-43- Tower of the Hand (end)

Gallen didn't want to take the bait.

Lord Arryn was determined to make Gallen leave King's Landing.

It is now mid-September 297 AC, and according to the plot, Lord Arryn's exit is still about half a year away.

If reasonably delayed, can Gallen delay until then?

Gallen had a good plan, but it was ruined by Petyr Baelish.

Gallen had two important reasons for keeping Petyr alive.

The first reason was that Gallen wanted to let Petyr use Lysa Arryn to deal with Jon Arryn.

The second reason was that Petyr's actions forced Gallen to confront Jon Arryn prematurely. Gallen held back his murderous intent to let Petyr solve the trouble he caused. That's why Gallen went to "visit" Petyr that night.

Petyr, being shrewd, knew what to do next for his own benefit.

Would Petyr plan revenge against Gallen in secret afterwards? Gallen wouldn't be passive; he'd counter every move.

This wasn't Gallen's nature. Whether Petyr acted intentionally or not, by kicking the hornet's nest, he made it onto Gallen's hit list.

After Lord Arryn's exit, if nothing major changes, Gallen won't foolishly keep Petyr around.

The reason for having prerequisites was because Gallen had already dipped his foot into the game. In this game, there are no permanent enemies, and the players must always be flexible.

....

Being appointed Guardian of Crackclaw Point would be great, but Gallen and Jon Arryn were not on equal footing, so any deal between them wouldn't be fair.

Gallen didn't even want to hear Jon Arryn's offer.

Gallen shook his head, sincerely saying, "I'm grateful for your appreciation, my lord, but to attain such a position, one must bear its weight, and my abilities don't yet match the title."

Lord Arryn suddenly recalled a kind of elusive fish that Robert Baratheon had once told him about when they were young... what was it called again?

Lord Arryn snapped out of his reverie and said, "Perhaps if you complete my task, you'll be worthy of the title of Guardian."

Jon Arryn's pressure made Gallen feel helpless.

Gallen suppressed the fleeting urge to kill.

Gallen found Cersei Lannister, who appeared strong on the surface, rather endearing compared to Jon Arryn's superficial kindness.

At that moment, Gallen really missed his boss, Cersei.

....

Gallen deliberately showed a conflicted expression, sounding resigned, "My lord, unless it goes against my honor, I will try and complete your task."

Lord Arryn didn't like Gallen; whatever task he had in mind for Gallen was certainly not something everyone would be happy about. Gallen left himself room to maneuver in his response.

You still have the nerve to talk to me about honor?

In Lord Arryn's view, Gallen, who didn't admit his wrongdoing, was not honorable.

After a moment's pause, Lord Arryn spoke, "Do you know that there are two surviving Targaryens?"

Finishing his sentence, Lord Arryn stared at Gallen intently.

Gallen instinctively shook his head, then his pupils dilated.

After a moment of silence, Gallen sighed, "Lord Arryn, the war has long ended, and the winners have already been determined."

Lord Arryn, with the stubbornness of an old man, interjected, "As long as there are members of House Targaryen..."

Suddenly, the perceptive Gallen sensed the presence of a third party.

Gallen abruptly rose from his chair. "Forgive me, my lord, is there someone else in the study?"

Upon Gallen's interruption, Jon Arryn, who was about to rebuke him, also realized Gallen's reaction and narrowed his eyes, shaking his head.

Gallen nodded and took a few steps to the back corner of the study, raising his hand to tap the wall a few times with the back of his hand.

Although there was no audible sound, Gallen affirmed, "It's probably this spot. I felt the presence of a third party."

Gallen had no reason to joke with him. Jon Arryn trembled as he got up and shouted, "Guards!"

As soon as Lord Arryn spoke, the study door slammed open, and four gold cloaks swiftly entered, drawing their swords one after another, preparing to approach Gallen.

Lord Arryn waved his hand. "Go check the wall over there."

Gallen stepped aside, allowing the four guards to tap and inspect the wall.

After a while, when Lord Arryn was about to lose patience, a clever guard pointed to a very inconspicuous spot. "My Lord, there's something wrong with the seam here."

Jon Arryn glanced at Gallen, who remained calm, and decisively ordered, "Bring a hammer and smash it open."

One of the guard left the study and brought back two large hammers.

With the hammers in hand, the gusrds swung them at the wall.

Bang, bang, bang...

the hammer blows stirred up a large cloud of dust.

With a thud, a large section of the wall collapsed.

As the dust settled, a narrow space was revealed.

After coughing for a while, Jon Arryn's expression turned icy. "There's no secret in the red keep....."

Gallen felt it was time to leave and said to Lord Arryn, "My Lord, I'll take my leave."

Lord Arryn's gaze didn't leave the newly revealed compartment as he nodded.

As Gallen was about to reach the study door, Lord Arryn's voice came, "Young Lord, I will give you the reward you deserve for today's events."

Gallen had to stop and turn to bow.

"Also, with your intelligence, you should understand my meaning. I'll give you one month to provide me with a response."

....

Outside the Tower of the Hand.

As Gallen stepped out of the Tower, the first thing he noticed was Tyrion Lannister's tired face.

Behind Tyrion was a group of fully armed Lannister guards, numbering around twenty.

Mordin and Anguy approached Gallen first.

Anguy whispered, "My Lord, they came as soon as you went in."

Gallen nodded slightly at the news and walked closer to Tyrion. "Good day, Lord Tyrion."

Tyrion blinked and gestured for the Lannister guards to leave before saying, "You came out too early. It's a pity; if you had waited a little longer, you would have witnessed the fierceness of Ser Tyrion and the roar of the lion."

Gallen smiled and lightly patted Tyrion's arm in gratitude.

Tyrion smirked, "You should thank Jaime. I can't command the red cloaks. This was Jaime's arrangement."

Gallen chuckled, "Thanks are due all around. If I had known the lion was outside, I would have given the old lord a couple of punches."

Tyrion laughed, "I like your metaphor. Seems like today's encounter went smoothly?"

Gallen shrugged, "There's still some time."

Tyrion reached out and patted Gallen's thigh. "That's good news. We'll think of another way. The two smartest brains in King's Landing are here, so relax."

Tyrion grinned mischievously, "My dear sister invited us to lunch, which surprised me. It's all thanks to you. Your skills are excellent, and you served her well. Hehe."

Gallen didn't know how to respond.