Chapter 50: The North's Counterattack

The North's crossbowmen could not harm the thick skin of the Rockborn, and the warhorses of the Northern cavalry seemed to fear the unicorns. The Northern cavalry retreated step by step before the unicorns, while the Rockborn slingers and crossbowmen, positioned high on the unicorns' backs, attacked with boulders and arrows. Some cavalrymen were struck by the slingers' stones, their heads bloodied, and some warriors of the Northern mountain clans were cruelly shot down by Rockborn crossbowmen.

The drummers on the unicorns' backs beat their drums incessantly, as if mocking the Northmen.

Some Northern lords were at a loss, and Lord Medger Cerwyn said, "Lord Eddard, the Rockborn's unicorns are too brutal. We should avoid their edge and retreat!"

"No!" Eddard knew very well that once the order to retreat was given, the Northern Army would turn into a rout, and the Rockborn enemies would strike from caves, mountain ravines, and forests to pursue the Northern Army.

Galbart Glover said, "But, Lord Eddard, if we do not retreat, we have no power to resist the enemy's unicorns. Our cavalry does not fear the enemy, but our warhorses seem to dislike the scent and cries of the unicorns. The warhorses are afraid of the unicorns; how can this battle be fought?"

Lord Hornwood echoed, "Indeed! Lord Eddard, you have seen it too; the arrow rain of the crossbowmen cannot harm the unicorns at all. The unicorns seem impervious to blades and arrows."

Eddard rode on his tall horse, "Pass the order down: have the crossbowmen aim at the Rockborn on the unicorns' backs, especially the drummers." Eddard was irritated and restless from the sound of the drums beaten by these drummers.

The order was passed down, and the Northern crossbowmen, under the commands of the noble lords, began to loose arrows, aiming at the enemies on the unicorns' backs.

The Rockborn slingers and crossbowmen who had been sitting on the unicorns' backs and attacking with wild laughter soon saw their laughter turn into screams as the Northern arrow rain fell. Many Rockborn were shot into hedgehogs by the sharp arrows, and some Rockborn fell from the unicorns' backs.

The Winterfell archer Fellan lost his mount in the melee. He stood behind a massive rock, nocking arrows and drawing his bow; every shot hit its mark, and each arrow brought down an enemy. Beside him, Theon Greyjoy's marksmanship was no less impressive.

Eddard's guard Dawson roared on the battlefield, hacking down every enemy. Even the sturdy Rockborn warriors found it difficult to withstand Dawson's thirty-odd-pound battle-axe.

The Braavos Water Dancer Syrio Forel dodged a Rockborn warrior's attack as if he were a ghost. His slender assassin sword sank into the Rockborn warrior's neck, and the enemy died with a scream.

A unicorn charged toward Syrio Forel. Syrio Forel moved like a nimble snake, sliding past the unicorn's sharp horn. He hid beneath the unicorn's thigh, which was as thick as a rock pillar, pressed his hand against the unicorn's rough skin, and climbed onto the unicorn's back with incredible speed.

The Rockborn slingers and crossbowmen on the unicorn's back were completely unaware of Syrio's approach. Before they could react, they were stabbed to death by Syrio Forel with his assassin sword.

Syrio Forel grabbed the unicorn's reins, forcing the unicorn to turn around and charge toward the formation of Rockborn soldiers. Some Rockborn who could not dodge in time were trampled under the unicorn's feet, turning into pulp. Finally, the unicorn controlled by Syrio charged toward another unicorn, and the Rockborn on that unicorn's back let out bursts of screams.

Eventually, the two unicorns collided. In the chaos, Syrio grabbed the reins and landed lightly. The Rockborn on the other unicorn were not so lucky; they all fell off, some were crushed beneath the unicorn, and the survivors were cut down by the mountain clan warriors who rushed up.

Because the Rockborn on the unicorns' backs were the primary targets of the Northern crossbowmen, many Rockborn on the unicorns' backs were soon either thrown to the ground or shot dead. Some unicorns that lost their riders began to turn and flee the battlefield. The Northern Army blew the horn of counterattack.

Domeric roared as he charged toward the enemy formation, and Jon Snow gathered his courage and rushed out.

The commander of the Stern Clan under the driftwood banner saw that the situation was unfavorable and chose to flee. Over a dozen unicorns fled together, and for a time, the earth shook and dust rose high.

Seeing the unicorns begin to flee the battlefield, the Northern cavalry regained their courage in an instant. They remounted their horses and launched a charge against the straggling enemies. Some Rockborn who could not escape in time were cut down by the Northern cavalry and the infantry that arrived shortly after, while others were taken prisoner.

After the battle, the armor of both Domeric and Theon was stained with blood. Eddard was surprised to find that even Jon Snow's chainmail had bloodstains on it.

"Jon, I brought you to Skagos to help Domeric look after the ravens and letters. How could you charge into the fray?"

Jon said, "Lord Eddard, Domeric can charge, why can't I?"

"Domeric is a grown man, and you are still as tender as green grass," Eddard criticized.

The Winterfell Captain of the Guard Jory Cassel walked over, chaining a young Rockborn man. Jory Cassel said, "Lord Eddard, Jon might have been wrong to act on his own and enter the battlefield, but you shouldn't be overly harsh on him. Jon even captured a prisoner! Look, this is the prisoner Jon captured."

Eddard saw that the young Rockborn was wearing exquisite plate armor, his arm injured, blood staining the arm red. The Rockborn was about fifteen years old, no wonder he was captured by Jon. On the Rockborn prisoner's chest was a leafless driftwood emblem. Ordinary Rockborn warriors rarely wore emblems. The Rockborn guide Nonda had once mentioned to Eddard that the leafless driftwood was the emblem of the Stern Clan.

Eddard immediately realized that the young Rockborn before him might be a minor noble.

"Who are you? This is the emblem of the Stern Clan. What is your relationship to the leader of the Stern tribe?"

The Rockborn spat at Eddard with disdain, which earned him a punch from Jory Cassel. Jory Cassel knocked the young Rockborn to the ground.

Nonda, who was nearby, whispered to Eddard, "Lord Eddard, your bastard has performed a great service. This person before you is none other than Baolaisen Stane, the son of Billy Stane, the leader of the Stern Clan. He is the Heir to Driftwood Hall."

The Stern Clan was one of the most powerful clan tribes on Skagos. Only the Crowl Clan of the King of Rocks Samlo Crowl and the Magnar clan of King's Hall could compare in strength to the Stern Clan. Now that Jon Snow had actually captured the Heir to the Stern Clan, Eddard felt filled with hope in an instant.

Seeing that Jon Snow had captured the Heir to Driftwood Hall, Domeric Bolton, Benfred Tallhart, Fellan, Syrio, and a group of young men all surrounded Jon to congratulate him.

Theon, standing to the side, was very unconvinced, "Snow just got lucky, capturing an injured little noble."

Eddard said, "Theon, on Skagos, nobles are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. Besides, the Heir to Driftwood Hall is no 'little noble'."

(End of chapter)