Game of Thrones: Knight’s Honor

The longboat Bert arranged for Lynd was the largest available, crewed by a seasoned captain and sailors who had traversed the Mander River countless times. While they could not claim to know every detail of the waterway, they were confident in navigating its safest paths.

Bert initially planned to send Lynd and his companions alone, without cargo. However, Lynd objected, reasoning that the journey could earn dozens of silver stags, an opportunity too valuable to squander. Relenting, Bert packed the cargo hold with all the furs accumulating in the warehouse. This left Lynd and the others seated atop the goods, a situation that elicited a resigned sigh from Lynd.

The boat ride presented no trouble for Lynd or Jon, but Glory, the massive Shadowcat, suffered greatly. Seasickness left it sprawled over the cargo, listless and still. It only stirred slightly to lick Lynd's palm when he stroked its head. Fortunately, the magical energy imbued in the Banished Knight's Greatsword seemed to alleviate Glory's discomfort. Lynd removed both swords and placed them in Glory's care, which brought it a faint semblance of vitality.

Despite Glory's apparent misery, its mere presence aboard the vessel was enough to captivate the crew. For those who had only heard tales of the enormous Shadowcat, even its subdued state commanded awe and astonishment.

Nighttime sailing was strictly avoided to minimize risk, so the ship moved at half-speed after dusk. Only with the dawn, when the river's fog had lifted, did the captain give the order to resume full speed. By midday, they reached Bitterbridge, shaving nearly half a day off the usual travel time.

As the ship passed beneath the stone arch bridge spanning the Mander, Lynd's gaze lingered on Bitterbridge Castle at either end. A pang of emotion stirred within him. Just months ago, he had crossed this very bridge as a mere squire. Now, he returned as a knight, commanding respect and bearing s king's recognition.

The memory of a smith's son who had once caused him trouble surfaced, prompting Lynd to question Jon about the man. Jon, who had narrowly escaped death from the Lord of Bitterbridge's vengeful wrath, shared Lynd's curiosity. After considering for a moment, Jon said, "Someone spotted him at the docks of Tor in Dorne, boarding a cargo ship bound for the other side of the Narrow Sea. I think he's fled."

Lynd merely nodded at this news, betraying no emotion.

The ship did not halt at Bitterbridge but continued downstream. The stretch of river between Bitterbridge and Longtable was remarkably flat.

To maintain a reasonable pace, the ship relied on wind and additional rowing. The gentleness of the terrain also caused sediment from upstream to accumulate, creating a fertile delta plain. Combined with silt deposits from the Blueburn tributary, this region was rich enough to yield several crops annually with minimal effort.

However, the proximity to The Roseroad and the surrounding mountains made it a haven for bandits, particularly Dornish raiders who crossed over to plunder and fled back to Dorne. The constant threat of violence deterred cultivation, despite the land's incredible fertility. As the Lord Paramount of Highgarden began purging the bandits, hopes grew that this region would soon become a vital grain-producing area for House Tyrell.

While sailing, Lynd occasionally spotted cavalry patrols and ragged farmers trudging along the river road. Their movements reflected Highgarden's resolve to bring order to this land.

The boat's slow progress brought it to the confluence of the Blueburn and Mander Rivers by late evening, marking their arrival in the territory of House Merryweather of Longtable. After a day and night of travel, the crew was visibly fatigued. The captain directed the boat to dock at Longtable's pier to rest before continuing.

The Longtable pier, located at a natural river bend east of the castle, appeared newly constructed. Though the facilities were incomplete due to limited funding and manpower, the tax collector had already begun operations, ensuring the pier was functional despite its shortcomings.

While Lynd's ship was docked at the pier, the tax collector approached to collect the transit fee. Since it was late at night and there was no light, Glory, having changed its fur back to black, blended seamlessly into the shadows and went unnoticed by the tax collector.

When the captain presented the tax exemption certificate bearing Lynd's seal, the tax collector's expression soured. He muttered curses under his breath and left in frustration. From his demeanor, it was evident that the lords along the Mander River harbored significant resentment toward Lynd's tax exemptions.

Owen Merryweather of Longtable Hall was known as one of the few staunch royalists in The Reach. During the reign of the Mad King, he had been exiled from Westeros after being stripped of his lands and titles after failing to defeat Robert Baratheon during the rebellion.

However, rumors suggested that Owen, who served as Hand of the King at the time, had already realized the Targaryen dynasty was doomed. Allegedly, he had intentionally allowed Robert to win, giving him the time needed to consolidate power.

These rumors seemed credible, as after Robert's ascension, Hand of the King Jon Arryn dispatched agents to Essos to locate Lord Owen and his family, restoring his lands and titles. Consequently, Lord Owen became deeply loyal to King Robert. Though nominally a vassal of Highgarden, in practice, he took orders directly from the Iron Throne, serving as a key royal presence in The Reach.

This loyalty fostered Owen's resentment toward directives from Highgarden, including the tax exemptions granted to Lynd by the Lord Tyrell. Owen viewed these policies as an attempt to strip wealth from his vassals, and his perspective influenced many of the lower-ranking officials of Longtable.

For Lynd, however, this animosity was of little consequence. As long as no deliberate obstacles were placed in his path, there was no need for conflict.

After resting overnight, Lynd's ship set sail before sunrise.

Once past Longtable, the Mander River entered its midstream section, where the waters flowed more quickly but were shallower. Numerous shoals and reefs dotted the river, posing navigation challenges. Fortunately, the current was not overly strong, allowing sufficient time to avoid hazards as they were spotted. The captain instructed a sharp-eyed sailor to climb the railing and keep watch, guiding the boat safely through the treacherous waters.

In the midstream stretches, more boats appeared on the river. These were small and agile vessels, adept at weaving through the dense shoals and reefs. While they carried limited cargo, their maneuverability was unmatched. However, the introduction of longboats from Tumbleton had taken a share of their business, breeding resentment among their crews. Still, the longboats, typically escorted by guards armed with crossbows, faced no direct retaliation—only occasional spitting or muttered curses as they passed.

Because the river was too perilous to navigate at night, Lynd's ship docked at a makeshift pier in a small fishing village called Freshfruit Village before dusk. The village was situated in a natural river bend ideal for docking. Alongside Lynd's vessel, over 20 boats were anchored there, including 13 long-oared boats from Tumbleton.

This fishing village fell within the territory of Cider Hall. Being on the periphery of the domain, it seemed undervalued by its rulers. Had Cider Hall recognized its strategic importance, the pier might already have been expanded three or fourfold.

The sheer number of docked boats, each equipped with armed escorts, gave the area an air of safety, leading many to lower their guard.

The next morning, as the river mist lifted, several boats' crews began shouting that their goods had been stolen during the night. Fortunately, the losses were minimal. Unlike the others, who had no idea who the culprits were, Lynd had seen everything through Glory's eyes the previous night. He had watched as thieves emerged from the water, climbed onto the boats, stole the goods, and retreated to the small fishing village.

The targeted ships were all from Grassy Vale, located upstream on the Blueburn. They carried goods from the Stormlands. While there was no direct competition with Tumbleton's shipping yet, Lynd believed such rivalry was inevitable. For that reason, he found their misfortune mildly satisfying.

The stretch of river beyond the fishing village proved easier to navigate, with fewer shoals and reefs. By just after noon, the longboats reached Cider Hall.

As they arrived, the imposing Castle Fossoway came into view, spanning the Mander River. Almost every traveler passing through was struck by its grandeur, a testament to the rich heritage of House Fossoway.

Among the oldest houses in The Reach, House Fossoway traced its lineage back to Foss the Archer, son of Garth the Greenhand.

Their ancestry placed them just below House Gardener, the firstborn descendants of Garth. When House Gardener fell to Aegon the Conqueror, many believed the Fossoways were the rightful heirs to Highgarden. Instead, House Tyrell, once stewards to House Gardener, assumed control. To the Fossoways, this was akin to servants stealing the master's inheritance.

For centuries, House Fossoway had harbored resentment toward House Tyrell, often challenging their authority both openly and covertly. Even after splitting into the Green Apple and Red Apple branches, which weakened their overall power, the Fossoways remained determined to reclaim the title of Warden of the South. While they formally acknowledged the Tyrells as their lords, everyone in The Reach understood this allegiance was purely superficial. The Fossoways would not hesitate to act if an opportunity to unseat the Tyrells presented itself.

Perhaps to maintain their influence or for other motives, the Fossoways frequently held tournaments at Cider Hall, especially during major festivals. Though the prize money for these events could not compare to King Robert's grand tournaments, they attracted many hedge knights and wandering knights eager to make a name for themselves. Nobles of The Reach often used these tournaments to scout talented knights to serve their houses.

Over time, these tournaments solidified House Fossoway's prominence in The Reach, where chivalry held great importance. Even knights from distant regions knew of the Fossoways' reputation and flocked to their tournaments whenever possible.

When Lynd's ship arrived, a tournament was underway at Cider Hall. The excitement onshore rivaled the tournaments held in King's Landing. Banners adorned the castle walls, displaying the crests of nearly every noble house in The Reach, underscoring the Fossoways' status. Among the banners was that of House Tyrell, though it was unclear who had come to represent them.

"I think it might be Ser Garlan," Jon remarked, gazing at the Tyrell banner.

"Why?" Lynd asked.

Jon explained, "I heard Lady Olenna has her eye on Lady Leonette Fossoway and plans to marry her to Ser Garlan when he comes of age."

"Do you think the Fossoways would agree?" Lynd asked skeptically.

Jon shrugged. "I doubt they'd refuse."

Lynd glanced back at the banners, noting a detail: the Fossoways had positioned the Tyrell banner prominently alongside their own. It seemed the Queen of Thorns' scheme had already succeeded.

While the sailors were eager to go ashore and witness the festivities, Lynd had no intention of stopping at Cider Hall. He instructed the captain to bypass the castle via the river channel and continue toward Highgarden.

The stretch of river beyond Cider Hall was significantly smoother than the treacherous waters upstream. With a wide, deep channel and a faster current, the ship could sail at high speed without much need for rowing.

Even at night, navigation was safe, eliminating the need to dock as they had previously. After nightfall, the captain organized two shifts to keep the ship moving, allowing them to sail through the night. By the following afternoon, they reached Highgarden.