Chris Ryan

Because like this is, you know, we get Florian and Jonquil, which of course makes us think about Sense and the Hound, and we can talk about that later when we get there.

But as George R.R.

Martin has said, this story is so much about the idealism, the romanticism of knights, and then the reality of what knighthood actually is.

We see some of the brutal sort of clashing of bodies and horses and lances and shields inside of this episode, right?

Um, this is one thing the hound said, uh, just as if I was one of those true nights you love so well.

Yes.

What do you think a night is for girl?

You think it's all taking favors from ladies and looking fine and gold plate nights are for killing.

I killed my first man at 12.

I've lost count of how many I've killed since then.

High Lords with old names, fat, rich men dressed in velvet nights, puffed up like bladders with their honors.

Yes.

And women and children too.

They're all meat and I'm the butcher.

Let them have their lands and their gods and their gold.

Let them have their sirs.

As long as I have this, there's no man on earth I need to fear.

And also, he says, there are no true knights, no more than there are gods.

If you can't protect yourself, die and get out of the way of those who can.

Sharp steel and strong arms rule this world.