Chapter 680: The Direwolf of the Tundra

The Iron Throne's fleet embarked on a journey eastward, causing upheaval in the world of the free trade city-states.

Power struggles, chaos, schemes, and a storm brewing—dark currents were everywhere.

Yet, beyond this human realm, stripped of these conflicts and machinations, lay a land of biting cold, a primal boundary between life and death.

In this terrestrial hell, power plays seemed a frivolous game. The only eternal battle was between the living and the dead.

Whooosh~ The icy winds howled, carrying with them blinding snowstorms that snuffed out all life, save for some hardy pine trees and creatures adapted to the cold.

Shuffle, shuffle A direwolf, its coat as white as snow, looked gaunt, clearly starved for days. Its crimson eyes shone brightly as it treaded a path through the snow.

Climbing atop a large boulder, it let out a mournful, long howl.

Hooooo—

This albinistic direwolf cried out, simultaneously summoning and seeking its few remaining kin.

The vast tundra north of the Wall used to be their territory. Even the Free Folk dared not venture too deep, lest they lose their way, succumb to frost, hunger, or become prey for the direwolves.

But then, amidst the blinding storm, a subtle sound pierced through.

Shh. Shh. The noise, deliberate and unhurried, immediately put the direwolf on high alert.

Perched on the boulder, its head held high, the chilling wind ruffling its snowy fur, its scarlet eyes fixed intently on the source of the noise, a low growl emanating from its throat.

It hoped its howl might've attracted a companion. Yet, it also feared that the call might draw in the monstrous creatures.

For a creature with the simple intellect of a direwolf, it couldn't comprehend what the White Walkers and wights were. But it could distinguish a foul stench, a scent that drove men and beasts mad, even intimidating the top predators of the tundra.

Shuffle, shuffle The steady noise drew closer. The direwolf whined softly, lowering its head.

Feeling an impending danger, it still chose not to flee, clinging to a glimmer of hope.

To its dismay, emerging from the storm was a skeletal horse, half its body exposed bone, and glimpses of its rotted yellow-black fur visible under the snow.

Astride this skeletal steed sat a knight cloaked in black. His attire tattered, bearing marks of a fierce battle, a longsword hung by his side.

His face, as cold as the blue ice, showed no signs of life, his eyes a piercing shade of blue.

He noticed the white direwolf atop the boulder and simply gazed at it.

The direwolf, sensing an enemy, tensed up, its fur bristling, emitting a threatening growl.

Growl—

From its years of wandering alone, it knew beings with those blue eyes and putrid smell weren't to be trifled with. They'd lunge at any sign of life, forcing even the apex predators of the tundra to flee in fear.

Yet, something changed. The direwolf's growl faded, its posture relaxing, its red eyes showing evident confusion.

The knight, unlike the other wights, didn't rush at the sight of flesh. Instead, he simply held the reins of his skeletal horse, watching the direwolf intently, neither advancing nor retreating.

Whine~

The two—man and wolf—locked eyes for what felt like an eternity.

Finally, the direwolf let out another howl and, surprisingly, approached the knight.

Swish~

The knight's icy blue eyes flickered momentarily. Dismounting his steed, he extended a hand towards the direwolf.

Whine~

The direwolf descended from the boulder, letting out another soft growl. This time, though, there was no menace in its tone, but rather a sense of familiarity.

It circled the knight a few times, even sniffing him as if discerning a particular scent.

The knight watched as the direwolf circled him, showing no fear. He tried to pet the creature, but the wolf dodged nimbly.

Though the knight's scent seemed familiar, the direwolf disliked any being touching its head.

"Come with me," the knight uttered in a voice as harsh as grinding blades, so different from what he remembered.

The direwolf's eyes showed confusion initially, unsure of the knight's words.

But as the knight spoke again, sincerity evident in his frosty blue gaze, the direwolf seemed to understand.

Yet, it didn't respond. It simply sniffed the knight's outstretched hand once more.

Then, turning its back, it walked away, swiftly vanishing into the snowstorm.