Chapter 46: The Flat-Bottomed Sailboat
King's Landing, Hook Street, afternoon.
As Glyn entered the courtyard with Montun and Anguy, he encountered a young man of average height, yet very sturdily built, wearing a blue cloak.
Upon spotting Glyn, the young man in blue rushed forward excitedly and knelt on one knee. "Lord Glyn, your faithful Marciel Beck gives his regards."
Gesturing for Marciel Beck to rise, a smile appeared on Glyn's face. "Marciel, are you finally allowed to leave home?"
The 22-year-old Marciel scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "I finally have a son. My father has been in the old lands with no certain date of return. I couldn't wait any longer. I begged Steward Zashir to put me on a merchant ship, and I came here following the address he gave me. I've only just arrived."
Marciel Beck was the eldest son of Knight Ma Beck, a household knight of House Clegane. House Beck had an absolute rule that could not be broken: the eldest son could not go to war or travel far from home before fathering a son of his own.
According to rumor, this rule was specifically established for the families of their household knights by an ancestor of House Clegane. The family of Per Pily, another of House Clegane's household knights, had the exact same rule.
Marciel, who was married at fifteen under Knight Ma's arrangement, had toiled for seven years to fulfill his family's duty and, more importantly, to gain his freedom.
Glyn could well understand Marciel's eagerness to leave home the moment his son was born. The ancestors of House Clegane had done their work well.
Glyn patted Marciel's solid shoulder. "Welcome, Marciel. From now on, you are my squire, responsible for taking care of my mount and keeping my crossbow."
Suppressing his excitement, Marciel knelt on one knee again. "I swear, in accordance with the traditions passed down through House Beck, to be forever loyal to you until death. I swear this in the name of the Old Gods and the New."
Following the tradition of House Clegane, Glyn placed both hands on the pommel of his sword, his steady voice carrying a hint of solemnity. "By my hearth, you will always have a place. At my table, there will always be meat and wine for you. I swear this in the name of the Old Gods and the New."
...
Anguy's eyes burned with envy. He asked Montun in a low voice, "Have you sworn loyalty to Lord Glyn?"
Montun blinked his large, vacant eyes. "No. Haven't you read the lord's military regulations? Except in special circumstances, you can only swear loyalty to the lord after serving for three years, based on your past contributions. I'm in no hurry."
Anguy rubbed his head sheepishly. "I can't really read... Hey, you can read?"
The simple-looking Montun was a bit smug. "My mother taught me. She wouldn't let me eat my fill if I didn't learn."
Anguy's expression darkened for a moment, but it quickly returned to normal. "Then what are the special circumstances?"
Montun replied in his slow manner, "Like him? A family like Marciel's. They have been loyal to our lord's house for hundreds of years, since their ancestors' time."
Hundreds of years? That was truly incomparable. Anguy's spirits plummeted in an instant.
Montun comforted him. "The most important thing in the first three years is obedience. Obeying every one of the lord's commands. Isn't that just being told what to do? I think that's too simple."
When Montun was young, if he didn't listen to his mother, he would go hungry. To Montun, the word 'obedience' was all too familiar, almost comforting.
Montun continued, "After three years, you'll be qualified to swear loyalty to the lord. After swearing loyalty, if you achieve great merit in the future, the lord might even make you a knight. I asked specifically, even bastards can be made knights. I'll have a chance to become a knight, too. Hehe!"
In Montun's words, Anguy saw a very clear path for advancement.
I can be made a knight, too? The dejected Anguy was instantly filled with life.
"Yeah, that's right..."
Montun suddenly remembered something and added, "I remembered another special case. Aemparoa, the commander of the Thorn Corps, she swore loyalty on her first day."
Anguy's interest was greatly piqued. "Sounds like a woman from her name. How did she manage that?"
Montun wore his usual simple-minded expression. "She's strong. Everyone says she's very capable, the number one female general in the territory."
Anguy, lost in thought, suddenly asked, "Are all the women from The Whispers this formidable?"
Montun, who had a beast-like intuition, played a little trick when answering Anguy. "Some people are just... special?"
That's true. It's normal for a few women to be a bit special, Anguy thought, nodding in agreement.
The women of The Whispers... hmm, spearwives. They're just a bit strong, a bit fierce, a bit vicious. Besides being able to fight as well as men, they're quite alright.
Montun, who usually had a simple expression, also nodded vigorously along with Anguy.
Montun felt he should change the subject. "Anguy, you're very skilled. Don't be impatient. You'll have your chance too."
Anguy expressed his thanks. "I will, Montun. I didn't realize you knew so much. I'll have to ask for your guidance more in the future."
Montun smiled simply. "My hearing has been very good since I was a child. When everyone is eating, they talk about many things, and I can hear it all."
Anguy first showed an expression of admiration, then said, "You have to teach me to read. From now on, all my wine is yours."
Montun shook his large head. "It's nothing. I like working with you. I'm happy to help. You like wine; you don't have to share it with me. Knowing how to read means you can memorize the lord's military regulations. That's what's truly important."
Between Montun and Anguy, a certain flower bloomed.
Ahem, the flower of friendship!
...
Leading Glyn's mount, Marciel hesitated for a good while before speaking. "My lord, do you remember that merchant, Joffrey?"
Joffrey was a moderately successful merchant who owned two 100-foot (a little over 30 meters) flat-bottomed sailing ships. He was primarily engaged in trade along the shores of Blackwater Bay and had traded hides with The Whispers many times.
The ship Glyn had taken from Mermaid Port to King's Landing had been one of Joffrey's.
The expensive ticket price had left a deep impression on Glyn. He nodded.
"My lord, I was on Joffrey's ship this time as well. On the way, we ran into pirates during the first night. Although the royal patrol fleet from Blackwater Bay rescued us in time and we avoided major losses, Joffrey was struck in the abdomen by an arrow. His injury is very serious. I'm afraid he won't last more than a few days."
Lord Stannis Baratheon of Dragonstone was the second younger brother of King Robert Baratheon and served as Master of Ships. Stannis Baratheon's character was stern and reserved, and he was completely uncompromising when it came to the law. Therefore, under the supervision of the Master of Ships, Stannis Baratheon, the royal fleet never dared to slacken its patrols of the Blackwater Bay and other waters.
But the sea is vast, and there were always some bold and cunning pirates who would manage to evade the royal fleet, taking risks to enter Blackwater Bay, the waters that the Master of Ships, Stannis Baratheon, valued most.
Glyn's heart stirred. His gaze shifted toward Marciel.
"After I boarded the ship, Joffrey was very hospitable to me once he learned my identity. He said he has great respect for you, my lord."
(end of chapter)