Crackclaw Point once had a legendary hero named Clarence Crabb.
Later, a man named Clement Crabb served as a Kingsguard for the grandson of Aegon the Conqueror.
During the war against the Usurper, the families of Crackclaw Point fought beside Prince Rhaegar until the very end. They proudly called themselves the true dragons' best servants.
But Robert Baratheon won the war. The Crabb family was almost wiped out. The only male heir left was Glyn Crabb, who was still in his mother's belly at the time.
–
The Whispers was a curved fortress built against the mountain. A few small houses were scattered around it.
Inside the Lord's Hall.
The traveler from another world—Glyn Crabb—sat in the high lord's chair. Behind him hung a huge banner showing a Marigold.
A man and a woman stood on his left and right.
The man was about forty, short, balding, and fat, wearing a blue robe. The woman was in her thirties, tall, with long brown curly hair and a blue dress.
They were the Steward Herschel and the Housekeeper Surana.
At this moment, an old farmer knelt on the floor in the center of the hall. He sounded scared and respectful. "Yes, my Lord. I am sure... When I go out to farm in the morning, my neighbor Marty comes to my house and does... breathing exercises... with my wife. Many times."
Glyn Crabb listened to the choppy story. His face didn't change, but the corner of his mouth twitched a little.
The hall was quiet.
Steward Herschel saw that his master wasn't speaking, so he cleared his throat. "Peel, you caught them doing it? Did you not do anything?"
Peel was silent for a moment. "I was angry. But I am not young anymore. Marty is young and strong. I can't beat him..."
"And your wife?"
"I... can't beat her either..."
Oh, the women of Crackclaw Point are tough! Glyn thought. From today on, people will probably call him 'Weak Peel'.
To be a good lord, I must protect the weak. That is how you earn loyalty.
Glyn Crabb understood that deep down, everyone wants to be protected. Even himself.
The fifteen-year-old lord spoke, his voice still sounding a bit young. "Peel, your lord has heard you. I will send two guards with you."
Glyn turned his gray eyes to a tall man in iron armor standing to the side. "Ser Pell, get two soldiers. Go catch him..."
Glyn leaned over and whispered, "Herschel, where do we need men? Hmm... find somewhere dangerous."
Steward Herschel seemed ready with an answer. "My Lord, we always need strong workers in the territory. But I suggest giving him a sword. The mountain wildlings are moving again. You need more fighters. You are kind, so give your subject a chance."
Fine, Glyn thought. Young and strong? Like stealing wives? Too much energy? Here is a sword. Go fight wildlings. If you are lucky, you might live, thanks to my mercy.
Be grateful, hold your sword tight, and do it again next time.
Glyn nodded slightly and waved his hand.
Peel cried with red eyes and bowed deeply to his lord. He bent his waist but felt his back straighten. He felt strong. He secretly promised to work harder on the farm. If the harvest was good, he could give more wheat this year.
The Lord looks too thin, he thought. He must be hungry. If I farm well, the Lord can eat more and grow some meat.
"Next."
"My Lord, my plow is broken..."
"Lord, my son has had a stomach ache for days, please..."
"My Lord, wildlings stole my hunt..."
"Kind Lord, wildlings are near our village, we are worried..."
"Yes, usually groups of five or six."
--
The morning session was finally over. Glyn Crabb didn't have to sit up straight anymore. He stood up from the tall wooden chair and stretched. It was exhausting to sit like a statue.
"Lady Surana, bring a basin of hot water and lunch to my study. And tell Maester Al to get the messenger ravens ready. I need to send a letter soon."
In the castle study, Glyn finished his lunch, cleaned up, and picked up a quill.
This was the third letter today.
It was for the Queen, Cersei Lannister.
After the war, Glyn was the only male left in the main Crabb family. Because he was unborn during the fighting, the honorable Eddard Stark convinced King Robert to spare Glyn's mother. The Crabb family was lucky to survive.
But for fifteen years, the Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, had suppressed the families that used to be loyal to the dragons.
But next year, the curtain would rise on the song of ice and fire. The game of thrones was about to begin.
Glyn had a lot to do.
To join the game as a noble near the capital, he first had to fix his relationship with the Red Keep.
Fifteen years had passed. Jon Arryn was finally old and weak. According to the story, he didn't have much time left.
The Crabb family could finally breathe.
He couldn't just go with the flow. He couldn't be satisfied with how things were.
The Crabb family used to be mocked as "half-wildlings" who didn't know how to play the game. But now, Glyn Crabb was here.
Glyn cleared his mind and prepared to write some flattery.
To the brave and beautiful Queen:
I send my best greetings with great respect. I am sorry to disturb you.
The war was fifteen years ago. I was just a baby in the womb then, quietly enjoying the warmth I cannot remember.
Since I was old enough to understand, I have thanked the Kingdom for its mercy in letting House Crabb live.
We dare not forget. Our family motto is "United We Stand."
As I grow older, I understand that the core of our motto is loyalty.
The dragons have been gone for fifteen years. House Crabb survived, but we are lost... The old House Crabb, because of loyalty, walked into death without looking back.
Because of that old loyalty, the new world does not trust us.
Without trust, our loyalty has nowhere to go.
Noble Queen, would you be willing to give House Crabb a chance?
I heard you are coming to the Kingswood to hunt. We wish for the honor of serving you.
Signed: Glyn Crabb, a guard amazed by your charm.
Glyn put down the pen. Step one complete.
It was either Queen Cersei, or the Dragon Queen.
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Dropping chapter every 5 min