Brienne, Ser Hyle, Podrick, and their new best friend Septon Meribald (and his dog, "Dog") head to the Quiet Isle sept at the Saltpans through a secret passageway across the mud, which only reveals itself when the tide is slow.
Septon Meribald: Welcome to the Quiet Isle! This land is inhabited by those who are atoning for their sins. None of them are allowed to talk, as they have all taken vows of silence. Except for the Elder Brother and his brothers. They can talk. Not his actual brothers, I mean. They’re like proctors of the church.
Brienne: Oh, that’s a good exception to the “no talking rule,” or else it would be really hard to bring forward plot exposition in this chapter.
Hyle: Indeed. Having interaction with the people who reside here will be much easier if some of them are allowed to communicate stories to us that advance forward plotlines.
Brother Narbert: Hi! I’m Brother Narbert. I’m obviously one of the brothers who is allowed to talk.
Brienne: Obviously.
Dog: *woof*
Narbert: Hi Merribald! How’s it going?
Meribald: It’s all good in the good, Narbert.
They do a cool handshake / fist bump thing.
Brienne: So I guess you two know each other pretty well?
Narbert: Oh yeah, me and Meribald go way back. Anyway, I’ve come to guide you the Elder Brother. Why are you here again?
Brienne: I’ve come to kill the Hound.
Narbert: OH SHIT! Wait… I just noticed you’re a woman!
Brienne: I am.
Narbert: Not trying to be judgmental or anything. It’s just you’re huge and have that short hair. And are dressed like a knight. Sorry if I offended you, I was just a bit surprised. You’re so big! You’re like the second biggest person I’ve ever seen. After that gravedigger over there.
He points up to a gravedigger who is, indeed, huge.
Brienne: Don’t worry Brother Narbert, it happens all the time. And the interaction with you has probably been one of the most friendly interactions I’ve ever had. Hey, that huge gravedigger. He looks suspiciously familiar.
She looks closer at the gravedigger, who is… as noted… digging a grave. Hence gravedigger.
Brienne: DUDE! You look familiar somehow. Like I should know you.
The Gravedigger turns around, wearing a hood that covers his face. He says nothing.
Brienne: Oh right. The whole “everyone here has to be doing silent penance thing.” Sorry. It’s just that you’re so big. You’re, like, about the size of the Hound. Who is who I am looking for.
The Gravedigger turns around and goes back to digging the grave.
Brienne: And look at that war horse over there in the stables. It’s angry and kicking at every one. It’s a very ill-tempered horse. It seems to hate people. Which makes it a strange war horse. Unless it’s one of those angry horses that only likes one person, and therefore acts normal around that one person but hates everyone else. You know who had a horse like that? The Hound.
Gravedigger: *digs grave*
Meribalds's dog, Dog, then runs up to the Gravedigger and sniffs him. The Gravediggers stops to pet the dog.
Dog: *pants happily*
Brienne: Aww, so cute! That gravedigger guy really has an affinity for dogs, it looks like! You knwo who else did? The Hound. Have I mentioned that I’m looking for the Hound? Hrm. Now I wonder where I could go to find the Hound. Maybe someone here could give me some good advice on where to go to find the Hound.
Gravedigger: *still, as indicated previously, silent*
Narbert: Now if you’ll please leave Sando—uhhhh, that Gravedigger alone. He’s busy burying Brother Clement, who died in the Saltpans.
Brienne: Oooh! Did The Hound kill him? I heard that the Hound was killing septons and clergymen through the countryside. And the Hound is really a monstrous murderer with no redeemable qualities.
Gravedigger: *still digging grave and still silent, but looking increasingly annoyed*
Narbert: No. Someone else now wears the Hound’s helmet and has been committing murders. Now let’s move along.
Dog: *woof*
They go to see the Elder Brother.
Elder Brother: Hi there. I’m the Elder Brother.
Brienne: Hrm. Hi. I’m Brienne of Tarth. You’re the Elder Brother? You look more like some sort of warrior than a clergyman.
Elder Brother: Well, yeah. We've all led rough lives. Haven’t you heard about it from Septon Meribald?
Brienne: Oh yeah, tell me about it.
Elder Brother: But life is rough everywhere now. There have been horrors here in the Saltpans. Horrible, horrible massacres and death. Bloodshed. Not the type of things I generally talk about in front of a lady. But looking at you… and seeing the way you’re dressed... well, I can tell that you’re no fair, dainty lady that will pass out at stories of blood and death. Looks like you might have even popped your “killing people” cherry recently, by the cold, hard dead look in your eyes.
Brienne: If trying to read a person is part of your job as the Elder Brother, then you are very good at your job.
Elder Brother: There were attacks by raiders. Murder. Bloodshed. Babies being cut down. Mothers being raped. Mothers being cut down and babies raped. The townspeople fled to the castle of Ser Quincy Cox, but he barred their entry to defend himself. Is not a lord supposed to be there to protect the smallfolk? No. It seems like all lords care for these days is themselves.
Meribald: Lord Cox is an old man and he was severely outnumbered. I might have done the same as him, if I were in his place. We should not judge the man so harshly.
Brienne: No! I’m on the Elder Brother’s side on this one. A noble must defend the smallfolk, or they are not noble at all.
Elder Brother: Well, come and sup with us, and then treat yourself to one of the cottages that we have here.
And so that happens. They have dinner, and the Elder Brother takes her to the cottage. When they get there…
Elder Brother: So tell me, what do you wish to find here in the Saltpans.
Brienne: I come looking for The Hound. I have been sent on a mission by the crown to locate Sansa Stark. Before I killed them, three murderous Bloody Mummers confessed to me that the Hound had been seen coming this way with the Stark girl.
The Elder Brother sighs deeply and thinks. He then responds.
Elder Brother: I fear you are chasing the wrong wolf girl. I too have heard these stories of the Hound being with a Stark girl. Yet it is not Lady Sansa that he was with, but the other sister – Arya.
Brienne: HOLY SHIT! Arya is alive?! Nobody has seen that girl since like Book 1! Where is she now?!
Elder Brother: That I do not know. I only learned that she was with the Hound from… the Hound himself.
Brienne: THE HOUND?! OMG! Get out of town! You know where the Hound is?!
Elder Brother: The Hound is… at rest. I found him, lying there, lame and wounded. Left for dead. Arya Stark had been with him, but she left him behind.
Brienne: Oh. So he was lame like that Gravedigger guy outside? But you also said he was left for dead by Arya. So I guess that means after telling you all that stuff about Arya... he died?
Elder Brother: He’s gone.
Brienne: Gone as in "dead," right?
Elder Brother: The Hound is no more.
Brienne: Okay, I’m going to take it to mean that he’s dead.
Elder Brother: Sure. Let’s say “died.” That wild horse you saw out there? That was the Hound’s.
Brienne: Called it.
Elder Brother: I was once a warrior like the Hound too, but like him I also “died.” It was at the Battle of the Trident, many years ago.
Brienne: I called that too! Remember how I said you looked like a warrior? Of you're you can't have "died" like the Hound because, as established, he's dead. You're clearly still alive.
Elder Brother: Shut up and stop interrupting me, or the rest of us will also take vows of silence until you leave. Now, like I was saying, I was at the Trident when Prince Rhaegar fell. I fought alongside the Targaryens. When all was lost, I was wounded and fell into the river. When my eyes closed, I figured they would never open again. I washed ashore naked here on the Quiet Isle and have stayed here ever since. It was a sign from the seven gods to change my ways. It was as if I had been reborn anew, cleansed by the river itself. And my point is this, please… Brienne… give up on your quest. You are a warrior, but we have too many warriors in this world. Sansa Stark was never with the Hound, and whoever is impersonating the Hound in the Saltpans will eventually be caught and brought to justice. I’m sure your father misses you. Go home. Settle down and live a peaceful life.
Brienne: My… my father… he… he… *sniff*… he’s rejected me. I can never go home. All the other men I have ever known have rejected me too. They’ve mocked me and made fun of me. I… I have nothing left except for the vows I made to Lady Cat Stark and to Ser Jaime Lannister, promising to find and protect the Stark girls. I made an oath, and this sword I have here is named “Oathkeeper.” I will find the Stark girl… or I will die in the attempt!
Elder Brother: Wow, okay then. Well, you have fun with all that. I did warn you though. Remember that cottage check-out time is 11am and to return the key to the front desk. There is a chart that says what the prices are for everything in the minibar, but the tea and coffee is complementary. The bottled water on the endtable by your bed is also complementary, but the ones in the minibar are not. If you need anything I’d tell you to phone Guest Services, but the guy on the other end of the line has taken a vow of silence, so that probably wouldn’t be helpful.
Podrick: Also, phones haven’t been invented yet.
Elder Brother: Correct, that’s another reason why you can’t do that. I’m glad you snuck in a line for this chapter, Pod. Good for you.
Septon Meribald: Welcome to the Quiet Isle! This land is inhabited by those who are atoning for their sins. None of them are allowed to talk, as they have all taken vows of silence. Except for the Elder Brother and his brothers. They can talk. Not his actual brothers, I mean. They’re like proctors of the church.
Brienne: Oh, that’s a good exception to the “no talking rule,” or else it would be really hard to bring forward plot exposition in this chapter.
Hyle: Indeed. Having interaction with the people who reside here will be much easier if some of them are allowed to communicate stories to us that advance forward plotlines.
Brother Narbert: Hi! I’m Brother Narbert. I’m obviously one of the brothers who is allowed to talk.
Brienne: Obviously.
Dog: *woof*
Narbert: Hi Merribald! How’s it going?
Meribald: It’s all good in the good, Narbert.
They do a cool handshake / fist bump thing.
Brienne: So I guess you two know each other pretty well?
Narbert: Oh yeah, me and Meribald go way back. Anyway, I’ve come to guide you the Elder Brother. Why are you here again?
Brienne: I’ve come to kill the Hound.
Narbert: OH SHIT! Wait… I just noticed you’re a woman!
Brienne: I am.
Narbert: Not trying to be judgmental or anything. It’s just you’re huge and have that short hair. And are dressed like a knight. Sorry if I offended you, I was just a bit surprised. You’re so big! You’re like the second biggest person I’ve ever seen. After that gravedigger over there.
He points up to a gravedigger who is, indeed, huge.
Brienne: Don’t worry Brother Narbert, it happens all the time. And the interaction with you has probably been one of the most friendly interactions I’ve ever had. Hey, that huge gravedigger. He looks suspiciously familiar.
She looks closer at the gravedigger, who is… as noted… digging a grave. Hence gravedigger.
Brienne: DUDE! You look familiar somehow. Like I should know you.
The Gravedigger turns around, wearing a hood that covers his face. He says nothing.
Brienne: Oh right. The whole “everyone here has to be doing silent penance thing.” Sorry. It’s just that you’re so big. You’re, like, about the size of the Hound. Who is who I am looking for.
The Gravedigger turns around and goes back to digging the grave.
Brienne: And look at that war horse over there in the stables. It’s angry and kicking at every one. It’s a very ill-tempered horse. It seems to hate people. Which makes it a strange war horse. Unless it’s one of those angry horses that only likes one person, and therefore acts normal around that one person but hates everyone else. You know who had a horse like that? The Hound.
Gravedigger: *digs grave*
Meribalds's dog, Dog, then runs up to the Gravedigger and sniffs him. The Gravediggers stops to pet the dog.
Dog: *pants happily*
Brienne: Aww, so cute! That gravedigger guy really has an affinity for dogs, it looks like! You knwo who else did? The Hound. Have I mentioned that I’m looking for the Hound? Hrm. Now I wonder where I could go to find the Hound. Maybe someone here could give me some good advice on where to go to find the Hound.
Gravedigger: *still, as indicated previously, silent*
Narbert: Now if you’ll please leave Sando—uhhhh, that Gravedigger alone. He’s busy burying Brother Clement, who died in the Saltpans.
Brienne: Oooh! Did The Hound kill him? I heard that the Hound was killing septons and clergymen through the countryside. And the Hound is really a monstrous murderer with no redeemable qualities.
Gravedigger: *still digging grave and still silent, but looking increasingly annoyed*
Narbert: No. Someone else now wears the Hound’s helmet and has been committing murders. Now let’s move along.
Dog: *woof*
They go to see the Elder Brother.
Elder Brother: Hi there. I’m the Elder Brother.
Brienne: Hrm. Hi. I’m Brienne of Tarth. You’re the Elder Brother? You look more like some sort of warrior than a clergyman.
Elder Brother: Well, yeah. We've all led rough lives. Haven’t you heard about it from Septon Meribald?
Brienne: Oh yeah, tell me about it.
Elder Brother: But life is rough everywhere now. There have been horrors here in the Saltpans. Horrible, horrible massacres and death. Bloodshed. Not the type of things I generally talk about in front of a lady. But looking at you… and seeing the way you’re dressed... well, I can tell that you’re no fair, dainty lady that will pass out at stories of blood and death. Looks like you might have even popped your “killing people” cherry recently, by the cold, hard dead look in your eyes.
Brienne: If trying to read a person is part of your job as the Elder Brother, then you are very good at your job.
Elder Brother: There were attacks by raiders. Murder. Bloodshed. Babies being cut down. Mothers being raped. Mothers being cut down and babies raped. The townspeople fled to the castle of Ser Quincy Cox, but he barred their entry to defend himself. Is not a lord supposed to be there to protect the smallfolk? No. It seems like all lords care for these days is themselves.
Meribald: Lord Cox is an old man and he was severely outnumbered. I might have done the same as him, if I were in his place. We should not judge the man so harshly.
Brienne: No! I’m on the Elder Brother’s side on this one. A noble must defend the smallfolk, or they are not noble at all.
Elder Brother: Well, come and sup with us, and then treat yourself to one of the cottages that we have here.
And so that happens. They have dinner, and the Elder Brother takes her to the cottage. When they get there…
Elder Brother: So tell me, what do you wish to find here in the Saltpans.
Brienne: I come looking for The Hound. I have been sent on a mission by the crown to locate Sansa Stark. Before I killed them, three murderous Bloody Mummers confessed to me that the Hound had been seen coming this way with the Stark girl.
The Elder Brother sighs deeply and thinks. He then responds.
Elder Brother: I fear you are chasing the wrong wolf girl. I too have heard these stories of the Hound being with a Stark girl. Yet it is not Lady Sansa that he was with, but the other sister – Arya.
Brienne: HOLY SHIT! Arya is alive?! Nobody has seen that girl since like Book 1! Where is she now?!
Elder Brother: That I do not know. I only learned that she was with the Hound from… the Hound himself.
Brienne: THE HOUND?! OMG! Get out of town! You know where the Hound is?!
Elder Brother: The Hound is… at rest. I found him, lying there, lame and wounded. Left for dead. Arya Stark had been with him, but she left him behind.
Brienne: Oh. So he was lame like that Gravedigger guy outside? But you also said he was left for dead by Arya. So I guess that means after telling you all that stuff about Arya... he died?
Elder Brother: He’s gone.
Brienne: Gone as in "dead," right?
Elder Brother: The Hound is no more.
Brienne: Okay, I’m going to take it to mean that he’s dead.
Elder Brother: Sure. Let’s say “died.” That wild horse you saw out there? That was the Hound’s.
Brienne: Called it.
Elder Brother: I was once a warrior like the Hound too, but like him I also “died.” It was at the Battle of the Trident, many years ago.
Brienne: I called that too! Remember how I said you looked like a warrior? Of you're you can't have "died" like the Hound because, as established, he's dead. You're clearly still alive.
Elder Brother: Shut up and stop interrupting me, or the rest of us will also take vows of silence until you leave. Now, like I was saying, I was at the Trident when Prince Rhaegar fell. I fought alongside the Targaryens. When all was lost, I was wounded and fell into the river. When my eyes closed, I figured they would never open again. I washed ashore naked here on the Quiet Isle and have stayed here ever since. It was a sign from the seven gods to change my ways. It was as if I had been reborn anew, cleansed by the river itself. And my point is this, please… Brienne… give up on your quest. You are a warrior, but we have too many warriors in this world. Sansa Stark was never with the Hound, and whoever is impersonating the Hound in the Saltpans will eventually be caught and brought to justice. I’m sure your father misses you. Go home. Settle down and live a peaceful life.
Brienne: My… my father… he… he… *sniff*… he’s rejected me. I can never go home. All the other men I have ever known have rejected me too. They’ve mocked me and made fun of me. I… I have nothing left except for the vows I made to Lady Cat Stark and to Ser Jaime Lannister, promising to find and protect the Stark girls. I made an oath, and this sword I have here is named “Oathkeeper.” I will find the Stark girl… or I will die in the attempt!
Elder Brother: Wow, okay then. Well, you have fun with all that. I did warn you though. Remember that cottage check-out time is 11am and to return the key to the front desk. There is a chart that says what the prices are for everything in the minibar, but the tea and coffee is complementary. The bottled water on the endtable by your bed is also complementary, but the ones in the minibar are not. If you need anything I’d tell you to phone Guest Services, but the guy on the other end of the line has taken a vow of silence, so that probably wouldn’t be helpful.
Podrick: Also, phones haven’t been invented yet.
Elder Brother: Correct, that’s another reason why you can’t do that. I’m glad you snuck in a line for this chapter, Pod. Good for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment