chapter 98 part 1
**Chapter 98: Discerning Good and Evil**
After leaving the government offices, Glyn found a cool, shady spot nearby and stopped.
The act had to continue; it was just short of its finale.
Glyn furrowed his brow, standing for a while. His ear twitched as he heard footsteps.
"Lord Glyn." It was Varys's voice.
Coming back to his senses, Glyn looked at Varys, surprised. "Lord Varys?"
Varys clasped his hands together and bowed his head slightly. "My sincerest apologies. My unintentional words seem to have caused you distress. That was not my intention."
Glyn shook his head. "It's my own issue. Your words made me realize some problems I had never considered."
The spot Glyn had chosen was relatively secluded near the government offices, with an open view. It was a convenient place for a private conversation.
Varys stared into the distance, his voice cool. "People subconsciously ignore things they don't want to face. This is human nature, myself included. Those of us who are still glorious and wealthy today—we were all oathbreakers to House Targaryen."
Varys then looked back at Glyn, his expression gentle. "That event was only a dozen years ago, and many still remember it as if it were yesterday, myself included.
"Lord Glyn, you are different. You are a stranger to House Targaryen; your impressions all come from past records. But I see your thoughts have suddenly become complex. I believe the precious character passed down through generations by the Crabbe ancestors has long been etched into your bloodline, and you might have just realized this."
Glyn sighed softly. "Perhaps the Crabbe tradition of staying far from the Red Keep was correct. I shouldn't have left Crackclaw Point, left my home."
Varys comforted him. "Lord Glyn, I know you had no choice but to come out. The Red Keep has always been wary of Crackclaw Point; both sides lack trust. And the location of Crackclaw Point is precisely within the Crownlands.
"Since you've discovered the sword hanging over your head, and it's unclear when it might fall... under such circumstances, anyone would choose to save themselves.
"Therefore, I approve of your choice, and I support your choice. Self-preservation is a human instinct. It is reasonable and beyond reproach."
Glyn's eyes shifted. "Thank you, Lord Varys. Your words have comforted me. But, if I may be so bold... you seem to be alluding to something else."
Varys took out a letter and handed it to Glyn. "Your eyes can discern good and evil. This truly makes one envious. Take this letter. My words still stand: sympathizing with someone does not equate to pitying them; it depends on how you perceive it."
Glyn took the unsealed letter, perplexed. "This is?"
Varys smiled faintly and nodded. "No need to be puzzled. You can open it and read it now."
Glyn nodded, opened the letter, took out the contents, and cast his eyes down.
Glyn's brown eyes trembled. This was a letter from Varys to the Magister of Pentos.
In the letter, Varys first praised Glyn's character and explained that Glyn's purpose in coming was for trade between their two lands: Mermaid's Port and Pentos.
Glyn quickly finished reading and put the letter away.
Varys clasped his hands together, his tone gentle. "I believe this letter will at least ensure your safety in Pentos. You'll also have some breathing room and won't need to rush into distress."
Could it be that his act was too convincing? By inviting a wolf into the house, wasn't Varys worried he would make a move on Daenerys?
Varys continued, "I believe that although much time has passed, out of consideration for our past friendship... Magister Illyrio, at the very least, will not intentionally make things difficult for you.
"I still have some people in Pentos, and I can look out for you, Lord Glyn, as long as you prioritize your own safety."
Glyn could bring a few dozen men at most. Could a few dozen men take Pentos? He had previously revealed his intention to launch a surprise attack on the city, and Varys already knew.
Since Varys knew, Illyrio would naturally know as well. They were both cautious men; even if Glyn's words sounded courageous but lacking strategy, they would still make thorough preparations.
Moreover, Varys's little birds were everywhere; no anomaly could escape their notice.
Mulling over Varys's words, Glyn realized that though they appeared considerate on the surface, they contained a hidden threat.
Was he being threatened by a eunuch? Glyn wasn't angry at all. In the game of thrones, only results mattered.
Varys gently patted Glyn's arm, his gaze amiable. "Go out and see for yourself. The Red Keep of today cannot contain noble loyalty. You still have three years. Think more for yourself; perhaps you can find a new answer that will no longer cause you distress."
...
...
Hook Alley, Crabbe Estate.
Near noon, Anguy, who had been on a mission to the Stormlands, returned safely. Herschel, the steward, welcomed him.
Herschel opened his arms to Anguy and said warmly, "Anguy, welcome home!"
The dust-covered Anguy embraced Herschel and said, "Herschel, thank you for the welcome. I love this feeling."
Herschel smiled. "The timing is perfect. A bath first? Or shall I prepare food for you?"
Anguy awkwardly rubbed his stomach. "I'm starving. Believe me, if you make me bathe now, you'll find me drowned in the tub."
Herschel laughed heartily. "I certainly don't want to have to call on the Silent Sisters. Do as you wish. This is your freedom. This is the lord's law."
Why would Herschel mention the lord's law?
After Glyn took over the territory, in order to change old habits and optimize customs, he took the environment of Crackclaw Point into account and had no choice but to regulate everything with his own laws.
One of Glyn's purposes in formulating these laws was to increase his men's cohesion.
Take Anguy's current situation, for example.
Because of a mission assigned by Glyn, Anguy traveled far to the Stormlands to meet Brienne.
According to the laws Glyn had established, upon returning from a completed mission, one must be welcomed. The first meal must include meat and wine, plus a hot bath.
This was Glyn's demanding governance style: using detailed lord's laws to reinforce his men's sense of belonging.
Glyn believed that many of the laws he enacted, though seemingly unlike laws at first, would, with the passage of time, transform into cherished traditions on Crackclaw Point.
Having finished his lunch, Anguy now lay in the bathtub, his eyes slightly closed, a look of utter contentment on his face.
Anguy felt that the most correct thing he had ever done in his life was trusting a stranger, the fat man—Monton Waters.
Having lived the life of a mercenary, Anguy was extremely cautious, especially around strangers.
That day, at the Blackwater River docks... Anguy recalled how Monton's simple honesty, coupled with an indescribable feeling, had made him drop his guard and willingly trust the man before him.
The gods hadn't abandoned him. Anguy became Lord Glyn's personal guard and had been trusted ever since.
Anguy exhaled. He was thinking about what Monton had told him: the young ladies of the Crabbe territory were passionate and very proactive.
When it came to matters between men and women, Anguy only understood how to pull gold dragons from his purse. Therefore, he preferred women who took the initiative.
Monton had said that he would definitely be very popular with the young ladies of the territory, and Anguy believed him.
Perhaps this time, after following Lord Glyn back to the Crabbe territory, he could get married immediately. His life would be complete!
...
...
A week later, Crabbe Estate.
Dik's days during this period were both painful and happy.
The happy part was that every day he could share a sumptuous dinner with his sister, Yuria.
Yuria's attitude toward him was less smiling than before, but the feeling she gave him was warmer.
Each time, Dik would cheer up and happily eat and chat with his sister. He discovered that as long as he earnestly studied the various courses Joffrey arranged, his sister's clothes would become finer, her jewelry more plentiful, and the food on the dining table richer.
Of course, Dik did very poorly at first. He had already developed a dissolute and careless personality. Even when facing the terrifying Joffrey, he would habitually shirk his duties and slack off.
The next evening, seeing Yulia dressed in coarse linen clothes with only a few pieces of black bread on the table, he compared it to the previous day's treatment. Only then did Dik realize that his petty cleverness had not escaped Joffrey's eyes.