Chapter 64: Target: Abyss Keep

The Stern Clan is one of the most powerful clan tribes among the Rockborn on Skagos; after Billy Stern announced his surrender to Eddard, Gewen, leader of the Frost Clan, and Ace, leader of the Ace Clan, surrendered as well.

Before the Weirwood Heart Tree in Ace Valley, three Rockborn clan leaders, leading over four hundred Rockborn warriors, knelt before Eddard.

"Under the watch of the Old Gods, we swear by the rocks and the earth, we swear by the trees and the streams, we swear in the name of Fire and Ace, to be loyal to House Stark of Winterfell!"

Eddard helped Billy Stern, Gewen Hanshuang, and Ace Binglong up one by one, "Welcome back under the rule of Winterfell! You have joined the Northern Army; the usurper Samlo Crowl is destined to fail."

Billy Stern said, "Lord Eddard, this war was entirely stirred up by the Rock King and his Iron Bitch. So many Northern warriors and Rockborn have lost their lives in vain for the Rock King's ambition. Driftwood Hall and the Stern Clan are willing to help the North defeat the Rock King!"

Gewen Hanshuang said, "Lord Eddard, the Rock King is now making a desperate stand in Abyss Keep, and his castle is impregnable. The Rock King does not yet know that the Frost Clan, the Ace Dragon Clan, and the Stern Clan have joined the Northern Army. We Rockborn can take a small path to retreat back into Abyss Keep; the Rock King will certainly not be on guard. With this pincer attack from inside and out, the Northern Army can take Abyss Keep."

Should he accept the advice of the Rockborn leaders? Although these Rockborn have sworn oaths, their loyalty is questionable after all. It is very dangerous to hand weapons back to enemies who have just surrendered. If he refuses the help of the Rockborn leaders before him, it will be very difficult for the Northern Army to capture the solid and steep Abyss Keep.

Inside Abyss Keep, there are the Ironborn's smithies and shipyards. As long as the Rock King holds Abyss Keep, the Ironborn can continuously help the Rock King manufacture weapons, armor, and longships. The Northern Army must destroy the smithies and shipyards to eliminate future trouble.

The Iron Bitch's Ironborn Pirates and Rockborn Pirates previously burned, killed, and looted from the territories of the Umber family, Karhold, and the Dreadfort on the Beijing Donghaian; the total number of women and children abducted exceeds five hundred, and they are likely imprisoned in Abyss Keep.

In the ambush at Seal Bay, the Northern soldiers and commanders captured by the Iron Bitch Helene Pyke are also likely imprisoned in Abyss Keep. This includes Lord Herman Tallhart of Torrhen's Square, the Heir of White Harbor Wylis Manderly, and his brother Wendel Manderly; these are all pivotal Northern nobles, and Eddard must rescue them.

Eddard carefully considered the Rockborn leaders' plan, "This is a good idea. You Rockborn lead the way in front, and I will send men to follow with the main army to support you."

Eddard ordered the Winterfell Captain of the Guard Jory Cassel to return the Rockborn's weapons, unicorns, and mountain horses to them.

Jory Cassel whispered, "Lord Eddard, these Rockborn have only just sworn their loyalty, and their loyalty has yet to be tested. Returning their weapons and mounts—what if they turn against us in the heat of battle?"

"They have sworn before the Old Gods; I believe they will help us take Abyss Keep." In truth, Eddard did not fully trust the Rockborn, which is why he arranged for the Northern Army to march behind them. After the fierce battle in Ace Valley, only over four hundred Rockborn remained, many of them wounded; even if the Rockborn wanted to play tricks, Eddard could easily crush them.

A raven flew through the air and landed on the raven cage. Domeric Bolton, who was in charge of managing the ravens, took the letter tied to the raven's leg, glanced at it, and a light flashed in his eyes.

"Lord Eddard, my father Roose Bolton writes in the letter that Maron Manderly of White Harbor has arrived in the waters near Abyss Keep with grain ships. The Summer Islands merchant ship 'Eros' is with the Northern merchant ships under Maron Manderly. The Iron Bitch's Ironborn Pirates have attempted to intercept the grain ships at sea many times, but were repelled by Maron Manderly and the crossbowmen on the Summer Islands merchant ship."

The Lord of Dreadfort Roose Bolton, leading three thousand Northern soldiers, was stationed outside Abyss Keep, putting on a show of waiting for an opportunity to attack the city, but in reality, he was waiting by the sea to receive the Northern grain ships.

Now that the grain ships have finally arrived, the Northern Army is in dire need of food. Once the Northern Army successfully obtains supplies, the Rock King and the Iron Bitch's plan to force Eddard to withdraw by cutting off the supply lines will be completely bankrupt.

"Have the grain ships successfully delivered the food to the shore?" Eddard asked.

Domeric Bolton looked at the letter, "The letter says the waters near Abyss Keep are full of reefs, and there is the Iron Bitch's fleet interfering at sea, so Maron Manderly cannot dock for the time being."

The waters around Skagos are full of reefs everywhere. The Ironborn longships are much smaller than the Northern merchant ships and the Summer Islands swan ships; in such reef-filled waters near the island, the Ironborn longships are more agile and have an advantage over the large ships.

The Northern Army guarding outside Abyss Keep numbers about three thousand. Eddard estimates the Rockborn inside Abyss Keep number around one thousand, and the Iron Bitch Helene Pyke's Ironborn Pirates number only four or five hundred.

"Have the Rockborn of the Magnar clan arrived at Abyss Keep?" Eddard asked.

"The letter doesn't say." Domeric put away the letter.

The biggest variable is the thousand Rockborn reinforcements from the Magnar clan. The Magnar clan is the most powerful clan tribe in the eastern region of Skagos. Eddard previously received news that the leader Resson Magnar is leading over a thousand Rockborn from several clan tribes recruited in the eastern mountains, heading toward Abyss Keep.

Eddard asked the Rockborn guide Nonda Maple at his side.

"What kind of person is this Resson Magnar? Is his relationship with the Rock King good?"

Nonda Maple revealed a mouthful of rotten teeth, "Resson Magnar was once the Rock King's greatest challenger among the Rockborn; he is an ambitious man. The relationship between Resson and the Rock King is average, but when dealing with foreign enemies, the Magnar clan will still stand with the Rock King."

Now that the Iron Bitch's Ironborn Pirates have also appeared outside Abyss Keep, could they be planning to perform a pincer attack with the Rock King and Resson Magnar, deploying the "Hammer and Anvil" tactic to sandwich the Northern army and grain ships outside Abyss Keep? At the thought of this, Eddard immediately became alert.

Eddard beckoned to Rickard Karstark, "You take one thousand Northern soldiers and follow behind the Rockborn leaders' army, entering Abyss Keep via the small path. If the Rockborn under Billy Stern take control of Abyss Keep, you lead the Northern warriors to kill the Rockborn in the defensive towers outside the main gate of Abyss Keep and occupy the gate."

Rickard Karstark revealed a wolf-like smile, "It's finally my turn to lead the vanguard."

Billy Stern, Ace Binglong, and Gewen Hanshuang led the remaining Rockborn warriors along the mountain road toward Abyss Keep, with Rickard Karstark and the Northern soldiers following behind.

Eddard Stark led the remaining Northern Army along the main road toward Abyss Keep by the sea.

Thanks to book friend "Li Binjie" for the monthly ticket, and thanks to all the book friends for their recommendation votes, thank you for your support!

(End of chapter)