The Sworn Sword

The Longinch made a gesture, the crossbowmen dismounted, winched back their bowstrings with the help of hook and stirrup, and plucked quarrels from their quivers. ""Now, ser"", her ladyship called out, when every bow was nocked and raised and ready, ""what was it you forbade me?""

Dunk had heard enough. ""If you cross the stream without leave, you are breaking the king's peace"".

Septon Sefton urged his horse forward a step. ""The king will neither know nor care"", he called. ""We are all the Mother's children, ser.

Dunk frowned. ""I don't know much of gods, septon… but aren't we the Warrior's children, too?"" He rubbed the back of his neck. ""If you try to cross, I'll stop you"".

Ser Lucas the Longinch laughed. ""Here's a hedge knight who yearns to be a hedgehog, my lady"", he said to the Red Widow. ""Say the word, and we'll put a dozen quarrels in him. At this distance they will punch through that armor like it was made of spit"".

""No. Not yet, ser"". Lady Rohanne studied him from across the stream.

""Well"", said Dunk, ""I'll tell you. But only you"".

""As you wish"". She pressed her heels into her horse and rode her out into the stream. When the water reached the mare's belly, she halted, waiting. ""Here I am. Come closer, ser. I promise not to sew you in a sack"".

Ser Eustace grasped Dunk by the arm before he could respond. ""Go to her"", the old knight said, ""but remember the Little Lion"".

""As you say, m'lord"". Dunk walked Thunder down into the water. He drew up beside her and said, ""M'lady"".

""Ser Duncan"". She reached up and laid two fingers on his swollen lip. ""Did I do this, ser?""

""No one else has slapped my face of late, m'lady"".

""That was bad of me. A breach of hospitality. The good septon has been scolding me"". She gazed across the water at Ser Eustace. ""I scarce remember Addam any longer. It was more than half my life ago.

""His father put him in the blackberries, with his brothers"", Dunk said. ""He was fond of blackberries"".

""I remember. He used to pick them for me, and we'd eat them in a bowl of cream"".

""The king pardoned the old man for Daemon"", said Dunk. ""It is past time you pardoned him for Addam"".

""Give me Bennis, and I'll consider that"".

""Bennis is not mine to give"".

She sighed.