Chapter 71: The Rockborn Submit

Just as Eddard had anticipated, a few days later, Rayson, the leader of the Magnar Clan, arrived at Abyss Keep with the Magnar Clan and the East District Rockborn Clan, totaling over one thousand Rockborn warriors, to surrender to the Northern Army.

Rayson Magnar was as burly as a small hill; he had a thick brown beard and long brown hair, wore a snow-white snow bear fur coat, and was riding a unicorn. Upon seeing Eddard, he immediately flipped off the unicorn.

"Lord Eddard, after Samlo Crowl usurped the title of king, our Magnar Clan could only be at the mercy of the Rock King. I have always hoped for the Northern Army to help the Rockborn defeat the Rock King and smash the shackles bound to the shoulders of the Rockborn. This day has finally arrived."

There were over twenty Rockborn tribes on Skagos, large and small, with the Nine Great Clans being the most powerful. Among the Nine Great Clans, the Magnar Clan of King's Hall, the Stern Clan of Driftwood Hall, and the Crowl Clan of Abyss Keep were the most powerful. Throughout history, the various Rockborn tribes had constantly attacked and slaughtered each other, engaging in a "game of thrones" among the Rockborn.

Eddard knew very well that Rayson Magnar had been watching from the sidelines after the Northern Army landed on Skagos. If the coalition of Rockborn clans under the Rock King had suppressed the Northern Army on the battlefield, the Magnar Clan would certainly have joined the Rockborn side.

However, after the Stern Clan, the Ice Dragon Clan, and several other Rockborn clans defected to the Northern Army, and the Rock King's Abyss Keep fell, Rayson Magnar immediately trimmed his sails, abandoned the Rock King with the Magnar Clan, and threw himself into the embrace of the North. Rayson Magnar was undoubtedly a shrewd opportunist.

"Did the Rock King, Samlo Crowl, not come to find you?" Eddard asked.

"He did." Rayson Magnar revealed a rugged smile. "Lord Eddard, the Rock King sent an envoy to find me, urging me to march on Abyss Keep immediately. I invited the Rock King to my camp to discuss the specific plans for the march, but the Rock King did not dare to come and fled into the deep mountains with dozens of his Rockborn subordinates."

"I had originally planned to kill the Rock King at the banquet and make him into a pie to offer to Lord Eddard, but it is a pity that the Rock King was extremely cunning; he sensed something was wrong and slipped away."

The Rock King had escaped, but now the Rock King was utterly defeated before the Northern Army; the Rockborn would never follow a loser, and he would hardly pose any threat in the short term. Eddard understood that this war was finally coming to an end.

In front of the Godswood, the leaders of the various Rockborn clans gathered around Eddard. Donald Crowl was also in the crowd; he was Samlo Crowl's nephew, a weak and incompetent man who had long served as the steward of Abyss Keep.

"Donald Crowl," Donald Crowl knelt before Eddard, "your uncle Samlo Crowl usurped the title of king and became a traitor to the North and Winterfell. I hereby announce the forfeiture of his fief and lordly title, and appoint you as the Lord of Deepdown, to rule Abyss Keep and its fief in the name of Winterfell."

Donald Crowl was pleasantly surprised, and he knelt on the ground, "Lord Eddard, I will surely be your most loyal servant."

Eddard had already ordered the Winterfell household guard to empty the Rock King's treasury. The wealth that the Rock King had painstakingly plundered all fell into Eddard's hands, including several jars of Gold Dragon, crates of Silver Stag, many gold and silver utensils and Hubo Shipin, and a large quantity of Obsidian Dagger and arrowheads.

Much of the grain and fodder in Abyss Keep was also requisitioned by the Northern Army, and Abyss Keep was already penniless. Donald Crowl was a weak and incompetent man; he lacked the ambition and ability of the Rock King, and sitting in the steep and sturdy Abyss Keep would not pose any threat. It would also be extremely difficult for the Rock King to retake the castle from Donald Crowl.

Subsequently, Eddard appointed Billy, the leader of the Stern Clan, as the Lord of Driftwood Hall, and Rayson, the leader of the Magnar Clan, as the Lord of King's Hall. Other clan tribes also received titles conferred by Winterfell. The clan leaders stepped forward one by one to swear their allegiance.

Under the sunlight, Eddard said to the leaders of the various Rockborn clans: "Esteemed leaders, I sincerely invite your children to serve as wards in Winterfell."

Wards were, in fact, hostages to ensure the loyalty of these Rockborn leaders. The Rockborn clan leaders had long been mentally prepared; although these Rockborn clans had successively surrendered to the Northern Army, it was also a fact that they had once followed the Rock King in rebellion.

Leader Billy Stern said: "Lord Eddard, Skagos is a harsh place, and many Rockborn have never been out to sea in their lives. I am willing to send my son to a warmer place. The Heir of Driftwood Hall, Baolaisen, is now your ward; I hope Lord Eddard will take good care of him."

Rayson Magnar had seven sons; he chose his second son to be a ward for Winterfell. Donald Crowl had three sons, and he indicated that he could send all three sons to Winterfell to be raised; Eddard only took one. Other clan leaders also sent out wards.

Billy Stern brought over a unicorn cub; although it was a cub, it was still taller than an ordinary warhorse.

"Lord Eddard, the unicorn is a divine beast among us Rockborn. The Rockborn believe that a leader must ride a unicorn to rule the Rockborn. Could Lord Eddard ride one for a short distance in front of the Weirwood Heart Tree?"

The Rockborn guide Nonda Maple had once told Eddard that after an old Rockborn leader passed away, his son had to pass the unicorn test to become the new leader of the clan, riding a unicorn under the gaze of the Heart Tree. The unicorn was a highly aggressive animal, and many Rockborn heirs would encounter attacks from the unicorn while attempting to ride it, even losing their lives.

Many Rockborn leaders clamored for Eddard to ride the unicorn, and Eddard agreed.

Jon Snow pulled Eddard aside, "Lord Stark, the unicorn's horn is as sharp as a knife. Those Rockborn leaders might be trying to use the unicorn to assassinate you; do not ride it."

Eddard said: "This is the custom of the Rockborn; only a leader can ride a unicorn in front of the Heart Tree. How can I refuse? I will just be careful."

The crowd pushed back in front of the Godswood. Billy Stern released the unicorn cub, and the unicorn cub charged toward Eddard. Eddard carefully dodged it, flipped onto the unicorn's back, and the unicorn bucked a few times, attempting to throw Eddard off, but eventually yielded, kneeling before the Heart Tree.

Billy Stern, Aisi Binglong, Rayson Magnar, these Rockborn leaders draped in animal skins and reeking of raw meat, along with thousands of Rockborn warriors, let out a roar, "King of the Rockborn! Long live Stark! Long live Winterfell!"

Riding on the back of the unicorn, Eddard understood that Skagos, the largest island in the North, with an area equivalent to four or five Bear Island, had finally submitted to the feet of Winterfell.

(End of this chapter)