Before Tyrion Lannister and Podrick Payne, there was Dunk and Egg. A young, naïve but ultimately courageous hedge knight, Ser Duncan the Tall towers above his rivals—in stature if not experience. Tagging along is his diminutive squire, a boy called Egg—whose true name is hidden from all he and Dunk encounter. Though more improbable heroes may not be found in all of Westeros, great destinies lay ahead for these two . . . as do powerful foes, royal intrigue, and outrageous exploits.

The tales of Dunk and Egg have been entertaining and with each new one, you can’t help but find yourself wondering what kind of trouble they will be getting into next. In this particular novella, there’s no difference. Much like the previous one, this one starts with the duo stumbling across a corpse while on the road. This serves as a reminder that the Hand of the King has an eye hidden all throughout Westeros.

Once again, Dunk finds himself in a dual. I suppose as a knight, there isn’t much else to do but got to war and dual? What’s even more troubling is the repeating imagery of people constantly having dreams about Dunk. In each of the tales prior to this, it has happened. These reoccurring themes are meant to help keep pushing Dunk towards his (and Egg’s) ultimate destiny, but when you’re reading it back to back, it can be a bit annoying.

Still, this is the first time the duo have come close to coming in contact with a dragon egg and consider Egg’s fate of dying in a fire while trying to hatch one, it can be seen as a bit of foreshadow. Irony aside, it’s interesting exactly how much these people fear the dragon, for even the sight of Egg’s ring can leave a grown man cowarding. This is a decent enough novella that definitely helps round out this book.

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