Game of Thrones: Knight’s Honor

Highgarden is situated on a hill by the Mander River, its structure rising tier upon tier along the incline. The castle was not built all at once; it evolved over thousands of years, beginning when House Gardener first settled there. The most recent additions were made centuries ago when House Tyrell assumed control. By then, the hill was fully developed, leaving no room for further upward construction. Undeterred, House Tyrell expanded outward, enclosing the hill with a new ring of land. They erected city walls, built famed towers, and cultivated a maze garden filled with trees, adding to the castle's grandeur.

To the nobility and lords of the Seven Kingdoms, the Great Wall in the North may be the most awe-inspiring man-made structure. Yet, when it comes to castles, none can rival Highgarden's magnificence. Lords who visit often leave humbled, declaring their own homes mere slums by comparison.

Inside and out, Highgarden is adorned with flowers, trees, and vines. Its white marble walls gleam softly through a curtain of greenery, casting a serene glow under the sunlight. The air is perpetually rich with the fragrance of blooming plants, creating an atmosphere that makes one feel deeply connected to nature.

There is a legend that the House Gardener prayed to the Old Gods when Highgarden was first constructed, receiving their blessings for perpetual good weather and abundant harvests. Surrounding the castle are vast farmlands and orchards stretching beyond the horizon. From the castle's towers, one can see this endless expanse of fertile land dotted with hundreds of villages. Here, the concept of hunger is foreign. As long as a person has the strength to work, they can eat their fill. Many believe this land to be paradise on earth.

The area from Highgarden's northwest city wall to the Mander River forms its outer city. A coastal bridge spans the river, linking the city directly to this district. The outer city features a bustling dock area, commercial hubs, and lively tavern districts—but no slums. The docks are particularly expansive, lining nearly the entire riverside. A quick count reveals more than 30 docks in use.

Even so, when Lynd's ship arrived, all docks were occupied. The ship had to wait on the river until another vessel finished unloading and departed. Standing at the cabin's entrance, Lynd admired the grandeur of the city. It reminded him of Beauclair Castle from the city of Toussaint, a city he had once seen in a game in his previous life. While the two castles differed in appearance, they evoked a similar sense of awe in him.

"You don't need to wait for me. Once the cargo is unloaded, you can return. I won't be heading back to Tumbleton for a while," Lynd instructed the captain as he adjusted his armor.

"Yes, my lord," the captain replied respectfully.

Jon, standing nearby, glanced uneasily at the cargo. "My lord, your arrival might cause quite a stir, don't you think?" he asked cautiously.

Lynd understood Jon's concern. Turning his gaze to Glory, who was eager to leave the cabin, Lynd briefly considered whether bringing Glory along had been a mistake. But breaking the mind connection due to the distance could lead to even greater trouble, so he resolved to take things as they came.

"We'll go see the Lord Paramount first," Lynd decided when Jon asked if they should secure accommodations before heading to the castle. Jon nodded and followed him out of the cabin and onto the dock.

Lynd stepped onto the wooden planks, with Glory leaping down beside him. As soon as Glory's limbs touched the ground, a ripple of panic swept through the dockworkers. Screams erupted, and people scattered in all directions. Some even dove into the water, swimming away in sheer terror.

Although Lynd and Jon had anticipated such a reaction, witnessing it firsthand left them torn between amusement and exasperation. Meanwhile, the cause of the commotion—Glory—seemed entirely oblivious. The creature stretched lazily on the dock, shaking off the stiffness from the long boat ride.

The commotion drew the attention of Highgarden's guards. Two squads of thirty spearmen rushed down the street toward the dock. Yet, upon seeing Glory, the soldiers faltered. Their courage wavered, and their legs threatened to give out beneath them. Despite their fear, they held their ground, maintaining their formation.

Lynd could not help but admire the performance of the garrison soldiers from House Tyrell. It seems the Tyrells' ability to hold the position of Warden of the South isn't just due to their political acumen, he thought.

At that moment, Jon stepped forward and addressed the two captains of the garrison loudly, "Sonnor and Conte, have you two already forgotten me after just a few months?"

Hearing the familiar voice, the two captains snapped out of their panic. Their attention shifted from Glory to Jon, and they exclaimed in unison, "Master Jon, why is it you?"

"Why wouldn't it be me?" Jon replied, his tone familiar. He and the two captains had a long history. Before Jon became Roger's steward, he had served as the captain of the garrison guard for several years, and these two men had been his subordinates.

"Jon, my lord, what is that?" one of the captains asked nervously, pointing at Glory.

"That is Ser Lynd's pet, Glory," Jon explained calmly. "The Lord is aware of it, so there's no need to worry. Ser Lynd won't let Glory harm anyone. Ser Lynd has been summoned by the Lord to return to Highgarden, and I am accompanying him as his steward."

"Ser Lynd?" The two captains exchanged confused glances, their gazes shifting toward Lynd, who stood next to Glory. Although they had never heard of anyone named Lynd among Highgarden's notable figures, the imposing and intricately crafted armor Lynd wore left no doubt that he was someone of significant status.

However, while the captains hesitated, several soldiers in the garrison—frequent patrons of the local taverns—quickly recognized who Jon meant. One of them called out, "Jon, my lord, is this Ser Lynd the Bear Hunter? Did he really kill a hundred men in King's Landing a few months ago?"

Hearing their men's questions, the two captains finally realized who Ser Lynd was. One of them spoke up, "Master Jon, Lord Vortimer commanded that as soon as Ser Lynd arrived, he was to be brought to the castle immediately." He hesitated, glancing uneasily at Glory. "However, Lord Vortimer didn't mention such a large... creature. Are you sure it's not dangerous?"

Jon patted his chest with confidence. "I guarantee there's no danger. You two should lead the way, disperse the crowd, and make sure no one gets too close."

The captains nodded, immediately organizing their men to clear the area and maintain order. They directed the remaining dockworkers to give Lynd and Glory a wide berth while preparing to escort them to the castle.

Meanwhile, the initial panic among the dockworkers began to subside. As people observed the massive beast more closely, they noticed that Glory was calm and made no aggressive moves. Seeing Lynd standing confidently beside it further reassured them. To many, Glory now seemed more like a trained, exotic creature than a wild, dangerous animal.

Curiosity soon began to replace fear. Onlookers who had hidden in corners or buildings now peeked out, whispering to each other about the mysterious knight and his enormous companion. Some ventured closer, though they kept a safe distance, marveling at the sight.

Among the murmuring crowd, a few recognized Jon. His prior role as captain of the garrison guard had made him a familiar figure in Highgarden. Those who knew his current position as a steward quickly deduced the identity of the heavily armored knight Jon treated with such respect.

As Lynd led Glory, following the lead guard toward the castle's entrance, shouts of "Bear Hunter! Bear Hunter!" rang out from some people standing in the houses lining the road. These were individuals who had guessed Lynd's identity and were fans of The Song of the Bear Hunter. Lynd heard the cries, glanced briefly in their direction, waved his hand in acknowledgment, and continued on without pausing.

This simple gesture was enough to confirm his identity, and Lynd found himself surprised by how far his reputation had spread in Highgarden.

Wine, poetry, and knightly legends were central to Highgarden's culture. From noble lords to common folk, all were enamored with such romantic themes. Among them, The Song of the Bear Hunter had captivated the region like no other work in decades—some said even in the past century. More than just a popular melody, the song had revolutionized the art of poetry, breaking away from traditional forms and inspiring a new system of composition.

In Highgarden, bards had eagerly embraced the song's innovation. They studied every note and lyric, eventually creating the "Bear Hunter Chanting School" in just a few months. But while bards focused on the song's artistry, ordinary people were enthralled by its content, which painted vivid images of Lynd's exploits.

Even before Lynd reached King's Landing, The Song of the Bear Hunter had already made its way to Highgarden and become a staple in its taverns. By the time he arrived, his legend had spread widely throughout the city. The return of Lord Tyrell, accompanied by those who had attended the tournament, added fuel to the fire.

The stories of Lynd's feats—like receiving cubs from the Shadowcat in the Kingswood, participating in the tournament, killing one hundred men, and earning a knighthood from the king—took on new life. That this legendary figure hailed from The Reach made the tales all the more thrilling for the locals.

To the common people of Highgarden, Lynd the Bear Hunter had become a near-mythical idol. News that he had accepted a mission from the Lord to suppress bandits north of Bitterbridge only heightened their admiration. Many wandering knights had already set off to join him, hoping to share in his glory.

Later reports of Lynd's triumphs—his defeat of thousands of bandits, his assistance to the Lady of Tumbleton in rebuilding the town, and the reopening of the upper Mander River navigation route—only amplified his reputation.

When word spread that Bear Hunter Lynd had arrived in the outer city of Highgarden, the dockside district buzzed with excitement. The news of the massive beast accompanying him, Glory, added to the fervor. People spilled into the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of the man and his legendary companion, but by the time they reached the streets leading to the castle, Lynd was already approaching its gates. Determined not to miss him, the crowd surged toward the castle entrance.

By the time Lynd arrived at the castle square, it was already teeming with people. Even the rooftops of nearby houses were crowded with onlookers. Eight guards from the outer city were struggling to keep the throng from pressing too close to Glory, whose imposing presence caused a mix of awe and apprehension. Lynd, standing beside Glory in the square as he waited for a reply from within the castle, cut a striking and unmistakable figure.

Before seeing him in person, everyone had their own image of what the Bear Hunter might look like. But as they took in the sight of Lynd clad in the armor of the Banished Knight, with the towering Shadowcat Glory at his side, it was clear that reality exceeded imagination. He was the embodiment of the legendary figure described in The Song of the Bear Hunter.

At that moment, someone—whether a good-natured bard or a mischief-maker—suddenly began singing The Bear Hunter's Song. Other bards, who had been idly observing, quickly joined in, and soon, the ordinary people also began singing the familiar lyrics. Although their voices clashed and blended unevenly, the effect was powerful and rousing, filling the air with a sense of unity and excitement that made hearts race and blood boil.

"Why did you cause such a commotion the moment you arrived… Ah, what is this?"

Vortimer, alerted by the castle guards, had rushed toward the gates. Even before he reached them, the strains of The Bear Hunter's Song reached his ears, echoing through the square outside. As he rounded the corner, he shouted in exasperation but abruptly cut himself off when his gaze fell upon the massive figure of Glory. The sight of the towering Shadowcat froze him in his tracks. He instinctively stepped back and placed a hand on the hilt of the longsword at his waist.

"My lord, it's been a few months since I last saw you, but you're as spirited as ever," Lynd said, stepping forward to place himself between Glory and Vortimer, bowing courteously.

"Lynd? You're Lynd?" Vortimer responded, startled by the voice emerging from behind the imposing dragon-crest helmet. His eyes moved to the knight clad in dazzling heavy armor, and his gaze fixed on the emblem of a longsword emblazoned near the hem.

Lynd removed his helmet, cradling it in his hands, and said, "Yes, Lord Vortimer."

"Where did you get this armor?" Vortimer asked, his voice edged with disbelief as he gestured at the intricate suit.

His reaction was understandable. The armor, with its ornate design and full-plate construction, was unlike anything he had ever seen. It seemed impossibly heavy, and if Lynd hadn't just walked toward him in it, Vortimer might have doubted anyone could move while wearing it.

"A friend helped me make it," Lynd replied, deliberately vague.

Vortimer did not press further, though curiosity flickered in his eyes. Then, his attention shifted to Glory. "Is that your Shadowcat cub?" he asked, pointing at the massive creature.

"Yes," Lynd confirmed with a nod.

Vortimer's gaze swept over Glory, comparing its current size to what he remembered from their last encounter. "It's grown this much in just a few months?" he asked incredulously.

"Maybe it's eating a lot," Lynd replied with a faint smile.

Vortimer's expression twisted into one of disbelief, clearly interpreting the response as flippant. He opened his mouth to ask another question but was interrupted by a loud chorus of "Bear Hunter! Bear Hunter!" erupting from the square outside the gates.

"Come inside! If you stay out here, you'll cause even more chaos," Vortimer said, glancing at the growing crowd. People were pushing and jostling one another, their excitement spiraling into disorder. Without hesitation, Vortimer ordered the guards to open the castle gates and allow Lynd inside.

As Lynd and Glory entered and the gates closed behind them, the fervor outside began to settle. Yet, the crowd didn't disperse entirely. Groups lingered, gathered in clusters, their conversations animated as they relived the spectacle. The sight of Lynd in his magnificent armor and the imposing presence of Glory had left a deep impression. Now, the people whispered and speculated in awe, piecing together the events they had just witnessed.