Inside the study, the sharp-eyed Dick bowed with a hand over his chest.
"Good day, Lord Gawen."
Gawen's brown eyes flickered as he studied the man before him — still the same thin frame, the same restless eyes darting here and there.
Feeling his lord's gaze upon him, Dick's heart skipped a beat. Tension welled from within, tightening every nerve.
He didn't know how long it lasted, but when his back was drenched in cold sweat, that gaze finally moved away — and only then could he breathe again.
Gawen's voice broke the silence.
"My kinsman Dick... tell me, what kind of man can keep a secret forever?"
The nervousness that had barely faded returned with crushing force. Dick dropped to his knees, stammering,
"I... I... I..."
His lips trembled. He wanted to speak, yet no words would come.
Gawen's brow arched slightly. After a pause, he rose from his chair and walked over — then personally helped the trembling man back to his feet.
As though he hadn't noticed Dick's fear, he spoke casually.
"Have you seen Yulia lately? How is she?"
Dick froze for a heartbeat, then answered dazedly,
"My sister is doing very well..."
He stiffened again, hastily adding,
"Lord Gawen, thank you for your protection. My sister and I will never forget your kindness."
Gawen patted his arm, then went to a bookshelf and drew out a sealed envelope.
"Dick Waters," he said evenly, "as per our agreement (see Ch. 101)..."
Turning around, Gawen continued,
"In the King's name, you and your sister are hereby granted the lawful right to bear the name of House Crabb."
A gentle smile touched his lips.
"Congratulations, Dick Crabb."
Dick stood frozen for a long while, mouth agape — then suddenly dropped to his knees again, choking up,
"Thank you... truly... I'm so grateful... I—I have no way to repay this..."
"Though some unexpected things happened," Gawen said softly as he helped him up once more, "your decisiveness in that moment completed the mission. This is your rightful reward."
Dick wiped his tears in a fluster, overwhelmed beyond words.
Gawen led him to the great map hanging nearby and pointed to a stretch of forest on the western side of the Crab Claw Peninsula.
"Dick Crabb, I had planned to grant you this tract of land as a reward..."
He tapped the map, pausing briefly.
"But your dagger prevented a tragedy, and Daenerys herself is grateful to you. That little patch of swamp is far beneath the worth of your service."
His finger slid north, stopping above Maidenpool. He was silent for a moment — Lord Gawen was not the least bit angry (see Chs. 57 & 62).
Regaining his focus, he said with a faint smile,
"Legend says that when Florian first saw Jonquil, it was here, as she bathed with her sisters..."
He chuckled.
"But that's not the point — Maidenpool is one of the richest lands in the Riverlands. That's what matters."
Dick swallowed hard.
"My lord... you mean..."
Gawen nodded slightly.
"Do you like it there?"
Dick nervously rubbed his hands together, but Gawen's calm eyes gave him courage. He nodded heavily.
"Tell me," said Gawen, his gaze shifting back to the peninsula, "do you know how the Andals once tried to conquer Crab Claw Peninsula?"
Dick nodded firmly.
"I'll never forget! A thousand years ago, the Andals came to seize the peninsula — they bled in our valleys, drowned in our marshes, and failed at every turn. They couldn't conquer us, so they turned to marriage instead. Their pretty daughters won with kisses what their strong sons could not win by the sword."
His eyes lit with pride.
"Before the Andals came to Westeros, the House Mooton of Maidenpool also tried to conquer our lands."
Gawen's tone hardened.
"The cowardly Lord William Mooton slandered House Crabb during last year's royal hunt. Their ambition toward the peninsula never died — and House Crabb never forgets."
Dick bowed deeply, saying solemnly,
"United as one."
Gawen placed a hand on his shoulder.
"House Crabb rules the Crab Claw Peninsula now — and I'll stand behind you."
He then explained in detail the current situation of the Mootons of Maidenpool.
At last, he asked,
"Dick, tell me — do you like Maidenpool?"
Dick glanced at the swampland Gawen had pointed to earlier, then stared at the name of Maidenpool on the map.
He exhaled and declared loudly,
"My lord, I like Maidenpool!"
Since Daenerys' arrival in Crabb territory, Lord Gawen could feel much of his burden easing.
Because of his duties at the Red Keep, he had long been forced to stay away from his lands. Though his retainers protected them, a lord with no heir was always at risk.
It was like leaving treasures unguarded — eventually, even loyal men might begin to wonder.
To avoid that, Gawen had spent immense energy managing his domain through raven correspondence while juggling court politics in King's Landing.
Now, preparing for his northern campaign, he exhaled quietly.
Even if Daenerys did nothing in Whispering City, her very presence united the hearts of his people.
Why? Because this was Westeros.
"Goose-goose-goose!"
Daenerys's joyful laughter broke his thoughts.
Smiling, Gawen asked,
"What's so amusing?"
She was still giggling, eyes curved like crescent moons.
After a while, she said between laughs,
"It's a greeting from the old Crabb lands — they addressed me as..."
She waved the letter in her hand.
"Chieftain's Lady!"
And burst into another fit of laughter.
Gawen chuckled.
"A fitting title, I'd say."
That only made her laugh harder, bending forward and waving him off as if begging for mercy.
Her cheeks flushed, Daenerys took a long sip of summer wine.
When Gawen looked as though he might speak, she lifted a hand quickly.
"Please, Gawen — let me breathe," she pleaded with a smile.
He clasped her hand and smiled faintly.
"It's business."
Her laughter faded. She searched his eyes, then asked softly,
"You're leaving... aren't you?"
She was thinking of the Crabb Peninsula's campaign against the Vale.
Gawen nodded. Pulling her into his arms, he murmured,
"I leave the day after tomorrow. The rest is in your hands, Daeny."
She lowered her head.
"I'm afraid I won't handle things well in your absence."
"Daeny," he said gently, "you have a heart of justice and compassion — your people will love you for it."
Daenerys wrapped her arms tightly around him and nodded silently.
"I'll appoint Samwell Tarly and Dick Crabb as your first and second chief stewards," he continued. "They'll assist you in all affairs."
Daenerys looked up at him.
"My knight," she whispered, "I'll be here, waiting for your triumphant return."
Then she drew him down into a long, tender kiss.
The sorrow of parting soon melted into murmured song.
The Vale — Seagard
Seagard was the principal port of the Vale, lying southeast of the Eyrie on the shores of Crab Bay, south of Runestone.
With its naturally sheltered harbor, it was among the five great cities of Westeros, rivaling White Harbor in size.
During Aegon's Conquest, Seagard's harbor saw a fierce sea battle between the Targaryen and Arryn fleets — both destroyed, delaying the Vale's surrender. Under Targaryen rule, the city flourished.
In the early days of Robert's Rebellion, Seagard served as the royalist stronghold of the Vale; Jon Arryn and Robert Baratheon suffered heavy losses before taking it.
Though the city quickly recovered its prosperity afterward, under Baratheon rule its political standing grew awkward — from a military-trade hub, it became a mere merchant port with a token garrison.
Rumor said that one night last year, a gang of unknown raiders burned down an entire merchant house. To calm the people, Lord Graveson of Seagard appointed ten new watchmen.
Seagard — Lord's Hall
Lord Graveson sat upon his high seat, the banner of his house — a burning yellow tower on black within a red triangle — hanging behind him.
A middle-aged watch-captain hurried into the hall.
"My lord Graveson, a messenger from the Red Keep requests audience."
The lord blinked his drowsy eyes.
"A messenger from the Red Keep?" he repeated, puzzled, and turned to his maester.
"My lord," said the Seagard maester, "I suspect they travel on behalf of Lady Lysa Arryn."
Lord Graveson frowned.
"But why seek me out?"
"Likely they're only passing through," the maester coughed gently. "I hear Lady Lysa has sealed the Bloody Gate — no one goes in or out."
"Ah, yes, that's true..." Graveson muttered. Then grimaced.
"Why didn't they take the Old Anchor road through House Malcor instead? Until the League of the Just and the True Just League finish killing each other, I want no dealings with the Eyrie!"
"The Iron Throne's fate is uncertain as well," the maester warned.
Graveson nodded wearily.
"We all thought Renly's host would take King's Landing — and then... well..."
His squire whispered, "Stannis."
"Right — Stannis! Dragonstone's few thousand men crushed Renly's hundred thousand, and he died at... at..."
The squire murmured again, "Storm's End."
"Exactly! Who can make sense of such chaos? Only the gods know who will rule the Red Keep next."
The watch-captain cleared his throat timidly.
"My lord, the envoy still awaits your audience."
Graveson rubbed his bald crown.
"Tell them I'm unwell and unfit to receive guests."
After a pause, he added,
"Find out whether their true destination is the Eyrie. If it is, advise them to take the Old Anchor port."
He looked again to his maester.
The maester bowed.
"A wise decision, my lord. It's not yet time for us to choose sides."
Satisfied, Graveson waved them away.
As the captain departed, the lord sank into thought.
More than a decade ago, during the Rebellion, House Graveson had sided with the Targaryens, forsaking their Arryn overlords.
This time, until both the Eyrie and the Red Keep declared their lords, House Graveson would stand strictly neutral.
An hour later, the watch-captain returned.
"My lord," he said respectfully, "the envoys send their regards and wishes for your health. I also hinted at the alternate route, as you commanded."
"And?"
"They thanked me for the suggestion. They intend to stay the night in Seagard and depart for Old Anchor at dawn."
"Well handled," said Graveson with a nod.
"Their request is reasonable — make sure they are well treated."
As the sun set, golden light draped the thriving port of Seagard.
Yet within that beauty, death's shadow crept unseen.
When night fell and the moon rose, warriors in blue cloaks smashed through Seagard's ancient gates.
The golden marigold banner of the Marshes fluttered in the moonlight.
"Long live House Crabb!"
"Long live the Crab Claw Peninsula!"
"For Lord Gawen!"
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