chapter 168 part 2
"A beautiful belly."
Glyn remarked with a sigh, then said, "Just don't forget the consequences, my friend."
***
***
Inside the training grounds of the City Watch's East Barracks, hundreds of banners depicting a golden basin flower on a marsh-green field fluttered. The soldiers' armor and weapons gleamed under the sunlight.
From atop a high platform, Glyn subtly waved his hand, paused for a moment, then dropped it. The heads of dozens of men, including the former Lord Commander's second-in-command, Allar Dyne, rolled to the ground.
After Glyn became Lord Commander, the training grounds witnessed heads rolling every day. These men were the last of the former Lord Commander's confidants, and also the biggest beneficiaries of the Gold Cloaks' corruption.
Glyn had deliberately kept them until today and executed them in full view of everyone.
***
Lancel, one of the Gold Cloak captains, stood frozen to the spot, unmoving.
After the executions concluded, Lancel uneasily swept his gaze over the ranks below. Whether it was the blue phalanx or the golden one, the silence was unsettling.
Lancel now stood beside Glyn, his voice trembling. "Glyn, aren't you worried about a mutiny?"
Glyn's eyes moved, looking at Lancel.
"Lancel, the Queen Regent only gave me ten days, and besides..."
As he spoke, the corners of Glyn's mouth turned up slightly, and he continued, "If these people aren't dealt with, where would the money come from to supplement the wages of the common soldiers? And how could we arrange higher positions for those who willingly came over to our side?"
The common soldiers in the Gold Cloaks received a minimum of twenty gold dragons a year, with officers' pay increasing by rank. However, a large portion of the pay for most soldiers and low-ranking officers had been embezzled by the former Lord Commander and his cronies.
The Gold Cloaks were not only King's Landing's garrison but also its law enforcers. With their pay withheld, the Gold Cloaks constantly extorted the common people, thus forming a vicious cycle.
When Cersei had previously promised to appoint him Lord Commander of the Gold Cloaks (Chapter 136), Glyn had already begun to see the organization as his own property and started planning his takeover.
Before Petyr Baelish left, "concerned" that Glyn would be alone and lack influence in King's Landing, he handed over his subordinates responsible for intelligence gathering to Glyn. In return, Glyn promised to look after Petyr's properties remaining in King's Landing.
After taking over Petyr's intelligence network, Glyn discovered that he and Petyr were indeed good friends; it turned out both of them had set their sights on the Gold Cloaks. Or rather... it should be said that Petyr had long coveted King's Landing's largest military force.
With the former Lord Commander, Janos Slynt, dead, the Gold Cloaks were in a state of anarchy. But with 2,000 Crabbe Bluecloaks under his command, precise intelligence, and a legitimate appointment, Glyn swiftly dealt with the former Lord Commander's old guard.
As those men were executed, their wealth was also confiscated by Glyn, totaling nearly 300,000 gold dragons.
***
Lancel forced a smile and said, "If it were me, I definitely couldn't have done that."
"Actually, the key is still the gold dragons." Glyn's gaze shifted to where the Gold Cloaks were lined up.
Glyn first took out 50,000 gold dragons to give as subsidies to the Gold Cloaks. The nearly one thousand Gold Cloaks standing here were the second batch to receive Glyn's "largesse."
Boxes overflowing with gold dragons were brought over. Glyn would personally supervise the distribution of the soldiers' subsidies, just as he had done last time.
Why only take out 50,000 gold dragons? Lord Glyn raised an eyebrow, refusing to answer.
***
After Lancel left, Glyn called over Jaffery (King's Landing, Captain of the Scouting Corps), who was standing not far away.
"Jaffery, arrange for men to keep an eye on Lancel Lannister."
***
***
The Red Keep, the Throne Room.
"All rise for His Grace, Joffrey of the Houses Baratheon and Lannister, the First of His Name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms."
"All rise for the Queen Regent, Her Grace's mother, Cersei of House Lannister, Light of the West, Protector of the Realm."
Ser Barristan Selmy, clad in shining silver armor, walked at the very front. Ser Arys Oakheart escorted Queen Regent Cersei, while Ser Boros Blount walked beside King Joffrey.
King Joffrey walked to the foot of the Iron Throne and stood there. He wore a black velvet doublet with red silk embroidery, a shimmering gold-thread cape with a high collar, and a golden crown inlaid with rubies and black diamonds.
King Joffrey curled his lips, surveyed the people gathered below the Iron Throne, then slowly sat down.
He declared loudly, "Punishing traitors and rewarding loyal subjects is the duty of a king. Grand Maester Pycelle, I command you to read my judgments."
As Joffrey's words fell, Maester Pycelle stood up and bowed slightly towards the Iron Throne.
Maester Pycelle was extravagantly attired today. He wore a heavy, long robe of scarlet velvet with an ermine collar and a belt set with gold ornaments. His long sleeves hung low, covered with gilded scrollwork.
Maester Pycelle unrolled a parchment scroll and began to read a long list of names: "Lord Stannis Baratheon, his wife, and their daughter; Lord Renly Baratheon; ...Lord Mace Tyrell and all his children; ...Lady Lysa Arryn and her son; ...Prince Doran Martell of Dorne and all his children; ...Lord Walder Frey and his heirs; ...Lord Hoster Tully, his brother Ser Brynden, and his son Ser Edmure; ...Catelyn Tully, Robb Stark, Brandon Stark, Rickon Stark, and Arya Stark."
The list Pycelle read out included most of the important noble houses of the Seven Kingdoms.
"In the name of the King and the Small Council, all persons on this list are commanded to present themselves at the Red Keep forthwith to swear fealty to the King. Should they refuse, they shall be deemed traitors, and their lands and titles will be forfeit to the Crown."
A buzz went through the throne room as the assembled crowd let out various exclamations of surprise almost in unison.
***
Grand Maester Pycelle rolled up the parchment scroll with the list, then unrolled another.
Maester Pycelle cleared his throat and read, "To replace the traitor Eddard Stark, by the will of the Queen Regent and His Grace the King, Lord Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock, Warden of the West, is appointed to the office of Hand of the King, to govern the affairs of the kingdom in the King's name."
***
"Finally, with the beloved King Robert I's accidental passing, the Small Council believes that the safety of King Joffrey's life is of paramount concern..." Pycelle looked towards Queen Regent Cersei.
Queen Regent Cersei nodded slightly and slowly stood up.
"Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Barristan Selmy, attend me."
Barristan, who had been guarding the foot of the Iron Throne, walked forward and knelt on one knee before Queen Regent Cersei.
"Your Grace, Barristan Selmy awaits your command."
Queen Regent Cersei's green eyes glanced at Barristan, her voice cold. "Rise, Ser Barristan. You may remove your helm."
Though puzzled by the Queen Regent's command, Barristan rose and removed his tall, pointed helm.
The old knight held his helm in one hand and looked at Queen Regent Cersei.
Queen Regent Cersei slightly raised her chin and said, "Ser Barristan, you have served the kingdom long and well, diligently performing your duty. Every good man and woman in the Seven Kingdoms is grateful to you. However, I fear your service must now come to an end. Our king and the Small Council both wish you to lay down your heavy burden."
(end of chapter)