Chapter Seventy - Tyrion 10 - A Storm of Swords | A Song of Ice and Fire (ASOIAF)

Tyrion’s is betrayed by Shae and demands a trial by combat. Oberyn Martell steps up and defeats the Mountain, but then lets his guard down and the Mountain crushes his head, and Tyrion’s hopes. Simon and Mackelly rue the day.

Chapter Review:
Tyrion Lannister weighs the offer of Oberyn Martell, but for now allows the trial to continue. Podrik Payne cannot vouch for Tyrion’s innocence, which suggests that few will. The last witness is a surprise: Shae. Of course Cersei would have interviewed, and coerced, Sansa’s handmaids. But Shae is not only going to lie for Cersei, she’s also going to tell the truth. Tyrion and Sansa plotted the murder and Tyrion used her sexually and forced her to refer to him as “her giant of Lannister.” The crowd’s laughter is too much for Tyrion and he demands the trial by combat.

Cersei is thrilled to announce that the Mountain Gregor Clegane will fight for her, but the whole room is stunned when Oberyn Martell offers to champion Tyrion’s cause. Tywin is furious. Tyrion realizes that this situation has no good outcomes for Tywin. If Oberyn wins, the Tyrells will be annoyed, and Tyrion freed. If the Mountain wins, Tyrion will be dead and the Martells might crown Myrcella, Plunging Westeros into another civil war.

Oberyn outwits and defeats the Mountain, with his poisoned spear. But then stands on the vanquished Clegane’s chest to extract a deathbed confession. He gets one, Gregor did rape and murder Elia, and murder her children, but it’s Oberyn’s deathbed. The Mountain trips him and crushes his skull. Tyrion’s hopes die with the Red Viper.

Characters/Places/Names/Events:
Tyrion Lannister - Youngest son of Tywin Lannister. Brother to queen Cersei and Jamie Lannister. Former Hand of the King.
Tywin Lannister - Tyrion’s father, Hand of the King.
Kevan Lannister - Tyrion’s uncle, as well as brother and trusted advisor to Tywin Lannister.
Sansa Stark - Oldest daughter of Ned and Catelyn Stark, wife to Tyrion.
Cersei Lannister - Mother of the late Joffrey Baratheon, sister to Tyrion.
Oberyn Martell - Brother to Doran Martell the Prince of Dorne. In King’s Landing to seek justice for his murdered sister Elia and her children.
Shae - Prostitute and lover of Tyrion.
Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane - Feared fighter and Lannister loyalist.