Chapter 61: Taking Control of the Pacing
King'swood camp, Glyn's tent.
After bidding farewell to Queen Cersei, Glyn learned of Jaime's whereabouts from the Household Guard.
It turned out Jaime had recently been teaching Princess Myrcella how to ride.
When they were alone, Glyn sensed Queen Cersei's growing interest in provoking him; he needed Jaime as a shield.
Queen Cersei clearly understood that her beauty was her most potent weapon, and she possessed an exceptional talent for employing a honey trap.
Glyn knew in his heart that Queen Cersei was using her beauty to ensnare his body and mind.
As Glyn continued to rack up various achievements, Queen Cersei's honey trap tactics also escalated.
Queen Cersei was using her own methods, step by step, to control Glyn; only then could she feel secure in employing him.
Glyn, being mature and shrewd, believed that any other young man facing Queen Cersei's honey trap would have long since been ruined by her.
Glyn would not forget his original intention; he needed to keep the initiative in his own hands.
Glyn needed Jaime.
Glyn felt that he could entirely take over the task of teaching Princess Myrcella to ride; Jaime should immediately return to his original post, accompanying Queen Cersei at all times.
***
Baron Glyn immediately used the Highgarden envoy issue as a pretext, gaining Queen Cersei's agreement to send out a portion of the Lannister Redcloaks to expand the perimeter alongside the House Clegane Bluecloaks.
Most importantly, the Guards by Queen Cersei's side – the Gold Cloaks could not be trusted. Having diverted a portion of the Lannister Redcloaks, the Queen's side needed a strong Jaime to bolster her defenses.
Glyn recommended himself to Queen Cersei, offering to take over Princess Myrcella's riding lessons from Jaime.
Queen Cersei agreed to Glyn's proposal with little hesitation; she also enjoyed Jaime's company and had felt somewhat unaccustomed to his recent absence.
Finally, Glyn took the reins of the small white horse from a grim-faced Jaime, taking on the task of instructing Princess Myrcella in riding.
***
Three days passed.
While the Noble young masters of the King'swood camp intentionally or unintentionally avoided him, the House Clegane Household Guard's popularity in the camp had risen considerably.
The vast majority of House Clegane Household Guard, from their grandfathers' grandfathers' grandfathers... had been hunters. Naturally skilled hunters, hunting was their forte.
Under Glyn's arrangement, the House Clegane Bluecloaks deployed in batches, bringing abundant game back to the camp and enriching everyone's meals.
In the bustling camp, everyone eagerly curried favor with the House Clegane Household Guard.
***
King'swood camp, night fell.
Glyn sat by the campfire, gazing at the bustling crowd in the distance.
Tonight's camp banquet's main dish was wild boar roasted with mushrooms and apples. The main attendees of the banquet were women, each holding a Summerwine, creating a lively atmosphere.
Glyn's ears twitched; he heard footsteps approaching him.
A somewhat bored Glyn, listening to the footsteps, even tried to guess the approaching person's height and weight in his mind.
***
Within a normal person's reaction time, Glyn timely shifted his gaze towards the approaching person.
The approaching person was a fifteen-year-old maiden, with brown eyes and brown hair, fair skin, of average height, and a slightly plump figure.
The maiden curtsied, "Good evening, Baron Glyn."
A rumormonger!
Glyn recognized the maiden's identity but showed no expression, rising to return the greeting, "Good evening, young lady. And you are?"
The maiden's face held a graceful smile, "Please forgive my intrusion. My name is Tayana Moulton, and the Lord of Maidenpool is my uncle."
Maidenpool is a major port and trade center on Crackclaw Point. House Mooton of Maidenpool is a Noble House of the Riverlands, and the current Lord is William Mooton.
***
The Royal Forest hunt was an activity for the royal Noble Houses. When Glyn had been "eavesdropping" a few days prior, he had been puzzled why a young lady from a Riverlands Noble House would appear here, but he hadn't investigated further.
After all, no one had decreed that other members of House Mooton couldn't be staying at King's Landing.
When the maiden spoke of the Lord of Maidenpool, Glyn caught a fleeting glimpse of pride on her face.
***
At Glyn's invitation, Tayana Moulton also sat down beside the campfire.
The full moon hung high, and the moonlight was soft.
Glyn ordered a servant to bring wine, but Tayana Moulton shook her head with an apologetic expression, refusing.
Glyn's brown eyes moved slightly, but he said nothing, simply allowing the servant to refill his own cup.
Glyn took a sip of Summerwine and spoke, "Miss Moulton, why aren't you attending the banquet?"
Tayana Moulton brushed back her hair, "You can call me Tayana."
Late at night, a lone man and an unattached woman – for the always perceptive Glyn, it wasn't difficult to guess Tayana Moulton's objective.
Glyn's thoughts shifted, "Have I been plotted against by a young lady?"
[Glyn wasn't angry at all.]
***
Glyn nodded slightly, "Very well. I am honored, Miss Tayana."
Tayana Moulton smiled and very naturally adjusted her skirt, pulling up the hem to reveal a section of her fair calf.
Having seen Queen Cersei's honey trap tactics so many times, Glyn immediately compared and noted Tayana Moulton's vast professional gap compared to Queen Cersei.
Glyn, expressionless, took another sip of Summerwine.
The smile Tayana Moulton maintained on her face stiffened slightly. At this point, had he still not understood her intentions?
Although nothing had been explicitly said, in this time and atmosphere, Tayana Moulton felt she had expressed herself very clearly.
Baron Glyn, you can start pursuing Tayana Moulton now.
Tayana Moulton's heart began to feel a little annoyed. No matter how he pretended, he was still a Half-wildling Noble, yet he simply lacked charm!
***
Tayana Moulton composed herself and answered Glyn's earlier question, "I'm not accustomed to bustling environments since I was young, so I quietly slipped away. I happened to see you, and unconsciously walked over. Baron Glyn, I hope I haven't disturbed you."
Glyn shook his head slightly, replying very professionally, "No problem, Miss Tayana. You are free within the camp, and the Guards will ensure your safety."
Tayana Moulton could only thank him first.
***
Glyn was the "prey" Tayana Moulton had set her sights on. Due to the royal Noble Houses' fixed impression of Crackclaw Point, her scheme had easily succeeded.
Considering Glyn's actions, and upon closer thought, Tayana Moulton's scheme was actually full of holes.
But no one cared, so no one would investigate.
Glyn thought of more: Crackclaw Point had no allies.
The North, also descended from the First Men, might feel a natural kinship with Crackclaw Point, but the North was too far away.
The future choices for Glyn, the "Protector of Crackclaw Point," had always been limited.
(end of chapter)