Chapter 120: The Crabbe Army Camp
On Crackclaw Point, in the castle of The Whispers.
Samwell's corpulent figure was hunched over a table, his quill pen moving constantly in his plump hand.
Since arriving here, Samwell's life had become incredibly busy. By day, he assisted Maester Al in handling various territorial affairs, and by night, he read the books collected by Maester Al.
Samwell placed his quill pen aside and exhaled deeply.
Maester Al's voice was deep and tremulous, "Sam, you can rest for a while. Have another Goldenflower Malt Ale."
Samwell wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand, smiling bashfully. "Maester Al, thank you for your concern. I am quite thirsty."
He clumsily rose from his chair, picking up the wine jug and cup.
Gulp, gulp, gulp. After chugging a large cup of Goldenflower Malt Ale, Samwell couldn't help but let out a satisfied groan.
Samwell was not good at expressing his emotions, but he felt a fire burning within him.
Samwell had found his purpose in the Crabbe territory! Thinking of this, he felt an inexhaustible strength surge through him.
Just as Lord Glynn had said, a new chapter in his life had begun.
The people of the Crabbe territory were simple and honest, and everyone was very kind to him. Samwell had already come to regard this place as his new home.
Everything was good, except for the girls here… they occasionally made him feel a little nervous, yet at the same time, his heart held a hint of secret delight.
*Should I marry soon?* Samwell's eyes darted around, as if his inner thoughts had been seen through.
"My boy, I smell romance."
Although Maester Al's voice was gentle, Samwell's face immediately flushed red, and he sheepishly scratched the back of his neck.
Maester Al stopped teasing the easily embarrassed fat boy and said, "Sam, the army's westward advance has already begun. Within this month, we need to properly organize the territory's laws."
Samwell hastily composed his smile. "Maester Al, I have carefully read through both the old territorial laws and the newly added ones. Time will not be an issue."
"Oh?"
Maester Al was a little surprised and praised him, "You are a diligent boy! If you encounter any problems, you can consult me anytime."
Samwell sheepishly scratched his head. "Maester Al, I've discovered a problem... well..."
Samwell was thinking about how to phrase his words appropriately.
Maester Al put down the book in his hand and said, "It's alright, it's just the two of us here. A maester must learn to be skilled in inquiry."
Samwell nodded gratefully. "Maester Al, I've found that the old territorial laws aren't much different from others in Westeros, but the newly added ones... I feel they are more like laws applicable to an army."
He paused, then continued, "When Lord Glynn asked us to organize the territorial laws, he told us that these would become the laws of Crackclaw Point in the future."
Maester Al smiled gently. "Are you perplexed that the civilian and military laws are almost identical?"
Samwell nodded.
Maester Al's hazy gaze seemed to recall events from a very long time ago.
"I remember back then, when Lord Glynn had just inherited the territory of House Crabbe."
Maester Al grinned, revealing his few remaining teeth. "It was an evening, with light rain outside, when Lord Glynn first revealed to me... he wanted to build the territory into the Crabbe Army Camp."
Samwell exclaimed in surprise, "Turn the territory into an army camp?"
Maester Al smiled faintly and nodded. "My boy, I was also very surprised at the time. I quickly understood, however, that Lord Glynn was referring to the entire Crackclaw Point. He wants to end the centuries of chaos on Crackclaw Point!"
Maester Al's expression was one of great satisfaction. "Lord Glynn told me... King's Landing has its City Watch, The Wall has its Night's Watch, and our Crabbe Army has Crackclaw Point."
...
...
King's Landing, the Crabbe Manor.
Inside the study, Glynn sat before a desk. His upper body was leaned against the armrest of his chair, his right hand propping up his chin as he gazed at the map of Westeros on the wall.
Glynn's gaze swept past the Eyrie, lingered for a moment on Maidenpool, and finally settled on Gulltown in the Vale.
*That book, "A History and Genealogy of the Major Noble Houses of the Seven Kingdoms"...* Glynn's brown eyes twitched slightly, his left thumb rubbing against his index finger.
Today, Glynn learned from Varys that Lord Eddard of the North had not yet left Winterfell.
Given the current situation, King Robert would not confirm the candidate for the new Hand of the King before Lord Eddard reached King's Landing.
This period would last about a month. Would King Robert directly preside over the affairs of the realm during this time?
The affairs of the realm could not be continuously delayed. Glynn guessed that, according to King Robert's habits, he would choose someone to act as Hand of the King.
Lord Mace, Lord Stannis, Lord Renly... King Robert was not a fool. Choosing any one of them would be unsuitable.
Glynn thought the most likely candidate was Grand Maester Pycelle, who was easy to manipulate.
Glynn sighed inwardly. *If only I were on the Small Council now.* A month would be enough time for him to clear out the Vale nobles within King's Landing... Crackclaw Point and the Vale nobility are irreconcilable!
*Knock, knock.* After the sound of knocking, Steward Sulana's figure appeared at the doorway.
"My lord, Lord Tyrion Lannister is here to see you."
...
...
The backyard of the Crabbe Manor had a beautiful garden, surrounded by rows of neatly trimmed shrubs and green trees pruned into various shapes.
Inside the garden gazebo, Tyrion took a sip of summerwine and grinned. "Glynn, how is Pentos?"
Glynn naturally knew what Tyrion was referring to. "The nightlife there is even more spectacular than here. If you went, you would surely never want to return."
Tyrion leaned forward, almost resting his chest on the small round table.
"Tell me more?"
Glynn picked up his cup, took a sip of summerwine, and said, "It is rich and colorful, beyond description... Only by seeing it with your own eyes can you truly understand."
Glynn's reply was simple, but Tyrion, with his clever mind, seemed to imagine many wonderful things and chuckled to himself.
Tyrion's lecherous expression made Glynn laugh aloud.
Tyrion stopped laughing and suddenly said, "When we have time, let's go to the North together to see the legendary Wall with our own eyes."
Glynn raised an eyebrow. "Tyrion, you jump from one topic to another. Just a moment ago you were enchanted by the beauty of Pentos, and now you suddenly bring up The Wall? I'm a little worried your next sentence will be that you plan to stay on the Wall and join the glorious Night's Watch."
Tyrion grinned broadly. "Haha! I certainly don't want to be celibate my whole life! That would never do. All the women of the Seven Kingdoms would protest!"
Tyrion laughed for a while longer, then continued, "I merely want to find an opportunity to climb The Wall and piss off the edge of the world."
Glynn shrugged. "That's not a bad idea. I think you could also take the opportunity to join the rangers and enjoy the thrill of battle."
Tyrion said suspiciously, "You want to use me to make the wildlings beyond The Wall die of laughter? I just wonder if that would count as a military achievement?"
Glynn's lips curled, and he blinked. "Not die of laughter. Just imagine... a little man holding a large shield. The wildling archers would get a massive headache."
Tyrion laughed heartily. "Haha! I think the black brothers would be greatly excited! Hearing you say that truly tempts me... Damn it, you really should be captured by the Others!"
He paused, then said mischievously, "Glynn, I hear you knocked out Ser Loras Tyrell in the Sept of Baelor? Do you know that half the women in the Seven Kingdoms want to get into his bed? You are now the object of hatred for all women in King's Landing. Before long, this news will spread throughout the Seven Kingdoms, and you will soon become the public enemy of all women in the realm!"
Glynn sighed helplessly, rubbing his forehead and looking up at the sky. "It's over! It'll be even harder for me, a half-wildling lord, to find a wife now!"
Tyrion clutched his stomach, roaring with laughter. "Haha! I should sympathize with you, but it's hard to do so today!"
After laughing for a moment, Glynn said helplessly, "Alright, I can tell you the reason, my Lord Tyrion."
Tyrion chuckled. "Lord Glynn, you always know how to speak to my heart. I truly want to kiss you!"
Glynn waved his hand. "His Majesty Robert laid a hand on someone, and Queen Cersei was furious. Ser Jaime and I went to cause some trouble for Lord Renly."
Tyrion's eyes darted. "If you can't teach the king a lesson, you teach his brother one? Good thing my brother Jaime is relatively steady!"
(end of chapter)