Eddard Stark was dining with his children in the hall.
Little Rickon was still nursing, so Catelyn Stark had the servants bring his meal to the bedroom.
Robb and Bran were wearing woolen tunics with the House Stark Direwolf sigil on their chests. Dominic, on the other hand, wore the Crimson Cloak of House Bolton, but with the rusty crown and crossed battle axes of his aunt, Lady Barbrey Dustin's House Dustin sigil emblazoned on his chest. Dominic had been Lady Barbrey's squire before coming to Winterfell as Eddard's adopted son. Theon Greyjoy's black leather armor bore the Golden Kraken sigil of House Greyjoy.
Jon Snow sat in the corner of the table. As the bastard of Winterfell, he was not entitled to wear any sigil.
Eddard heard from Ser Rodrik Cassel, the master-at-arms of Winterfell, that Theon had been practicing archery and swordsmanship more diligently of late. Previously, Theon had trained with Robb and Jon. In their sparring sessions, the eleven-year-old Robb and Jon had posed no threat to Theon, who would always defeat them with a smirk.
But now, Dominic, the heir to the Dreadfort, had arrived at Winterfell and become Eddard's adopted son. Dominic's swordsmanship, horsemanship, and lance skills were all better than Theon's, who was the same age. Robb and Bran's admiration for their elder brother had shifted from Theon to Dominic.
Sansa was always asking Dominic about music and songs, pestering him to play the harp for her. Arya, who had initially disliked Dominic, began to pester him to teach her swordsmanship after seeing his exceptional skills.
As a fellow ward, Theon Greyjoy's popularity among the children paled in comparison to Dominic's. Even the maids preferred the well-mannered Dominic. Lately, Theon had changed quite a bit, initiating conversations with Sansa, Arya, and Bran, something he rarely did before, except with Robb. Theon's training had become more diligent, he stopped making crude jokes and groping the serving girls, and he visited the Winter Town brothel less often.
Eddard Stark thought it might be because Theon felt threatened by Dominic's position. Despite his constant smiles, Theon was, after all, a ward. Having a more outstanding and popular ward in Winterfell's halls than himself was bound to change Theon.
However, Eddard had to pay attention. Theon seemed to be trying to please everyone around him, but his relationship with Dominic had deteriorated. Whether in the training yard or during meals in the hall, Theon rarely spoke to Dominic.
The only thing that hadn't changed was his attitude towards Jon Snow. Theon had always ignored Jon, and that remained the same.
A servant brought in a honey-glazed roast chicken, and Robb tore off a drumstick.
"Father, I heard Ser Rodrik say that the savages of Skagos attacked the Umber's salt town by the sea, killing over twenty people."
Eddard sighed, "Yes, the news travels fast."
Theon said, "Lord Eddard, the people of Winter Town are outraged! When I patrolled with the guard, I heard many people say that Lord Eddard should gather the North's army and teach those cannibals a lesson."
Sansa was terrified, her face pale. She was wearing a sea-green gown, her red hair cascading over her shoulders. "Cannibals? How can there be cannibals in the world? That's awful. The songs never mentioned them."
"Only a fool believes the songs," Arya said, her hair a mess. She never bothered to dress up, wearing a brown tunic and black wool trousers.
Sansa glared at Arya, but Arya ignored her, turning to Eddard.
"Father, did those cannibals go to House Umber's lands and burn and plunder? Did they eat people?"
"I don't think so," Eddard said, not wanting to discuss such a horrific thing as cannibals at the dinner table.
Robb slammed his fist on the table. "Father, we must kill those Skagosi pirates and avenge those who died. Can I go to war?"
Eddard smiled. "Robb, you're too young. You're not even summer grass, just a spring sprout. Have you seen the puppies in the kennels? Are we going to send puppies to war?"
Robb was a little angry. "I'll be an adult in three years."
"Me too," Jon echoed. "Lord Eddard, Robb and I can fight. We often beat adults in the training yard."
Younger Bran, munching on a chicken cake, piped up, "Can I go too?"
Theon laughed heartily. "You little whelps going to war against the Stoneborn? To deliver food to the Cannibals? Who is more qualified to lead than me? I am the heir to the Iron Islands, not King Balon. Balon's son, a true Ironborn."
"What could be more perfect than Ironborn defeating the Stoneborn?"
Dominic Bolton, who had been silent, spoke up. "Theon, the Skagosi do indeed call themselves the Stoneborn, but we Northerners usually refer to them as 'Skagosi.' It's a derogatory term. Stoneborn is just what the Skagosi call themselves; we Northerners wouldn't give them such a grand title."
"'We Northerners'?" Theon's smile vanished, seizing on the phrase with a sharp edge. "What do you mean, boy?"
"I apologize, I didn't mean to offend you," Dominic said with sincere contrition. "I was just stating how Northerners view the Skagosi. You might not understand; the Ironborn's way of referring to the Skagosi is different from ours…from the North. It's just a cultural difference."
Theon picked up his fork, as if it were a weapon, his face contorted with rage.
"Do I need you to teach me? I came to Winterfell when I was ten. I grew up here. My coming-of-age and my first kiss were here. Lord Eddard himself says I'm half a wolf, half a kraken. You've only been in Winterfell for a few days? And you dare to ostracize me."
Sansa gasped, "Theon, that's very rude! How can you speak to kind Dominic like that?"
Arya chimed in, "Yes, Theon, you're being too harsh."
Jon commented, "Dominic apologized, Theon. You shouldn't be so persistent."
Facing the accusations, Theon grew even angrier. He looked at Robb, seeking help.
Robb looked at Dominic, then at Theon, a bit confused. "Theon, I think Dominic is actually right. He wasn't targeting you. You shouldn't be so sensitive."
Theon broke down, "Even you say that? What did I do wrong? So many of you are ganging up on me."
Dominic stood up and put a hand on Theon's shoulder.
"Theon, I'm sorry. It was all because I chose my words poorly."
Theon slapped Dominic's hand away. "You skin-flayers, don't give me that show of false concern."
Robb shook his head and sighed. Sansa quietly scolded Theon, while Arya picked up an egg from the table and threw it at him. Jon swore at Theon. Bran clapped his hands, "Fight! Fight!"
"Enough!" Eddard's voice cut through the hall of Winterfell like a sword.
"The savages of Skagos are slaughtering on the lands of The North. Wildlings, Ironborn, they may be lurking in some dark corner, plotting the next attack on The North, and you children are squabbling in my hall."
Theon forced down his anger and sat down in his chair.
Eddard said, "Theon, you are a grown man, you cannot be ruled by your emotions. Being too sensitive only exposes your weaknesses to others. Dominic has just apologized to you, you must apologize to him."
Theon said "Sorry" perfunctorily, and Dominic solemnly accepted it.
Sansa looked at Eddard.
"Father, what's the deal with the cannibals on Skagos? I've never heard of them."
Eddard Stark's gaze swept over Jon, Robb, Theon, and Dominic.
"Children, you study with Maester Luwin every day. Now it's time to test you. Who can tell Sansa something about Skagos and the tribes there?"
Robb and Jon looked confused, while Theon frowned, seemingly racking his brain.
Dominic spoke up, "My lord Eddard, I will!"
"House Stark of Winterfell is the King in the North. From the lands south of the Night's Watch at the Wall to the north of the Neck, all are under House Stark's rule, whether they are nobles living in castles, the mountain clans in the hills, or the forest tribes dwelling in the Wolfswood."
"However, there is one exception: the island of Skagos, located between Seal Bay and the Shivering Sea. It lies across the sea from Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, the easternmost stronghold of the Night's Watch at the Wall. It is the largest island in The North. The Skagosi have rebelled many times in the past, challenging House Stark, with the last major rebellion occurring during the reign of King Daeron II."
Robb said angrily, "The largest island in The North doesn't submit to Winterfell's rule?"
Dominic continued, "Living on this island are the Skagosi, who call themselves the Stoneborn. These barbarians of Skagos are somewhat similar to their neighbors, the House Umber, across Seal Bay. They're large and burly, said to have giant's blood like the Umbers. They wear furs and animal skin cloaks that reek of fish, and they kill living people to sacrifice them to weirwoods. There are even rumors they practice cannibalism."
"It's said that the leader of the Skagosi rides a unicorn into battle. The island produces obsidian and animal furs. The Skagosi have no currency, and they trade by bartering. Their warships are rather primitive. Winterfell has repeatedly burned their ships and forbidden them from sailing, but due to the weak naval power of The North, the sea ban is largely ineffective."
....
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