Game of Thrones: Knight’s Honor

It was likely Garlan who made the special arrangements before his departure. Lynd wasn't assigned to patrols or guard duty like the others. Instead, he was given a specific order: to select a few sharp individuals from the ranks and venture into various areas of King's Landing to gather intelligence.

During the War of the Usurper, Tywin Lannister's brutal sack of King's Landing severely disrupted the intelligence networks House Tyrell had previously established in the city. In the years following, the Hand of the King, Lord Jon Arryn, along with the Master of Whisperers, Varys, systematically dismantled the strongholds of rival intelligence networks within the city, including those of House Tyrell.

As a result, the Tyrells were left largely in the dark about the goings-on in King's Landing, knowing only what was already public knowledge. Lord Mace Tyrell, ever unreliable, had made no effort in the past year to rebuild this intelligence network. For him, attending banquets and currying favor with the new Baratheon dynasty's nobles took precedence over strategic information gathering.

This left the Tyrells ill-prepared and uncertain about their next steps in the capital. Garlan's visit to King's Landing, though officially to attend the tournament, was also a covert mission under the Queen of Thorns' orders to rebuild the Tyrell intelligence network.

Without Lynd, Garlan would have had to rely on Vortimer for intelligence gathering. However, Vortimer's prominence as Highgarden's master-at-arms and the Master of Swordsmanship in The Reach made him too noticeable in King's Landing—a liability in espionage.

Lynd, on the other hand, was a far more suitable choice. While his skills rivaled those of Vortimer, his reputation as the Bear Hunter was largely confined to The Reach. In King's Landing, he was just another unremarkable Tyrell soldier, an advantage that made him ideal for discreet operations.

Garlan took the task seriously. He paid Lynd's monthly salary in advance, provided an additional thirty golden dragons, one hundred silver stags, and eight hundred copper stars as operating funds, and even gave Lynd authority to select his team. It was as if Garlan had appointed him a temporary Master of Whisperers.

Lynd accepted the responsibility without hesitation. He chose ten soldiers he deemed sharp and resourceful, including Raul, and quickly devised a plan. Instead of moving as a single group, Lynd distributed the funds Garlan had given him among his team, keeping only twenty golden dragons and a portion of silver stags and copper stars for himself. He instructed the men to enter the city separately, two or three at a time, through different gates, and disperse to various districts to gather information. Lynd and Raul paired up and decided to enter through the Lion Gate, the closest point of entry.

"I never thought I'd return to King's Landing. I never imagined I'd be back here again," Raul murmured as they passed through the Lion Gate. He gazed up at the towering gate and the lion statues flanking the drawbridge.

Hearing this, Lynd glanced at Raul while feeding Glory, his mount, pieces of meat. "You've been to King's Landing before?"

"Yes," Raul replied with a nod. "A few years ago, I came here with Lord Brandon's caravan. Back then, the Mad King was still on the Iron Throne, the Lord of the North hadn't been burned alive, the new king was just Jon Arryn's ward, and the woman I loved hadn't yet spread her legs for another man."

Lynd's eyes flickered with interest as he studied Raul, sensing that this veteran of House Tyrell carried a heavy story.

After entering the city, Lynd handed over the task of navigating to Raul, given his prior visit to King's Landing. However, it didn't take long for Lynd to regret this decision. At a busy intersection, Raul came to a stop, clearly unsure which path to take.

"I thought you said you'd been here before?" Lynd asked, his brow furrowed.

"I have," Raul replied, scratching his head in embarrassment. "But I only wandered around Fishmonger's Square near the Mud Gate. I've never been in this part of the city."

Lynd sighed, realizing that partnering with Raul might have been a mistake. Still, there was no turning back now. With a resigned expression, he gave Raul an exasperated glance, took a deep breath to steady himself, and scanned the surroundings.

Nearby, a group of children was playing in the street. Spotting an opportunity, Lynd approached them.

The children stopped playing as soon as they noticed the unfamiliar, armed man heading toward them. They huddled together, watching Lynd with wary eyes.

When Lynd approached the children, he pulled a copper star from his pocket, holding it out in his palm. "Who can tell me where the busiest pubs nearby are and how to get there? These copper stars will be yours," he said plainly.

To his surprise, the children didn't rush to answer, as he had expected. Instead, they exchanged glances and then all turned to one child—neither the oldest nor the strongest—waiting for him to respond. It was clear this child was their leader.

The boy stepped forward confidently and addressed Lynd. "My lord, if you're looking for a tavern full of people nearby, you should go to the Old Cripple's Insole. The smiths, leatherworkers, and other craftsmen like to drink there during their breaks." He paused, studying Lynd before continuing. "But I don't think that's what you want. You're probably not here to listen to drunkards brag about themselves. You want something more interesting, something fresh. If so, I'd suggest the taverns and brothels on Silk Street. The bigwigs from the Red Keep often visit them when they have free time."

At the mention of the brothels on Silk Street, Lynd heard Raul behind him take a sharp breath. Even in Highgarden, the brothels of Silk Street were renowned. Raul's first wish upon arriving in King's Landing had been to visit one.

But Raul's hopes were quickly dashed. Lynd shook his head and replied, "No brothels. Just tell me which tavern matches my requirements."

The boy shrugged and grinned. "Todder's Pumpkin is the best tavern in King's Landing. All the wealthy merchants and nobles stop by to enjoy Arbor Gold and delicacies from Across the Narrow Sea. It costs a fortune just to sit there," he said, glancing over Lynd and Raul's attire with an amused smirk. "You don't look like the sort who could afford it, my lord."

"That's the place," Lynd said without hesitation, ignoring the boy's comment. He handed him the copper star and added, "Tell me how to get there."

The boy inspected the copper star briefly before tucking it into his pocket. Turning to a younger girl in the group, he said, "She'll take you there. I hope you enjoy your time in King's Landing, my lord."

With that, he led the other children away, leaving the little girl to guide Lynd and Raul.

"Please follow me, my lord," the girl said with a polite nod. Without further conversation, she began walking toward Visenya's Hill, where the Great Sept of Baelor loomed above.

The streets of King's Landing were bustling with people, and as they approached the Great Sept, the crowd thickened with devotees of the Seven Gods. Many were praying aloud as they slowly circled the roads near the Sept's outer wall. Lynd and Raul found themselves jostling through the dense throng, muttering apologies as they pushed their way forward.

Fortunately, the route wasn't overly long. After navigating the crowd of pilgrims, the girl led them around the packed Baelor Square, past the end of The Kingsroad within the city, and into a quieter alley. The narrow passageways twisted east and west, a labyrinth of shadows and damp stone. After several turns, they finally emerged onto a lively street filled with the mingling scents of wine and perfume.

"This is the place," the girl announced, pointing to a three-story building adorned with elaborate decorations and a golden pumpkin sign.

As she turned to leave, the girl brushed past Lynd. Her foot seemed to catch on something, and she stumbled slightly, leaning into him before quickly regaining her balance. She apologized profusely, bowing her head. "I'm so sorry, my lord. Please forgive me."

"No need to apologize, just return the wallet you took from me," Lynd said with a calm smile, placing a firm hand on the little girl's shoulder.

The girl froze, her expression darkening as her eyes darted around, clearly searching for an escape route.

Lynd's smile didn't waver, but his tone turned sharp and menacing. "Don't even think about causing a scene or calling for help. If you so much as twitch, I'll kill you on the spot and take back my purse myself. Not even the gold cloaks will find fault with me."

The girl paled. She could tell Lynd wasn't bluffing—if she tried anything, he would follow through without hesitation. The fear rooted her in place, and she reluctantly pulled the stolen pouch from her tunic and handed it back.

Lynd released her shoulder and took the pouch, weighing it carefully to ensure nothing was missing. Satisfied, he turned his gaze back to the girl, who looked at him with a mix of fear and confusion.

Despite catching her red-handed, Lynd didn't seem angry. Instead, he reached into the pouch and pulled out a few copper stars. He held them out to her. "Here. Take your guide fee, apologize, and you're free to go."

The girl blinked, stunned. She had fully expected to be beaten or worse, but instead, he was letting her off lightly—and even paying her.

Without hesitation, she snatched the copper stars, bowed her head in apology, and darted away as fast as her legs could carry her.

"Are all the children in King's Landing this clever? Stealing a purse like that?" Raul asked, incredulous. "Lord Lynd, are you really letting her go?"

Lynd shot Raul a cold look. "What do you expect me to do? Beat her? Kill her? I was bluffing when I said I'd kill her." He glanced toward the alley where the girl had vanished. "Besides, those children aren't just ordinary street urchins."

Raul furrowed his brow in confusion, but Lynd didn't elaborate. He couldn't very well explain that he recognized the signs of Varys' little birds from the stories he had read in another world. There was no benefit in antagonizing the Master of Whisperers, especially since Lynd had no intention of staying in King's Landing for long.

With a curt gesture to Raul, Lynd walked into the tavern known as Todder's Pumpkin.

The tavern's interior was as impressive as its ornate exterior. The walls and pillars were adorned with decorations sourced from across the world, creating a strikingly exotic atmosphere. However, the centerpiece of the room drew the most attention: an old-looking canvas bag hanging in the middle of the hall. Its material, though resembling ordinary canvas, was unmistakably luxurious and rare. Its purpose for being displayed was unclear, adding an air of mystery.

Though it was only afternoon and not yet the tavern's busiest time, the place was lively. The crowd consisted mainly of idle court nobles and merchants from distant lands.

As Lynd and Raul observed the room, a waiter approached with a polite bow. "Good afternoon, my lords. May I assist you?"

The waiter's demeanor remained professional, betraying no disdain for Lynd and Raul's modest attire.

"I've heard this is the finest tavern in King's Landing, offering the best wine and food," Lynd said casually, his confidence in stark contrast to Raul's evident unease.

The waiter smiled, his confidence unwavering. "Indeed, my lord. As long as your coin is sufficient, we can provide wine and food beyond your imagination."

Lynd reached into his pouch and displayed the twenty golden dragons within. "Will this be enough?"

The waiter inspected the pouch and nodded. "Not enough for the most exquisite fare, my lord, but certainly sufficient for fine, ordinary wine and food."

"That will do," Lynd replied with a faint smile. "We're not the type to require extravagance. Just find us a discreet seat in a good location."

"As you wish, my lord," the waiter said, bowing deeply. He led them to a quiet table near a window on the second floor. The vantage point offered a clear view of the courtyard below, where singers and dancers performed to entertain the patrons.

Once seated, Lynd motioned for Raul to relax and tossed the pouch of golden dragons to the waiter. "Bring us enough food and drink for twenty golden dragons. And also, prepare some raw meat for me."

The waiter hesitated, puzzled. "Raw meat, my lord?"

Before the man could draw the wrong conclusion, Lynd reached into his cloak and brought out Glory, his animal companion. The creature stretched, yawning widely, before letting out a low howl that echoed through the tavern.