Chapter 131: The King's Gambit
Another royal decree reached the Red Keep, causing widespread astonishment: Jaime Lannister had been appointed Warden of the East.
Theoretically, the Warden of the East is the highest military official, subordinate to the Protector of the Realm, responsible for the defense of the eastern coasts of the Vale, the Crownlands, and the Stormlands.
Traditionally, the title of Warden of the East belonged to the hereditary head of House Arryn of the Vale. However, after the death of Jon Arryn, King Robert instead appointed Jaime to succeed as Warden of the East.
First, a new Hand of the King and a tourney, then a new Warden of the East. Today was certainly a day full of surprises.
King Robert's appointment seemed exceptionally ruthless and unexpected.
Was this truly the Westerosi way—to forget someone the moment they were out of sight?
...
Glynn dismissed this possibility. Although Robert disliked ruling, he was very adept at balancing various powers to consolidate his reign on the Iron Throne.
At the same time, Robert's political methods were always crude, completely disregarding the need to appease those who were wronged.
A prime example was Lord Stannis, who now viewed his own brother as an enemy.
King Robert understood balance but lacked political foresight. The Vale of Arryn was a staunch supporter of the Baratheon dynasty, but now they had been thoroughly humiliated.
The transmigrator Glynn recalled that in the original plot, King Robert's move infuriated the nobles of the Vale. An enraged Lysa Tully demanded that the Vale's lords declare her son the true Warden of the East.
Inside Maegor's Holdfast, Glynn, who was descending the stairs, suddenly paused. Princess Myrcella appeared in his mind.
Although Jaime was a member of the Kingsguard, most people believed that the Kingslayer would eventually return to the Westerlands to inherit Casterly Rock.
When that time came, would Jaime be both Warden of the West and Warden of the East?
Robert Arryn and Myrcella Baratheon were close in age... So, had the title of Warden of the East, traditionally inherited by House Arryn, become a princess's dowry, temporarily entrusted to her "uncle" for safekeeping?
Hmm... the fat king still had some foresight.
Glynn found this maneuver very familiar; it immediately reminded him of the debts House Kleb had incurred in the name of providing aid after the war, a seemingly similar process.
...
When Glynn met Queen Cersei, she already knew about Jaime's appointment as Warden of the East. For Queen Cersei, if Jaime was Warden of the East, it was as if she herself was Warden of the East.
Cersei's happiness was that simple!
Petyr's request went very smoothly. Glynn didn't waste much breath; Cersei merely glanced at him and agreed to the loan for the tourney.
Through Queen Cersei's gaze, Glynn almost seemed to hear her dotingly say, "...I really can't do anything with you."
This... if he hadn't known about Cersei's secret arrangements for the melee competition in the tourney, the pure-hearted Lord Glynn would have almost been moved to death.
It should be said that Glynn had arrived at a perfect time; Queen Cersei could now intervene in the tourney more openly and legitimately. Her patience with King Robert was almost completely exhausted.
...
Glynn stood at the entrance to Maegor's Holdfast, stroking his chin. He was considering whether to send Jaime a cloak embroidered with the title "Warden of the East" as a congratulatory gift.
Glynn's ear twitched. He heard distant peals of laughter.
It was Prince Joffrey's voice. Glynn looked in the direction the sound came from.
Joffrey and Sandor Clegane were walking towards Maegor's Holdfast, laughing and talking.
It was rumored that the Hound's grim humor always managed to amuse His Highness, the Prince.
Glynn's heart stirred, and he took the initiative to walk over and greet them.
"Good day, Your Highness."
Joffrey looked at the bowing Glynn, raised his chin, and said, "Good day."
He scrutinized Glynn, then added, "I heard you knocked out the Knight of Flowers in one blow?"
Glynn shrugged. "Yes, Your Highness. The rumors are quite reliable."
Joffrey looked suspicious. "Lord Glynn, why are there still rumors that the Knight of Flowers accidentally slipped?"
Glynn: "Maybe he hadn't eaten enough?"
The Hound: "Delicate flowers are easily shamed."
Joffrey paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.
Glynn looked up at the Hound, whose face bore burn scars, and said, "The Hound?"
Most people called Sandor by his nickname, "The Hound." One origin of this nickname was the three dogs on House Clegane's sigil.
The Hound's ear was a burnt, shapeless mass, with only a single hole remaining, and his eyes were surrounded by large, twisted scars. His gray eyes turned to Glynn, and he said, "My lord, you are no delicate flower."
Glynn raised an eyebrow. "The Hound, your description actually suits the Knight of Flowers quite well."
The Hound intentionally looked left and right before saying, "I heard his family is very rich. I hope no one overheard that."
Joffrey, who had just stopped laughing, was once again provoked into peals of laughter.
The Hound glanced at the gently smiling Glynn and said no more. Perhaps he was also worried he might make the esteemed prince laugh himself into trouble.
After his laughter subsided, Joffrey reverted to his subtly contemptuous expression and said, "Lord Glynn, do you know where Jaime is?"
Glynn waved his hand, saying, "It seems you've also heard the news of Ser Jaime's appointment as Warden of the East. The appointment came so suddenly; I estimate he's in the White Sword Tower, vexed about future arrangements."
Joffrey asked, puzzled, "Vexed about what?"
Glynn patiently explained, "The Warden of the East has always been a hereditary title of House Arryn of the Vale. Perhaps the lords of the Vale feel that Ser Jaime has usurped what belongs to them. In the future, Ser Jaime will be responsible for the defense of the eastern coast and cannot do without the support of the Vale's nobility, so he must find a way to appease them."
Joffrey said angrily, "Do the lords of the Vale dare defy my father's command? I'll chop off their heads!"
Glynn consoled him, "Your Highness, Lord Arryn's passing wasn't long ago; the Vale simply hasn't adjusted yet. After some time, they will realize that young Lord Robert isn't Lord Jon Arryn. Then, they might just obey."
Joffrey said with disdain, "If the Vale dares to disobey, I'll have someone bring young Robert here..."
He rested his right hand on the hilt of the longsword at his waist, then continued, "If he can sincerely repent, I will give him a sword and grant him the fair opportunity to spar with me once."
Glynn blinked, processing Joffrey's contradictory words.
Oh... so even if he repented, he'd still get a beating. That was the meaning.
Indeed, very fair. A twelve-year-old Joffrey dueling a six-year-old, sickly Robert Arryn. He was certainly good at choosing opponents.
Glynn said respectfully, "Your Highness, your swordsmanship is outstanding! I imagine that even the Lord of the Eyrie wouldn't withstand a single strike from you! The terrified nobles of the Vale would kneel at your feet, humbly begging for your mercy. Your renown would spread throughout the Seven Kingdoms, and your valiant deeds would be passed down through generations!"
After hearing Glynn's words, Joffrey's breathing became noticeably heavy, and his face flushed.
He impatiently shouted at the Hound, "Dog, I command you, go immediately and seize the Lord of the Eyrie for me! At once!"
Damn! Did I lay it on a bit too thick?
House Kleb and the Vale were clearly at odds; he couldn't possibly speak favorably of the Vale against his true feelings. That would be too hypocritical... Lord Glynn was an upright knight, he couldn't do that~!
The Hound gave Glynn a glance and calmly said, "Your Highness, my back hasn't been well lately. I can't travel far."
Joffrey kicked and cursed in anger, "Dog, how dare you defy my command?!"
Glynn was actually quite tempted, even wanting to volunteer himself, but he knew it was too much of a game at the moment.
He advised, "Your Highness, I must remind you that the Vale has many vassals foolishly loyal to House Arryn. If there aren't enough men, the Hound might return empty-handed."
At this stage, Lord Glynn intended to plant a seed in advance; this was just a small prelude to the game of power.
(end of chapter)