Chapter 9: Domeric Bolton

The next day, Eddard was pleasantly surprised to find that Theon's face had regained its cynical smile; when he encountered Roose Bolton in the castle hall, Theon even knew to make a joke about Roose Bolton's soft-spoken manner.

Robb, Jon Snow, and a group of squires of similar age were roughhousing in the hall, Arya was chatting with a group of stable boys from the Rills, and Sansa, Beth Cassel, and Jeyne Poole were gathered around Domeric Bolton, the heir to the Dreadfort holding a harp in his hands.

Domeric Bolton's performance left Sansa and the other maidens of Winterfell spellbound; Sansa rested her hands against her lips, watching Domeric Bolton with a look of adoration.

"Did you write all these lyrics yourself? Your voice, your talent, the notes springing from your strings—it is simply heavenly. I especially love the stories in your ballads: great knights, beautiful princesses—everything is so perfect."

Domeric nodded modestly, revealing a sunny smile, "Thank you for the praise, Lady Sansa. I am very happy that my singing could move you."

Eddard gazed at Domeric's handsome face and eyes as clear as an ice lake; with such a gentle and refined temperament, it was hard to imagine that this was actually the son of Roose Bolton.

Sansa said: "Singers rarely come to Winterfell, Domeric; you are the best singer I have ever seen."

Domeric said indifferently: "Lady Sansa is too kind. I am not a professional singer; music is my hobby. I am very happy to share my ballads at various banquets, but I would never sing for money."

A burst of adoring cheers drowned Domeric out. Sansa said: "I wish you could live in Winterfell forever and perform for us every day."

Domeric shrugged, "I like Winterfell very much, but tomorrow, I must return to Barrow Hall with my aunt, Lady Barbrey."

Sansa, Beth Cassel, and Jeyne Poole were all disappointed. Sansa said: "No, I will make Father keep you here, at least for a few more days; I haven't heard enough of your ballads yet!"

Eddard walked over, "Sansa, Domeric is Lady Barbrey's squire, and furthermore the heir to the Dreadfort, not a singer for you to command at will."

Sansa pouted: "Father, even you say that." Sansa tossed her chestnut hair and turned to leave; Jeyne Poole and Beth Cassel curtsied to Eddard and followed Sansa away.

Domeric rose to salute Eddard, "Lord Eddard, I did not expect Lady Sansa to be so fond of music."

Eddard said: "Sansa is always full of unrealistic dreams of knights and princes; at her age, a maiden simply does not know that ballads and reality are two different things. I heard you singing the ballad of the First King at the banquet yesterday; that is a story from thousands of years ago—do you believe it is true?"

Domeric plucked a string, playing a melancholy note, "I believe it is true. We must believe in something, otherwise we will lose ourselves. I like history, I like books, but unfortunately, there are too few good copies of books. Lord Eddard, I heard Septa Chayle say that the Library Tower of Winterfell has many precious books, some of which even the Citadel does not have."

Eddard said: "Yes, you must know that our House Stark has been in Winterfell since the time of the King of Winter; of all the books in the world concerning the North, the Library Tower of Winterfell has the most."

Domeric's eyes lit up, "Does that mean there are also historical books on the Bolton House? Lord Eddard, I have always been interested in the history of my grandfather's family, the Ryswell House of the Rills, my aunt's family, the Dustin House of the Barrowlands, and the Bolton House. May I borrow these books?"

Eddard said: "These books are extremely precious; many are fragile parchment or even ancient scrolls. You may go to the Library Tower to consult them, but you cannot take them away."

These books were priceless treasures; Eddard instructed Septa Chayle to manage them properly and even posted extra guards outside the door of the Library Tower.

Domeric thought for a moment, "To read these books, it seems I must stay in Winterfell for a few more days. Would Lord Eddard welcome that?"

Eddard actually quite liked the young man before him; at the very least, he did not speak in soft whispers like Roose Bolton, nor was he sharp and mean-spirited like Lady Barbrey.

"Sansa and the girls of Winterfell like you so much, you may stay as long as you wish. I saw you with Jon, Robb, and Theon yesterday."

"Theon and Robb are fine lads." Domeric Bolton looked toward Robb, Theon, and Jon Snow in the distance, "Lord Eddard, your home is truly lively. I have always longed for a brother's company, but unfortunately, I have none. I served as a squire for three years to Lord Horton Redfort at Redfort in the Vale; he also has several sons."

"Lord Eddard, you also have several siblings. My aunt, Lady Barbrey, often mentions your brother Brandon Stark. I had the honor of chatting with your brother, the legendary Night's Watch Ranger Benjen, yesterday; he even invited me to Castle Black!"

Lady Barbrey walked over; this time she had changed into a long dress as white as fresh snow, which made Eddard suspect even more that her wearing black to attend Rickon's birthday party yesterday was intentional.

Barbrey curtsied to Eddard with exaggeration and turned to Domeric.

"Domeric, what are you doing here? Have you forgotten about the sparring? Ser Rodrik Cassel, the master-at-arms of Winterfell, mocked you in public at the banquet yesterday for only knowing how to play the harp and sing. Domeric, show them what you can do."

Domeric was somewhat confused, "Sparring with whom?"

Lady Barbrey pointed to Jon, Theon, and Robb in the distance, "Those three."

Domeric frowned, "Aunt, Robb and Jon are both children, and I am already an adult—I am fifteen years old. What honor is there in bullying children?"

Robb and Jon heard this, and the two immediately surrounded him.

Robb drew his wooden sword, "Domeric, I often defeat opponents older than me. You say I am a child, but I think you are the one who is afraid."

Jon Snow placed his hands on his chest, "I once defeated the giant Hodor of Winterfell in the yard; he is much older than you."

Domeric laughed: "Children always think they are infinitely strong and invincible. It seems I have no choice but to step down and teach you a lesson. For the sake of fairness, you can come at me together; I can take on two at once, and it doesn't matter if Theon joins in too."

Theon laughed contemptuously: "I don't participate in children's games. I can defeat you one-on-one."

The squires of Winterfell, the squires of Barrowton, and the squires of White Harbor began to cheer loudly. Robb, Jon Snow, and Theon crowded around Domeric as they walked out of the hall toward the yard.

Eddard prepared to leave, but the widow of Barrowton, Barbrey, stopped him.

"Lord Eddard, go and watch."

Eddard looked disgusted.

"Lady Barbrey, I am very busy. I have no interest in children fighting; no, to be precise, I have no interest in any sparring. Never mind children sparring in the yard; even if the 'Kingslayer' were dueling the 'Bold' Barristan, or the 'Sword of the Morning' crawled out of his grave to duel the 'Dragonknight' Aemon, I would have no interest."

(End of chapter)