“You take this business too hard, boy. It is only that your lord father does not know you. With your brothers dead and you taken by the wolves, your sister was his solace¹. He learned to rely on her, and she has never failed him.”  “Nor have I. The Starks knew my worth. I was one of Brynden Blackfish’s picked scouts³, and I charged with the first wave in the Whispering Wood. I was that close to crossing swords with the Kingslayer himself.” Theon held his hands two feet apart. “Daryn Hornwood came between us, and died for it.”  “Why do you tell me this?” Dagmer asked. “It was me who put your first sword in your hand. I know you are no craven.”  “Does my father?”  The hoary⁵ old warrior⁶ looked as if he had bitten into something he did not like the taste of. “It is only... Theon, the Boy Wolf is your friend, and these Starks had you for ten years.”  “I am no Stark².” Lord Eddard saw to that. “I am a Greyjoy, and I mean to be my father’s heir. How can I do that unless I prove myself with some great deed? “  “You are young. Other wars will come, and you shall do your great deeds. For now, we are commanded to harry⁷ the Stony⁸ Shore.”  “Let my uncle Aeron see to it. I’ll give him six ships, all but Foamdrinker and Sea Bitch, and he can burn and drown to his god’s surfeit⁹.”  “The command was given you, not Aeron Damphair.”  “So long as the harrying¹⁰ is done, what does it matter? No priest could do what I mean to, nor what I ask of you. I have a task that only Dagmer Cleftjaw can accomplish.”  Dagmer took a long

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