haldon

"He says that it is good luck to rub the head of a dwarf, " Haldon said after an exchange with the guard in his own tongue.

"As you prick, look for patches of dead grey skin, for nails beginning to turn black, " said Haldon.

"We'd do well not to breathe the fog either, " said Haldon. "Garin's Curse is all about us. "

"Selhorys. " Haldon produced a small knife from his sleeve. "Here, " he said, tossing it underhand at Tyrion.

Up ahead, the stone men on the span began to wail. A few were pointing down at them. "Haldon, get the prince below, " commanded Griff.

Tyrion twisted around for a look, hoping against hope that it was Duck and Haldon he was hearing.

"You seem to find the dwarf amusing, Duck, " said Haldon. "He can ride with you. " He wheeled his mount about.

Tyrion hopped down to work the cramps out of his calves whilst Duck and Haldon were watering the horses.

"Dwarf stew? " suggested Duck. "Urho the Unwashed is the worst of them, " Haldon confided. "His stench alone is enough to kill a man. "

Haldon stalked to the stern to piss down at the sun where it shimmered on the water, breaking apart with every puff of wind.

Tyrion realized he would do well to be careful around Haldon Half-maester. "Every dwarf is a bastard in his father's eyes. "

Haldon took note of her change of garb as well.

Aye, I'm less than half of Haldon, and no one gives a mummer's fart whether I live or die.

"I do not like this place, " Haldon Halfmaester muttered.

"A book can be as dangerous as a sword in the right hands, " said Haldon.

"They say, " said Haldon. "By they, you mean the slavers, the exiles she drove from Astapor and Meereen. Mere calumnies. "

Haldon gave him a thin smile.

He let the prince have first move. Haldon stood behind them, watching the play.

Haldon answered with an elephant. "Hugor Halfwit would suit you better. "

As each of them was setting up his pieces behind the cyvasse screen, Haldon said, "What news from downriver? Will it be war? "

"Our dead dwarf has returned to us, " Haldon said.

"We were discussing the history of Volantis, " Haldon said to him.

Duck caught up with Haldon Halfmaester a quarter mile on. Thereafter the riders continued side by side.

"I wonder what the pirates of Dagger Lake will make of our dwarf? " Haldon said as they rode on.

"Another hour should see us clear of the Sorrows, " said Haldon Half-maester.

Haldon said, "The noble Qavo Nogarys is the customs officer here in Selhorys. I have never once defeated him at cyvasse. "

Haldon Halfmaester smiled a thin smile. "Tell our little friend how you came by your name, why don't you? "

Later, when Young Griff went up on deck to help Yandry with the sails and poles, Haldon set up his cyvasse table for their game.

Haldon paused in the doorway. "There. Those two. "

The big man roared with laughter. "Did you hear, Haldon? He wants a smaller Duck! "

He moved his light horse toward Haldon's mountains.

"A scribe, long dead, " said Haldon.

he asked Haldon in the Common Tongue.

"No need, " said Haldon. "My dwarf has had his lesson in humility. I think it is best we get back to our boat. "

"I see you have been defacing more good parchment, Yollo. " Haldon laced up his breeches.

"Are you a little king or a little bastard? " asked Haldon.

Yandry thumped the wine cask down onto the desk. "Where's Griff? " he demanded of Haldon.