"I see House Dayne has quite a few outstanding fighters. Sister, why not choose one or two to keep at your side?"
Danyla had always appreciated talent. Seeing so many gifted fighters in the yard stirred that appreciation, and she made the suggestion to Rhaenyra.
Rhaenyra had long envied the host of experts surrounding Danyla. Hearing her suggestion, she began to give it serious thought.
"House Dayne certainly produces no shortage of talent. The question is whether they would be truly loyal to us."
Danyla declared with rather more confidence,
"I think they will make the sensible choice."
The final contest had already begun. Garth, Roland, and Arthur all gripped their Valyrian Steel Swords tightly, carefully sizing up their opponents. Whoever emerged victorious from this three-way melee would become House Dayne's new Sword of the Morning, so all three brought their full skill to bear.
The older Garth Dayne struck first, swinging his heavy sword, Ridge, its blade tracing a silver arc through the twilight. This battle-hardened warrior understood the essence of a melee. Rather than confront Arthur's greatsword head-on, he slammed his blade into the ground, sending fragments of stone flying like shot toward Roland's eyes.
Roland, the dual swordsman, sneered and sidestepped Garth's attack. He deftly whirled his two swords to guard his body, in no hurry to engage his opponents.
"Cheap tricks!"
Arthur, the youngest, roared as he swung his greatsword, Startrail, bringing both Garth and Roland within reach of his attack. The force of its sweeping blade not only drove Roland into a swift retreat but also broke Garth's offensive outright.
Garth refused to be outdone. He first drew back, then gathered his strength again. While Roland occupied some of Arthur's attention, he hacked at Arthur with all his might. The blow was so powerful and