Chapter 102: Hunting in the Wolfswood

As the dawn light shone upon Winterfell, Rill Ryswell departed with his Rills retainers, Roose Bolton returned the way he came with his Dreadfort retainers, and Lord Wyman of White Harbor left in a sedan chair escorted by White Harbor knights.

Lady Barbrey remained at Winterfell. "Lord Eddard, since you and Catelyn Stark are so hospitable, and the food in Winterfell is delicious and the hot springs are so comfortable, I shall stay here for a few more days!"

"Lady Barbrey, the children are all clamoring to go hunting." Eddard extended an invitation to Lady Barbrey, "Why don't you come riding and hunting with us!"

As a daughter of the Rills, Lady Barbrey had learned to ride when she was still a little girl. When she was in her teens, she would often ride fine warhorses from the Rills with Brandon and Lyanna, galloping wildly across the hills and fields of the Rills.

However, ever since Lady Barbrey married into Barrowton and her husband died, leaving her the widow of Barrowton, she had rarely gone out to ride wildly in the wilderness.

Lady Barbrey pondered for a long moment, but chose to refuse. "Lord Eddard, horses are merely a means of transport for me now. My passion has faded; the days of me galloping on horseback have long since passed."

Domeric, Robb, Jon, and Theon had already mounted their horses. Helene Pyke also appeared in the party, wearing a light green hunting outfit and a grey cloak, with the Ice-River Wolf Emblem on her leather armor. Recently, Helene Pyke had been training in the yard every day with Eddard's sons, ward, and bastard; the Iron Bitch had become the leader of the children in the yard.

Domeric spurred his horse forward. "Aunt, the stables of Winterfell have collected the best warhorses in the North. Fine warhorses from the Rills, Winterfell, the Red Keep, White Harbor, and Barrowton are all here. The Wolfswood is great fun; if you don't go hunting and just stay in Winterfell, what is the point?"

Under the persuasion of Eddard and Domeric, Lady Barbrey finally agreed. Fellan the marksman led a red horse over for Lady Barbrey, and she looked at the pockmarked Fellan.

"How did a little horse thief become a groom?"

Fellan felt a bit shy. He lowered his head and said, "I did steal horses from the Rills back then, but I have long since ceased to be a horse thief."

Eddard smiled. "Fellan performed heroically in the Skagos war, and I have already decided to enfeoff Fellan as a lord under Winterfell."

In the Skagos war, the Braavos Water Dancer Syrio Forel, the guard Dawson, and the marksman Fellan had rendered meritorious service. Dawson had once saved Eddard on the battlefield, Syrio Forel had captured the Iron Bitch Helene Pyke, and Fellan had commanded the Northern scouts and even captured the Lord of Floating Driftwood Hall, Billy, the leader of the Rockborn of the Stern Clan.

The contributions of the soldiers must be rewarded. Eddard had made up his mind to reward these meritorious officials; he decided to grant each of them several villages and manors, making them minor lords.

Lady Barbrey smirked, "Red-pockmarked Fellan went from a Rills stable boy to a horse thief, then became a poacher in the Wolfswood, and now he has become a minor lord under Winterfell. This experience is truly legendary!"

The Master of Kennels Farlan and a group of hunters, bringing a dozen hounds and several hawks, followed Eddard, Robb, Jon, Lady Barbrey, Theon, and Domeric out of the Hunter's Gate and headed toward the Wolfswood.

Eddard rode on a grey warhorse. "Lady Barbrey, I often heard Brandon say that your horsemanship was superb, not inferior to any cavalryman. Could you let me witness it today?"

"My horsemanship is still far behind Lyanna and Brandon; those two were practically like centaurs." Lady Barbrey wore a black satin coat and a fox-fur cloak. She pulled on the reins. "I cannot compare to Brandon and Lyanna, but dealing with you lot is more than enough."

Eddard smiled. "You are too modest. I believe none of us here have horsemanship that matches yours. However, riding too fast and becoming separated from the group—the Wolfswood is still very dangerous if you are alone. How about I arrange for the marksman Fellan and the Iron Bitch Helene Pyke to protect you?"

"One is a horse thief, the other is an iron-forged bitch," Barbrey smirked as she sized up Helene Pyke and Fellan. "A truly reassuring combination of guards. The horse thief's riding is decent, but as for the ironborn, can ironborn ride horses?"

Theon Greyjoy flared with anger upon hearing this. "Lady Barbrey, how can you have such a prejudice? My horsemanship is the best."

"By the standards of an ironborn, you are indeed not bad." Lady Barbrey told Theon, "But you came to Winterfell as a ward at the age of ten. What I worry about is the Iron Bitch not being able to keep up with my speed on horseback."

Helene Pyke spurred her horse forward. "Lady Barbrey, I also rode horses often on Harlaw when I was a child. The ironborn are a seafaring people and natural sailors, but if you think that means ironborn cannot ride, you are very much mistaken."

Lady Barbrey laughed dismissively. "I have seen the ponies of Harlaw; they are about the same size as the ponies of our Northern Mountains. Harlaw ponies cannot compare to our Northern warhorses! Ironborn cannot ride."

Helene Pyke was unconvinced. "I must beat you."

Lady Barbrey pressed her knees into her horse's flanks, and her warhorse began to gallop wildly. Helene Pyke, Theon, Fellan, Eddard, Jon, Robb, and Domeric all urged their horses to gallop.

Trees and fields receded rapidly around them, and hooves flew. Barbrey felt as if she had returned to her youth. She rode on the red steed, the world bowing at her feet, her cloak embroidered with the Dustin House crossed battle-axes and rusted crown flying at her shoulders.

Soon, Helene Pyke, Robb, and Jon were left far behind. Lady Barbrey took the lead, with only Domeric and Fellan able to keep up with her.

Lady Barbrey galloped past a manor, and the farmers in the manor put down their hoes, looking curiously at the noblewoman on the warhorse. Hooves thundered; field after field, woods, and ponds were all left behind by Barbrey, and even Fellan and Domeric were left further and further behind by Lady Barbrey.

When Lady Barbrey charged into the Wolfswood, bathed in sunlight, she let out a hysterical laugh. The last time she had galloped through the Wolfswood was when she came to Winterfell to visit Brandon years ago.

Lady Barbrey looked back, still seeing the figures of Domeric, Fellan, Eddard, and the others. She rode slowly through the Wolfswood. The forest was full of the scent of humus, soil, and leaves; in the distance came the whispers of birds and insects. Lady Barbrey rode on her red warhorse, reaching out to stroke the sentinel trees, ironwood, and maple trees that were as thick as millstones.

It felt good to be in the jungle. Lady Barbrey picked a wild fruit, and the juice filled her mouth, sweet and delicious. A wild rabbit ran past, but Lady Barbrey had no bow or arrows, so she could only watch the prey slip away.

When Lady Barbrey turned her horse's head, a wolf was crouching three feet away, baring its teeth.

Thanks to the book friend "Truth Does Not Exist" for the monthly ticket, thank you for your support!

(End of chapter)