—DAEGON SHEPHERD, called THE BLACK SHEPHERD, captain of the Dagger.

The Targaryens are the blood of the dragon, descended from the high lords of the ancient Freehold of Valyria, their heritage marked by lilac, indigo, and violet eyes and hair of silver-gold. To preserve their blood and keep it pure, House Targaryen has oft wed brother to sister, cousin to cousin, uncle to niece. The founder of the dynasty, Aegon the Conqueror, took both his sisters to wife and fathered sons on each. The Targaryen banner is a three-headed dragon, red on black, the three heads representing Aegon and his sisters. The Targaryen words are Fire and Blood.

THE SELLSWORDS MEN AND WOMEN OF THE FREE COMPANIES

THE GOLDEN COMPANY, ten thousand strong, of uncertain loyalty:

—HOMELESS HARRY STRICKLAND, captain-general,

—WATKYN, his squire and cupbearer,

—{SER MYLES TOYNE, called BLACKHEART}, four years dead, the previous captain-general,

—BLACK BALAQ, a white-haired Summer Islander, commander of the company archers,

—LYSONO MAAR, a sellsword late of the Free City of Lys, company spymaster,

—GORYS EDORYEN, a sellsword late of the Free City of Volantis, company paymaster,

—SER FRANKLYN FLOWERS, the Bastard of Cider Hall, a sells-word from the Reach,

—SER MARQ MANDRAKE, an exile escaped from slavery, scarred by pox,

—SER LASWELL PEAKE, an exile lord,

—his brothers, TORMAN and PYKEWOOD,

—SER TRISTAN RIVERS, bastard, outlaw, exile,

—CASPOR HILL, HUMFREY STONE, MALO JAYN, DICK COLE, WILL COLE, LORIMAS MUDD, JON LOTHSTON, LYMOND PEASE, SER BRENDEL BYRNE, DUNCAN STRONG, DENYS STRONG, CHAINS, YOUNG JOHN MUDD, serjeants of the company,

—{SER AEGOR RIVERS, called BITTERSTEEL}, a bastard son of King Aegon IV Targaryen, founder of the company},

—{MAELYS I BLACKFYRE, called MAELYS THE MONSTROUS}, captain-general of the company, pretender to the Iron Throne of Westeros, member of the Band of Nine, slain during the War of the Ninepenny Kings,

THE WINDBLOWN, two thousand horse and foot, sworn to Yunkai,

—THE TATTERED PRINCE, a former nobleman of the Free City of Pentos, captain and founder,

—CAGGO, called CORPSEKILLER, his right hand,

—DENZO D’HAN, the warrior bard, his left hand,

—HUGH HUNGERFORD, serjeant, former company paymaster, fined three fingers for stealing,

—SER ORSON STONE, SER LUCIFER LONG, WILL OF THE WOODS, DICK STRAW, GINJER JACK, Westerosi sellswords,

—PRETTY MERIS, the company torturer,

—BOOKS, a Volantene swordsman and notorious reader,

—BEANS, a crossbowman, late of Myr,

—OLD BILL BONE, a weathered Summer Islander,

—MYRIO MYRAKIS, a sellsword late of Pentos,

THE COMPANY OF THE CAT, three thousand strong, sworn to Yunkai,

—BLOODBEARD, captain and commander,

THE LONG LANCES, eight hundred horse-riders, sworn to Yunkai,

—GYLO RHEGAN, captain and commander,

THE SECOND SONS, five hundred horse-riders, sworn to Queen Daenerys,

—BROWN BEN PLUMM, captain and commander,

—KASPORIO, called KASPORIO THE CUNNING, a bravo, second-in-command,

—TYBERO ISTARION, called INKPOTS, company paymaster,

—HAMMER, a drunken blacksmith and armorer,

—his apprentice, called NAIL,

—SNATCH, a serjeant, one-handed,

—KEM, a young sellsword, from Flea Bottom,

—BOKKOKO, an axeman of formidable repute,

—UHLAN, a serjeant of the company,

THE STORMCROWS, five hundred horse-riders, sworn to Queen Daenerys,

—DAAERIO NAHARIS, captain and commander,

—THE WIDOWER, his second-in-command,

—JOKIN, commander of the company archers.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The last one was a bitch. This one was three bitches and a bastard. Once again, my thanks to my long-suffering editors and publishers: to Jane Johnson and Joy Chamberlain at Voyager, and Scott Shannon, Nita Taublib, and Anne Groell from Bantam. Their understanding, good humor, and sage advice helped through the tough bits, and I will never cease to be grateful for their patience.

Thanks as well to my equally patient and endlessly supportive agents, Chris Lotts, Vince Gerardis, the fabulous Kay McCauley, and the late Ralph Vicinanza. Ralph, I wish you were here to share this day.

And thanks to Stephen Boucher, the wandering Aussie who helps keep my computer greased and humming whenever he drops by Santa Fe for a breakfast burrito (Xmas) and a side of jalapeño bacon.

Back here on the home front, thanks are also due to my dear friends Melinda Snodgrass and Daniel Abraham for their encouragement and support, to my webmaster Pati Nagle for maintaining my corner of the Internet, and to the amazing Raya Golden for the meals, the art, the unfailing good cheer that helped to brighten even the darkest days around Terrapin Station. Even if she did try to steal my cat.

As long as it has taken me to dance this dance, it would surely have taken twice as long without the assistance of my faithful (and acerbic) minion and sometime traveling companion Ty Franck, who tends to my computer when Stephen’s not around, keeps the ravening virtual mobs from my virtual doorstep, runs my errands, does my filing, makes the coffee, walks the walk, and charges ten thousand dollars to change a light bulb—all while writing his own kick-ass books on Wednesdays.

Last, but far from my least, all my love and gratitude to my wife, Parris, who has danced every step of this beside me. Love ya, Phipps.

George R. R. Martin

May 13, 2011