Murder at Winterfell: Part Deux

Good day ladies and gents! Here’s the next part of our Winterfell Murder mystery. Arya and Tyrion were the top two choices to be interviewed (Daenerys was third) in the comments of Part Un Let’s Brienne and Pod as they seek answers to find the murderer!

Murder at Winterfell: Part Deux

Pod shut the door behind them.

Brienne and Podrick had just finished examining the murder scene. Ser Jaime had fallen forward and was facing away from the door. His face and part of his body was turned to his left and the knife was sticking out from the back of his neck. He was either turning back towards the door to see his killer, or turning from the door, which would mean someone stabbed him from the back while he was facing the door. The later seemed unlikely. The floor of his room was filled with the boot prints of everyone who came into the room to see the body. “Half of Winterfell seemed to be in this room,” thought Brienne. There wasn’t much strong evidence in the room itself. The murder weapon was a plain dagger that any soldier would carry and was accessible to anyone. She was going to have to pull clues together from talking with people. She thought about the blaming and mistrust that filled the room before everyone left, and she felt the futility of her investigation. She just didn’t have enough time to figure this out. Perhaps a couple days would be sufficient. She then shook off her doubts. She must do this now. For Jaime’s sake.

“Should we go on to Lord Tyrion,” Pod spoke up when he noticed Brienne heading outside. “Since he was the first to see the body?”

“We’ll get to Tyrion soon enough!” Brienne needed some fresh air. She also needed to clear her gut feelings about a specific person.   She was never one to flee her biggest fears. She found it best to face them immediately.

Even though it was a cold brisk snowy day, the courtyard was a flourish of activity. There were soldiers scattered everywhere. Lord Snow had immediately locked down the castle after Jaime’s body was found. No one was reported to have left Winterfell since yesterday evening. Guards were posted in key places around the grounds of the castle. Camp fires burned at every corner. As they crossed the courtyard, kids ran in front of them, carrying sticks, stones, other makeshift weapons. Maidens carried food and other goods from one place to another. Everyone was preparing for war. But how could you prepare for fighting the dead?

On the other side of the courtyard, soldiers were training smallfolk to fight. A soldier in full battle gear complete with helmet was showing one boy how to parry correctly. Not too far from them, Arya was standing near the archery post watching on as boys and girls were being trained with the bow.

“Arya,” Brienne called out to the girl.

Arya stood holding her hands behind her back. She didn’t turn around immediately. “You think I killed the Kingslayer?” Arya asked.

“I just need to ask you a few questions, milady.”

Arya turned and looked Brienne in the eyes. “You don’t have much time.” Arya seemed to smirk as she spoke. “Wouldn’t your time be better spent talking with the dragon queen and those close to her?”

“Arya please!” Brienne dreaded to accuse Catelyn’s daughter. But she knew Arya was more than capable of doing the deed, and she had no love for Jaime.

Arya rolled her eyes a bit. “Very well.” She looked around at the soldier training the boy to use a sword, then again towards the children learning to use the bow. “Let’s talk away from here.”

The three walked back across the courtyard to the castle. Pod walked just behind Brienne and Arya, close enough to hear every word.

“You should give up on this.” Arya started. “You’re the only one who cared about him. He was an arrogant, egotistical Lannister prick!”

“Arya, I can understand you being upset about what he did to your brother, but he changed since then.”

Arya stopped and turned to face Brienne. “Do you think that’s the only thing he’s done to our family? He attacked my father on the streets of Kingslanding, crippling him before Joffrey and Cersei had him killed. And not too long ago, he seiged the Tully seat of Riverrun, home to my uncles Edmure and Brynden Tully, gave it to the Frey’s and had my Uncle, the Blackfish, killed.”

“Arya, I was there, and I know it didn’t happen like that.” Brienne wanted everyone to know that Jaime was different, but that was looking more and more futile. She would need to focus on the direct facts of Jaime’s murder. “I talked to the Blackfish, and tried to get him to come North and Sansa. But he wouldn’t budge.”

“Because Riverrun is his home, and he was willing to die for it. Did you see him executed?”

“No, Pod and I escaped on the river, when Edmure surrendered the castle.” Brienne didn’t like the way this was going, she needed to get back to the matter in hand.

“Uncle Edmure was forced to give up Riverrun by the Kingslayer, then he was put back in a Frey prison!” Arya continued.

“Do you still take your early walks through the castle before the sun rises?” Brienne asked, trying to shift the conversation back in her control. If she didn’t remain resolute on the central matter, all her interviews would go this way.

“Of course.” Arya spoke confidently. “And since most were still sleeping, no one saw me when I snuck into Ser Jaime’s room and stabbed him in the back of the neck!” She held out her hands. “Go ahead take me to my brother.”

Arya stood with a steady smirk on her face.

“Arya! Please be serious!” Brienne was surprised to feel her gut loosen.

“Okay, serious.” Arya’s face became solidly stern. “I didn’t kill your Kingslayer, but I care nothing for him. I’m glad he’s dead. We don’t need him to win this war. Either Danaerys or Cersei probably had him killed. If I saw the Dragon Queen this morning, or anyone who came across the Narrow Sea with her, I wouldn’t tell you. As for Cersei, as soon as I help my brother beat the White Walkers, I will take care of her, permanently.” With that, Arya walked away. Brienne had a bad feeling that Arya knew or saw something. But she was also certain that Arya wouldn’t voluntarily give up anything useful.

“Hmm,” Brienne sounded to herself.

“You still think she did it?” Pod asked.

“I never said that I thought she did it, Pod.” Brienne replied. “But I needed to hear it from her. Let’s go see Tyrion.”

The odd couple walked back into the castle and first headed to Tyrion’s room. As they got closer to the room, they ran into Bronn.

“Podrick Payne!” Bronn called out. “Have you told…or rather…shown Lady Brienne here your magic weapon?”

Pod blushed and tried to look away.

“What magic weapon? Brienne enquired of Bronn.

“Are you coming from Tyrion’s room?” Pod asked. Hoping to quickly get back to the matter at hand.

“Yeah, but he ain’t there. He’s with his Queen.” Bronn shook his head. “Which means, I will talk with him later. Her ladyship doesn’t like me that much.”

“I wonder why?” Brienne prodded.

“I don’t know, but if she had the Kingslayer killed, she wouldn’t hesitate to come after me.”

“Ser Bronn?” After talking with Arya, Brienne was curious about something. “How did Jaime execute the Blackfish in Riverrun?”

“He didn’t.” Bronn responded. “The Blackfish was killed while tustling with a Lannister soldier after we came through the gate.”

“Did he at least get a proper burial?” Brienne asked.

“Don’t know.” said Bronn. “Once Jaime was told about what happened with the soldier, he never pursued anything more. He wanted to quickly wash his hands of the whole ordeal.” Bronn then softened his tone a bit. “Pity, it all went down like that. I think Jaime liked the old man.” Bronn snapped back to hisself. “But war is war! Your a knight; a big one at that! You know how it is. Pleasure chatting with you, but I’ve got things to do. Do me a favor?”

“What’s that?” Brienne replied.

“Please don’t come back questioning me. It would be a waste of your time and especially mine.” Bronn then slapped Pod on the shoulder before making his way out the castle.

As they watched Bronn go, Brienne mused over her next steps. The next interview would be important. Hopefully, Tyrion will know something useful. “Let’s go Pod.”

The two made their way to Tyrion Lannister.

“Pod, I know that you served Tyrion Lannister, and that you ire him. But you cannot let your iration get in the way of finding the truth. Just let me do the talking.”

“Yes milady.” Pod cooly responded, but his face blazed with concern.

“What information have you found?” Tyrion asked.

“I am asking the questions,” Brienne responded.

“You don’t have much time Lady Brienne!” Tyrion was still grappling with his emotions. “If you tell me what you know, I can likely lead you in the right direction.”

“I will be the judge of that!” Brienne stood firm. “His Grace asked me to find the murderer.”

“And what if it was one of his sisters that committed the deed?!” Tyrion’s voice echoed down the hall. “I don’t believe Snow is involved, but there’s no telling what the rest of these Northerners would do. Tell me what you know, and once I figure out the truth, I’ll bring it to my Queen and she will make sure the murderer is brought to justice!”

“That’s ridiculous!” Brienne started, “Your Queen could have ordered Jaime’s death herself.”

“Your investigation is ridiculous!” Tyrion appeared frustrated. “If you value your honor, cooperate with me and let me help you!”

Brienne would not back down. “You can help me by just answering my questions and stop playing your impish games!”

“And now you further degrade your work by needlessly insulting me! Look, there is no one, more devastated by my brother’s death, than me!” Tyrion’s voice began to crack a bit.

“As much as you were devastated about your father!” Brienne shot back.

Tyrion recoiled and lowered his voice to a bitter tone. “Do not presume to understand what your thick skull lacks in capacity to...”

Pod cut him off. “Milady, I believe Lord Tyrion would help. He could be a great ally in the invest...”

Brienne shot a glance at Pod. “Pod! What did we talk about?”

“Yes, milady.” Pod slunk back.

“Pod, what are you doing?”, Tyrion said slyly. “If you’d been using that magic weapon of yours, she would be groveling before you by now.”

Brienne looked at Pod confused.

Pod reddened and slunk back even further.

“Look,” Tyrion pressed on. “I loved my brother more than you or anyone here will ever know! And I will not sit idly by and let his murderer get away.”

“I loved him too!” Brienne fired back more loudly than she had anticipated. She surprised herself. Had she ever even itted this to herself?

Both Pod and Tyrion stared at Brienne, silently.

Brienne began to feel her emotions swell up inside. She gathered herself and pushed them back in.

“He saved my life.” She began. “And he protected me from those who would have…” she hesitated “dishonored me.” She paused again to keep her emotions from spiraling out of control. Then she continued. “He put his own life at risk for me. When he was safe and away from danger….he came back for me.” A tear ran down the side of her face. She stood still for a moment, then turned to leave. “Come on Podrick!” she called without looking back.

“There was a note.” Tyrion spoke hesitantly.

Brienne stopped and turned to face Tyrion once again.

“When I discovered my brother’s body, there was a note in his hand.” Tyrion continued softly. “I didn’t know who to trust, and I was afraid that…” He hesitated.

“The Queen.” Brienne said quietly.

“I needed to ask her for myself.” Tyrion’s eyes seemed to look beyond Brienne. “She’s made a number of rash and emotional decisions that worry me. But after talking with her, I feel confident that she didn’t have anything to do with it. I never showed her the note.”

“Where is it?” Brienne gathered her resolve again.

Tyrion pulled out a crumbled slip of parchment from his pocket and handed it to Brienne.

Brienne opened up the parchment and began to decipher the handwriting. Pod moved in to look as well.

“It is my duty to inform you that its time to pay for what you’ve done to my family! Honor demands it!”

All was clear except the initials in the end. The last letter would be a T, but it seemed like another letter was written over the first. Was it a B…a D?

“Did you tamper with this?” Brienne sharply glared at Tyrion.

“Of course I didn’t!” Tyrion replied. “The culprit is playing games. What homicidal genius leaves their initials on the victim? Those initials could mean anything or nothing.”

“Let’s go Pod!” Brienne began to walk briskly away.

Tyrion started to call after her, but he thought against it, and headed back to his quarters.

The sun slowly began to set as it slipped under the walls of Winterfell. Brienne and Podrick marched up the hall to Queen Daenerys Targaryan’s quarters.

__________________________________________________

Time is almost up for our Westerosi gumshoes! Brienne and Podrick are headed in Dany’s direction. Are they close to finding the murderer? Was it Daenerys? Nightfall is almost here, she may be able to talk to 1 or 2 more suspects before reporting to Jon. Who should she choose? As before, leave your suggestions in the comments. We’ve got one more post left!

#whokilledjaime

King Darius

#Elites

#NightsWatch