"Merling!" "Brienne of Tarth!" The guests cheered, applauding Brienne's courage. This time, they were being very gracious indeed.
The Tarth girl's father, Lord Selwyn Tarth, also had tears in his eyes. He was proud, but deeply sorrowful too. Tarth was wealthy and beautiful, yet every marriage he had arranged for his daughter Brienne had fallen through. Judging by things now, his daughter could only go further down the path of a popular warrior. She was a respected warrior, but also a freak among women, destined never to become a cherished noble lady.
"Come here, Anguy, and you too, Rosso." Gendry called Anguy and Rosso Brune over. The lords of the Stormlands also knew that these two attendants were Gendry's trusted men. One was a marksman from the Dornish Marches, unrivaled in archery. The other was Rosso the Finger Killer, a man of humble birth, skilled, loyal, and dependable, who had played a major part in Littlefinger's downfall.
"Rise, Anguy, knight of the Dornish Marches."
"Rise, Rosso, knight of Crackclaw Point."
"I hope you will become true knights. A knight who loses his sense of honor is no different from a killer." Gendry moved his longsword between their shoulders, personally dubbing both men full knights. It was more than a change of title. Once the Seven Kingdoms were pacified, he would also arrange lands and castles for them. Still, as the wars grew larger, there would be plenty of vacant castles. War was a game of power, and the winners took the greater share.
Red-haired Anguy and Rosso Brune, with his gray hair, flat nose, and square chin, rose happily. Gendry had presided over the ceremony, and being knighted by the invincible Storm was an immense honor for its recipients.
"We also ask to become members of the Stormguard. Our