Game of Thrones: Knight’s Honor

When the tournament was about to begin, Lynd assigned Garth the task of protecting Willas and asked the Red Viper to participate alongside the knights of Dorne under his command. Having a Prince of Dorne act as the protector of The Reach's heir was an insult, but since the Red Viper had been unable to uncover any leads regarding the assassination attempt, he felt a sense of responsibility and agreed to Lynd's somewhat excessive request.

After organizing the knightly guard, Lynd also asked Malora to stay close to Willas, anticipating that someone might attempt to use poison or another subtle method to harm him. Willas was unfamiliar with his maternal aunt's abilities and could not comprehend Lynd's reasoning. Nevertheless, he accepted her presence, and the three of them developed a harmonious relationship. They found common ground in their discussions, particularly about training animals—a skill in which the Red Viper was also well-versed.

However, Lynd noticed subtle shifts in the Red Viper's expressions and tone when speaking to Malora, which suggested familiarity between the two. It was clear they were not strangers. Lynd chose not to probe further; as long as it did not interfere with his plans, their history was of no concern to him.

"You've arranged for us to guard your young lord, but what about you? Where are you going, Lynd?" the Red Viper asked, puzzled by Lynd's intentions.

"I plan to capture the King of Wild Horses of Dorne," Lynd replied.

When he left the camp, Lynd was dressed not in armor but in simple Dornish clothing. Mounted on his horse, he departed the camp of The Reach with an air of confidence and determination. His departure did not go unnoticed. Observers with ulterior motives saw this as a weakening of The Reach's defenses. However, when they learned that the Red Viper and his men from Sunspear had joined in guarding Willas—and that the Red Viper had willingly taken on such a role—they realized their chances of success had dwindled. Attempting to act now would only invite the Red Viper's wrath.

As their attention turned to Lynd, they became curious about his decision to leave Willas at such a critical moment. They soon discovered that he was heading toward the King of Wild Horses, a goal that stirred both intrigue and ambition among the onlookers. News of Lynd's departure spread quickly, drawing numerous knights and horse hunters who had come to the tournament. Leaving the camp, they ventured into the Godsgrace Mountains, eager to claim the King of Wild Horses for themselves.

To the lords and nobles of Dorne, the King of Wild Horses had become far more than just a pair of magnificent animals. Failed attempts to capture the horses—resulting in injuries, deaths, or harrowing encounters with predators—had turned them into a near-mythical symbol. Many saw the King of Wild Horses as a spiritual emblem, akin to the Dornish resistance against the Targaryen conquest long ago.

Some lords even offered extraordinary rewards for the live capture of the King of Wild Horses. These promises included knighthood, land, villages, and prestigious positions. As a result, knights, warriors, and hunters from all over Dorne flocked to the Godsgrace Mountains. Yet, their efforts largely ended in failure. Few even glimpsed the King of Wild Horses or its herd, and those who did found no opportunity to capture them. The herd continued to migrate deeper into the forbidden parts of the mountains, where few dared to tread.

The near-impossibility of capturing the King of Wild Horses only elevated its status in the hearts of the Dornish people. Rumors circulated that the King of Wild Horses was an incarnation of the Old Gods' spirits, a belief especially popular among the common folk around Godsgrace Castle.

Now, Lynd's bold declaration that he would capture the King of Wild Horses was seen as a direct challenge to this revered symbol. Many believed that, with his evident aura of authority and capability, Lynd might actually succeed. This stirred unease among the various lords' retainers—knights, horse catchers, and hunters—who rushed to the mountains. If they could not capture the King of Wild Horses before Lynd, they were determined to sabotage his attempt.

Most people in Dorne view Lynd as an outsider, unfamiliar with the rugged terrain of the Godsgrace Mountains. They believe they can reach the restricted area of the mountains—where the elusive King of Wild Horses roams—before he does. What they fail to realize is that Lynd has an experienced guide at his side: Lothor, a knight of Godsgrace. Lynd had encountered Lothor on the road and inquired about the King of Wild Horses, which set their partnership in motion.

Lothor's willingness to assist Lynd, even at the risk of alienating himself from the people of Dorne, stemmed from a deeper motivation. He sought to switch allegiances and become Lynd's sworn knight. As an orphan from the Greenblood River, Lothor had faced numerous obstacles, even after earning his knighthood. Among Dorne's nobles, his origins marked him as an outsider, and he struggled to find opportunities for advancement. Godsgrace Castle was already the third noble house he had served, but his time there was fraught with marginalization.

For three years, Lothor served as a sworn knight of Godsgrace, yet he was often relegated to menial tasks. Even routine duties, like delivering letters, were handled in ways that undermined his role. Once, the captain of the Godsgrace guards sent him to Sunspear to deliver a letter despite his injuries, leading to a relapse and a prolonged recovery. When he returned to Godsgrace slightly earlier than expected, the captain dismissed him for failing to report back promptly.

Now a hedge knight again, Lothor sought employment with another noble. Yet in Dorne, few were willing to hire someone with his background, and those who were offered harsh terms. Desperate, Lothor turned to Lynd and proposed a deal: he would guide Lynd to capture the King of Wild Horses in exchange for becoming Lynd's sworn knight, with the promise of eventually earning a place as a full knight of House Tarran.

For Lynd, the arrangement was fortuitous. He had been seeking a guide into the Godsgrace Mountains, and Lothor's skills fit his needs perfectly. Lothor's conditions were acceptable; as long as he proved his worth, Lynd saw no issue in granting him knighthood under House Tarran. To mislead the lords and nobles of Dorne, Lynd instructed Lothor to travel separately. Lynd departed alone to wait at a landmark valley within the Godsgrace Mountains, ensuring that others would believe he had no guide.

By the time the nobles realized Lynd's true objective—the King of Wild Horses—he and Lothor had already ventured deep into the mountains. They were now approaching the edge of the restricted area where the King of Wild Horses had last been sighted.

The origin of the Godsgrace Mountains' name has long been lost to time, though many attribute it to the Old Gods. The mountains were once a settlement of the Old Gods and the ancient races during the Age of the First Men.

As the ancestors of men grew in number, conflicts arose between them and the ancient races, escalating into a devastating war. Many ancient beings perished, and the Weirwoods were felled. In desperation, the ancient races enacted a large-scale sacrifice at The Neck, awakening subterranean giants who tore the land apart, destroying the Arm of Dorne and severing the connection between Essos and Westeros.

The Godsgrace Mountains, a key site of this sacrifice, became imbued with residual power. The legends surrounding the mountains persist, as does their mysterious aura. The people of Dorne revere these tales because of the mountains' peculiar nature.

Bounded by the Sea of Dorne to the north and the Greenblood River to the south, the region's climate is warm and humid—ideal for lush vegetation. Godsgrace Castle itself is surrounded by dense greenery. Yet, the Godsgrace Mountains defy this abundance. Barren and lifeless, they support little more than weeds and moss. Rainfall is scarce, and snow never falls. An inexplicable force seems to repel all moisture, leaving the mountains dry and desolate.

Some attribute this barrenness to a curse from the ancient races, while others believe it is the work of the slumbering giants beneath the mountains. Whatever the cause, the Godsgrace Mountains remain an inhospitable and enigmatic region, a near-desert where human presence is rare.

Occasionally, people venture into the uninhabited areas of the desert, and similarly, the restricted zones deep within the Godsgrace Mountains are not devoid of explorers. Lothor is one such individual, driven by curiosity and experience.

Before being employed by House Allyrion, Lothor served as a sworn knight of House Toland of Ghost Hill, situated on the eastern edge of the Godsgrace Mountains, which are part of the mountain's outer reaches.

During his time with House Toland, he was tasked by the Maester to accompany and protect him on expeditions into the Godsgrace Mountains. The Maester was researching the region's flora and fauna, and Lothor, along with a group of knights and hunters, ventured into the mountains six or seven times in one year, staying for over two months during each expedition. While he wouldn't claim to know the Godsgrace Mountains perfectly, his experience gave him a familiarity that far surpassed that of the average hunter. It was during these ventures that Lothor had first encountered the King of Wild Horses.

Now, leading Lynd into the depths of the mountains, Lothor directed their journey straight toward the restricted area where the King of Wild Horses was last seen. Prior to setting out, he had learned that the herd had moved deep into the forbidden zone, likely seeking refuge by the central lake, where they could evade hunters and horse catchers.

The restricted areas of the Godsgrace Mountains are not dangerous due to fatal mystical forces but because of the disorienting terrain. These barren zones are comprised entirely of vast expanses of rock, with slopes and hills blanketed in enormous gravel. The land appears as if a mighty mountain had been shattered and its remains scattered, leaving behind labyrinthine gaps between massive rocks. Walking through such an area, it is easy to become lost and trapped.

Adding to the challenge, these areas are utterly devoid of life. No animals venture here, and no plants grow in the lifeless soil. Once caught in such a place, survival becomes almost impossible, as there is neither sustenance nor a clear way out. These traits have earned the restricted areas their reputation as human death traps. The Godsgrace Mountains contain five such zones, all equally treacherous.

However, for Lothor, these dangers were manageable. His time with the Ghost Hill Maester had prepared him well, teaching him methods to find water and sustenance even in the most hostile environments. This knowledge bolstered his confidence in leading Lynd to the King of Wild Horses.

Lynd, for his part, was untroubled by the possibility of getting lost. Both Lothor and his loyal steed, Glory, were capable guides. His concerns lay elsewhere—specifically, the peculiar qualities of the restricted area itself.

Once they entered the zone, Lynd began to suspect that the local legends held some truth. The air felt different, saturated with a faint but discernible magic. The dragon runes on the Banished Knight's greatsword seemed to confirm this, as they absorbed the ambient magic at an accelerated rate. While the magic here was far weaker compared to what he had experienced in the High Tower at Oldtown, it was still potent enough to alter the environment. Its influence was evident in the barren land, where no plants or animals could thrive.

Magic in the restricted area also affected people. Prolonged exposure could lead to hallucinations and, in severe cases, a complete loss of direction—likely the primary reason most who ventured here never returned. However, Lynd's unique constitution, altered by the Dragon Communion Ritual, and the magic-absorbing properties of the Banished Knight's greatsword rendered him immune to these effects.

Lothor, too, was unaffected. Around his neck, he wore a golden amulet that emitted a faint magical aura, warding off the ambient magic. He explained that the amulet was an heirloom passed down through his family, a relic created by his ancestors during their time on the continent of Essos. Encased within the amulet was a drop of water from the river Lorne, their homeland's mother river. Lynd accepted this explanation without skepticism, even encouraging Lothor to safeguard the amulet, though Lothor himself was unsure of the story's authenticity.

Perhaps due to the amulet—or sheer fortune—they soon discovered fresh signs of the herd. Droppings and other traces indicated that the horses were nearby. Judging by the dryness of the droppings, Lothor estimated that they were not far from the King of Wild Horses and his herd.