A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Dunk and Egg have been traveling together for nearly two years and are currently returning from Dosk, near Standfast in the Reach. Dunk is in Ser Eustace Osgrey’s service, and they have been sent to collect casks of wine and deliver them to his keep. Around them, they see the damaging effects of a long drought, and raids by Iron Islands men have been reported along the coast. Dunk finds the heat difficult, but he is reminded of Ser Arlan’s motto that such pains are “as much a part of knighthood as swords and shields” (123).

At Standfast, Dunk and Egg meet Ser Bennis of the Brown Shield. Like Dunk, Bennis is in the service of Ser Eustace. Bennis is known for his foul mouth, his foul attitude, and his foul smell. He mocks Ser Eustace and Dunk himself, much to Dunk’s annoyance. Dunk believes that Bennis should treat their lord with respect. As they argue, Egg points out that the nearby stream is dry. Dunk does not agree with Bennis that it was caused by the drought. Bennis wants to ignore the problem, but Dunk insists on investigating why the Chequy Water has run dry, especially as the stream is named after the Chequy Lion, the sigil of Ser Eustace Osgrey’s house.