Led by a young squire, Ian and his party entered House Ward's "castle hall," a structure of timber and adobe that was even shabbier than the Black Falcon Mercenaries' castle.
"Welcome, Ser Lucian Lannister." Before entering the castle, Ian had sent in Jeyne Hede, the niece of Martha, the proprietor of the Crossroads Inn, to announce his arrival. Thus, the castle's master had learned in advance that he was "Ser Lucian."
"I am Ser Veld of House Regg." Yet the first to speak was not the castle's master, but Ser Veld, the local knightly leader who was said to have seen the three-headed black dragon sigil on the bandits.
He was a somewhat older knight, his beard already streaked with gray, but his body was as sturdy as that of a young man in his twenties. At a glance, Ian knew this man was not to be underestimated.
After introducing himself, Ser Veld pointed at the tough-looking middle-aged man beside him. "This is Ser Viri Ward, the master of this castle."
Ser Viri Ward merely gave a somewhat stiff nod when he saw Ian looking at him, saying nothing more.
Just as aloof as in the original story, Ian thought to himself.
"Pleased to meet you." Since Jeyne had already announced his name, Ian spared himself an introduction and merely introduced his other attendants. "These two are Old Dog and Mute." He pointed at Roar and Keith. "They are both commoners from the Westerlands and serve as my squires."
"And the two outside are my squires' squires." Naturally, he meant Bronn and Cheggan.
Hiss—
The moment Ian finished speaking, he heard both knights draw in sharp breaths.
"I assume Jeyne already told you why I came?" Ian did not give them time to marvel before getting straight to the point.