Ser Kevan closed his eyes in silence, paused, and then Tyrion spoke with difficulty: "Who is the presiding judge of my trial?"
Ser Kevan, leaning against the cell door, shifted his body and said, "According to the law, this trial should be presided over by the King himself, but the King is not yet of age, so the Hand of the King will serve as the presiding judge. Since the defendant is his own son, your father had no choice but to invite Lord Mace and Duke Green to co-preside."
Hearing that Green was one of the presiding judges, Tyrion felt a glimmer of hope, but Ser Kevan mercilessly reminded him: "Whoever speaks for you… he will be an enemy of the Dornish. Personal relationships cannot override interests. Tyrion, with the evidence so conclusive, are you still going to pin your hopes on so-called friendship?"
He paused and then added, "If your good friend saves you at the cost of war, what can you repay him? Or, will you be able to compensate him for the losses he incurred for your sake in the future?"
The harsh reality made Tyrion despair. He was no longer the acting Lord Hand with great power, nor the Master of Coin who could bargain with great nobles. Instead, he was… a pawn used by Lord Tywin to appease the Dornish wrath.
Then, thinking that the other presiding judge was Lord Mace, Tyrion's despair deepened. He clearly remembered who killed the Knight of Flowers. The Lannister-Tyrell alliance seemed strong, but this deep-seated hatred had not disappeared.
So, even though the Duke of Highgarden seemed harmless, Tyrion had always remained wary of him… Heh, what did this matter have to do with him now? Perhaps Lord Tywin taking his head was not just to appease the Dornish wrath.
After a moment of silence, Tyrion came back to his senses and couldn't help but lick his lips. He wanted a drink. Just then… Ser Kevan took a leather wineskin from his waist and handed it through the small window.
"Ah ha, Uncle Kevan, I love you the most."
Tyrion took a big gulp of wine, couldn't help but scrunch up his ugly face, and hissed, "So strong…"
Looking at his nephew, Ser Kevan forced a smile: "I drink a little when I can't sleep. It helps."
Tyrion took a small sip of wine and grinned: "I have to remind you, Uncle, I'm very likely to sleep forever, the kind of sleep where I'll never wake up."
He chuckled: "And it'll be headless. I never thought… my way of traveling to Dorne would be so special."
He paused, and hearing his uncle sigh with sadness, Tyrion suddenly said, "Uncle Kevan, can I demand a trial by combat?"
Trial by combat originated from the faith of the Seven and the traditions of the Andals. Both conflicting parties could fight themselves or choose someone to fight on their behalf. The party who survived the combat won the trial.
Ser Kevan first nodded, then glanced at the expectant Tyrion and said, "You want Jaime to be your champion?"
Tyrion nodded: "My brother is the strongest swordsman in the Seven Kingdoms. His sword, witnessed by The Seven Gods, will prove my innocence."
Ser Kevan once again shattered Tyrion's dream: "Before your trial, Jaime will lead troops to the Riverlands."
In Tyrion's stunned gaze, he explained: "Most of our sworn swords sent to the Riverlands have died in battle. Duke Tywin ordered me to gather the free riders in King's Landing. There is no more suitable commander for the Lannister than Jaime."
He paused and added, "Tyrion, the King's wedding is imminent. The Lion must quickly deal with the wolf pups harassing the Crownlands, otherwise we will become the laughingstock of the Seven Kingdoms."
"Heh, we…"
Tyrion gripped the window frame tightly: "Uncle Kevan, please believe me, even without the Little Stark, Lord Tywin would find an excuse to make his beloved eldest son leave King's Landing."
Ser Kevan frowned and said, "Tyrion, you are also Duke Tywin's son."
"Yes, I am indeed his son, but I am a Dwarf, I am the shame and stain he must wash away. I have known this for a long time, my uncle." Gulp, gulp, Tyrion took a big swig of wine.
After a heavy silence, Ser Kevan said tiredly, "Think about it carefully. If there's anything that can prove your innocence, I will do everything I can to help you find it. I promise you on my honor as a Lannister."
Turning his head, Tyrion raised his chin for a moment, took a deep breath, and said softly, "Thank you, Uncle."
Although the voice was not loud, Ser Kevan heard it. He shook his head silently.
After a moment, Tyrion looked at Ser Kevan again and said, "Uncle, please help me find Ser Bronn. Tell him I have gold dragons prepared, more gold dragons than he can imagine."
Ser Kevan did not agree immediately. He stared at his anxious nephew for a while, then slowly said, "Your captain of the guard… the Blackwater Knight has gone to Stokeworth. He will soon marry Lollys, the second daughter of Tanda Stokeworth."
Lollys was pregnant with Bronn's child. If they married with Tanda Stokeworth's blessing, he would have taken a solid step, albeit the most difficult one, among the nobles of the Kingdom.
But… Tyrion remembered that Tanda Stokeworth was very displeased with Bronn, this newly knighted Sellsword… Who helped him?
Tyrion's eyes suddenly paused: "Uncle Kevan, was it my good sister who arranged the marriage between Bronn and Lollys?"
Upon hearing this, Ser Kevan moved his lips and sighed: "I only heard that your sister sent a blessing gift."
"Ah ha, well done! Tanda Stokeworth has always wanted to curry favor with Cersei. Damn well done! She easily blocked my chance to live by using a simple-minded woman (the dim-witted Lollys)."
Tyrion's eyes reddened: "Yes, I should have thought of it long ago. Even without the Old Lion, the Lioness would find every way to get Jaime out of King's Landing. She has long wished me dead!"
Thinking of Cersei, Ser Kevan couldn't help but frown. He said, "Tyrion, I will warn her."
His broad back left the rough cell door. Ser Kevan turned to Tyrion and said, "What do you plan to do next?"
Tyrion grinned: "I will fight myself and kill the Dornish champion. I am the strongest killer who personally killed the Red Viper. Bards and singers will go crazy for the Little Devil."
Ser Kevan looked at his nephew and said, "Think about it carefully. I'll come back tomorrow."
"Tell the Gold Cloaks outside the door if you need anything."
Ser Kevan started to leave, but then Tyrion suddenly called out, "Uncle?"
"Have you thought of anything?" Ser Kevan stopped.
Tyrion's face was almost pressed against the small window of the cell door. He looked at Ser Kevan with difficulty: "Uncle, believe me, the Red Viper was not killed by me."
Ser Kevan looked back at his nephew. He nodded: "I know, Tyrion, I know."
… … … …
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