chapter 129 part 1
Chapter 129: Twenty Thousand Becomes Forty Thousand
After hearing Sulana's suggestion, the 16-year-old (298 AC) Lord Glyn couldn't help but fall into contemplation.
Before long, House Crabbe would be able to establish its rule over Crackclaw Point. The domain would need more heirs to better unite the hearts of the people.
Marriage and producing offspring were crucial duties for a lord in Westeros. To them, nothing was more important than the continuation of their House from one generation to the next.
An image flashed through Glyn's mind. His thumb rubbed against his index finger.
Glyn reflected on himself; it seemed he liked, or was accustomed to, choosing the difficult path.
Glyn rose from his chair and walked to the window. Below, he saw his household guards sparring.
Sulana followed him and said respectfully, "There are still quite a few noble young ladies of suitable age on Crackclaw Point. The heads of those Houses would surely be more than willing to form a marriage alliance with House Crabbe."
She was referring to the noble houses of Crackclaw Point, such as House Boggs, House Brune, House Cave, House Hardy, and House Payne.
Glyn's eyes shifted slightly as he said, "Sulana, what I want is for them to submit to House Crabbe."
*Not to share in the spoils…* Glyn left this last part unsaid.
The esteemed Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, had passed away. Glyn naturally had to carry on his legacy, continuing to blockade and suppress the other noble houses of Crackclaw Point—aside from House Crabbe—until they willingly integrated into the system of the Crabbe legions.
Glyn turned his head to look at Sulana, his voice gentle. "Lady Sulana, I will take this matter seriously."
Sulana quickly left the room. As the steward, she had many things to arrange before their departure.
…
…
The Red Keep.
Within the Red Keep, the Lord of Winterfell had not yet arrived in King's Landing, and King Robert was also absent, but the royal decree appointing the new Hand of the King had already been issued.
Glyn learned of this from the Gold Cloaks guarding the main gate as he entered the Red Keep.
Even if this guard hadn't told him, he would have learned the news soon after entering the Red Keep anyway.
He tossed a silver stag to the Gold Cloak, who was grinning from ear to ear. The kind-hearted Lord Glyn was encouraging the active loyalty of his guards.
Amidst respectful bows, his blue cloak billowed once, and Glyn strode towards the council chamber.
Regardless, the near future belonged to Eddard Stark.
As for Mace Tyrell, he figured King Robert could worry about how to accommodate the high lord who had traveled so far.
…
King Robert was also planning to hold a grand tourney to celebrate the appointment of the new Hand of the King, Lord Eddard.
The winner of the jousting competition would be awarded 40,000 Gold Dragons, and the runner-up 20,000 Gold Dragons. The winner of the grand melee would receive 20,000 Gold Dragons, and the winner of the archery competition would get 10,000 Gold Dragons.
This was good news.
Having already seen 150,000 Gold Dragons, Lord Glyn quickly calmed himself.
As he approached the council chamber, Glyn spotted two figures, one fat and one thin, in a pavilion in the distance.
One wore tight-fitting clothes, the other loose; one had hair, the other was bald. Petyr and Varys seemed to be natural opposites.
The two of them had been secretly plotting to throw Westeros into chaos. Glyn, a man of righteous heart, had a rather… well, never mind. Strictly speaking, they were in the same line of work.
Glyn deliberately made his footsteps a little louder.
Noticing the gazes of Petyr and Varys, Glyn first gave a slight nod, and upon approaching, he greeted them. "Good day, Lord Petyr, Lord Varys. Please forgive my rude interruption."
Varys clasped his hands together and said with a smile, "Lord Petyr and I were having a most interesting conversation. I would be delighted if you would join us, Lord Glyn."
Petyr looked at the smiling Varys and said, "Lord Varys, perhaps 'uninteresting' would be a more fitting description."
Without waiting for Varys's reply, he turned to Glyn, a smirk on his lips. "Lord Glyn, if I'm not mistaken, you must be here to see me."
It was common knowledge that Petyr and Varys had been frequently quarreling recently.
Glyn shrugged. "Lord Petyr, your wisdom is truly admirable! I just learned that the Lord of Winterfell has been appointed by King Robert as the new Hand of the King…"
He chuckled. Some things were mutually understood between them.
Varys said with a beaming smile, "The King's decree came so suddenly. A new Hand of the King signifies new changes. I can't help but feel a little timid."
Glyn was very professional. He earnestly comforted him, "Lord Varys, your role is irreplaceable. The new Hand of the King will need your assistance."
Varys replied modestly, "It would be my greatest honor to serve the new Hand of the King."
Petyr's grey-green eyes shifted to Varys, his voice raspy and magnetic. "One cannot help but envy your position, Lord Varys."
Glyn asked with a puzzled look, "Lord Petyr, have you encountered some difficulty?"
Petyr shook his head with a bitter smile.
Varys explained, "Lord Glyn, the Master of Coin is vexed about how to raise the Gold Dragons needed for the tourney in such a short time. You must have heard about it, yes? The prize money alone requires 90,000 Gold Dragons."