Choice

Asha raised an eyebrow. "Wasn't Hotho Harlaw raiding the Reach with Crow's Eye? He came back?"

Rodrik closed the book before him. "He came back. Aeron sent him back."

"Uncle Aeron?"

Rodrik tapped the small of his back with the back of his hand. "Hotho returned on Aeron's orders. He brought you one of Crow's Eye's treasures as a gift."

Asha blinked. "He actually stole... Ahem, I didn't expect him to be so skilled."

"Crow's Eye underestimated Aeron. Though he serves the Drowned God as a priest, he is still a kraken."

Rodrik rose slowly. "Come. You should like it. It may be just what you need."

After entering the lord's armory, Asha glanced around casually and said, "My uncle, the only thing in Ten Towers that has never changed is this place."

She meant the assortment of weapons passed down by generations of Harlaw lords. Since her uncle had inherited Ten Towers, not even a single extra dagger had been added here.

"Knowledge is the true blade."

Rodrik pointed at a wooden chest resting on the long table. "Open it and see."

At that, Asha walked over at once. When she lifted the lid and saw what lay inside, she said in disbelief, "This is Dragonbinder?"

Rodrik nodded slightly. He came to Asha's side, his eyes fixed on the strange runes carved into the horn. "I translated the Valyrian inscriptions. Its name is 'Dragonbinder.'"

"My dear uncle, the Citadel ought to grant you a maester's chain."

As she spoke, Asha eagerly reached out with both hands, picked up Dragonbinder, and examined it closely.

Candlelight flickered.

Black light gleamed from Dragonbinder, and Asha could see her own distorted reflection on its surface.

When Asha curiously tried to blow Dragonbinder, Rodrik stopped her with an outstretched hand. "The Valyrian runes mean—'I