Gendry, Ser Lyn, Ser Barristan, and Anguy walked together onto the balcony, watching the flashing blades in the garden below. It was a bit quieter here. They were still waiting for others to arrive; Baron Nestor would bring them an acquaintance.
"Your Highness, Lord Barristan. Actually, I took quite a bit of money from Littlefinger, some as loans, some as gifts," Lyn confessed to everyone.
Gendry was unconcerned, "Almost all the Knights of the Vale have taken some, haven't they?"
Lyn nodded, "I'm always short on money, and Littlefinger is known for his generosity."
Gendry nodded: "Knights may seem glamorous, but their expenses are considerable." Although Lyn was the heir to House Corbray, House Corbray itself was an ancient and declining family. Moreover, his elder brother was always displeased with Lyn for carrying lady forlorn, let alone providing financial support from Heart's Home.
"So many Lords and Knights would seek assistance from Littlefinger, but it seems we were all deceived," Lyn complained. "Littlefinger had no family, no old noble status. Everyone thought he was a good person, but we didn't realize his ambition was even greater than we imagined."
"He might not have married because of Lysa," Ser Barristan said. "He needed Lysa's help and couldn't leave her."
Lyn cursed fiercely, "Littlefinger is a treacherous jackal! Lord Hoster adopted him, and Lord Arryn promoted him. This bastard is repaying both families in this manner. I will make sure my lady drinks her fill."
"How large is your financial deficit?" Gendry asked Lyn directly.
"Roughly, roughly every month..." Lyn stammered. "Money for clothes, money for boys, I pay for everything, so my expenses are quite high. My brother is always short on money too, let alone helping me out of debt. I rely on Tourneys or similar events to earn some gold dragons, oh, and selling squire positions. But selling squire positions is too slow; I always have to make them presentable, so I don't lose face."
Ser Barristan frowned upon hearing this. Indeed, money problems plague even heroes, and Lyn's expenses were considerable. Many impoverished Knights like Lyn existed in the Vale, but many of the Knights of the Vale were both poor and particular. Littlefinger, even if he used them, would not be too comfortable, preferring to use Mercenaries from other lands.
"If you are willing to protect Lord Robert and The Eyrie, I will give you an equivalent gift, guaranteed to be more generous than Littlefinger's."
"Your Highness, talking about money is too vulgar, but I can consider this gift as a sign of the Storm's regard for me. But I don't have to be Lord Robert's Instructor, do I?" Lyn asked. "I can use a sword, but I don't have much patience to teach a Muttonhead boy. I'd go mad, no matter how much money."
"Don't worry, it's just for you to protect young Robert," Gendry assured him. "And before long, you'll make a fortune."
Ser Lyn nodded. Since it was an unexpected fortune, it likely came from Littlefinger.
"My sister is here," Gendry told Lyn.
"Oh, that's Mychel Redfort's girl, isn't it? That lad is quite lucky." Ser Lyn very tactfully invited Anguy to descend from the balcony with him, leaving the suitable stage for the reunited siblings.
Mychel Redfort was previously his Attendant, one of the best young swordsmen in the Vale, exceptionally brave. Of course, this Attendant was based on talent and the gold given by Lord Hoster, not just the gold.
The stout Baron Nestor again led a tall young woman dressed as a noble lady. Even though the girl was wearing noble attire, she still felt somewhat awkward; it was clear she was very unaccustomed to it, and some of the clothes didn't quite fit. It was unclear if they were pulled from Lysa's wardrobe or Nestor's daughter's wardrobe.
Mya walked onto the balcony, looking bewildered. In the past, she was just a grain-carrying girl who delivered supplies to The Eyrie, but now she had become the esteemed "Miss Mia" in Baron Nestor's words. The sudden change in attitude, from haughty to respectful, made her feel that the world was changing too fast.
The Knights saluted in unison, stopping the Tourney that was underway. If she were dressed in women's clothes, this donkey-driving girl indeed possessed a certain charming temperament. Her most captivating feature was her eyes, large and blue.
"Michel, that lad is blessed. If the Storm becomes King, that lad will become the King's brother-in-law."
"By the Seven, I think Lord Leyton will die laughing in his dreams," the Knights and squire said enviously and jealously.
"Miss Mia, your marriage to Ser Michel is about to happen," Ser Lyn said with a smile to Mya, whom he met on the way. "If you rise in the world later, don't forget us."
Mya was somewhat dazed, still unsure how to respond to the congratulations.
When Mya and Gendry met, Baron Nestor discreetly retreated into the garden, leaving only the Kingsguard, Ser Barristan, guarding them from a distance.
Gendry looked at Mya; she was a tall, sturdy young woman. Her charcoal-black hair was cut unevenly and was very messy, and her eyes were dark blue.
Gendry looked at Mya. Their strong lineage was the power of blood, and the power of blood made them similar. Although they had never met, both were tall, with charcoal-black hair and blue eyes. Her personality was also said to be very much like King Robert's: optimistic, cheerful, very stubborn, and somewhat prone to anger. Baron Nestor said he had found several matches for Mya, but she had consistently refused them all.
"Prince Gendry! They say you are my brother, and I am King Robert's daughter," Mya said hesitantly, her eyes still full of confusion.
Gendry shook his head, the sun on his face, and he smiled slightly. "That's right. Call me Gendry, no need for titles like 'Your Highness' or 'Lord.' You are my sister; we are family."
"It's true, you are The late King Robert's eldest daughter, by the gods. Jon, Eddard, The late King Robert all knew," the Old Knight added, "When The late King passed away, I personally witnessed the will he left behind. All bastards were legitimized. You should be called Baratheon. It's just Lysa of the Vale; she is a traitor and refused to acknowledge it."
Mya stood rooted to the spot, somewhat at a loss. She was merely a bastard, a girl who transported supplies on mountain roads. She had once been mocked, told her father was a donkey. But today, her identity had been turned upside down. This contrast made her dizzy. She had no idea who her father was; she had no clear memory of him. The only impression she had was of a tall, dark-haired man who often tossed her, a young Child, into the air to play.
"Ser Michel is quite lucky. Otherwise, I would find you another suitable marriage contract," Gendry said, looking at Mya. Ser Michel was merely a second son, and his value in a marriage alliance was not great.
"Thank you, thank you, he's quite good..." Mya stammered.
"Don't thank me. This is the last gift The late King left us after his passing," Gendry said. A bloody gift. If they were to claim the throne, they would need to avenge The late King.
"But I, but I don't want to be a princess. This is my home; I've been in the Vale since I was a Child."
"You can do as you wish, but you need to accept your new identity, sister," Gendry smiled. Blood, family, continuation—this was the world Knights were meant to protect.
The duty of protecting the world belonged to men, while women could perhaps enjoy the beauty of life. Since he had no blood ties in the Vale and could not marry into the Lords of the Vale, it was good for a sister to live in the Vale, and she could also keep track of The Eyrie's movements.
"The late King originally had a dozen Children, but now, only we remain." Gendry looked at her. Mya, himself, Edric, Bell, and perhaps Barra, that was all. The late King likely only knew of Mya, Edric, himself, and Barra.
Most of the exposed, discovered Children had been silenced, eliminated as evidence. Edric was under Renly's protection, Mya under Jon's protection, and she was a girl. As for the others, they were never discovered.
"Perhaps I should thank Varys?" Gendry thought. If Varys hadn't found him and transported him to the smithy, he would likely have been dead. Since the eunuch saved his life, perhaps he could be given a quick death.
Mya finally burst into tears, for her tumultuous fate, for her siblings she had never met, and for the paternal love she had never received.
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