King's Landing, Hook Alley, afternoon.
As soon as Gawen entered the courtyard with Mondon and Anguy, they ran into a young man in a blue tunic, of ordinary height but broad and powerfully built.
The moment the young man spotted Gawen, he grew visibly excited and hurried forward, dropping to one knee."My lord Gawen, your loyal servant Matil Beck greets you."
Gawen motioned for Matil Beck to rise, a faint smile touching his lips."Matil, so you're able to leave the house now?"
The twenty-two-year-old scratched the back of his head sheepishly."I finally have a son. My father has been away in the old lands, with no word of his return. I couldn't wait any longer. I begged Steward Herschel to put me on a merchant ship, and following the address he gave me, I made my way here. I've only just arrived."
Matil Beck was the legitimate son of Ser Mason Beck, one of House Crabb's sworn knights. The Beck family had a rule that could never be broken: a firstborn son was forbidden from going to war or traveling far until he had sired a son of his own.
It was said this custom had been decreed long ago by the ancestors of House Crabb for the families of their sworn knights. The Pell family, likewise sworn to House Crabb, abided by the same rule.
Thus, married at fifteen, Matil had spent seven long years striving to complete his family's duty.
Gawen could well understand Matil's eagerness to leave home the moment his wife bore him a son. The Crabb ancestors did well to set such traditions.
Clapping Matil's solid shoulder, Gawen said warmly,"Welcome, Matil. From now on you shall serve as my squire, tending to my horse and guarding my bow."
Overcome, Matil dropped to one knee again."I swear, by the traditions of House Beck, I will serve you faithfully until death. I swear it by the Old Gods and the New."
Following the Crabb custom, Gawen placed both hands upon his sword, his voice steady with solemn weight."There shall always be a place for you at my hearth, and meat and mead at my table. I swear it by the Old Gods and the New."
Watching, Anguy felt a pang of envy. He leaned toward Mondon and whispered,"Have you sworn loyalty to Lord Gawen yet?"
Mondon blinked his dull eyes, lacking their usual spark of wit."No. Didn't you read the lord's military code? Unless it's a special case, one must serve the lord for three years first. Only then, based on past service, can one earn the right to swear fealty. I'm not in a rush."
Anguy scratched his head awkwardly."I'm not much for reading… Wait, you can read?"
Mondon grinned proudly."My mother taught me. She wouldn't let me eat my fill until I learned."
Anguy's face fell for a moment but quickly recovered."So… what counts as a special case?"
Mondon answered in his slow, honest way,"Like him. Families like Matil's, who have served House Crabb faithfully for hundreds of years."
Hundreds of years? Anguy's heart sank.
But Mondon tried to comfort him."The most important thing in the first three years is obedience—following every command the lord gives. Just being obedient. That's simple enough."
To Mondon, obedience was second nature; as a child, disobedience had meant going hungry.
He went on,"After three years, you'll have the right to swear fealty. Then, if you distinguish yourself in the future, the lord might even knight you. I asked about this specifically—bastards can be knighted too. I'll have my chance."
Through Mondon's words, Anguy suddenly saw a clear path forward.
I could be knighted too? His gloom evaporated at once.
"Ah—right…" Mondon recalled something else."There was another special case. Emparo, commander of the Thorn Legion. She swore loyalty on her very first day."
Anguy's interest sharpened."A woman? How did she manage that?"
"She's strong," Mondon said simply, his big face open and guileless. "Everyone says she's the finest female warrior in the domain."
Anguy's brows rose."Are all the women of Whispers Hall that formidable?"
Mondon, with the instincts of a beast, played a little trick in his reply."Some are… special."
Anguy nodded. That much made sense. A few fierce women is normal.
The women of Whispers… strong, sharp-tongued, fierce, but otherwise just fine.
For once, even Mondon bobbed his head in agreement.
"You've great skill, Anguy," Mondon added. "Don't rush. You'll have your chance."
Anguy managed a smile."Thank you, Mondon. I never thought you knew so much. I'll need to learn from you."
The big man chuckled."I've always had sharp ears. When people talk at meals, I hear everything."
"You've got to teach me to read," Anguy pressed. "From now on, all my wine will be yours."
Mondon shook his massive head."No need. I like working with you. I'll gladly help. You keep the wine. But learn to read. Then you'll know the lord's military code by heart. That's important."
Between them, a flower bloomed.
A flower of friendship.
As Matil led Gawen's horse, he hesitated before speaking."My lord, do you remember the merchant Jefferis?"
Jefferis was a modestly successful trader who owned two flat-bottomed ships, each a hundred feet long. He plied the coasts of Blackwater Bay, trading frequently with Whispers Hall, particularly in hides and leathers.
It had been aboard one of Jefferis's ships that Gawen traveled from Siren's Port to King's Landing.
The costly fare had left a deep impression on him. He nodded.
"My lord," Matil said, "I traveled on one of Jefferis's ships this time as well. On our very first night at sea, we were set upon by pirates. The royal patrol ships of Blackwater Bay arrived swiftly and prevented a disaster, but Jefferis took an arrow to the belly. The wound is grave. I fear he has but a few days left."
Lord Stannis Baratheon of Dragonstone, the king's second brother, served as Master of Ships. Stern, unyielding, and utterly devoted to the law, Stannis ensured that the royal fleet never slackened its patrols of Blackwater Bay and beyond.
But the sea was vast, and daring, cunning pirates sometimes slipped past even Stannis's vigilance, venturing into the waters he guarded most zealously.
Gawen's brown eyes flickered toward Matil.
"After I boarded," Matil continued, "Jefferis learned who I was. He treated me with the utmost courtesy, saying he held you in the highest regard."
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