Chapter 217

He saw many flags of various colors and patterns, but there was no ice plain wolf flag.

He felt disappointed for the duchess.

Amidst the cold wind fluttering were many and many flags; the most common he saw was the white mermaid flag on a blue-green background, belonging to White Harbor's Mandel; the plain flag with three white wool sacks, that of the Wolfe family, vassals of the Mandel; and other northern flags, but none were as numerous or eye-catching as the orange-background rune stone flag.

That was the flag of Talisman Stone City's Royce family.

His curiosity did not last long; when the duchess also went up onto the city wall and shouted two rounds of words, he then knew the reason for the Royce people's coming: the Greyjoy family allied with Littlefinger had launched a surprise attack on Talisman Stone City, using an insider to open the gate, and almost bloodlessly took that strong fortress.

They had lost their lands and now were more like wandering guest troops.

"At that time I was inspecting my lands, when the vile Littlefinger succeeded in sneaking an attack on Talisman Stone City, he immediately sent the hyena troops to ambush us," the Earl of Talisman Stone City, riding on his dejected warhorse, seeing the duchess, began to explain the painful process: "The army I hastily organized, yet I accidentally ran into their ambush; I and Sir Samwell, leading these remaining soldiers, barely escaped from the defeated army…… I heard that Littlefinger and Greyjoy have already blocked all land routes returning to the heart of the valley. We hid on the coast for ten-odd days, then, with the help of Viscount Mons, we boarded a northbound ship—Your Highness, the Iron Throne has completely lost justice—the Royce family was attacked without cause and slandered, while the attitude of the Iron Throne, the regicide, is chilling—he actually lets Littlefinger and Earl Greyjoy act as they please! Such foolishness! Utterly foolish! Without the balancing force of Talisman Stone City, the Iron Throne will completely perish in the valley; you wait and see, he will never again receive a copper coin from Seagull Town! Foolish!"

"How could this be!" the duchess exclaimed upon hearing, "The last news I heard from the valley was the 'Justice Alliance'; I did not expect the offensive and defensive situation to change so quickly!"

"That was my momentary soft-heartedness!" his giant fist hammered his palm, "I had long known Littlefinger harbored ill intentions, but I did not expect his and Greyjoy's target to actually be Talisman Stone City." At this moment he appeared dispirited: "Alas, I should have thought of it earlier, I should have thought of it earlier! I should have known their ambitions—Greyjoy has always held a grudge over the lands lost during Robert's Rebellion; now the Seven Kingdoms are in turmoil, how could he have no idea? I merely did not expect him to actually entangle himself with such a vile thing as Littlefinger!"

"I think it's mainly that vile Littlefinger!" said the equally sturdy officer behind the earl.

"Littlefinger! After Lysa that bitch was killed by him, he once sent people to seek marriage with my young daughter Yafina; a cuckold's chief also wanted to marry my daughter, I of course sternly refused! Hateful, now I actually threw Feiyana into the castle, truly shameful, shameful!"

His fist heavily struck his own bronze armor, emitting a dull buzzing sound.

"Feiyana?"

"If Feiyana is captured by Littlefinger, it's hard to say he won't forcibly marry her to assert dominance—he has always wanted a stable foothold; now thinking about it, he actually set his sights on Talisman Stone City! Truly greedy! Hateful! Hateful! My Feiyana is a brave girl, I truly worry……"

"Miss Feiyana will strangle him on the wedding bed……" that officer interjected.

"We will retake the castle." the duchess glanced surprised at that officer, then spoke to comfort.

"I met your father in Eagle's Nest City, our relationship was very close," he reddened his eyes looking at the duchess, "When the Young Wolf Lord went south, I strongly urged Lysa that bitch to send troops to assist—not only to assist the Young Wolf Lord, but also to assist her father and brother—that bitch is simply a disgrace of profit, completely forgot her family's clan language, and even kicked the Arryn family into the cesspool—Old Duke Qiongen Arryn's glory was turned into……damn it! That bitch sits high in Eagle's Nest City, watching her growing home fortress threatened yet indifferent; facing her own blood relatives suffering misfortune also utterly indifferent, where is any honor! Sigh! I hate myself more, for not having taken the opportunity to admonish with arms; knowing, at that time I and my cousin……"

Earl Jon and his retinue of Royce family warriors all showed indignant expressions.

"Past events are past. Lord Royce, although saying this is improper, but you chose Stark in the most difficult times, I still feel deeply honored! Winterfell welcomes you and your warriors."

"Your Highness, I do not want welcome, I want revenge!" Earl Jon became emotionally agitated, no one could stop him from continuing; Chier was very worried he would say something inappropriate.

"Littlefinger and Greyjoy slandered the Royce family as colluding with Stark. Since they are blind, deaf, and have blackened hearts, then I will let them see——Your Highness, Littlefinger and Greyjoy can block my return to Talisman Stone City, but they cannot block my heir Anda, he has already gone to contact the Tampaton family of Nine Star City and the Redford family of Red Fort——Your Highness, you know, they and Stark, Royce, and other northern families alike are all of the First Men's bloodline; since the Iron Throne and the valley have no justice left, as long as we unite, we will surely cause a great disturbance! Littlefinger thinks relying on a hastily assembled army of refugees can rule Royce lands! Truly dreaming!"

The angry voice made his face turn completely red.

"I have always resented not acknowledging the Young Wolf Lord as king, that child…… as long as Your Highness agrees, I guarantee my two in-laws will all turn toward the direwolf and serve you as queen; then, once we defeat the groundless Littlefinger and the insignificant Greyjoy, we can unite the North, the Riverlands, and the Valley, and punish the shameless Iron Throne!"

Chier monk blushed, does he not know what the Riverlands and the North are like?

"Causing a great disturbance is fine, but how do we settle it afterward?" the duchess said lightly.

"Earl!" Chier monk could not help but interrupt— the duchess wanting to discuss concrete plans with him is purely a waste of time; if directly refusing, it's even more unnecessary, "Stark still faces his own enemies."

"Bolton?"

"Bolton has gained southern support, now his troops are strong, soldiers far……"

"When did the Young Wolf Lord and the She-Wolf Lady fight relying on numbers? Bolton's alliance with the shameless Frey means he is doomed to lose! I have never seen someone who violates guest rights and regicide get a good end—he really should take a good look at the corpses of the Frey hanged at Twinriver City!"

Chier monk felt helpless.

Having settled Earl Jon and his cavalry retinue in place was already afternoon; only then did Chier monk see the duchess.

These days she has been inspecting the troops; according to her, once Sansa returns to Winterfell, she will launch an attack on Bolton.

Sansa has already set out; as time draws nearer, he feels uneasy—when he was still a monk, he had never felt this, but after being promoted by the duchess to chief of the council, he even finds this supposed happy matter unsettling; he feels this is a punishment from the gods after abandoning them.

After urging the scribes to produce another batch of North maps and personally checking them, he then left the library.

According to the schedule, he will inspect the reserve warehouses for the duchess—Winterfell's reserve warehouse is only one of the three great warehouses; currently the stored grain, besides needing to feed the ever-increasing population, also needs to feed the warhorses kept inside Winterfell.

To maintain the warhorses' stamina, they allocate to the warhorses beans, cakes, eggs, and other human food, almost equal in amount to the consumed fodder; seeing the daily consumption numbers, he feels waiting in Winterfell for Sansa's return is a major mistake.

Insufficient resources mean the duchess's military strategy must be adjusted accordingly, and it also means that well-prepared Bolton has more strategic options.

He knows the secret history of the North. In past history, the Stark could defeat Bolton relying solely on winter, specifically the winter stores.

But today, in terms of resources, the offensive and defensive situation between Stark and Bolton has already changed. Stark is no longer the side with ample stores.

"Chier Sir." He turned his head, the duchess appeared before him.

"Your Highness," Chier knows the duchess is busy with unexpected guests, "now inside Winterfell, more and more are waiting for you to help them reclaim their homes——"

"Isn't that so? From south to north, everywhere!" the duchess slightly complained, "That foolish William Fisher from Rocky Coast actually dares to come to Winterfell to have me get him the Barren Mound Village!"

"Looks like he is most eager for the Barren Mound Village?"

"Starting conversation with that fool is a decent way to break the ice."

The three-part strategy of Barren Mound Village, due to Jon Snow's actions, was formally shattered—Barren Mound Village's three-part also became the North's three-part: Jon Snow led the Snow's Finger great army suddenly northward along the Mead River, after Lady Dustin's defeat, he strongly took over the Barren Mound Hall, formally declared his claim to Barren Mound Village, and in the presence of many viscounts in the Barren Mound Hall became Earl of Barren Mound Village—at least he has not yet proclaimed himself King of Barren Mound.

If the news from the new scholar is correct, Jon Snow has already married Dustin's widow Felicia Wilkes; Chier feels it is probably not voluntary.

For the Stark, this is temporarily still good news—at least it means Jon Snow also has great interest in the Riverlands, so his army's direction of attack will not be northward—the duchess hopes Arryn Wilkes can hold out a bit longer for her.

But whether it is the duchess or others in Winterfell, nobody is optimistic about that "a while."

"Yes, for this person most eager…… he has never possessed Barren Mound Village, how could I give it to him?" the duchess placed her hand on the pretty girl beside her, "I still need to pacify Skagos Island, to retrieve something for Sasa——uh, where was it?"

"The Warm Hall." the little girl answered unhappily, very dissatisfied that the duchess forgot this name.

Sasa Pike is popular among the boys in Winterfell, not only because of her legendary unicorn, but also because of her beautiful appearance and straightforward personality. In Chier's view, this child indeed possesses a charm hard to understand.

"Not bad, I will pacify Skagos Island……'s rebellion, to retrieve the Warm Hall for Sasa." she smiled, let go of her hand, "also need to retrieve Hearth Castle for Earl Jon, and retrieve Cark Hall for Earl Karstark; after a while, someone will have me help retrieve Long Creek Village and Hay Hall, and now, someone also asks me to take the Valley!"

"You really are busy." Chier laughed, "but if you think Earl Jon is here to ask you for reinforcements, that is really underestimating him."

"Oh? I would like to hear your explanation." she smiled, also slightly bowed.

Needless to say, being valued by the duchess makes him quite pleased.

"He said it clearly, Greyjoy or Littlefinger sent troops to block his return route to Talisman Stone City, perhaps also blocked his land route to other supporting families; he indeed can set out by sea, and land at Iron Oak, Two Anchor, and even Longbow Hall, Snake Wood, etc., but he just pointed out the families he can win over are only the Redford family of Red Fort and the Tampaton family of Nine Star City——this shows he considers those northern valley families unreliable, even if some are members of the Justice Alliance——to reach the place he deems safe, he must take a ship southward, pass Seagull Town, precisely speaking, pass Crab Bay, risking passing there is truly dangerous. I guess he therefore went north, choosing to detour around the Five Finger Peninsula, landing at White Harbor, and finally arriving here."

"So, he wants to go back to Red Fort via the Neck and the King's Road? That is too far."

"But safe enough——to pass the Neck requires Your Highness's permission, which is also why he came to Winterfell; I believe he will soon state his purpose, of course, not ruling out seeking some troops from you."

"I have no troops to give him. Hehe, this is also good, the northern North is now burning with urgency, the south is still brewing a storm……with the Valley's cries lessened, even Earl Jon's can barely endure……"

The low horn sound from outside the city interrupted her words.

"She's back!" the duchess focused, then her face lit up, as if she had instantly set down every burden.

He felt the duchess was blooming all over.

She hurriedly grabbed his arm and they walked down the corridor together.

He smiled helplessly, gathered his robe, quickened his old legs, and followed.

"Your Highness, how can you be so certain?"

"Of course it's a feeling!" she said cheerfully, "And who else could return to Winterfell at this time? If you've been separated from your kin for so long, you'd surely feel it."

"It's truly miraculous?"

"Haha, given the distance from Seaguard City to Winterfell, this timing is just right." She mounted her warhorse and complained, "She's too slow, indeed still a pampered young lady; I returned from Seaguard City in only two days!"

Inside Winterfell, aside from the training grounds, everywhere else had been tiled; under the warhorses' hooves came a crisp clacking, like a light dirge.

"Go ride your unicorn!" the boy shouted. "How stingy!" the girl replied.

When the scholar also mounted his warhorse, Sasha Bochi and the mountain boy Gotnorri were still fighting over the last warhorse; Charyl laughed loudly, spurred his horse toward the duchess, leaving the two to continue arguing on the spot.

"Miss Sansa is nothing like you!" he called out behind her to the duchess.

The warhorse couldn't pick up speed inside Winterfell, but the city's soldiers and servants, seeing the mounted duchess and him, all made way and stood at attention.

"What difference could it make? She's a true Stark, the north's ice wolf; an ice wolf can't be pampered," the duchess said, her face beaming, "My expectations for her are high—don't you dare dampen my spirits!"

"Of course not." He followed the duchess in lowering their pace, moving through the crowd of Winterfell soldiers, "You are the self-crowned queen of love and beauty, but no matter what, if she wants to wear a floral crown, only you can crown her…"

"Haha, as long as she truly is a great beauty, I'll surely earn her a wreath." The duchess exclaimed, her spirits high, "She just needs to sit properly there and wear it well!"

Charyl silently shook his head.

Sansa Stark is the legitimate eldest daughter of Catelyn Tully and Eddard Stark; although she is now to be made heir by Mei, does she truly accept it in her heart? He has watched these Winterfell children grow up, he knows their temperaments all too well.

"I fear that girl fears nothing more than sitting still."

"She just needs not to like running around like her sister." Mei smiled, "The lord of Winterfell always needs someone steady!"

When they finally stepped out of Winterfell, the duchess spurred her horse and whipped it, racing away.

The warhorse neighed, hooves thundering, breaking through the winter's thin mist.

Charyl lacked that ability; he rode his warhorse swiftly out of the city, heading from the muddy road beside the laid stone bricks toward the fortification.

The stone-brick road is tens of feet long, but it's still not finished—further ahead only a simple layer of gravel has been laid, with busy old men and women still continuing the "construction."

When he also climbed onto the fortification, the duchess was already gazing into the distance from the city wall.

Finally, this time he saw the ice wolf banner gradually drawing near.

Perhaps to buy time for Winterfell's arrangements, Charyl the monk felt that the closer they got, the slower these cavalry became.

"Your Highness, do you see them?" he wondered, not knowing if it was his age, feeling unable to make out the cavalry before the thin mist.

"Fortunately you're my steward, not my watch soldier." Mei smiled, then turned to the nearby gate captain, "Quickly open the gate and lower the drawbridge!"

"That somewhat tall, uh strange woman over there definitely isn't her, and the long-bearded old man beside her isn't either; the others I only know a few—Fat Tom, Tussled Hair Sesso, Red-haired George, and Big George." When her attendant soldier walked toward the battlements, the duchess said to him.

"They've finally returned."

"Too bad, the time I can spend with her is only tonight; no matter what, we must march out tomorrow, and if I'm later, the fat man of Mandel will blame me." She sighed.

"You should at least stay a few days to help her get acquainted with Winterfell's changes." Charyl laughed, knowing this consolation was utterly useless, "Your Highness, rest assured, I've already prepared the supplies for the expedition; tonight I'll do a final check, ensuring everything is flawless."

"Hmm." She nodded, then let out a long sigh, "Brandon and Rickon are already dead, Earl, I truly don't know how to comfort her—ah, I fear she'll hate me; her mother entrusted all the children of Winterfell to me…"

"What fault could you have? The lone wolf dies, the pack survives. As long as she remains a Stark, facing such circumstances she will certainly not resent you. Even if she does resent, she ought to resent, just like you, those who abandoned the Starks—the Boltons and the Freys."

A cold wind swept over the city wall, lifting a few strands of her hair; all we saw was her staring fixedly ahead at the slowly approaching column.

"I've always worried something would happen to her in the Iron Islands… Asha Greyjoy, I've never trusted pirates; besides, I killed her brother and her lover, and her supporters…"

"Your Highness, you needn't trust her; as long as Sansa returns, everything is already settled, we have time to deal with the Iron Islands…"

Charyl the monk realized he could also see Sansa mounted on her horse.

She is as beautiful as her mother; although she looks disheveled, it in no way affects her being a great beauty.

She had originally been curled up in a blanket, but as she drew nearer to the fortification, she became a gaze.

Indeed she is a beautiful girl; he confirmed it again.

He turned to look beside him, only to find the duchess had already descended the wall; he gave a wry smile, sighed, moved his old legs, and ran after her.

The duchess stood by the drawbridge, waiting, while her attendants behind her naturally fell into line on either side.

He didn't know what feelings the two Stark girls each had now.

As Sansa approached and made out the waiting figure, she brushed her sleeve to wipe tears, dismounted, and then hurried toward the duchess.

The duchess also went to meet her on the bridge.

He heard laughter.

The duchess tightly embraced Sansa, then turned once more on the bridge.

Charyl felt himself tearing up.

Heck, he hadn't cried in ages. When was the last time? At Duke Rickard's wedding? He couldn't recall.

As he was preparing his words to step forward, the atmosphere suddenly turned strange, and he even felt his heart being tightly gripped.

"Sansa!" the duchess shouted, now seated on the bridge, cradling her sister, "Sansa! Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, I'm saving you…"

Charyl finally realized something was wrong.

He hurriedly ran toward the two.

He ran too fast and too urgently, crashing hard onto the bridge planks, the piercing pain almost making him cry out, yet the sight before him left him unable to utter a sound.

Sansa's hand clutched the duchess's sleeve tightly, trembling uncontrollably, blood pouring uncontrolled from her mouth, her face full of terror.

"Don't be afraid… I… I will save you! You'll be all right, Sansa!" the duchess gripped Sansa's hand tightly with her right hand, her left hand stroking Sansa's neck, her face pressed against Sansa's hair.

Outside came other frightened cries, but the duchess seemed not to hear, still clutching the fallen Sansa, tears already streaking her anguished face.

People ignorantly watched the scene before them, while the soldiers on both banks of the moat had already surrounded the drawbridge.

Chai Er felt as if he were dreaming; he had never seen the bridgehead so quiet—only the cold wind wailed on the bridge.

"Your Highness, Shan Sha?" When all the officials of Winter City had gathered at the bridgehead, and Chai Er also felt the silence had lasted long enough, he spoke softly.

He could not bear to confirm that Shan Sha was dead, as if speaking would cause the duchess before him to collapse.

The duchess turned her head to look at Chai Er, then glanced at the sister in her arms, silently wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, and then lifted her up entirely.

"She's come home." She looked at him, her voice trembling, "We'll set out tomorrow."