After adding a few more details regarding the Queen's District, Gawen concluded the discussion.
Once Furry and Leyton had departed, he returned with his guards to the Red Keep and entered the Hall of Governance.
Adjacent to the Tower of the Hand, the Hall of Governance was where the subordinates of the great officers of the Small Council handled the kingdom's daily affairs.
In the days of the Targaryen dynasty, before the establishment of the Small Council, the great officers would normally conduct state business in their own chambers within the hall.
Since the rise of House Baratheon, however, King Robert—fond of pleasure and ease—had handed over all authority to his Hand, Lord Jon Arryn, and cared nothing for governance, drowning himself in wine and women.
The Master of Ships, Robert's younger brother Stannis Baratheon, to show his disdain for the king's negligence, conducted all his duties instead at Dragonstone.
The Master of Laws, Robert's youngest brother Renly Baratheon, cared little for governance; aside from the occasional Small Council meeting, he was rarely seen in the Red Keep.
As for Lord Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, age had left him frail. Beyond his tower, his appearances grew fewer with each passing year.
Thus, in the Hall of Governance—the second center of power after the Small Council—the only courtiers frequently present were Petyr Baelish, Master of Coin; Varys, Master of Whisperers; and Grand Maester Pycelle.
Grand Maester Pycelle was an old servant of the Targaryens. After Robert's Rebellion, the new king retained him in his post.
His role was chiefly that of counselor, overseeing the compilation of books and records, administering the Red Keep's ravenry, and serving as its chief healer. With Robert abandoning his duties, Pycelle had become a trusted advisor to Lord Jon Arryn.
Led by a steward, Gawen was soon brought to the office of Petyr Baelish.
The chamber resembled the Hand's study, with round golden-framed windows, Myrish carpets on the floor, and ornate tapestries adorning the walls.
Gawen glanced at the lavish furnishings and fancied he could almost smell the scent of gold dragons in the air.
Baelish laid aside his quill, leaned back in his chair, and smiled broadly."Oh, if it isn't Baron Crabb! I've been waiting for you. Please, sit!"
He motioned for a servant to bring a chair opposite his desk.
Gawen pressed a hand to his chest in salute."Good day, my lord."
Afterward he took his seat. Baelish returned the courtesy with a smile, then dismissed the servants with a wave.
When the door had shut behind them, Baelish spoke."I heard what happened in the Hand's study today. Lord Arryn has fallen ill again."
Gawen spread his hands."Anyone would be consumed with anger in such circumstances. The Hand's illness—nothing grave, I hope?"
Baelish curved his lips in his practiced, elegant smile, lounging back."I thank you on his behalf. Pycelle has attended him carefully, though they say he must remain abed for at least seven days."
He leaned forward now, lowering his voice."It is thanks to you that we discovered the Hand's study had a third ear listening within its walls."
The tone was conspiratorial, as though they were allies already.
Gawen's own voice was steady."Has the Hand arranged matters for what follows?"
Baelish's lips twisted faintly in mockery."They say a passage was discovered behind the wall. Lord Arryn has entrusted the matter to Lord Commander Janos of the Gold Cloaks."
The City Watch, known as the Gold Cloaks for the gilded wool mantles they wore over their armor, served as both garrison and law enforcers in King's Landing, sworn only to the crown.
They were housed in two main barracks: one near the Dragon Gate to the east, another by Cobbler's Square to the west.
For long years their number had been two thousand. But after King Robert appointed Janos Slynt commander, he had tripled their ranks to six thousand—many of them drunkards and vagrants, poor in discipline and skill.
It was whispered that half the officers paid Janos a share of their wages each month.
Lord Arryn had discovered this, and even found two men willing to testify against the commander. Both were soon found dead.
Still, the Hand sought to remove Slynt, but Robert himself had stepped in to protect the man and keep him in his post.
Gawen smiled faintly."The old Hand's eyes are sharp indeed."
Baelish gave the barest shrug, declining to comment.
After a pause, Gawen spoke again."This morning, the Hand's demand placed me in a difficult spot. With no proof—only a song from the Crab Claw Peninsula—he insisted I bear the blame. That leaves me troubled.
If the Master of Ships had been present, it would not have come to this. I hear he is a man of justice."
Baelish's gray-green eyes flickered."Stannis Baratheon?"
Gawen inclined his head."Lord Stannis' devotion to the law and his stern reputation are known throughout the Seven Kingdoms. Now that the Hand's study has been exposed, I fear he may hear of this injustice. A man as upright as he would not spare Lord Arryn sharp questions, illness or no."
Baelish's smile deepened as he nodded."Your concern is not misplaced. Stannis is unyielding. Even the Hand's frailty cannot sway him. Let us only hope the secret of the Hand's study never reaches Dragonstone."
But as he spoke, a thought gnawed at him: how had he, Petyr Baelish, so careful always, so shrewd, overlooked the presence of Lord Stannis?
And not only him—indeed, it seemed the entire Red Keep had ignored the man, as though by common accord.
If not for Baron Crabb's reminder today, he might have gone on forgetting him entirely.
Why was that so?An invisible hand? Some hidden magic?
.
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