ExcerptfromtheWindsofWinter|GeorgeR.R.Martin
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EXCERPTFROMTHEWINDSOFWINTER
May30-June1,2014
JANUARY27,2013
GuestofHonoratConCarolinas,
Charlotte,NC,USA
MERCY
June17,2014
ROGUES
(anthology)
Shewokewithagasp,notknowingwhoshewas,orwhere.
Thesmellofbloodwasheavyinhernostrils…orwasthathernightmare,lingering?She
haddreamedofwolvesagain,ofrunningthroughsomedarkpineforestwithagreatpack
atherhells,hardonthescentofprey.
Half-lightfilledtheroom,greyandgloomy.Shivering,shesatupinbedandranahand
acrossherscalp.Stubblebristledagainstherpalm.IneedtoshavebeforeIzembarosees.
Mercy,I’mMercy,andtonightI’llberapedandmurdered.HertruenamewasMercedene,
butMercywasallanyoneevercalledher…
Exceptindreams.Shetookabreathtoquietthehowlinginherheart,tryingtoremember
moreofwhatshe’ddreamt,butmostofithadgonealready.Therehadbeenbloodinit,
though,andafullmoonoverhead,andatreethatwatchedherassheran.
Shehadfastenedtheshuttersbacksothemorningsunmightwakeher.Buttherewasno
sunoutsidethewindowofMercy’slittleroom,onlyawallofshiftinggreyfog.Theairhad
grownchilly…andagoodthing,elseshemighthavesleptallday.Itwouldbejustlike
Mercytosleepthroughherownrape.
Goosepricklescoveredherlegs.Hercoverlethadtwistedaroundherlikeasnake.She
unwoundit,threwtheblankettothebareplankfloorandpaddednakedtothewindow.
Braavoswaslostinfog.Shecouldseethegreenwaterofthelittlecanalbelow,the
cobbledstonestreetthatranbeneathherbuilding,twoarchesofthemossybridge…but
thefarendofthebridgevanishedingreyness,andofthebuildingsacrossthecanalonlya
fewvaguelightsremained.Sheheardasoftsplashasaserpentboatemergedbeneath
thebridge’scentralarch.“Whathour?”Mercycalleddowntothemanwhostoodbythe
snake’supliftedtail,pushingheronwardwithhispole.
Thewatermangazedup,searchingforthevoice.“Four,bytheTitan’sroar.”Hiswords
echoedhollowlyofftheswirlinggreenwatersandthewallsofunseenbuildings.
Shewasnotlate,notyet,butsheshouldnotdawdle.Mercywasahappysoulandahard
worker,butseldomtimely.Thatwouldnotservetonight.TheenvoyfromWesteroswas
expectedattheGatethisevening,andIzembarowouldbeinnomoodtohearexcuses,
evenifsheservedthemupwithasweetsmile.
Shehadfilledherbasinfromthecanallastnightbeforeshewenttosleep,preferringthe
brackishwatertotheslimygreenrainwaterstewinginthecisternoutback.Dippinga
roughcloth,shewashedherselfheadtoheel,standingononelegatatimetoscrubher
callousedfeet.Afterthatshefoundherrazor.Abarescalphelpedthewigsfitbetter,
Izembaroclaimed.
Sheshaved,donnedhersmallclothes,andslippedashapelessbrownwooldressdownover
herhead.Oneofherstockingsneededmending,shesawasshepulleditup.Shewould
asktheSnapperforhelp;herownsewingwassowretchedthatthewardrobemistress
usuallytookpityonher.ElseIcouldfiltchanicerpairfromwardrobe.Thatwasrisky,
though.Izembarohateditwhenthemummersworehiscostumesinthestreets.Except
forWendeyne.GiveIzembaro’scockalittlesuckandagirlcanwearanycostumethatshe
wants.Mercywasnotsofoolishasallthat.Daenahadwarnedher.“Girlswhostartdown
thatroadwindupontheShip,whereeverymaninthepitknowshecanhaveanypretty
thinghemightseeuponthestage,ifhispurseisplumpenough.”
Herbootswerelumpsofoldbrownleathermottledwithsaltstainsandcrackedfromlong
wear,herbeltalengthofhempenropedyedblue.Sheknotteditaboutherwaist,and
hungaknifeonherrighthipandacoinpouchonherleft.Lastofallshethrewhercloak
acrosshershoulders.Itwasarealmummer’scloak,purplewoollinedinredsilk,witha
hoodtokeeptherainoff,andthreesecretpocketstoo.She’dhidsomecoinsinoneof
those,anironkeyinanother,abladeinthelast.Arealblade,notafruitknifeliketheone
onherhip,butitdidnotbelongtoMercy,nomorethanherothertreasuresdid.Thefruit
knifebelongedtoMercy.Shewasmadeforeatingfruit,forsmilingandjoking,forworking
hardanddoingasshewastold.
“Mercy,Mercy,Mercy,”shesangasshedescendedthewoodenstairtothestreet.The
handrailwassplintery,thestepssteep,andtherewerefiveflights,butthatwaswhyshe’d
gottentheroomsocheap.That,andMercy’ssmile.Shemightbebaldandskinny,but
Mercyhadaprettysmile,andacertaingrace.EvenIzembaroagreedthatshewas
graceful.ShewasnotfarfromtheGateasthecrowsflies,butforgirlswithfeetinsteadof
wingsthewaywaslonger.Braavoswasacrookedcity.Thestreetswerecrooked,the
alleyswerecrookeder,andthecanalswerecrookedestofall.Mostdaysshepreferredto
gothelongway,downtheRagman’sRoadalongtheOuterHarbor,whereshehadthesea
beforeherandtheskyabove,andaclearviewacrosstheGreatLagoontotheArsenaland
thepineyslopesofSellagoro’sShield.Sailorswouldhailherasshepassedthedocks,
callingdownfromthedecksoftarryIbbenesewhalersandbig-belliedWesterosicogs.
Mercycouldnotalwaysunderstandtheirwords,butsheknewwhattheyweresaying.
SometimesshewouldsmilebackandtellthemtheycouldfindherattheGateiftheyhad
thecoin.
ThelongwayalsotookheracrosstheBridgeofEyeswithitscarvedstonefaces.Fromthe
topofitsspan,shecouldlookthroughthearchesandseeallthecity:thegreencopper
domesoftheHallofTruth,themastsrisinglikeaforestfromthePurpleHarbor,thetall
towersofthemighty,thegoldenthunderboltturningonitsspireatoptheSealord’s
Palace…eventheTitan’sbronzeshoulders,offacrossthedarkgreenwaters.Butthatwas
onlywhenthesunwasshiningdownonBraavos.Ifthefogwasthicktherewasnothingto
seebutgrey,sotodayMercychosetheshorterroutetosavesomewearonherpoor
crackedboots.
Themistsseemedtopartbeforeherandcloseupagainasshepassed.Thecobblestones
werewetandslickunderherfeet.Sheheardacatyowlplaintively.Braavoswasagood
cityforcats,andtheyroamedeverywhere,especiallyatnight.Inthefogallcatsaregrey,
Mercythought.Inthefogallmenarekillers.
Shehadneverseenathickerfogthanthisone.Onthelargercanals,thewatermenwould
berunningtheirserpentboatsintooneanother,unabletomakeoutanymorethandim
lightsfromthebuildingstoeithersideofthem.
Mercypassedanoldmanwithalanternwalkingtheotherway,andenviedhimhislight.
Thestreetwassogloomyshecouldscarcelyseewhereshewasstepping.Inthehumbler
partsofthecity,thehouses,shops,andwarehousescrowdedtogether,leaningoneach
otherlikedrunkenlovers,theirupperstoriessoclosethatyoucouldstepfromone
balconytothenext.Thestreetsbelowbecamedarktunnelswhereeveryfootfallechoed.
Thesmallcanalswereevenmorehazardous,sincemanyofthehousesthatlinedthem
hadpriviesjuttingoutoverthewater.IzembarolovedtogivetheSealord’sspeechfrom
TheMerchant’sMelancholyDaughter,abouthow“herethelastTitanyetstands,astride
thestonyshouldersofhisbrothers,”butMercypreferredthescenewherethefat
merchantshatontheSealord’sheadashepassedunderneathinhisgold-and-purple
barge.OnlyinBraavoscouldsomethinglikethathappen,itwassaid,andonlyinBraavos
wouldSealordandsailoralikehowlwithlaughtertoseeit.
TheGatestoodclosebytheedgeofDrownedTown,betweentheOuterHarborandthe
PurpleHarbor.Anoldwarehousehadburntthereandthegroundwassinkingalittlemore
eachyear,sothelandcamecheap.Atopthefloodedstonefoundationofthewarehouse,
Izembaroraisedhiscavernousplayhall.TheDomeandtheBlueLanternmightenjoymore
fashionableenvirons,hetoldhismummers,butherebetweentheharborstheywould
neverlackforsailorsandwhorestofilltheirpit.TheShipwascloseby,stillpulling
handsomecrowdstothequaywhereshehadbeenmooredfortwentyyears,hesaid,and
theGatewouldflourishtoo.
Timehadprovedhimright.TheGate’sstagehaddevelopedatiltasthebuildingsettled,
theircostumeswerepronetomildew,andwatersnakesnestedinthefloodedcellar,but
noneofthattroubledthemummerssolongasthehousewasfull.
Thelastbridgewasmadeofropeandrawplanks,andseemedtodissolveinto
nothingness,butthatwasonlythefog.Mercyscamperedacross,herheelsringingonthe
wood.Thefogopenedbeforeherlikeatatteredgreycurtaintorevealtheplayhouse.
Butteryyellowlightspilledfromthedoors,andMercycouldhearvoicesfromwithin.
Besidetheentrance,BigBruscohadpaintedoverthetitleofthelastshow,andwritten
TheBloodyHandinitsplaceinhugeredletters.Hewaspaintingabloodyhandbeneath
thewords,forthosewhocouldnotread.Mercystoppedtohavealook.“That’sanice
hand,”shetoldhim.
“Thumb’scrooked.”Bruscodabbedatitwithhisbrush.“Kingo’theMummersbeenasking
afteryou.”
“ItwassodarkIsleptandslept.”WhenIzembarohadfirstdubbedhimselftheKingofthe
Mummers,thecompanyhadtakenawickedpleasureinit,savoringtheoutrageoftheir
rivalsfromtheDomeandtheBlueLantern.Oflate,though,Izembarohadbeguntotake
histitletooseriously.“Hewillonlyplaykingsnow,”Marrosaid,rollinghiseyes,“andifthe
playhasnokinginit,hewouldsoonernotstageitatall.”
TheBloodyHandofferedtwokings,thefatoneandtheboy.Izembarowouldplaythefat
one.Itwasnotalargepart,buthehadafinespeechashelaydying,andasplendidfight
withademonicboarbeforethat.PharioForelhadwrittenit,andhehadthebloodiestquill
ofallofBraavos.
Mercyfoundthecompanyassembledbehindthestage,andslippedinbetweenDaenaand
theSnapperattheback,hopingherlatearrivalwouldgounnoticed.Izembarowastelling
everyonethatheexpectedtheGatetobepackedtotheraftersthisevening,despitethe
fog.“TheKingofWesterosissendinghisenvoytodohomagetotheKingoftheMummers
tonight,”hetoldhistroupe.“Wewillnotdisappointourfellowmonarch.”
“We?”saidtheSnapper,whodidallthecostumesforthemummers.“Istheremorethan
oneofhim,now?”
“He’sfatenoughtocountfortwo,”whisperedBobono.Everymummer’stroupehadto
haveadwarf.Hewastheirs.WhenhesawMercy,hegaveheraleer.“Oho,”hesaid,
“theresheis.Isthelittlegirlallreadyforherrape?”Hesmackedhislips.
TheSnappersmackedhiminthehead.“Bequiet.”
TheKingoftheMummersignoredthebriefcommotion.Hewasstilltalking,tellingthe
mummershowmagnificenttheymustbe.BesidestheWesterosienvoy,therewouldbe
keyholdersinthecrowdthisevening,andfamouscourtesansaswell.Hedidnotintendfor
themtoleavewithapooropinionoftheGate.“Itshallgoillforanymanwhofailsme,”he
promised,athreatheborrowedfromthespeechPrinceGaringivesontheeveofbattlein
WrothoftheDragonlords
,PharioForel’sfirstplay.
BythetimeIzembarofinallyfinishedspeaking,lessthananhourremainedbeforethe
show,andthemummerswereallfranticandfretfulbyturns.TheGaterangtothesound
ofMercy’sname.
“Mercy,”herfriendDaenaimplored,“LadyStorkhassteppedonthehemofhergown
again.Comehelpmesewitup.”
“Mercy,”theStrangercalled,“bringthebloodypaste,myhorniscomingloose.”
“Mercy,”boomedIzembarotheGreathimself,“whathaveyoudonewithmycrown,girl?I
cannotmakemyentrancewithoutmycrown.HowshalltheyknowthatI’making?”
“Mercy,”squeakedthedwarfBobono,“Mercy,something’samisswithmylaces,mycock
keepsfloppingout.”
ShefetchedthestickypasteandfastenedtheStranger’slefthornbackontohisforehead.
ShefoundIzembaro’scrownintheprivywherehealwaysleftitandhelpedhimpinitto
hiswig,andthenranforneedleandthreadsotheSnappercouldsewthelacehemback
ontothecloth-of-goldgownthatthequeenwouldwearintheweddingscene.
AndBobono’scockwasindeedfloppingout.Itwasmadetoflopout,fortherape.Whata
hideousthing,Mercythoughtasshekneltbeforethedwarftofixhim.Thecockwasafoot
longandasthickasherarm,bigenoughtobeseenfromthehighestbalcony.Thedyer
haddoneapoorjobwiththeleather,though;thethingwasamottledpinkandwhite,
withabulbousheadthecolorofaplum.MercypusheditbackintoBobono’sbreechesand
lacedhimbackup.“Mercy,”hesangasshetiedhimtight,“Mercy,Mercy,cometomy
roomtonightandmakeamanofme.”
“I’llmakeaeunuchofyouifyoukeepunlacingyourselfjustsoI’llfiddlewithyourcrotch.”
“Weweremeanttobetogether,Mercy,”Bobonoinsisted.“Look,we’rejustthesame
height.”
“OnlywhenI’monmyknees.Doyourememberyourfirstline?”Ithadonlybeena
fortnightsincethedwarfhadlurchedontostageinhiscupsandopenedTheAnguishof
theArchonwiththegrumpkin’sspeechfromTheMerchant’sLustyLady.Izembarowould
skinhimaliveifhemadesuchablunderagain,andnevermindhowharditwastofinda
gooddwarf.
“Whatareweplaying,Mercy?”Bobonoaskedinnocently.
Heisteasingme,Mercythought.He’snotdrunktonight,heknowstheshowperfectlywell.
“WearedoingPhario’snewBloodyHand,inhonoroftheenvoyfromtheSeven
Kingdoms.”
“NowIrecall.”Bobonoloweredhisvoicetoasinistercroak.“Theseven-facedgodhas
cheatedme,”hesaid.“Mynoblesirehemadeofpurestgold,andgoldhemademy
siblings,boyandgirl.ButIamformedofdarkerstuff,ofbonesandbloodandclay,
twistedintothisrudeshapeyouseebeforeyou.”Withthat,hegrabbedatherchest,
fumblingforanipple.“Youhavenotitties.HowcanIrapeagirlwithnotitties?”
Shecaughthisnosebetweenherthumbandforefingerandtwisted.“You’llhavenonose
untilyougetyourhandsoffme.”
“Owwwww,”thedwarfsquealed,releasingher.
“I’llgrowtittiesinayearortwo.”Mercyrose,totoweroverthelittleman.“Butyou’llnever
growanothernose.Youthinkofthat,beforeyoutouchmethere.”
Bobonorubbedhistendernose.“There’snoneedtogetsoshy.I’llberapingyousoon
enough.”
“Notuntilthesecondact.”
“IalwaysgiveWendeyne’stittiesanicesqueezewhenIrapeherinTheAnguishofthe
Archon,”thedwarfcomplained.“Shelikesit,andthepitdoestoo.Youhavetopleasethe
pit.”
ThatwasoneofIzembaro’s“wisdoms,”ashelikedtocallthem.Youhavetopleasethepit.
“IbetitwouldpleasethepitifIrippedoffthedwarf’scockandbeathimaboutthehead
withit,”Mercyreplied.“That’ssomethingtheywon’thaveseenbefore.”Alwaysgivethem
somethingtheyhaven’tseenbeforewasanotherofIzembaro’s“wisdoms,”andonethat
Bobonohadnoeasyanswerfor.“There,you’redone,”Mercyannounced.“Nowseeifyou
cankeepinyourbreechestillit’sneeded.”
Izembarowascallingforheragain.Nowhecouldnotfindhisboarspear.Mercyfounditfor
him,helpedBigBruscodonhisboarsuit,checkedthetrickdaggersjusttomakecertain
noonehadreplacedonewitharealblade(someonehaddonethatattheDomeonce,and
amummerhaddied),andpouredLadyStorkthelittlenipofwineshelikedtohavebefore
eachplay.Whenallthecriesof“Mercy,Mercy,Mercy”finallydiedaway,shestolea
momentforaquickpeekoutintothehouse.
Thepitwasasfullasevershe’dseenit,andtheywereenjoyingthemselvesalready,joking
andjostling,eatinganddrinking.Shesawapeddlersellingchunksofcheese,rippingthem
offthewheelwithhisfingerswheneverhefoundabuyer.Awomanhadabagofwrinkled
apples.Skinsofwinewerebeingpassedfromhandtohand,somegirlswereselling
kisses,andonesailorwasplayingtheseapipes.Thesad-eyedlittlemancalledQuillstood
intheback,cometoseewhathecouldstealforoneofhisownplays.Cossomothe
Conjurerhadcomeaswell,andonhisarmwasYna,theone-eyedwhorefromtheHappy
Port,butMercycouldnotknowthosetwo,andtheywouldnotknowMercy.Daena
recognizedsomeGateregularsinthecrowd,andpointedthemoutforher;thedyer
Dellonowithhispinchedwhitefaceandmottledpurplehands,Galeothesausage-makerin
hisgreasyleatherapron,tallTomarrowithhispetratonhisshoulder.“Tomarrobestnot
letGaleoseethatrat,”Daenawarned.“That’stheonlymeatheputsinthemsausages,I
hear.”Mercycoveredhermouthandlaughed.
Thebalconieswerefillingtoo.Thefirstandthirdlevelswereformerchantsandcaptains
andotherrespectablefolk.Thebravospreferredthefourthandhighest,wheretheseats
werecheapest.Itwasariotofbrightcolorupthere,whiledownbelowmoresomber
shadesheldsway.Thesecondbalconywascutupintoprivateboxeswherethemighty
couldcomportthemselvesincomfortandprivacy,safelyapartfromthevulgarityabove
andbelow.Theyhadthebestviewofthestage,andservantstobringthemfood,wine,
cushions,whatevertheymightdesire.Itwasraretofindthesecondbalconymorethan
halffullattheGate;suchofthemightywhorelishedanightofmummeryweremore
inclinedtovisittheDomeortheBlueLantern,wheretheofferingswereconsideredsubtler
andmorepoetic.
Thisnightwasdifferent,though,nodoubtonaccountoftheWesterosienvoy.Inonebox
satthreescionsofOtharys,eachaccompaniedbyafamouscourtesan;Prestaynsatalone,
amansoancientthatyouwonderedhowheeverreachedhisseat;ToroneandPranelis
sharedabox,astheysharedanuncomfortablealliance;theThirdSwordwashostinga
half-dozenfriends.
“Icountfivekeyholders,”saidDaena.
“Bessaroissofatyououghttocounthimtwice,”Mercyreplied,giggling.Izembarohada
bellyonhim,butcomparedtoBessarohewasaslitheasawillow.Thekeyholderwasso
bigheneededaspecialseat,thricethesizeofacommonchair.
“They’reallfat,themReyaans,”Daenasaid.“Belliesasbigastheirships.Youshouldhave
seenthefather.Hemadethisonelooksmall.OnetimehewassummonedtotheHallof
Truthtovote,butwhenhesteppedontohisbargeitsank.”SheclutchedMercybythe
elbow.“Look,theSealord’sbox.”TheSealordhadnevervisitedtheGate,butIzembaro
namedaboxforhimanyway,thelargestandmostopulentinthehouse.“Thatmustbe
theWesterosienvoy.Haveyoueverseensuchclothesonanoldman?Andlook,he’s
broughttheBlackPearl!”
Theenvoywasslightandbalding,withafunnygreywispofabeardgrowingfromhischin.
Hiscloakwasyellowvelvet,andhisbreeches.Hisdoubletwasabluesobrightitalmost
madeMercy’seyeswater.Uponhisbreastashieldhadbeenembroideredinyellow
thread,andontheshieldwasaproudblueroosterpickedoutinlapislazuli.Oneofhis
guardshelpedhimtohisseat,whiletwoothersstoodbehindhiminthebackofthebox.
Thewomanwithhimcouldnothavebeenmorethanathirdhisage.Shewassolovelythat
thelampsseemedtoburnbrighterwhenshepassed.Shehaddressedinalow-cutgown
ofpaleyellowsilk,startlingagainstthelightbrownofherskin.Herblackhairwasbound
upinanetofspungold,andajet-and-goldnecklacebrushedagainstthetopofherfull
breasts.Astheywatched,sheleanedclosetotheenvoyandwhisperedsomethinginhis
earthatmadehimlaugh.“TheyshouldcallhertheBrownPearl,”MercysaidtoDaena.
“She’smorebrownthanblack.”
“ThefirstBlackPearlwasblackasapotofink,”saidDaena.“Shewasapiratequeen,
fatheredbyaSealord’ssononaprincessfromtheSummerIsles.Adragonkingfrom
Westerostookherforhislover.”
“Iwouldliketoseeadragon,”Mercysaidwistfully.“Whydoestheenvoyhaveachickenon
hischest?”
Daenahowled.“Mercy,don’tyouknowanything?It’shissiggle.IntheSunsetKingdomsall
thelordshavesiggles.Somehaveflowers,somehavefish,somehavebearsandelksand
otherthings.See,theenvoy’sguardsarewearinglions.”
Itwastrue.Therewerefourguards;big,hard-lookingmeninringmail,withheavy
Westerosilongswordssheathedattheirhips.Theircrimsoncloakswereborderedinwhorls
ofgold,andgoldenlionswithredgarneteyesclaspedeachcloakattheshoulder.When
Mercyglancedatthefacesbeneaththegilded,lion-crestedhelm,herbellygaveaquiver.
Thegodshavegivenmeagift.HerfingersclutchedhardatDaena’sarm.“Thatguard.The
oneontheend,behindtheBlackPearl.”
“Whatofhim?Doyouknowhim?”
“No.”MercyhadbeenbornandbredinBraavos,howcouldsheknowsomeWesterosi?She
hadtothinkamoment.“It’sonly…well,he’sfairtolookon,don’tyouthink?”Hewas,ina
rough-hewnway,thoughhiseyeswerehard.
Daenashrugged.“He’sveryold.Notsooldastheotherones,but…hecouldbethirty.And
Westerosi.They’reterriblesavages,Mercy.Beststaywellawayfromhissort.”
“Stayaway?”Mercygiggled.Shewasagigglysortofgirl,wasMercy.“No.I’vegottoget
closer.”ShegaveDaenaasqueezeandsaid,“IftheSnappercomeslookingforme,tell
herthatIwentofftoreadmylinesagain.”Sheonlyhadafew,andmostwerejust,“Oh,
no,no,no,”and“Don’t,ohdon’t,don’ttouchme,”and“Please,m’lord,Iamstilla
maiden,”butthiswasthefirsttimeIzembarohadgivenheranylinesatall,soitwasonly
tobeexpectedthatpoorMercywouldwanttogetthemright.
TheenvoyfromtheSevenKingdomshadtakentwoofhisguardsintohisboxtostand
behindhimandtheBlackPearl,buttheothertwohadbeenpostedjustoutsidethedoor
tomakecertainhewasnotdisturbed.TheyweretalkingquietlyintheCommonTongueof
Westerosassheslippedupsilentlybehindtheminthedarkenedpassage.Thatwasnota
languageMercyknew.
“Sevenhells,thisplaceisdamp,”sheheardherguardcomplain.“I’mchilledtothebones.
Wherearethebloodyorangetrees?IalwaysheardtherewereorangetreesintheFree
Cities.Lemonsandlimes.Pomegranates.Hotpeppers,warmnights,girlswithbarebellies.
Wherearethebare-belliedgirls,Iaskyou?”
“DowninLys,andMyr,andOldVolantis,”theotherguardreplied.Hewasanolderman,
big-belliedandgrizzled.“IwenttoLyswithLordTywinonce,whenhewasHandtoAerys.
BraavosisnorthofKing’sLanding,fool.Can’tyoureadabloodymap?”
“Howlongdoyouthinkwe’llbehere?”
“Longerthanyou’dlike,”theoldmanreplied.“Ifhegoesbackwithoutthegoldthequeen
willhavehishead.Besides,Iseenthatwifeofhis.There’sstepsinCasterlyRockshecan’t
godownforfearshe’dgetstuck,that’showfatsheis.Who’dgobacktothat,whenhe
hashissootyqueen?”
Thehandsomeguardsmangrinned.“Don’tsupposehe’llshareherwithus,afterward?”
“What,areyoumad?Youthinkhenoticesthelikesofus?Bloodybuggerdon’tevenget
ournamesrighthalfthetime.MaybeitwasdifferentwithClegane.”
“Serwasn’toneformummershowsandfancywhores.WhenSerwantedawomanhetook
one,butsometimeshe’dletushaveher,after.Iwouldn’tmindhavingatasteofthat
BlackPearl.Youthinkshe’spinkbetweenherlegs?”
Mercywantedtohearmore,buttherewasnotime.TheBloodyHandwasabouttostart,
andtheSnapperwouldbelookingforhertohelpwithcostumes.Izembaromightbethe
KingoftheMummers,buttheSnapperwastheonethattheyallfeared.Timeenoughfor
herprettyguardsmanlater.
TheBloodyHandopenedinalichyard.
Whenthedwarfappearedsuddenlyfrombehindawoodentombstone,thecrowdbeganto
hissandcurse.Bobonowaddledtothefrontofthestageandleeredatthem.“Theseven-
facedgodhascheatedme,”hebegan,snarlingthewords.“Mynoblesirehemadeof
purestgold,andgoldhemademysiblings,boyandgirl.ButIamformedofdarkerstuff,
ofbonesandbloodandclay…“
BythenMarrohadappearedbehindhim,gauntandterribleintheStranger’slongblack
robes.Hisfacewasblackaswell,histeethredandshinywithblood,whileivoryhorns
juttedupwardsfromhisbrow.Bobonocouldnotseehim,butthebalconiescould,andnow
thepitaswell.TheGategrewdeathlyquiet.Marromovedforwardsilently.
SodidMercy.Thecostumeswereallhung,andtheSnapperwasbusysewingDaenainto
hergownforthecourtscene,soMercy’sabsenceshouldnotbenoted.Quietasashadow,
sheslippedaroundthebackagain,uptowheretheguardsmenstoodoutsidetheenvoy’s
box.Standinginadarkenedalcove,stillasstone,shehadagoodlookathisface.She
studieditcarefully,tobesure.AmItooyoungforhim?shewondered.Tooplain?Too
skinny?Shehopedhewasn’tthesortofmanwholikedbigbreastsonagirl.Bobonohad
beenrightaboutherchest.ItwouldbebestifIcouldtakehimbacktomyplace,have
himalltomyself.Butwillhecomewithme?
“Youthinkitmightbehim?”theprettyonewassaying.
“What,didtheOtherstakeyourwits?”
“Whynot?He’sadwarf,ain’the?”
“TheImpweren’ttheonlydwarfintheworld.”
“Maybenot,butlookhere,everyonesayshowcleverhewas,true?Somaybehefigures
thelastplacehissisterwouldeverlookforhimwouldbeinsomemummershow,making
funofhimself.Sohedoesjustthat,totweakhernose.”
“Ah,you’remad.”
“Well,maybeI’llfollowhimafterthemummery.Findoutformyself.”Theguardsmanputa
handonthehiltofhissword.“IfI’mright,I’llbeamalord,andifI’mwrong,well,bleed
it,it’sjustsomedwarf.”Hegaveabarkoflaughter.
Onstage,BobonowasbargainingwithMarro’ssinisterStranger.Hehadabigvoicefor
suchalittleman,andhemadeitringoffthehighestraftersnow.“Givemethecup,”he
toldtheStranger,“forIshalldrinkdeep.Andifittastesofgoldandlion’sblood,somuch
thebetter.AsIcannotbethehero,letmebethemonster,andlessontheminfearin
placeoflove.”
Mercymouthedthelastlinesalongwithhim.Theywerebetterlinesthanhers,andapt
besides.He’llwantmeorhewon’t,shethought,solettheplaybegin.Shesaidasilent
prayertothegodofmanyfaces,slippedoutofheralcove,andflounceduptothe
guardsmen.Mercy,Mercy,Mercy.“Mylords,”shesaid,“doyouspeakBraavosi?Oh,
please,tellmeyoudo.”
Thetwoguardsmenexchangedalook.“What’sthisthinggoingonabout?”theolderone
asked.“Whoisshe?”
“Oneofthemummers,”saidtheprettyone.Hepushedhisfairhairbackoffhisbrowand
smiledather.“Sorry,sweetling,wedon’tspeakyourgibble-gabble.”
Fussandfeathers,Mercythought,theyonlyknowtheCommonTongue.Thatwasnogood.
Giveituporgoahead.Shecouldnotgiveitup.Shewantedhimsobad.“Iknowyour
tongue,alittle,”shelied,withMercy’ssweetestsmile.“YouarelordsofWesteros,my
friendsaid.”
Theoldonelaughed.“Lords?Aye,that’sus.”
Mercylookeddownatherfeet,soshy.“Izembarosaidtopleasethelords,”shewhispered.
“Ifthereisanythingyouwant,anythingatall…“
Thetwoguardsmenexchangedalook.Thenthehandsomeonereachedoutandtouched
herbreast.“Anything?“
“You’redisgusting,”saidtheolderman.
“Why?IfthisIzembarowantstobehospitable,itwouldberudetorefuse.”Hegaveher
nippleatweakthroughthefabricofherdress,justthewaythedwarfhaddonewhenshe
wasfixinghiscockforhim.“Mummersarethenextbestthingtowhores.”
“Mightbe,butthisoneisachild.”
“Iamnot,”liedMercy.“I’mamaidennow.”
“Notforlong,”saidthecomelyone.“I’mLordRafford,sweetling,andIknowjustwhatI
want.Hikeupthoseskirtsnow,andleanbackagainstthatwall.”
“Nothere,”Mercysaid,brushinghishandsaway.“Notwheretheplayison.Imightcry
out,andIzembarowouldbemad.”
“Where,then?”
“Iknowaplace.”
Theolderguardwasscowling.“What,youthinkcanjustscamperoff?Whatifhis
knightlinesscomeslookingforyou?”
“Whywouldhe?He’sgotashowtowatch.Andhe’sgothisownwhore,whyshouldn’tI
havemine?Thiswon’ttakelong.”
No,shethought,itwon’t.Mercytookhimbythehand,ledhimthroughthebackanddown
thestepsandoutintothefoggynight.“Youcouldbeamummer,ifyouwanted,”shetold
him,ashepressedherupagainstthewalloftheplayhouse.
“Me?”Theguardsmansnorted.“Notme,girl.Allthatbloodytalking,Iwouldn’tremember
halfofit.”
“It’shardatfirst,”sheadmitted.“Butafteratimeitcomeseasier.Icouldteachyoutosay
aline.Icould.”
Hegrabbedherwrist.“I’lldotheteaching.Timeforyourfirstlesson.”Hepulledherhard
againsthimandkissedheronthelips,forcinghistongueintohermouth.Itwasallwet
andslimy,likeaneel.Mercylickeditwithherowntongue,thenbrokeawayfromhim,
breathless.“Nothere.Someonemightsee.Myroom’snotfar,buthurry.Ihavetobeback
beforethesecondact,orI’llmissmyrape.”
Hegrinned.“Nofearo’that,girl.”Butheletherpullhimafterher.Handinhand,they
wentracingthroughthefog,overbridgesandthroughalleysandupfiveflightsof
splinterywoodenstairs.Theguardsmanwaspantingbythetimetheyburstthroughthe
doorofherlittleroom.Mercylitatallowcandle,thendancedaroundathim,giggling.“Oh,
nowyou’realltiredout.Iforgothowoldyouwere,m’lord.Doyouwanttotakealittle
nap?Justliedownandcloseyoureyes,andI’llcomebackaftertheImp’sdoneraping
me.”
“You’renotgoinganywhere.”Hepulledherroughlytohim.“Getthoseragsoff,andI’ll
showyouhowoldIam,girl.”
“Mercy,”shesaid.“MynameisMercy.Canyousayit?”
“Mercy,”hesaid.“MynameisRaff.”
“Iknow.”Sheslippedherhandbetweenhislegs,andfelthowhardhewasthroughthe
woolofhisbreeches.
“Thelaces,”heurgedher.“Beasweetgirlandundothem.”Insteadsheslidherfinger
downalongtheinsideofhisthigh.Hegaveagrunt.“Damn,becarefulthere,you—“
Mercygaveagaspandsteppedaway,herfaceconfusedandfrightened.“You’rebleeding.”
“Wha—”Helookeddownathimself.“Godsbegood.Whatdidyoudotome,youlittle
cunt?”Theredstainspreadacrosshisthigh,soakingtheheavyfabric.
“Nothing,”Mercysqueaked.“Inever…oh,oh,there’ssomuchblood.Stopit,stopit,
you’rescaringme.”
Heshookhishead,adazedlookonhisface.Whenhepressedhishandtohisthigh,blood
squirtedthroughhisfingers.Itwasrunningdownhisleg,intohisboot.Hedoesn’tlookso
comelynow,shethought.Hejustlookswhiteandfrightened.
“Atowel,”theguardsmangasped.“Bringmeatowel,arag,pressdownonit.Gods.Ifeel
dizzy.”Hislegwasdrenchedwithbloodfromthethighdown.Whenhetriedtoputhis
weightonit,hiskneebuckledandhefell.“Helpme,”hepleaded,asthecrotchofhis
breechesreddened.“Motherhavemercy,girl.Ahealer…runandfindahealer,quicknow.”
“There’soneonthenextcanal,buthewon’tcome.Youhavetogotohim.Can’tyou
walk?”
“Walk?”Hisfingerswereslickwithblood.“Areyoublind,girl?I’mbleedinglikeastuckpig.
Ican’twalkonthis.”
“Well,”shesaid,“Idon’tknowhowyou’llgetthere,then.”
“You’llneedtocarryme.”
See?thoughtMercy.Youknowyourline,andsodoI.
“Thinkso?”askedArya,sweetly.
RafftheSweetlinglookedupsharplyasthelongthinbladecameslidingfromhersleeve.
Sheslippeditthroughhisthroatbeneaththechin,twisted,andrippeditbackout
sidewayswithasinglesmoothslash.Afineredrainfollowed,andinhiseyesthelight
wentout.
“Valarmorghulis,”Aryawhispered,butRaffwasdeadanddidnothear.Shesniffed.I
shouldhavehelpedhimdownthestepsbeforeIkilledhim.NowI’llneedtodraghimall
thewaytothecanalandrollhimin.Theeelswoulddotherest.
“Mercy,Mercy,Mercy,”shesangsadly.Afoolish,giddygirlshe’dbeen,butgoodhearted.
Shewouldmissher,andshewouldmissDaenaandtheSnapperandtherest,even
IzembaroandBobono.ThiswouldmaketroublefortheSealordandtheenvoywiththe
chickenonhischest,shedidnotdoubt.
Shewouldthinkaboutthatlater,though.Justnow,therewasnotime.Ihadbestrun.
Mercystillhadsomelinestosay,herfirstlinesandherlast,andIzembarowouldhaveher
prettylittleemptyheadifshewerelateforherownrape.
PostedinBookNews,News,WindsofWinter.
Taggedgameofthrones,songoficeandfire,windsofwinter.
?2014GEORGER.R.MARTIN.ALLRIGHTSRESERVED.
http://www.georgerrmartin.com/excerpt-from-the-winds-of-winter/[2014-04-082:06:08] |
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