Conjunctiva Histology and Anatomy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Conjunctiva Histology and Anatomy - Essay Example (Blue Histology: the eye) There are slight histological distinctions in the conjunctiva portions. The conjunctiva covering the lid margin and bulbar conjunctiva is a modified nonkeratinized, stratified squamous epithelium. The tarsal and fornix conjunctiva is covered by stratified squamous and cuboidal to columnar epithelium of diverse thickness which preserve some squamoidal characteristics, such as having numerous desmosomes and a microvillus surface. Goblet cells are profuse in the tarsus, fornix, and specialized areas as the plica semilunaris, while they are scant nearby the lid boundary and the cornea's limbus. A histological sagittal section of both eyelids and the eye are shown here: (1) cornea (2) lens (3) fornix part of the conjunctiva. (4) marginal conjunctiva (5) palpebral portion of the lacrimal gland (6) tarsal conjunctiva. The constitution of Goblet cells within the epithelium at each of these regions is fluctuant. (Anatomy of the Eye: Conjunctiva 2005) Function of Conjunctiva It moistens the eye' The production of the transparent mucous thick fluid acts as a lubricant It aids in tear production to maintain the eye cleanness. Protects the eye from pathogenic invasions Protect the eye from foreign material to directly come in contact like dust. References Anatomy of the Eye: Conjunctiva, Mission for Vision, 2005 http://www.missionforvisionusa.org/anatomy/2005/11/conjunctiva.html Blue Histology - The Eye, School of Anatomy and Human Biology - The University of Western Australia http://www.lab.anhb.uwa.edu.au/mb140/CorePages/eye/eye.htm Chapter 7, Conjunctiva http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/courses/vet_eyes/conotes/con- chapter_7.html Establishment of a Cultivated Human Conjunctival Epithelium as an Alternative Tissue Source for Autologous Corneal Epithelial Transplantation http://www.iovs.org/cgi/content/full/47/9/3820 Ted M. Montgomery, 2007, Anatomy, Physiology & Pathology of the Human Eye,

American Inervention Policy Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

American Inervention Policy - Term Paper Example Throughout the twentieth centuries, most of the colonized countries gained their independence from the European nations, making rendering this traditional and overt kind of imperialism a much-hated memory of past exploitation. There are some who argue that in the absence of this controlling power of these Western European colonizing forces, the United States of America has now stepped in as a new kind of imperial player in world politics. In a recent book which provocatively calls the United States a â€Å"Rogue State† a great many incidents are mentioned which show the extent to which American governments have gone to ensure that American interests are actively promoted across the globe. A list of morally and legally dubious strategies is given, including deliberate assassinations of foreign leaders, regime changes, military strikes, and economic measures designed to cripple whole countries and regions which for whatever reason oppose American plans for the world. The author, American journalist and researcher William Blum, cites 40 incidences of assassination, for example, which are recognized as having been carried out by American forces and mentions evidence that convicted murderers were even recruited for this task: â€Å"The training of the carefully-selected recruits ranged from dehumanization of the enemy to acclimating them emotionally through special films showing people being killed and injured in violent ways† (Blum, 2000, p. 40). In its methods, then, it is clear that the United States has had occasion to use at least some of the hated tactics of colonial rule. The invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq bear some resemblance to imperialist interventions because they involve the explicit movement of troops and some administrative personnel to these foreign lands in order to effect political changes. There is no immediate danger of attack from either of these two countries on American soil, though the possibility of single terrorist acts fro m smaller groups which may well shelter in these countries is always present, as was seen to terrible effect in the 9/11 atrocities.  

Determination of the pKas for Glycine

Determination of the pKas for Glycine Name: Aleksandra Redlinska Lab Partner: Adrianna Czerlonko Lab Instructor: Jenq-Kuen Huang Lab TA: Chandra K.Ailneni Objectives: The purpose of this experiment is to titrate glycine and determine its pKa values. This is done to show that glycine is a dipolar ion. This experiment will help explain how pKa values and pH are closely related and will help show the importance of pH in amino acids. Background: Amino acids consist of an amino group (-NH3+) and a carboxyl group (-COOH). When they are in an acidic solution, the amino group becomes protonated and the carboxyl group gets dissociated. When in a solution with a neutral pH, amino acids will usually be dipolar and the amino group will be protonated while the carboxyl group becomes deprotonated. When amino acids are in basic solution, the protonated amino group is the only one that changes, by losing a proton (Biochemistry). The equation used to find the equilibrium constant, Ka, of a reaction is the products divided by the reactants. The Ka can then be used to find the pKa by taking the negative log of the Ka. The Ka value can be used to figure out whether the acid will dissociate or not and how strong an acid is. Glycine is an amino acid which contains both acidic and basic pKas. This shows that it can react to changes in the pH. By adding NaOH to glycine, the proton ion will dissociate. This dissociation will occur due to the tit ration done using the glycine solution. Materials: 0.1 N Sodium hydroxide (60 mL) Glycine (0.6 g or 8.0 meq) 0.1 N Hydrochloric acid (60 mL) Deionized water 100 mL volumetric flask Two burettes Four 250 mL beakers Funnel Graduated cylinder pH meter Procedure: Glycine (0.6 g) was weighed out and put in a 100 ml flask. Water was added to the flask to make 100 mL of solution. The sample (25 mL) was transferred to a 250 mL beaker and distilled water was added (100 mL). The solution was titrated with 0.1 N NaOH (30 mL in 1.0 mL increments). The pH and volume of base were measured after each 1.0 mL of NaOH added and the data was recorded and plotted. Distilled water (125 mL) was placed in a 250 mL beaker. The solution was once again titrated with 0.1 N NaOH (30 mL in 1.0 mL increments). The pH and volume of base were once again collected and plotted. The original glycine solution (25 mL) was transferred to a 250 mL beaker and distilled water (100 mL) was added. The solution was titrated with 0.1 N HCl (30 mL in 1.0 mL increments). The total volume of acid and the pH were recorded. Distilled water (125 mL) was placed in a 250 mL beaker and the solution was titrated with 0.1 N HCl (30 mL in 1.0 mL increments). The volume of the acid and the pH wa s recorded and plotted. Results: Table 1. Titration with NaOH. Table 2. Titration with HCl. Calculations: Determining pKa1 (HCl titration) At pH = 2.5, 30 mL of 0.1 N HCl was used for the glycine titration and 16 mL was used for water. 30 mL – 16 mL = 14 mL 14 mL = 0.014 L 0.014 L was used to titrate glycine at pH 2.5 The normality of HCl used was 0.1 N N = #eq/L 0.1 N = X/0.014 L X = 0.0014 eq 0.0014 eq = 1.4 meq It takes 1.4 meq of HCl to convert glycine to an acidic form The amount of glycine at the start of the titration was: (8 meq)(25 mL/100 mL) = 2 meq The amount of glycine left after the titration was: 2 meq – 1.4 meq = 0.6 meq Formula: pH = pKa1 + log [conjugate base]/ [acid] Conjugate base = 0.6 meq Acid = 1.4 meq 2.5 = pKa1 + log [0.6]/[1.4] 2.5 = pKa1 – 0.368 pKa1 = 2.868 Determining pKa2 (NaOH titration) At pH = 9.4, 18 mL of 0.1 N NaOH was used for the glycine titration and 1 mL was used for the water. 18 mL – 1 mL = 17 mL 17 mL = 0.017 L 0.017 L was used to titrate glycine at pH 9.4 The normality of HCl used was 0.1 N N = #eq/L 0.1 N = X/0.017 L X = 0.0017 eq 0.0017 eq = 1.7 meq It takes 1.7 meq of NaOH to convert glycine to an acidic form The amount of glycine at the start of the titration was: (8 meq)(25 mL/100 mL) = 2 meq The amount of glycine left after the titration was: 2 meq – 1.7 meq = 0.3 meq Formula: pH = pKa2 + log [conjugate base]/ [acid] Conjugate base = 1.7 meq Acid = 0.3 meq 9.4 = pKa2 + log [1.7]/[0.3] 9.4 = pKa2 + 0.753 pKa2 = 8.647 Discussion and Conclusion: The average pKa1 calculated for the titration using HCl was 3.013. The true pKa 1 for an acidic amino acid is 2.3. The average pKa2 calculated for the titration using NaOH was 8.863. The true pKa2 for a basic amino acid is 9.6. This difference could have been caused by dirty glassware or improper measuring of the 0.1 increments of HCl and NaOH using the burette. The error could have also been due to the absence of an analytical scale to make precise measurements of glycine and the pH meter not being cleaned thoroughly enough. Since there was not enough time for each group to complete both parts of the experiment using HCl and NaOH, each group only did one of the titrations. Since my group did not have time to do the HCl titration, we got the results from another group. This could have also caused an error because we did not monitor how precise the other group was. This experiment shows that the pKas of amino acids are important. They could be used to calculate the pH and strength of the amino acid. This observation is displayed in the data above and the graph. This experiment helped me understand how pKa and pH are related. References: Berg, Jeremy M., John L. Tymoczko, and Lubert Stryer.Biochemistry. 6th Edition, W.H. Freeman and Company, New York, (2002). Cronk, J. (2012, January 1). BIOCHEMISTRY Dictionary. Retrieved September 23, 2014, from http://guweb2.gonzaga.edu/faculty/cronk/biochem/dictionary.cfm?letter=front Cronk, J. (2012, January 1). CHEM 440 lectures. Retrieved September 23, 2014, from http://guweb2.gonzaga.edu/faculty/cronk/CHEM440pub/L05-index.cfm Huang, Jack. Experiment 2: â€Å"Determination of the pKas for Glycine† Chem 421 Laboratory. Sep 15, 2014. Answers to Questions: 1. The pKa associated with a typical aliphatic carboxylic acid is 2.3 and the pKa associated with a typical aliphatic amine is 9.6. The pKas associated with an alpha-carboxyl group in an amino acid are between 2 and 3. The pKas associated with a gamma-carboxyl group in an amino acid are between 4.3 and 4.5. The pKas associated with an alpha-amino group in an amino acid are between 9 and 10. The pKa associated with an epsilon-amino group in an amino acid is around 10. The pKas associated with an imidazole group in an amino acid are between 6 and 7. The pKas associated with a guanidine group in an amino acid is around 12.5. The pKas for these groups are taken away once the amino acids are incorporated into proteins. The groups form bonds and the only pKa values that can still be seen are the ones that are at the C and N terminus of the chain. 2. The top equation is correct because the top equation contains a Zwitterion. This Zwitterion would cause it to be able to react with HCl (a strong base) and NaOH (a strong acid). The bottom equation shows no charges on the nitrogen or oxygen, making the reaction not able to happen. My data supports this because when adding HCl, the pH went down and when adding NaOH, the pH went up. This shows that ions were taken away and added causing deprotonation and protonation of the glycine. 3. The structure of Lys-Ala-Asp is: The N-terminal is the NH3+ on the very left side and the C-terminal is the OH on the right side. The net charge of this tripeptide at pH 2 is +2. The net charge at pH 6 is 0. The net charge at pH 13 is -2.

Cats Cradle Essay -- Cats Cradle Vonnegut Essays

The Human Vaccination Modern medicine has proved that the best way to prevent the contraction of a disease for humans is to inject a tolerable amount of the virus into the host and let the individual's immune system build a defense capable of withstanding future invasions of the same strand. The small pox vaccination, for example, has eliminated the disease from almost every nation on Earth. But what if the disease is psychological, a way of being or state of mind rather than a physical aberration? My interpretation of Vonnegut's statement to "poison minds with humanity †¦to encourage them to make a better world" leads me to think that he would approach the problem with the same method. Inject just a bit of stupidity, naivetà ©, and prideful ignorance directly into the cerebellum so that, hopefully, gradually, humanity will wean themselves of these traits. The technique must be subtle. The needle and syringe must appear nonthreatening or no one will take it. Therefore disguise the needle with cynicism and satire. The idea is to present forms of unwanted human behavior that all of us possess and practice throughout our daily lives and make the reader aware of them. Show the reader humans being human and make them aware of all the stupid, silly, rude things we do and say everyday. Consider the ignorance of Miss Pefko, who neither finds science the very antithesis of magic nor understands the meaning of the word antithesis, the rude curtness of Marvin Breed and Philip Castle, and the duping of the entire population of the Bokonon religion based not on God, but upon socialism and lies. Cat's Cradle is full of characters that display very human, very unwanted traits. By recognizing these traits and consciously thinking about... ...niverse, he his painting a clear picture of the pitfalls of life. It is very clear that in Cat's Cradle, Vonnegut views religion and science as an excuse to not be responsible for individual actions. The Episcopalian woman in Newport believed that by knowing God, she knew everything, and yet lacked the ability to read a blueprint (13). Dr. Hoenikker hid behind that faà §ade of science so that an institution could carry the burden of his inventions, and Jonah blamed Bokonon for the mass suicide, never once mentioning that each individual had a choice of whether or not to kill themselves (182). Vonnegut's use of satire coats the poisonous pen used to show his readers the inescapable consequences of stupidity and arrogance. Displaying the darkness and destruction of mankind allows his readers to see where changes can be made that would allow a better world to emerge.

Nebosh Fire & Risk Management Essay

There are a number of standard combustibles around the site all of which are not accessible to the public. There is an ongoing history of vandalism and arson attack on this particular site along with an ongoing major reconstruction and refurbishment of the building and site. However, in areas under NTR management there are good controls and housekeeping practices in place with the majority of fuels being routinely cleared and stored in the correct manner, ignition sources are generally few though some attention is necessary for the venue electrical infrastructure. Therefore an overall risk rating of medium to high is allocated dependant on the intensity of the ongoing capital project works. If the suggested electrical maintenance and upgrade measures are undertaken then this will be reduced to a low/medium risk. Assessment of risk of fire spread – H/M/L with justification In general there is a good level of compartmentation within the front of house areas of the building over the first two floors (public areas), currently due to breaches in external walls to the auditorium there is now a risk to the internal staff working within the two main office spaces over the upper two floors, this new risk requires the installation of two new temporary walls. The high degree of separation in FOH areas balanced by the very large open auditorium space and roof void create a risk rating of medium/high due to the ever changing risk from site works. Upon completion of the recommendation of compartmentalisation of the roof void and along with making good all minor/medium breaches in fire doors and compartmentation this risk rating will fall to medium until completion of capital rebuild operations. With the balance in maintaining modern fire safety standards in a historic heritage buildings with alternate restrictions this may be a continual problem in bringing the fire safety standards up to levels expected under Approved Document B. Assessment of risk to persons from fire – H/M/L with justification Due to there being a well tested fire detection system in place throughout all areas of the venue and with 24 hour monitoring of detection systems, then in general the risk to occupants is low. However as there is ongoing refurbishment of internal and external areas which implies new fire hazards this risk should be assessed as being medium overall. Though there is a higher level of risk to lesser abled occupants of the cafe spaces there is in place suitable controls to safeguard visitors, staff working in office spaces are no at increased risk with there now only being a single route of escape for each office though this is soon to be remedied and as such the risk is maintained at medium rather than high. Management systems are due to be heavily changed with the ever changing natures of the building and its reconstruction, regular amendments to the Fire Safety Policy & Arrangements will be necessary in order to uphold fire safety. This is the best time to spot personal/public (fire) safety failings in elements of the building and put right as a whole. Fire risk assessment review date – with justification (based on the findings of the fire risk assessment) With the ever changing nature of the venue during the major reconstruction and restoration process it is best that review takes place within 3 months or with any notable change in operations or introduction of new fire hazards. Further I would suggest a meeting between the NTR H&S Working Party monthly with the Project Management team in order to address highlighted concerns and to plan for upcoming hazards likely to take place on site during the course of its workings. All in house requirements under this assessments should be reviewed for adequate completion in 3 months also to assess sufficiency.

A Game of Thrones Chapter Twenty-eight

Catelyn My lady, you ought cover your head,† Ser Rodrik told her as their horses plodded north. â€Å"You will take a chill.† â€Å"It is only water, Ser Rodrik,† Catelyn replied. Her hair hung wet and heavy, a loose strand stuck to her forehead, and she could imagine how ragged and wild she must look, but for once she did not care. The southern rain was soft and warm. Catelyn liked the feel of it on her face, gentle as a mother's kisses. It took her back to her childhood, to long grey days at Riverrun. She remembered the godswood, drooping branches heavy with moisture, and the sound of her brother's laughter as he chased her through piles of damp leaves. She remembered making mud pies with Lysa, the weight of them, the mud slick and brown between her fingers. They had served them to Littlefinger, giggling, and he'd eaten so much mud he was sick for a week. How young they all had been. Catelyn had almost forgotten. In the north, the rain fell cold and hard, and sometimes at night it turned to ice. It was as likely to kill a crop as nurture it, and it sent grown men running for the nearest shelter. That was no rain for little girls to play in. â€Å"I am soaked through,† Ser Rodrik complained. â€Å"Even my bones are wet.† The woods pressed close around them, and the steady pattering of rain on leaves was accompanied by the small sucking sounds their horses made as their hooves pulled free of the mud. â€Å"We will want a fire tonight, my lady, and a hot meal would serve us both.† â€Å"There is an inn at the crossroads up ahead,† Catelyn told him. She had slept many a night there in her youth, traveling with her father. Lord Hoster Tully had been a restless man in his prime, always riding somewhere. She still remembered the innkeep, a fat woman named Masha Heddle who chewed sourleaf night and day and seemed to have an endless supply of smiles and sweet cakes for the children. The sweet cakes had been soaked with honey, rich and heavy on the tongue, but how Catelyn had dreaded those smiles. The sourleaf had stained Masha's teeth a dark red, and made her smile a bloody horror. â€Å"An inn,† Ser Rodrik repeated wistfully. â€Å"If only . . . but we dare not risk it. If we wish to remain unknown, I think it best we seek out some small holdfast . . . † He broke off as they heard sounds up the road; splashing water, the clink of mail, a horse's whinny. â€Å"Riders,† he warned, his hand dropping to the hilt of his sword. Even on the kingsroad, it never hurt to be wary. They followed the sounds around a lazy bend of the road and saw them; a column of armed men noisily fording a swollen stream. Catelyn reined up to let them pass. The banner in the hand of the foremost rider hung sodden and limp, but the guardsmen wore indigo cloaks and on their shoulders flew the silver eagle of Seagard. â€Å"Mallisters,† Ser Rodrik whispered to her, as if she had not known. â€Å"My lady, best pull up your hood.† Catelyn made no move. Lord Jason Mallister himself rode with them, surrounded by his knights, his son Patrek by his side and their squires close behind. They were riding for King's Landing and the Hand's tourney, she knew. For the past week, the travelers had been thick as flies upon the kingsroad; knights and freeriders, singers with their harps and drums, heavy wagons laden with hops or corn or casks of honey, traders and craftsmen and whores, and all of them moving south. She studied Lord Jason boldly. The last time she had seen him he had been jesting with her uncle at her wedding feast; the Mallisters stood bannermen to the Tullys, and his gifts had been lavish. His brown hair was salted with white now, his face chiseled gaunt by time, yet the years had not touched his pride. He rode like a man who feared nothing. Catelyn envied him that; she had come to fear so much. As the riders passed, Lord Jason nodded a curt greeting, but it was only a high lord's courtesy to strangers chance met on the road. There was no recognition in those fierce eyes, and his son did not even waste a look. â€Å"He did not know you,† Ser Rodrik said after, wondering. â€Å"He saw a pair of mud-spattered travelers by the side of the road, wet and tired. It would never occur to him to suspect that one of them was the daughter of his liege lord. I think we shall be safe enough at the inn, Ser Rodrik.† It was near dark when they reached it, at the crossroads north of the great confluence of the Trident. Masha Heddle was fatter and greyer than Catelyn remembered, still chewing her sourleaf, but she gave them only the most cursory of looks, with nary a hint of her ghastly red smile. â€Å"Two rooms at the top of the stair, that's all there is,† she said, chewing all the while. â€Å"They're under the bell tower, you won't be missing meals, though there's some thinks it too noisy. Can't be helped. We're full up, or near as makes no matter. It's those rooms or the road.† It was those rooms, low, dusty garrets at the top of a cramped narrow staircase. â€Å"Leave your boots down here,† Masha told them after she'd taken their coin. â€Å"The boy will clean them. I won't have you tracking mud up my stairs. Mind the bell. Those who come late to meals don't eat.† There were no smiles, and no mention of sweet cakes. When the supper bell rang, the sound was deafening. Catelyn had changed into dry clothes. She sat by the window, watching rain run down the pane. The glass was milky and full of bubbles, and a wet dusk was falling outside. Catelyn could just make out the muddy crossing where the two great roads met. The crossroads gave her pause. If they turned west from here, it was an easy ride down to Riverrun. Her father had always given her wise counsel when she needed it most, and she yearned to talk to him, to warn him of the gathering storm. If Winterfell needed to brace for war, how much more so Riverrun, so much closer to King's Landing, with the power of Casterly Rock looming to the west like a shadow. If only her father had been stronger, she might have chanced it, but Hoster Tully had been bedridden these past two years, and Catelyn was loath to tax him now. The eastern road was wilder and more dangerous, climbing through rocky foothills and thick forests into the Mountains of the Moon, past high passes and deep chasms to the Vale of Arryn and the stony Fingers beyond. Above the Vale, the Eyrie stood high and impregnable, its towers reaching for the sky. There she would find her sister . . . and, perhaps, some of the answers Ned sought. Surely Lysa knew more than she had dared to put in her letter. She might have the very proof that Ned needed to bring the Lannisters to ruin, and if it came to war, they would need the Arryns and the eastern lords who owed them service. Yet the mountain road was perilous. Shadowcats prowled those passes, rock slides were common, and the mountain clans were lawless brigands, descending from the heights to rob and kill and melting away like snow whenever the knights rode out from the Vale in search of them. Even Jon Arryn, as great a lord as any the Eyrie had ever known, had always traveled in strength when he crossed the mountains. Catelyn's only strength was one elderly knight, armored in loyalty. No, she thought, Riverrun and the Eyrie would have to wait. Her path ran north to Winterfell, where her sons and her duty were waiting for her. As soon as they were safely past the Neck, she could declare herself to one of Ned's bannermen, and send riders racing ahead with orders to mount a watch on the kingsroad. The rain obscured the fields beyond the crossroads, but Catelyn saw the land clear enough in her memory. The marketplace was just across the way, and the village a mile farther on, half a hundred white cottages surrounding a small stone sept. There would be more now; the summer had been long and peaceful. North of here the kingsroad ran along the Green Fork of the Trident, through fertile valleys and green woodlands, past thriving towns and stout holdfasts and the castles of the river lords. Catelyn knew them all: the Blackwoods and the Brackens, ever enemies, whose quarrels her father was obliged to settle; Lady Whent, last of her line, who dwelt with her ghosts in the cavernous vaults of Harrenhal; irascible Lord Frey, who had outlived seven wives and filled his twin castles with children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and bastards and grandbastards as well. All of them were bannermen to the Tullys, their swords sworn to the service of Riverrun. Catelyn wondered if that would be enough, if it came to war. Her father was the staunchest man who'd ever lived, and she had no doubt that he would call his banners . . . but would the banners come? The Darrys and Rygers and Mootons had sworn oaths to Riverrun as well, yet they had fought with Rhaegar Targaryen on the Trident, while Lord Frey had arrived with his levies well after the battle was over, leaving some doubt as to which army he had planned to join (theirs, he had assured the victors solemnly in the afterma th, but ever after her father had called him the Late Lord Frey). It must not come to war, Catelyn thought fervently. They must not let it. Ser Rodrik came for her just as the bell ceased its clangor. â€Å"We had best make haste if we hope to eat tonight, my lady.† â€Å"It might be safer if we were not knight and lady until we pass the Neck,† she told him. â€Å"Common travelers attract less notice. A father and daughter taken to the road on some family business, say.† â€Å"As you say, my lady,† Ser Rodrik agreed. It was only when she laughed that he realized what he'd done. â€Å"The old courtesies die hard, my—my daughter.† He tried to tug on his missing whiskers, and sighed with exasperation. Catelyn took his arm. â€Å"Come, Father,† she said. â€Å"You'll find that Masha Heddle sets a good table, I think, but try not to praise her. You truly don't want to see her smile.† The common room was long and drafty, with a row of huge wooden kegs at one end and a fireplace at the other. A serving boy ran back and forth with skewers of meat while Masha drew beer from the kegs, chewing her sourleaf all the while. The benches were crowded, townsfolk and farmers mingling freely with all manner of travelers. The crossroads made for odd companions; dyers with black and purple hands shared a bench with rivermen reeking of fish, an ironsmith thick with muscle squeezed in beside a wizened old septon, hard-bitten sellswords and soft plump merchants swapped news like boon companions. The company included more swords than Catelyn would have liked. Three by the fire wore the red stallion badge of the Brackens, and there was a large party in blue steel ringmail and capes of a silvery grey. On their shoulder was another familiar sigil, the twin towers of House Frey. She studied their faces, but they were all too young to have known her. The senior among them would have been no older than Bran when she went north. Ser Rodrik found them an empty place on the bench near the kitchen. Across the table a handsome youth was fingering a woodharp. â€Å"Seven blessings to you, goodfolk,† he said as they sat. An empty wine cup stood on the table before him. â€Å"And to you, singer,† Catelyn returned. Ser Rodrik called for bread and meat and beer in a tone that meant now. The singer, a youth of some eighteen years, eyed them boldly and asked where they were going, and from whence they had come, and what news they had, letting the questions fly as quick as arrows and never pausing for an answer. â€Å"We left King's Landing a fortnight ago,† Catelyn replied, answering the safest of his questions. â€Å"That's where I'm bound,† the youth said. As she had suspected, he was more interested in telling his own story than in hearing theirs. Singers loved nothing half so well as the sound of their own voices. â€Å"The Hand's tourney means rich lords with fat purses. The last time I came away with more silver than I could carry . . . or would have, if I hadn't lost it all betting on the Kingslayer to win the day.† â€Å"The gods frown on the gambler,† Ser Rodrik said sternly. He was of the north, and shared the Stark views on tournaments. â€Å"They frowned on me, for certain,† the singer said. â€Å"Your cruel gods and the Knight of Flowers altogether did me in.† â€Å"No doubt that was a lesson for you,† Ser Rodrik said. â€Å"It was. This time my coin will champion Ser Loras.† Ser Rodrik tried to tug at whiskers that were not there, but before he could frame a rebuke the serving boy came scurrying up. He laid trenchers of bread before them and filled them with chunks of browned meat off a skewer, dripping with hot juice. Another skewer held tiny onions, fire peppers, and fat mushrooms. Ser Rodrik set to lustily as the lad ran back to fetch them beer. â€Å"My name is Marillion,† the singer said, plucking a string on his woodharp. â€Å"Doubtless you've heard me play somewhere?† His manner made Catelyn smile. Few wandering singers ever ventured as far north as Winterfell, but she knew his like from her girlhood in Riverrun. â€Å"I fear not,† she told him. He drew a plaintive chord from the woodharp. â€Å"That is your loss,† he said. â€Å"Who was the finest singer you've ever heard?† â€Å"Alia of Braavos,† Ser Rodrik answered at once. â€Å"Oh, I'm much better than that old stick,† Marillion said. â€Å"If you have the silver for a song, I'll gladly show you.† â€Å"I might have a copper or two, but I'd sooner toss it down a well than pay for your howling,† Ser Rodrik groused. His opinion of singers was well known; music was a lovely thing for girls, but he could not comprehend why any healthy boy would fill his hand with a harp when he might have had a sword. â€Å"Your grandfather has a sour nature,† Marillion said to Catelyn. â€Å"I meant to do you honor. An homage to your beauty. In truth, I was made to sing for kings and high lords.† â€Å"Oh, I can see that,† Catelyn said. â€Å"Lord Tully is fond of song, I hear. No doubt you've been to Riverrun.† â€Å"A hundred times,† the singer said airily. â€Å"They keep a chamber for me, and the young lord is like a brother.† Catelyn smiled, wondering what Edmure would think of that. Another singer had once bedded a girl her brother fancied; he had hated the breed ever since. â€Å"And Winterfell?† she asked him. â€Å"Have you traveled north?† â€Å"Why would I?' Marillion asked. â€Å"It's all blizzards and bearskins up there, and the Starks know no music but the howling of wolves.† Distantly, she was aware of the door banging open at the far end of the room. â€Å"Innkeep,† a servant's voice called out behind her, â€Å"we have horses that want stabling, and my lord of Lannister requires a room and a hot bath.† â€Å"Oh, gods,† Ser Rodrik said before Catelyn reached out to silence him, her fingers tightening hard around his forearm. Masha Heddle was bowing and smiling her hideous red smile. â€Å"I'm sorry, m'lord, truly, we're full up, every room.† There were four of them, Catelyn saw. An old man in the black of the Night's Watch, two servants . . . and him, standing there small and bold as life. â€Å"My men will steep in your stable, and as for myself, well, I do not require a large room, as you can plainly see.† He flashed a mocking grin. â€Å"So long as the fire's warm and the straw reasonably free of fleas, I am a happy man.† Masha Heddle was beside herself. â€Å"M'lord, there's nothing, it's the tourney, there's no help for it, oh . . . â€Å" Tyrion Lannister pulled a coin from his purse and flicked it up over his head, caught it, tossed it again. Even across the room, where Catelyn sat, the wink of gold was unmistakable. A freerider in a faded blue cloak lurched to his feet. â€Å"You're welcome to my room, m'lord.† â€Å"Now there's a clever man,† Lannister said as he sent the coin spinning across the room. The freerider snatched it from the air. â€Å"And a nimble one to boot.† The dwarf turned back to Masha Heddle. â€Å"You will be able to manage food, I trust?† â€Å"Anything you like, m'lord, anything at all,† the innkeep promised. And may he choke on it, Catelyn thought, but it was Bran she saw choking, drowning on his own blood. Lannister glanced at the nearest tables. â€Å"My men will have whatever you're serving these people. Double portions, we've had a long hard ride. I'll take a roast fowl—chicken, duck, pigeon, it makes no matter. And send up a flagon of your best wine. Yoren, will you sup with me?† â€Å"Aye, m'lord, I will,† the black brother replied. The dwarf had not so much as glanced toward the far end of the room, and Catelyn was thinking how grateful she was for the crowded benches between them when suddenly Marillion bounded to his feet. â€Å"My lord of Lannister!† he called out. â€Å"I would be pleased to entertain you while you eat. Let me sing you the lay of your father's great victory at King's Landing!† â€Å"Nothing would be more likely to ruin my supper,† the dwarf said dryly. His mismatched eyes considered the singer briefly, started to move away . . . and found Catelyn. He looked at her for a moment, puzzled. She turned her face away, but too late. The dwarf was smiling. â€Å"Lady Stark, what an unexpected pleasure,† he said. â€Å"I was sorry to miss you at Winterfell.† Marillion gaped at her, confusion giving way to chagrin as Catelyn rose slowly to her feet. She heard Ser Rodrik curse. If only the man had lingered at the Wall, she thought, if only . . . â€Å"Lady . . . Stark?† Masha Heddle said thickly. â€Å"I was still Catelyn Tully the last time I bedded here,† she told the innkeep. She could hear the muttering, feel the eyes upon her. Catelyn glanced around the room, at the faces of the knights and sworn swords, and took a deep breath to slow the frantic beating of her heart. Did she dare take the risk? There was no time to think it through, only the moment and the sound of her own voice ringing in her ears. â€Å"You in the corner,† she said to an older man she had not noticed until now. â€Å"Is that the black bat of Harrenhal I see embroidered on your surcoat, ser?† The man got to his feet. â€Å"It is, my lady.† â€Å"And is Lady Whent a true and honest friend to my father, Lord Hoster Tully of Riverrun?† â€Å"She is,† the man replied stoutly. Ser Rodrik rose quietly and loosened his sword in its scabbard. The dwarf was blinking at them, blank-faced, with puzzlement in his mismatched eyes. â€Å"The red stallion was ever a welcome sight in Riverrun,† she said to the trio by the fire. â€Å"My father counts Jonos Bracken among his oldest and most loyal bannermen.† The three men-at-arms exchanged uncertain looks. â€Å"Our lord is honored by his trust,† one of them said hesitantly. â€Å"I envy your father all these fine friends,† Lannister quipped, â€Å"but I do not quite see the purpose of this, Lady Stark.† She ignored him, turning to the large party in blue and grey. They were the heart of the matter; there were more than twenty of them. â€Å"I know your sigil as well: the twin towers of Frey. How fares your good lord, sers?† Their captain rose. â€Å"Lord Walder is well, my lady. He plans to take a new wife on his ninetieth name day, and has asked your lord father to honor the wedding with his presence.† Tyrion Lannister sniggered. That was when Catelyn knew he was hers. â€Å"This man came a guest into my house, and there conspired to murder my son, a boy of seven,† she proclaimed to the room at large, pointing. Ser Rodrik moved to her side, his sword in hand. â€Å"In the name of King Robert and the good lords you serve, I call upon you to seize him and help me return him to Winterfell to await the king's justice.† She did not know what was more satisfying: the sound of a dozen swords drawn as one or the look on Tyrion Lannister's face.