"Come to Gulltown docks, and together let us welcome back our good Lord Petyr." Earl Jellico Grafton announced in Gulltown, specifically addressing the wealthy merchants, customs officials, harbor masters, and others of Gulltown. There was no need to bring family or guards.
The three great Lords of Gulltown—House Grafton, House Arryn of Gulltown, and Petyr—had always maintained good relations. House Shett, on the other hand, was closer to House Royce.
Everyone knew that Gulltown was the base from which Littlefinger Petyr Baelish, the master of coin, had risen. Petyr had always maintained an ambiguous relationship with Lysa Tully, even after her marriage to Jon Arryn. It was Lysa who first persuaded Lord Jon to promote Petyr as the tax collector for Gulltown. After he increased local tax revenue tenfold, Lord Jon began to promote him repeatedly until he finally became King Robert Baratheon's master of coin.
Many people in Gulltown were somewhat puzzled, not so much by the instruction to not bring family or guards, but by the grand scale of the operation, which made the entire Gulltown buzz with activity to welcome Petyr. In their impression, Petyr was a smooth talker, but also a very low-key and kind person.
Later, these people suddenly realized that the war had not yet reached the Vale, which remained peaceful and prosperous. Moreover, the Vale was an independent geographical unit, with the natural defenses of the Mountains of the Moon. Lord Petyr's return this time was a triumphant homecoming, not only needing to appear radiant but more likely to display his strength in preparation for Lady Lysa's conquest of The Eyrie.
Thus, the wealthy merchants and customs officials of Gulltown cheered even more enthusiastically. Once Littlefinger advanced further, they too could rise to prominence with him.
The next morning, the sky was clear, and the chill was not severe. Today, long and delicate sunlight shone over Gulltown, making it appear even more magnificent. Gulltown is a city built of white marble, located southeast of The Eyrie, on the shores of Crab's Bay, and south of Runestone, possessing a naturally sheltered harbor.
Gulltown is similar in size to White Harbor, smaller than the top three cities, but its beauty, cleanliness, and tranquility possess a unique charm. Gulltown is more compact, yet everything is orderly and very livable.
Like most commercial ports, Gulltown has a smaller agricultural population, with more fishermen, sailors, merchants, artisans, and small business owners who rely on the harbor for their livelihood. Agriculture in Gulltown is concentrated on the flat, fertile plains outside the harbor. Gulltown, similar to Runestone in its territory, boasts both docks and fertile land, making it exceptionally advantageous. Consequently, House Royce and House Grafton are very powerful. These fertile lands not only supported many people but also interspersed numerous estates specialized in horse breeding.
The taxi soldiers of House Grafton, House Arryn, House Shett, and other families guarded near the Gulltown docks, with numerous outposts and sharp Longspears. There were also the tall, proud Vale cavalry, dressed in silver-plated armor, like freshly forged swords. They also carried lances, which are the weapons of Knights and heavy cavalry, ten feet long, carved from ash wood with stripes to prevent breakage. Their sharp steel tips typically dulled after a single charge in fierce combat.
The small business owners selling fashionable clothes, oysters, incense, and other Vale specialties near the docks also understood that a very important person was about to be welcomed.
"Have they arrived?"
"Has the ship docked?"
"It should be soon, right?" Many people crowded the Gulltown docks. The Lords, nobles, and wealthy merchants of Gulltown, customs personnel, and even granary and brothel owners, all these prominent figures came to the docks.
However, people are divided into social circles; even the welcoming party was clearly segregated. First were the three great Lords of Gulltown, then the Knights, the nobles, and only then the customs officials and wealthy merchants.
Earl Jellico, standing at the front, had thick arms and broad shoulders, but was not tall. He had a dirty blonde mop of hair and a booming voice. He was polite and had a ready smile.
Essenba Arryn, the "golden eagle," was tall, like a laughing eagle. Although he also wore a blue cloak, the emblem on his cloak was a golden eagle soaring above a pure white moon on an azure field. House Arryn had many branches, and this one was not particularly large, but it knew how to intermarry with wealthy merchants, which resulted in both unexpected wealth and inconspicuousness, finally leading to prosperity. However, other family members considered them crude and had little to do with them.
And Ser Uther Shite, a knight of medium height, stood beside the two men. House Shett had always been at odds with Littlefinger, and many people harbored doubts upon seeing him arrive today. However, on second thought, it was normal. Although House Shett and Littlefinger had always been at odds, House Shett was not so inflexible; after all, appearances had to be maintained.
House Grafton's guards in black armor stood not far from where the ship was approaching, forming a vague semicircle. Because of the reception for Petyr, the dock appeared very solemn, and moreover, due to the war, the number of ships had dwindled significantly.
The azure sea was very calm, with only the slow, steady beat of drums and the soft dip of wooden oars heard. The merchant ship, the "titan Giant," groaned, its heavy mooring ropes pulled taut, and its sails hung limply from the mast, motionless.
Everyone watched the "titan Giant" grow larger, indicating the ship was getting closer to them. "A very warm welcome to you, Lord Petyr, the pride of the Vale." Many had already prepared their welcoming words, only waiting for the man to appear.
Lothor.Bren was the first to disembark. He had an ordinary appearance, gray hair, a snub nose, and a square jaw, with a robust and strong physique. Lothor wore a beautiful emblem on his chest: a dragon, a Stag, a slave breaking chains, and a Wolf Pack.
Behind Lothor was a beautiful young girl. Her gaze swept over everyone. The girl had the delicate cheekbones, clear blue eyes, and thick auburn hair of House Tully. Although only twelve or thirteen, her body was already slender and graceful.
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