Gryn's List

Gryn Crabb smiled faintly. "Has House Mooton been behaving itself?"

Dick Crabb leaned back in his chair and scratched his head. "For the most part, they've obeyed my orders. Elyana—heir to the Count of Maidenpool and his wife—has helped a great deal. I understand some of their feelings as well. If the ruler of Crackclaw Point had been replaced by an outsider, I might have acted even more excessively... Once Elyana gives birth to our child, for the child's sake, they'll have no choice but to support me obediently..."

As he spoke, Dick suddenly chuckled, his eyes brimming with joy. "Lord Gryn, Elyana is pregnant. Before I set out, I had the maester at Maidenpool confirm it several times."

Gryn stared at the grinning Dick for a moment, then smiled. "Congratulations. May The Gods bless your wife and child."

Having received the blessing, Dick chuckled again. After a pause, he said, "Now I'm looking forward to it even more..."

He suddenly stopped, cautiously glanced around, and lowered his voice. "The day Her Highness the Princess bears you an heir will be the grandest festival in the Crabb Territory."

Gryn's gaze drifted involuntarily to the Eyrie's position on the map. After a pause, he murmured, "Before that, I need to end the war in the Riverlands as soon as possible, but..."

His eyes turned toward Dick, whose face showed confusion. "We'll discuss my affairs next time. Let's return to the matter at hand..."

His tone was calm. "Dick, among the Sworn Knights you brought with you, which ones are dissatisfied with you governing Maidenpool?"

The smile vanished from Dick's face. He probed carefully, "Lord Gryn, what do you mean?"

Gryn nodded. "I can be your blade and help you deal with those who cannot tell who their true master is."

A