After waiting for a while and seeing that the distance was almost there, Gryn·Crabb secretly winked at Petyr·Baelish.
Petyr tapped his chin, and the two of them took the initiative to greet Stannis·Baratheon who was walking towards them.
Petyr raised the corners of his lips and nodded slightly towards Stannis, his movements were very graceful.
Gryn greeted him and said, "Good day, Lord Stannis."
Gryn nodded again to Davos·Seaworth who was following Stannis.
Lord Stannis's eyes are sharp, as if he can penetrate the secrets deep in people's hearts.
His eyes moved slightly, and he first looked at Petyr, and then moved his gaze to Gryn.
"At least you two still know that a funeral is being held here. Lord Gryn, have you completed your mission?"
Gryn replied seriously, "Your Excellency, Duke, I led the soldiers to Pentos based on the information provided by Lord Varys. As soon as I made some noise here, I encountered the incident of Magister of Pentos being buried in the sea of fire.
The current situation in Pentos is relatively sensitive, and all outsiders will become objects of suspicion. In order to avoid unnecessary conflicts, I temporarily returned to King's Landing."
Stannis nodded imperceptibly. "Handle everything you encounter and cherish the opportunity to exercise yourself."
Petyr's eyebrows are slightly raised. I seem to see Lord Stannis encouraging Gryn?
Is it an illusion? Where is the Stannis he knows?!
First Lord Mace, then Lord Stannis...Petyr looked at Gryn and felt a little pantothenic acid in his heart.
This feeling passed away in a flash, and Petyr even found it funny.
At this time, everyone who was flattering also discovered Stannis exuding low air pressure one by one, and their voices gradually dropped.
Varys had already let go of Lord Mace's big hand, holding hands with each other and lowering his head slightly.
Lord Mace stroked his beard and looked at the sullen Stannis with a smile.
Neither of them has forgotten Siege of Storm's End.
As long as he swears allegiance to him, King Robert is willing to pardon those in "Usurper's War" who have been enemies with him, but Stannis, who has a tough personality, will never compromise.
Lord Mace understands the character of Stannis. This person was once forced to eat mice to survive. It can be said that he dare not forget the two of them.
Stannis used his sharp eyes to scan around the people present, and everyone fell silent.
Stannis snorted coldly and took steps towards the door. Everyone moved out of the passage.
After Stannis left, Lord Mace, who had been smiling all the time, sighed and said, "Stannis's character is like this, he didn't target you intentionally.
Now is the time when we need to work together. You are all important ministers of the kingdom. The kingdom cannot do without everyone's hard work. I think everyone understands this truth better."
After Lord Mace finished speaking, the atmosphere immediately became harmonious again.
Gryn is thinking, if Lord Mace is Hand of the King, the working atmosphere in Red Keep will be particularly harmonious.
Think about it again, if Lord Stannis becomes Hand of the King... hiss! All the ministers in Red Keep will probably be dragged out and hanged!
Then, if Lord Stark takes the position of Hand of the King... don't mention it!
Petyr came to Gryn's side, and the two of them looked at the crowd that was getting lively again.
Petyr's voice was hoarse. "Lord Gryn, who do you think will be appointed as the new Hand of the King?"
Gryn's tone was a little helpless. "Sir Petyr, you know better than I do. In fact, our opinions are irrelevant. It depends on King Robert's final choice."
Petyr didn't show it on his face, but inwardly he was a little surprised by Gryn's frankness. The smile on his face gradually deepened.
Gryn hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "I heard that Duke King Robert and Duke the North have a deep relationship, and we cannot ignore this."
Petyr raised the corners of his lips and said, "So, the answer is still unknown. Also, Cersei Queen's opinion cannot be ignored. She seems to prefer Lord of Highgarden?"
Gryn and Petyr said as they walked away from the crowd in tacit understanding.
Gryn rubbed his hair and said, "Sir Petyr, to be honest, I'm a little... difficult to grasp the thoughts of His Highness Queen."
Petyr showed an understanding smile, "Haha, you are not alone. All the imperial ministers are facing the same difficulties as you."
At this time, Varys came over with a smile.
Varys nodded slightly towards the two of them. "Lord Petyr, Lord Gryn, I saw that you were having a great time chatting with each other, and I couldn't help being attracted. Please forgive me for taking the liberty of joining."
Gryn shrugged. "Sir Varys, you are Master of Whisperers. Your joining will definitely make our discussion much easier."
Varys seemed to be very interested. "That is really joyful!"
Petyr smiled elegantly, but the smile was very shallow, "We are guessing who will be the next Hand of the King."
Gryn spread his arms. "We talked about the personal friendship between King Robert and Lord Eddard."
Varys held hands together. "Lord Eddard has grown up with King Robert as the adopted son of Lord Jon in Eyrie since he was eight years old. Their relationship is as deep as brothers and sisters.
Whether it was the war more than ten years ago or the conquest of the Iron Islands rebellion nine years ago, Lord Eddard has always firmly supported King Robert."
Crackclaw Point West.
Night has fallen, dyeing all the flags black. More than a hundred campfires have been lit in the Crabb camp, and the Crabb Soldiers people are repairing beside the campfire. Some young Crabb Soldiers are practicing blocking and thrusting skills in the fading skylight, sweating profusely on their chests.
In the regiment commander's tent, Pell·Pili reached into the salt dish with his thumb and index finger and sprinkled a large amount on the roasted meat.
"Amparo, you need some extra food."
This day's march was long, and Amparo's face looked a little tired. She reached out and grabbed a piece of meat and said, "Sir, Thorn Legion is ready. I think Mountain Wildlings in the west will definitely be surprised."
The corner of Pell's mouth curled up slightly. "This time we have sufficient armaments, we must try to reduce our casualties. We must save more energy. After the westward advance, the war between Crabb and Vale will not be too far away."
Amparo was chewing the barbecue and looked at the Swamp Marigold Banner flag hanging inside the tent.
Both of them were taciturn people, and for a while the only sound in the tent was the occasional crackle from the brazier.
After a while, Pell, who felt full, clapped his hands and said, "Amparo, when you are canonized as a knight, Sir Mason and I will be witnesses."
Amparo swallowed the food in his mouth and nodded in thanks. "Sir, that would be a great honor for me."
Pell had always been serious in front of the soldiers, so he smiled rarely.
"In the future... the entire Crackclaw Point will be the military camp of Crabb. Lord Gryn needs more loyal and reliable knights to protect him. You have proven your loyalty and reliability with your actions, Amparo!"
The next day, the sky was slightly bright.
The color of the sky gradually transitions from dark to soft blue, presenting a peaceful beauty, as if the whole world is waiting for the beginning of a new day.
Wuwuwuwuwu, the low and long bugle sounded, like the cold wind of Long Winter, making people shiver.
When the trumpets died down, the archers released a hail of arrows.
Thorn Legion The bows and arrows shot out were like hailstones, hailing towards the enemy, hundreds of branches, thousands of branches, countless in an instant.
Many Mountain Wildlings were hit by arrows and fell to the ground, and the shouts turned into howls.
At this time, the second wave of attacks had fallen from the sky, and the Crabb Longbow players put the third arrow on the bowstring.
On the east side of the battlefield, Pell stood in front of a phalanx of thousands of soldiers.
Lord Gryn kept hitting Gold Dragon, so that Crabb Soldiers's weapons could be said to have been qualitatively improved. Their weapons were like a slowly blooming steel rose in the morning light of Dawn, with its spikes gleaming.
Thorn Legion's baptism of arrows slowed down his speed, and Pell shouted, "Bang the war drum!"
Dong dong dong dong dong, the rumble of war drums comes to mind.
With a bang, Pell pulled out the long sword from his waist and said in a loud voice, "Fight for Lord Gryn!!!"
Pell waved his sword, and thousands of voices responded immediately, "Long live Crabb!!!"
Under the command of Pell, the soldiers uniformly shouted slogans and strode forward in the direction of the enemy.
In front of the Thorn Legion is a steel hedgehog-like half-moon formation formed by the Spearman Legion.
Amparo observed the movement over Pell, estimated the distance, and raised his voice to Lena on the side. "Pass my order, the last three arrows!!"
In the battlefield, spears were struck from all directions, and a war horse fell suddenly, vomiting blood and died.
A Mountain Wildlings screamed strangely and rushed towards Pell, but was hit in the chest by a Crabb Soldiers's tomahawk, killing him instantly.
This Crabb Soldiers raised his battle ax high and let out an intimidating cry.
Following this cry, war cries that seemed to respond were heard everywhere on the blood-red battlefield.
Winterfell, Lord's bedroom.
Eddard·Stark sat quietly by the fireplace, his neatly trimmed beard beginning to turn gray.
Eddard raised his head and said, "Catelyn, you stay at Winterfell."
I don't know why, but when I heard my husband's words asking him to stay here, Catelyn·Tully's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Catelyn suddenly felt scared. "Ned, please, don't leave me here."
Lord Eddard's tone left no room for argument. "No, you must stay."
Catelyn looked stubborn.
After a pause, Eddard explained, "Winter is Coming, I'm a little worried about Robert. I will go south as soon as possible. During this period, you must manage the north on my behalf. Winterfell There must be someone from House Stark in charge.
Robb is fourteen years old and will soon grow up. He has to start learning how to rule, and I can't be with him to teach him.
Catelyn, you must personally take him to participate in your confidential meetings and cultivate his ability to act independently. He is my heir and must be fully prepared."
Her husband's words were like Ice piercing Catelyn's heart.
Ned is not saying goodbye to her, but preparing for the worst.
Catelyn is even more afraid. Will she never see him again? Will she never get her husband's warm embrace again?
Catelyn took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to ask the question she was most afraid of hearing the answer to, "Where are the other children?"
Lord Eddard stood up from the chair, walked over and hugged his trembling wife into his arms. His tone was very gentle. "Except for Sansa and Arya, the other children stay here to keep you and Robb company."
Her husband's warm embrace soothed Catelyn's uneasy heart. She raised her head and asked doubtfully, "Arya?"
Thinking of his youngest daughter Arya·Stark, the corners of Eddard's lips unconsciously curled up slightly. "Arya should have learned the rules and etiquette of the south. In a few years, she will be ready to get married... I hope it's not too late."
Catelyn couldn't help but sneer, their little daughter really needed to learn some rules.
Eddard kissed the tears that had not yet fallen from Catelyn's eyes. "I know this is painful, my dear Catelyn, thank you."
Catelyn closed her eyes and shook her head slightly. She couldn't bear to leave anyone in her family.
After a pause, Catelyn suddenly opened his eyes, stared at Eddard and asked, "How do Jon arrange it?"
Catelyn is talking about the illegitimate son of Lord Eddard, Jon·Snow.
Catelyn has known since she was a child that it is common for aristocratic men to secretly have illegitimate children outside their homes, so she was not surprised at all when she learned that Ned had given birth to an illegitimate child with peasant the Maiden during the battle not long after her wedding.
Ned reunited with her for a few days after their marriage and then hurried south to fight Targaryen, leaving her safely at Riverrun, which belonged to the rear of the battlefield.
The two were separated. At that time, her mind was focused on the infant Robb, and she rarely thought about the husband she barely knew.
Catelyn can understand that her husband is wandering between life and death, and naturally he cannot help but seek comfort. Once he leaves behind, she also hopes that he can at least provide the child with food and clothing.
But House Stark is different from others. Ned brought his illegitimate son home and called the illegitimate son his son in front of everyone.
No matter what Catelyn said, he just couldn't convince him to give away his illegitimate child to Winterfell... At that time, Catelyn was thinking that no matter who the biological mother of Jon·Snow was, Ned must have been passionately devoted to her! This was something she would never forgive him for.
Catelyn has learned to love her husband wholeheartedly. As long as he does not appear in front of her eyes, Ned can turn a blind eye to as many illegitimate children as she loves.
However, the Jon·Snow inside Winterfell is always visible and tangible, no matter how you look at it, it is an eyesore.
What disgusts Catelyn the most is that the illegitimate son looks more and more like Ned as he grows, even more so than any of the sons she gave birth to!
Lord Eddard hesitated and said, "He and Robb have a very good relationship. I hope..."
Catelyn interrupted angrily, "He must not stay. He is your son, not mine! I will not let him stay here. Jon must leave."
Catelyn knew that she was going too far, but she also told the truth.
If Ned leaves Jon·Snow in Winterfell without him, it will be of no benefit to the illegitimate child himself.
Lord Eddard's face was bitter. "You also know that I can't take Jon south. King's Landing has no place for him. A child with an illegitimate surname will be ostracized. You should be very aware of how others will gossip."
Catelyn doesn't want to give in, or she wants to take this opportunity to completely solve the problem that has troubled her for many years.
""I heard that your dearest brother, our King Robert also gave birth to many illegitimate children in King's Landing, and they are living well there!"
Lord Eddard's voice was a little angry. "Catelyn, how can you be so cruel to him? He is just a child!"
Catelyn could sense that Ned's eyes were full of pain when he looked at her, and there was a silent appeal in his eyes.
Seeing her husband's appearance at this time, Catelyn felt extremely distressed, but she gritted her teeth and made up her mind that she would never compromise this time.
House Tully motto: Family, responsibility, glory!
The daughter of the Tully family, everything Catelyn·Tully does is to protect her beloved family!
Lord Eddard looked out the window, his long face remained silent for a long time.
Finally, Lord Eddard sighed with a tired tone, "I will take him south with me."
Ned finally agreed. Catelyn was so happy that she wanted to kiss her husband immediately and comfort him.
Catelyn didn't show anything on her face. She knew her husband. Direwolf needed time to figure it out. Now she would only make Ned angry if she showed too much excitement.
She will prepare more Gold Dragon for him, so that at least the child can have enough food and clothing in King's Landing in the future.