Inside the study, the quick-witted Dick bowed with his hand on his chest. "Good day, Lord Gryn."
Gryn's brown eyes flickered slightly as he sized up the person in front of him. He was still so thin, and his eyes still habitually darted around.
Feeling Gryn's gaze on him, his heart skipped a beat, and a sense of tension welled up from the bottom of his heart, causing him to involuntarily tense up.
He didn't know how much time had passed, but when Dick's back was soaked with cold sweat, the gaze finally moved away... and he was finally able to breathe normally again.
Gryn's voice rang out. "My kinsman Dick, what kind of person do you think... can keep a secret forever?"
His gradually relaxing nerves tensed up again, and Dick couldn't help but kneel down, muttering, "I... I... I..."
Dick's lips trembled; he wanted to say something, but didn't know what to say.
Gryn raised an eyebrow, paused, then got up from his chair and walked over... personally helping the trembling Dick to his feet.
Gryn seemed oblivious to Dick's unusual behavior, and casually asked, "Have you seen Julia? How is she?"
Dick stammered, "My sister is doing very well..."
His body stiffened for a moment, then he quickly said, "Lord Gryn, thank you for your protection. We will forever remember your kindness."
Gryn patted Dick on the arm, then walked to the bookshelf, pulled out an envelope, and said, " Dick Waters, as agreed (Chapter 101)..."
Gryn turned to Dick and continued, "In the name of the King, you and your sister will legally possess the surname Crabb..."
He gave a gentle smile and continued, "Congratulations, Dick Crabb."
Dick stood motionless for a long while, mouth agape, then suddenly knelt down, choking back tears, "Thank you... really... so grateful... I... have no way to repay you..."
"Although some unexpected situations arose, given the circumstances, your decisiveness can be considered as having accomplished the task."
Gryn once again reached out and helped Dick Crabb, who was weeping, to his feet, saying, "So, this is the reward you deserve."
Gryn's voice was so beautiful that Dick hastily wiped away his tears, his gratitude beyond words.
Gryn pulled Dick to the map, pointed to a forest in the western part of Crackclaw Point, and said, " Dick Crabb, I originally intended to reward you with this land..."
He tapped his fingers on the map, paused, and continued, "Your short sword prevented a tragedy, and Daenerys is grateful to you. This small piece of land is no match for your contribution."
Gryn's finger moved to the top of Maidenpool, and he was silent for a moment... Lord Gryn was not angry at all (Chapters 57 and 62).
Bringing his thoughts back, Gryn began, "Legend has it that when Florian first met Quhuru, he was peeping at her and her sisters bathing right here..."
He smiled and continued, " Maidenpool is one of the wealthiest fiefdoms in the Riverlands; that's the key point."
Dick's Adam's apple bobbed, and he swallowed hard. "Lord Gryn," he said, "You mean...?"
Gryn nodded slightly and asked, "Do you like it here?"
Dick nervously rubbed his hands together, Gryn's gentle gaze gave him great courage, and he nodded heavily.
Gryn's gaze shifted to the location of Crackclaw Point, and he said, " Dick Crabb, do you know how the Andals conquered Crackclaw Point?"
Dick nodded and replied, "I can't forget! A thousand years ago, the Andals tried to seize Crackclaw Point, but they bled in the valleys, drowned in the swamps, and met with setbacks everywhere. Unable to conquer us, they resorted to infiltration through marriage. Later, their beautiful daughters won over what their strong sons couldn't obtain with swords through kisses."
Dick's eyes suddenly lit up, and he said, "Before the Andals came to Westeros, the Moton family of Maidenpool attempted to conquer Crackclaw Point."
Gryn said solemnly, "The cowardly Earl William Mooton even sent people to slander the House Crabb's reputation during last year's Kingswood Hunt. Their ambition for Crackclaw Point has not died, Crabb Remembers."
Dick bowed slightly and said solemnly, " With Together We Stand, we can overcome any obstacle."
Gryn reached out and patted Dick on the shoulder, saying, " The Crabb are now the ruling family of Crackclaw Point. I will support you."
Next, Gryn told Dick in detail about the current situation of the Maidenpool.
Finally, he asked, " Dick, tell me, do you like Maidenpool?"
Dick glanced at the Crackclaw Point land that Gryn had pointed out earlier, then stared intently at Maidenpool for a moment. He sighed and called out, "Lord Gryn, I like Maidenpool!"
Since Daenerys arrived in the Crabb Territory, Lord Gryn has clearly felt a significant lightening of his burden.
For example, Gryn had to "fight" in the Red Keep, which meant he was often away from his territory. Although he had vassals to protect his territory, it was still very dangerous for a lord without an heir.
To use an analogy, imagine a pile of seemingly unclaimed treasures in front of you. Over time, this becomes Lord Gryn deliberately undermining the loyalty of his subordinates—a completely unnecessary test.
Therefore, in order to avoid this situation as much as possible, Lord Gryn had to spend a lot of energy micromanaging his territory while moving back and forth within the Red Keep.
Now, Gryn was preparing to head north, breathed a sigh of relief.
Even if Daenerys did nothing in Whispers, her very presence was enough to unite the people.
Why is this? Because this is Westeros.
"Hee hee hee hee," Daenerys's cheerful laughter interrupted Gryn's thoughts.
With a smile in his eyes, Gryn asked, "Have you discovered something interesting?"
Daenerys was still covering her mouth and laughing, her eyes curving like crescent moons, and she nodded.
She paused for a moment before continuing with a smile, "It's greetings from the Crabb's Lands. They address me as..."
She waved the letter in her hand and continued, "Chief's wife!"
After saying that, Daenerys giggled again.
Gryn smiled and said, "A very appropriate form of address."
Daenerys bent down and "laboriously" waved her hand at Gryn, Gryn reply seemed to tickle the princess's funny bone once again.
Daenerys's face flushed as she picked up her glass and took a large sip of Summer Wine.
Seeing that Gryn was about to speak, Daenerys immediately raised her hand to stop him, her tone sounding like a plea. " Gryn, I need to calm down."
Gryn reached out and took the princess's hand, a slight smile playing on his lips, and said, "It's important business."
Daenerys glanced at Gryn with suspicion at first, then, as if she had thought of something, she asked, " Gryn, are you leaving?"
Daenerys was thinking of Crackclaw Point's conquest of the Vale.
Gryn nodded slightly, pulled Daenerys into his arms, and stayed quietly for a moment before saying, "I'm leaving the day after tomorrow, so I'll leave this place to you, Dany."
Daenerys said in a somewhat uncertain voice, " Gryn, I'm worried I won't be able to handle the affairs of Crackclaw Point well."
" Dany, you have a fair and compassionate heart; the people will love you."
Daenerys hugged Gryn tightly and nodded silently.
"I've appointed Samwell House Tarly and Dick as your Chief Steward and Second Steward, respectively. They will assist you."
Daenerys turned her head, looked up at Gryn, and said, "My knight, I await your triumphant return."
After saying that, she reached out and wrapped her arms around Gryn's neck, offering him her long, warm kiss.
The sorrow of parting soon turned into soft humming and singing.
Gulltown is the main port of the Vale, located southeast of Eyrie, on the shore of Crab Bay, and south of Runestone.
Gulltown boasts a naturally sheltered harbor and is one of the five major cities of Westeros, roughly the size of White Harbor.
During Aegon Targaryen's Conquest, the port of Gulltown was the site of a naval battle between the Targaryen and the House Arryn. Although the battle resulted in the destruction of both fleets, it delayed the Vale's surrender to Aegon I. The city subsequently grew and prospered during the reign of the Targaryen Dynasty.
In the early stages of the War of the Usurper, Gulltown was the center of the Vale army. Jon Arryn and Robert Baratheon lost a large number of knights and soldiers in their attempt to capture the city.
Although Gulltown quickly returned to its former glory after the War of the Usurper ended, its political status became awkward during the Gulltown Baratheon Dynasty.
From then on, Gulltown transformed from a major port town with both military and trade functions into a purely trading port that retained only limited defensive military strength.
Rumor has it... one night last year, dozens of bandits of unknown origin wiped out a merchant family in Gulltown with a single fire.
It is said that... in order to appease the anxieties of the people, Lord Grafton of Gulltown added ten more sheriffs.
Vale, Gulltown, Lord's Hall.
Lord Grafton sat high on his lord's chair, with a huge red banner with a black triangle and a burning yellow tower hanging behind him.
The middle-aged Gulltown Captain of the Watch hurried into the hall, bowing and saying, "Your Excellency Lord Grafton, the envoy from Red Keep requests an audience."
Lord Grafton opened his sleepy eyes slightly and asked in confusion, "An envoy from the Red Keep?"
After a moment of silence, he looked at his academic credentials.
The Gulltown Maester pondered, "My lord, I believe the Red Keep's envoy has come for Lady Lysa of the Eyrie."
Lord Grafton was even more puzzled. "Why would the Red Keep contact me about something like this?"
The Gulltown Maester cleared his throat and said, "I believe the Red Keep envoys are headed for the Eyrie; they're just passing through. I've heard that Lady Lysa has sealed off the Bloody Gate, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving."
Lord Grafton nodded vigorously. "Yes... yes... I remember now, that's true."
He paused, then said with a troubled expression, "Why didn't the Red Keep's envoy go through the Old Anchor of House Mallister (a coastal city in the eastern part of the Vale )?! I don't want any contact with the Eyrie before the Declaration of Lords Declarant and the True Declaration of Lords Declarant have settled their score!"
The Gulltown Maester advised, "My lord, the ultimate ownership of the Iron Throne remains uncertain."
Lord Grafton agreed, "We all thought Renly's army would breach King's Landing, but... but..."
Lord Grafton's squire whispered in his ear, " Stannis..."
"Yes, Stannis. The few thousand soldiers on Dragonstone actually defeated Renly's army of one hundred thousand, and he even lost his life... lost his life..."
His attendant whispered again, " Storm's End..."
"Yes, Storm's End! No one can understand the current situation; only the Gods know who will become the master of the Red Keep!"
The Constable cautiously reminded him, "Lord Grafton, the Red Keep's envoy is still waiting outside for your audience."
Lord Grafton scratched his head and said, "Go and tell them that I'm currently recuperating from an illness and it's not appropriate for me to entertain distinguished guests who have traveled from afar..."
After a pause, he added, "Try to find out if their destination is the Eyrie. If it is, I suggest they go through the Old Anchor of the House Mallister."
After speaking, Lord Grafton looked at his scholar with unease.
The Gulltown Maester bowed slightly and said, "My lord, your decision is wise. It is not yet time for us to state our position."
After listening to the scholar's advice, Lord Grafton waved his hand, dismissing the others.
Watching the Constable's departing figure, Lord Grafton pondered... In the war more than a decade ago, the House Grafton, in order to uphold the Iron Throne of the Targaryen, did not hesitate to "abandon" the ruling family of the Vale — the House Arryn.
This time, before the situation at the Eyrie and the Red Keep became clear, the House Grafton resolutely maintained their neutrality.
Less than an hour later, the Constable stepped into the Lord's Hall in Gulltown once again.
Lord Grafton looked at the people below with a puzzled expression.
The middle-aged Constable said respectfully, "Your Excellency Lord Grafton, the messengers from the Red Keep have heard of your health condition and express their concern and best wishes."
He added, "Then, as you instructed, I hinted to them about another route to the Eyrie."
Lord Grafton asked, "What did they say?"
The Constable smiled slightly and replied, " The Red Keep envoys thanked me for my suggestion. They wish to stay overnight in Gulltown and head to Old Anchor Port first thing tomorrow morning."
"Handled very well..."
Lord Grafton nodded slightly. " The Red Keep envoy's request is reasonable. Treat them well and make sure they are comfortable."
As the sun gradually sets, its afterglow illuminates the beautiful Gulltown, draping this bustling port city in a golden veil.
However, amidst this captivating scene, the shadow of death is quietly approaching.
As night fell and the moon rose quietly, the Warrior in blue robes burst through the ancient gates of Gulltown and poured in.
The banners of Marsh Marigold fluttered in the moonlight.
Long live Crabb!
Long live Crackclaw Point!
"Fight for Lord Gryn!"