chapter 190 part 1
Chapter 190 Glyn's Suggestion 5
Dragonstone, the Chamber of the Painted Table.
"Lord of Crackclaw Point, Glyn crabbe, I pay my respects."
Several people stood below the raised dais in the hall. Lord Stannis Baratheon sat upon the high seat, and Glyn felt various gazes on him, assessing and scrutinizing.
Lord Stannis's eyes were shadowed by his heavy brows, and his steady, cold voice echoed in the empty hall. "Lord Glyn, do you remember what I said the last time you were here? (Chapter 98)"
Glyn straightened his back and looked up at Lord Stannis on his high seat. "I remember. You said you would resolve my doubts."
Lord Stannis's lips pressed into a thin line, his jaw working silently.
After a moment, he spoke. "Have your doubts been resolved now?"
Glyn shook his head slightly. "Lord Stannis, please forgive my ignorance."
As Glyn finished speaking, a woman he didn't recognize let out a cold snort. She was gaunt, with a sharp, narrow face, prominent ears, and a sharp nose.
Her eyes were pale, her mouth a severe line, and her voice was as sharp as a whip. "What a cunning Lord of The Whispers. Who doesn't know by now that the boy on the Iron Throne is Cersei's bastard? How dare you lie under the gaze of the Lord of Light? I must say, you're truly worthy of being that whore Cersei's favorite courtier!"
Glyn remained unmoved by the harsh accusation. He turned his head to look at the Onion Knight standing beside him.
He asked in a low voice, "Ser Davos, who is this lady?"
Davos raised his eyebrows, a helpless look on his face. He glanced at Lord Stannis on the high seat, then said quietly to Glyn, "Lord Glyn, you put me in a difficult position."
Glyn raised an eyebrow, looking at Davos without a word.
Davos sighed softly. He first bowed in Lord Stannis's direction before speaking. "This is Lord Stannis's wife, Lady Selyse."
Davos's brief introduction was met with a dissatisfied grunt.
A young man stepped forward and announced loudly, "Lord of The Whispers, before you stands the wife of Lord Stannis Baratheon, the Lady of Dragonstone, a descendant of Garth Greenhand, Lady Selyse of House Florent."
Garth, also known as Garth Greenhand or Garth the Green, was a legendary king of the First Men and is considered the ancestor of many houses in the Reach. His eldest son, Garth the Gardener, founded House Gardener and became the first King of the Reach.
House Florent is one of the strong and ancient noble houses of the Reach. Their lineage can be traced back to one of the three sons of Florys the Fox, Garth's daughter. They claim their bloodline is closer to House Gardener than their liege lords, House Tyrell.
The Florents firmly believe they have a superior claim to Highgarden and therefore often question House Tyrell's right to rule the Reach.
...
Davos shrugged. Glyn turned back toward the high platform. His gaze passed over a red-clad figure as he placed a hand on his chest. "Greetings, Lady Selyse. Glyn crabbe wishes you well."
Lady Selyse laughed coldly. "Answer my question, Lord of The Whispers."
Glyn glanced at Lady Selyse calmly, his voice even and steady. "According to the laws of the realm, until a formal trial has been held, I reserve my own judgment on all accused persons."
Lady Selyse's voice grew shrill. "A petty half-wildling house dares to learn..."
"Selyse, be silent," Lord Stannis's voice cut off Lady Selyse's words.
Lady Selyse shrieked, "Your Grace, you should not interrupt me! By rights, the nobility of Crackclaw Point are my vassals!"
"Your Grace?"
Lord Stannis repeated the title, his voice dripping with resentment.
He continued, "What a sarcastic title... What kind of king am I? Dragonstone, and a few rocks in the Narrow Sea, is that my kingdom?!"
Lady Selyse quickly said, "Your Grace, by the will of the Lord of Light, you are the one true king of the Iron Throne."
Stannis was not as fervent about the Lord of Light as his wife. He frowned and said, "Understand this: I need armies, not blessings."
Lady Selyse was about to speak again, but Glyn's voice interrupted her.
He said casually, "Lady Selyse, forgive my impertinence, but I must correct you. Swearing fealty to the queen is a tradition of Crackclaw Point, not a legal requirement."
After he spoke, Glyn felt everyone's gaze focus on him again.
"You..."
Glyn gave a calm shrug and added, "As far as I know, Lord Stannis has not yet proclaimed himself king, Lady Selyse."
"You..."
After a pause, he gestured to the high seat with one hand on his chest. "I believe the sound of the wind and waves outside must be making me hear things."
Whether it was intentional or not, Lord Glyn would pretend he hadn't heard any of the talk about kings.
"The Lord of Light cherishes the pure and punishes the corrupt," a red-clad figure said as she walked gracefully toward Glyn.
She stopped in front of him and said, "Lord crabbe, I am Melisandre, a priestess of R'hllor, the Lord of Light."