Dunk and Egg ride past men hung and left to die in cages, speculating on their crime. Egg feels it must have been bad, but Dunk points out that some lords don't need much reason to kill. Dunk thinks of the current drought and of the Hand, Lord Bloodraven who some blame for the kinslaying of his halfbrother Daemon.
The come across a drying streambed and Ser Bennis, who knew Duncan from when he was Squire to Ser Arlan. duncan decides to investigate and the find a Dam on Weber Land. They talk to the men who built it and Bennis cuts one's cheek open.
Duncan and Bennis go to see Ser Eustace, who has been visiting the graves of his sons killed in the Blackfyre rebellion 15 years past. The tell him of the Dam and he tells them to roust the able bodied men from the surrounding villages. Egg is not pleased at having to serve smallfolk, but Dunk makes him see reason. They find just eight and start training them. Egg fears they will all die pointless death and wishes to intercede on their behalf, but Dunk says no as he is only to reveal his identity at dire need.
Dunk dreams of the dead he has known from Baelor to Valarr, dead of the spring sickness. Ser Eustace realises that his men are no match for Lady Webber's and thinks he may have to compenate her for Bennis' attack on one of her men. He has sworn a vow not to step on her land until it is his so Dunk offers to go and aske her to take down the dam and pay the price.
Ser Eustace decides to ride part of the way with them. He tells Dunk of the final battle of the Blackfyre rebellion and how Daemon's downfall had been the mercy he showed Gawyn Corbray of the Kingsguard and how Bloodraven had first killed Daemon's sons, Aegon first them Aemon after he had killed Daemon with sorcerous arrows. His opinion is that had Gawyn been left to die, Daemon could have smashed Maekar and claimed victory. He turns back and wishes them well.
They enter the castle and talk with Ser Lucas, who takes a dislike to Duncan. Ser Lucas first tries to pass off the simple minded Lady Helicent as Lady Rohanne, but the real Lady Rohanne soon puts a stop to it and requests a meeting in a private chamber. Septon Clefton takes them there, talking of Bloodraven on the way and how he rules the land and Aerys lacks a fit heir. When they meet, Lady Rohanne declines the blood price, saying she will accept Bennis instead. She refuses to take down the dam and shows Dunk a document, detailing how she was gviven full rights over the river after Ser Eustace chose the losing side in the rebellion. She says it was as he wanted to get coldmoat, her castle. He asks her to do it for Adamm, the youngest of Ser Eustace's son's sake and she slaps him
On their way back Egg tells Duncan how bastards like Bloodraven are born of lust and weakness and that their nature is betrayal. He is shocked when Duncan points out tht Dunk is probably a bastard. They talk to ser Eustace who explains why he rebelled, as he considered Daemon to be the true king and believes his father did also, as he was given Blackfyre, the Targaryon sword. Duncan tells him they are leaving in the morning. They wake to see the woods aflame and the smallfolk ready for battle. Duncan sends tehm off to their homes and rides out with Ser Eustace to meet Lady Weber. He goes to talk to her privately and she denies setting the fire. He tells her who Egg truly is, but she insists she can't back down. He cuts himself to meet the blood price she is demanding, which immpresses her. She tells him she'd marry him if he were better born. However, he will not withdraw the accusation against her, so she demands trial
Ser Lucas tells her she will marry him when this is done. They fight and DunK spots a weakness, but is unable to take advantage. Ser Lucas attacks DunK's horse and they both fall to the ground. Ser Lucas is winning until Dunc wrestles him to the ground and drowns him in the river. He wakes in Coldmoat and leanrs ser Eustace has married Lady Webber. Before leaving he talks with her and she offers him a horse. He says there is only one thing he wants from her and kisses her, before cutting a lock of her hair. He leaves the horse. Egg, however, does get a new horse.
The Library