The Sworn Sword

Dunk thought he knew the answer, but it was not one the boy would want to hear. He wanted a castle with a lion on the gatehouse, but all he got were graves among the blackberries. When you swore a man your sword, you promised to serve and obey, to fight for him at need, not to pry into his affairs and question his allegiances… but Ser Eustace had played him for a fool. He said his sons died fighting for the king, and let me believe the stream was his.

Night caught them in Wat's Wood.

That was Dunk's fault.

He should have gone the straight way home, the way they'd gone, but instead he'd taken them north for another look at the dam. He had half a thought to try and tear the thing apart with his bare hands. But the Seven and Ser Lucas Longinch did not prove so obliging. When they reached the dam they found it guarded by a pair of crossbowmen with spider badges sewn on their jerkins. One sat with his bare feet in the stolen water. Dunk could gladly have throttled him for that alone, but the man heard them coming and was quick to snatch up his bow. His fellow, even quicker, had a quarrel nocked and ready. The best that Dunk could do was scowl at them threateningly.

After that, there was naught to do but retrace their steps. Dunk did not know these lands as well as Ser Bennis did; it would have been humiliating to get lost in a wood as small as Wat's. By the time they splashed across the stream, the sun was low on the horizon and the first stars were coming out, along with clouds of mites.

Amongst the tall black trees, Egg found his tongue again. ""Ser? That fat septon said my father sulks in Summerhall"".

""Words are wind"".

""My father doesn't sulk"".

""Well"", said Dunk, ""he might. You sulk"".

""I do not. Ser"". He frowned. ""Do I?""

""Some. Not too often, though. Elsewise I'd clout you in the ear more than I do"".

""You clouted me in the ear at the gate"".

""That was half a clout at best. If I ever give you a whole clout, you'll know it"".

""The Red Widow gave you a whole clout"".

Dunk touched his swollen lip. ""You don't need to sound so pleased about it"". No one ever clouted your father in the ear, though. Maybe that's why Prince Maekar is the way he is. ""When the king named Lord Bloodraven his Hand, your lord father refused to be part of his council and departed King's Landing for his own seat"", he reminded Egg. ""He has been at Summerhall for a year, and half of another.