Blue and white were the absolute dominant colors in The Eyrie, the colors of House Arryn's sigil, a proud cool tone.
Outside the tower, there was a blue sky, seven white towers, guards in sky-blue cloaks, and blue flowers and white statues in the garden. But now, blue and white were all overshadowed by black and gold, a new sun, tall, sword-wielding warriors in black helmets, black hair, and golden surcoats.
Gendry walked to a stone statue in the center of The Eyrie's circular garden. Barristan, Lyn Corbray, Brynden Tully, Bronze Yohn Royce, Anguy, and others followed him. They were still waiting for two people: Maester Colemon and the Singer Marillion. The garden soil was planted with lawns and blue flowers, and white statues were placed among the dense flower bushes.
Gendry leaned on his arakh. The valyrian steel blade was smoky gray, every ripple a dark black. The material was light, hard, and incredibly sharp. The demon of the Whispering Woods was a tall, agile warrior, with strength like a giant, standing like a towering colossus among the crowd, a storm of rage and blood seemingly ready to descend upon the world at any moment.
"The Gods bear witness to your crimes," Gendry said scornfully, looking at Lysa on the balcony, that weeping madwoman, and the Lords and retainers behind Lysa, who were nothing but a rabble.
"Did Ser Lyn lose so completely?" The Lords, Knights, and retainers of the Vale were greatly shaken. Even though they knew of the Storm's strength beforehand, they still held some illusions about the duel. Ser Lyn was by no means an ordinary man. Although the Kingslayer had lost, the Knights of the Vale were renowned throughout the Seven Kingdoms.
But the reality was that the Vale's top swordsman had lost very thoroughly, and Lyn had also recognized the gap instead of being stubborn. He used to be such a proud man. And this was with Ser Lyn having the advantage of being well-rested while Gendry had just traversed mountains and waters.
"Swords are truth, strength is truth, appearance is truth, spirit is truth."
Violence is the most direct and fundamental truth in the world. Moreover, the Knight was handsome and agile, like a warrior descended from the heavens. At least in these aspects, the Knights of the Vale already highly regarded Gendry.
However, with Ser Lyn saying this, many Lords and Knights suddenly understood. In terms of righteousness, Lysa was already on the brink of being overthrown. In terms of martial prowess, the most dangerous swordsman in the Vale was far inferior to the Storm, and others had no courage to act. If that was the case, it would be better to switch allegiance directly. They hadn't expected Ser Lyn to be the first to discover this good opportunity.
"Since he is already a traitor, do we still need to repay our debts? Debts are cancelled upon death." There were many impoverished nobles in the Vale, and who could say they hadn't received Littlefinger's favor? Littlefinger had deeply cultivated the Vale. If they were bolder, then the money owed to House Lannister would also not need to be repaid.
After all, before his ambition was exposed, Littlefinger's gold and smile were equally charming. Before, everyone thought Littlefinger posed no threat. Littlefinger was clever, always smiling, amiable, and everyone's friend. Whatever funds the King or Lord Hand needed, he was always obliging. Moreover, he was not of high birth, only slightly higher than a sellsword, and therefore inconspicuous. He had no vassal Lords, no numerous retainers, no grand castles, no ancestral legacy to boast of, and no capital for a high-status marriage.
"Hmph! I had long ago discovered that Lysa had ill intentions and no loyalty to Lord Arryn, a traitor," said Old Lord Hunter, opportunistically.
"That's right, Littlefinger and Lysa are both traitors."
"Gods above, I have always been loyal to King Robert."
"Indeed, King Robert and Prince Gendry are our own people."
"traitors, since they are traitors, Littlefinger's property should be confiscated, and debts should be forgiven."
More and more Lords, Knights, and retainers had left the balcony, submitting to the Storm, leaving only the solitary Lysa and the blue robes guards.
"Oh, Gods, save me, Petyr, Knight of the Falcon." Lysa sobbed, but the blue robes soldiers and the Lords Knights already had eyes full of disdain.
Without the halo of power and the regent's throne of The Eyrie, Lysa was merely an aging, unattractive, fat woman.
"Lysa, Maester Colemon has arrived." Just as Ser Lyn was subdued and the situation on the field drastically changed, the blue robes first led Maester Colemon through the bustling and anxious crowd to the garden. The Maester was thin, uneasy, with too little hair, and too long a neck.
The old and sturdy Captain Vardis personally brought Maester Colemon before Gendry, making it clear to everyone in the garden, "Maester, before the Gods, tell us what you know."
"Control Lysa." The blue robes on the balcony directly restrained Lysa, holding her hands to prevent her from lashing out.
All the Lords and retainers of the Vale avoided the Lady Regent below as if she were a plague, ignoring her wails.
Only the falcon circled in the air, never leaving, the air dead silent and still.
"Explain clearly in front of everyone, Maester." Gendry looked at Colemon. "It is said that you once tried to save Lord Arryn but failed. You know best about Lord Arryn's final moments."
Maester Colemon looked at the crowd and stammered, "Lord Jon was a little strange before he fell ill. I heard from others that he even went to a brothel, but it was strange for the Lord to go there, as he always loved honor. He also went to a smithy with Lord Stannis to forge armor, the same one where Prince Gendry once worked as a blacksmith. The Lord also wanted to send Young Lord Robin to Lord Stannis on Dragonstone. Lady Lysa often argued with the Lord about going to Dragonstone because she never wanted to leave her Child for a moment. One day, Lord Jon went to Old Maester Pycelle again to borrow a large book. I remember that book was very dry, it seemed to be 'The Genealogies and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms (with many descriptions of Lords, Ladies, and their Children)'. The next morning, he was in pain all over and couldn't get out of bed. At the time, I thought it was a stomach illness. The weather was too hot, and Lord Hand often added ice to his wine, which could very likely affect digestion. I only dared to speculate it was indigestion, not daring to think it was poison. I made the Lord drink a purgative and pepper liquid, intending to induce vomiting of toxins, but Lord Pycelle said my method was wrong and drove me away. Before Lord Arryn's death, he kept shouting 'Robert' and repeatedly told his wife and King Robert his last words, 'The seed is strong.' Lady Lysa told us he meant Young Lord Robin."
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