Game of Thrones: Knight’s Honor

After confirming that the full body armor of the Banished Knight, devoid of runes, could still provide him with significant support, Lynd decided to stop testing it further. Following some strenuous exercise, he found that he felt no fatigue at all, and his breathing remained steady. He expressed his gratitude to Varys with a simple, "Thank you, Lord Varys."

"It is my honor to please you, my lord," Varys replied with a deferential bow.

Lynd handed over two knightly swords he had previously removed and said, "Lord Varys, I would be grateful if you would sell these swords for me. They're of no further use to me."

He then secured the broad-bladed half-swords forged by his father, along with their sheaths, to the specially designed buckles on his back.

Varys accepted the two greatswords and said, "Allow me to hold onto these for now. When your reputation grows even more illustrious, these swords might fetch a far better price."

Lynd offered no objection and asked, "Lord Varys, is there anything else? If not, could you prepare some good horses for me? I need to return to Tumbleton immediately and take a ship to Highgarden."

Varys appeared surprised and asked cautiously, "You're heading to Highgarden? Have you received an order from there?"

Lynd gave him a pointed look. "Your little birds seems to have a hand in everything. Even secrets like this can't escape their reach."

"It wasn't my little bird," Varys said with a faint smile. "I deduced it. Your task of suppressing the bandits hasn't yet been completed. If you're leaving Tumbleton, it must be on an order from Highgarden."

Lynd smiled and asked, "Then tell me, Lord Varys, can you deduce why Lord Mace ordered me to drop everything and return to Highgarden?"

Varys paused in thought before replying, "I suspect it's related to the tournament in Godsgrace in two months."

"Godsgrace?" Lynd repeated with a puzzled expression. "Isn't that part of Dorne?"

Varys nodded slightly, his tone tinged with admiration. "Lord Willas Tyrell has long been committed to easing the centuries-old animosity between The Reach and Dorne. Over the years, he's persuaded certain lords and nobles from both sides to consider reconciliation. This tournament, held at the Castle of the Gods in Godsgrace, will see attendance from a majority of Dorne's lords and nobles. Willas plans to bring along heirs from The Reach who share his vision to participate in the tournament, using the event to draft a peace agreement with Dorne's leadership."

Lynd couldn't help but feel that Willas Tyrell's efforts were overly idealistic. The enmity between Dorne and The Reach spanned millennia—animosity so deeply entrenched couldn't simply be erased through negotiations or ceremonial exchanges.

He asked doubtfully, "Does the Queen of Thorns approve of this?"

Although Varys admired Willas's determination, he was realistic about the outcome. "The Queen of Thorns hasn't opposed his plans, but I believe she intends to use this as a lesson. When Lord Willas's efforts inevitably fail, it might bring him back to reality."

Understanding dawned on Lynd. "So, I've been summoned to Highgarden to serve as Lord Willas Tyrell's escort and ensure his safety."

Varys nodded. "That seems likely. Who else would be more fitting for the role than you, the number one swordsman in the Seven Kingdoms?"

"Damn it!" Lynd cursed inwardly as a troubling thought struck him. It was during a certain tournament that Willas Tyrell had fought the Red Viper, sustaining the injury that left him disabled. If this was indeed that tournament in Godsgrace, the situation could become far more complicated.

Now, as Willas Tyrell's bodyguard, Lynd would bear responsibility for any mishap. If Willas returned to Highgarden injured, Lynd would likely face House Tyrell's wrath. Succeeding in this task offered no rewards, but failure could bring severe consequences.

A fleeting thought crossed his mind. Why don't I just feign an illness and avoid this mess?

However, after a moment's deliberation, Lynd decided against it. He would return to Highgarden and take on the role of guarding Willas Tyrell. Beyond the opportunity to interact with Dorne's people, another motive pushed him forward. He recalled the horse Lys Falwell had mentioned, found near Godsgrace Castle. This might be his chance to capture it and present it to Nymeria.

As for Willas's injury, Lynd resolved to remind him of the risk should the need arise. If Willas chose to ignore the warning and ended up harmed, Lynd felt it was not his concern. After all, the injury would be sustained during the tournament, leaving Lynd blameless regardless of the outcome.

Having come to this conclusion, Lynd immediately instructed Varys to prepare horses for his journey back to Tumbleton. Without delay, he departed from King's Landing.

When Lynd left King's Landing, he couldn't determine whether it was his striking armor or the sight of him riding five horses alone that drew attention. Regardless, word of him soon reached the desk of the Hand of the King, Jon Arryn. Jon's interest was piqued by the distinctive dragon crown on Lynd's Banished Knight helmet, which reminded him of the Targaryens.

Jon Arryn discreetly began investigating the identity of the armored knight and was somewhat surprised to learn it was Lynd Tarran, a newly knighted figure under King Robert. Upon discovering that Varys had crafted the armor for Lynd, Jon grew even more curious. He hadn't realized the connection between the two was close enough for Varys to bestow such a costly gift.

These inquiries, conducted without Jon's direct involvement, heightened his interest in both Lynd and Varys. Their names were quietly added to a private register of individuals he considered potentially suspicious—a list that continued to expand. Each time Jon reviewed this list, he felt an unsettling sense of encirclement by enemies, adding to his burden.

This growing unease made Jon reflect on his need for trustworthy support. One name mentioned recently by his subordinates stood out: Petyr Baelish.

However, Jon quickly dismissed the idea of involving Petyr due to rumors of an inappropriate relationship between him and Jon's wife, Lysa. Such a man could not be allowed near King's Landing, at least not before Jon and Lysa produced an heir.

Meanwhile, Lynd, unaware that he had drawn Jon Arryn's attention, pressed on with his journey. Even if he had known, he wouldn't have cared. As long as he remained loyal to the Baratheon dynasty, Jon was unlikely to act against him—particularly given Jon's opposition to the assassination of the remaining Targaryen siblings.

Though Varys had provided four horses for the journey, they were hastily procured and inferior in stamina, endurance, and speed compared to the three horses Lynd had ridden to King's Landing. After passing through Kingswood and traveling along The Roseroad, the horses faltered soon after reaching Tumbledown Road.

Fortunately, Lynd encountered a cavalry patrol on the road and requisitioned two horses. Thanks to this, he managed to return to Tumbleton by the fourth night.

Once back, Lynd wasted no time. He urgently assembled his people, reviewed the tasks he had previously assigned, and briefly explained his suspicion about the purpose of his summons to Highgarden. However, his words seemed to be overshadowed by the imposing armor he now wore.

While there were many examples of fine armor in the world of ice and fire, none could compare to the intricacy of the Banished Knight's full body armor. Its craftsmanship drew admiration and envy, particularly from Nymeria, who expressed her desire to create a similar set for herself.

Curious, Nymeria asked two questions: how Lynd managed basic bodily functions while wearing the armor, and whether it was unbearably hot to wear.

Lynd readily answered her inquiries. Although the armor appeared to be a single piece, it was actually composed of over 30 individual parts connected by rings and buckles. This design allowed for full mobility, enabling Lynd to perform somersaults and other agile movements. Regarding bodily functions, Lynd explained that the armor could be removed when necessary. Quick-release buckles ensured that one person could easily don or doff it.

As for whether the armor was stuffy, Lynd admitted he couldn't say for sure. Normally, the dragon runes embedded in the armor would ward off any discomfort from heat or suffocation.

Although Lynd's armor lacked the dragon runes, the two greatswords of the Banished Knights at his waist did. When worn, the swords gave Lynd a cool, comfortable sensation, preventing him from feeling overheated or stuffy.

At first, Nymeria's attention was drawn entirely to the striking appearance of the armor and not to the swords. It wasn't until she noticed the dragonbone hilt of one of the greatswords that she realized Lynd had replaced his weapons.

Nymeria herself possessed a piece of dragonbone, said to have been made from the remains of dragons that perished during The Dance of the Dragons. Passed down through House Footly, it was a relic she had played with since childhood, making her familiar with its distinctive texture.

Like a child eager to showcase a new toy, Lynd willingly demonstrated his new swords to Nymeria. He drew one of the Banished Knight greatswords and handed it to her. Though the dragon runes on the sword had absorbed significant magic, they were sealed by Lynd's influence. As a result, the blade posed no danger to others and merely felt cold, like a weapon forged from ice.

"So cold!" Nymeria exclaimed as she grasped the dragonbone hilt, unprepared for the icy chill. Startled, she quickly released the sword and turned to Lynd. "What's going on?"

"This sword is enchanted," Lynd explained matter-of-factly.

"Enchanted? Like the mythical artifacts?" Nymeria asked, her face a mixture of astonishment and curiosity as she gazed at the blade.

"In a way, yes," Lynd replied, a hint of pride evident in his tone.

Driven by curiosity, Nymeria grasped the sword again and took it from Lynd's hands. Misjudging its weight, she applied too much force and stumbled briefly. Regaining her balance, she inspected the weapon in awe. Swinging it lightly, she looked up at Lynd and asked in disbelief, "Is this a Valyrian steel sword?"

"Yes," Lynd confirmed, feeling a sense of satisfaction at her reaction.

Nymeria's gaze shifted to the second sword at Lynd's waist. "And that one? Is it Valyrian steel too?"

"Yes," Lynd said with a nod.

"Have you discovered some hidden Valyrian treasure?" she asked, unable to hide her curiosity.

"No," Lynd said, shaking his head. "This is Valyrian steel collected by the Targaryens over centuries. It was never put to use before their fall, and now, by chance, it's found its way to me."

Nymeria's envy was palpable as she studied the swords. With growing anticipation, she asked, "Do you have any left?"

"Yes," Lynd replied, but before Nymeria could celebrate, he added, "But it's likely already been sent across the Narrow Sea to Pentos."

"Why send it to Pentos?" Nymeria asked, confused.

"I want it reforged into a suit of armor," Lynd explained candidly. "Only the smiths in Qohor, within the Free Cities Alliance, have the skill to work Valyrian steel."

"Armor? You're having Valyrian steel made into armor?" Nymeria stared at him in disbelief.

"Yes," Lynd said, pointing to the full body armor of the Banished Knight he was wearing. "I want an exact replica of this armor, but made entirely of Valyrian steel."

For a moment, Nymeria looked as though she wanted to punch him, but she held back, remembering Lynd's strength. Clenching her teeth, she said, "I don't want to talk to you anymore today."

Despite her words, Nymeria was at the docks to see Lynd off when he boarded the merchant ship bound for Highgarden. She urged him to return as soon as possible.

"I'll bring you a gift when I come back," Lynd said as he directed his horse, Glory, to stay in the cargo hold. Then he turned to Nymeria.

Nymeria, suspecting Lynd might visit Godsgrace during his journey, understood what he meant by "gift." Smiling, she replied, "I'll be looking forward to it."

Before departing, Lynd addressed his subordinates. "I'll leave everything here in your hands."

They all assured him they would guard the place well and await his return.

Only Jon, who was accompanying Lynd to Highgarden, seemed dissatisfied. He suspected why Lynd had chosen to bring him along and felt frustrated. Despite his loyalty and effort, Lynd still didn't seem to fully trust him.

Yet, Jon also understood Lynd's reasoning. If he were in Lynd's position, he might have done the same. Moreover, returning to Highgarden didn't seem like a bad idea. Staying behind in Tumbleton could mean being pressured by his family into duties he wanted no part of. Following Lynd might spare him from such troubles.