Chapter 72: Glyn on the Offensive
Samwell wondered how he could salvage the situation. Though it felt like a betrayal to his brother, he needed to make a bigger splash.
Before leaving the castle, he had to find a way to let their father, Randyll, discover their tracks.
Comparatively, if he actually managed to take his brother out only to be caught and brought back, perhaps the punishment would be a degree lighter.
...
The overweight Samwell was already gasping for breath after being pulled along by Dickon for only a short distance.
"Dick... on, don't... be in such a hurry. Lord Glyn should have just arrived; he won't be leaving so soon. We'll make it in time. Hah, hah."
Although Dickon was anxious, he slowed his pace when he turned and saw his brother Samwell's condition.
"Brother, it's a platform challenge! Lord Glyn is challenging all the knights of The Reach by himself! If we're late and he's already been defeated, we'll have run all this way for nothing! I don't want to miss a single one of his matches!"
Lord Glyn was challenging all the knights of The Reach by himself?
Samwell thought Lord Glyn's courage was truly extraordinary.
...
"And sister Talla, she's coming with us too! She's already in the carriage, just waiting for us!"
Before Samwell could even process Dickon's first piece of news, he was stunned by the second.
Sister Talla Tarly was going too?!
The worst had yet to come; the worst was just beginning.
Samwell felt he was doomed this time.
Before leaving, Samwell wanted to see his mother one last time.
He wouldn't stutter, and he wouldn't be shy. He would stand up straight and boldly tell his mother that he loved her very much!
...
Still trying to salvage the situation, Samwell said hastily, "Father... Before we leave... I'll go and tell Father first."
His brother actually dared to go see their father?
Because of him, his brother had been scolded by their father, and Dickon had been feeling guilty for days, not even daring to speak to Samwell.
Normally, after being berated by their father, Samwell would carefully hide for at least a month to avoid bumping into him.
Had his brother become brave? Dickon was overjoyed at Samwell's change.
"Brother, have you forgotten? It's hunting season. Father has taken the huntsmen into the forest. He won't be back anytime soon!"
Samwell was pulled into the carriage by his brother. It was only after seeing his sister Talla that he came back to his senses.
Samwell felt that in the few months he hadn't seen her, his sister, who had inherited their mother's beauty, had become even more lovely.
He wanted to praise Talla's beauty like a Knight from the stories, but though his lips moved, he could never bring himself to say the words.
Talla Tarly noticed the occasional glances from her brother, Samwell.
Kind and warm-hearted, Talla Tarly was at a loss as to how to communicate with her awkward and anxious brother.
Dickon's excited voice broke the brief, frozen silence inside the carriage.
"I heard that Lord Glyn has offered a prize of 2,000 Gold Dragons! Anyone who defeats him can take all the Gold Dragons!"
Talla Tarly gasped in surprise, playing along perfectly.
Samwell's mind was completely filled with Randyll's stern expression. He didn't really hear what his brother Dickon was saying. Seeing his sister and brother happy, he just forced a smile.
By the time Samwell finally managed to calm down, he noticed the soldiers escorting the carriage from front and back.
It can't be for me. Who arranged this?
On a balcony of Horn Hill, Lady Melissa Florent (Randyll Tarly's wife) rested her hands on the railing, watching the departing carriage with a gratified smile.
...
...
Outside the walls of Highgarden.
On the same day he left the castle of Highgarden, Glyn had a simple wooden platform built outside his camp.
Commerce in The Reach was well-developed. Roselle Steward quickly purchased the materials, and by sunset that day, hired carpenters had erected the platform according to Glyn's requirements.
After a busy night, as soon as the sun rose the next day, Glyn had his men hang several written signs on the platform.
The first day of the platform challenge.
Although the platform was simply constructed, Glyn had made the signs exceptionally large and eye-catching.
Once a sizable crowd had gathered near the platform, Glyn had men carry up wooden chests filled with Gold Dragons.
After the chests were in place, Roselle Steward opened the lids. The Gold Dragons glittered brilliantly under the sunlight.
Seizing the crowd's attention, Roselle Steward loudly announced the rules of the competition.
The rules were largely the same as a typical duel between knights. The most important rule was that a challenger needed to pay ten Gold Dragons to be eligible to fight.
Win the match, and you walk away with two thousand Gold Dragons. Lose, and you leave your ten Gold Dragons behind.
Glyn didn't even get to use the shills he had arranged just in case before he welcomed his first challenger.
Glyn noticed the first challenger's sigil was a radiant, red-gold fox.
This was a Knight from House Florent.
Glyn deliberately reined in his strength, trading blows back and forth with the House Florent Knight for a while.
After a dozen rounds, Glyn felt that aside from his courage, this House Florent Knight's swordsmanship was rather mediocre. To drag it on any longer would seem too fake.
Glyn found a random opening, flicked his longsword, and knocked the weapon from the challenger's hand.
There was not a trace of victorious arrogance on Glyn's face. He even thoughtfully found an excuse for the House Florent Knight, consoling him, "In truth, our swordsmanship is on par. I just had a slight advantage in arm strength."
Glyn's tone was extremely gentle. The House Florent Knight had to admit he felt consoled.
Moreover, during the recent exchange with Glyn, he had actually had a very satisfying fight.
The House Florent Knight felt that perhaps he just hadn't performed well today. Though he was unwilling to accept defeat, he didn't feel much disappointment at the moment.
He would go back and get himself in better shape today; maybe he could try challenging again tomorrow.
After exchanging a few more words about sword fighting insights with Glyn, the House Florent Knight left the platform in high spirits.
...
To the second challenger, Glyn offered his consolation: "In truth, our swordsmanship is on par. I just had a slight advantage in speed."
To the third challenger, Glyn offered his consolation: "In truth, our swordsmanship is on par. I just had a slight advantage in height."
...
To the eighth challenger, Glyn offered his consolation: "In truth, our arm strength is on par. I just had a slight advantage in the mastery of my swordsmanship."
To the ninth challenger, Glyn offered his consolation: "In truth, our speed is on par. I just had a slight advantage in the mastery of my swordsmanship."
...
...
The second day of the platform challenge.
An additional sign had been added to the platform.
"The knights of The Reach are too weak."
The moment this sign was hung, it instantly ignited the surrounding crowd.
The Glyn of today was a complete departure from his affable image of the previous day. He sat high upon the wooden platform.
With his legs crossed and leaning back in his chair, Glyn tilted his chin up, looking indifferently at the seething crowd as if he saw through everything.
Another sign appeared on the platform at the perfect moment.
(end of chapter)