While Duncan sleeps deeply, Egg does not. Before dawn, the boy rises quietly, takes the knight’s sword and his warhorse, Thunder, and attempts to train the animal in secret. The plan does not go far: Thunder refuses to flee. Egg is worried. If the horse is not ready, Ser Duncan will surely lose the joust.

In a brisk sequence — complete with more dung flying through the air, now courtesy of the horse — Egg does reasonably well until he is stopped by a one-eyed man. The stranger appears to suspect that Thunder has been stolen, but Egg’s insolence quickly takes over. When questioned about his shaved head, Egg fires back, asking how the man lost his eye in a joust.

The walking encyclopedia of Westeros soon recognizes him: Ser Robyn Rhysling, known as “the maddest knight in the realm.” Rhysling mocks Egg’s size as a squire and says he has never heard of Ser Duncan the Tall. “You will,” the boy replies confidently.

When Egg returns to camp, Duncan is visibly angry about his disappearance. He tries to be stern, but it does not last. Once again, Egg proves he knows everything — from the Blackfyre Rebellion to the rules of the competition and even details of Duncan’s past. Since the first day of the tournament is reserved for highborn knights, and Duncan still lacks both shield and armor, Egg convinces him not to compete.

In the town, while buying eggs, Duncan reunites with Tanselle, who assures him that his shield will be ready that evening. Throughout the day, Duncan and Egg watch the duels and grow closer. Egg remarks that he would be happy living such a simple life, which confuses Duncan, who believes the boy to be nothing more than a poor orphan, as far as he knows.

Lord Ashford, the master of games, attempts to persuade Duncan to take part in a fixed, armed joust meant to recoup the money spent on hosting the costly tournament. The offer leaves Duncan deeply uneasy: winning in such a manner would be dishonorable. Shortly afterward, a fortune teller reads their futures. Duncan will become richer than a Lannister. Egg will become king — but will die burned, along with all those he loves. Duncan laughs, dismissing it as a joke. Egg does not.

As they continue watching the matches, Aerion Targaryen fights dishonorably, deliberately wounding his opponent’s horse and provoking outrage in the stands. Egg is particularly offended by what he sees. When Duncan is invited to drink, the boy instead chooses to watch Tanselle’s puppet performance.

In conversation with Raymun, Duncan tries to convince himself that Aerion’s actions were an accident, though it is clear the prince is cruel. He notices Maekar’s absence and learns that the prince is searching for his sons, who arrived earlier and have since disappeared. For the first time, someone mentions Aemon, who is studying to become a maester.

Their conversation is cut short by Egg’s screams. During Tanselle’s performance — in which a dragon is symbolically slain — Aerion takes offense and brutally breaks the woman’s fingers. Enraged, Duncan attacks the prince in full view of the crowd. Aerion is moments away from knocking out Duncan’s teeth when Egg orders him to stop. The guards obey.

Stunned, Duncan watches as Aerion realizes the truth. Noticing the boy’s shaved head, the prince asks what he has done. Egg replies coldly, “I shaved it so I wouldn’t look like you, brother.”

Egg reveals who he truly is: Aegon Targaryen, the youngest son of Maekar Targaryen.