chapter 189 part 2
Glynn turned his head to look at Brother Jaril. He smiled and said, "Brother Jaril, please rest assured. I ask that you wait patiently."
"May the gods protect you."
After speaking, Glynn walked toward the cabin door.
...
Outside the sterncastle cabin, Glynn glanced at the new plate armor Montun was wearing. "Montun, can you use the new armor now?"
Montun's blue armor gleamed in the morning light. He grinned foolishly and said in a muffled voice, "Lord Glynn, I'm already used to it. I can fight just as I did before, even in the new armor."
"I look forward to your performance."
Glynn reached out and patted Montun, then strode forward.
...
*Clank, clank.* Glynn, accompanied by a clansman carrying the greatsword Ice and Monton Waters, walked down the gangplank of the *Mermaid*.
Greeting them were Ser Davos Seaworth and others.
Davos smiled and took the initiative to greet him. "Good day, Lord Glynn."
Glynn first stared for a moment at the smiling Davos before returning the courtesy. "Good day, Ser Davos."
Davos gestured toward Dragonstone. "Please, Lord Stannis is very pleased by your arrival."
Glynn did not move. "Ser Davos, the royal fleet's friendly invitation has left a deep impression on me."
Davos fell silent for a moment before replying, "Lord Glynn, they are a bit shy, so... they may appear a little different. I assure you, Lord Stannis is very much looking forward to meeting with you."
Glynn started walking. As he walked, he said, "I require bread and salt."
Glynn was referring to the traditional Guest Right of Westeros. When a guest comes under a host's roof and accepts the bread and salt offered by the host, the Guest Right takes effect. During the remainder of their stay, neither party may harm the other. Violators would be breaking sacred laws, forsaken by the Old and New Gods.
Guest Right was a tenet of the Old Gods and the Seven. Did it still hold sway over Stannis, who had converted to the Red God? That wasn't important... Glynn simply wanted to express his distrust.
Glynn was reminding Lord Stannis that he was not his vassal, nor some minor character to be summoned at will. He would not treat a coercive invitation as a gift.
Davos's expression stiffened for a second. He too despised those men, but they belonged to the same camp. He did not want to express his inner dissatisfaction in front of Glynn.
He maintained the smile on his face. "Lord Glynn, Lord Stannis is the only just man in the Seven Kingdoms. This is known to all."
After a pause, he continued, "He values you, which is why he will not treat you as an outsider."
Glynn shook his head slightly. "I have brought only two guards. This is my respect for Lord Stannis. However, my request is not excessive. I can think of no reason for you to refuse on Lord Stannis's behalf, Ser Davos."
Before Davos could reply, he added, "Before entering the castle, please let me see the bread and salt."
Davos shrugged helplessly. He turned his head and gave a low-voiced order to his son.
...
The group walked in silence. The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.
While walking, Glynn looked at the Onion Knight, whose face was a bit grim, and said, "Ser Davos, would you like to hear a joke?"
Davos looked at Glynn, whose expression had softened, and nodded slightly.
"Two days ago, as I was boarding my ship at the Blackwater Rush pier, I heard..."
Pausing for a moment, Glynn continued, "Lord Adrian Celtigar of Claw Isle has declared his dominion over Crackclaw Point."
After saying it, he chuckled to himself.
House Celtigar of Claw Isle was a noble house sworn to Dragonstone. They hailed from the Valyrian Freehold on the eastern continent and were a house of ancient, noble, and wealthy lineage.
Glynn's eyes narrowed slightly... Rumor had it that the Celtigars' castle was filled with priceless Myrish carpets, Volantene glass, gold and silver utensils, jeweled goblets, a pair of hunting falcons, a Valyrian steel axe, a horn that could summon krakens from the depths of the sea, countless rubies, and an endless supply of wine.
...
Glynn's laugh was not loud, but it made Ser Davos's cheeks burn. The men following behind him also fell silent instantly.
"Hahahaha!"
Montun's dazed eyes swept over the people around him, and then... he suddenly burst out laughing... The lord had told a joke, but no one laughed, so he naturally had to fill in.
Glynn: "..."
Davos and the others: "..."
Montun blinked, then pulled down the visor of his helmet.
Davos pondered for a moment, then spoke to Glynn. "Lord Adrian spends every day soaked in wine."
"Drunken words?"
Glynn gave a cold smile. "Ser Davos, you should be very clear about Lord Stannis's purpose in meeting me. However, your actions have made me feel slighted and met with arrogance."
After a pause, he asked, "Everyone knows what you are preparing for. Have you already gathered a hundred thousand men? To put it another way, are you expecting me to beg to join you?"
Davos deeply felt Glynn's anger. He cursed those men for their foolishness. An ally who was well within their grasp might now be lost.
He bit the bullet and explained, "Lord Glynn, you may not believe others, but you can absolutely believe Lord Stannis. Moreover, he is the true heir to the Iron Throne."
Glynn said coldly, "Ser Davos, have you forgotten the great war from over a decade ago?"
Davos was not a man with a silver tongue to begin with. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but was at a loss for words.
He understood what Glynn was implying. They were both well aware of how the Baratheons had obtained the Iron Throne. Bloodline and right of succession certainly held an advantage, but given the current situation, only the final victor of the war would be able to sit on that iron chair.
Davos still spoke up. "Lord Glynn, no one with a heart for justice can tolerate the Lannisters' vileness."
Glynn's eyes shifted... *You are right. It could be said that almost everyone in the Seven Kingdoms has ample reason to attack the Lannisters.*
"The love of the people..."
Glynn sighed softly, reached out and patted Davos's arm. "Ser Davos, do you think Lord Stannis will be beloved by the people because he sits the Iron Throne, or will he sit the Iron Throne because he is beloved by the people?"
Davos stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes widened as he stared blankly at Glynn, his mind in utter turmoil.
Glynn patted Davos again, reminding him to keep walking.
Davos came back to his senses, his tone carrying a rare urgency. "Lord Glynn, the law..."
Glynn raised a hand, cutting off the Onion Knight's words. "Ser Davos, I greatly respect your character. That is the truth. My main purpose today was to come and see you. Seeing you well, I am very gratified."
Glynn's smile was gentle, and his tone was very sincere.
Davos first placed a hand on his chest and bowed his head to Glynn before saying, "Lord Glynn, the Iron Throne needs a man with a heart for true justice."
Glynn nodded in agreement. "I have to admit, that is a rare quality, but..."
He continued, "I will be honest with you. The people of Crackclaw Point will never forget their sacred duty to protect the Iron Throne, but the people of Crackclaw Point will never be any one man's servant. Let's go, Ser Davos."
(end of chapter)