chapter 186 part 1
Chapter 186: Glyn's Suggestion
King's Landing, the Mud Gate.
Jacelyn Bywater, Captain of the Goldcloaks at the Mud Gate, saluted the approaching Tyrion Lannister, who was inspecting the city's defenses. "Lord Hand."
Tyrion looked Ser Jacelyn up and down and said with a smile, "I like the brevity of your greeting."
Ser Jacelyn came from a lesser branch of House Bywater of the Crownlands. During the suppression of Balon Greyjoy's rebellion, he fought in the siege of Pyke, where he lost his right hand. After the war, he was knighted by Robert I for his service and subsequently became an officer of the Goldcloaks.
Ser Jacelyn seemed not to have heard Tyrion's amiable jest. He simply turned sideways and made a gesture, inviting him forward.
Ser Jacelyn was a tall man. Tyrion reached out and patted him on the thigh. "I find I like you even more, Ser."
...
Atop the city walls, Tyrion stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing for a while at Blackwater Bay. He turned his head to look at Jacelyn and said, "Ser Jacelyn, if the enemy comes from the sea, will they attack from here?"
Ser Jacelyn had brown hair streaked with grey, deep-set eyes, a prominent brow, and a broad, pumpkin-shaped jaw.
After a pause, he answered earnestly, "Lord Hand, any part of King's Landing could be a target for the enemy. The Mud Gate is simply a more probable direction than others."
Tyrion's eyes darted toward the young squire standing at attention beside him, chest puffed out.
"Pod, I wish to speak with Ser Jacelyn alone."
"As you command, my lord."
...
Tyrion leaned against the merlon. He glanced at Jacelyn's iron prosthetic right hand and said leisurely, "I understand you've served as Captain of the Mud Gate for three years now?"
"Yes, Lord Hand."
Tyrion's expression turned serious. "Ser Jacelyn, are you capable of serving as the Commander of the Goldcloaks?"
Jacelyn stared at Tyrion for a moment, then shook his head slightly. "Lord Hand, no one can replace Lord Glyn. He is deeply beloved by the soldiers of the Goldcloaks."
Tyrion grinned. "You stand before the Lannister Hand of the King. No one dislikes gold dragons."
Jacelyn shook his head again. "Lord Glyn is very just. The soldiers trust him."
Tyrion nodded slightly... The man before him meant that true love and respect could not be bought with gold dragons alone.
"A warrior understands a warrior, does he not?"
Tyrion first let out a sigh of sentiment before continuing, "Ser Jacelyn, Glyn and I are good friends. It was he who recommended you to me... hmm, this is a secret, but I trust in your honor."
A look of bewilderment appeared in Jacelyn's eyes.
Tyrion shrugged his small shoulders. "The new Hand of the King needs a Commander of the Goldcloaks he can trust. Unfortunately, your Lord Glyn is bound by the last will of Robert I. I have no reason to keep him."
Jacelyn seemed to find this incredulous. "Lord Hand, why would Lord Glyn leave King's Landing?"
Tyrion said with a laugh, "Heh, don't misunderstand. This is no banishment. This is the highest honor. The next time you see him, Lord Glyn will very likely be seated in a chair on the Small Council."
Jacelyn lowered his eyes to his own iron prosthetic right hand. "That is indeed good news, Lord Hand."
Tyrion's smile faded from his face, and he said solemnly, "Then... new Commander of the Goldcloaks, are you willing to offer your utmost loyalty to the new Hand of the King?"
...
...
The next day, in the Throne Room.
Seated around the long table of the Small Council were Cersei Lannister, Tyrion Lannister, Pycelle, Varys, Glyn Cleb, and Lancel Lannister.
The governmental affairs Grand Maester Pycelle was reporting on were dreadfully dull. Glyn stared fixedly at the wood grain on the table, while Lancel, after stealthily observing him, began to do the same.
Queen Regent Cersei raised a hand, cutting him off with an impatient expression. "Enough. We are not here to discuss trivial matters today."
After a pause, she said angrily, "Have you all received Stannis's letter? I want him punished for his vile and despicable actions!"
As Cersei's words fell, Pycelle and Varys both produced letters from within their robes and placed them on the table.
Tyrion was practically lying on the table. He reached out, pulled a letter over, and began reading it with great interest.
As he read, he remarked, "Haha, the contents are the same as the ones I read yesterday, except for the name. I didn't think he'd be so clever."
Pycelle's drowsy eyes opened a fraction. "Your Grace, every high lord in the Red Keep has a copy."
Tyrion stroked his chin. "Could it be that every noble house in the realm has a copy?"
Varys glanced at the Queen Regent and said in a soft voice, "Queen Regent Cersei, my little birds tell me that the Hand of the King's speculation is very likely true."
The Queen Regent's body trembled slightly with rage. "I want all these letters burned, every last one! Not a whisper of this can reach my son's or my father's ears."
Tyrion sighed. "Sister, I imagine Stannis sent ravens to Casterly Rock long ago... As for burning the letters... what meaning would that have now? You can't take back spilled water. I think the letters that have been sent cannot be recalled."
He spread his hands. "Besides, to be honest, what's written in the letter isn't really that bad."
The she-lion turned, her green eyes wide as she glared at Tyrion, scolding, "Tyrion, do you have a brain in your head? Have you even read what Stannis wrote? He calls my son a bastard and dares accuse me of incest and adultery!"
Tyrion nearly blurted out: *But he's telling the truth!*