Tyrion looked up from his book and said, "What is it...?"
At this moment, the masked Gold Cloaks removed his face covering, and upon seeing the newcomer's face, his pupils constricted. " Gryn?!"
Tyrion's gaze sharpened slightly, but he quickly burst into laughter, scrambling down from his chair and staggering over. 🐯☹ 🎁♣
"Ha, your entrance was quite unexpected, um..."
Tyrion glanced at Gryn's attire, rubbed his chin, and continued, "I feel like getting into the Red Keep is as easy as visiting a brothel."
He reached out and patted Gryn's thigh, grinning, "I heard you're quite popular in the Vale, Bloody Earl?"
Gryn smiled, pointed to the wooden crate, and said, "Good night, I brought you a gift."
Tyrion glanced suspiciously at the wooden crate that Gryn was holding in his arms, and said, "You're very thoughtful..."
With a thud, Gryn placed the wooden crate on the carpet.
Tyrion chuckled, " Gryn, let me make this clear beforehand: I only like delicate women. Your enthusiasm won't change my taste, I promise."
As he spoke, he opened the lid of the wooden box and curiously craned his neck. What Tyrion saw was a chubby face with empty eyes staring straight at him, a strange smile on its lips.
Tyrion blurted out, "Whoa..."
He stumbled back a few steps in a panic, nearly falling to the ground. Tyrion opened his mouth, but found that his throat seemed to be blocked by something, and he could only let out an awkward gasp.
Tyrion's mind went blank for a moment. He could only stand there blankly. After an unknown amount of time, a wine glass appeared in his sight, and he instinctively reached out and grasped it.
The sweet-tasting Summer Wine slid down his throat, and Tyrion gradually came to his senses. He murmured, "What a beautiful big head."
After a moment of silence, he continued, "I haven't been sleeping well lately. Just now, I thought I was having a nightmare..."
Gryn chuckled, Tyrion took a large sip of Summer Wine, a slight embarrassment on his face. "Well, that's just a nice excuse... Your gift was such a surprise, it gave me such a fright I almost peed my pants."
Gryn found a chair and sat down, saying, " Tyrion, you're not a dutiful ally."
Tyrion's eyes flickered slightly, and he said with a serious expression, " Gryn, you killed a high-ranking official."
Gryn gently swirled the glass in his hand and said, "As an ally, you failed to stop Queen Regent Cersei from summoning me back to the Red Keep."
Tyrion stared at Gryn and said in a deep voice, " Varys is also my ally, he's like my own flesh and blood. 🍧♣ ♠😺"
Leaning back in his chair Gryn crossed one leg over the other. "If I had gone straight to Maegor's Hold, now..."
He pointed to the wooden crate and continued, "Inside lies another beautiful, large head—your head."
Gryn tilted his head slightly. " Lannister Giants, your ally, whom you consider like blood relatives, seems to have never considered your safety."
After hearing Gryn's words, Tyrion felt slightly embarrassed, paused, and then exaggeratedly saddened himself. "The eunuch deceived the Dwarf's feelings."
Then he grinned and said, "As expected, you are my true ally, like a brother to me, Gryn."
Gryn shrugged slightly. "At least he's an ally who cares about the safety of his allies, Tyrion."
He shrugged and continued, "Besides, I'm already sitting here; that's a fact right before my eyes, my friend."
As soon as Gryn finished speaking, Tyrion's eyes flickered. He reached for the wine jug, limped over to the chair next to Gryn, and climbed up.
Tyrion hesitated for a moment, then said seriously, " Gryn, my friend, I need your advice."
Gryn swirled his glass, then glanced down at the rim, paused for a moment, and placed the glass on the round table beside him.
He began, " Tyrion, would you like to hear my plan?"
Tyrion nodded and said, " Stannis's army from the south will soon be marching on King's Landing, so King's Landing needs stability, and my good sister doesn't care about these things."
He reached out and patted Gryn's arm, saying sincerely, "I'm sorry, I can't imagine the consequences of the Lioness going berserk... I always thought I was invincible, but the allure of power has unknowingly made me addicted, and I don't know when it started... I've begun to fear losing the power in my hands..."
He took a large sip of his Summer Wine and sighed, " The Old Lion has such keen insight; I'm just a laughable Dwarf."
Gryn stared at the man beside him for a moment, then patted Tyrion on the shoulder and said, "My friend, what you truly fear is Stannis's army."
He smiled slightly, "Your current situation... is like that of a new recruit waiting to go to battle; it's your first time too."
Gryn's gaze shifted to the night sky outside the window. He paused, then slowly said, "Hundreds of thousands of King's King's Landing citizens... the future of the family... even the future of the kingdom... you're shouldering such a heavy burden for the first time..."
Gryn's gaze shifted to Tyrion, his eyes gentle. "As an observer, as your friend, I only have a vague understanding of the burden you're under, so... I don't really blame you, and isn't that what I'm doing? My reliable ally."
Tyrion stared blankly at the gentle-faced Gryn, then turned his face away after a moment.
As he poured the wine, he said, " Gryn, if you were serious, I think you wouldn't even have to pay at the brothel."
Tyrion turned to look at Gryn, grinning, "Ha, my reliable friend, that's the only thing I envy about you."
Gryn looked up and smiled.
After a pause, Gryn looked Tyrion up and down, then suddenly said, "New recruit Tyrion, would you like General Gryn to give us a morale boost?"
Tyrion paused for a moment, then set his glass aside and nodded with interest.
Grimm's steady voice rang out. "Tyrion the warrior, Stannis the steel-forged warrior, is about to march on King's Landing with fire and sword, with the power of darkness."
Hundreds of thousands of people were left unprotected; there was no Ser Jaime, no King Robert, no Prince Rhaegar, and no Lord Renly, whom they adored.
They only have you, only you, the Imp Hand of the King they look down upon. Now, in this crisis, you are their only pillar of strength.
Grimm stared at Tyrion for a moment, then continued, "Warrior Tyrion, are you ready to face the challenge?"
Without realizing it, Tyrion straightened his back like a soldier. When Gryn finished speaking, he nodded solemnly and said, "I think the Warrior Tyrion is ready, General Gryn."
Tyrion jumped off the chair and paced back and forth with his hands behind his back.
After a while, he suddenly threw his head back and laughed, saying, "Yes, they only have me! Only this guy they hate, this treacherous minister, this deformed Dwarf!"
That night, the Small Council Chamber of the Red Keep suddenly caught fire. Thanks to the timely rescue and firefighting efforts of the Gold Cloaks, the fire only affected the area under the jurisdiction of the Master of Whisperers, and no one was injured.
Before the fire, there was a rumor that a drunken middle-aged groom saw an old man with incredibly fast legs near the Small Council Chamber. Based on his build, the old man was suspected to be a high-ranking official of the court— Pycelle Grand Maester.
It is said that the groom who spread rumors while drunk was soon imprisoned in the Dungeons by the Gold Cloaks.
The next day, in the morning, at a house in Hook Alley.
Nahor Demetrius, the Iron Bank representative stationed in King's Landing, glanced at Gryn, then patted his chest and said, "Good day, sir."
Naho Demetis wore a three-tiered brimless hat made of purple felt and a dark purple robe with a stiff false collar and white sable fur trim.
Gryn returned the greeting. "Good day, I am Gryn Crabb, Earl of Crackclaw Point and Guardian of Gulltown."
Upon hearing Gryn's self-introduction, Naho Demetis's eyes flickered slightly. He bowed slightly and said, "It is an honor. I am Naho Demetis, a humble servant of the Iron Bank of Braavos."
After saying that, he looked at Gryn with just the right amount of confusion.
Gryn explained, "Lord Demetis, I invited you on behalf of Hand of the King Tyrion; I need your help."
Naho Demetis, with a reserved smile, said, "It would be my honor, and I would be happy to serve you if conditions permit."
Gryn smiled and gestured for them to proceed.
After the two were seated, Gryn said directly, "Lord Demetis, the Seven Kingdoms are currently in turmoil, and no one can predict the final outcome."
Naho Demetis calmly nodded his chin, calculating the value of the Crackclaw Point in his mind, preparing for the upcoming "negotiations".
Gryn lowered his voice slightly. " The Iron Bank's reputation is known throughout the Seven Kingdoms. I recently acquired some Gold Dragon, and I intend to store them in the Iron Bank."
Not a loan? Naho Demetis was slightly surprised, but quickly regained his composure.
His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly as he said, " Lord Crabb, I am but a humble servant..."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "Excuse my intrusion, but could you please tell me how many you need to store?"
The magnanimous Lord Gryn paid no heed to the arrogance of the man before him and said, "500,000 Gold Dragon."
As Gryn finished speaking, Naho Demetis's eyes flickered. He was well-trained... and quickly processed the surprise Gryn had given him.
He gave a slight bow, his tone becoming humble. "Your Excellency Earl, thank you for your trust in the Iron Bank."
He placed his Right Hand on his left chest and continued, " The Iron Bank will assign the best stewards to manage your assets."
Gryn smiled and said, "I trust the Iron Bank's reputation, Lord Demetis."
Naho Demetis nodded slightly.
After a pause, seeing the hesitation on Gryn's face, Naho Demetis asked, " Lord Crabb, I'd be happy to answer any of your questions."
"This is my first time seeing the Iron Bank..."
Gryn looked somewhat embarrassed. "Please forgive my intrusion, but my question might be a bit offensive..."
Naho Demetis maintained his smile and simply nodded.
Gryn coughed lightly and said, "I'll be honest with you, my things come from Gulltown. You'll protect me, right?"
Naho Demetis understood the hidden meaning in Gryn's words. He smiled slightly and said, " Lord Crabb, please trust the long-standing reputation of the Iron Bank. According to the tradition of Westeros, you are always a guest who has received the bread and salt of the Iron Bank, a distinguished guest of the Iron Bank, no matter when or where."
Thank you for your patient reply. As a reward...
As he spoke, Gryn took an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to Naho Demetis.
Naho Demetis took the letter, but instead of opening it immediately, he looked at Gryn with a hint of doubt.
Gryn seemed to recall something that saddened him, paused for a moment, and then couldn't help but sigh.
He said slowly, "Lord Demetis, you can take this as my friend's 'last words'."
He paused, then continued, "I don't know whether to say he disappeared or passed away... I can't find the right words right now..."
He shook his head slightly. "We've always been incredibly close friends, yet he hastily left behind only this one letter... and his 'last wish' was only for me and Hand of the King Tyrion to witness..."
After a pause, Gryn sighed again and gestured for Naho Demetis to open the letter.
After reading the letter, Naho Demetis, who maintained a reserved smile, glanced at Gryn face was filled with sorrow, with some disbelief.
In that instant, many things came to mind, and he hid his trembling hands inside his sleeves.
From the moment Nahor Demetrius began reading the letter, Gryn's gaze remained fixed on the direction of the window, as if he were lost in memories.
Naho Demetis said softly, " Lord Crabb, I will report this to the caretaker of the Iron Bank."
The Key Keepers are descendants of the twenty-three founders of the Iron Bank. They participate in the Iron Bank's secret meetings alongside some of the wealthiest and most powerful families in Braavos and hold significant influence in the election of the Iron Bank's leaders.
Naho Demetis's voice brought Gryn back to his senses. He nodded bitterly and said, "My friend doesn't like Westeros. I think he wants to leave his wealth in Essos. As his friend, I respect his wishes."
Gryn stood up and walked over to Naho Demetis, saying, "I leave the rest to you, Your Excellency."
Naho Demetis couldn't help but suspect Gryn's intentions. Although he didn't know the exact amount, he guessed that the Spider's property must be quite substantial.
Why so generous?!
As if he had guessed what Naho Demetis was thinking, Gryn's next words dispelled most of his doubts.
Gryn began, " Hand of the King Tyrion and I hold rather sensitive positions. If this matter were to leak out, even with good intentions, it could be exploited by our political enemies, especially in the current situation... We could easily be falsely accused of being traitors to the Seven Kingdoms. Therefore, I hope you can keep today's secret, and especially not let anyone outside the Iron Bank see this letter. I only trust the Iron Bank's reputation."
Naho Demetis proudly assured him, "You can always trust the Iron Bank's golden reputation."
Gryn nodded slightly, then took out another letter and said, "This is a letter from my own hand. Please take this letter to my steward Leyton, in Gulltown. War could break out there at any moment, so please go as soon as possible, Lord Demetis."