Second Sons
The Second Sons are a mercenary company found in the Free Cities. At Yunkai, where they were contracted to face Daenerys Targaryen and her forces, they numbered five hundred men. Their banner is a broken sword.[1]
Contents
History
The second Sons are amongst the oldest of the free companies. They do not enjoy the shining reputation of the Golden Company, but they have won some famous victories.
They once fought alongside the Three Thousand of Qohor and the Bright Banners outside the gates of Qohor.[2] Under the command of Mero, their reputation has fallen to the point where it has become hard for them to find work in the Free Cities.[3]
Culture
The names of every man to serve with them is written in a book, when they joined, where they fought, how long they served, the manner of their deaths. The Second Sons are on their fourth book. The book is leather bound with iron hinges, and large enough to eat your supper off. Inside the heavy wooden boards are names and dates going back more than a century.
A tradition of the company is so sign in red ink. There was a time when each new man wrote his name in his own blood, but that tradition faded as blood makes poor ink. Tyrion chooses to sign in the traditional way: in blood. He signs his name in a big bold hand: Tyrion of House Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock, just below Jorah Mormont’s far more modest signature. Afterwards Inkpots dusts the page with fine sand.
There are famous names in the books: some from the Seven Kingdoms. Aegor Rivers served a year with them, before he left to found the Golden Company. The Bright Prince, Aerion Targaryen and Rodrik Stark, the Wandering Wolf also served. At present, with the addition of Tyrion and Jorah Mormont, they number five hundred and fourteen members.
Recent Events
A Storm of Swords
The Second Sons were employed by Yunkai to defend them against the threat of Daenerys Targaryen. They were placed on the left of the defensive line that faced Daenerys's army. they were commanded by Mero, known as the Titan's Bastard. Mero attended the parley with Daenerys and decided to mull her offer of switching sides or departing only on the condition that she give him a wagon of wine. He brought the wine back to his men and while they were getting drunk on it that night, Daenerys sent her forces on the attack. The Second Sons were routed and Mero fled before he could be captured.[4]
The remaining sellswords voted Brown Ben Plumm as their new commander. They then joined Daenerys Targaryen's army.[5]
A Dance with Dragons
Daenerys sent them south to guard Meereen against any incursions by Yunkai.[6] However when Brown Ben Plumm learns that Daenerys cannot control her dragons anymore and use them against the Yunkai, he has his company go over to the Yunkai.
Notable Members
Captain-generals
- Mero, better known as the Titan's Bastard
- Brown Ben Plumm, captain and commander
- Kasporio, the Cunning, second in command
Members
- Tybero Istarion, better known as Inkpots, paymaster
- Hammer, blacksmith and armorer
- Nail, apprentice to Hammer
- Snatch, serjeant
- Uhlan, serjeant
- Kem, young sellsword
- Bokkoko, axeman
- Tyrion Lannister
- Ser Jorah Mormont
References and Notes
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 42, Daenerys
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 8, Daenerys
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 42, Daenerys
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 42, Daenerys
- ↑ A Storm of Swords, Chapter 57, Daenerys
- ↑ A Dance with Dragons, Daenerys I