When Eddard arrived at the Umber camp, he found that Greatjon Umber looked tired, with dark circles under his eyes and bloodshot.
"Lord Eddard, this place is one league away from the Bay of Seals. We originally set up camp on the seashore, but pirates either came to rob our camp or beat drums on their ships, making it impossible for our warriors to sleep. The coastline is too long, and sometimes the enemy would land on a beach far away, outflank our camp by the sea, and attack us together with the pirates on the sea."
Eddard patted the Greatjon on the shoulder. "Damned Rockseed pirates, when did these barbarians become so cunning?"
Domeric Bolton, heir to the Dreadfort, said, "Lord Eddard, no matter which ancient book records it, the Rockseed living on Skagos Island are not good at water battles and sailing. Why did they suddenly become so proficient in naval warfare tactics?"
The Greatjon snorted, "Because the damned Ironborn pirates colluded with the Rockseed pirates."
Eddard said, "I know that the Rockseed pirates are equipped with Ironmen armor and weapons, as well as Ironmen longships, but we have no direct evidence to prove it..."
"Lord Eddard, we have proof." The Greatjon beckoned, and his son, Littlejon, emerged from the tent, soon wheeling in a prisoner clad in mail and bruised.
The captive, about thirty years old, his mail stained with blood, his mouth caked with congealed blood.
The Greatjon punched the captive in the chest, and he cried out in pain. "Boy, tell Lord Eddard, who sent you to plunder the North?"
"Babalon Greyjoy, Lord of the Iron Islands, and chief of the Reavers of Pyke," the captive slowly said.
Herman Tallhart, Galbert Glover, and Maegor Mormont, who were standing nearby, were immediately enraged.
"Lord Eddard, Balon is the real culprit! The North should march directly to the Iron Islands."
"Send a message to King's Landing, telling King Robert to gather his forces and punish the traitor Balon Greyjoy."
"It's time to settle accounts with the Ironborn."
A dragon war erupted in Eddard's mind. He had considered Balon Greyjoy's involvement. After all, all the evidence pointed to the Iron Islands. The weapons, longships, and armor in the hands of the Rockborn all hinted at Rockborn collusion with the Ironborn.
However, often, the more obvious a fact becomes, the more it conceals a greater conspiracy. Eddard wondered what would he gain if Balon Greyjoy extended the golden sea monster's tentacles across Westeros to the Isle of Skagos.
Theon Greyjoy shouted among a group of angry northern nobles: "My father would never send people to plunder Skagos. If the Ironborn wanted to plunder, they could go to the Stepstones or the Summer Sea. Why would they come to Rockseed, a desolate and barren island?"
Lady Maggie Mormont of Bear Island laughed mockingly through her thin lips, "You damned heir to the Iron Islands, adopted by Lord Eddard. Balon Greyjoy wants revenge, so he colluded with Rockseed and tried to bring down the North from within. Isn't it obvious?"
Ser Herman Tallhart of Torrhen's Square said: "The cunning Balon Greyjoy knew that relying solely on the power of the Iron Islands was not enough to shake the North, so he colluded with Rockseed within the North.
Ser Wendel Manderly of White Harbor echoed, "True. The Iron Islands have ostensibly prohibited raiding the Seven Kingdoms for years, but Ironborn pirates still occasionally appear on the west coast of the North. King Balon knew that if he directly attacked the North, King Robert would consider it a rebellion, so he chose to collude with the Rockseed and let the Rockseed attack the North." The
other Northern nobles echoed in unison, and Theon became anxious. "Your evidence comes from a prisoner. Who knows if he's lying? What if someone is secretly plotting a conspiracy, deliberately provoking conflict between the Iron Islands and the North?"
Eddard had to agree. "King Balon is a suspect, but the possibility Theon mentioned is also possible." The Greatjon kicked the captive. "Tell my Lord Theon, what is your name? Where are you from?"
The captive replied, "James Cawdor, from the Iron Islands."
James Cawdor did indeed speak with an ironborn accent, a fact Theon could not deny. He forced himself to remain calm. "Who knows if this fellow is a rockborn or something else? Anyone can call themselves an ironborn. Besides, even if he is truly ironborn, truly from House Cawdor, he's just a commoner. What weight does his words carry?"
"This family is lying. I grew up in the Iron Islands and have never heard of James Cawder. Do you know the Cawder family? They are the lowest nobles in the Iron Islands, descendants of slave laborers. Even the commoners despise them, hence their motto, 'Disdain and Contempt.' How shameless!"
James Cawder flashed Theon a terrifying smile. "We were indeed sent by King Balon. The Ironborn resent the Starks for helping Robert suppress the Iron Islands, so we're seeking revenge. The collusion with the rockseed was the idea of your uncle, Euren Greyjoy."
Euren Greyjoy, the Crow's Eye, was a dangerous figure among the sea monsters. When King Balon launched the rebellion, Euren planned the Iron Fleet's raid on Lannisport, burning the Lannisport fleet in the harbor. This allowed the Iron Islands to easily gain control of the seas along the Riverlands and the Westerlands in the early stages of the war. Colluding with the rockseed certainly seemed like Euren's work.
James Cawdor continued, "According to the Crow's Eye's plan, once the Northern army is attracted to the east coast by the Rockborn pirates, Balon will send his second brother, Victarion Greyjoy, to lead troops to sweep the west coast of the North. The Ironborn will send troops to occupy Deepwood Motte and Bear Island, and may even bring the war to Barrowton!"
Historically, Bear Island has long been ravaged by Ironborn pirates, forcing the women there to become strong female warriors. Countess Maggie Mormont of Bear Island said in astonishment, "What a wicked plan, Lord Eddard! If the Ironborn army really makes a feint to the east and attacks in the west, my Bear Island, my people, and my castle will all be in danger."
Galbert Glover said, "Deepwood Motte is also in danger. Our wooden castle is vulnerable to war."
A smug expression appeared on James Cawdor's face. Although it was only for a moment, Eddard still caught it. Ed said: "James, are you willing to swear to the gods in heaven about the things you said?"
James Corder curled his lips, "Duke Ed, I have become a prisoner, how dare I lie? I swear in the name of the new and old gods that what I said is true."
Ed said coldly: "New and old gods? Don't the Iron People believe in the Drowned God? You have to swear to the Drowned God."
James Corder was obviously panicked, sweat on his forehead, "This place is too far away from the ocean, and the Drowned God can't hear me if I swear to him."
Ed said: "This The smell of sea salt can be smelled in the water, and the Drowned God can certainly hear it. You must swear that if you lie, you will never be able to enter the Drowned God's water palace to feast after your death. "
The Ironborn would never swear such a vicious oath to the Drowned God."
Now many northern nobles saw that James Cawder was lying. Theon kicked James Cawder in the face and said, "This kid is not telling the truth at all." The
soldiers of House Umber dragged James Cawder out. Domeric Bolton looked at Eddard with admiration.
"Lord Eddard, we almost believed James Cawder's lies. How could you see through them?"
Eddard said, "He said too much. He came from a despised slave family and was at most a captain. How could King Balon and Euren reveal such an important plan to him?"
.....
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