Chapter 33: Ironborn Prisoners

When Eddard arrived at the Umber camp, he found Greatjon Umber looking exhausted, his eyes bloodshot within dark circles.

"Lord Eddard, it is one league from here to Seal Bay. We initially set up camp by the sea, but the pirates would either come to raid the camp or beat drums on their ships, making so much noise that our warriors could not sleep at all. The coastline is too long; sometimes the enemy would make a detour to land on a distant beach, outflanking our seaside camp and attacking us in pincer movements with the pirates at sea."

Eddard patted Greatjon on the shoulder. "Damn those Rockborn pirates. When did these savages become so cunning?"

Domeric Bolton, Heir to the Dreadfort, said, "Lord Eddard, according to every ancient record, the Rockborn living on Skagos are not skilled in naval warfare or navigation. Why have they suddenly become so proficient in naval tactics?"

Greatjon snorted. "Because the damn Ironborn pirates and Rockborn pirates have colluded."

Eddard said, "I know. The Rockborn pirates are equipped with Ironborn armor and weapons, and even Ironborn longships, but we have no direct evidence to prove..."

"Lord Eddard, we have evidence now." Greatjon gestured, and his son Smalljon Umber walked out of the tent, soon pushing over a prisoner wearing chainmail and covered in bruises.

The prisoner before them was about thirty years old; his chainmail was stained with blood and filth, and his mouth was full of congealed blood.

Greatjon punched the prisoner hard in the chest, and the prisoner let out a pained sound. "Boy, tell Lord Eddard, who sent you to raid the North?"

"Balon Greyjoy, King of the Iron Islands, Chief of the Pyke raiders." The prisoner slowly spoke the name.

Herman Tallhart, Galbart Glover, and Maege Mormont, who were standing nearby, immediately erupted.

"Lord Eddard, the mastermind is indeed Balon! The North should send troops to take the Iron Islands directly."

"Send a message to King's Landing, let King Robert assemble a great army to punish the traitor Balon Greyjoy."

"It is time to settle accounts with the Ironborn."

A dragon war seemed to erupt in Eddard's mind. Eddard had considered that Balon Greyjoy might be the mastermind; after all, the previous evidence all pointed toward the Iron Islands—the weapons, longships, and armor in the hands of the Rockborn all suggested that the Rockborn had colluded with the Ironborn.

However, the more obvious a fact is, the more it often hides a greater conspiracy. Eddard not only calculated in his heart: if Balon Greyjoy were to extend the tentacles of the golden sea monster across the entire continent of Westeros toward Skagos, what benefit could he gain?

Theon Greyjoy said loudly among the angry Northern lords, "My father could not have sent people to raid Skagos. If the Ironborn want to raid, they could go to the Stepstones or the Summer Sea. Why come to this desolate and barren island of the Rockborn?"

Lady Maege Mormont of Bear Island let out a mocking laugh with her thin lips. "You damn Heir to the Iron Islands, taken as a ward by Lord Eddard—Balon Greyjoy wants revenge, so he colluded with the Rockborn, attempting to collapse the North from within. Isn't that obvious?"

Ser Herman Tallhart of Torrhen's Square said, "The cunning Balon Greyjoy understands that relying solely on the power of the Iron Islands is not enough to shake the North, so he colluded with the Rockborn within the North."

Ser Wendel Manderly of White Harbor echoed, "Indeed. Over these years, the Iron Islands have ostensibly banned raiding in the Seven Kingdoms, yet Ironborn pirates still appear from time to time on the West Coast of our North. King Balon understands that if he were to send troops to attack the North directly, he would be branded a rebel by King Robert. That is why he chose to collude with the Rockborn, letting the Rockborn attack the North."

Other Northern lords echoed in unison. Theon became somewhat anxious. "Your evidence comes from the mouth of a prisoner; who knows if he is lying? What if someone is secretly orchestrating a conspiracy, deliberately inciting a dispute between the Iron Islands and the North?"

Eddard had to express agreement. "King Balon is a suspect, but the possibility Theon mentioned also exists."

Greatjon kicked the prisoner. "Tell Lord Theon, what is your name? Where are you from?"

The prisoner said, "Jaime Codd, from the Iron Islands."

Jaime Codd indeed had an Ironborn accent, a fact even Theon could not deny. Theon forced himself to remain calm. "Who knows if this fellow is a Rockborn or from somewhere else? Anyone can claim to be an Ironborn. Besides, even if he really is an Ironborn and really comes from the Codd family, he is a mere commoner; what weight do his words carry?"

"This fellow is clearly lying. I grew up in the Iron Islands and have never heard of this 'Jaime Codd' character. Do you know the Codd family? They are the lowliest nobles of the Iron Islands, descendants of bondmen. Even the commoners despise them, which is why their house words are 'Though All Men Do Despise Us.' Look how shameless they are!"

Jaime Codd revealed a terrifying smile at Theon. "We were indeed sent by King Balon. The Ironborn hate that House Stark helped Robert suppress the Iron Islands back then, so they chose to retaliate. Colluding with the Rockborn was all your second uncle, Euron Greyjoy's idea."

"Crow's Eye" Euron Greyjoy was a dangerous figure in the Sea Monster family. When King Balon launched his rebellion, "Crow's Eye" Euron planned the Iron Fleet's surprise attack on Lannisport, burning the Lannisport fleet in the harbor, which allowed the Iron Islands to easily gain command of the sea along the coasts of the Riverlands and the Westerlands early in the war. Colluding with the Rockborn did indeed sound like Euron's handiwork.

Jaime Codd continued, "According to the Crow's Eye's plan, once the Northern Army is lured to the East Coast by the Rockborn pirates, Balon will send his second brother, Victarion Greyjoy, to lead troops to sweep the West Coast of the North. The Ironborn will send troops to occupy Deepwood Motte, Bear Island, and will even carry the flames of war to Barrowton!"

Historically, Bear Island had been ravaged by Ironborn pirates for years, forcing the women there to become steadfast female warriors. Lady Maege Mormont of Bear Island said in astonishment, "What an evil plan. Lord Eddard, if the Ironborn army really uses a feint to the east to attack the west, my Bear Island, my people, and my castle will all be in danger."

Galbart Glover said, "Deepwood Motte is also in danger; our wooden castle is defenseless against the flames of war."

A triumphant expression appeared on Jaime Codd's face. Although it was only for a fleeting moment, Eddard still caught it. Eddard said, "Jaime, are you willing to swear to the gods above regarding these things you have said?"

Jaime Codd curled his lip. "Lord Eddard, I am already a prisoner; would I dare to lie? In the name of the New and Old Gods, I swear that everything I said is the truth."

Eddard said coldly, "The New and Old Gods? Don't the Ironborn worship the Drowned God? You must swear to the Drowned God."

Jaime Codd was clearly panicked, sweat beading on his forehead. "It is too far from the ocean here; if I swear to the Drowned God, the Drowned God cannot hear."

Eddard said, "One can smell the sea salt here; the Drowned God can naturally hear. You must swear that if you are lying, you will never enter the Liushui Gongdian of the Drowned God to feast after you die."

Jaime Codd said angrily, "Ironborn never swear such vicious oaths to the Drowned God."

At this, many Northern lords saw that Jaime Codd was lying. Theon kicked Jaime Codd in the face. "This boy hasn't spoken a single word of truth."

The Umber soldiers dragged Jaime Codd away. Domeric Bolton looked at Eddard with admiration.

"Lord Eddard, we almost believed Jaime Codd's lies. How were you able to see through it?"

Eddard said, "He said too much. He comes from a despised bondman family and is at most a ship captain; how could King Balon and Euron reveal such an important plan to him?"

(End of chapter)