The Sworn Sword — читать онлайн бесплатно полностью

""Daemon, though… Daemon was no more pious than a king need be, and all the great knights of the realm gathered to him. It would suit Lord Bloodraven if their names were all forgotten, so he has forbidden us to sing of them, but I remember. Robb Reyne, Gareth the Grey, Ser Aubrey Ambrose, Lord Gormon Peake, Black Byren Flowers, Redtusk, Fireball… Bittersteel! I ask you, has there ever been such a noble company, such a roll of heroes?

"" Why, lad? You ask me why? Because Daemon was the better man. The old king saw it, too.

He gave the sword to Daemon. Blackfyre, the sword of Aegon the Conquerer, the blade that every Targaryen king had wielded since the Conquest… he put that sword in Daemon's hand the day he knighted him, a boy of twelve"".

""My father says that was because Daemon was a swordsman, and Daeron never was"", said Egg. ""Why give a horse to a man who cannot ride? The sword was not the kingdom, he says"".

The old knight's hand jerked so hard that wine spilled from his silver cup. ""Your father is a fool"".

""He is not "", the boy said.

Osgrey's face twisted in anger. ""You asked a question and I answered it, but I will not suffer insolence. Ser Duncan, you should beat this boy more often. His courtesy leaves much to be desired. If I must needs do it myself, I will-""

""No"", Dunk broke in. ""You won't. Ser"". He had made up his mind. ""It is dark. We will leave at first light"".

Ser Eustace stared at him, stricken. ""Leave?""

""Standfast. Your service"". You lied to us.

Call it what you will, there was no honor in it. He unfastened his cloak, rolled it up, and put it in the old man's lap.

Osgrey's eyes grew narrow. ""Did that woman offer to take you into service? Are you leaving me for that whore's bed?""

""I don't know that she is a whore"", Dunk said, ""or a witch or a poisoner or none of that. But whatever she may be makes no matter. We're leaving for the hedges, not for Coldmoat"".

""The ditches, you mean. You're leaving me to prowl in the woods like wolves, to waylay honest men upon the roads"".

His hand was shaking. The cup fell from his fingers, spilling wine as it rolled along the floor. ""Go, then. Go. I want none of you. I should never have taken you on. Go! ""

""As you say, ser"". Dunk beckoned, and Egg followed.

That last night Dunk wanted to be as far from Eustace Osgrey as he could, so they slept down in the cellar, amongst the rest of Standfast's meager host. It was a restless night.