iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 510: Horn of Winter 2
The early morning sunlight struggled to penetrate the thick clouds above the Great Wall of Despair.

Mance Rayder...

Standing in front of the dilapidated narrow window, Duke Ed's memory instantly went back to ten years ago...

At that time, this man accompanied the 996th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Qorgel, to visit Winterfell.

I remember that he was of medium build, muscular, and had long brown hair...

He often played the harp and sang at banquets in Winterfell, and everyone present cheered him enthusiastically...

Lord Eddard still remembered that Mance Rayder had a kind personality. Robb and Jon played pranks on him several times, but he kept it a secret for the little wolves to avoid being punished...

However, things are impermanent.

Later, Mance Rayder broke his oath, betrayed the Night's Watch, and became the King Outside the Game.

Now, his messenger threatens the Night's Watch that if they do not allow the wildlings to pass through the Wall, he will blow the horn and destroy the Wall.

[The Horn of Winter is a legendary magical item, it is said that it can cause the Wall to collapse]

Roose Bolton came over and said, "Lord Ned, do you believe that legend?"

Duke Ed looked up at Luce, his eyes were deep and worried. After a moment of silence, he said, "Perhaps it could be an ancient lie, but we can't take chances. You and I both know that if the Wall collapses because of the Horn of Winter, it will be a catastrophe."

After saying that, he couldn't help but sigh tiredly.

Lord Roose narrowed his eyes slightly and said softly, "The wildlings' envoys suddenly came to see you. Obviously, this is another trick of Stannis. His purpose is nothing more than to trap you here and keep you here."

"The Buck knows the Running Wolf well."

The light in the room shone on Duke Ed's face, and the shadow seemed even deeper. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke: "I know what you are worried about. I will write a letter and tell Green about the situation here."

"And then, my Lord?"

Hearing Luce's question, Duke Ed's brows were locked even tighter, twisted into a deep knot.

Earl Luce continued, "People from Crabbe's Company have been frequenting the Great Wall recently. They are like the eyes of the Lord Regent, omnipresent. It is obvious that even though the Lord is far away in King's Landing, he has long been paying attention to every move here."

His small voice was unusually solemn: "Every action we take with Stannis, everything that happens here, will soon appear on the regent's desk.

Lord Ned, even the deepest friendship will be exhausted by suspicion. You must make a choice as soon as possible, for the sake of the Stark family and the entire North."

"The North will never forget."

Lord Eddard's grey eyes turned to the Lord of the Dreadfort: "I must protect the North. This is the mission of the Stark family. It is a responsibility and obligation that runs in my blood."

Hearing this, Count Luce's ice-sculptured face couldn't help but frown slightly.

"Lord Stark, I have to remind you that time is of the essence. At this time, delaying is not a wise move."

Lord Eddard stared at him for a moment, then said, "Northerners never leave trouble to their friends. I won't delay for too long. I know what I'm doing, Roose."

Roose Bolton was neatly shaved, with pale, smooth skin. Although he was in his forties, there were few wrinkles on his face and no signs of aging.

"........."

Count Luce's eyes were surprisingly pale, darker than milk and lighter than rock.

He stared at Eddard Stark quietly. Although he was not handsome, he was not ugly either. Whether he was angry or happy, his face was like an ice sculpture.

Finally, under the majestic and sharp gaze of the Wolf, Earl Roose took a step back, stroked his chest, and saluted respectfully, saying: "The Dreadfort is at your service, my Lord."

After saying this, without waiting for Duke Ed's response, he flicked his pink cloak and turned away.

After leaving the house, he whispered a few words to his captain of the guard, and then went to start his daily patrol as usual.

First came the horses in the stable, then the food and fodder, and then the thousand Northern soldiers stationed in a remote corner of Castle Black.

Then, he ate in the Night's Watch mess hall with the Northern lords and walked to the library alone.

The library was filled with thick books. Ever since Earl Luce followed Duke Ed to the Black Castle, he would spend his afternoons here when he had no military duties.

After lighting the candle, he picked up a book that he had not finished reading yesterday—it was old and worn with obvious signs of restoration.

Time and human influence had destroyed a small part of the content. He read it patiently word by word by candlelight, pondering the meaning.

The Night King is the thirteenth Lord Commander of the Night's Watch...

He fell in love with a woman whose skin was as pale as the moon, whose eyes were as blue as stars, and whose skin was as cold as ice...

Brandon Stark, the King of Winter and the Liberator, and Joman, the King Beyond the Wall, finally joined forces to defeat the Night King...

After the Night King's death, people discovered that he had offered sacrifices to the White Walkers, so all records about the Night King were destroyed and his name became taboo.

Count Roose put the book in his hand back to its original place. It was obvious that he was not interested in the Stark family's bedtime story. At this moment, he was more concerned about whether he could find a book in this room that recorded the true information of the Horn of Winter.

Squeak.

There was a slightly harsh sound of the old wooden door opening. Count Luce simply glanced at the person who came and continued to flip through another book in his hand.

"Your invitation came a few days early. Should I thank you, Lord Bolton?"

Melisandre, wearing a crimson cloak, lifted her hood, and her flaming red hair cascaded down.

Gently approaching, the corners of her mouth curved slightly, and the big ruby ​​on her neck throbbed in the dim room: "You are all very cautious. I am referring to another man I know."

Lord Roose closed the book, turned his gaze to Melisandre, and said, "Witch, why do you want to see me in private?"

"This is the guidance of the Lord of Light. I foresaw our meeting in the flames. The flames will tell us the truth."

"Naked people have few secrets, but flayed people have no secrets, woman." Count Luce's icy eyes swept over the witch in front of him and said, "Tell me your purpose quietly, woman."

"Heh..." Melisandre couldn't help but laugh, with a hint of contempt in her laughter.

"The night is long and dark, and everywhere is dangerous."

The low and magnetic voice of the priestess echoed faintly in the quiet house. She slowly raised one hand, and her slender fingers slowly spread out: "I once saw an interesting scene in the flames. In the kitchen, the maids were busy, a cup of poisoned wine, and the poor one-day queen of Riverrun..."

As she spoke, she moved her fingers lightly, and the candle flame that had been burning quietly suddenly grew larger as if driven by some mysterious force. The jumping flame instantly illuminated a small area around it.

Then, the candle wicks in the house that had not been lit began to light up one by one.

For a moment, dozens of candles flickered at the same time, and the originally dim room seemed as bright as day.

Looking at him, Melisandre's lips slowly curled up into a faint smile: "Are you interested in listening, Roose Bolton?"

Lord Roose's eyelids twitched slightly, and he stared coldly into her eyes, which seemed to be burning with fire, for a while, and said, "The performance was wonderful. No wonder Stannis is inseparable from you."

Melisandre corrected gently, "King Stannis."

"Put away your meaningless tricks."

Count Luce picked up the book on the table and said as he walked, "This is the northern border of the old gods. No one will be interested in your gods."

He put the book in his hand back to its original place and turned to the priestess again: "Tell me your purpose directly, and I will judge the rest."

Melisandre smiled and said, "The exact location of Robert's bastard."

Count Luce narrowed his eyes slightly: "Why should I tell you?"

"You really do know..."

Melisandre slowly approached and held out a hand. "And I know you do not want to see Stark submit to King Stannis."

"He won't surrender."

Melisandre gently placed her palm on Lord Roose's chest. "If the Wolf continues to stay here, the result will be the same. The North will still have to bear the wrath of the Regent."

Before the witch's hand touched his body, Count Luce took a half step back to avoid it.

Melisandre laughed again: "You are indeed cautious enough."

"However, excessive caution may cause you to miss opportunities, Bolton."

…………

That night.

Old Bear convened a war meeting of the Night's Watch in the hall of Castle Black and invited Stannis and Eddard to discuss how to deal with the threat of the King Beyond the Wall.

Lord Eddard and Stannis met outside the door of the Night's Watch. There was no verbal exchange between the two sides, they just nodded slightly and walked in.

Then………

As Lord Eddard sat down to the left of the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Lord Roose's low voice floated over: "Lord Ned, Stannis did not bring his witch tonight."

…………

…………

King's Landing, throne room, regent's study.

Green's eyes swept across the map of the Seven Kingdoms spread out on the table, then he picked up the quill and dipped it in ink.

(End of this chapter)