chapter 155 part 1
Chapter 155: Black Tidings
In the Tower of the Hand, Eddard Stark sat with a deep frown.
Sometimes, the innocent eyes of a child can see the truths that adults look upon but fail to perceive. A single sentence from his daughter had parted the mists of doubt, and the simple truth now churned in his breast, his heart as cold as death.
"The seed is strong." Lord Eddard now understood Jon Arryn's dying words. Every one of Robert's bastards he had investigated had hair as black as night, including the little girl in The Vale.
Lord Eddard's grey eyes fell upon the book lying open on his desk: *The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms*.
Maester Taelon recorded the last union between a stag and a golden lion more than ninety years ago, when Tya Lannister married Gawen Baratheon. Their only child was a stillborn boy who died before he could be named. Maester Taelon's book described him thus: a large head, a healthy appetite, and a full head of black hair.
Thirty years before that, a Lannister man had taken a wife from House Baratheon. She bore him three daughters and a son; all of the children were black of hair.
When gold meets coal black, it can only submit, vanishing without a trace.
…
A pained expression crossed Lord Eddard's stern face.
Although Lord Eddard desperately wanted to handle this matter in secret, to let Robert continue being a king free of troubles, his honor would not allow him to hide the truth from his friend.
But once Robert knew the truth, would he become a second Mad King?
Lord Eddard thought of the scene from over a decade ago: the small girl and infant boy wrapped in Lannister red cloaks. Princess Rhaenys, barefoot and in her nightclothes, and Prince Aegon, Rhaegar's son, still wet with blood and brains.
Lord Eddard clenched his fists. He absolutely could not allow such a thing to happen again.
Robert could certainly show mercy. As long as his opponents displayed courage and acted with integrity, Robert would treat them as valiant foes, affording them respect.
After the Great War years ago, Ser Barristan Selmy, Captain of the Kingsguard, was not the only one Robert pardoned. Grand Maester Pycelle, Varys the Master of Whisperers, Balon Greyjoy… every one of them was once Robert's enemy, yet once they swore him fealty, Robert allowed them to keep their honor.
This time, however, the situation was different. Poisoning in the dark, a knife in the back… Robert would never forgive such things. Just as he could never forgive Rhaegar, it was uncertain that even a complete and utter slaughter could extinguish Robert's fury.
The Realm could not endure a second king driven mad by paranoia, much less another bloody storm of vengeance.
Even so, Lord Eddard could not remain silent… He was the Hand of the King. He was responsible to the king, and even more so to the entire Realm. Therefore, he could not allow this hidden danger to fester within the royal bloodline.
*Knock, knock, knock.* A knock at the door interrupted Lord Eddard's thoughts.
"My Lord, Lord Glyn is here to see you."
"Let him in."
The door opened and Glyn entered the study. He paid his respects, "Good evening, Lord Eddard."
Seeing Glyn, Lord Eddard's mood instantly improved somewhat… Fortunately, the feuds of the adults had not affected this boy. Glyn had grown up well. Not only was his swordsmanship excellent, but he was also a capable aide… Lord Eddard trusted Glyn greatly.
Lord Eddard couldn't help but feel a pang of remorse. The boy had won the tourney championship, but he had been so busy with the affairs of the Realm that he hadn't even praised him yet.
Lord Eddard sighed internally; he could never be as meticulous as Catelyn.
He recalled the sword with its tale of honor that Jon Arryn had given him back in The Vale. He decided to give it to Glyn as a gift for winning the grand tourney. Perhaps this was the passing on of honor.
…
The enmities between adults were the affairs of adults; the children were innocent. He had already made up his mind… Even if Robert blamed him for it afterward, he had to find a way to protect those three children.
Lord Eddard looked at Glyn and offered a faint smile… Those three children could be like the boy before him, unburdened by the feuds of their elders. They had the right to their own new lives.
"What is the result?"
Glyn's eyes shifted, glancing lightly at the book on the desk. He said, "Lord Eddard, Lord Mace has decided to leave King's Landing tomorrow. He will travel to The Reach to personally oversee Highgarden."
Lord Eddard thought for a moment, then frowned and said, "Is he planning to give up his seat on the Small Council? And… is he returning to start a war?"
Glyn shook his head. "The Golden Rose would not so easily give up a seat on the Small Council. Lord Mace has recommended Garlan Tyrell to serve as the Master of Coin."
Lord Eddard murmured, "Garlan Tyrell…"
"Lord Eddard, Garlan Tyrell is Lord Mace's uncle. Since Lord Mace's father's time, he has served as the castellan of Highgarden."
After a pause, Lord Eddard asked directly, "Glyn, what do you think?"
Glyn replied respectfully, "Lord Eddard, Garlan Tyrell's abilities are beyond question. I believe he is more than capable of serving as the Master of Coin. Moreover…"
With that, Glyn sighed softly and continued, "You should be well aware of the state of the royal treasury. House Tyrell wants a seat on the Small Council, and the royal finances need the support of Highgarden."
"Seven Hells!"
Thinking of the Realm's debts, Lord Eddard couldn't help but curse under his breath.
Glyn shrugged. "The king dreams, the Hand builds."
Lord Eddard paused for a moment, then sighed, "The king eats, and the Hand takes the shit."
Glyn chuckled at first, then his expression turned serious. "Lord Eddard, Petyr is already in the black cells. The royal treasury needs the support of House Tyrell. I must tell you, this is the wise choice."
The reasons, of course, were not so simple. This involved an unspoken balance and transaction between both parties. Glyn had only stated the most direct reason, but it was enough. Delving deeper would only give the old wolf a headache.
The wolf had its own way of doing things, and Glyn, the aide, was good at understanding people's intentions.
As expected… Lord Eddard nodded decisively. "So be it. I will make the arrangements tomorrow."
Glyn picked up a decanter, poured a cup of wine, and handed it to Lord Eddard.
"As for war, I think you can rest easy. Lord Mace is not a man who acts rashly. One could say he has been remarkably calm. Any other man in his position would have already set the south ablaze with war."
Lord Eddard took the cup and took a sip, agreeing, "Yes, he has handled it well."
Glyn poured himself a cup of wine as well and said leisurely, "Whether or not there is war in the south actually depends on the Lannister Lord of Casterly Rock. It will depend on what choice he ultimately makes."
…
Just as Glyn was about to leave, Lord Eddard's gaze returned from the book on his desk. He said, "Glyn, I will be arranging an assignment for you outside the city in a little while."