Game of Thrones: Knight’s Honor

When Lynd left Vortimer's tent, his thoughts were in turmoil. He even decided to postpone testing Glory's abilities. Back in his tent, he lay on the bed, absently stroking Glory, who rested by his side, while his other hand supported his head. His mind churned over Vortimer's words.

Vortimer believed that the Lady might take an interest in him because of a peculiar condition she had set for marriage: only those who could defeat her were eligible to court her.

The Lady's prowess was legendary. Since the age of sixteen, she had participated in numerous tournaments as a mysterious knight, claiming several championships. Her rare losses were only to exceptional warriors like Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, and Barristan the Bold.

When the Lady announced her terms, many knights rushed to challenge her, only to fail without exception. After defeating them, she would claim an accessory from each and hang it on the gates of Tumbleton. Over time, the sight of these trophies discouraged others from even attempting.

At first, the Lady showed restraint in her duels, but as challenges became more frequent, her patience waned. She stopped holding back, and soon, challengers began to perish at her hands. The deaths of more than a dozen knights served as a grim warning, deterring even the most ambitious suitors.

Despite her fearsome reputation, Vortimer believed the Lady's strength was no match for Lynd's. In his eyes, challenging her should pose no real threat to him.

Additionally, Vortimer suggested a deeper connection between the Lady and the bandits rumored to be remnants of the Targaryens, who had taken refuge north of Bitterbridge. Tumbleton, with fewer than twenty guards and no castle walls, had remarkably remained untouched by these bandits for the past year. Vortimer reasoned that if Lynd could win over the Lady, it would greatly simplify their mission for Lord Tyrell.

Though Lynd had never entertained the idea of forming alliances through marriage, Vortimer's proposal stirred something in him. If he followed through, he stood to gain more than a formidable knight. He could secure a position as a lord ruling over a strategically significant region.

Tumbleton's location offered a tantalizing opportunity. Controlling it would grant dominion over vast territories north of Bitterbridge, east of the Tumbleton Mountains, west of Kingswood, and south of the Blackwater Rush. Lynd could potentially become a lord of substantial influence.

Yet, these ambitions hinged on the assumption that he lacked other advantages. With his unique "cheat," Lynd knew he didn't need to rush into power through marriage. At fifteen, he had time on his side to achieve his goals.

Still, he couldn't dismiss the Lady's importance. Nymeria Footly represented the potential to accomplish their mission with minimal resources, and Lynd couldn't afford to overlook that.

As he pondered how best to leverage this opportunity, Garlan entered the tent. Without preamble, he asked, "Lord Lynd, are you troubled by military expenses and manpower?"

"Yes, Lord Garlan," Lynd replied, sitting up.

"My father's reward for your victory in the tournament is ready. The timing seems fortuitous," Garlan said, handing him a parchment.

Unfolding it, Lynd discovered the reward: 3,000 golden dragons and an official appointment as captain of the cavalry patrols.

The letter outlined generous terms. The cavalry patrols would expand from ten to one hundred men, with House Tyrell funding their commission for the next two years. Lynd's authority as captain was also significantly enhanced, allowing him to replenish his forces locally and make independent decisions on attack targets. Essentially, it granted him near-autonomous military command in the region.

However, these privileges came with conditions. To claim the rewards, Lynd had to undertake the task of suppressing bandits in the area north of Bitterbridge. Furthermore, his authority was confined to this region. Beyond its borders, he would revert to being a regular captain.

Despite the restrictions, the offer was exceptionally generous. The 3,000 golden dragons alone were a rare bounty; few lords could afford such lavish rewards. Even fewer would provide additional positions or power to their champions.

In contrast, House Tyrell's magnanimity stood out. Most lords believed a champion's prize from the competition was sufficient reward. Titles or additional resources were almost unheard of. House Tyrell's gesture underscored their wealth and generosity.

"If I accept this task of suppressing the bandits, what other support will the House provide me?" Lynd asked, probing further. It was already a significant challenge to maintain his advantage.

"Tax exemption," Garlan replied promptly, clearly well-prepared. "Until the bandit-suppression task is complete, you'll have the right to trade without taxes. This should be sufficient to offset your military expenses."

Lynd chuckled. "If I never complete the task, does that mean I'll enjoy tax exemption indefinitely?"

"Of course not," Garlan replied with a shake of his head. "If you fail to complete the task within five years, it will be automatically annulled. You'll then be reassigned to Highgarden to join the Lord's Guard and relieved of your duties as captain of the cavalry patrols."

"Five years is plenty of time," Lynd said confidently, then added curiously, "Was this mission specifically intended for me?"

"No, it was originally for Lord Vortimer, but he declined, believing you were more suited to it," Garlan explained. "We analyzed it afterward and agreed with his judgment. After all, there's no shadow of other noble lords behind you…" Realizing the potential awkwardness of his comment, Garlan swiftly changed the subject. "The reason we gathered the knights was simply to give the appearance of fairness, so no one would accuse House Tyrell of favoritism once you accepted the task."

Despite Garlan's transparency, Lynd remained cautious, taking his time to think through the proposal. Garlan, showing patience, stood aside and glanced at Glory, who lay obediently near the bed. He appeared tempted to stroke the creature's fur but hesitated, as if uncertain.

After some deliberation, Lynd seemed to make up his mind. "Lord Garlan, please convey to the Lord that I accept the task of suppressing the bandits."

Garlan's face brightened at Lynd's decision. Without further delay, he turned to leave but paused at the tent's entrance. Looking back, he added, "Lord Vortimer has likely mentioned Nymeria Footly to you, hasn't he? I think she presents a good opportunity."

Lynd raised an eyebrow and replied with a wry tone, "You wouldn't happen to be worried about having to marry her yourself, would you?"

"How could that be?" Garlan's face flushed red, and he quickly denied the implication, his expression turning serious. "I just think you and Lady Nymeria would make an excellent match."

Not giving Lynd a chance to retort, Garlan swiftly left the tent, letting the curtain fall behind him.

With Lynd's agreement secured, the decision on who would lead the anti-bandit mission was settled. Many onlookers scoffed at Lynd, convinced he was blinded by his championship title and poised to squander his 20,000 golden dragons.

Lord Tyrell kept the rewards and tax exemptions that Garlan had disclosed to Lynd as confidential, issuing them in sealed orders. Publicly, only the expansion of the cavalry patrols to one hundred men was announced.

This announcement, however, was no surprise to the nobles and knights in the camp, as the plan to expand the patrols had been an open secret. Still, they doubted that an additional hundred cavalry would ease the challenges of suppressing the bandits.

Thanks to hints from Vortimer, Lynd had already selected candidates for the expanded cavalry patrols. He recruited Scar-Eyed Mitt and others who had paid to join him previously, forming a new unit under Mitt's command. Though this was far from the elite cavalry they had aspired to become, they dared not voice complaints about being misled and complied with Lynd's orders.

For the remaining positions, Lynd chose scouts, archers, and hunters adept at horseback riding, ensuring a diverse and practical force.

Everyone was baffled by Lynd's choices for his cavalry patrols. Conventional wisdom suggested he should have chosen seasoned sellswords or mercenaries proficient in riding and skilled in various weapons. Instead, he opted for scouts, archers, and hunters, many of whom had little to no experience with cavalry tactics.

The camp buzzed with skepticism. Most assumed Lynd's selections were random, a consequence of his inexperience in Warfare. Confidence in his ability to complete the anti-bandit mission plummeted, and whispers of his inevitable failure spread. Many anticipated the humiliating spectacle of him returning to Highgarden in disgrace.

That evening, Vortimer visited Lynd to discuss the matter. Concerned by the growing doubts, he imparted foundational lessons in Warfare. Although Lynd was an attentive student, he chose not to apply these teachings to his recruitment strategy, persisting in his unconventional approach.

By contrast, Garlan remained steadfast in his belief in Lynd's judgment. He assured Lord Tyrell that Lynd must have a deliberate plan and persuaded him to avoid interfering until the results were clear.

Even so, Lynd struggled to fill the patrols. Despite offering modest terms, he remained short by around twenty men. Not all scouts, archers, or hunters could ride, and many who attempted to mount a horse could barely manage more than a slow walk. When pushed to gallop, they wobbled precariously and often fell.

To address the shortage, Lynd sought recruits from beyond the Tyrell camp. Lord Tyrell, following Garlan's advice, allowed this without comment.

At that time, a significant number of sellswords and mercenaries lingered in King's Landing. When news spread that Lynd, the "Bear Hunter," was recruiting cavalry, over a thousand hopefuls flocked to the Tyrell camp. Among them were notable figures, including Bryn Rivers, the recent champion archer of the tournament.

Lynd eagerly accepted Bryn Rivers into the patrols. However, he was puzzled. Given Bryn's recent triumph, wealth shouldn't have been an issue. Moreover, as a friend of Lord Blackfish, Bryn had promising prospects in the Riverlands. Why would someone of his caliber join a fledgling cavalry unit?

Bryn's explanation was cryptic: he had committed something dishonorable and been exiled by Lord Tully. Joining Lynd's patrols was his way of avoiding a worse fate—possibly fleeing Westeros altogether for the Free Cities.

While Bryn withheld details, Lynd inferred the gravity of his actions from his exile. Still, Lynd cared little for Bryn's past as long as he was an asset to the patrols.

The influx of recruits caused a stir, with some sellswords crowding the Tyrell camp. Concerned about maintaining order, Lord Tyrell unilaterally announced an expansion of the cavalry patrols to 200 men. However, he privately instructed Garlan to inform Lynd that House Tyrell would only cover half the additional salaries, leaving the rest to Lynd.

Lynd welcomed the expansion. Despite the financial burden, he saw any manageable growth as a strategic advantage.

In addition to the 200 combatants, Lynd recruited specialists to support the patrols, including a bankrupt merchant named Mus as the financial officer. He also hired over 20 personnel for logistical roles, such as stablemen and leatherworkers.

By the time the Tyrells set off for Highgarden, Lynd's cavalry unit was still incomplete. He planned to gradually fill the remaining positions along the way. His unorthodox approach, combined with the camp's doubts, meant no Tyrell knights joined the patrols, even those who admired Lynd's individual prowess.

Before departing King's Landing, Lynd tasked Mus with securing 300 warhorses. The financial officer remained behind to negotiate with a horse dealer who could provide the quantity and quality required for the patrols.

As a final gesture, Varys presented Lynd with a valuable gift: a detailed topographical map of the Tumbleton area. Marked on the map were the hideouts of several prominent bandit groups, along with estimated numbers and key locations.

The map was a game-changer. Without it, Lynd would have needed months to gather such intelligence. With Varys's gift, he could act swiftly and decisively.

Curiously, Varys had also labeled Tumbleton itself. Beneath the name of the town was another name: Nymeria Footly.