Chapter 32: Arrival at the Last Hearth

Eddard led the Northern Army, departing Winterfell in a grand procession and heading north along the Kingsroad.

Catelyn, holding the infant Rickon, watched the Northern Army march off alongside Robb, Sansa, Arya, and Bran.

In recent days, Catelyn had been despondent over the campaign, frequently arguing with Eddard; Eddard did not blame her, for Winterfell was currently heavily in debt, owing the Iron Bank five hundred thousand Gold Dragons and Lord Wyman of White Harbor one hundred thousand Gold Dragons, and war was the most expensive endeavor of all.

Eddard's financial advisor, Klar, assured him that once Eddard returned in triumph, the forge, the barracks, and the Grand Market would all be officially operational; Mikken would lead the smiths in crafting sharp weapons and sturdy plate armor and chainmail, the Grand Market would provide shelter from the wind and rain for those trading in the Winter Town, and the barracks would provide the Winter Town guard with a place for training and living, becoming an important location for Winterfell to muster a great army in the future.

The toy workshop overseen by the carpenter Douglas would also soon enter production; this carpenter and toy merchant, whose footprints covered the Seven Kingdoms, could bring Winterfell handsome profits with the puppet knight toys, animal puppets, and other items he crafted.

Eddard rode at the very front of the column, with Robett Glover of Deepwood Motte beside him.

Robett Glover had a well-defined face, a head of gray-brown messy hair, and a beard; he was burly yet lean, and since his brother Galbart Glover had never married or fathered children, Robett was the Heir to Deepwood Motte.

Eddard said to Robett Glover, "Robett, select twenty cavalrymen and go ahead to scout."

Robett frowned, "Lord Eddard, we have only just left Winterfell; this is the heart of the North, what enemies could there be? Is scouting really necessary?"

Eddard said, "Must we wait until we reach the coast to send out scouts? When an army is mustered, one must be cautious and vigilant at all times. I will have my guard Fellan accompany you."

Robett Glover often visited Winterfell and knew many of the guards there, but he did not recognize Fellan; Robett eyed Fellan, "Lord Eddard, is this a new soldier you have recruited?"

Eddard said, "Fellan was once a poacher; he is a master marksman."

Upon hearing the word "poacher," Robett Glover's face immediately darkened, "Lord Eddard, the Glovers never cooperate with poachers! Poachers only steal the property of nobles from the forests." Most of the Glover lands were forests, and they had always loathed poachers.

Eddard said, "Fellan has already turned over a new leaf; he is my guard now. Robett, take the scouts and go reconnoiter with Fellan!"

Robett Glover had no choice but to set out with the scouts alongside Fellan.

The Braavosi Water Dancer Syrio Forel followed on Eddard's left, the burly Dawson carried his own thirty-pound battle-axe and held Eddard's Valyrian Steel Sword "Ice" on his right, and Theon followed not far behind with his habitual smile on his face.

Jon Snow and Domeric Bolton rode together; since Maester Luwin had remained at Winterfell, Eddard had entrusted the task of managing the ravens and sending messages to Domeric, with Jon responsible for assisting Domeric, and they brought a total of ten cages of ravens.

Riding at the front of the column were the cavalry and horse archers from White Harbor, Torrhen's Square, and the Rills, numbering over two thousand.

In the middle of the column was the infantry, equipped with a motley assortment of weapons including lances, axes, maces, and even scythes and hammers.

The supply train brought up the rear; Eddard had entrusted the task of overseeing the supply train to Ser Herman Tallhart of Torrhen's Square and Derron Dustin of Barrowton. The supply train was loaded with grain and fodder, and was of the utmost importance.

When the army arrived near Long Lake, warriors from the mountain clans joined one after another: the Flint Clan, the Wull Clan, the Norrey Clan, the Liddle Clan, the Harclay Clan, and others; the number of mountain clan warriors approached two thousand, led by "Big Bucket" Wull and Donnel Flint.

Lady Maege Mormont of Bear Island arrived with the mountain clans, bringing six hundred warriors; the Heir to Bear Island, Dacey Mormont, was also in the ranks.

When the column reached the Umber castle, the Last Hearth, Greatjon Umber's uncle, "The Whore's Bane" Hother Umber, came out of the castle to welcome them.

"Lord Eddard, the Greatjon is currently leading his troops in a standoff against the Rockborn Pirates along the coast of Seal Bay. These damned pirates always attack at night and flee back to the sea as soon as they see our soldiers. The fishing villages, farmlands, and saltpans along the coast have all been destroyed."

Hother Umber was gaunt and aged, with a long white beard; however, in his youth, "The Whore's Bane" Umber was undoubtedly a ruthless character. In his youth, he had gone to Oldtown to study, aspiring to become a Maester; back then, he had killed a prostitute who tried to rob him with his bare hands in bed—people later rumored that the so-called prostitute was actually a man.

Eddard looked toward the east, "My army will reach the coast immediately; the army will head straight for the Pirate Bay."

Theon said, "Lord Eddard, there are also Rockborn Pirates in Lord Karstark's lands; should we split the army and head to Karhold?"

"No need." The Rockborn Pirates were clearly fighting a guerrilla war, and Eddard would not split his forces and be led by the nose by them, "The letter sent from Karhold earlier said that Lord Rickard Karstark is repeatedly battling the Rockborn Pirates for the forests north of Karhold; if the pirates are willing to exhaust themselves there, Skagos must be empty, and we can attack when they are unprepared."

Lord Medger Cerwyn said despondently, "Lord Eddard, but what if the Rockborn Pirates intercept the White Harbor Fleet along the coast of the Karstark lands? The pirates ravaging the coast proves they have completely controlled the sea lanes; if the White Harbor Fleet is blocked, how will we cross the sea at Seal Bay without ships?"

The fleet of Wylis Manderly. Under normal circumstances, pirates would only flee upon encountering a fleet, but now the Rockborn Pirates were ravaging the coast, clearly prepared to go head-to-head with the fleet, and Wylis Manderly's competence was very much in question. This was indeed a major hidden danger.

Theon said playfully, "I hope Ser Wylis Manderly doesn't get the White Harbor Fleet lost! If we can't find the White Harbor Fleet, are we supposed to walk across the sea?"

Ser Wendel Manderly was clearly very dissatisfied with Theon's words, "My brother will never let Lord Eddard down; Wylis will certainly sink every pirate ship he encounters, and perhaps he is already waiting for us at Seal Bay."

Theon said, "If I were commanding the White Harbor Fleet, I would launch a bold surprise attack, striking straight at Skagos to catch the Rockborn Pirates off guard. Clearly, Wylis Manderly lacks the nerve."

Ser Wendel said angrily, "Theon, watch your tongue. White Harbor will not take orders from a mere Ironborn like you; many say the Ironborn are colluding with the Rockborn, and if you were to command the White Harbor Fleet, you would only betray it to the enemy."

Just as Theon was about to retort, Eddard said angrily, "Quiet! Save your anger for the enemy! The army departs immediately to muster at Seal Bay."

By then, Eddard could only hope that the White Harbor Fleet would appear on the coast as scheduled; otherwise, the Northern Army could only stare at the ocean and vent their impotent rage.

(End of chapter)