And Lord Arryn also saw Hoster's greed and fear: fear of the Mad King's wrath, and greed to find a good marriage for his second daughter to raise the status of House Tully.
"Back then, back then... I was too greedy. I wanted to increase my family's power," Lord Hoster sighed, "I feel I should still thank the heavens that a renowned great Lord like Lord Jon was willing to marry a woman like Lysa, who had been deflowered, though I knew all he wanted was my army..." After all, compared to royal houses like Stark and Arryn, House Tully was nothing more than a parvenu.
"The past is like flowing water, Lord Hoster. King Robert, Lord Jon, all are dead," Gendry said. Hoster had his own difficulties; he feared the Mad King's tyranny and was persuaded by Jon to marry into a great noble house like House Arryn, and also disposed of his second daughter Lysa, who had been involved with another. Although it was unfair to House Targaryen, the benefits were tempting.
"How, how... unbelievable. In my mind, the King is still young, tall and handsome, wearing a stag helmet, wielding a warhammer, riding on horseback like a horned giant god, the demon of the Trident River. His laughter, his boasts, his battles, those clear blue eyes like mountain lakes, unmatched by anyone," Lord Hoster fell into a reverie. "That vibrant vitality, that state where all things compete to grow, still seems before my eyes. I once thought the new dynasty would enjoy long-lasting peace. But why, why are we fighting again? And the King died at the hooves of a wild boar."
"Marriage brought misfortune to The late King, and besides, he didn't like being King. All authority was swallowed by the Lannister. Lord Jon's original intentions were good, but it all ended in a mess," Gendry stated directly.
The two marriages arranged by Jon were both disastrous: he himself was poisoned to death by that madwoman Lysa, and King Robert was also effectively killed by Cersei.
"Marriage, ah, marriage," Lord Hoster's face showed a desolate expression. "Marriage alliances can revive a family, or they can cause a family's decline. I once thought that through marriage, I accelerated Tully's prosperity, climbing a ladder."
"You're talking about the two marriage alliances you arranged?" Gendry looked at Hoster.
"Yes, but strictly speaking, it should be three. When I married, House Harroway was the wealthiest vassal under Tully. As for my two daughters, there's no need to even mention it..." Lord Hoster, with his snow-white hair and beard, fell into reminiscence. "Who knew that House Harroway would rapidly decline later? The curse of Harrenhal seemed to fall upon them, and the Tully-Harroway alliance no longer worked."
"There are pros and cons. The Riverlands are a land of four wars. Even with alliances with other great nobles, it will still become a battlefield," Gendry said. Such was the location of the Riverlands; when Westeros went to war, the Riverlands would bleed, and alliances couldn't solve it.
In a sense, Hoster was indeed one of the few notable figures in House Tully for several centuries. He himself married a woman from House Harroway of Harrenhal, and his two daughters married into ancient royal houses, House Stark and House Arryn. Not only did their prestige greatly increase through these alliances, but they could also leverage the power of the Vale and the North. Originally, everything was going well, but Hoster probably never imagined how suffocatingly unintelligent his two daughters were.
"I am willing to pledge the Riverlands to you. You have not yet been crowned; why not now?" Lord Hoster said.
"No hurry. I am not in a rush to be crowned. I only need others to recognize my claim to succession," Gendry looked at Lord Hoster, "But before that, perhaps we can discuss something else."
There were two pressing matters that Lord Hoster needed to know. Although these matters were cruel, they seemed insignificant compared to the well-being of millions, merely causing a bit of suffering for the old man before him.
"What matters?" Lord Hoster asked, bewildered.
"Two things. One is very bad, and one is rather good."
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