Chapter 62: Petyr's Probe
In the eyes of most, Crackclaw Point was a backward and savage region, and Glynn was a half-wildling noble from that very place.
Perhaps this was why Tayana Mooton felt her House Mooton was superior to Glynn.
Tayana Mooton crooked her finger, implying Glynn should feel grateful and honored, and simply obey.
Glynn could only say that aside from understanding the logic of attacking a rival, Tayana Mooton was merely a little scheming, and nothing more.
In Glynn's eyes, Tayana Mooton's childish tactics were like trying to show off with a battle hammer in front of King Robert.
…
Glynn suppressed the impulse to draw his sword.
He felt as though he was being corrupted by his rather simple clansmen.
Glynn ruffled his dark hair and raised a hand to stop Tayana Mooton's words, "Miss Mooton, I would like to ask if your actions are at the behest of Lord Willem Mooton of Maidenpool, or are they purely your own initiative?"
Interrupted, Tayana Mooton felt a sudden surge of anger.
But even as she bristled with indignation, she processed the meaning behind Glynn's words, and her heart trembled.
*He knew all along?*
Tayana Mooton's heart fluttered in panic, her first thought to escape. "Lord Glynn, I don't quite understand your meaning. It's already late…"
Glynn's indifferent expression changed, his gaze gradually sharpening. "If this is Lord Willem's intention, I will interpret it as a declaration of war."
The "kind" Glynn intended to teach Tayana Mooton a lesson.
"Perhaps it's a legacy of House Mooton? Back then, your house overestimated its strength, united with some smaller houses, and actually tried to conquer the lands of Crackclaw Point.
"Weak red salmon, you were so thoroughly defeated by the men of Crackclaw Point that you cast aside your helmets and armor. If House Targaryen hadn't intervened later, the name Mooton would have vanished long ago."
Tayana Mooton retorted indignantly, "How dare you insult our house!"
Glynn's tone was cold. "Are weak actions not shameful in their own right?"
At Glynn's question, Tayana Mooton opened her small mouth but was left speechless.
Glynn waved his hand and said, "It's late, Miss Mooton. Go back and rest."
Tayana Mooton worried she had caused a great disaster, but then thought it unlikely. Although Lord Glynn was cold toward people, she didn't get the impression he would make a mountain out of a molehill.
Two houses wouldn't go to war over something so trivial.
At this thought, Tayana Mooton sighed in relief, and her heart, which had been racing from Glynn's words, finally calmed down.
As things stood, Tayana Mooton knew that nothing could ever happen between her and Glynn.
She only felt a secret regret. It was quite rare to find a man who had inherited his family's seat at such a young age and was still unmarried.
Tayana Mooton reflected that she had relied too much on preconceived notions, which kept her constantly haughty. She had never truly taken the measure of Lord Glynn, this outlier from Crackclaw Point.
If he didn't possess some extraordinary quality, he wouldn't have become the favorite of Queen Cersei, as everyone called him.
Through this incident, Tayana Mooton had learned quite a few lessons.
Feeling a hint of apology towards Glynn, Tayana Mooton curtsied slightly and took her leave with a nod.
Glynn's brown eyes watched Tayana Mooton's receding back as he rubbed his chin.
…
The next day, in the Tower of the Hand at the Red Keep.
Lord Jon Arryn, still unable to set aside the affairs of the realm, returned to the Hand's study after only a few days of bed rest. Though barely recovered, he began to tackle the pile of state affairs that had accumulated.
Petyr was in the Hand's study assisting Lord Jon, offering advice from time to time.
Lord Jon was busy when a servant suddenly announced that Lord Stannis requested an audience.
*Stannis? Why is he back?*
Lord Jon was very surprised by Lord Stannis's sudden appearance and ordered the servant to show him in.
…
Soon, Lord Stannis entered the Hand's study.
With a grim face, Lord Stannis observed the proper courtesies, then sat down without waiting for Lord Jon's invitation.
Lord Stannis would never omit the necessary courtesies, but he would also never add a single superfluous gesture.
Petyr's grey-green eyes twitched slightly. He silently stood to the side, a faint smile curling his lips.
"Lord Hand, I heard about what happened in this study. On my way here, I heard you entrusted such an important matter to Janos for investigation! That greedy, incompetent pig?!"
With a thud, Lord Jon put down the documents in his hand, his weary eyes fixed on Lord Stannis. "Stannis, is this the reason for your sudden return?"
Lord Stannis snorted coldly. "Why did you allow slander against the Queen to circulate freely in her own quarters?"
Lord Jon's lips trembled, but he said nothing.
"And Renly? As Master of Laws, does he not know what crime it is to slander the royal family without proof?"
Lord Stannis's gaze, fixed on Lord Jon, grew sharper. "Is there some filthy political scheme at play here? The most ridiculous thing is that in the end, this matter was handled by a mere officer of the Queen's affairs! The members of the Small Council are truly this incompetent!"
Before arriving at the Tower of the Hand, Lord Stannis had already inspected the Queen's Quarter and examined the preserved execution records at the City Watch headquarters.
The meticulous Glynn had Leyton record every criminal's charge in detail, which naturally included slandering the royal family.
The contents of the scrolls were so detailed they seemed excessive, yet Lord Stannis read them word by word, sentence by sentence, with extreme care.
After examining the scrolls, even the notoriously stern Lord Stannis nodded slightly.
Lord Glynn also possesses legal talent!
…
Lord Jon's gaze also sharpened. "Stannis, are you questioning me?"
Lord Stannis's lips curled into a sarcastic curve. "Frankly, I'd rather impeach you, but I know that would be a useless endeavor here!"
Lord Jon's chest rose and fell with increasing intensity. "Stannis, the realm cannot be governed by law alone!"
Lord Stannis straightened his back. "My honorable Lord Hand, then tell me, what does it take to govern the realm? Absolute power that can condemn a man over a song?"
"From now on, does any man who commits murder only need to sing a song from Crackclaw Point to be transformed into Baron Cleber? Do you think the Master of Laws, Renly, isn't incompetent enough? Do you wish to make him appear even more useless?"
"Stannis, you are too rigid! This is not a simple legal issue; this is politics!"
Having finished, Lord Jon gasped for breath, his forehead covered in cold sweat.
Lord Stannis snorted coldly again. "Lord Hand, you are treating the laws of the realm as your personal property. I will never permit it!"
"You… you… cough, cough, cough!"
Lord Jon couldn't help but dissolve into a fit of coughing.
Seeing this, Petyr, who had been silent all this time, rushed over. Lord Jon weakly waved him away.
Petyr couldn't help but speak up for Lord Jon. "My honorable Lord Stannis, Baron Cleber is merely a minor figure from Crackclaw Point; he won't affect the impartiality of the law. The Lord Hand did not pursue the matter further."
Lord Stannis furrowed his brow, his sharp gaze fixed on Petyr. "Because he is a so-called 'minor figure,' he can act with impunity? I tell you, before the laws of the realm, there is no distinction between great and small! As Master of Coin, do you not understand the principle that even a small leak can sink a great ship? Petyr, is this how you manage the realm's finances?"
Petyr opened his mouth but was at a loss for words, standing there with a slightly awkward expression.
Lord Jon coughed a few more times and said weakly, "Petyr, you may withdraw."
Petyr, who had just tried to interject, gave Lord Jon a worried look.
He shrugged helplessly and quietly retreated.
(end of chapter)