"Randyll personally drove away his eldest son. He is a cruel man," Goodman Selwyn said. Randyll was something of an extraordinary case himself.
"Cruel, yes, but supposedly he did it for his family's reputation. House Tarly has always stood on the front line against Dornish invasions. Cruelty is better than weakness. Besides, Tarly commands his troops strictly and demands firm discipline. In that respect, he surpasses most lords and treats the common people well," Ser Barristan Selmy pointed out.
As for the lords of the Stormlands, the less said about them, the better. There were too many brutes, and precious few with the wit and ability to govern.
Stannis would serve as Hand of the King, while the other ministers still needed careful selection. Goodman Selwyn was another good candidate, and he had performed well on this mission to Highgarden.
"As for the White Knights, Balon Swann is a candidate if he is still alive. We can screen the others carefully. Robar Royce is another candidate, if he is willing." Gendry worked through the list with his long fingers.
"My lord, the people you requested are here." Jon Snow, Harold Hardyng, and Robar Royce entered the tent after saluting. Several outsiders followed them. One was the leader of Astapor's Unsullied; the others were nobles of Meereen, great and small.
"Lord Liberator, I am Grey Worm, the leader elected by Astapor's Unsullied." The Unsullied Grey Worm knelt before Gendry. "The name I was given at birth was cursed, so I was forced to become a slave. But Grey Worm was the name I drew on the day Gendry, the Storm and Liberator, freed me."
Gendry was no longer surprised by such things. He had Unsullied under his command too, and knew Astapor's custom of giving them a new name every day.