Tyrion approached Lancelot's carriage, intending to call him out. But inside, he heard Lancelot speaking with someone—a woman.
"It seems, Ser Lancelot, that you have already begun to establish faith in the Lord of Light, step by step!"
"I am no different than before," Lancelot replied.
"Then why does the King of Hearts in your cards represent R'hllor, the Lord of Light?" she asked.
"My lady! I merely made the most logical pairing! A flaming heart—is that not the symbol of the Lord of Light?" Lancelot retorted.
"I saw it in the flames. There is a great terror in the North, though for now, it is held back by a Wall."
"You must build faith in R'hllor so that you may draw Lightbringer from the fire and stand against the darkness," she continued.
"Is that sword in your possession? Take it out and let me see it," Lancelot challenged.
Melisandre fell silent. The sword was not in her possession, and its forging required a very specific method.
Lancelot stepped out of the carriage and saw Tyrion eavesdropping.
"Uncle, don't think just because you're small that I can't see you!" Lancelot said with a chuckle.
"Hahaha! Lancelot, why is there a woman in your carriage?"
"It's Melisandre. You've met her!"
At that moment, Melisandre also stepped down from the carriage. She was clad in red robes, with red hair and red eyes, and a large ruby choker at her throat.
Melisandre glanced at Lancelot and Tyrion, then walked away alone.
"Why do you bring her along? I feel that woman is dangerous! Listen to me, women are poison. The more beautiful they are, the deadlier the poison," Tyrion said, patting Lancelot on the shoulder.
"Uncle, you are right. I've also heard a saying: the more beautiful a woman is, the better she is at lying. Never trust a beautiful woman, especially one of unknown origin." Lancelot patted Tyrion's shoulder in return.
Hearing Lancelot's words, Tyrion pondered them carefully. It's true! The prettier they are, the more they lie.
Tyrion then told Lancelot about his plan to open a gaming parlor once they returned to King's Landing.
"That's a great thing! It gives the common folk more entertainment. When we get back, I'll introduce Mahjong, Pai Gow, and dice games to you. I learned them all in Meereen," Lancelot said.
Tyrion had never been to Meereen and knew nothing of the city, so he believed Lancelot completely.
---
In the following days, Jaime also came to see Lancelot. Together, they finally decided on the representatives for the four Ace cards:
Ace of Clubs: Brandon the Builder (Constructed Storm's End, Winterfell, the Wall, and many other structures).
Ace of Spades: The Grey King (Legendary ancestor of the Ironborn, said to rule the Sunset Sea and have taken a mermaid to wife).
Ace of Hearts: Lann the Clever (Founder of House Lannister, who won Casterly Rock through trickery).
Ace of Diamonds: Garth Greenhand (Ancestor of many noble houses in the Reach, skilled in agriculture).
However, for the cards from 2 to 10, because they had distinct values where one trumped another, it was difficult to decide who should represent which card without causing offense.
Lancelot delegated this task to Jaime. In the end, Jaime couldn't resolve the issue of ranking the combat prowess of so many knights, so the matter was left unsettled.
Ultimately, only J, Q, K, and A had clear character representations.
---
When the King's caravan reached the Neck, their speed slowed significantly. The road was treacherous, and the swamps teemed with nasty beasts.
After lunch one day, Joffrey went out to relieve himself. As he finished, he saw a person hanging upside down from a tree, staring at him. The figure had eyes the color of moss and a frog dangling from his mouth.
"Ghost!" Joffrey screamed. Too terrified to even tie his breeches properly, he ran toward the crowd.
"Hound! Hound! Help me!"
Sandor Clegane was resting against a large tree not far behind him.
Hearing Joffrey's cry for help, his eyes snapped open.
"Your Grace, what is it?"
The Hound caught Joffrey with one hand.
He could feel the Prince's terror; Joffrey was trembling all over.
"There's a ghost in the swamp! He's eating frogs!"
The Hound drew his greatsword and walked step by step into the depths of the swamp.
Up in the trees, a small, young boy swallowed the frog leg in his mouth.
He leaped nimbly from branch to branch, swinging on vines, and quickly arrived at the King's caravan.
His sudden appearance scared the recently returned Joffrey half to death again. Joffrey started wailing, and his lion, Storm, began to roar.
Roar! Roar! Roar!
The other lions joined in the chorus.
"Stop shouting! It's a human, not a ghost! Ghosts don't have shadows. Look at his feet—he has a shadow, so he isn't a ghost." Lancelot shouted, quieting the chaotic crowd and silencing the lions.
The boy walked straight up to King Robert and knelt.
"Greetings, Your Grace! I am Jojen Reed, son of Howland Reed, Lord of Greywater Watch. I saw days ago that you would pass this way, so I have been waiting here."
Only then did Robert remember he was in the territory of the Lord of Greywater Watch. However, knowing the nature of the moving castle, he certainly didn't expect Howland Reed to host him for a feast.
Since his heavy wagons couldn't travel through the swamps, he hadn't planned on visiting Greywater Watch anyway.
"I didn't expect Howland Reed's son to be so big. By the way, the frog leg in your mouth fell out," Robert remarked.
Jojen swallowed the frog leg again. It had slipped out while he was speaking.
"You said you saw days ago that we would pass here. Are you a prophet?" Tyrion stepped forward and asked.
"I am not a prophet. I just have green eyes." Jojen pointed to his moss-colored eyes.
"In the North, we call this Greensight. I can see many things, including the past and the future! I have even seen the day of my own death," Jojen said.
Although he was a child, he gave off the aura of an old man—completely calm and unruffled.
Contrast that with other children his age, like Joffrey, who was still wailing moments ago.
"Boy, you saw your own death, did you? Tell me what day it is. If you don't die on that day, I'll personally send you to meet the Stranger." The Hound emerged from the swamp.
He hadn't found anything after searching for a while, but returned upon hearing the lions roar, only to find Jojen Reed talking about seeing his own death day.
"Today is not the day I die," Jojen said calmly.
The Hound raised his greatsword as if to strike, but Jojen showed no fear, simply watching him placidly.
The blade stopped just above Jojen's head.
"I believe you. You're no ordinary boy!" The Hound sheathed his sword.
"Did you come to find me, boy?" Robert asked.
"Please let me go with you to Winterfell. I beg of you!" Jojen said.
"Very well! Howland Reed and Ned are good friends. I imagine Ned will be happy to see you!" Robert agreed.