Chapter 191: Glyn's Proposal
Glyn crabbe lowered his gaze. Melisandre's fingers were long and slender, her knuckles clearly defined, her fingertips like beautiful harp strings, emitting an alluring glow.
Glyn raised his eyes, his brown gaze meeting the Red Priestess's scarlet ones. "Lady Melisandre, I imagine Lord Stannis's ship brought me here for reasons other than to discuss a strange faith."
After speaking, he glanced at the red gemstone at her throat, then walked past Melisandre to the Painted Table.
Melisandre's low voice resonated. "Lord Glyn, the Lord of Light watches over every mortal on earth."
Glyn gazed at the map and said, "True gods or false gods, I am but a small lord. My only concern is whether my people have enough to eat."
He paused, then looked at Melisandre. "The new High Septon of Crackclaw Point is on my ship right now. He might be very willing to pay homage to your power."
In Melisandre's blood-red eyes, flames seemed to dance wildly. "The sacred flames will protect the faithful and purge all evil."
A cold glint flashed in Glyn's eyes. His right hand slowly rested on the hilt of the longsword at his waist.
Stannis Baratheon's icy voice suddenly rang out. "Melisandre..."
He muttered her name, then continued, "The Painted Table Chamber is not a place for preaching."
Davos Seaworth shifted his feet, his body naturally blocking the line of sight between Glyn and Melisandre.
Davos's gaze turned to Lord Glyn, his voice friendly. "Lord Glyn, if you don't mind, I would like to hear your counsel. I have always admired your military talents."
As Davos finished speaking, Stannis's gaze once again shifted to Glyn. Beneath a pair of thick brows, his eyes were like two wounds.
Glyn nodded slightly. He stared at the map of the Seven Kingdoms and took a few steps closer, saying, "Lord Stannis, as a man of good heart, please forgive my presumption."
Lord Stannis gave an almost imperceptible nod.
Glyn pointed to the Vale and said, "There, the one who poisoned the Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, awaits the judgment of a righteous man. Until that judgment comes, the Vale will likely descend into civil war. It is a place that cannot even look after itself."
Glyn's finger pointed to the Riverlands. "This will soon become a battlefield for lions, wolves, and fish."
He pointed to the Stormlands. "You understand the situation here better than anyone."
Finally, his finger landed on the Reach. "According to the current situation, the support of House Tyrell will decide the ultimate outcome of the war."
Glyn leaned his hands on the edge of the Painted Table, raising his head to look at Lord Stannis, who was gazing at the Reach.
"Lord Stannis, I know of the siege of Storm's End from more than a decade ago, but I must give you my counsel. With my simple wisdom, I believe the support of House Tyrell is of crucial importance."
After a moment of silence, Davos sighed. "Lord Glyn, this... is very difficult."
Lord Stannis snorted coldly. "The timid hide behind castle walls, waiting to see which way the wind blows. The bold ones want to pledge allegiance to Renly. What is Renly good for? In meetings of the Small Council, he only jokes with Littlefinger. At a tourney, he dons that fancy armor of his and gets knocked from his horse by a skilled jouster. That is the sum of my brother Renly's deeds! What sin did I commit in this life to be saddled with such a brother?!"
Selyse Florent's sharp voice suddenly cut in. "Stannis, their so-called advice is foolish! You are the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. Must you wag your tail and beg for scraps?"
Lord Stannis frowned and looked at the woman who called herself his wife. "Woman, when have I ever wagged my tail and begged for scraps?"
Selyse walked over. "Hearing you say that relieves me. According to the will of the Lord of Light, you are the true ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men. House Stark, House Tyrell, your weakling brother Renly, and the others should pledge their loyalty to you. That being the case, would it not be an indignity to beg them for aid, let alone bargain for it?"
Lord Stannis's jaw worked silently... He had never been good with women, and his own wife was no exception. When he went to the Red Keep to assist Jon Arryn in governing the kingdom, he always left Selyse and their daughter on Dragonstone. His letters home were few, and his visits even fewer. He fulfilled his joyless marital duties only once or twice a year.
After a pause, Lord Stannis said coldly, "His 'will' again... Woman, I remind you once more: I need armies, not blessings."
"My brother and uncles have armies. House Florent will fight for you."
"House Florent's two thousand soldiers? I fear I don't share your confidence in them. Selyse, the lands of House Florent are too close to Highgarden. I doubt your brother and uncles would dare oppose House Tyrell."
Lady Selyse leaned closer, taking Stannis's hand. "It is decreed by fate that you shall set sail from this desolate island and sweep through a thousand armies, just like Aegon the Conqueror of old. Your time is coming. The Lord of Light, R'hllor, is the Heart of Flame, your most powerful ally."
Lord Stannis's face was grim as he asked, "How many soldiers will the Lord of Light give me?"
Lady Selyse spread one arm and said, "Melisandre has already seen the prophecy in the sacred flames... You shall have as many soldiers as you need... starting with the armies of Storm's End and Highgarden..."
Glyn suddenly gave a light cough, interrupting Lady Selyse and drawing the attention of everyone present... Lord Glyn was preparing to leave.
Lady Selyse shrieked, "You half-wildling lord! That is an offense, an unforgivable offense!"
Stannis narrowed his eyes at him. Glyn said calmly, "Your Grace, if you are destined to be king, I think a marriage alliance might be more reliable than so-called divine will."
Davos first glanced at Lady Melisandre, who was restraining Lady Selyse, then looked at the silent Lord Stannis and asked, "Lord Glyn, what do you mean?"
Glyn shrugged. "If he is destined to be king, Lord Stannis needs a queen who can bring him an army of one hundred thousand men."
Lady Selyse retorted sharply, "The one true king already has his one true queen!"
Lord Stannis strode over and stood before Glyn. "Lord Glyn, I do not like sycophants."
Lord Stannis's gaze was sharp. "When you offered me this advice, you already knew I would not accept it."
Glyn met Lord Stannis's gaze and nodded frankly. "My respected Lord Stannis, your insight is like a torch. I must confess, that is one of the reasons I respect you."
He placed a hand on his chest. "Under more than a decade of continuous blockade and oppression from the nobles of the Vale, Crackclaw Point has been in constant turmoil. House crabbe has paid the price of utter weakness to end war with war, barely achieving this hard-won peace. House crabbe cannot afford another defeat. A man as just as you, Your Grace, will surely allow a weak house like ours to hide behind its walls and see which way the wind blows."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "I assure you, whether out of respect for you or for the lawful order of succession, Crackclaw Point will never serve Lord Renly."
After a moment of silence, Lord Stannis said coldly, "And the Lannisters?"
Glyn's expression was unhesitating. "Cersei Lannister has shown great kindness to House crabbe, but in my eyes, she is not a true Lannister."
Lord Stannis's gaze was scrutinizing. "Then let me rephrase: will you remain loyal to Cersei to the end?"
Glyn's gaze was firm. "Lord Stannis, I am a knight who has not yet lost his honor."
Lord Stannis turned, his gaze shifting back to the Painted Table. Glyn said no more.
After standing motionless for a moment, Lord Stannis, with his back to Glyn, said coldly, "You may leave. Remember your promise, Glyn crabbe."
(end of chapter)