Baron Gryphon's face flushed with inner excitement; after a pause, he said, "Lord Kleyber, many people in the Eyrie also know this secret; they chose to remain silent to save their lives."
"You mean witnesses?"
Kleyber's eyebrows raised slightly, and he asked again, "Real witnesses?"
Baron Gryphon nodded and said, "Yes, there are witnesses.
I think they will be willing; those people are very willing to testify before the just King."
After a moment of thought, Kleyber continued to press, "Are you sure they are real witnesses? King Joffrey doesn't like to be deceived."
Baron Gryphon's eyes flickered; he nodded again and said, "Lord Kleyber, no one dares to lie before the just King; they are people who have witnessed the truth with their own eyes, and I can assure..."
After a slight pause, he continued, "I guarantee this is true, my Lord."
Only then did Kleyber nod slightly with relief, saying, "Very good.
As your liege lord, I naturally trust my vassal; thank you for your honesty, loyal Gryphon."
After a while, a maid came lightly to Kleyber's ear and whispered; he nodded his chin and said, "Serve the dishes."
Once Kleyber and the three members of the Hersy Family were seated, the small banquet began.
Waiters and maids brought out a series of delicacies: first, mushroom cream soup, followed by salad with apples, nuts, and raisins, and crab claw pie, then roasted lamb with leeks and carrots served in hollow bread bowls, and goat cheese with roasted apples.
A singer played an ancient harp, and sweet music filled the small hall of Moon Gate Castle.
Kleyber raised his cup and gestured, saying, "To the peace of the Seven Kingdoms."
...
When Kleyber drank his fifth cup of wine, Reon Hersy, at his father's signal, stood up and performed a breast-touching salute towards Kleyber's position.
He spoke loudly, "Lord Kleyber, please allow me to fight for you; I only need 50 skilled swordsmen, and I guarantee I will take the Eyrie for you."
Kleyber's eyes moved slightly; he glanced at Baron Gryphon, who was beaming with satisfaction, but he refused, saying, "Brave Reon, the mountain path to the Eyrie is too dangerous.
You are Baron Gryphon's heir, and you should not take unnecessary risks."
He added, "As far as I know, with the Eyrie's reserves, they can at most hold out for only a year.
As your liege lord, I will not let my vassal's heir fall into danger; I have patience."
Reon Hersy seemed somewhat surprised; he opened his mouth and said, "But... but..."
Kleyber pressed his hand down, his voice very gentle: "The Hersy Family is loyal, and I will not let you lack military achievements; I will wait for the day I knight you as a Knight of Renown."
Kleyber's comforting words only made Reon more anxious; he didn't see the subtle hint his father gave him, and he quickly said, "But we've already made an appointment with Ser Egan; they'll be... tomorrow..."
The hall suddenly fell silent.
"I... I..." Reon's lips trembled; only then did he realize he had said something he shouldn't have, and his eyes frantically scanned those present.
His father's forehead was covered in sweat, and his sister was quietly staring... staring at Lord Kleyber?! She seemed unaware of the current situation.
Finally, his gaze slowly shifted towards the main seat.
Lord Kleyber was still as before, with a faint smile on his lips; he didn't seem displeased by the secret he had "accidentally" revealed, and Reon breathed a slight sigh of relief in his heart.
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