his lovely sister, Cersei has been rather busy while Tyrion was down with his injury. She stripped Ser Boros of his white cloak and has had a flirtation with one of the Kettleblack brothers, Ser Osmund , in order to have the brothers spy on Tyrion . Also, he learns that a man he despises, Grand Maester Pycelle, has been returned to the Small Council. Tyrion arranges with Varys to have Shae, his (Tyrion's) mistress brought to Varys's rooms so thta he can have a liason with her. At this liason Shae expresses the wish to attend the upcoming royal nuptuals, and doesn't seem to understand (or want to understand) that this will be dangerous for her. in fact, she doesn't seem to understand the danger that she is in from Lord Tywin's threats to Tyrion , that he will hang any whore he catches his son with. After Tyrion denies her, he thinks that she has raised an emotional wall as cold and impressive as THE Wall inthe North. As the chapter ends, Tyrion returns to his rooms, feeling very lonely. He orders his squire, Podrick, to find the former mercenary, now knight , Bronn. When Bronn arrives, Tyrion orders him to find the singer named Simon Silver Tongue. He is the one who has filled Shae's mind with thoughts of the royal wedding...
One neat thing is this chapter is the word Rhoynish. Roynish is a word that sticks in my mind from Donaldson's writing. I can't think of it, or a sound-alike being used except by these two authors. Also, Shae refers to Tyrion as being a giant many times. This seems to be a bit of symbolism that Martin uses often with this character. Our lives are the songs that sing the universe into existence.~David Zindell ****Tavern Wench of DOGMA, the Defenders of George Martin's Art****<i></i>
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