## Chapter 123: Glynn's Words (End)
Glynn first looked at Margaery, then remained silent for a moment before speaking, "Lady Olenna, Crackclaw Point needs more support. Not just grain and weapons, but also farmers and blacksmiths."
Olenna's murky eyes gazed at Glynn for a moment before she spoke, "Boy, you seem to be in quite a hurry. Ruling a territory requires patience."
Olenna's tone was very gentle, displaying the benevolence of an elder, as if encouraging Glynn to speak more.
"Lady Olenna, Lady Margaery, the enmity between Crackclaw Point and the Vale is no secret."
Glynn's brows furrowed as he continued, "After the great war more than a decade ago, the nobles of the Vale, with the tacit approval of the Hand of the King, blockaded and suppressed Crackclaw Point for over ten years, making the chaotic situation there even more dire."
As he spoke, Glynn's tone grew cold. "We shed rivers of blood competing for limited resources, and this was precisely the result of the calculations made by the nobles of the Vale. A deep blood feud has long existed between Crackclaw Point and the Vale."
He paused for a moment and spread his hands. "Before long, House Crabbe will establish its rule over Crackclaw Point. Under normal circumstances, the peninsula would then usher in a peace not seen in hundreds of years."
Glynn shook his head slightly. "But the result is the exact opposite. Crackclaw Point is unique. Without grain from the Vale, even if House Crabbe establishes its rule, it cannot extinguish the deep-seated hatred its people hold for the Vale. Blood for blood—that is a tradition even I, as their lord, cannot stop."
Margaery listened quietly and understood Glynn's narrative, but she found it incredible.
Lord Glynn, a noble of the Crownlands, dared to declare a war of vengeance against the "Kingdom of the Vale"? This...
Margaery's beautiful eyes widened slightly. "Lord Glynn, you intend to go to war with the Vale of Arryn?"
Glynn shrugged. "Lady Margaery, this is unavoidable. Not even a lord can defy the unanimous will of his people."
After speaking, Glynn added in a scornful tone, "Nor will I forget that they nearly drove House Crabbe to extinction. We are merely awaiting the right moment."
Glynn appeared supremely confident, as if he could shatter the powerful Vale with a single punch.
In Margaery's view, Glynn's act of striking a stone with an egg was no different from suicide. This contradicted the impression he had always given her.
With Lord Glynn's wisdom, he couldn't possibly fail to foresee the consequences of challenging the Vale. Could it be that hatred had clouded his vision?
Margaery felt there were many other ways to seek revenge and was tempted to dissuade him. But then she thought of her grandmother beside her, and that this was a "private matter" for House Crabbe, so she held her tongue.
...
Olenna spoke slowly. "The ideas of young men are increasingly startling to this old woman. You must be well aware that the Seven Kingdoms will not permit your revenge... It seems this opportune moment you speak of is very important, then?"
Glynn nodded. "Yes, my lady. If you agree to my proposal, I will arrange everything. You need only watch as events unfold. When the time comes, we shall each take what we require."
Olenna smiled. "This old woman only needs to sit quietly and watch the play unfold?"
Glynn raised his wine cup and gestured toward Margaery. "House Tyrell can avoid unnecessary conflicts and disputes, and simply wait for the opportune moment."
Olenna's deep gaze rested on Glynn for a moment before she spoke. "Lord Glynn, the Golden Rose likes your proposal. Your frankness has also greatly pleased this old woman."
Margaery looked at her grandmother and saw her give an imperceptible nod.
Margaery's demeanor became solemn. "Lord Glynn, no fourth person will know the content of our conversation today. You have the guarantee of House Tyrell."
Glynn bowed his head and replied with equal gravity, "Lady Margaery, you will see the opportunity within half a year. This is the promise of House Crabbe."
...
With the deal struck, Olenna slapped the table and announced loudly, "Margaery, your grandmother dislikes onions. Tell the servants to take away the meat soup and bring me some cheese."
...
...
In the night sky above King's Landing, countless stars glittered like scattered diamonds.
After dinner, Glynn bid farewell to Olenna, with Margaery personally escorting him.
The night was quiet.
As they walked, Margaery suddenly said, "Lord Glynn, please forgive my presumption, but you must be well aware of the consequences of going to war with the Vale."
Margaery's steps were light. Though the style of her green dress was simple, it beautifully showcased her graceful figure.
The full moon hung high, and Margaery's beauty seemed to shine in concert with the moonlight.
Glynn slowed his pace. He spoke gently, "You mean well, Lady Margaery, and I am grateful."
A hint of hesitation flickered across his handsome features, then Glynn added, "Some things are simply unavoidable. You will see a good outcome."
Margaery tilted her face up to look at Glynn. "Lord Glynn, I hear you do not have a fiancée?"
Glynn's brow twitched. He could smell a grand bargain in the air.
Margaery continued, "You met her in Highgarden. Her name is Elara Tyrell. Elara is my cousin. She is very charming, as well as intelligent and clever."
Elara Tyrell? Glynn recalled the beautiful, slender girl among Margaery's handmaidens.
She seemed to be only eleven or twelve this year, right?
Glynn chuckled. "Lady Margaery, the delicate flowers of the south are not suited for Crackclaw Point, a land teeming with savages."
Glynn's words conveyed a tactful refusal.
Glynn sighed inwardly. It seemed the marriage prospects of a half-savage lord had quietly improved... His own prestige was on the rise.
After a moment of happiness, he began a rational analysis.
Olenna, or Margaery herself? Glynn was more inclined to believe this was Olenna's doing.
Had the old lady taken a liking to House Crabbe's soldiers? Was she taking advantage of this deal to cultivate him as a loyal enforcer for the Golden Rose?
Glynn suddenly felt that political marriages were truly a useful tool.
Margaery's deer-like eyes blinked. She was a little surprised by Glynn's answer. She couldn't immediately guess his reason for refusing.
Seeing Glynn's polite refusal, she changed the subject. "Lord Glynn, the Tyrell merchant ships will soon transport the supplies to Mermaid Port."
Glynn bowed his head in thanks. "You are very thoughtful, Lady Margaery."
...
...
In the center of Winterfell's godswood stood an ancient weirwood. A face was carved into its trunk, its features long and melancholic. The deep-set eyes, filled with dried red sap, were strange and full of warning.
Catelyn and Maester Luwin found Eddard Stark beneath this weirwood tree.
Lord Eddard sat on a moss-covered boulder, polishing the blade of his greatsword, Ice, with a piece of oiled leather.
Ice shone with a dark gleam. It was four hundred years old, yet remained as sharp as the day it was forged.
Catelyn called out softly, "Ned..."
Eddard looked up at his wife. "Catelyn? Where are the children?"
Ned's first words were always an inquiry about the children. Catelyn had grown accustomed to it long ago, but hearing it today, her heart inexplicably clenched.
She quickly composed herself, her smile gentle. "They are all gathered at the training grounds."
Eddard's lips curved into a faint smile. "We depart tomorrow. The household is in your hands, Catelyn."
Catelyn's eyes immediately reddened, and she nodded silently.
Eddard turned to the solemn-faced maester. "Maester Luwin, I have always considered you family. In all matters, great and small, give Catelyn your counsel, and teach my children the things they must know. Do not forget, winter is coming."
Maester Luwin bowed, his hand over his heart. "My lord, I will fulfill my duties. May the gods protect you and grant you a swift return."
(end of chapter)