chapter 182 part 1
Chapter 182: Bartering, Part 2
Outside the tavern, Glynn crabbe jumped onto his horse and looked toward a corner not far away, where Gold Cloaks were questioning a group of people. The subjects of their investigation were one squire, ten red-cloaked men, and twelve horses.
"Let's go," Glynn retracted his gaze and gently nudged his horse's flank.
...
Podrick Payne watched the Gold Cloaks, who had just been fiercely questioning them, suddenly leave. He blinked in confusion, but then he realized something... His pupils constricted, and he immediately rushed toward the tavern.
Podrick caught up with Tyrion, who had just walked out. He asked anxiously, "M-my lord, are... are... you alright?"
Podrick's stutter grew even worse with his anxiety. Tyrion grinned, mimicking the boy's speech, "I'm... f-fine."
Although Tyrion knew Glynn was not a bloodthirsty man, seeing his own squire alive and well still improved his mood considerably.
Podrick didn't understand Tyrion's humor. The boy remained ill at ease, his face a mixture of remorse and shame.
Tyrion, the Imp, was very sensitive. Seeing his timid squire, he began to suspect that his uncle Kevan had deliberately chosen a useless boy to be his squire, as a way to shame him, the family's freakish son.
Tyrion quickly suppressed his sensitive emotions. He patted the new squire with some sympathy. Strictly speaking, the young boy was also a victim.
"Pull yourself together and puff out your chest. Don't forget you are a squire to a lion."
"My apologies, my lord." Podrick first apologized, then immediately did as he was told.
Tyrion pursed his lips, suppressing a smile, and said solemnly, "Pod, what happened?"
Podrick reported everything. To put it simply, they had been suddenly surrounded by dozens of Gold Cloaks.
Tyrion sneered, "Only a few dozen men captured you? I was just surrounded by a hundred."
Tyrion added silently, *Hmph, one Glynn is worth a hundred men.*
Podrick was even more ashamed. As a squire, he had failed to protect his lord in a moment of danger. He was utterly useless. Thankfully, it was a false alarm. The gods be good!
"My lord, I... I... I will go avenge you!" Podrick tightly gripped the hilt of his sword.
Tyrion sized up his young squire, his gaze appraising... The boy didn't seem to be acting. Both timid and brave.
Tyrion felt the boy might not just be a little "toy" for amusement; perhaps he could be trusted, just a little.
"Podrick Payne, a hundred men is nothing. Don't forget the Lannister family's signature skill. A single roar from a lion makes all enemies wet themselves as they run."
As he spoke, Tyrion patted the young squire's arm and sighed, "How do you think those dozens of Gold Cloaks just scurried away on their own? It was I who saved you weaklings!"
The red-cloaked guards behind him: "..."
Podrick was full of admiration. "My... my lord, you are truly amazing. Thank you for rescuing us. I... I am very ashamed."
Tyrion was very satisfied with Podrick's reaction. He affectionately grabbed Podrick's arm, deciding to reward this lovable squire.
"Pod, tonight I'll let you have a taste of... Hmm? What's with that look? Do you dare refuse my kindness? Are you not afraid of the lion's roar?"
...
...
In the evening, on the road to the Red Keep, Glynn reined in his horse. He motioned for his guards to wait where they were, then led a tall, sturdy clansman carrying an ice greatsword toward another location.
Glynn arrived before a relatively secluded house. There were few people nearby, and the view was wide.
...
Seeing Glynn push the door open and enter, Varys was all smiles. Glynn and he exchanged greetings.
After taking a seat, Varys personally poured a cup of wine and placed it in front of Glynn.
"Smokyberry wine from Myr, Lord Glynn."
After speaking, Varys first picked up his own wine cup and took a sip. He squinted slightly, seemingly savoring the taste of the fine wine.
Glynn raised his cup and tasted it. It was smooth and not cloying.
Varys smiled and said, "How is it?"
Glynn's lips curved slightly as he praised, "The sweetness is just right, and the aftertaste is perfect. Lord Varys, your new hobby is enviable."
Varys chuckled, seemingly trying to use laughter to conceal his irrepressible glee. "With a new hobby, it feels as if I'm trying a new life. I never dreamed that my little birds, so despised by all, would finally have a new purpose."
Varys sighed, "Fine wine, delicious flavors, all kinds of fine wines, all kinds of delicious flavors. I never thought these things I usually don't notice could allow me to sleep so peacefully."
Glynn's eyes flickered. He raised his cup in a gesture and said, "Lord Varys, my congratulations to you."
Varys smiled and shook his head. He changed the subject. "The two of us are not meeting in private just to share small hobbies."
"Lord Glynn, my little birds just happened to hear some interesting news."
Glynn's eyebrows rose. He set down his wine cup, his gaze shifting to Varys.
"A bastard."
After speaking, Varys stared at Glynn motionlessly, the smile on his plump face gradually deepening.
Glynn murmured, "A bastard..."
After a pause, he whispered, "Joffrey?"
As Glynn's words fell, Varys was momentarily stunned. The next moment, the smile vanished from his face. He looked left and right, leaned forward, and said in a low voice, "You know?"
Glynn shrugged slightly. "Lord Varys, there's no smoke without fire."
Varys let out a breath and said, "Lord Glynn, rumors are ultimately just rumors. You mustn't take them seriously. It's too dangerous."
"I understand. We are on the same side, so I have not hidden my suspicions from you, Lord Varys."
Varys nodded slightly, revealing an amiable expression.
He paused for a moment and then said, "I was referring to the bastard from the North."
Glynn frowned. "Lord Eddard's bastard, Jon Snow?"
Varys's eyes flashed. "Glynn, with your intelligence, haven't you suspected that bastard?"
Glynn asked doubtfully, "He's just a bastard. What is there to..."
He paused for a moment, his pupils shifted slightly, and his voice became a little heavier. "What have you heard?"
The two looked at each other for a moment. Varys smiled shallowly. "That child left King's Landing this morning. His destination is Essos, across the Narrow Sea."
Glynn nodded. "I know about this. It was Lord Eddard's arrangement. He felt it would be safer over there."
He sighed and continued, "Jon's swordsmanship is excellent. I had originally wanted to take him as my squire. What a pity."
Varys rested one hand on his wide sleeve and picked up the golden wine ewer with the other.
As he poured the wine, he said, "They did it to protect you."