Chapter 67

After finishing his studies and attending some necessary meetings, Bran liked to stay on the training ground, keeping company with peers his age from all over; they were all true Northerners, Bran felt he got along with them alright, and it was clear they also liked him.

After finishing his studies and attending some necessary meetings, Bran liked to stay on the training ground, accompanying peers his age from all over; they were all true Northerners, Bran felt getting along with them was not bad, and it was clear they also liked him.

Bran got along fine with his peers his age at the training ground; they were true Northerners and clearly liked him.

After they arrived, Bran felt he was growing stronger each day. This was good, but he also had worries.

After they arrived, Bran felt he was getting stronger every day. This is good, but also there are worries.

No matter how much progress he felt he had made, or how strong he became, he seemed no match for Beilun; he had already sought advice from Sir Luodelike many times on his own, yet in his sparring matches with Beilun he was still soundly beaten.

No matter how he felt he had improved, no matter how strong he became, he seemed never a match for Beilun; he had already asked Sir Luodelike for advice many times alone, yet in sparring with Beilun he was still beaten so badly he couldn't tell north from south.

We need to keep Beilun as pinyin. Sir Luodelike as pinyin with title Sir.

He is only a year or two older, and just a bit taller.

He was only one or two years older, just a bit taller.

Today, when he faced him, he had hoped to put to good use the few moves Sir Luodelike had taught him, but Beilun still easily knocked him down with greater strength and more agile moves, leaving his newly learned techniques completely unused.

When sparring with him today, he had intended to make good use of the few moves Sir Luodelike taught him, but Beilun still easily knocked him down with greater force and more agile motion, rendering his newly learned techniques completely useless.

Xiātian nearby already knew the rules of their game, seeming not at all inclined to help. It paced back and forth, hoping to let out a congratulatory bark when Bran won, but unfortunately today it could only lie helplessly on the ground, watching him get knocked down.

The direwolf Xiātian nearby already knew the rules of their game, looking as if it didn't want to help at all. It paced back and forth, hoping to bark congratulations when Bran won, but alas, today it could only lie unsatisfied on the ground, watching him get knocked down.

Xiātian nearby already knew.

Thus: Xiātian nearby already knew the rules of their game, looking as if it didn't want to help at all. It paced back and forth, hoping to bark congratulations when Bran won, but alas, today it could only lie unsatisfied on the ground, watching him get knocked down.

On a real battlefield, it would surely be able to help. It has grown as big as a young colt.

On a real battlefield it would surely be useful. It has grown to the size of a small foal.

Anyone inside Winterfell who saw it would be cowed by its fearsome appearance.

Anyone in Winterfell who sees it will be cowed by its fearsome appearance.

He returned to Winterfell.

Maomaogou was about the same size, and Ruiken often rode on its back, racing through Winterfell and disturbing who knows how many animals and servants along the way.

Maomaogou is also about the same size; Ruiken often rides on its back, racing through Winterfell, who knows how many animals and servants they've startled along the way.

We need to keep Maomaogou as pinyin, Ruiken as pinyin.

Because the pottery broken by Ruiken and Maomaogou might account for more than half of all the shattered pieces. I've heard that pottery sells for the same price as gold of equal weight, and he truly has no idea how rich her sister is now.

Because the pottery broken by Ruiken and Maomaogou might account for more than half of all the broken ware. I've heard pottery sells for the same price as gold by weight, so I truly don't know how rich her sister is now.

He truly doesn't know how rich her sister is now.

Thinking of all that broken pottery, Bran felt Ruiken was truly hard to discipline. Moreover, he had the evil wolf's protection, so hardly anyone could truly discipline him.

Thinking of those broken pieces of pottery, Bran felt Ruiken was truly hard to discipline. Moreover, he has the direwolf's protection, so almost nobody can truly discipline him.

He felt the protection of the evil wolf.

Thus: "he has the evil wolf's protection". But that sounds odd. However we follow rule.

Maomaogou had been locked up many times; each time he was locked up, Ruiken would wail uncontrollably and refuse to eat without the dog. To keep him safe, they would lock up the wolf and then quickly release it.

Maomaogou has been locked up many times, but each time it's locked up Ruiken wails uncontrollably, never stopping; without the dog he even refuses to eat. To prevent him from coming to harm, each time after locking the wolf up they quickly let it loose again.

Maomaogou and Ruiken were still with the wolf.

Each time they tried to catch Maomaogou, he had to let Xiātian act personally, and also coordinate with Winterfell's other hounds and soldiers, using nets and clubs.

And each time to capture Maomaogou, he has to have Xiātian personally handle it, and also coordinate with Winterfell's other hounds and soldiers, employing nets and clubs.

We need to keep Xiātian, Winterfell.

Xiātian would get injured each time.

Xiātian gets injured each time because of this.

He was so difficult to discipline that Sir Luodelike repeatedly suggested killing Maomaogou.

He is so hard to discipline that Sir Luodelike has repeatedly suggested putting Maomaogou down.

That might be a good solution, but Bran would absolutely not agree; if the wolf they were destined to own met such an end, what would that be? He still remembered what Qiongen had told his father: 'The ice plains wolf is your house sigil; your children are destined to own these pups.'

This might be a good solution, but Bran absolutely refuses; if the wolf they are destined to own meets such an end, what would that be? He still remembers what Qiongen told his father: "The ice plains wolf is your house sigil; your children are destined to own these pups."

Qiongen said, 'The ice plains wolf is your house sigil; your children are destined to own these pups.'

Perhaps the only one who can truly discipline Ruiken now is Meiyu.

Perhaps the only one who can truly discipline Ruiken now is Meiyu.

She had left Winterfell several months ago, and good news came almost every so often.

She has left Winterfell for several months now, and almost every period brings good news.

When Twin River City was first captured, although the officers argued in the hall, no one stopped the townspeople from spontaneously celebrating.

When Twins River city was first captured, although the officers argued in the hall, nobody stopped the townsfolk from spontaneously celebrating.

News of Twin River City's capture arrived.

Upon hearing the news, Holanpur rushed to Lord Walder's chamber to tell him what had happened. It is said that Lord Walder buried his face in tears, refused to eat thereafter, fell ill, and grew ever weaker.

Huolanpu'er rushed to Lord Dawade's chambers as soon as he heard the news, telling him what was happening up front. It's said that Lord Dawade buried his face and wept, after that refusing to eat, he began to waste away, growing ever weaker.

We need to keep Huolanpu'er, Dawade as pinyin.

Bran felt this was wrong and told Luwen the scholar about it; Luwen thought it was nothing, since Lord Walder would eventually find out, and as for Holan's motive, the scholar advised him that doubts could exist but he should learn to understand.

Bran felt this was wrong, and he also told Scholar Luwen about it; Luwen thought it was nothing, since Lord Dawade would find out sooner or later, and as for Huolanpu'er's motive, the scholar advised him that doubts could exist but he should learn to understand.

We need to keep Scholar Luwen (title Scholar). We'll translate "Scholar Luwen". Also "Lord Dawade". We'll keep as pinyin.

Bran certainly understood. His mother, brother, and many other acquaintances had all been killed by the Freys; how could he not know Holan was seeking revenge? But this ran contrary to his father Duke Eddard's teaching: 'Our joy should not be built on others' suffering.'

Bran certainly understood. His mother, brother, and many other acquaintances had all been killed by the Freys; how could he not know Huolanpu'er wanted revenge? But this does not fit his father Eddard Stark's teaching: "Our joy should not be built on others' suffering."

Bran certainly understood. His mother, brother, and many other acquaintances had all been killed by the Freys; how could he not know Holan was seeking revenge? But this ran contrary to his father Duke Eddard's teaching: 'Our joy should not be built on others' suffering.'

Bran felt he could manage not to show his happiness in front of Lord Walder.

Bran felt he could manage not to show gladness in front of Lord Dawade.

Lord Walder's confinement had been lifted, but he could not leave Winterfell and was accompanied by guards wherever he went.

Now Lord Dawade has been released from house arrest, but he may not leave Winterfell, and wherever he goes guards follow him.

This was mainly because he had fallen ill several times during his confinement; the scholar thought that if he remained locked in his room he might die, so after Meiyu confirmed the five‑person council's discussion and Bran approved, he was finally allowed to leave his room.

This is mainly because he fell ill several times during his confinement; the scholar thought that if he continued to be kept in his room he might die, so after Meiyu confirmed the five-person council's discussion, and after Bran confirmed it, he got the chance to step out of his room again.

After Meiyu confirmed the five‑person council's discussion and Bran approved, he was finally allowed to leave his room.

Lord Walder's reaction did not affect the mood of others in Winterfell; moreover, no one wanted to play with him, and some even openly mocked him.

Lord Dawade's reaction didn't affect the mood of others in Winterfell. Moreover, nobody in Winterfell wanted to play with him, and some even openly mocked him.

On the night the news of Twin River City's capture arrived, after Sir Luodelike's permission, they relit the bonfire on the training ground, prepared plenty of roasted meat for everyone in the castle, and sent much of it to the winter market outside.

On the night the news of Twin River City's capture arrived, with Sir Luodelike's permission they relit a bonfire on the training ground, prepared plenty of roasted meat for everyone in the castle, and also sent much of it to the winter market outside.

They relit the bonfire on the training ground and sent plenty to the winter market outside.

The officers meanwhile had the chance to drink the stored black‑ale in the hall, a rare sight after the long tension.

The officers then had the chance to drink stored black‑ale in the hall. It was a rare sight after prolonged tension.

They drank the stored black‑ale.

At night, the celebratory sounds outside Winterfell grew louder; everyone was singing and laughing, the castle was no longer as quiet as before, save for the mournful howl of a lone wolf echoing repeatedly.

At night, the celebratory sounds outside Winterfell grew louder; everyone was singing and laughing, Winterfell was no longer as quiet as usual, only the lonely, mournful howl of wolves echoing repeatedly.

Only the mournful howl of a lone wolf echoed repeatedly.

That night Bran climbed the wall and saw that people had cleared a space outside, lighting the biggest bonfire he had ever seen. Crowds piled up around it, shouting, 'Rest now! Rest now!'

That night Bran climbed the wall and saw that someone had cleared a space outside, lighting the biggest bonfire he had ever seen. Crowds piled in layers around the fire, shouting, "Rest now! Rest now!"

He truly wished he could leave the city and join the celebration.

He truly wished he could leave the city and join them in the celebration.

He thought he would have a pleasant dream that night, seeing his father and mother, but instead it was a terrifying nightmare. He again dreamed of the three‑eyed crow that sent chills down his spine.

He thought he would have a pleasant dream that night, dreaming of his father and mother, but instead it was not a comforting dream but another nightmare. He dreamed again of that three‑eyed crow that sends a chill down his spine.

The three‑eyed crow brought no new message, only tearfully telling him he could not open his eyes and that death was the only way. It looked the same as before, staring at him and repeatedly pecking his forehead. At first he just wept, crying out, 'I have no eyes!' but the crow kept replying, 'No, child, you do!'

The three‑eyed crow brought no new message, only tearfully telling him he could not open his eyes and that death was the only way. It looked the same as before, staring at him and repeatedly pecking his forehead. At first he just wept, crying out, 'I have no eyes!' but the crow kept replying, 'No, child, you do!'

The three‑eyed crow brought no new news, merely with tears telling him, "Unable to open your eyes, only a dead end." It looked just as before, staring at him and repeatedly pecking his forehead. At first he just wept, crying out, "I have no eyes!" but the crow kept replying, "No, child, you do!"

He remembered that when he fell from the wall, he had answered in exactly that way, and the crow had replied likewise.

He remembered that when he fell from the wall, he had answered that way, and the crow had replied likewise.

Later, not knowing what had come to him, he realized he could move his hands and feet, snatched up a weapon, mimicked Meiyu from his dream, and hacked at the three‑eyed crow until it fled.

Later, not knowing what came to mind, he realized he could move his hands and feet, so he suddenly grabbed a weapon, imitating Meiyu from his dream, and hacked at the three‑eyed crow, driving it away.

We need to keep Meiyu as pinyin.

Later, even his Xiātian joined in driving it away.

Later, even his direwolf Xiātian joined in the chase.

We need to keep Xiātian.

'You cannot open your eyes; death is the only way!' the three‑eyed crow repeated as it finally flew away.

"Unable to open your eyes, only a dead end!" the three‑eyed crow repeated as it flew away.

The last time his sister woke him, the three‑

The last time his sister woke him up, the three‑eyed crow had said this; now it departs, saying the same thing again.

his sister

He thought it was absurd.

He found it absurd.

Back then he was just a kid with a broken spine; now he's a healthy young man who won't meekly give up.

Back then he was just a kid with a broken spine; now he is a healthy young man, not going to yield weakly without resistance.

He not only won't limp, he can walk briskly; moreover, his performance at the training field is not bad either. Apart from not being able to beat Beron, he is evenly matched with Faltegelufo and Moerenslin, and is much stronger than Huodenoruì, who had only just arrived at Winterfell not long ago.

Not only is he not lame, he can move with swift ease; furthermore his performance on the training ground is not poor—aside from losing to Beilun, he is evenly matched with Fa'erte Geluofo and Mo'ersenlin, and considerably stronger than Hodenuorui, who arrived at Winterfell not long ago.

We need to keep names: Beilun, Fa'erte Geluofo, Mo'ersenlin, Hodenuorui. Also "training ground". We'll keep as is.

He's already so healthy—how could he be at a dead end? It's just threatening him! Moreover, the three‑eyed crow is no match for his sister; even when he was gravely ill, his sister had already killed who knows how many three‑eyed crows.

He is so healthy—how could there be a dead end? It's just trying to scare him! Besides, the three‑eyed crow is no match for his sister; back when he was gravely ill she had already killed who knows how many of those three‑eyed crows.

she had already killed who knows how many three‑eyed crows

Bran thought that after waking from that injury he would never dream of the three‑eyed crow again, but he didn't expect it to reappear.

Bran thought that after waking from that injury he would never dream of the three‑eyed crow again, but to his surprise it reappeared.

Why does it keep coming to bother me?

Why does it keep coming to bother me?

He wanted to tell Master Lu Wen about the three-eyed crow dream, but he knew the scholar would only think it was a lie he made up at random or just some nonsensical dream, utterly insignificant.

Whenever this happens, he thinks of Mei Yi far away in the south. She always has the patience to listen to his various boring talk, and she also shares her wonderful opinions with him. Most importantly, she never thinks he is deliberately looking for trouble.

Whenever this happens he thinks of Meiyu far away in the south. She always has the patience to listen to his various boring talk, and she also shares her wonderful perspective. Most importantly, she never thinks he is deliberately stirring up trouble.

It's a pity that as soon as his health slightly recovered, she hastily led her troops south.

What a pity—just as his health began to improve, she hastily led her troops south.

She had promised not to stay long in the south, and would return to the North after completing her mission. He thought she would return after capturing Twin River City, but later he received news that she would continue south to lift the siege of Rushingflow City.

She had promised not to linger long in the south, to return to the North once her set task was done. He thought she would come back after taking Twin River City, but later he received word that she was to continue south to lift the siege of Bent Flow City.

the North Rushingflow City

Not long after, they received news that she had defeated the western armies and lifted the danger at Rushingflow City.

Not long after, they received news that she had smashed the western armies and lifted the crisis at Rushingflow City.

western armies

He was naturally overjoyed, not only because of the victory in war, but because she would return soon; he didn't expect the goal to be achieved so quickly.

He was certainly pleased, not only because of the military victory but because she would be returning soon; he hadn't expected the goal to be reached so quickly.

As long as she returns, he won't need to worry about them.

As long as she returns, he needn't worry about them.

The latter half was good news, the other half was worrisome.

The latter half was good news, the former half worrisome.

Half of it was good news, half was worrying.

Specifically, Mei Yi's subordinates rescued his uncle Edmure Tully; the news also carried the worrisome part, as Mei Yi led most of her cavalry away from Rushingflow City toward Harrenhal.

Meiyu's subordinates rescued his uncle Edmure Tully

Thus: Specifically, Meiyu's subordinates rescued his uncle Edmure Tully; the news also carried a worrying element, as Meiyu led the bulk of her cavalry out of Rushingflow City toward Harrenhal.

Halunbao

Thus: "... led the bulk of her cavalry out of Rushingflow City toward Halunbao."

Sir Geleiguo had already left Halunbao, and the news of his departure was even more shocking.

Ser Gregor Clegane had already left Halunbao, and the news of his departure was even more shocking.

Sir Geleiguo had already left Halunbao

At the grand wedding in King's Landing, the golden‑haired, handsome king who was taller than Luobo was poisoned by his own uncle, the Little Devil, and his sister also managed to escape from the chaotic wedding.

At the grand wedding in King's Landing, the blond, handsome king taller than Robb was poisoned by his own uncle the Little Devil, and his sister managed to escape from the chaotic marriage.

The king's uncle Little Devil, who is taller than Luobo, saw his sister escape

Thus: At the grand wedding in King's Landing, the blond, handsome king taller than Luobo was poisoned by his own uncle the Little Devil, and his sister managed to escape from the chaotic marriage.

The other three members of the council (Rorjelkajio, Lord Goffloff, and Mason Sewin) heard this news, and their expressions also turned strange.

Bran knows what's going on. They worry that after Mei Yi's consecutive big victories, they will lose reason, underestimate the enemy and rush forward, leading the army to destruction, just like Robb. The North can no longer bear this outcome.

A few days later, they received news again: she captured Herenborg without losing a single soldier, easily rescued a large number of Northern prisoners, and also killed the subordinates of Lord Gregoff of the chaotic Riverlands.

Lord Gregoff has already left Herenborg, and the news of his departure is even more shocking.

At the grand wedding in King's Landing, the blond, handsome king, taller than Robb, was poisoned by his own uncle, the little demon, and his sister also successfully escaped from the chaotic wedding.

Bran thought the small council could therefore make many decisions, such as sending troops along the way to search for his possibly escaped sister Sansa, or ordering the fleet stationed at White Harbor to harass King's Landing, but the only decision the small council made was to inform the Lord of White Harbor that his heir had been rescued.

After the Red Wedding, White Harbor had sent no word to Winterfell, but after this message was dispatched they quickly received the Lord's reply and an unimaginable quantity of supplies.

Ser Rodrik thereafter never commented on her remaining actions, including her choice to continue south and her defeat of the kingslayer.

When it was finally certain that she would return from the south, he at last cast aside his worry and began eagerly awaiting her return to Winterfell. Perhaps upon her return she could train his swordsmanship, enabling him to defeat Bolton; perhaps her return would bring stability to Winterfell's tension and unease.

Several nights ago, Master Luwen received her raven—actually it wasn't a raven at all, it was her; Bran could feel that beneath the giant raven's body lay his own sister, who had personally delivered the message overnight. The message's contents were tense and unsettling, and she gave no explanation:

"Effective immediately, strengthen Winterfell's defenses; no person of unknown identity shall be allowed to enter the city. Furthermore, Bran and Rickon shall not be permitted to leave the city. This is the order."

According to the order, they closed all of Winterfell's gates except the Hunter's Gate the next day, and outside the city not far from the Hunter's Gate they requisitioned several crude forts to accommodate possible visitors.

The small council hardly accepted this order, because it believed that Winterfell's affairs, under the division of authority, could only be decided by the small council, not commanded by someone a thousand leagues away; even though, after Robb's death, she was Winterfell's regent, the de facto Warden of the North.

Bran didn't understand why they would come up with such a strange notion and an inexplicably resistant attitude.

Bran insisted that this was an order personally issued by his sister and should be carried out; to that end, he even had Summer show his teeth.

The cost of this insistence for him was that he voluntarily obeyed the latter part of the order, not stepping outside the city even a step; since then, his trips onto the walls have increased greatly.

Whether this ban was actually enforced or not, it was still frequently challenged, such as whenever important visitors arrived.

Important visitors included Wyman Manderly and the dozen or so guards he brought.

Actually Bran really wanted to let them in, but he believed Meera would not do something for no reason; especially, this was an order she personally sent—if she were in the south, that might be equivalent to her flying in bird form for a day and night.

Besides Wyman Manderly, those waiting outside Winterfell also included a red-robed woman and a lame knight in King Stannis's service. In fact, they had a chance to prove their identity; they even produced Stannis's warrant and the hand-shaped badge of the King's Hand, but the warrant named the Onion Knight. Moreover, none of them was named Davos Seaworth.

If the Onion Knight had come to Winterfell, Bran would even have been willing to open the King's Gate for him—after all, he came representing his king—to let him enter through that main gate; unfortunately, he was not among the visitors, and of the two remaining persons, only their warrant appeared genuine. Their identities could not be verified, so Ser Rodrik could only ask them to stay temporarily outside the city.

Actually Bran believed that Ser Rodrik had done this on purpose.

The two of them did not resist this arrangement like Wyman Manderly did; they readily agreed. As the red-robed woman put it, "The she-wolf's course is wise and correct."

Bran at the time thought the visitor was the legendary Onion Knight, so he went ahead and stood at the gate, hoping to personally see the Onion Knight's bearing; but he was disappointed, seeing only a woman clothed entirely in a red silk cloak and a lame knight. At first he even thought the lame knight was the Onion Knight, and felt disappointed for a while.

Just as he was about to leave, he saw the red-robed woman also looking at him and saying those words. Although he was on the battlements, he clearly heard the red-robed woman's words, as if spoken into his ear, hearing them crystal clear, leaving him feeling uncanny to this day.

Her uncanniness was not limited to that.

Although her hair was reddish-brown, Bran at first glance thought she resembled Queen Regent Cersei. He didn't know why he got that impression, having never seen Cersei laugh, but when she first saw him she was full of smiles, making him feel dread, as if everything were laid bare.

He had also been completely seen through by Meera, but that was a spiritually tranquil feeling, like a breeze brushing over a mountain stream, lightly passing; whereas this red-robed woman's scrutiny was like a flame, an relentless pursuit that would not rest until she reduced him to ashes.

When he returned from the gatehouse to the great hall, the maester brought him news of his sister Sansa. The news naturally came from the red-robed woman.

The maester said many things, but Bran understood the meaning perfectly: she very likely had already died at sea.

He did not believe Sansa was dead; when he expressed his attitude, the maester's expression revealed that this was merely his hope, and quite childish.

He lacked the courage to contradict Master Luwen; his heart merely wished even more for Meera to return.

After finishing today's training yard practice, taking off his practice clothes, just as Bran was about to take Summer to the godswood, Summer and the distant Hound both began to howl.

His little companions all looked at him in unison. They hadn't howled so suddenly in a long time.

As he crouched to soothe Summer, Halmurin ran up beside him. Seeing him approach, Bran felt his heart pounding wildly, feeling quite uneasy.

"The people of Skagos have come, and they've brought a unicorn, heehee, you surely want to go see it!" he said happily.

Bran wished he could be as happy as he.

"Come on, maester, please go to the great hall for the council."