-76- To drive
Day 4
Some people are simply too curious.
Before dawn, a considerable crowd had already gathered around the arena.
They were genuinely curious about what new slogans would be displayed today. Gallen's challenge arena was becoming the talk of the Reach.
As night slowly faded, the sky turned a pale red.
Gallen did not disappoint the waiting crowd. Under their watchful eyes, a new banner was hung.
Next to "You call yourself a man?," appeared another line: "The swordsmen of the Reach lack a man's capabilities."
The crowd's emotions were instantly ignited.
Outrageous! Is being skilled in swordsmanship that great? When combined, these two slogans seemed to imply a certain level of insult.
.....
On the fifth day of the arena challenge, the new slogan was "You just might need need a pretty dress."
...
...
Evening, Gallen's tent.
Gallen sat in the tent, pondering the slogans to use the next day.
After the dress, should it be jewelry or cosmetics?
Gallen shook his head to himself; that seemed a bit too mild.
Gallen pinched his chin, a husband...should the swordsmen of the Reach in dresses have a husband? Would that be going too far? Would it be hard to take care of the outrage?
...
Thinking of this, Gallen chuckled.
The noble House Tyrell wanted to dismiss him easily; they shouldn't be surprised if he escalates things.
If it blows up, let it blow up.
As a "Loyal Subject" to Queen Cersei, Gallen felt slighted by House Tyrell's contempt. He had no intention of sitting down to negotiate under such circumstances, which in itself was an insult to Queen Cersei.
The "arrogant" House Tyrell was the first to turn down the Queen's friendship.
But the loyal Gallen, who did not betray the trust of Queen Cersei, crushed the Reach's honor into the dirt to reclaim her dignity.
Master Tactician Gallen decided to write a letter tonight to prepare Cersei for the worst-case scenario.
...
At this moment, Rossel entered the tent: "My Lord, Highgarden has sent an envoy. Lord Willas Tyrell invites you to dinner."
Willas Tyrell? That guy who hides his arrogance under a veneer of kindness?
House Tyrell finally decided to take action?
...
Being a crosser, Gallen lacked the "licking" attitude towards noble families.
Gallen had a clear goal and no time for pointless negotiations with Willas Tyrell.
It was now a matter of patience.
Gallen raised an eyebrow and said, "Rossel, kindly decline on my behalf. Be polite. Tell him I've suffered numerous injuries from the continuous challenges and need to rest tonight to not disappoint the passionate swordsmen of the Reach tomorrow."
Passionate? Rossel only slightly twitched his cheek muscles in response.
With a respectful demeanor, Rossel took Gallen's orders.
...
Despite the bumps, today's events indicated that the rigid situation was beginning to loosen.
The day of meeting Lord Puff Fish seemed near.
Gallen sat at the table and picked up a quill.
A letter still needed to be written, as preparation and to claim credit, to at least inform Queen Cersei of Gallen's efforts.
...
After reviewing the letter, Gallen smiled with satisfaction.
Perhaps because of the progress made, Gallen's thoughts flowed effortlessly, and he wrote the letter in one go.
After sealing the letter with wax and stamping it, Gallen paused.
He thought of Jon Arryn.
Gallen had not forgotten the one-month deadline set by Jon Arryn.
Though long plagued by illness, Jon Arryn was not senile and would not easily let Gallen off the hook.
What were he and Petyr planning?
...
Gallen placed the letter aside and leaned back in his chair.
He couldn't allow Jon Arryn to remain unchecked; he needed to find a way to deal with or eliminate him quickly.
Additionally, there was the enmity between Crackclaw Point and the nobles of the Vale, a significant grudge accumulated over the past decade.
Ending the chaos in Crackclaw Point and taking control of the entire peninsula was just the first step.
Next, he needed to prepare for a campaign of revenge against the Vale, using the blood of the Vale to regain the loyalty of Crackclaw Point and establish Gallen's unparalleled prestige.
Achieving all this would make Gallen the true king of Crackclaw Point, acknowledged and supported by all its people, with House Crabb becoming the accepted ruling family.
...
Gallen's right thumb rubbed against his index finger; the Vale needed chaos.
...
...
Red Keep, Maegor's Holdfast
Once spirited and handsome, Lancel Lannister seemed like a different person.
Lancel's eyes were dull, his mouth drooped slightly, and his shoulders slumped as if something heavy was crushing him.
This was all thanks to the great King Robert.
In the room, there were only Queen Cersei and Lancel.
Queen Cersei glanced at the timid Lancel with a trace of contempt on her face.
"Lancel, are you alright?"
"Your Grace, I...I'm fine."
Sitting in her chair, Queen Cersei sighed softly and beckoned Lancel closer.
Lancel, confused, walked up to Queen Cersei.
Cersei beckoned again.
Lancel thought Cersei had something important to whisper and bent down.
For the first time, Lancel almost pressed against her body, smelling the intense floral scent on Queen Cersei.
The scent made him dizzy.
Cersei placed her hands on Lancel's cheeks: "Lancel, tell me, do you hate Robert?"
Cersei is so beautiful... Lancel's face turned red, and he unconsciously nodded.
Cersei smiled, her eyes gleaming: "Lancel, we need to show that bastard Robert what the roar of a lion is. A Lannister always pays their debts!"
Her words, cold as ice, made Lancel tremble and snapped him out of his daze.
Lancel stepped back in fright, his voice trembling: "You Grace, what... what are you planning?"
Cersei rose gracefully from her chair, lifting her chin and glaring at Lancel: "Lancel, you heard it. Are you going to pretend otherwise? Are you betraying me?"
Lancel wanted to cry. Why did Cersei telling him this all of a sudden?
He had come to King's Landing to serve the king, to make his father proud, and to bring glory to House Lannister.
King Robert's constant drunken insults and now Queen Cersei's... were they teaming up to drive him to his death?