Dunk
Oh how nice it was to be back in King's Landing, the feeling of home was nice and pure. The sights and smells of the city, the raggedness of it all, it was all such a nice feeling, Dunk didn't even mind the smell nor the constant sense of being watched anymore, and he knew from looking at Egg- sorry Prince Aegon- that the lad felt the same way. They had been away for far too long. All because Egg had had a conscience and decided that what his uncle Bloodraven had plotted to do during the Whitewalls Tourney was unacceptable and broke every oath that someone of the blood was supposed to live up to. They had paid for that, at first when they had been summoned to court, Dunk had feared it might mean his life and the boy would be sent to the Wall, after all they had helped Daemon Blackfyre flee north and had actually spoken with Daeron Stark both of whom were traitors to the crown, making them and their actions treasonous. Their exile, Dunk thought had been a light way to get off, a view that Aegon's father had shared, telling them that Bloodraven had wanted them both put to the whip and then had more things, horrible things done to them.
They had left King's Landing that day, with nothing more than the clothes on their backs and some meagre food supplies and swords. They had wandered around the kingdoms for months at a time trying to find work, but finding that it was very hard to come by, they had to avoid the places where they had set foot in beforehand, for it was likely that Bloodraven would have sent word out and Egg's hair no longer remained short for very long. As such though, they managed to find the odd vestments of work here and there, they worked as a sellsword and his squire in the Saltpans dealing with some bandits who were proving troublesome, something that earnt Dunk his fair share of scars and had given Egg his first taste of battle. They had then ventured towards Seagard, where Lord Mallister was plagued by Pirates, and there they had fought the pirates and then some other handiwork for the man, though Dunk had been sure to keep Egg away from the man's sight for long, as the man did seemingly have an overt fondness for him.
Those two engagements lasted roughly six moons and then they ventured southwards to the Reach, where they took service with Lord Desmond Florent, a proud man old and blind who suffered no insults, and strangely reminded Dunk of Ser Eustace Osgrey, though that man had died some years ago. Lord Florent had them ploughing and tilling his fields along with his other men, as well as fighting some skirmishes with peasants who had become unruly. In total they spent six moons in Brightwater Keep, mainly because Dunk was getting tired of wandering around the kingdoms with a constant fear in his heart, they could not go to Summerhall nor could they go back to King's Landing otherwise they would have faced the strictest of punishments. And so when the new year came in they left Brightwater Keep for Dorne, spending time once more with Lord Ullrick Dayne and helping him keep his bannermen, especially the Daynes of High Hermitage in order, there was some serious fighting going between the two branches of House Dayne, it seemed Lord Ullrick's cousin Dolt was a proud man who thought he should be the main Lord Dayne, and so there was months of political strife and then bloody fighting before it ended with Dolt's death, after that they left for Salt Shore and spent time serving with Lord Gargalen, Aegon's second cousin or something to that degree.
From there they ventured not to Sunspear but to the Water Gardens where Princess Daenaerys was, and there they spent their time relaxing and getting some much needed rest from their travels. Daenaerys herself, seemed older and younger somehow, the Princess whom Daemon Blackfyre had made a kingdom bleed for, no longer it seemed thought of her once love, and instead thought simply of her children and her husband. The Martells had been told to inform Bloodraven should he and Egg arrive, and yet Daenaerys did not like Bloodraven and so their presence there was kept a secret and as such it allowed them to get away from Dorne and the Water Gardens before Egg's father and aunt arrived with his sisters. From there they ventured into the Stormlands and the service of Lord Lyonel Baratheon, a proud man who kept them well fed and armoured them up with proper equipment allowing them the best of the Stormlands, and then the war broke out and they were summoned back to King's Landing for the war.
Dunk had fought in battles and skirmishes, but never a proper war, and now he was sure he would never wish to fight in such a thing ever again. It was horrible, he fought at the Stoney Sept where Bloodraven was killed as was Aemon Blackfyre, but somehow he and Egg had been separated from one another during the course of the battle, when it was over and done Dunk spend ages looking for the lad, and when he did not find him for the longest time he worried that the lad was dead, lying in a ditch somewhere a sword through his bowels. However, as the armies broke camp, Dunk heard word that a silver haired prince had been found in the Stark camp, and fearing the worse he broke into the back end of the Stark camp and there he found Egg lying with wounds all over his body, he had fought and engaged in a battle with several other squires and won, though at a severe cost to himself. Dunk stole him from the camp and they fled into the marshes away from both camps and scouts, and he took Egg to a healer he had heard the old man talk about more than once in his own squiring days, where Egg was patched up and healed, and they then ventured south to King's Landing.
Prince Maekar had been away north when they arrived at the gates of the city, but with Bloodraven dead and Maekar the king's hand, all it had taken was to show the guards Egg's ring, and they were let into the city. When the Prince returned he told them that their exile had been ended and that they were to remain in King's Landing for a time, to allow Aegon's injuries to heal properly, though Dunk suspected it was also because the Prince had been deeply worried that his son was about to die, and now he also knew that with Prince Aerion having joined the Golden Company, the Prince was worried what would happen to his own family. And now that was how Dunk found himself patrolling the space outside Egg's rooms waiting for his squire to come back, there was to be a tourney today to celebrate his knighthood and to celebrate his return to the city and Dunk needed to speak with him, and yet the lad was nowhere to be found.
Eventually he heard some movement behind the lad's door and knocked once more, and when bid enter he found Egg looking rather dishevelled. "Where have you been lad? I've been standing outside for a good twenty minutes now."
"I, I was with Rhae Ser. I needed to speak to her about something." Egg stammers.
Dunk chuckles. "Speak with her about something eh lad? More like do something with her. Now regardless of that, your tourney is on today and I need to speak with you about it."
"It's our tourney Dunk. Both of us, my father knows all you've done for our family and the people love you as well." Egg said.
"Aye whatever you say lad. But now that you are back home, I wish to bid my leave of you. You are sixteen now lad, you don't need some big lunk of a man to follow anymore. After today, you shall be knighted and you won't need a hedge knight. I will bid my leave." Dunk said quickly.
Egg looks at him and then says. "But where would you go Ser? King's Landing is as much your home as it is mine. Why leave now, I could ask my father to make you part of the guard."
"That won't be necessary lad. I wish to go travelling more, and now you are a man grown soon enough your father will find you a wife to wed, and then you will settle down and have children. You can't go traipsing round the kingdoms with me." Dunk says, hating how chocked he feels now.
Egg merely stares at him for a long moment before simply nodding. Dunk next sees Egg at the tourney grounds, the jousting has just begun and Dunk has saddled up to compete, beating Ser Garot Fossway in one tilt, Ser Desmond Brune in one tilt, Ser Roland Crakehall Lord Commander of the Kingsguard in two tilts, and Ser Marcus Baratheon in three tilts. It seems as though his tourney performances have improved, he supposes he has better aim and strength now as well. But then he comes up against Egg and he finds himself unable to do much more except break lances against his former squire, continuously, the final joust this is, on and on it goes, until on seventh tilt Egg manages to raise his lance high enough to knock Dunk square on his rump. The commons cheer loudly and Dunk watches with something akin to pride as Egg collects the crown of roses and then places it square on Princess Rhae's head.
At the feast that night, Dunk was stood outside letting the warm summer air breath past him, the King had formally announced that Egg and Princess Rhae were betrothed and would soon enough marry, after winning the jousting Egg had been knighted by Ser Roland Crakehall, and had shone like a million beacons, just another indication to Dunk that his time with the Targaryens was coming to an end. Perhaps he could go and find Tanselle and get that kiss she had promised him, he'd looked for so long for her, you'd think he'd forget about her, but no he still dreamed of her.
"Ser Duncan." A Deep voice said behind him.
Dunk turned round and saw Prince Maekar, the hand of the king standing in the doorway. "My Prince." Dunk said bowing.
The Hand walked towards Dunk and then stood next to him looking out over the city. "Aegon tells me you mean to leave King's Landing after tomorrow, to go travelling. He is most upset about it, though he would not have you think so."
Dunk is silent for a moment before he says. "Prince Aegon is a man grown now my Prince. He does not need a hedge knight to follow anymore; he has responsibilities that go beyond travelling with me. It is time we both moved on."
The Prince is silent for a long moment and then what he says next shocks Dunk. "True but I do not think that is something either of you want. I know that Aegon is very fond of you, and sees you as the older brother, Daeron and Aerion never were. And if I am right in thinking, you do not wish to leave either. And so I suggest a compromise, there are vacancies on the Kingsguard that need to be filled, why not fill one of those vacancies. You have proven that you are dedicated to protecting my son and will give you life for him if need be, and you are very good with a sword it would be perfect."
"I am honoured my prince, but why me? I am but a commoner from Flea Bottom. Surely the Kingsguard should be filled with the best knights of the realm from the big families." Dunk says.
Prince Maekar snorts then and says. "Those knights are full of hot air. No ser, you would do honour to the Kingsguard. Accept or not, the choice is yours. Just think carefully before you do." With that the Prince walks away and goes back to the feast, leaving Dunk with a lot of thinking to do.
Dunk stays on in King's Landing after the feast and tourney all wrap up, and when he eventually gives Prince Maekar his answer, at the next tourney held in King's Landing which is held to celebrate the Queen's nameday, in front of half the realm Ser Roland Crakehall the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard places the white cloak on his shoulders and helps him rise as Ser Duncan of the Kingsguard. His fellow sworn brothers other than the lord commander include, Ser Donnel of Duskendale, Ser Oberyn Dayne, Ser Broderick Storm, Ser Gwayne Gaunt and Ser Ballard Bracken.
He learns quickly why the Kingsguard duties are harder than they appear in the songs, he has conflicting duties often times that leave him stumped, but he knows first and foremost that he cannot question the King, even when the King's desire to read instead of bed his queen, means that soon enough there might be yet another war within Westeros for that simply reason.
Still his first year in the Kingsguard passes by without any conflict whatsoever, and on the day of Egg and Princess Rhae's wedding, Dunk has never felt so full of pride as he does when he hears Egg walk away from the Sept of Baelor a married man. Perhaps there is hope for them all after all, he has come from Flea Bottom to the Kingsguard after all.
Lord Davos Sunderland
The waves were beating down against the rocks on the ground, a sight that he had heard since childhood. Davos Sunderland got out of his bed and groaned, he was an old man now, and nowhere near his prime anymore, had he ruled the Three Sisters wisely for fifty years ever since his own old man had died during the Conquest of Dorne. He had lived through the reign of four kings and was now on his fifth king, still there was an ache in his bones and it had nothing to do with old age.
When Daemon Blackfyre had called his banners to rebellion, the Three Sisters had sided with him, and Davos had still been in his prime then, and had ridden out with his men to fight alongside the northmen, he had fought at the Twins and then at Oldstones and then in the taking of Harrenhal, before retreating with the northmen when Daemon died at Redgrass. Fearing retribution from the Eyrie and the Iron Throne, Davos had gone to Winterfell and had bent the knee to Daeron Stark the Winter Dragon. The Winter Dragon was a man worthy of Davos' fealty and respect, a strong warrior and with a good and smart head on his shoulders, the man had brought peace, prosperity and trade to his kingdom, and with that the Three Sisters had benefitted, gold, silk, spice all came to the Three Sisters along with the choicest pieces of information as well, information that Davos used to further the cause of his people at the court of Winterfell,
The only downside of being pledged to Winterfell was the fact that the Blackfyres continued to remain a living presence there. For the Winter Dragon would never give them up so long as he lived and breathed, and that therefore meant that there would be more war and death before either the Blackfyres stopped breathing or the Targaryens were wiped out from the realm. As such Davos had sent his sons Edrick and Daeron off to war this time around, his bones were not good for fighting anymore, and both boys had come back as bones, killed by some southern bastard during the fighting. Now his grandson Daemon would be Lord after him, and his bannermen were beginning to stir and complain about outside influence.
He knew many of them wished to break off from the north and gain independence, just like the Three Sisters were before the coming of the Andals, and whilst he had to admit such an idea did have its appeal, there was no way in the seven hells that the Three Sisters would be able to sustain such a thing for any long duration of time. Breaking away from the north would require fighting the northern armies stationed at White Harbour, for Daeron Stark would never let them go now they had sworn fealty, to do so would make him look weak like the Targaryens. Even if they somehow managed to prove successful, they would always be at risk from facing the wrath of the Eyrie and the Iron Throne, and they would not be able to ask Winterfell for aid then.
There was not much in it for them, then to become free peoples once more. Better to remain part of the Kingdom of the North and the Iron Islands, and prosper through trade and through having a place on the council, or at least the ear of a councilman in Jonnel Manderly. For whilst Davos' own great nephew was a member of the King's Winter's Guard, Jonnel Manderly was married to Davos' sister, and so any concerns he had could be voiced through Manderly. Still there was some part of him that wanted his own representation on the council, and not through a third party. That was one of the few things that had tempted Davos into breaking free and declaring independence, the fact that he wished for his own concerns to be voiced and not pushed to the side, like there was the constant risk of it happening now under the Winter Dragon's council. Still he was weary of doing such a thing, and thought it better to wait and see what happened.
After all it had been two years since the second Blackfyre war and the deaths of his boys as well as of Aemon Blackfyre, and, the peace had lasted and seemed as if it could last a great deal longer. Davos felt that there was no need to rock the boat, no need to bite the hand that fed them, no matter what Criston Borrell said or complained about. The days in which the Three Sisters ruled themselves and did not face invasion had died the same day the King of the Waves had died, during the age of heroes. No now was not the time to pursue foolish notions of independence, now was the time to pursue a policy of getting into the Winter Dragon's good books.
This was why Davos had called his court together, a member of Daeron Stark's court had come to speak with him about trade terms, but before such things could be discussed there was the small matter of the Vale Pirates who had been caught raiding along the coast of Sisterton. The men brought before him, were bold and strong, sent by the throne no doubt, sent to break the trust between Winterfell and Sisterton. "You are accused of piracy. Piracy is a crime both in the Winter Dragon's kingdom and of that of the south. Do you deny these charges?" Davos asked his voice harsh sounding.
The leader of the men merely looked at him and said. "No my lord we do not. But you must wonder how we got so far forward when there are defensive lines across the coast no?"
"I do not need to wonder, you are pirates, the ships were burnt by your men's treacherous methods and as such you shall pay by death." Davos replied.
The leader of the group laughs deeply then. "Ah my lord, kill us and the root of your problem only grows. Look to your own people as well when we are dead, and see who will pirate you for all you have."
"I have had enough of this man's nonsense, take him to the gallows and then feed him to the waves." Davos says curtly, and sure enough the man is hanged and then fed to the waves as are his companions. Later though, much later when Davos sits alone in his rooms with his wife he speaks his worries. "What the man said is true my love. There are those who should have defended the coast better, but did not. Borrell was in charge of that and yet he denies knowing the pirates would be here, or that they would attack in such large numbers. I cannot attack him without appearing weak."
His wife, his dear Alysanne, who has been his companion for forty years nods and says. "But then how will you gain the respect of Winterfell now my love? The ambassador saw you look weak here, things will need to be done to make sure that word does not get back to Winterfell, just how strenuous our hold of the islands are."
"Aye but I cannot outright say that these pirates were sent by Arryn. No not even the Winter Dragon will stomach that, not when the peace is lasting for now. Not when Bittersteel is building up an army to help us, no we need time and so if I need to throw Borrell under the waves I shall but not yet." Davos replies.
The next day Davos meets with Beron Stark the man sent by King Daeron to speak with him about various things. "My lord I trust you have enjoyed your stay so far in the Three Sisters?" Davos asks.
"Aye my lord I have. It has been very pleasant. But of course we both know that is not the main reason for my visit. I have come to speak with you on behalf of his grace King Daeron Stark. The King wonders if you will be able to sufficiently control your bannermen, after all if the rumours are true and Borrell allowed the pirates onto your land, then that does breed a very worrying thing for the king." Beron Stark says.
Davos swallows slightly and then says. "The give my assurances to the King, that I am doing all in my power to investigate what happened to allow these pirates onto my lands, and should I find that one of my bannermen was responsible for this lapse in defence then I shall severly punish them myself."
Beron Stark nods and then says. "That is good my lord, the king will be most pleased to hear that. The other issue the King wished for me to bring up was that of the faith. Has the Septon here been preaching against the king? Our sources report that he has, and I have been wondering that myself."
At that Davos sighs and says softly. "The previous Septon had been preaching fervently against His Grace, but once the news reached my ears I dealt with the man by feeding him to the waves. I assure you that I will not allow anybody to speak treason of his grace, and shall deal with the faith, they know their place now."
"That is good my lord. Still, his grace was wondering what the chances of the Faith here trying to rebel would be against your rule and that of the King?" Stark asks.
"Slim my lord. The Faith knows its place truly it does, they will not rebel nor will they side with any who rebel." Davos replies.
"Very well then. That is all." Stark says and then later that day he boards a ship for White Harbour and Davos feels slightly more safe and secure in the knowledge that his fealty to Winterfell has been made the more apparent.
As he walks back into his solar after seeing Lord Beron off, he calls for Maester Goodall. "Maester send a raven for Criston Borrell and inform him that I mean to ask him about this whole pirate business."
"Yes my lord." The maester replies.
"Also maester," Davos begins. "Send for Daemon the boy must needs know a few things before we can be ready for Borrell." Once the maester has gone and has Daemon has entered, Davos looks at his grandson, tall and strong just like his father the lad turned twenty two a few moons back, and proved himself in the second Blackfyre war, but still there are things he will need to learn before he can become the Lord of the Sisters. "Sit down Daemon there are things you must know." And so they discuss the issues that are most pressing in Davos' mind, Winterfell, Borrell and other issues until the early hours of the next morning.
Davos sits on the balcony, and listens to the waves lap against the rocks, thinking back to his youth and all that he did, the wars, the raiding, the travels and fun and the peace. Most of all he thinks of all that he has planned should war come again to Westeros, the Sisters shall remain peaceful and will benefit from whatever comes out on top during the next wave of battles, he is sure of that. He will not let it be otherwise, the waves begin to lull him to sleep when there is a tap on his shoulder. He stirs and looks at his grandson, wordlessly Daemon hands him a letter and he feels something within him sink, Borrell and Longsister have opened their banners in rebellion. War, gods damned war. There will be no peace now.