The Sworn Sword — читать онлайн бесплатно полностью

Ser Bennis rattled off a pungent string of curses as chickens and peasants scattered in all directions. Egg fought manfully to hold his laughter in, but finally lost the battle.

""Enough of that"". Dunk drew Thunder to a halt, unfastened his helm, and tore it off. ""If they do that in a battle, it will get the whole lot of them killed"". And you and me as well, most like. The morning was already hot, and he felt as soiled and sticky as if he'd never bathed at all. His head was pounding, and he could not forget the dream he dreamed the night before.

It never happened that way, he tried to tell himself. It wasn't like that. Chestnut had died on the long dry ride to Vaith, that part was true. He and Egg rode double until Egg's brother gave them Maester. The rest of it, though…

I never wept. I might have wanted to, but I never did. He had wanted to bury the horse as well, but the Dornishmen would not wait. ""Sand dogs must eat and feed their pups"", one of the Dornish knights told him as he helped Dunk strip the stot of saddle and bridle.

""His flesh will feed the dogs or feed the sands. In a year, his bones will be scoured clean. This is Dorne, my friend"". Remembering, Dunk could not help but wonder who would feed on Wat's flesh, and Wat's, and Wat's. Maybe there are chequy fish down beneath the Chequy Water.

He rode Thunder back to the tower and dismounted. ""Egg, help Ser Bennis round them up and get them back here"". He shoved his helm at Egg and strode to the steps.

Ser Eustace met him in the dimness of his solar. ""That was not well done"".

""No, m'lord"", said Dunk. ""They will not serve"". A sworn sword owes his liege service and obedience, but this is madness.

""It was their first time. Their fathers and brothers were as bad or worse when they began their training. My sons worked with them, before we went to help the king. Every day, for a good fortnight. They made soldiers of them"".

""And when the battle came, m'lord?"" Dunk asked.

""How did they fare then? How many of them came home with you?""

The old knight looked long at him. ""Lem"", he said at last, ""and Pate, and Dake. Dake foraged for us. He was as fine a forager as I ever knew. We never marched on empty bellies. Three came back, ser. Three and me"". His mustache quivered. ""It may take longer than a fortnight""."

"""M'lord"", said Dunk, ""the woman could be here upon the morrow, with all her men"".