"That's right." Bronze Yohn spread his palm. "Lord Eddard doesn't have many relatives either. If you count them, it comes down to our family." House Royce had also once been Kings of the first men and had always had good relations with House Stark, with occasional intermarriages.
Robb Stark's grandfather was an only Child, and his great-grandfather's sister (Jocelyn Stark) married the youngest son of Earl Romar Royce, and they had three daughters, all of whom married into The Vale of Arryn Lords. The eldest daughter married into House Waynwood, the second into House Corbray, and the youngest apparently into House Templeton.
Gendry listened to their statements and concluded that having more children was more reliable, otherwise there wouldn't even be enough commanders to lead separate forces. However, the Arryns and Starks only had few people in their main lines; there were many bastards, and House Arryn's poor relatives were scattered throughout The Vale of Arryn.
Just then, Ser Vardis, in his sky-blue robes, and the haggard Maester Colemon also rushed to the balcony of the Maiden's Tower.
The Eyrie was now well-managed, and most information was not released. The Lords were still guests in The Eyrie, and Lyn Corbray was also involved.
"Your Highness, noble sirs. Lysa has already revealed the pattern and timing of Littlefinger's letters," Ser Vardis reported. Ser Vardis, with his silver hair, robust build, sky-blue cloak, and crescent falcon breastplate, still had a hint of joy on his face.
"Noble sirs, ravens have also arrived from King's Landing, not only from the Iron Throne but also Littlefinger's private ones," Maester Colemon, thin, uneasy, with little hair and a too-long neck, added. He handed the envelopes to Gendry and the others; the letters bore the mockingbird wax seal.
"What demands do the Iron Throne and the boy king have?" Bronze Yohn asked.
"Nothing new, just asking us to send troops. The key is Littlefinger's letter."
"Littlefinger's true colors are showing." Ser Barristan opened the letter. Besides the effusive flattery and flirtation, the crucial part was Littlefinger's admonition to Lysa to guard The Vale of Arryn, remain still as a mountain, and not send out a single soldier. He would return to see her on a chosen day and find a way to be with her forever.
"The opportunity has come," Blackfish said, finding himself anticipating the death of this Child he had once cherished and cared for in his youth.
They had all changed; times were different. That sword from the wild wolf hadn't killed Petyr back then, but it had cultivated a menace, a menace who climbed over the corpses of others.
"As long as he dares to leave King's Landing and return to The Vale of Arryn, it's a dead end," Ser Vardis said fiercely, wishing he could kill Littlefinger a hundred, a thousand times.
"Lysa will write back to him; she wants to see Young Lord Robin," Maester Colemon said.
Gendry listened quietly. While Littlefinger was meticulous, Lysa was a liability he couldn't avoid. This woman was mad, obsessed, and lacked much intelligence, and Sweet Robin was another weakness. So, Littlefinger, who looked down on Lysa, had uncontrollable factors, and thus his long-term plan would also consider her death.
"Have Lysa write the letter," Ser Vardis suggested to Maester Colemon. "At least she's honest when facing her Child, unless she loves Littlefinger above all else."
Gendry also nodded; this suggestion was quite good for luring the mockingbird into the trap. Otherwise, he wouldn't have waited in The Vale of Arryn all this time.
"I understand." Maester Colemon nodded. Lysa's literacy wasn't high, and the content of her letters was almost formulaic. "The content of the letter will be the same as before, talking about those annoying courting Lords and fools. Then it will express how much she longs to see her beloved."
"The letter to Littlefinger needs to be natural, without too much deliberation. Lysa shouldn't be so crazy as to give up everything. Maester, there's another letter, only for Earl Morko Grafson of Gulltown," Gendry said. "Once the fish bites, Gulltown must immediately cast its net. It's time to expose Littlefinger's little tricks, and his loyal vassals."
"Yes."
"How is Sweet Robin's health?" Gendry asked Colemon and Vardis.
"Lord Robert's health is still the same as before, just lacking his mother and breast milk, which will take a long time to change. I'm considering letting the Duke slowly adapt to cow's milk. But now that he has those Children for company, he can at least smile a little. Marillion, who was beaten, can also play a tune for him, helping him sleep more soundly," Maester Colemon said. "However, his body, for now, cannot become a suitable squire or a little knight."
"Princess Mya is also helping to manage The Eyrie now, and everything is in order," Ser Vardis also bowed and said.
Mya was familiar with the ropes, serving as The Eyrie's dedicated guide and quartermaster. As long as Ser Vardis and Nestor diligently nurtured her, she would progress rapidly. Besides, she was a native vale men, making it easy for her to establish herself.
"That's good." Gendry nodded. Even if he left The Eyrie, he needed to properly settle Sweet Robin, his sister.
He thought again of the Child who flew into the air on his palm, the laughing Child, the poor little eagle.
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