50 household guards, 50 suits of plate armor, 30 shields, 50 longswords, 20 spears, 30 longbows, 30 warhorses, 3 physicians, 3 grooms, 1 barber, and 3 maids.
Surana managed the household staff.
That was the size of the party traveling to the Red Keep with Gryn.
The total cost of passage to the Red Keep aboard a merchant ship was 52 Gold Dragons. Herschel had arranged with the merchant to pay in furs of equivalent value.
Not having to pay in Gold Dragons offered Gryn some comfort. He lamented that, once he had the means, he would have to prepare his own ocean-going ship.
These days, an average of one or two merchant ships docked at Mermaid Harbor every day. It was no longer as desolate as it had been at first; at last, the place was beginning to resemble a proper harbor.
Gryn had arranged everything he could. The rest would have to build up gradually over time.
"My lord, after making inquiries with several merchants, Herschel has confirmed that the going price for an Unsullied in Astapor is 100 Gold Dragons. That price doesn't include the cost of transport."
The Unsullied?
Gryn remembered telling Herschel to ask the merchants he was on good terms with about the price of the Unsullied when he got the chance.
Gryn was no longer as keen on the Unsullied as he had been at first.
After the war, Crabb had found it much easier than expected to bring the Mountain Wildlings into its ranks.
Gryn was quite pleased with his Mountain Wildlings, whom he'd gotten for free. They were fierce and strong; give them a weapon, and they were warriors.
Once Gryn made sure they had enough to eat and warm clothes to wear, their loyalty was exceptionally high.
With more training and discipline, they had all become formidable soldiers.
At 100 Gold Dragons apiece, ten Unsullied would cost 1,000 Gold Dragons. A hundred would cost... Dragon Mother had used a single lure to win over 8,000 Unsullied in the future. That was the equivalent of 800,000 Gold Dragons. Damn!
Without much effort, she had obtained the treasuries of several great cities in the Free Cities. Damn!
Thinking of that, Gryn was so envious that he even felt a twinge of jealousy... House Crabb had shed blood for the Dragon House!
House Crabb was a model of loyalty to the Dragon House. After the Usurper's War, the family hadn't enjoyed a single good day; for over a decade, the Red Keep had kept them down.
When the time was right, Gryn thought he could plan to "swindle" some Gold Dragons from Dragon Mother to soothe his wounded heart.
"Mm, I understand, Surana. How has Lyanna been lately?"
"After news arrived from Gulltown, Lady Lyanna shut herself in her room for an entire day. Since then, she's seemed to be doing very well. I can tell she feels safe here, and she trusts you deeply."
"Keep an eye on her. I'm not as attentive as you are. Also, pay more attention to her love life."
Surana lowered her chin, her eyes flickering slightly. "My lord, I'll make the arrangements and report back to you promptly."
At Surana's answer, Gryn raised an eyebrow and turned his gaze from the sea to her. "Surana, thank you for understanding my intentions. House Crabb has only Lyanna and me left. My cousin has too kind a heart. That's a virtue worth cherishing, but it also makes her easy prey for those with ulterior motives, especially when it comes to matters of the heart."
Gryn turned his gaze back to the wide expanse of sea and sighed softly. "You've watched Lyanna grow up, and I know how fond you've always been of her. You don't need to worry too much. I'm the lord, and I have duties I must shoulder. But I'll do everything I can to make sure Lyanna's future is safe and happy."
Surana looked up and pressed her lips together. "Actually, you should have Lady Lyanna sign a document relinquishing her right to inherit House Crabb. It would be greater protection for her. I wanted to advise you of this before, but then I considered that you have no heirs yet, and I hesitated. People say I'm too rational, but I know myself. I'm indecisive much of the time."
Gryn's right thumb moved against his index finger. "Lady Surana, you're family to me. You can always speak your mind in my presence. Leave the decision to me; you shouldn't trouble yourself over it. As for my cousin Lyanna's right to inherit... I'd rather see her find love."
"As you command, my lord."
King's Landing, the Red Keep, the Tower of the Hand.
Petyr Baelish leaned against the balcony railing, staring into the distance, his gaze deep and inscrutable.
Lord Sheep-Shit, a half-wildling noble... They were both figures people laughed at, and yet... Hah!
Thanks to the Maester's Tower's routine reports, news of Lord Gryn Crabb had spread swiftly across a Westeros that had enjoyed peace for a long time. As the latest sensation, Gryn's name had brought a flood of information to Petyr's desk.
Blessed by the legacy of his ancestors, House Crabb had returned to Crabb's Lands with formidable strength. Though more than a decade had passed, they had reclaimed their power with ease, as if the people had welcomed them back.
How enviable, that deep-rooted authority granted by bloodline.
How disagreeable, a bloodline that embodied power.
The old traditions that placed bloodline above all else were so stubborn that even uncivilized Wildlings were deeply affected by them.
Compared with noble blood, ability had become a mere afterthought.
And so, only chaos was a ladder.
Petyr Baelish's gaze grew even more inscrutable.
"Lord Petyr, how strange. I can actually smell a hint of anger coming from you."
Varys, bald and entirely hairless, stood in a loose brownish-red silk robe, his broad hands clasped together.
Petyr calmly drew back his gaze. His gray-green eyes turned toward Varys, who smiled with studied composure and bowed his head in greeting.
Petyr Baelish curled his lips elegantly. "Master of Whisperers, is it because your duties make you endlessly curious? I'm afraid I must tell you that your nose has failed you this time."
Varys's smile never wavered. "Lord Petyr, ever since I met you, all I've ever read in you is graceful composure and remarkable intelligence. Even the slightest change in you catches my attention."
The elegant Petyr admitted to himself that he was growing to hate this Spider more and more.
Petyr reminded himself to act with caution and never forget that the Little Birds were watching him.
Whatever he thought, Petyr Baelish maintained his polished smile. "You truly are the sweetest tongue in King's Landing. Every conversation with you leaves me feeling better in body and spirit."
Varis bowed his head again. "It is Lord Petyr's charm that gives my words their sweetness. I'm merely basking in your light."
Petyr spread his hands. He had no interest in continuing to discuss tongues with Varis. His gray-green eyes shifted almost imperceptibly as he changed the subject. "I hear our gracious Queen is suddenly in high spirits. Ordinarily, she would remain displeased for days."
Varis moved to Petyr's side and gazed into the distance as well. "Her Majesty retains the pure heart of a maiden. When she receives something she cherishes, she naturally forgets her passing sorrows."
Petyr's voice was hoarse and resonant. "Something she cherishes? Lord Varis, there's more to your words than meets the ear."
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