Chapter 59: The Dragon Remains in Ice Dragon Hall

After the lands of the Frost Clan were turned into scorched earth, Eddard led the Northern Army and set off toward the territory of the Ice Dragon Clan.

The Rockborn warriors of the Ice Dragon Clan had all been taken away by their clan leader to help the Rock King, Samlo Crowl, defend Abyss Keep. Upon hearing the news that the Northern Army was burning houses and farmland within the Frost Clan, the old, the weak, the women, and the children who remained in the area fled into caves and deep mountains.

Jon Snow rode beside Eddard, frowning as he said, "Ice Dragon Clan, what a strange name. Could it be that there were dragons in the lands of the Rockborn in history? I had always assumed that only those of House Targaryen possessed dragons."

Domeric Bolton, the Heir to the Dreadfort, rode on the other side and said, "Snow, dragons were once distributed all over the world. House Targaryen was merely one branch among the Valyrian Dragonlord families. When the volcanoes erupted and Valyria was destroyed amidst flames and magma, the other Valyrian Dragonlord families perished one after another, and only then did the Targaryens become the sole dragon-riding family."

"How could there possibly be dragons on Skagos? Even if dragons came to this desolate island, finding food would be difficult."

This remark was overheard by the Rockborn guide nearby, Nonda Maple, who said, "The Ice Dragon Clan really does have a connection to dragons. In their clan's territory, there are the remains of a dragon, right next to the nine Weirwood Heart Trees. Back then, the Rock King, Samlo Crowl, was the one who summoned the leaders of the Nine Great Clans in the Godswood beside the dragon remains and the Weirwood Heart Trees, and was crowned king under the gaze of the dragon remains and the Weirwood Heart Trees."

Young men like Domeric Bolton, Theon Greyjoy, and Jon Snow became immediately excited upon hearing about the dragon remains.

A cynical smile hung on Theon's face. "I have heard that a Dragonbone Longbow is the best bow in the world. I want to take a piece of dragon bone back to Winterfell and have the smith Mikken craft a Dragonbone Longbow that belongs to me."

Domeric Bolton said, "I want to take a piece of dragon bone back to Winterfell for research. Even at the Citadel, dragon bone has great research value."

Jon Snow said, "If I can bring back a piece of dragon bone, I will show it to Robb, Arya, Bran, and Sansa."

The young men chattered away, and the Rockborn guide Nonda said, "It is best not to disturb the dragon remains. You must know that it is next to the Godswood, and the faces on the nine Weirwood trees are watching the dragon remains; the power of the Old Gods in this place is strong. Legend says that whoever dares to disturb the dragon remains will anger the Old Gods."

When the Northern Army arrived before the dragon remains, everyone was shocked by the sheer size of the dragon skeleton before them. Hundreds of crows perched upon the dragon bones, which appeared dark black. As the scouts of the Northern Army approached, the crows flapped their wings one after another, cawing as they flew away from the dragon skeleton and toward the Weirwood Godswood nearby.

Jory Cassel, the Captain of the Guard of Winterfell, the marksman Fellan, the guard Dawson, and others successively rode their horses through the mouth of the dragon skeleton, its hollow eyes staring at the Northern soldiers.

Eddard was deeply struck. Although the dragon remains before him did not have the massive size of the historically renowned Vhagar or Balerion, it was still considered huge among dragons.

If smugglers or slave ships knew there were dragon remains here, they would likely have stolen the dragon bones long ago. Dragons have long been extinct, and dragon bone is an expensive item in both the Seven Kingdoms and the Free Cities. Longbows made of dragon bone are unrivaled in range; even the expensive Goldenheart Longbows produced in the Summer Islands cannot compare to a Dragonbone Longbow.

Necklaces, bracelets, and other items made of dragon bone are considered luxury goods, sought after by many nobles and wealthy merchants. Some Maesters at the Citadel even believe that dragon bone can be used as medicine to treat difficult and miscellaneous diseases.

Eddard gazed at the dragon remains before him, calculating how much they must be worth. Eddard was currently heavily in debt; he not only owed the Braavos Iron Bank five hundred thousand Gold Dragons, but also owed his vassal, Lord Wyman of White Harbor, one hundred thousand Gold Dragons. The war against the Rockborn was also making Eddard and Winterfell increasingly poor, and Eddard did not want to miss out on the dragon bones before him.

Eddard cleared his throat. "The dragon remains must be moved; they cannot stay here."

The Rockborn guide Nonda Maple was startled. "Lord Eddard, the dragon remains are the holy site of the Ice Dragon Clan. The dragon bones have rested here for thousands of years, and right next to them are the Weirwood Heart Trees—nine Weirwood Heart Trees! The power of the Old Gods here is strong. They are gazing and listening through the faces on the Heart Trees. Taking the dragon bones will anger the Old Gods."

Many nobles of the North, like the Rockborn, believe in the Old Gods. As soon as they heard Nonda Maple say this, they one after another tried to dissuade Eddard.

Lady Maege Mormont of Bear Island said, "Lord Eddard, since this is land watched over by the Old Gods and these dragon remains have been here for so long, why must we disturb them?"

Greatjon said in a gruff voice, "Aye, and besides, a pile of bones is no use anyway."

Lord Medger Cerwyn, Lord Haris Hornwood, and Rickard Karstark echoed in unison. When it concerned the Old Gods, the Northern nobles were all very devout.

Eddard said solemnly, "My lords, why would a dragon die here? Because it awakened the wrath of the Old Gods! I have heard Old Nan say that in ancient times, dragons often burned Weirwoods, angering the Old Gods. This dragon died here, so close to the Weirwood Heart Tree Godswood; before it died, it must have intended to burn the Godswood."

In many stories of the First Men of the North, the burning of Weirwoods by dragons is mentioned.

Greatjon, Maege Mormont, Lord Cerwyn, and others all felt that what Eddard said made sense and began nodding frequently.

Eddard said, "Dragons are the embodiment of fire, and fire is the nemesis of trees. Letting the dragon remains lie here, staring at the Godswood, is the greatest disrespect to the Old Gods! As a devout believer of the Old Gods, I, Eddard Stark, cannot tolerate such blasphemous behavior!"

"Nonda Maple also said that the Rockborn of the Ice Dragon Clan treat the dragon remains as a holy object. It is precisely because the dragon remains polluted the Godswood that the people of the Ice Dragon Clan lost their faith and became traitors following the Rock King."

Hearing this, even the Rockborn guide Nonda Maple felt that Eddard's words made sense. Nonda said, "Lord Eddard, then what do you suggest we do?"

Eddard said calmly, "The land must be purified. As long as we move the dragon remains, we can please the Old Gods. Since the Ice Dragon Clan treats the dragon remains as a holy object, moving them might just anger the leader of the Ice Dragon Clan into bringing the Rockborn out of Abyss Keep to fight us in a decisive battle."

After hearing Eddard's analysis, the Northern vassals and Nonda Maple all supported moving the dragon remains. Eddard ordered Jory Cassel, the Captain of the Guard of Winterfell, to take the Winterfell personal guard to dismantle the dragon skeleton and load it into the boxes of the supply train, filling five wagons completely.

To prevent any soldiers from stealing these dragon bones, Eddard specifically dispatched the Winterfell personal guard to watch over the wagons containing the dragon bones.

Afterward, Eddard Stark and his vassals prayed before the Heart Tree in the Godswood; the red leaves rustled, as if whispering.

Not far away, the unguarded Ice Dragon Hall was already engulfed in a great fire. This fortress, built of mud and wood and as shabby as Frost Hall, was thus burned to the ground.

(End of chapter)