Game of Thrones: Knight’s Honor

Lynd's promotion to captain of the cavalry patrols stirred murmurs throughout the Tyrell camp. Those who had remained in King's Landing with Lord Mace Tyrell the previous year were unfazed, but for others—especially those who had traveled from Highgarden—the news came as a surprise. After all, Lynd had recently been demoted from Knight Squire to the scouting team. Yet, in just half a month, not only had he regained his position as Lord Vortimer Crane's Knight Squire, but he had also secured the significant authority of leading the cavalry patrols. To many, it seemed almost unbelievable.

However, those familiar with Lynd's abilities weren't entirely shocked. They knew it was only a matter of time before he reclaimed his place. While the speed of his rise felt abrupt, the outcome wasn't entirely unexpected.

What drew even more attention than Lynd's promotion, though, was the formation of the cavalry patrols. The distinction between cavalry and infantry was stark—like that between commoners and nobles. Cavalry required not only skill but also resources; they were equipped with horses, armor, and weapons by House Tyrell and received higher salaries and benefits than infantry. As word spread that Lynd was assembling the patrols, numerous individuals approached him, eager to join.

Lynd, however, made his choices swiftly and decisively. He selected ten men from the guards without hesitation, exercising the authority granted by Vortimer. The process took only minutes, and he left no room for bribes or favoritism.

This led some to label Lynd as naive for not leveraging such a prime opportunity to gain wealth or favor. Others questioned the qualifications of those he picked—hunters who had accompanied him during recent excursions in the Kingswood. While their archery skills were excellent, none of them had any experience riding horses, a basic prerequisite for cavalry. Many criticized Lynd's decision as amateurish, and some even anticipated his failure, their skepticism fueled by a mix of envy and resentment over his rapid success.

Still, Garlan and his allies seemed unconcerned. To them, even if issues arose with Lynd's cavalry patrols, it was a manageable cost for his training and development.

Lynd himself remained unbothered by the criticism. After finalizing his team, he promptly outfitted them with horses and equipment and began training them in horseback riding that same day. The sessions took place in a secluded open area near the Lion Gate, away from prying eyes.

To build camaraderie, Lynd personally paid for his men to unwind at a tavern near the Mud Gate docks after their training sessions. Within a few days, this gesture strengthened the bond between Lynd and his new team.

As the camp settled into a more relaxed atmosphere, anticipation for the grand events at the Red Keep grew. The arrival of Lord Tywin Lannister marked the prelude to Prince Joffrey's banquet, held to celebrate the crown prince. Garlan, Vortimer, and others from House Tyrell left early for the Tyrells' temporary residence within the castle to prepare for the evening's festivities.

With their superiors occupied, the mood in the camp grew noticeably lighter. Many soldiers ventured to the tournament grounds, drawn by the spectacle. Although the official tournament would not commence until the following day, knights from across Westeros had already gathered. Most were landless and unaligned, hoping to make a name for themselves and attract the favor of noble patrons by competing for glory.

Lynd's reputation was already rising swiftly. As Vortimer Crane's Knight Squire and now with Garlan Tyrell's recognition, his path to becoming a full-fledged knight of House Tyrell seemed all but certain. With the potential for further battlefield achievements, even the dream of property ownership as a knight felt within reach. Yet, while Lynd steadily climbed the social ladder, the ongoing tournament in King's Landing drew a different mix of ambition and desperation.

Among the knights gathered, some sought fame and the chance to attract noble patrons. Others, however, were there for the lucrative prize money. In most parts of Westeros, a reward of 10,000 golden dragons was exceptional. But King Robert Baratheon, with his love for martial prowess, had set the bar higher. Early in his reign, he held three tournaments with prizes of 20,000 golden dragons each. For this event—celebrating Prince Joffrey's succession—the reward had been raised to an astonishing 50,000 golden dragons. The announcement had sent ripples across Westeros and Essos, drawing knights from every corner to King's Landing.

Reports estimated over a thousand knights had entered the tournament, along with countless archers and warriors competing in archery and team battles. Combined, the participants numbered in the thousands, making this the largest tournament Westeros had ever seen.

The influx of such a massive and restless force posed a severe challenge to the city's security. King's Landing's City Watch, with barely over a thousand men, was ill-equipped to manage the chaos. To prevent anarchy, Lord Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, decreed that all tournament participants stay outside the city walls.

The decision merely displaced the turmoil. Packed together outside The King's Gate and along the Blackwater Rush, conflicts erupted daily. Fighters from different regions, each brimming with martial pride, clashed over perceived slights or disputes. The City Watch often avoided intervening, instead arriving post-brawl to collect bodies and confiscate valuables as fines. Unclaimed corpses were unceremoniously dumped into the Blackwater Rush, their fate sealed in Blackwater Bay.

Within the tournament grounds, tensions were even higher. Measuring the lists before the competition was critical for knights. Understanding the length and width of the field helped them calculate timing, rhythm, and strike accuracy during a joust. While noble knights were granted reserved time to measure the lists, free knights were not afforded this luxury. They had to measure the grounds beforehand, often leading to chaotic scrambles and disputes over who would go first.

With nearly a thousand knights competing for access to the grounds, tempers flared. Over the past two days alone, more than ten fights had broken out over measuring rights. Two free knights, both minor noble second sons, had even died in the brawls. Their deaths caused little stir in King's Landing, their significance drowned by the sheer scale of the event.

By nightfall, the scene at the arena was still lively. Onlookers, unwilling to let the entertainment end, lit braziers around the grounds, ensuring the fighting continued well into the evening. Knights who had yet to measure the lists took to dueling under the firelight, much to the delight of the gathered crowds.

Lynd and his cavalry patrol arrived late, having spent the day training on horseback. As they approached the arena, they overheard excited conversations recounting the day's bloody skirmishes. Despite the darkening sky, the energy remained electric, with spectators eagerly anticipating more duels.

Amid the chaos, Lynd quietly separated himself from his men, using the bustling crowd to his advantage. Disappearing into the throng, he made his way toward the docks near Mud Gate, following the Blackwater Rush to the fish market port.

In the past two days, under the guise of camaraderie-building tavern outings with his subordinates, Lynd had carefully scouted the area. His goal was a specific warehouse in the dock district.

The warehouse was situated beside the Mud Gate, adjacent to the Castle wall. Beyond the wall lay the City Watch's security office. Despite the barrier, any disturbance within the warehouse would prompt the Gold Cloaks guards in the security office to bypass the Castle gate and arrive at the scene in mere minutes.

This warehouse was primarily used by wealthy merchants to store valuable goods. Typically, these goods were guarded by the merchants' own caravan guards. However, on this occasion, the warehouse was additionally secured by the City Watch's Gold Cloaks, raising curiosity about the nature of the goods stored within.

Lynd was among those intrigued. His interest had been piqued days earlier when Littlefinger spoke of smuggled goods at Todder's Pumpkin. Taking the matter seriously, Lynd had begun formulating a plan. The two-day tavern visits had been part of his preparations.

Today presented the perfect opportunity for Lynd to act. With the tournament commencing tomorrow, Mace Tyrell would leave his Castle quarters to reside in the camp tents outside until the tournament concluded. As security of the camp would demand his attention, other matters would be left unattended.

Despite his curiosity, Lynd was no reckless adventurer. If a situation seemed overly challenging or the risk of being noticed too high, he was prepared to abandon the venture. However, his observations had provided confidence.

The warehouse's original design prioritized security, leaving ample open space around it and installing torches to illuminate the perimeter. Guards could detect intruders even at night. But as time passed, these measures were compromised. The open space was replaced with additional warehouses, guard posts were neglected, and only a climbable fence surrounded the area. Security now consisted of two guards at the entrance and sporadic patrols.

Lynd had carefully studied the warehouse and its surroundings from a nearby tavern over the past two days. Though the tavern was a modest, thatched-roof building with limited visibility, Lynd's exceptional hearing allowed him to discern the number and routes of the patrols. He also noted the irregular patrols of the City Watch, whose involvement was minimal despite Janos Slynt's promises to Littlefinger.

Confident in his timing, Lynd positioned himself in a shaded corner near the warehouse. When the patrols moved on, he swiftly scaled the wall and landed inside. Moving with feline grace, he darted to the warehouse's side and climbed the uneven wooden boards to the roof. Once on the roof, he crawled silently, his movements as smooth as a serpent.

Despite his imposing 1.98-meter frame and a build reminiscent of a bear, Lynd's agility was remarkable. His combat experience as a Peacekeeper had honed his skills, allowing him to navigate obstacles with ease. Without alerting any guards, he reached the roof above the section of the warehouse rented by Littlefinger.

Carefully, Lynd made his way to the edge and lowered himself to a high window on the second floor. Using a dagger, he located the window latch, shifted it upward, and opened the window. Peering inside, he saw the dimly lit warehouse, faintly illuminated by a few oil lamps. Torches were avoided, likely due to the risk of fire.

A guard was stationed inside, but he was thoroughly incapacitated, slumped over a table with an empty wine bottle. His snores echoed through the warehouse, rendering him useless as a deterrent.

Lynd remained cautious. He raised the window slightly and squeezed his massive frame through the narrow opening. Once inside, he carefully closed the window and grabbed the crossbeam overhead. Swinging slightly, he avoided the creaky floorboards and landed on a sturdy railing. His deliberate movements brought him to the storage area where the goods were kept.

The warehouse, fully rented by Littlefinger, made identifying the correct goods straightforward. Lynd quickly located what he sought.