Chapter 57: Dividing the Forces

The Northern Army braved the rain and snow, setting out toward the valley north of Abyss Keep. Eddard took over four thousand Northern soldiers with him, leaving behind more than three thousand to remain outside the rope bridge of Abyss Keep, waiting for an opportunity to attack the castle and pin down the enemy.

This time, the Northern Army's targets were the Frost and Snow Hall of the Rockborn Frost and Snow Clan and the Ice Dragon Hall of the Ice Dragon Clan.

The Northern Army remaining outside Abyss Keep was commanded by the Lord of Dreadfort, Roose Bolton, with the Lord of Deepwood Motte, Galbart Glover, serving as Roose Bolton's second-in-command. Roose Bolton was a cunning and calm man; Eddard believed that with him leading the Northern Army to stay outside Abyss Keep, the Rock King Samlo Crowl would not dare to act rashly.

Riding on his black warhorse, the cold rain and snow beat against Eddard's face. In the North, it would snow lightly from time to time even in summer. Skagos was considered one of the northernmost regions in the North; the frozen fish and light snow here were even colder than in Winterfell.

While away on the campaign, Eddard could not help but think of his family left behind in Winterfell.

Little Rickon must have grown a lot; babies always look different every day. Arya must have made many new friends in Winter Town again; Arya liked to make friends with people from all walks of life, such as stable boys, butcher's boys, and pig keepers. Sansa must be with her companions, doing needlework while discussing the fairy tales and heroes from songs.

Robb was likely sulking in Winterfell. This time, whether it was Eddard's ward Domeric Bolton, Theon Greyjoy, or Eddard's bastard son Jon Snow, all had received the opportunity to follow the army on the campaign, yet Robb could only stay in Winterfell.

As for Catelyn, Eddard's beautiful and virtuous wife, she had always opposed Eddard sending troops to attack Skagos. Before Eddard set out, Catelyn had argued with him many times, but Eddard knew that Catelyn was worried for him at home. Catelyn must be going to the sept every day, praying to the Seven she worshipped for his safe return!

Eddard also wanted to know how the expansion project of Winter Town was progressing. Had his financial advisor Klar helped Winterfell earn more money? How many puppet knights had the toy carpenter Douglas's workshop produced? Were the barracks, forge, and workshops built by the architect Downs proceeding smoothly? Had the number of animals in the Breeding Farm Overseer Givon's pigpens, cattle pens, and chicken coops increased?

Once the Northern Army returned in triumph, Eddard would be able to return to Winterfell, embrace his family, and focus on Winter Town and developing production.

When that time came, Eddard would definitely use his knowledge as a Chuanzhe to make some inventions and earn a fortune, but first, Eddard had to make the Rockborn kneel and submit.

Inside Abyss Keep, the leaping flames in the brazier illuminated the hall brightly. The Rock King Samlo Crowl ordered servants to bring in platters of boar meat, seal meat, and shrimp, and brought in barrels of strong liquor to feast the Stern Clan leader Billy, the Ice Dragon Clan leader Ace, the Frost and Snow Clan leader Gewen, the Maple Leaf Clan leader Joel, and others.

The Rock King sat on the Rock Throne, the back of which was carved with two exquisitely crafted unicorns at the ends. The Stern Clan leader Billy sat at the Rock King's right hand, while the other leaders sat on both sides of the long table.

The servants filled the strong liquor. The Rock King Samlo Crowl raised his cup, his face full of smiles: "We are eating and drinking to our hearts' content in Abyss Keep, so let the Northern Army shiver in the rain and snow! The Northern Army are all cowards; they don't even dare to attack the castle once they reach Abyss Keep."

Some clan leaders picked up their cups with deep suspicion and drank the wine. The Rock King saw that Billy Stern had not touched his cup. "Billy, why aren't you drinking?"

Billy Stern said coldly: "My son Baolaisen is in the hands of the Northern Army, his life or death unknown; how could I be in the mood to drink? Eddard Stark agreed to exchange prisoners; why are you unwilling to use the Northern nobles to exchange for my son?"

The Rock King was somewhat unhappy. "Rest assured, your son will be fine. If Eddard Stark dares to harm your son, I will kill the Northern nobles I have in my hands."

Billy Stern gave a light snort. "If something happens to my son, what use would killing the Northern nobles be?"

The Rock King said: "The Northern Army is short on provisions, and the Ironborn under the Iron Bitch will continue to raid the Northern grain ships. The destruction of the Northern Army is only a matter of time. When that happens, Eddard Stark will be in a dilemma and will naturally return your son to sue for peace. Rest assured, the situation is entirely under my control."

Billy Stern and the leaders of the other clans clearly did not have as much confidence as the Rock King; they exchanged glances with one another.

A Rockborn scout walked in.

"Rock King, the Northern Army has broken camp."

The Rock King's eyes lit up, and he said to the clan leaders: "See that? I knew Eddard Stark would tuck his tail and retreat. Since he has retreated, we can strike."

The Rockborn scout said: "Rock King, more than half of the Northern Army has withdrawn, and all of Stark's direwolf banners have been taken down, but there are still several thousand soldiers outside Abyss Keep."

This news made the Rock King somewhat disappointed. "So, the Northern Army has split its forces?"

Billy Stern was somewhat worried. "Where did Eddard Stark take his troops?"

The Rockborn scout said: "The Northern Army headed toward the valley in the north."

The Ice Dragon Clan leader Ace and the Frost and Snow Clan leader Gewen immediately became nervous. The Frost and Snow Clan leader Gewen said: "Rock King, the Northern Army is heading toward my Frost and Snow Hall. I request the Rock King to let me take the warriors of my clan and return to my territory to defend my castle."

Ace echoed: "I must go back too; the Northern Army will surely enter the territory of the Ice Dragon Clan."

"No!" the Rock King refused flatly. "Can't you see? This is Eddard Stark's scheme. He went to attack your territories precisely to lure us into splitting our forces to defend them. Once the strength at Abyss Keep is reduced, the Northern Army remaining outside Abyss Keep will seize the opportunity to take the castle. You must stay here."

The Ice Dragon Clan leader Ace said: "Are we to just let the Northern Army destroy my castle and slaughter the warriors of my Ice Dragon Clan?"

The Rock King said: "Your castles are all built of mud and wood. Even if you returned to the castles, you wouldn't be able to hold them; going there would just be throwing your lives away for nothing."

The Stern Clan leader Billy was unimpressed. "Even if we die in battle, we should not let the Northern Army ravage the land of the Rockborn. Rock King, you swore at the meeting of the Nine Great Clans leaders that you would let the Rockborn ravage the North. Now that the North is ravaging the Rockborn in return, you have us here drinking and eating meat, sitting trapped in a besieged city—is this appropriate?"

The Stern Clan was one of the most powerful among the Rockborn clans. Seeing Billy Stern speak up, the other clan leaders echoed him one after another, demanding to take their troops back to their respective territories.

The Rock King slammed his fist onto the stone table, and the leaders quieted down.

"You chose me as the Rock King. With a powerful enemy at the gates, you must listen to me. If we argue blindly, we will only let Eddard Stark take the Northern Army and defeat us one by one."

"The Magnar Clan leader Rayson has already taken over a thousand Rockborn warriors and is marching from the King's Hall toward Abyss Keep. Once the reinforcements arrive, we will wipe out the Northern Army outside Abyss Keep, and then we can go into the deep mountains to intercept Eddard Stark's Northern Army."

(End of chapter)