Garlan's mouth opened and closed. With this turnabout, these rewards came personally from the king's heir, rather than through Lord Mace's petitions on behalf of his subordinates, and that made their significance entirely different. These men would look past their own lord and feel grateful to Gendry for recognizing their worth.
"Your Highness, there is another great matter we must advance," the High Septon said hurriedly. "Your coronation cannot be delayed either."
"With my great vengeance still unfulfilled, this matter..."
The High Septon was the first to object, speaking breathlessly. "Prince Gendry, though the gods watch over marriage vows, when the late king-King Robert, beloved of the gods-married the traitor Cersei Lannister, House Lannister had already shown signs of treason. The late king was thoroughly deceived. The gods would not recognize that marriage, nor would they tolerate the traitor Cersei and those bastards. Now House Lannister's deeds stand exposed, their crimes monstrous, enraging gods and men alike. Anyone may put them to death. Moreover, on his deathbed, the late king declared in his testament that the marriage had been invalid from the outset, and that the succession should pass to his legitimate eldest son. Your Highness, in the name of the gods, I hereby declare that the alliance between Baratheon and Lannister was invalid from the outset, as was the marriage!"
Gendry looked at the High Septon. He was an accommodating man too, an expert at arguing doctrine on Gendry's behalf.
"We want Gendry!"
"We want Gendry!" Lord Mace suddenly shouted. They had to hurry with the coronation, so his own appointment could receive a royal decree as well.
The assembled nobles and knights in the hall led the shouting like well-trained dogs. "No traitor queen! No bastard spawn! Give us Storm! Give us Storm!"
Chapter 303: Promotions for All