The Sworn Sword

""Dake?"" The fly was creeping down his sleeve, pausing to rub its legs together the way flies did. Ser Eustace shooed it away, and rubbed his lip beneath his mustache. ""Dake. That was what I said. A staunch fellow, I recall him well. He foraged for us, during the war. We never marched on empty bellies. When Ser Lucas informed me of what had been done to my poor Dake, I swore a holy vow that I would never set foot inside that castle again, unless to take possession. So you see, I cannot go there, Ser Duncan.

Not to pay the blood price, or for any other reason. I cannot "".

Dunk understood. ""I could go, m'lord. I swore no vows"".

""You are a good man, Ser Duncan. A brave knight, and true"". Ser Eustace gave Dunk's arm a squeeze. ""Would that the gods had spared my Alysanne. You are the sort of man I had always hoped that she might marry. A true knight, Ser Duncan. A true knight"".

Dunk was turning red. ""I will tell Lady Webber what you said, about the blood price, but.. "".

""You will save Ser Bennis from Dake's fate.

I know it. I am no mean judge of men, and you are the true steel. You will give them pause, ser. The very sight of you. When that woman sees that Standfast has such a champion, she may well take down that dam of her own accord"".

Dunk did not know what to say to that. He knelt. ""M'lord. I will go upon the morrow, and do the best I can"".

""On the morrow"". The fly came circling back, and lit upon Ser Eustace's left hand. He raised his right and smashed it flat.

""Yes. On the morrow"".

"" Another bath?"" Egg said, dismayed. ""You washed yesterday"".

""And then I spent a day in armor, swimming in my sweat. Close your lips and fill the kettle"".

""You washed the night Ser Eustace took us into service"", Egg pointed out. ""And last night, and now. That's three times, ser"".

""I need to treat with a highborn lady. Do you want me to turn up before her high seat smelling like Ser Bennis?""

""You would have to roll in a tub of Maester's droppings to smell as bad as that, ser"".

Egg filled the kettle. ""Sam Stoops says the castellan at Coldmoat is as big as you are. Lucas Inchfield is his name, but he's called the Longinch for his size. Do you think he's as big as you are, ser?""

""No"". It had been years since Dunk had met anyone as tall as he was. He took the kettle and hung it above the fire.

""Will you fight him?"""

"""No"". Dunk almost wished it had been otherwise.