Eddard led the Northern army, a grand procession, as they departed Winterfell, heading north along the Kingsroad.
Catelyn, holding the infant Rickon, stood with Robb, Sansa, Arya, and Bran, watching the Northern army march off to war.
Catelyn had been downcast these past few days, upset about the war. She and Eddard had argued frequently. Eddard didn't blame her; after all, Winterfell was deeply in debt. They owed the Iron Bank five hundred thousand Gold Dragons, and another one hundred thousand to Lord Wyman of White Harbor. War was an expensive undertaking.
Clare, Eddard's financial advisor, assured him that once Eddard returned victorious, the Forge, Barracks, and Market would all be operational. Mickon would lead the blacksmiths in crafting sharp weapons and sturdy Plate Armor and Chainmail. The Market would provide shelter from the elements for those trading in Winter Town, and the Barracks would offer training and living quarters for the Winter Town guard, as well as serving as a crucial assembly point for future Winterfell armies.
Douglas the Carpenter's toy workshop would also soon be in production. This toymaker, whose travels had taken him throughout the Seven Kingdoms, produced Wooden Knight Toys, Wooden Animal Toys, and other items that promised to bring great profits to Winterfell.
Eddard rode at the head of the column, with Robert Glover of Deepwood Motte beside him.
Robert Glover had a well-defined face, with a mass of gray-brown hair and beard. He was tall and lean. As his brother, Galbert Glover, had yet to marry and produce an heir, Robert was the heir to Deepwood Motte.
Eddard said to Robert Glover, "Robert, choose twenty cavalrymen and scout ahead."
Robert frowned. "Lord Eddard, we just left Winterfell. This is the heart of The North. What enemies could there be? Do we really need to scout?"
Eddard replied, "Are we supposed to wait until we reach the coast before sending out scouts? A large army must always be vigilant. I'm sending my guard, Ferran, with you."
Robert Glover often visited Winterfell and knew many of the guards. He didn't recognize Ferran, and he sized him up. "Lord Eddard, is this a new recruit of yours?"
Eddard said, "Ferran used to be a poacher, but he's a Marksman."
When he heard the word "poacher," Robert Glover's face immediately darkened. "Lord Eddard, the Glover family does not cooperate with poachers! Poachers only steal the property of nobles from the forest." Most of Glover's lands were forests, and he had always hated poachers.
Eddard said, "Ferran has turned over a new leaf. He is now one of my guards. Robert, go with Ferran and lead the scouts!"
Robert Glover had no choice but to set off with Ferran and the scouts.
Syrio Forel, the Braavosi water dancer, walked on Eddard's left. The burly Dawson carried a thirty-pound battle axe and held Eddard's Valyrian Steel sword, "Ice," following on the right. Theon trailed not far behind, a characteristic smile on his face.
Jon Snow and Dominic Bolton rode together. Since Maester Luwin remained in Winterfell, Eddard had entrusted Dominic with the task of managing the ravens and sending messages, with Jon assisting him. They brought with them ten cages of ravens.
Leading the procession were the cavalry and mounted archers from White Harbor, Torrhen's Square, and the Riverlands, numbering over two thousand.
The infantry marched in the middle, armed with spears, axes, maces, and even scythes and hammers, a diverse array of weapons.
The supply train brought up the rear. Eddard had assigned Ser Hyman Tallhart of Torrhen's Square and Daryn Dustin of Dustin's Barrow to oversee it. The supply train, filled with provisions, was of utmost importance.
As the army approached Long Lake, warriors from the Mountain Clans began to join the ranks, including the Flint Clan, the Wull Clan, the Norrey Clan, the Reed Clan, and the Liddle Clan. The Mountain Clans warriors numbered nearly two thousand, led by "Big Bucket" Wull and Donnel Flint.
Lady Maege Mormont of Bear Island arrived with the Mountain Clans. She brought with her six hundred warriors, and Dacey Mormont, the heir to Bear Island, was also in the ranks.
When the army reached House Umber's castle, Last Hearth, Hother Umber (the Whore), Greatjon Umber's uncle, came out to greet them.
"Lord Eddard, the Greatjon is currently stationed along the coast of Seal Bay, confronting the Ironborn Pirates. Those damn pirates always attack at night, and they flee back to the sea as soon as they see our soldiers. The fishing villages, farmlands, and salt stores along the coast have all been destroyed."
Hother Umber (the Whore) was gaunt and old, with a long white beard, but there was no doubt that "the Whore" had been a tough character in his youth. He had once gone to Oldtown to study and aspired to be a maester. In his youth, he had killed a prostitute who had tried to rob him with his bare hands. People later said that the so-called prostitute was actually a man.
Eddard looked east. "My army will arrive at the coast soon and will head straight for Seal Bay."
Theon said, "Lord Eddard, there are also Ironborn pirates in Lord Karstark's territory. Shouldn't we split our forces and go to Karhold?"
"No need." The Ironborn pirates were clearly fighting a guerilla war, and Eddard wouldn't let them lead him around by the nose. "The letter from Karhold said that Lord Rickard Karstark is repeatedly fighting the Ironborn pirates for the forests north of Karhold. If the pirates are willing to stay there, Skagos will inevitably be empty, and we can catch them off guard."
Lord Murchison Seaworth said sadly, "Lord Eddard, what if the Ironborn pirates ambush the White Harbor fleet along the coast of Karhold's territory? The pirates' rampage along the coast proves that they have completely controlled the sea route. If the White Harbor fleet is blocked, and we have no ships in Seal Bay, how will we cross the sea?"
Wylis Manderly's fleet... Normally, pirates would flee when they encountered the fleet, but now the Ironborn pirates were rampaging along the coast, clearly prepared to fight the fleet head-on, and Wylis Manderly's ability was also very problematic. This was indeed a major hidden danger.
Theon said cheekily, "I hope Ser Wylis Manderly doesn't get the White Harbor fleet lost! If we can't find the White Harbor fleet, are we supposed to walk across the sea?"
Ser Wendel Manderly was clearly very dissatisfied with Theon's words. "My brother will never let Lord Eddard down. Wylis will sink every pirate ship he encounters. Maybe he's already waiting for us in Seal Bay."
Theon said, "If I were to command the White Harbor fleet, I would boldly launch a surprise attack and go straight for Skagos, catching the Ironborn pirates off guard. Obviously, Wylis Manderly doesn't have the guts."
Ser Wendel said angrily, "Theon, watch your tongue. White Harbor will not take orders from you, a mere Ironborn. Many say the Ironborn are in league with the Ironborn pirates; if you were to command the White Harbor fleet, you'd only sell it out to the enemy."
Theon was about to retort when Eddard said angrily, "Silence! Save your anger for the enemy! The army will depart soon and gather at Seal Bay."
At that point, Eddard could only hope the White Harbor fleet would appear on time. Otherwise, the North's army would be left to rage impotently at the sea.
.....
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