Fifty house guards and squires, thirty warhorses, three healers, three grooms, one barber, and three handmaidens.
This was the size of the retinue for Green’s journey to the Red Keep, managed by Steward Surana.
The total fee for the merchant ship to the Red Keep was 52 Gold Dragons, which Steward Hershel arranged to pay in furs of equivalent value with the merchant.
Not having to part with actual Gold Dragons gave Green a small measure of comfort, though he couldn’t help but sigh that once he had the resources, he would need to construct his own ocean-going vessels.
Mermaid Harbor now hosted an average of one to two merchant ships per day.
Unlike its initial desolation, it finally looked somewhat like a proper harbor.
Green had arranged everything he could; the rest would require time to accumulate.
*** “My Lord, Steward Hershel and several merchants have confirmed that purchasing Unsullied locally in Astapor costs a unit price of 100 Gold Dragons.
That price does not include transport costs.” *Unsullied?* Green remembered asking Steward Hershel to look into the price of Unsullied through friendly merchants when the opportunity arose.
Presently, Green was no longer as keen on the Unsullied as he had been initially.
After the battle, House Crabb’s assimilation of the mountain wildlings had gone far more smoothly than expected.
Green was quite satisfied with these mountain wildlings who used to pillage for a living—they were fierce, sturdy, and became capable warriors as soon as you put a weapon in their hands.
Once Green gave them enough to eat and wear, their loyalty was exceptionally high.
With reinforced training and discipline, they were all formidable soldiers.
*** 100 Gold Dragons per unit…
a total of 1,000 Gold Dragons for 10 Unsullied.
For 100 Unsullied…
In the future, the Mother of Dragons would acquire 8,000 Unsullied with a single bait—the equivalent of 800,000 Gold Dragons.
*Tsk!* She gained the coffers of several major Free Cities without much effort at all.
*Tsk!* Thinking of this, Green, overwhelmed with envy, felt a sudden surge of jealousy…
House Crabb had bled for the Targaryens!
House Crabb was the model loyal subject to the dragon lords, yet after the War of the Usurper, House Crabb hadn’t enjoyed a single good day, suppressed by the Red Keep for over a decade.
At the right moment, Green felt he might plan a way to “scam” some Gold Dragons from the Dragon Queen to comfort his wounded heart.
*** “Understood, Surana.
How has Lyanna been doing recently?” “After the news from Gulltown arrived, Lady Lyanna locked herself in her room for an entire day.
But since then, her spirits have been good.
I can feel that she feels safe here, and she trusts you immensely.” “Keep a close eye on her.
I am not as attentive as you are.
Also, pay more attention to matters regarding her romantic life.” Surana’s eyes flickered slightly as she kept her head slightly bowed.
“My Lord, I will make proper arrangements and report to you promptly.” Hearing Surana’s response, Green raised an eyebrow, shifting his gaze from the sea to Surana.
“Surana, I appreciate that you understand my intentions.
House Crabb now consists only of me and my cousin Lyanna.
Lyanna is overly kind at heart.
That is a commendable virtue, but it also makes her easy to be taken advantage of by those with ill motives—especially when it comes to romantic matters.” Green’s gaze shifted back to the vast sea, letting out a soft sigh.
“You watched Lyanna grow up since childhood, and I know you have always cared deeply for her.
You don’t need to worry too much.
I am the lord, and as lord, I have responsibilities I must bear, but I will do everything I can to ensure Lyanna’s future remains safe and happy.” Surana raised her head and pressed her lips together.
“In truth, you should have Lady Lyanna sign a document renouncing her succession rights to House Crabb.
That would offer her greater protection.
I originally intended to advise you on this matter, but then I worried that you do not yet have heirs, so I hesitated again.
People say I am too rational, but I know myself best—much of the time, I am indecisive.” Green rubbed his right thumb against his forefinger.
“Lady Surana, in my heart, you are like family.
Before me, you can always feel safe to speak your mind.
Leave the decisions to me; you shouldn’t worry about this.
As for my cousin Lyanna’s inheritance rights…
I hope even more that she can find true love.” “Understood, my Lord.” *** King’s Landing, the Red Keep, Tower of the Hand.
Petyr Baelish leaned against the balcony railing, gazing into the distance with a profound look in his eyes.
*The Count of Sheep Dung, a semi-wildling noble…
also a creature mocked by others, yet…
heh!* After the official notification from the Citadel, in a Westeros that had long known peace, Lord Green Crabb’s fame spread rapidly.
As a fresh hot topic, much intelligence regarding Green gathered on Petyr’s desk.
Blessed by the legacy of his ancestors, when House Crabb reappeared on its ancestral lands with formidable strength, despite a gap of over ten years, they easily reclaimed their sphere of influence, as though it were the will of the people.
Truly envious—the deep-rooted authority granted by bloodline.
Truly distasteful—bloodlines that represent power.
The traditional power of bloodline supremacy was so stubborn that even unpolished wildlings were deeply influenced by it.
Compared to noble bloodlines, ability became a mere ornament.
Therefore, chaos is the only ladder.
Petyr Baelish’s eyes grew even more profound.
*** “Lord Petyr, how extraordinary.
I actually smell a hint of anger on you.” Varys, completely hairless with a broad, plump frame wrapped in a loose brownish-red silk robe, held his hands together in front of him.
Petyr calmly withdrew his gaze and turned his grey-green eyes toward Varys.
Varys smiled with reserved politeness and nodded in greeting.
Petyr Baelish curled his lips into an elegant smile.
“Lord Varys, is it because of your duties that you are always filled with curiosity?
But I must tell you, your nose has failed you this time.” Varys’s smile remained unchanged.
“Lord Petyr, ever since I met you, all I have ever read from you is composed elegance and extraordinary wisdom.
Even the slightest change in you catches my attention.” The elegant Petyr admitted to himself that he grew more disgusted with this Spider by the day.
Petyr warned himself that he must act with caution and remember at all times that little birds were watching him.
Regardless of his internal thoughts, Petyr Baelish maintained his refined smile.
“Truly the sweetest tongue in King’s Landing.
Every conversation with you brings delight to my mind and body.” Varys nodded once more in greeting.
“It is Lord Petyr’s grace that radiates sweetness; I am merely basking in your light.” Petyr held out a hand, having no interest in continuing the discussion about tongues with Varys.
His grey-green eyes moved subtly as he shifted the topic.
“Our noble Queen…
I hear her mood suddenly turned joyful, when normally she would be displeased for days.” Varys stepped to Petyr’s side, also looking out into the distance.
“Her Grace retains the pure heart of a young maiden.
When she acquires something she favors, she naturally forgets temporary sorrows.” Petyr’s voice was raspy, full of magnetism.
“A favored thing?
Lord Varys, there is more to your words than meets the eye.”