Chapter 29: For the Knight's Compassion and Justice
Red Keep, Maegor's Holdfast, 3rd Floor.
Samwell had been guarding the door for almost an hour.
This room was one of Cersei's favorites when she had private matters; the wooden door's soundproofing was excellent, and one couldn't hear any noises from inside the room.
Without knowing what he was thinking, Samwell moved, seemingly about to press his ear against the thick wooden door.
Samwell checked his actions in time, forced a smile, and shook his head, as if mocking his own childish impulse.
Samwell straightened his back again, his right hand gripping his sword hilt tightly, and his left hand flicked his white cloak.
Another hour passed, and the door finally opened. Glyn walked out of the room.
Glyn naturally nodded to Samwell: "Lord Samwell, thank you again for speaking on my behalf today. Farewell."
Glyn bowed respectfully to Samwell.
Samwell raised an eyebrow, his lips forcing a slight curve: "Let me escort you."
"No!" Glyn wanted to refuse.
Before Glyn could reply, Samwell turned with a flick of his cloak and had already started walking. Glyn could only silently accept Samwell's escort.
...
The two descended the stairs side-by-side, passed through the Queen's Hall, and exited Maegor's Holdfast.
As they descended, the observant Glyn noticed that Samwell seemed to have something to say to him.
Although Glyn didn't quite understand Samwell's unexplained hostility towards him, he knew there was no need to deliberately engage. Having already spent considerable effort today to persuade Queen Cersei, Glyn simply pretended not to notice.
When Glyn saw Monton Waters waiting at the door, he merely waved his hand to signal him to follow.
Glyn didn't say a word.
Monton, whose gaze was still dull, nodded foolishly, patted his stomach, and followed Glyn.
...
Samwell finally slowed his steps: "Ahem!"
Samwell deliberately coughed softly, glancing sideways at Glyn, who was walking beside him.
Hearing the movement, Glyn turned his head and met Samwell's gaze, his face revealing confusion at the opportune moment.
"What do you plan to do? I will keep your secret."
Glyn did not answer Samwell immediately, instead directing his gaze forward again.
Glyn and Samwell continued walking: "Lord Samwell, I understand your continuing concerns. In truth, I do not like killing."
"Tyrion had told Samwell this, and he found it agreeable. Although it was their first meeting, Samwell could feel that Glyn was not a bloodthirsty person. This was the judgment of a 'Detective Knight'."
Samwell nodded slightly.
"Is it not because the battle reports have prejudiced you into thinking I am excessively bloodthirsty?"
"Forget it!" Glyn no longer wanted to guess the reason for this arrogant man's inexplicable hostility towards him.
"Lord Samwell, please look at this whole matter from another perspective. If my plan succeeds, who will be the ultimate beneficiary?"
Samwell's bright jade-green eyes shifted.
"It is Queen Cersei and the common people."
"By fairly removing the evildoers around them, at least their lives will be a little better."
"This is governance, a nimble and benevolent governance."
Glyn stopped walking: "Lord Samwell, King's Landing is too unfamiliar to me. You possess great prestige; if you are willing to lend a hand, my chances will be much greater!"
Although Samwell's face remained impassive, his heart was restless. He felt a sudden shift in his impression of Glyn.
"But... one cannot merely listen; one must also see how he acts!"
Samwell knew in his heart that Glyn's plan had already received Cersei's approval.
Though his smile was faint, Samwell showed Glyn a kind smile for the first time: "This is a matter concerning Queen Cersei; I will support you."
Glyn's calm gaze held a profound solemnity: "For Queen Cersei."
Samwell was unconsciously moved by Glyn, and echoed: "For Queen Cersei."
Glyn's right palm rested heavily on his left chest: "Ser Samwell, and for the Knight's compassion and justice!"
Samwell's pupils contracted, and his expression unintentionally became solemn.
...
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The Vale, Gulltown, Lord's Hall.
After Lord Grafton heard the report from his subordinates, he frowned and said: "So, the only clue to the fire at Maika Estate is that song sung in chorus at the Port Square... that... song..."
An attendant whispered softly in Lord Grafton's ear: "The whispers of the crypt..."
"Yes, the whispers of the crypt, the half-wildlings of Crab Claw Peninsula..."
"House Clegane..."
"Yes, Clegane. It must have been their doing, right? But can a single song become criminal evidence? House Grafton would be laughed at by the important figures of the Red Keep."
The Gulltown security officer said: "I apologize, my lord. Those bandits left too quickly and cleanly, leaving us no evidence."
Lord Grafton's Maester spoke up: "In truth, everyone understands what happened. The young lord of House Clegane is imitating The Old Lion Tywin Lannister's actions at Castamere back then!"
Lord Grafton rubbed the top of his head: "Castamere..."
"The Rains of Castamere..."
"Yes, The Rains of Castamere! This is to avenge his own cousin, yet he leaves us no evidence!"
Lord Grafton tapped his fingers agitatedly on the table for a while: "Maester, what do you think we should do? Such a big incident has occurred in Gulltown, and as the Lord, I cannot do nothing. Surely many people are secretly waiting to mock me!"
Lord Grafton's Maester said: "You can have others contact Lord Jon Arryn. Have you forgotten that Gulltown has a branch of House Arryn?"
"As the Lord of Gulltown, it is not appropriate to directly report a noble to the Red Keep without direct criminal evidence. But they are different; they are a House. Reporting to Lord Jon Arryn's household is more suitable."
"Good suggestion!"
Special thanks to Peak Abyss for their generous patronage!
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(end of chapter)