Game of Thrones: Kings in the North

Chapter 5 The Widow at the Birthday Party
Lady Ballerina aroused public outrage, and was surrounded by tribal chiefs of the mountain clan, Countess Meggie, Great Jon and others to accuse her, Earl Lathwell of the stream, Roose Bolton and a group of her brothers, in a hurry She said good things for her, which calmed down the anger of the crowd.

Ed noticed that Domeric Bolton, Ballet's squire, was softly comforting Mrs. Ballet.

Domeric's mother, Lady Bethany, was Barbaret's older sister, who had died of fever many years before.Mrs. Barbaret Dustin has taken over the Dustin family since the death of her husband, controlling a large number of fiefdoms in the Barren Mounds. The Dustin family is one of the most powerful nobles in the North. Her father is Lai of the Streamland Earl of Swell, the brook is rich in horses and has a powerful cavalry force.

Lady Ballerina's brother-in-law is Roose Bolton, Lord of the Dreadfort, and the Dreadfort below the Lonely Mountain has always been a powerful force in the North.

Thousands of years ago, the Stark family of Winterfell was just the King of Winter. They had a fierce confrontation with the Primordial King of the Barren Mounds. After hundreds of years of war, the King of Winter defeated the Primordial King. , the First Ancestor King was forced to surrender to Winterfell.

The Dustin family, who ruled the deserted village today, claimed to be descendants of the first ancestor king, and their family badge was the rusty crown on the crossed battle axes, which also confirmed this.

After defeating the First Queen, the Stark family still failed to be crowned King of the North, because in the long historical period that followed, Winterfell still had to face more challengers, the most powerful of which was King North at that time. In the border, the Bolton family ruled one side-the Red King.

At that time, the Red King's territory stretched from Mojiang in the north to Sheep's Head Mountain in the south, bordered on the Narrow Sea in the east, and penetrated to the Baijian River Basin in the west. "A Song of Blood", during which the Stark family was once at a disadvantage, and many red king's cloaks were woven from the Stark family's skin.

The forces of the King of Winter and the Red King ebbed and flowed, until the invasion of the Andals changed the situation of the battle.The Andal pirates crossed the Narrow Sea in groups and harassed the Red King's coastal areas. Winterfell took the opportunity to erode the Red King's territory in the northern land. In the end, the Red King had no choice but to surrender, give up the crown, and become Winterland. vassals of the king.At this time, the Stark family was promoted from the king of winter to the king of the north.

Ed looked at Mrs. Ballerina in front of him, his eyes were full of past history.

Back then, Winterfell's enemy, the First Ancestor King, had almost the same territory as Mrs. Ballet's fief, Barren Tomb and her natal stream.

Today's Bolton family, whose fiefdoms have been greatly reduced compared to the time of the Red King, still controls the land around the Lonely Mountain and the Laijiang River Valley. Their strength should not be underestimated, and this family has always been an ambitious family.

The power formed through marriage between the Bolton family, the Laswell family and the Dustin family had to make Ed vigilant.

That year, Eddard and Jon Arryn married Catelyn Tully and Lysa Tully respectively, and this established the alliance of the North, the Riverlands, the Vale and the Stormlands, and the Seven Kingdoms suddenly turned four. , overthrew the Targaryen dynasty in one fell swoop, and helped Robert ascend the Iron Throne.

Ed looked at the Earl of Laswell in front of him. He was a kind old man with a ruddy complexion. He looked like a rude veteran, but he was undoubtedly a politically minded lord.

It was he who married his eldest daughter, Bethany, to Roose Bolton, and his second, Barbaret, to Lord William Dustin, and forged the alliance of the Dreadfort, the Streamlands, and Barrowton.Now the eldest daughter Bethany passed away, but she left a grandson Domeric Bolton for the Earl of Lathwell, the future heir of the Dreadfort, and the alliance of the three families is still stable.

Marriages of nobles are commonplace, but this is too much. Is this why Mrs. Ballet gave vegetables and turnips as gifts?
Powerful vassals are always a confidant of the lord. There are the Freys in the Riverlands, the Royces in the Vale of Arryn, the Hightowers in Oldtown in the Reach, and the Redwynes in the Arbor. , the Florent family of Bright Water City is surrounded by Roses in High Court.

The lord must be strong in order to restrain the vassals, which further strengthened Ed's determination to strengthen Winterfell and develop the economy.

Benjen Stark arrived almost at the last moment, along with ten rangers in black and black armor, and the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, "Old Bear" Jeor Mormont.

The elder Xiong has a strong physique like a big bear. Since his son Ser Jorah Mormont was caught by Ed and chose to flee after he did the slave trade, Jeor Mormont thought that his son had brought shame to the family. Never been to Winterfell.

The appearance of Benyan made Ed's children excited, Arya, Jon, Robb, Sansa surrounded the uncle, Bran hugged Benyan's thigh, and Benyan kissed Rickon.

Duke Ed and Caitlin invited the nobles in the north to enter the castle hall. Ed sat on the throne and accepted the oath of the vassals. The vassals offered blessings to little Rickon one after another, and the banquet officially began.

The table was piled with rich food, wild boar, lemon cake, honey roast duck, pigeon pie, the air was full of aromas.

Caitlin arranged all the nobles in high positions, arranged Mrs. Ballet in a corner, and ordered the manager, Weiyan Poole, to send more "turnips" when serving Mrs. Ballet's table.

"It would be best for the widow to choke to death."

Domeric Bolton held a harp and sang a song called "The Lover of the First Ancestor King" on the high platform of the hall, dedicated to his aunt, Mrs. Ballerina.Ed couldn't tell how Mrs. Ballerina felt when she heard it, but Sansa, Jenny Poole and others burst into tears when they heard it, and even Sister Mordane praised the child's singing as heavenly.

Next, Domeric Bolton sang a song called "The Torrent and the Steed", dedicated to his grandfather, Lord Roderick Rythwell, and his uncles. Watching the story of the steed fighting against the Ironmen, Ed was amazed by the artistic conception and melodiousness of this original song, and wondered why Roose Bolton could cultivate a son with musical talent.

Finally, Domeric Bolton sang a song called "Conquest of the North", which told the story of the Stark family, the king of winter, defeating the first king, the red king, and resisting the winter. The lyrics are impassioned. "

Maester Luwin praised: "This child is very talented in art, and the lyrics in it obviously confirm the history. This child is different from those singers who made up nonsense."

Ser Roderick Cassel, the coach of Winterfell, pulled his snow-white beard and said disdainfully, "What's the use of a boy singing? Boys should use knives and guns and become warriors."

Mrs. Ballet heard this, and she said: "Old man, don't underestimate my nephew. Domilik can not only play the piano, sing well, but also is proficient in history, and his spear and sword skills are also very powerful. In the past three years, he In the valley as an attendant for the Earl of Redford, many nobles in the valley believe that this child has the potential to become the champion of the tournament. If you are not convinced, you can let the child you train under you compete with my nephew."

Rodrik Cassel smiled and said, "Ma'am, you can have time to learn from each other. Robb, Jon and Theon are all good guys I have cultivated."

Domeric Bolton began to sing "The Bear and the Pretty Maiden", and the audience reached a climax. Earl Wyman, Earl Seven, Robert Glover and others began to invite ladies, noble girls, and maids to dance.Bigjon came up to Barbaret and said something to Barbaret. Mrs. Barbaret poured the wine in the glass on Bigjon's face, and Bigjon laughed and left.

Mrs. Barbaret Dustin was holding a wine glass. She was a little drunk. She walked up to Caitlin and Ed. She looked pale and beautiful in a long black dress, as cold as ice. Ed could see that she was forcing a smile.

"My lord Eddard, I'm sorry, my congratulatory gift has become a joke. The Greatjon was still laughing at me just now, saying that my greens and turnips are not worth my drink. You and the Duchess don't mind?"

Caitlin suppressed her anger and forced out a smile, "Mrs. Barbaret, I am very happy that you can come. You have always been a rare visitor to Winterfell."

Barbara smiled, "No way, there are tens of thousands of people in my barren village to manage. I am a busy woman, unlike you, the Duchess, you live such a comfortable life, like a virgin, constantly living for the Duke. Children. I have heard of your children, even in Barrowton, and the best of Winterfell, no doubt, which one? I remember, Jon Snow."

Jon Snow has always been Caitlin's taboo, Caitlin couldn't bear it, and was about to attack like a she-wolf, but Ed stopped her.

"Mrs. Ballet, you are drunk. You need to rest. I will ask the manager to take you to the guest room."

Barbaret smirked and said: "Duke Ed, I'm not drunk. Have you seen my nephew? Domilik is my pride. Your old coach said that he will arrange for your son Jon Snow to play with Domilik I am looking forward to the contest!"

Mrs. Ballerina curtsied to Caitlin and left. Caitlin said angrily, "This widow is obviously pretending to be drunk, deliberately finding fault and insulting me."

Ed said softly: "Kaitlin, this is a poor woman. You have five children, what about Barbaret? She has been a widow since her husband died, and she is jealous of you. Please forgive her for the madness caused by jealousy. "

Caitlin felt a lot better after hearing this, "I know Barbaret is a sad widow, but she is so aggressive, can we just back down?"

Ed looked at Ballet in the crowd, "Who said we can only give in, I will let Mrs. Ballet understand that there is a price to pay for being frivolous."

(End of this chapter)