A Dance with Dragons

Welcome to my A Dance with Dragons re- read. This week we are reading Tyrion X and Jaime (his only chapter in this book). With Tyrion we left off with him being picked up by slavers at sea- and Jaime is in the riverlands to wrap up hostilities there and deal with the last remaining Stark holdouts. So let's take a look...

Tyrion and Penny are up for sale at a slave auction. The dwarf sees sellswords in the back of the crowd, and he tries to get them to buy him after one of them enters the bidding. It's Brown Ben Plumm  but he gives up when the price gets too high, and Tyrion and Penny become the property of a grossly fat Yunkishman. Jorah Mormont is for sale next, and Tyrion talks his overseer into bidding for him. So Jorah becomes the property of Tyrion's owner as well. 

They are close to Meereen, in the Yunkish camp laying siege to the city. Tyrion sees that sickness is taking its toll. After they're cleaned up they attend their new master who is meeting with commanders and mercenaries- including Brown Ben who had tried to buy Tyrion earlier. Plumm attempts to win Tyrion in a game but doesn't win. And Tyrion does so well as the entertainment that the supreme commander talks his new owner into sending him to the great Pit to compete.  

COMMENTARY

Not much of note here other than setup for getting Tyrion (and Jorah) to Dany. Tyrion is humiliated again and meets Brown Ben Plumm, which may have implications down the road. 

JAIME I

Jaime is at Raventree Hall to meet with Lord Blackwood, to convince him to yield. He is the last remaining Stark loyalist in the riverlands, and his castle is encircled and under siege by his long time enemy Jonos Bracken. When he gets to the siege camp he finds Bracken doing the sexy time with a camp follower, and interrupts their little tryst.  Bracken chases the follower off and gives Jaime his thoughts on how to deal with Blackwood. 

Jaime then goes to meet with Tytos Blackwood. The lord of Raventree seems a more honorable man than Bracken, and he and Jaime talk. We learn that the weirwood at Raventree is old and ravens come every night by the hundreds and roost there. I love the conversation between the two of them. 

"We agree on that much." Blackwood's voice gave nothing away. "What have you done with Ser Brynden, if I may ask?"
"I offered to let him take the black. Instead he fled." Jaime smiled. "Do you have him here, perchance?"
"No."
"Would you tell me if you did?"
It was Tytos Blackwood's turn to smile. 

Jaime treats Blackwood well, accepting one of his sons for a hostage rather than his daughter which would have stricken him. they make their peace and Jaime leaves stopping to talk to Bracken again on his way. They make camp and Brienne shows up, to tell Jaime that she has found Sansa and he must come quickly. 

MY THOUGHTS

One of the best chapters in the book. This chapter is oddly humorous at times, Jaime has that sardonic sense of humor - there's a funny scene where Bracken and his follower are trying to find their clothes and get dressed after Jaime interrupts them, and he spars verbally with her after finding her strangely attractive. 

"Have you seen my other shoe, m'lord?" 
The question seemed to vex Lord Bracken. "Am I a bloody handmaid, to fetch your shoes? Go barefoot if you must. Just go." 
"Does that mean m'lord won't be taking me home with him, to pray with his little wife?" Laughing, Hildy gave Jaime a brazen look. "Do you have a little wife, ser?"
No, I have a sister. 

And after a little more commiserating... 

"I have sworn a vow," he told Hildy wearily. 
"No turnips for you, then," the girl said, saucily. 
"Get out," Lord Jonos roared at her. 

We get to meet Blackwood here, who we've had glimpses of before, but here we learn more about him. A loyal man, and honorable. Interesting about the ravens- I wonder if Bran can hear the conversations going on here through the birds. This weirwood seems like an important one. And... the Brienne thing. Jaime goes with her, which will of course lead him to Lady Stoneheart and the Brotherhood without Banners- will this be the end of Jaime? I guess we don't find out until the next book.