Eddard

           Hedreamtanolddream,ofthreeknightsinwhitecloaks,andatowerlongfallen,andLyannainherbedofblood.

           Inthedreamhisfriendsrodewithhim,astheyhadinlife.ProudMartynCassel,Jory’sfather;faithfulTheoWull;EthanGlover,whohadbeenBrandon’ssquire;SerMarkRyswell,softofspeechandgentleofheart;thecrannogman,HowlandReed;LordDustinonhisgreatredstallion.Nedhadknowntheirfacesaswellasheknewhisownonce,buttheyearsleechataman’smemories,eventhosehehasvowednevertoforget.Inthedreamtheywereonlyshadows,greywraithsonhorsesmadeofmist.

           Theywereseven,facingthree.Inthedreamasithadbeeninlife.Yetthesewerenoordinarythree.Theywaitedbeforetheroundtower,theredmountainsofDorneattheirbacks,theirwhitecloaksblowinginthewind.Andthesewerenoshadows;theirfacesburnedclear,evennow.SerArthurDayne,theSwordoftheMorning,hadasadsmileonhislips.ThehiltofthegreatswordDawnpokedupoverhisrightshoulder.SerOswellWhentwasononeknee,sharpeninghisbladewithawhetstone.Acrosshiswhite-enameledhelm,theblackbatofhisHousespreaditswings.BetweenthemstoodfierceoldSerGeroldHightower,theWhiteBull,LordCommanderoftheKingsguard.

           "IlookedforyouontheTrident,"Nedsaidtothem.

           "Wewerenotthere,"SerGeroldanswered.

           "WoetotheUsurperifwehadbeen,"saidSerOswell.

           "WhenKing’sLandingfell,SerJaimeslewyourkingwithagoldensword,andIwonderedwhereyouwere."