chapter 93 part 2
The small hall of the new Clegane residence.
Glyn had finished listening to what Leyton had to say.
Dik Clegane?
Glyn's eyebrow twitched. He pondered for a moment, then asked, "Joffrey is in charge of the Scouting Party in King's Landing, right?"
Leyton nodded. "Yes, my lord. He's still in the Queen's Quarter right now."
Glyn's fingers tapped on the arm of his chair. "In a few days, the Red Keep will send people to take over the Queen's Quarter. Once their identities are confirmed, hand it over as soon as possible. Foley will return to serve as my Captain of the Guard. Leyton, you will help me handle affairs here from now on."
Glyn's faction was currently in a growth phase, and reliable administrators were what he lacked the most.
It seemed Glyn had used an iron fist to control the situation in the Queen's Quarter for a short time, but civil affairs and military matters were two different things. As time went on, the affairs of the Queen's Quarter would only become more complicated. Glyn lacked the manpower and energy to keep the Queen's Quarter under his control.
Currently, Glyn's focus remained on the Clegane lands; that was his foundation.
"The Gold Cloaks can be bribed; you can arrange that directly. Then, have the Scouting Party take control of that man named Dik... Lock him up in the Clegane Manor outside King's Landing."
After a pause, Glyn added, "Before I get there, have the Scouting Party 'take care' of him in their own way. Remember to tell them not to break him."
Seeing that Glyn didn't directly order the man's death, Leyton wondered to himself, could he be a bastard son left behind by some member of the Clegane family?
…
After Leyton left, Glyn got up, left the small hall, and went to the study.
Upon entering the study, Glyn saw two small mountains: Samwell Tarly and Montun Waters.
The two men rose and bowed at the same time. Glyn just waved his hand, walked over to sit beside them, and asked, "Sam, have you been to the Street of Steel?"
Samwell smiled shyly. "Lord Glynn, Montun and I went over this morning. I've seen the work of Tobho Mott the smith. He reeks of alcohol, but his craftsmanship is outstanding."
Glyn spoke with the air of a wealthy man, "Sam, I've already entrusted this matter to you. Don't let gold dragons be an obstacle. I want you to forge Montun into the fiercest warrior."
As his words fell, Samwell gave Glyn a solemn nod.
"Lord Glynn, I will definitely fight bravely," Montun said foolishly.
Glyn chuckled. "Montun, I believe in you. Also, remember to mind the weight of the armor. I don't want to see a clumsy bear."
Montun gave a silly laugh.
Glyn patted Montun, then his eyes swept over the bookshelf. He said to Sam, "Sam, I don't think the books here will satisfy you. I've already spoken with Steward Rosser; he will help you get the books you want."
Knights love armor; Samwell Tarly loves books most of all.
Samwell looked excited, but he scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Lord Glynn, I have no way to repay you."
Glyn looked up and smiled. "Maester Al of The Whispers will surely like you very much. You two will be meeting soon."
After chatting with Samwell a little longer, Glyn glanced out the window, then left the study with Montun.
…
…
Night fell. Glyn, along with Montun and his other guards, crossed half of King's Landing and arrived at Petyr's brothel, Chataya's.
Light shone from the brothel's windows, appearing particularly bright in the deepening twilight. The sounds of music and various kinds of laughter spilled out from within.
Glyn was led inside. Listening to a song with lewd lyrics and watching girls of all types in thin silk robes flirting with patrons, he passed through the crowded main hall.
Glyn ascended the stairs to a room on the third floor.
Glyn glanced around and thought to himself: It seems this area isn't open to the public.
The door was pushed open, and Glyn saw a smiling Petyr.
Petyr opened his arms. "Lord Glynn, congratulations once again!"
Alright... Glyn smiled and opened his arms as well.
Glyn and Petyr embraced lightly in a very friendly manner. "Lord Petyr, thank you again for your kindness."
The two separated. Petyr patted Glyn's arm with one hand and gestured inside with the other. "We rarely get to meet. Please, have a seat."
After they were seated, Petyr's lips curled into a smile. "Lord Glynn, I've also prepared a small gift for you."
Glyn raised an eyebrow, unbuckled his sword, and placed it to the side.
The smile on Petyr's face deepened. He said to a nearby serving girl, "Go on, bring her in."
A moment later, a woman who looked to be less than twenty years old was led in.
Fair hair, black eyes. Her appearance... slightly above average.
Glyn glanced at the slightly disheveled woman, then looked questioningly at Petyr.
Petyr raised his cup, gestured to Glyn, and took a sip of Dornish Red.
"Her name is Shae. Of course, that's not her real name. The interesting thing is, my men found her secretly asking about you."
Glyn's pupils trembled slightly. He took a sip of Dornish Red, leaned back in his chair, and said, "Let me think. A gift from Lord Petyr is surely not so simple..."
Glyn paused, then spoke to 'Shae'. "Lady Shae, are you here for Clegane?"
"Pardon me, my noble lord, but who are you?"
Although 'Shae' appeared calm on the surface, a momentary tremor did not escape Glyn's eyes.
Petyr said with great interest, "Shae, he is the very Lord Glynn Clegane you've been asking about."
Hearing the answer from Petyr's lips, 'Shae's' pupils contracted, and she couldn't help but take half a step back.
Petyr ignored her and said to Glyn, "Lord Glynn, are you satisfied with this gift?"
Glyn nodded. "Lord Petyr, thank you very much. I've been feeling like I'm walking on thin ice since this afternoon. You may have just saved me from no small amount of trouble."
Petyr spread his hands. "Don't be so formal. As I've said, we are already friends."
Glyn placed a hand on his chest. "Then I must ask you for one more small favor. Please hand her over to my guards waiting outside."
Having come to her senses, 'Shae' was just about to speak when she was cut off by a sharp gaze.
'Shae' looked at Petyr in terror, shrank back, and allowed the serving girls to lead her out of the room by the arms.
Once the door was closed, Petyr raised his glass. "Tonight is a night of no return."
Glyn also raised his cup. "Lord Petyr, thank you for your hospitality. You have calmed my heart."
Petyr took an elegant sip of Dornish Red. "Think of happy things. In three days at most, you will see 150,000 gold dragons, Lord Glynn."
Glyn paused in the middle of drinking. "So quickly?" he asked doubtfully. "That's no small sum. The royal treasury is truly worthy of its name."
Petyr scoffed. "What royal treasury? It's been empty for years. That's no secret. There are no secrets in the Red Keep."
Seeing Glyn's astonished expression, Petyr smiled and continued, "King Robert has a passion for tourneys and feasts. The Targaryens may have left behind mountains of gold and silver, but even that couldn't withstand His Grace's spending. Lord Jon Arryn was certainly frugal, but His Grace wouldn't listen to wise counsel."
Glyn said suddenly, "I regret it now. I should have asked His Grace for more."
Petyr was stunned for a moment, then immediately burst out laughing. "Perhaps you're right."
Glyn lamented, "Lord Petyr, it seems being a member of the Small Council isn't easy, especially the Master of Coin."
Petyr shrugged. "Hah, the King and the Hand only spend the money; the Master of Coin is responsible for finding it. My main task right now is borrowing. The Lannisters, the Tyrells, the Iron Bank, and some Tyroshi trading companies... they are all the realm's creditors now."
As he spoke, a hint of mockery entered Petyr's smile. "Recently, I've had to open up new sources of revenue. I ended up approaching the Faith. The High Septon's skill at bargaining was so great it astounded me. I feel even the fishmongers of Dorne couldn't compare to him."
Petyr's witty words made Glyn laugh again and again.
(end of chapter)