Chapter 143: The Prelude to the Northern Expedition

Shipwright Raphael took Eddard, Catelyn, Helen, and the attendants from Winterfell to visit the eight longships that had already been built.

Sansa looked at the longships, "I always thought longships were long and huge! They look like they're only thirty meters long; they can't hold more than a few dozen people at most!"

Shipwright Raphael smiled, "Lady Sansa, the deck can accommodate one hundred people, and the hold requires dozens of rowers. The advantage of a longship is that it is narrow, light, and long, with a very shallow draft; for the sake of speed, a longship can sacrifice everything."

Robb stroked the sparse beard on his chin, "Are longships faster than merchant ships?"

"That is a must," answered Helen Pyke. "The speed of a longship is twice that of a flat-bottomed merchant ship. Under normal circumstances, if a fishing boat or a flat-bottomed merchant ship encounters an Ironborn longship at sea, there is simply no escaping death."

Jon asked skeptically, "The Iron Fleet of the Ironborn is touted as one of the strongest fleets in the Seven Kingdoms. The longships before us are much smaller than the longships I imagined. The Ironborn rely on such small longships to dominate the sea? It is simply hard to imagine."

Theon wore a look of disdain, "Jon, you are mistaken. The longships here are considered quite small; the Iron Fleet has plenty of large ships. Like the Great Kraken of my father, King Balon, the Silence of my second uncle Euron, and the Iron Victory of my third uncle Victarion, they are much larger than these longships, capable of holding up to one thousand warriors and sailors."

Robb, Jon, and Domeric exchanged skeptical glances. Domeric said, "With longships that large, it is no wonder the Iron Fleet can contend with the Redwyne Fleet of the Arbor and the Royal Fleet."

Helen said proudly, "Besides the Iron Fleet, the Iron Islands have various longships of different sizes. If you gather the leaders of all the great houses of the Iron Islands, the number of ships the Iron Islands can summon is astonishing. Don't forget, the Ironborn are also the most formidable warriors, whether at sea or on land."

Robb was unimpressed, "The Ironborn are not skilled at land warfare; the Ironborn have almost no cavalry. Of course, if the land you are referring to is islands, then pretend I didn't say anything."

Led by Shipwright Raphael, the group boarded a longship. Eddard said, "Longships are fast and agile; are there any other advantages?"

Shipwright Raphael cleared his throat, "Another advantage of the longship is its shallow draft; even in one meter of water, it can sail normally, and there is almost no need to worry about the longship hitting reefs or running aground."

This point had already been verified during the Rock-born War. At that time, the North's fleet was composed of White Harbor armed merchant ships, Ibben whalers, and Summer Islands swan ships. The waters around Skagos were full of reefs, and many large ships dared not approach the nearby waters, but the Sistermen's longships and the Ironborn's longships could flexibly weave between the reefs.

Helen added, "Another advantage of the longship is that it is light. In an emergency, dozens of Ironborn can carry the longship forward. Back then, when the Ironborn conquered the Trident, they used this tactic, carrying their longships to traverse the tributaries of the Trident."

At this moment, a cavalryman galloped from afar and arrived at the shipyard; the rider dismounted.

"Lord Eddard, I finally found you. I came from the Rills. A raven from Winterfell arrived at the castle of the Count of the Rills, and the letter is for Lord Eddard."

Black wings brought black news. Eddard took the letter and slowly opened it.

Catelyn, Robb, and Jon, who were standing to the side, all stared at the letter.

"What does the letter say?" Catelyn asked curiously.

Eddard handed the letter to Catelyn, "The King-Beyond-the-Wall, Mance Rayder, has launched an attack on the Wall. The Wildling army attacked Skull Bridge, and dozens of Winterfell warriors and Black Brothers were killed. Skull Bridge is adjacent to Westbridge and the Shadow Tower. At the same time, a large Wildling army is gathering at the Nightfort, Castle Black, and Eastwatch, and may attack at any time."

Sansa's face was filled with fear, "Father, are the Wildlings going to cross the Wall? It's too terrifying. Old Nan says Wildlings marry Others and breed half-human, half-Other offspring."

Arya made a face, "Old Nan's stories aren't true."

Eddard said calmly, "The Night's Watch and the North will purge the Wildlings; the Wildlings will not cross the Wall."

Catelyn began to worry, "The North just conquered Skagos last year; are you going to summon a great army again? Eddard, I must remind you that years of war will exhaust the people of the North, leave the land barren, affect the farming of the common folk, and the nobles will not be pleased either."

Eddard nodded, "Don't worry. This time I will not conscript any of the North's vassals. Winterfell will send three thousand cavalry to fight side by side with the Night's Watch legion."

Catelyn appeared even more worried, "The number of Wildlings gathered by the King-Beyond-the-Wall, Mance Rayder, is enormous. Even if the Wildlings are poorly equipped and lack discipline, trying to defeat the Wildlings with three thousand cavalry is perhaps too arrogant."

Eddard showed a confident smile, "The Night's Watch legion will fight side by side with us. We have garrisons at Green Guard, the Nightfort, and Westbridge on the Wall, and there are over a thousand troops at Queenscrown in the Gift. Plus the three thousand cavalry I will lead personally, it is enough to defeat the Wildling army of the King-Beyond-the-Wall, Mance Rayder."

Upon hearing that Eddard was going to lead the expedition himself, Catelyn grabbed Eddard's hand excitedly, "I suggest you simply do not send troops. Winterfell has already spent too much money on the Wall, investing manpower and resources to help the Night's Watch repair the castles. As long as the Night's Watch on the Wall holds the Wall, the Wildlings' supplies will run out and they will naturally retreat. Why go to the frozen Beyond the Wall to contend with the Wildlings?"

Eddard placed his hand gently on Catelyn's, "The Night's Watch are friends of House Stark of Winterfell. My brother Benjen is the First Ranger of the Night's Watch. The Night's Watch legion protects the North's rear; how could I sit by and watch the Night's Watch legion fight alone?"

"Rest assured, I will return in triumph soon. The direwolves Summer and Night will protect me; what are you worried about?"

The young people were excited to hear there was a war. Domeric said excitedly, "I have never been Beyond the Wall. Being able to fight the Wildlings will be a great adventure, as great as the Rock-born War, and worthy of me composing a ballad. I must go to the Wall to see the legendary Hardfoot, Frozen Shore people, and the Thenns."

Theon smirked, "Glory belongs to me. This time, I will become the hero of the North."

Eddard nodded, "You will all follow me on the expedition, and Jon will go too. Catelyn, you take the children back to Winterfell."

Robb said excitedly, "Father, Jon is the same age as me; why can he go on the expedition while I have to stay in Winterfell like a girl? I missed the Rock-born War; I absolutely cannot miss the war against the Wildlings. I am the Heir of Winterfell, a true Stark, I must go!"

Catelyn quickly stopped him, "No, Robb, you are still young; how can you go to the battlefield to take risks?"

Robb said angrily, "Mother, Jon is the same age as me and already killed enemies and won merit in the Rock-born War. Do you want me to stay at home with my younger siblings forever? I am tired of wooden sword practice; I must go to the battlefield!"

The clouds of war once again shrouded the sky of the North.

The King-Beyond-the-Wall, Mance Rayder, gathered the Wildling army: Cave Dwellers, Night Runners, Hardfoot, Frozen Shore people riding dog sleds and bone chariots, giants, Thenns wearing bronze scale armor, and wargs who control beasts.

These Wildling tribes, who called themselves Free Folk, gathered under the banner of the King-Beyond-the-Wall, Mance Rayder, and surged toward the Wall, carrying the fury of the entire wilderness Beyond the Wall.

The war song had already begun to play, but many of the nobles and residents of the North did not yet know.

For example, the newlyweds Lady Barbrey and the marksman Fellan.

When Eddard returned to Barrow Hall from the Stony Shore with his family and attendants, Lady Barbrey was all smiles, bringing Fellan along to welcome them.

"Lord Eddard, you have finally returned from your inspection. This time, you must stay at Barrow Hall for a few more days; Fellan and I will treat you well."

Eddard glanced at Fellan and said apologetically, "Lady Barbrey, urgent military intelligence has come from the Wall in the north. The Wildling army is gathering, and I must take the soldiers of Winterfell and the brothers of the Night's Watch to defeat the King-Beyond-the-Wall, Mance Rayder, and the Wildling army. I hope Fellan will go with me."

The smile on Lady Barbrey's face faded like snowflakes in summer, replaced by helplessness and anger.

"Are you serious? Lord Eddard, this joke of yours is too cruel. I just married Fellan, and you want to tear us apart?"

Eddard said helplessly, "I need Fellan to command my scout troops; Fellan's ability is irreplaceable. He already proved himself when he was on Skagos."

"I don't care about Skagos, I don't care about the damn Rock-born, just as I don't care about the damn Mance Rayder and the Wildling army." Lady Barbrey's face twisted with anger, "Fellan is my husband; I will not allow him to leave me and throw himself into war."

Fellan placed his hand on Barbrey's shoulder, "Barbrey, don't be so agitated. Rest assured, I will follow Lord Eddard on the expedition and will definitely return safely."

Barbrey brushed Fellan's hand away with disgust and said indignantly, "What do you know? Back when King Robert Baratheon rebelled, my former husband, William Dustin, said the same thing to me when he followed Lord Eddard south. He promised me he would definitely return safely, but what happened? William died at the Tower of Joy."

"Why must the damn war take my beloved man away from me again and again? I spent many years as a widow in the halls of Barrow Hall, and finally felt love and passion, and the son-of-a-bitch Mance Rayder started a war and took my beloved man away again. Why? Why are the gods so cruel to me?"

Catelyn stepped forward and said softly, "Barbrey, I fully understand your plight. As a woman, as a wife, I empathize with your situation. When men are fighting on the battlefield, we women can only pray to the gods, praying for their safe return."

"You worry that Fellan will meet the same fate as William Dustin did back then, but I believe Fellan can return safely. What William Dustin faced back then were the legendary Kingsguard Arthur Dayne, Oswell Whent, Gerold Hightower, and others. The current enemies are nothing but Wildlings covered in lice and fleas. Believe me, Fellan will return safely."

Helen Pyke added, "Lady Barbrey, when I was a pirate, I often bypassed Eastwatch to go Beyond the Wall to catch Wildlings to sell to slave traders; the combat effectiveness of the Wildlings is simply not worth mentioning. This is a one-sided war."

Under the persuasion of the group, Lady Barbrey finally agreed, and she grabbed Eddard's wrist.

"Lord Eddard, back then you took my William away and caused me to be a widow for so many years. This time, you must bring Fellan back safely. If Fellan dies Beyond the Wall and I become a widow again, I tell you, even the gods in heaven won't be able to save you then."

Eddard couldn't help but wonder if taking Fellan was a good idea after all, "Rest assured, I will take good care of Fellan."

Considering that Fellan was leading the scout troops and needed to go deep into the Haunted Forest, the banks of the Milkwater, the Screaming Pass, and other places to scout, Eddard's promise seemed particularly hollow.

Lady Barbrey took a deep breath, "Barrowlands will send six hundred cavalry to follow Winterfell on the expedition."

Lady Barbrey had always been perfunctory toward Winterfell's calls, but this time she sent six hundred cavalry in one go, which surprised Eddard a little.

"Lady Barbrey, this time, Winterfell does not intend to summon the armies of the Vassals; Dustin House may choose not to send soldiers to war."

Lady Barbrey said angrily, "Fellan is my husband; these cavalrymen are only here to end the war sooner and let my husband return safely."

Six hundred Dustin House cavalrymen followed Fellan and Eddard as they left Barrow Hall and set off toward Winterfell in the North.

Lady Barbrey stood on the hill of Barrow Hill, watching the departing procession, her figure appearing lonely.

Ten days later, Eddard returned to Winterfell, where the Acting Castellan of Winterfell, Roderick, had already assembled the army.

"Lord Eddard, three thousand Winterfell cavalry are ready and can depart at any time."

Maester Luwin, standing to the side, stroked his Chain, "Lord Eddard, are three thousand cavalry too few? According to the letter from the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Bear Mormont, the Night's Watch Rangers estimate the Wildlings' strength to be as high as tens of thousands. I suggest we should still summon the North Vassals to gather more troops to clear out the Wildlings in one fell swoop."

Eddard shook his head, "During last year's Rock-born War, the North Vassals contributed both money and effort; this time, they should be allowed to rest and recover. The Wildling army's numbers are staggering because they count all the old, weak, women, and children. The true combat-capable Wildling Raiders and Spearwives likely make up less than one-tenth of that."

"Winterfell has troops at Crown Town, the military colonies in The Gift, and several fortresses along The Wall. Combined with the Night's Watch Rangers, we can easily assemble over five thousand cavalry at The Wall. Although the Wildlings are numerous, their discipline is poor and their equipment is inferior. I believe that by relying on the cavalry, we can prevail."

The financial advisor, Klar, took out several glass bottles containing apples, fish, and blueberries.

"Lord Eddard, your Canned Food is truly a great invention! You ordered the glass workshop to produce glass bottles, and following the methods you provided, we have mass-produced thousands of cans—fish, meat, and fruit varieties are all available."

"Besides the cheap Canned Food, our luxury goods like Maple Syrup and Caviar can also be preserved using the canning method to be sold in the South for a great profit!"

The production of Canned Food requires heating and the use of corks and wax for sealing, making it suitable for soldiers on campaign to carry with them. This time, as Eddard prepares for an expedition Beyond the Wall, the Canned Food will come in handy.

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(End of chapter)