Well, there's a pic of a younger George RR Martin in my copy of John Clute's Illustrated Encyclopaedia of SF, and you have to admit that's a very distinctive look he has. I believe he still wears that hat...
The gauntlet is cast at the god whos fiery anger obliterates the entire kingdom proving once and foreall that violence only begets more violence. The knight wanders through the charred remains of his kingdom, his wailing cry can be heard for miles what did he do to deserve such torment. His wife and child's still charred bodies lie in the blackened remains of his home. Drawing his knife he reflects on what he did to annoy the god, he grimaces and drives the knife deep into his heart, he jerks once and then lies still. He will lie there for all eternity.