Bab 73: -72- Gallen's full-on assault mode
Samwell thought about how to remedy the situation. Although he felt sorry for his brother, he needed to create a bit of a commotion.
Before leaving the castle, he planned to find a way for their father, Randyll, to notice their departure.
After all, if they were caught before leaving, the punishment might be lighter compared to being caught after actually taking Dickon out.
...
Samwell, being overweight, was already out of breath after being dragged by Dickon for only a short while.
"D-Dickon, don't… rush, Lord Crabb should have just arrived, he won't leave that quickly. We have time, huff, huff."
Despite being anxious, Dickon slowed his pace when he saw his brother Samwell's condition.
"Brother, it's a jousting challenge! Lord Gallen is challenging all the swordsmen of the Reach by himself! If we're late and he's already been defeated, our trip will be in vain! I don't want to miss any of their matches!"
Lord Gallen challenging all the swordsmen of the Reach by himself?
Samwell thought that Lord Gallen's courage was quite remarkable.
...
"And Talla, she's coming too. She's already in the carriage, just waiting for us!"
Before Samwell could digest Dickon's first piece of news, he was shocked by another.
Their sister Talla Tarly was also coming?!
The worst hadn't even started; the worst was yet to come.
Samwell felt he was doomed this time.
Before leaving, Samwell wanted to see his mother one last time.
He wouldn't stammer, he wouldn't be shy, he would stand up straight and boldly tell his mother that he loved her very much!
...
Samwell wanted to salvage the situation and hurriedly said, "Before we leave… I need to tell father."
His brother dared to see their father?
Because of him, Samwell had been scolded by their father recently. Dickon had been feeling guilty these past few days and didn't dare talk to Samwell.
In the past, after being scolded by their father, Samwell would hide carefully for at least a month to avoid meeting him.
Had his brother become brave? Dickon was very happy about Samwell's change.
"Brother, have you forgotten? It's hunting season now, father took the hunters into the woods. He won't be back for a while!"
Samwell was pulled into the carriage by his brother, and only came to his senses when he saw his sister Talla.
Samwell felt that after not seeing each other for a few months, his sister, who inherited their mother's beauty, had become even more beautiful.
He wanted to compliment her beauty like a knight from a book, but though he moved his lips, he couldn't say the words.
Talla Tarly noticed her brother Samwell's occasional glances.
Talla, who was kind and enthusiastic, always didn't know how to communicate with her uneasy brother.
Dickon's excited voice broke the brief tension inside the carriage.
"I heard that Lord Gallen offered a reward of 2,000 Gold Dragons. Whoever defeats him can take all the Gold Dragons!"
Talla Tarly cooperated with a gasp of surprise.
Samwell's mind was filled with Randyll's stern expression, so he didn't really hear what Dickon was saying. Seeing his sister and brother happy, he forced a smile.
When Samwell finally calmed down, he noticed the guards accompanying the carriage.
It couldn't have been arranged for me; who arranged this?
On a balcony in Horn Hill, Lady Melessa Florent (Randyll Tarly's wife) leaned on the railing, watching the departing carriage with a comforting smile.
...
...
Outside Highgarden.
The day Gallen left Highgarden, he set up a simple wooden platform outside his camp.
With the thriving commerce of the Reach, Rosell quickly purchased the materials, and before sunset that day, hired craftsmen to build the platform according to Gallen's requirements.
After working late into the night, Gallen arranged for the written signs to be hung on the platform at dawn the next day.
"Queen's Chief Officer Gallen Crabb, Challenging the Swordsmen of the Reach"
"Defeat me, and 2,000 Gold Dragons are yours"
On the first day of the challenge.
Although the platform was simple, Gallen made the signs very large and eye-catching.
Seeing a crowd gather near the platform, Gallen had a wooden box filled with Gold Dragons brought up.
Once the box was set, Rosell opened the lid, and the Gold Dragons glittered under the sunlight.
Taking advantage of the crowd's attention, Rosell loudly announced the competition rules.
The rules of the contest were similar to typical swordsmanship duels, with the main difference being that challengers had to pay ten Gold Dragons to qualify.
If they won, they could take the 2,000 Gold Dragons on the spot. If they lost, they would forfeit the ten Gold Dragons.
Gallen had prepared a few backup challengers just in case, but he didn't need to use them. His first challenger arrived quickly.
Gallen noticed the first challenger's family crest: a dazzling red and gold fox.
This swordsman was from House Florent.
Gallen deliberately held back his strength, exchanging blows with the Florent swordsman.
After a dozen rounds, it was clear that aside from bravery, the Florent swordsman's skills were quite mediocre. Gallen felt that continuing the charade would be too obvious.
Gallen easily found an opening, and with a flick of his sword, disarmed the challenger.
Without a trace of arrogance on his face, Gallen kindly gave the Florent swordsman an excuse, comforting him: "Actually, our swordsmanship is evenly matched. I just have a bit of an advantage in arm strength."
Gallen's tone was so gentle that the Florent swordsman couldn't help but feel comforted.
Moreover, the match with Gallen had been quite exhilarating.
The Florent swordsman thought that perhaps he hadn't performed his best today. Although he felt reluctant, he wasn't too disappointed.
He decided to go back, adjust his condition, and perhaps try the challenge again tomorrow.
After exchanging a few tips on swordsmanship with Gallen, the Florent swordsman left the platform in good spirits.
...
Gallen comforted the second challenger: "Actually, our swordsmanship is evenly matched. I just have a bit of an advantage in speed."
Gallen comforted the third challenger: "Actually, our swordsmanship is evenly matched. I just have a bit of an advantage in height."
...
Gallen comforted the eighth challenger: "Actually, our arm strength is evenly matched. I just have a bit of an advantage in swordsmanship proficiency."
Gallen comforted the ninth challenger: "Actually, our speed is evenly matched. I just have a bit of an advantage in swordsmanship proficiency."
...
...
On the second day of the challenge.
An additional banner was hung above the platform.
"Is this the best the Reach can offer?"
This banner instantly ignited the crowd.
Today, Gallen had shed his previously amiable image and sat high on the wooden stage.
Leaning back in his chair with his legs crossed, Gallen looked at the boiling crowd with a detached demeanor, as if he were above it all.
Another banner was added to the platform.
"Are there any more challengers?"
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone