47 -47- Attribute of being easily overlooked
Mayson said, "Jeffries has been begging to meet with you."
Gallen stopped in his tracks. "Do you know his purpose?"
Mayson first shook his head, then nodded. "My lord, I suspect it's for his son. Jeffries is advanced in age and has only a 5-year-old son. After his death, the son of a merchant who has no one to protect him can only imagine his fate. This is my guess."
Gallen remained silent. Recently, Jeffries's leather trade with Whispers had become more frequent, but Hershel, the steward, always handled it. Gallen had only exchanged a few words with Jeffries when he came to visit on the ship last time, so they weren't familiar.
Unfamiliarity doesn't imply trust.
If Mayson's speculation is correct, would a dying old father entrust his child to an unfamiliar person?
Suddenly, Gallen shook his head self-deprecatingly. Dealing with many cunning people recently had made him paranoid.
Things need to be assessed in proportion. Without further intelligence, nothing should be assumed to be part of a conspiracy. Excessive suspicion is a symptom of paranoia.
Gallen spoke up, "Where is he?"
Mayson scratched his head, looking down. "His carriage is nearby. Jeffries has been emphasizing the friendship established through trade with Whispers and his admiration for you, my lord. I can't shake him off, and he's so badly injured. I'm reluctant to dismiss him."
As he spoke, Mayson glanced at Gallen's expression sneakily.
Everything has its pros and cons. Because of the family rules, Mayson was kept too strict to give birth to an heir. Despite appearing mature, he lacked accumulated experience.
Dealing with various people every day enriched their experiences, sharpening their keen insight. Jeffries had already seen through Mayson's facade, or he wouldn't have dared to rely on him.
But Mayson was a knight of House Crabb, Gallen could only train him slowly.
Gallen nodded and said, "Bring him in."
Mayson also felt he handled the situation poorly and left disheartened.
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In the afternoon sunlight, Gallen instructed Mordin to bring a chair and found a shady spot to sit.
It seems that today's discovery in the Tower of the Hand's study didn't affect Jon Arryn, but inwardly, he surely wasn't as calm as he appeared. No one could face such a situation calmly.
The aftermath of the incident had become unpredictable.
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Gallen also thought of the unappreciated Lord Stannis Baratheon, Robert Baratheon's younger brother.
Had it not been for hearing about pirates and the royal fleet from Mayson today, Gallen would have almost overlooked the iron-faced and overly righteous Stannis Baratheon of Dragonstone.
Hmm, Stannis Baratheon seemed to carry the attribute of being easily overlooked.
How would the lord of dragonstone, who rigorously upholds the law, react to hearing the fact that a lord was being convicted based solely on a song without direct evidence?
Also, according to Gallen's memory, Stannis Baratheon was very dissatisfied with him only serving as Master of Ships.
He was dissatisfied with Robert favoring his younger brother Renly Baratheon, appointing him as both Lord of Storm's End and Master of Laws.
In the War of the Usurper, Stannis Baratheon clearly contributed a lot, yet he was only ennobled on Dragonstone, while Storm's End, the ancestral seat of House Baratheon, was given to Renly Baratheon, who had no merit at all.
In such a situation, Stannis Baratheon's dissatisfaction had undoubtedly turned into a flame of hatred.
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Gallen calculated in his mind whether he could indirectly provoke the weakened Lord Jon Arryn without directly confronting him.
Even if he couldn't enrage him, he had to ensure that he couldn't leave his bed. Lord Jon Arryn was very stubborn and wouldn't let Gallen off easily.
In the game of power, there were no eternal enemies, only eternal interests. On this matter, Gallen thought of a natural ally.
The sound of hooves, mixed with the squeak of wheels, as the carriage passed through the gate and slowly entered the courtyard where Gallen was.
The carriage stopped in front of Gallen, and Mayson scratched his head with a troubled expression. "My lord, Jeffries can't get out of the carriage."
Gallen waved his hand impatiently. "If he can't get out, then he can't. Open the door."
As Gallen finished speaking, before Mayson could act, a thin, black middle-aged man who had been sitting next to the coachman and had saluted Gallen from afar got off the carriage and opened the door.
As the carriage door opened, Gallen, not far away, caught a whiff of decay.
Jeffries leaned pale against the seat inside the carriage.
Struggling to make out Gallen's appearance, Jeffries finally spoke, his voice weak, "My lord, forgive my audacity in coming here."
Jeffries's voice was very weak. "This time, I felt that this time I could not escape death. We all have to die one day, and I am not afraid of death, but I am worried about my son."
After pausing for a moment, Jeffries forced himself to continue, "In the midst of the pain, I thought of all my family and friends, and I despaired of finding anyone to entrust. Thanks to the grace of the Seven Gods, I have had the good fortune to meet you."
Looking hopefully at Gallen, Jeffries continued, "Your noble reputation, though our time together has been brief, I can feel your compassion for the weak. I can only beg for your forgiveness as a dying father."
Ignoring his injuries, Jeffries laboriously slid off the seat.
Jeffries, half-lying, lifted his sweat-soaked face and said, "I am willing to offer all my possessions and only ask for your protection for my son."
Gallen sighed inwardly and said, "Where is your son?"
The thin, black middle-aged man who had opened the carriage door led a chubby little boy out from behind the carriage.
The chubby boy, who had just finished crying, looked up with red, swollen eyes.
Gallen reached out and touched the chubby boy's head. "What's your name?"
The chubby boy timidly didn't dare to speak.
The thin, black man who had been holding the chubby boy's hand quickly said, "My lord, his name is Darius."
Gallen touched Darius's head again and turned to . "Jeffries, your love for you son is admirable, and I respect that. Your son Darius will become the adopted son of Mayson Beck, a knight in service to House Crabb."
