Glyn's long fingers tapped lightly on the armrest.
Willas Tyrell, whose expression remained gentle, also noticed the sharpness that flickered in Glyn's eyes.
Willas Tyrell's smile only deepened. He didn't take it to heart; perhaps for him, such matters were not worth bothering with.
…
Glyn's thoughts whirled as he analyzed the situation.
Had Little Rose Margaery not believed Glyn's sincere words?!
Glyn guessed again, "Could it be that Pufferfish Duke has already been tacitly excluded by House Tyrell from important decisions?"
Although Glyn represented Queen Cersei, House Tyrell was full of confidence. Willas Tyrell, the heir of Highgarden, received the Queen's envoy on behalf of Lord Mace.
In terms of etiquette, House Tyrell's actions could only be considered barely acceptable, but for them, that was enough.
Was House Tyrell trying to prevent Renly Baratheon's plans from being disrupted?
Did the great Pufferfish Duke himself know that House Tyrell had subtly isolated him?
Thinking of this, Glyn felt a bit angry.
Glyn couldn't stand it and had the idea to proactively help Pufferfish Duke "cleanse the ruler's side."
Glyn also felt that Lord Mace himself might be a participant!
This thought was quickly dismissed by Glyn.
No matter the actual truth, to Glyn, Lord Mace might have been deceived by others.
…
"Lord Willas, I will wait in my camp outside the castle for a few days."
Hearing Glyn's words, Willas Tyrell paused, then looked at Glyn and nodded.
Glyn said no more to Willas, bowing his head in farewell. With a sweep of his blue cloak embroidered with marsh marigolds, he turned and left directly.
After Glyn's figure disappeared, Willas closed his eyes and smiled, the corners of his mouth upturned.
…
…
On the way back to the camp from Highgarden Castle, Glyn pulled on the reins and stopped his horse.
Glyn looked up at Highgarden Castle, which was tiered like a cake, and suddenly asked, "Monton, how many men would it take for you to occupy it...?"
As he spoke, Glyn pointed at Highgarden Castle and continued, "Your lord has his eyes on this place."
Monton Waters, with dazed eyes, stared at the distant white castle for a moment before replying, "Lord Glyn, our manpower is a bit insufficient."
Glyn's lips curved, and his amber eyes shifted to Monton. "What do you plan to do?"
Monton glanced at Anguy beside him and said in a muffled voice, "They are not on guard against us. It would be very easy for us to force our way in and occupy it. I am worried that if our manpower is insufficient, we might not be able to hold it later, making it unsafe for you to stay."
After Monton finished speaking, Anguy also added, "Lord Glyn, there are many soldiers nearby. They could easily gather thousands of people."
Glyn threw back his head and laughed, saying, "Then we won't occupy it."
Monton and Anguy nodded blankly.
Glyn continued, "If they want to trap us, can we fight our way out?"
Just to fight their way out?
Monton and Anguy both nodded vigorously. "Our combat power is unmatched!"
Glyn patted Monton, then Anguy, and said, "Take good care of the horses. If we truly need to fight our way out, we won't make it on foot."
Glyn's next move would be rather significant. He was just taking precautions, ensuring Monton and the others were mentally prepared.
…
Would Glyn obediently follow the script arranged by House Tyrell?
Would Glyn anxiously wait for an audience with Lord Mace, and when no one arrived, would he go to Highgarden Castle again to inquire of Willas Tyrell?
Would Willas use flawless etiquette and excuses to persuade Glyn to leave again,
and Glyn continue to wait until he was forced to leave Highgarden?
Furthermore, if Queen Cersei knew that Glyn had been sent away like this by House Tyrell, given her personality... the current Glyn still needed Queen Cersei's "favor."
When Glyn bid farewell to Willas, he already had a countermeasure in mind.
No one should even think of stopping Glyn's meeting with Lord Mace.
No one could possibly hinder their destined encounter.
…
…
The Reach, Horn Hill.
The scorching sun shone down, casting a patch of coolness under the trees.
The plump Samwell Tarly was reading a book under the trees, occasionally wiping the sweat from his face.
Ten-year-old Dickon Tarly ran up excitedly.
"Brother, brother! Did you hear? The Crownlands' first swordsman has arrived at Highgarden!"
A few days ago, at his younger brother Dickon's pleading, Samwell sang a song to coax his brother to sleep, only to be discovered by their father, Randyll Tarly, who happened to be passing by.
Samwell was mercilessly interrupted and sternly lectured by his father Randyll, who said that Samwell's singing would make his younger brother Dickon as weak as himself.
After that incident, Dickon Tarly always deliberately avoided him, which made Samwell very disheartened. If only he had refused to sing then, things wouldn't be like this now.
…
Today, his younger brother actively sought him out, and Samwell was very happy.
Samwell Tarly put down his book and smiled, "Dickon, my news is always slow. Did you just say the Crownlands' first swordsman? Do you know which lord it is?"
Samwell Tarly thought to himself, "Could it be a lord from the Kingsguard?"
Could it be... Ser Barristan Selmy the Bold?!
…
"Brother, you know him! I remember you used to study his battles often!"
Samwell scratched his head and asked, "Baron Glynn Cleber of Crackclaw Point?"
Dickon Tarly leaned closer to Samwell, nodding with sparkling eyes.
Samwell was puzzled yet impressed. Had Baron Glynn Cleber already become the Crownlands' first swordsman?
Although he was deep in thought, Samwell also noticed his younger brother Dickon's actions.
His younger brother's eyes shone, and his small hand clutched his sleeve. This was a sign he needed his help!
Samwell loved his younger brother dearly; he would do his best to satisfy any request.
However, Samwell's heart trembled. Judging by his younger brother's expression, this matter was not trivial.
Samwell, who couldn't bear to refuse his younger brother, prayed frantically to the gods: "Please, let it not be something that will provoke father's anger."
…
"Brother, can you take me to see him?"
Samwell felt his back start to break out in a cold sweat. "Dickon, take... take you where?"
"Highgarden! Brother, I heard several knights discussing this matter. Today is already the second day. I'm afraid I won't be able to see it if I go late."
Samwell wanted to pick up his book and coldly refuse his younger brother, Dickon.
Samwell believed that if he took his younger brother to Highgarden and something unexpected happened, his father would never forgive him.
Samwell had thought it all through well, but seeing his younger brother's eager eyes, the words that came out of his mouth changed on their own: "All right, I'll take you."
After saying that, Samwell felt he was doomed.
(end of chapter)