A Song of Ice and Fire - A Chapter a day discussion

1-The council is having a meeting, Tywin is sitting in the king’s seat, Tyrion in Pycelle’s place, and Pycelle is as far from him as posible, lol. Tyrell, Redwyne, Rowan and the High Septon are new faces in the council. Tyrion knows the game changed, and no one will tell him the rules now. Tytell and Redwyne congratulated him on the chain, and his uncle Kevan even kissed him. Tyrion thinks they should tell the people and the singers, who are writing songs for Renly’s ghost. It still bothers him he doesn’t get enough credit for all he did.

2-Lancel is not good, they don’t know if he will live. That wound was worst than I thought. Cersei goes to see him, but Tyrion doesn’t know if she prays for him to live or die. It would be better for her if the boy diez, so I am guessing she prays for that.

3-Glover lost an important fight, and he is going back to Harrenhal, and it seems he’ll find Gregor on his way. I didn’t remember this. I am starting to think Olenna was right, her son does seem like a fool at times. He hasn’t won a lot of battles, and Robb won as many as Tyrell has in 20 years, which says a lot. The lord thinks Robb has to go back north, otherwise he is no King.

4-They got a letter from Greyjoy, who calls himself King of the Iron Islands and the North. He wants everything above the Neck and Joffrey would have the south. Greyjoy holds most of the Stony Shore, and he has a great fleet. He could be a threat to Lannisport, and even for Highgarden. He hasn’t attack them yet, but he could be a problema.

5-Talking of Lysa and what to do with her, Tyrion asks for men to sort her out. She didn’t go to King’s Landing to swear her loyalty to Joffrey like she was commanded to do. But Tywin had other plans for his son, and Littlefinger was part of a plan as well. He was to marry her, now he was the lord of Harrenhal, he had a title. Now it makes sense why he wanted Harrenhal. Tyrion could tell this was just a show, they weren’t discussing it, it was all seattled before. Tyrion asks who can replace Baelish as master of coin, and he replies pretty much anyone who can count cans. If Littlefinger can marry her, which would not be hard since he already fucked her and is sure she’ll marry, he would make sure they are faithful, and Tywin said Robert can be Warden of the East again. Petyr will leave on the morrow, and he will miss the royal weeding, which is a shame. I wonder for how many time they’ve been planning this.

6-I have to say though, Tywin is so damn good at this. He won’t do anything about the Greyjoys, they are already fighting the Starks for free, and they don’t need to give up half the realm to make him do it. Interesting he says it time they might have a better option, and Tyrion remembers the letter he saw his father writing.

7-They start talking about the weeding, they will feed a thousand people inside the throne room, and several others outside, which is just insane. But they didn’t count the 300 Dornishmen who are coming, but Cersei thinks it won’t be a problem. After all, if you can feed more than a thousand people, you can feed 300 more.

8-Dorne and Highgarden don’t get along, they always fight for lands, and the prince they call Red Viper was the one who crippled Willas. They were coming because they were invited, Doran will have a place in the council, and he was promised justice for his sister. Although Tywin was the one who delivered the bodies, no one says it out loud. They fear Tywin. Interesting Redwyne does not care at all. Tywin thinks Tyrell can leave his quarrels behind for now. It always interested me they have princes in Dorne, but I guess in King’s Landing they don’t consider them as a threat. I think it’s not mention they have kings, after all they are part of the realm.

9-They start to divide the lands and castles, and Tyrell wins big. He wanted the Florent’s lands and castles. Interesting Redwyne wanted 30 years of remission on the taxes of wine, and didn’t ask for lands.

10-They have to crown the new High Septon at the weeding, and have to do a new crown. Varys tells some interesting news, a kraken was seen and a dragon with three heads. As expected, they don’t give two shits about it. They talked about the gold cloaks who came back after they run, and Varys suggestes they can send them to the Wall, he had some disturbing news. Tywin thinks is better to break their knees so they don’t run away again. Wow, how cruel. Tyrion insists they get sent to the Wall, which I liked. Tywin replies if it falls, the Starks and Greyjoys will have to deal with the wildlings. Even if they don’t know about the wights, they would have to fight them at some point, but I had the idea they just don’t care.

11-Littlefinger kindly proposed Tyrion to be the new master of coin, and this seems seattled before as well. Kevan said it will be better if Littlefinger had the Eyrie rather than Lysa’s suitors, who could be dangerous.

12-I forgot Littlefinger was the one who told about Sansa’s marriage, and Tyrion is surprised it wasn’t Varys. I thought Varys did it too. Cersei says she won’t let her go, it’s her hostage. Tywin told her daughter she had to marry, and she doesn’t want to at all, not again. He told Cersei she had to marry and have children once more, to prove Stannis is a liar. He thought of some men, even Theon, which I forgot, but he decided Willas was the best option. He likes animals and breed them, and Tyrion thought it was a perfect match, she had a passion for breeding too, lol. Even though she is the Queen Regent and all you want, her father told her she will obey. Tyrion thinks Jaime won’t be so happy about it, but is not like he will oppose either. Her father has a lot of power, and besides telling her she will marry, she asks his father to leave, when it should be the other way. It always amazes me how powerful this man is.

13-Tywin told Tyrion it was past time he was wed, and Tyrion knows he means to marry him to Sansa. And since the Tyrells never talked about the weeding, it would mean no offense to them. Like Dontos, Tywin says Sansa is the key to the north, and Tyrion has to bed her after they marry, then he can ver her again when he wants. Tyrion says it was cruel even for his father, after all the Lannistes did to her. Plus, Tyrion knew she dreamed of tall and beatuiful knights, and he was neither. Tyrion also thinks Shae won’t be happy about it, even if she says she likes being his whore.

14-Tywin says he offered Tyrion for Lysa after Jaime was named one of the seven, and then to other houses, even the Florent girl Robert got pregnant, and they all rejected. Tywin said if he didn’t want Sansa, he could marry Lollys, but he doesn’t want that. Tyrion asks why not marry Asha, after all the Greyjoys hold a huge part of the north. But Tywin says Balon doesn’t want to rule, he wants to plunder. I have to say though, I never Greyjoy as a ruler.

15-Tywin wonders why he doesn’t want to marry, Sansa is highborn and the key to Winterfell. Their sons could rule one day. But Tyrion says there is Robb as well, who is the heir after all. Tywin told him of Jeyne, and Tyrion couldn’t understand why the Westerlings would risk so much. He couldn’t believe Robb broke his sworn word of marrying a Frey. Tywin said Robb chose the girl’s honor over his. And this was beyond interesting: “Jeyne Westerling is her mother’s daughter,” said Lord Tywin, “and Robb Stark is his father’s son.”

16-Tyrion knew his father didn’t suffer about the Westerling’s betrayal. He had extinguished the proud Reynes of Castamere and the ancient Tarbecks of Tarbeck Hall root and branch when he was still half a boy. A singer wrote a song after that, called The Rains of Castamere, and Tywin had it played as a warning to a Lord Farman. Tywin says the Westerlings are well aware of what happened to Castamere, so why take the risk? Finally, Tywin told Tyrion he will marry, and soon. This chapter was so interesting to read!

1. Tyrion attends a king’s council meeting and Tywin sits where the king should, because you know Joff can’t stand council meetings. Pycelle is back, but is seated as far away from Tyrion as he can, lol. Lords Tyrell, Redwyne, and Rowan are also there, even the High Septon. I don’t remember the High Septon being involved in a council meeting before. There are more new members now than old, so Tyrion needs to rethink his game strategy. Though they congratulate Tyrion on his chain he can tell they’re uncomfortable around him, which might not entirely be because of his face. His Uncle Kevan is the warmest, saying Lancel speaks very highly of him. :) Ha! Tyrion hopes he does; he has quite a bit to say about him if he didn’t. Apparently Cersei visits Lancel a lot, supposedly hoping he recovers from his wounds. More likely she hopes he will die.

2. Gods, Cersei wants to start the meeting discussing wedding arrangements but Tywin would rather talk about the war. Varys informs good news that Lord Tarly defeated Robett Glover outside Duskendale. Ser Helman Tallhart is dead but Glover leads a small group of survivors back to Harrenhal for safety. Little does he know Gregor Clegane and his men are waiting for him to finish them off.

3. Littlefinger says Robb has never lost a battle and this defeat of theirs had nothing to do with him. According to Tywin, Ser Daven, son of Ser Stafford, is reforming his late father’s army in Lannisport and when he does he’ll join Ser Forley Prester at the Golden Tooth. When Robb and his men go to take back the north they will attack Riverrun. Robb is fucked. Lord Tyrell boasts what he would do in Robb’s position, attack Moat Cailin, but Tyrion recalls Robb won more battles in one year than Lord Tyrell won in 20. He apparently botched up a bunch of commanding posts in the past, so he’s nothing but hot air.

4. Ser Kevan brings up the fact that Balon Greyjoy styles himself a king too and that he wrote to King’s Landing offering terms of alliance. Tywin agrees that Lannisport, Fair Isle, and even Highgarden are vulnerable to Balon’s longships if they provoke him. Balon wants them to accept him as king of the Iron Islands and the North, in return for his swords and ships. Lords Redwyne and Tyrell think they should let him finish conquering the north, since they think there’s nothing of value up there, and let them finish Stannis down here.

5. As for Lysa Arryn in the Eyrie, Tyrell and Redwyne think she’s just a woman who wants no part of war, so let her be. Ha! Tyrion says she did try to kill him, though. Nor has she sworn fealty to Joff yet. I forgot that. Tyrion petitions to let him sort Lady Lysa out. The only thing he’d love to do more is strangle Cersei, lol. Omg, Lord Tyrell smiles and says maybe he should leave fighting to fighters. He adds that better men than him have failed to storm the Vale, his death is not worth trying to get to her. Before Tyrion can lash out, Tywin says that won’t be necessary since Littlefinger has a “key” to the Vale he wants him to use. Ugh, Littlefinger says his key is between his legs...what a perv. He tells the council he plans to woo and marry Lady Lysa and therefore rule the Vale without a drop of blood being spilled. The others doubt Lysa would give up the Vale that easily but Littlefinger is confident in his plan. He says Lysa would marry the Lord of Harrenhal, knowing it’s a good match. Tyrell and Redwyne are doubtful still but Lord Rowan thinks it’s a good plan. Ser Kevan approves of it too. Anything Kevan says was already approved by Tywin, so Tyrion realizes this plan has already been approved by him. His father’s just making everyone think they have a say in this.

6. Tyrion just has to be a pain in his father’s side. He asks who will be master of coin if Littlefinger is in the Vale. Apparently they had planned this out in advance, too. Tywin says Tyrion will be the new master of coin, which surprises me. He did say he would reward Tyrion somehow, so I guess this is it.

7. Tywin says if Lysa marries Petyr and swears fealty to Joffrey then he’ll restore Robert Arryn as Warden of the East. That’ll certainly be bait to get her to say yes, if nothing else.

8. Lord Redwyne says his and Balon Greyjoy’s fleets combined will be enough to assault Dragonstone and finish Stannis, but Tywin says they’ll do nothing. Balon’s already fighting the Starks for them. He proposes to wait and see if another opportunity presents itself, one where Joffrey won’t need to give up half his country for an alliance. Tyrion knows his father knows something he’s not telling anybody and wonders what other options he’s considering.

9. Now they discuss the wedding arrangements. It’s going to be an exceptionally big wedding. Pycelle announces that 300 Dornishmen are marching to King’s Landing for the wedding. Lord Tyrell is not happy about this. The Reach and Dorne have never gotten along. It didn’t help when the Red Viper crippled Mace Tyrell’s son, Willas. Tywin welcomes Prince Doran, who rules over Dorne. His son is to marry Princess Myrcella, not to mention Doran has a spot on council, so of course the Martells will attend. Lords Tyrell, Redwyne, and Rowan aren’t thrilled. Mace Tyrell says he has no quarrel with Doran; it’s his brother he hates.

10. Next they discuss who gets what lands and property after the war is done. Varys keeps a list of numbers: 47 lesser lordlings and 619 knights died in the Battle of Blackwater Bay, and all of their property needs dishing out. Highgarden gets the most, of course. Ser Garlan, Mace’s second eldest son, wins everything the Florents owned in particular.

11. Varys goes on down the list, reporting world news, eventually getting to the part where a three-headed dragon supposedly hatched in Qarth and is the talk of the city. Tywin doesn’t care, making me think he doesn’t believe it. Because if it IS true you’d think everyone in the room would be freaking out.

12. I wonder why Tywin is so upset his nephew, Tyrek, is still missing. Did he love him like a son?

13. Some of the gold cloaks who deserted the battle came back, looking for service again. Cersei wants them all put to death for endangering her son’s life, their king. That’s a bit harsh. Most of them were fresh recruits who hadn’t had enough time to learn discipline. Varys eloquently tells her perhaps instead of killing them they could send them to the Wall. He starts to report the disturbing letters from Castle Black but Mace interrupts. Tywin is barbaric, saying he will make a lesson of them by breaking their knees so they can never again run away. Wtf man... That’s worse than Cersei’s suggestion! Tyrion suggests breaking the knees of the men who killed Ser Jacelyn, but agrees with Varys they should send the rest to the Wall; they could really use the men up there. Urg, Tywin says if the Wall fails then wildlings will flood the north, giving the Starks and Greyjoys another enemy to contend with. Since they don’t wish to be part of the Seven Kingdoms anymore, why should they help them? He even says Mance Rayder could prove a useful ally. *SPOILER FOR UPCOMING CHAPTERS IN A STORM OF SWORDS* (view spoiler)[At that point I kind of wished Tywin was killed by a white walker instead of Tyrion... (hide spoiler)]

14. The meeting is over and Tywin gathers his family for a private conversation. Tyrion asks whose idea was it to make him master of coin. Tywin says it was Littlefinger’s and asks if he doesn’t feel capable of the task. Tyrion says he fears a trap; he doesn’t trust Petyr Baelish and neither should they. Cersei defends Littlefinger but Tyrion says he sold her Ned Stark, what makes her think he won’t sell her out next. Ser Kevan seems to take his words seriously but asks why would he want to sell them out. Tyrion says because the man is cunning and can snatch gold out of the air with a snap of his finger, which makes him a dangerous man. Cersei bickers with him until Tywin shouts at them to shut up. Ser Kevan says he’d rather Petyr Baelish rule the Eyrie than any of Lysa’s suitors in the Vale. He calls them dangerous men, too, and says Petyr may be cunning but he is of low birth and can’t fight besides.

15. Ser Kevan also announces Littlefinger informed him there is a Tyrell plot to spirit Sansa off to Highgarden to marry Willas. That dickhead. *SPOILER FOR UPCOMING CHAPTERS IN A STORM OF SWORDS* (view spoiler)[You know Dontos told Littlefinger... (hide spoiler)] Tyrion says it’s interesting how Littlefinger brought him word and not the master of secrets. Right! Cersei says Sansa’s her hostage and doesn’t care if she offends Mace Tyrell for keeping her here. Tyrion thinks she’s a fool. He tells her if she offends Lord Tyrell she offends all of the Reach. They can’t afford to do that.

16. Tywin says they can fix this problem through marriage. Cersei is outraged he means to marry her off again but Ser Kevan tells her it’ll help lay to rest the talk of incest going around. Tywin says she needs to birth more children, like she’s a fucking cow. On this I somewhat sympathize for her, but not much. She doesn’t seem to get that this is her duty. She flips out, vows she will never marry again, but Tywin says she will if she wants a say in who her husband will be. She eventually sits and begrudgingly agrees to it. Tywin is such an ass; he is so blunt, can’t even sugarcoat it. He even calls it “breeding” like she’s a dog. He does hint, however, that her husband might just die early so she won’t have to deal with him for the rest of her life. I guess that’s a plus, lol. Tyrion, of course, is loving this. Tywin suggests Willas Tyrell, to strengthen their alliance even further. Ha! Tyrion can’t resist: “That would be the cripple.” He pities poor Willas, though. Cersei has leave to go so she can compose herself. Tyrion worries Jaime will be so outraged that he will kill Willas in order to be with Cersei again but doesn’t know how to bring that up with their father.

17. Tyrion had his laughs, and now he’s going to get it as well. Tywin thinks it’s past time Tyrion was wed. At first Tyrion thinks it won’t be so bad having his own castle, lands, and family well away from his father and Cersei, but remembers Shae won’t like this at all. Oh who cares what that silly girl thinks. She is naive and a golddigger. I’m surprised Tyrion figures out, without being told, his father has Sansa in mind. He sees how cruel it is of Tywin to make Sansa marry a Lannister after everything Joffrey did to her. Tywin asks if he plans to mistreat her, then says her happiness is not his concern, nor should it be Tyrion’s. Wtf... He says an alliance with the north would greatly help them keep the kingdoms together. True. Tyrion says she’s just a girl, but Tywin says she’s flowered so that makes her a woman. He needs to consummate the marriage. After that, he can wait a while later to have kids if he wishes. It’s official, Tywin is the sort of man who thinks women are property, not people. Granted, many characters in this series think that way, but still. I wonder if he cared for his wife’s happiness when she married him.

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18. Tyrion asks why doesn’t Tywin send Sansa back to her mother instead; that will gain favor with the Starks, maybe Robb would bend the knee. Tywin makes a point: if Sansa is in Riverrun they’ll only marry her off to a river lord or a northerner, strengthening their alliances against the south. Nor can Sansa be allowed to marry a Tyrell, strengthening the north to Highgarden. He needs Sansa to be married to a Lannister, and soon. Ser Kevan reminds Tyrion that he can claim Winterfell if he marries Sansa, if something were to happen to Robb. Tywin says this is the best reward he can give him, other than Casterly Rock. He goes on to say he tried finding a suitor for him in several places in the past but got rejections back from every one. Sansa is his best option. If he won’t marry her he’ll marry him off to another girl, like Lollys, lol. Tyrion says hell no, basically. He would rather marry a girl who wants him in her bed. Tywin points out no whore wants him for free either. It’s interesting the analogy they use of having a “garden” to plant seeds. Tywin says he’ll never have Casterly Rock but if he’s lucky he’ll win Winterfell.

19. It’s only now Tywin tells Tyrion that Robb Stark married Jeyne Westerling. Ser Kevan gives us more information on Jeyne’s ancestry. Apparently her mother, being a Spicer, is lowborn, her grandmother being some maegi from the east. Interesting, I forgot that. The Spicers may be lowborn, but they’re rich. The Westerlings are highborn, but the Crag’s mines ran dry years ago, turning it to ruins. Sounds like they needed the money, and it sounds like Gawen Westerling was in love. The Westerlings have more honor than sense, says Kevan.

20. Tyrion is surprised Robb would break a sworn vow but Tywin says he’s 16 and fell in love. Tyrion says Robb would have been kinder to leave Jeyne with a bastard than marry her into this lost cause. The Westerlings stand to lose everything. Nobody doublecrosses Tywin Lannister. If they do, he extinguishes the entire bloodline. He did it to the Reynes of Castamere, turning it into a gloomy song, and the Tarbecks of Tarbeck Hall. Tyrion says the Westerlings are fools to forget what happened to the Reynes and Tarbecks. It’s chilling how Tywin says the greatest fools are ofttimes more clever than those who laugh at them. I wonder what he means by that here.

finished.

About your point 1, I think it's the first time, at least in the time the books take place, the High Septon is part of the small council.

About your point 12, it is interesting why he cares so much. We don't know anything about this kid who is probably very dead at this point.