In my rare spare time I’ve been screwing with adapting the page and a half from George R. R. Martin’s A Game Of Thrones that deals with a mysterious aspect of Eddard’s past and possible hints at the parentage of his bastard, Jon Snow. The scene depicts Ned and seven of his bannermen riding out to the Tower of Joy in the Red Mountains of Dorne to rescue his sister Lyanna. Between Ned and his goal are the three remaining members of King Aerys II’s Kingsguard. These three knights are the stuff of legends in Westeros. I like to think that despite Eddard’s previous victories he is scared shitless to face three of the fiercest Knights in the kingdom. He’s idolized these knights since he was a boy and here they stand ready to go down sword in hand rather than bend the knee.

It’s a beautiful scene with a touch of poetry in the exchange. Like I said I’ve wanted to draw this scene for a long time. I work on it when I can, but I had to take this panel to a finish just to see how it plays. Drawing a young Eddard with Ice on his back was too much fun. I’ll be working it out as my schedule allows. Stay tuned.