Just Inside the Gates, early Saturday
Tyrion was still adjusting his gauntlets as he took his place atop a large rock and raised his voice. He supposed the muggy day meant he'd pay in sweat for the suit of armor as the sun rose higher, but he was still a Lannister. He would wear proper red and gold insignia today for the sake of that.
He took a moment to glance over his army. It wasn't much of one, a few dozen children and every explosive that could be cobbled together out of scraps. Those with him still deserved the dignity of any troops.
"We don't have a lot of time before we're noticed," he began, "so I will make this short. Today, you are all doing something very brave in taking up arms, and I thank you for it. We may be hurt. We may not succeed. If we do succeed, you may find no glory in it. We may not get songs written about us, or gold to fill our pockets -- and if you're out here for any of that, wipe those thoughts from your mind.
"But this island -- the people on this island -- deserve better than the dictatorship of a madwoman. We deserve the freedom to think as we want. The right to kiss someone we love outside on a summer day. And as I speak, some of your compatriots are risking their lives to free our imprisoned friends from her clutches. Others will be working through the night to find a way to dethrone her once and for all. Our distraction will give them the time and space they need to reach those goals. Let's not let anyone down."
He drew a breath, took one last glance to the school. "Now, on three, pick up your weapons and go."
He took a moment to glance over his army. It wasn't much of one, a few dozen children and every explosive that could be cobbled together out of scraps. Those with him still deserved the dignity of any troops.
"We don't have a lot of time before we're noticed," he began, "so I will make this short. Today, you are all doing something very brave in taking up arms, and I thank you for it. We may be hurt. We may not succeed. If we do succeed, you may find no glory in it. We may not get songs written about us, or gold to fill our pockets -- and if you're out here for any of that, wipe those thoughts from your mind.
"But this island -- the people on this island -- deserve better than the dictatorship of a madwoman. We deserve the freedom to think as we want. The right to kiss someone we love outside on a summer day. And as I speak, some of your compatriots are risking their lives to free our imprisoned friends from her clutches. Others will be working through the night to find a way to dethrone her once and for all. Our distraction will give them the time and space they need to reach those goals. Let's not let anyone down."
He drew a breath, took one last glance to the school. "Now, on three, pick up your weapons and go."