Chapter 21

Robb's POV (Age 11), 291 AC Moon 07

He had planned to travel the west coast of the North, visiting the leading lords before reaching the Wall. After visiting Castle Black, the plan was to travel south along the east coast before ending our trip in White Harbor. In total, it should take about one to two years, depending on how fast we travel and how long we stay in different places. The group consisted of 50 Stark soldiers, 10 crannogmen, Lord Reed, Jory Cassel, Mullen, and me. 

'Moat Cailin is a ruin.' That was his only thought when he saw it.

We had also left the 50 Stark guardsmen, as such a big party would be difficult to transport, and with the Reeds being so loyal there was very little danger. Now during his third day of traversing through the neck, he couldn't help but think he may have miscalculated. They were forced to walk on foot with only the supplies they could carry on them. The march through the neck was slow so far, with them taking winding trails that twisted and turned in all directions while fighting off mosquitos and other insects the whole time. They were forced to sleep in trees a few times to avoid the lizard lions.

Lord Reed suddenly looked at him with a frankly infuriating smirk on his face. "The worst part of the journey is over my lord."

Before I could question what the Crannogman meant, we came to a small pier built on a road far from Kingsroad. Without Lord Reed or one of his men, we would never have found the way. It was hidden behind a variety of bushes and there were a few small traps along the way. The men began loading their belongings into the skiffs, which were flat-bottomed rowing boats.

With a deft movement of his hand, Lord Reed released the rope from the tree and motioned for them to climb up. Robb wasted no time, jumping into the back of the boat and sitting down with a tired groan. The ship rocked slightly as Ser Rodrick climbed aboard, but otherwise remained remarkably stable for what one would expect from a ship of this size. Lord Reed jumped into the boat with a single agile step that did not seem to disturb the balance of the boat at all before speaking to them.

"I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to keep your hands in the boat unless you want a lizard lion to take them away from you."

He happily obliged. At this point, I was just happy to be off my feet. A three-day walk through the swamp would probably tire most adults, as it was almost torture for their childish bodies. He took the opportunity to close his eyes and rest a little. He fell asleep almost immediately.

"-Stark. Lord Stark." He was woken by Ser Rodrick shaking his shoulder while calling for him.

"Mmph." Was his articulate reply while he sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He then stretched his hands above his head while releasing a small groan at how stiff his back was. Sleeping curled up on a small boat was the definition of uncomfortable.

After he was good and awake, he spoke again. "What is it Ser?"

Ser Rodrick answered in a voice filled with amusement. "Lord Reed says we are nearing Greywater Watch my Lord."

Lord Reed didn't look back from the front of the boat where he was paddling with a small oar. "You should be able to see it from just around this bend my lord."

Now more awake because they are finally reaching their destination Robb looked at the bend that Lord Reed had described eagerly. He needn't have reacted so quickly as while the bend wasn't very large in itself, the boat was moving at a slow pace and he had to wait for a minute or two looking at the greenery around him.

There was a small lake surrounded by trees with flowers of all colors blooming and rising into the air. The water was calm, the only thing disturbing it was his boat and the boats of several other crannogmen rowing toward the center of the lake. In the middle of the water was a huge structure where Greywater Watch was found. As the legends and myths say, the castle rested on the water and was held in position in some way he could not discern.

After a few moments, Lord Reed gestured for us to follow his lead up to the gates of the keep itself. "Come, I'm sure you are hungry after the journey. "

After the meal was finished Lady Reed ushered the children to bed and left me alone to speak with Lord Reed. The man stared at the flames on the candle in the middle of the table for a few moments in silence before speaking. "You know I think this is the first time a Stark has been to Greywater Watch in thousands of years. Why did you decide to come my lord?"

Robb answered smoothly. "A great failure on their part, my lord. How can I ever hope to rule a people that I know nothing about?"

He looked up from the lantern into his eyes. "A good answer, aye. But a half-truth nonetheless."

Robb stared at the man impassively while inwardly he was impressed. It seems he underestimated Howland Reed.

"I have come here for my family and my heritage. OUR heritage. Weirwood trees are only found in the North with only 3-4 weirwoods in the South. The Old Gods are the gods of our ancestors. I am the Stark of Winterfell. The North has long been the home of the Old Gods.

I found a book on Rites written by my ancestors. In it, I found 'Rite to claim ye lands'. As we are still The Winter's King, I intend to claim these lands for my family."

He gave his answer staring at Lord Reed whose face didn't reveal anything but had an approving glint in his eyes.

"Tell me, O Winter Prince, Why did you name your mace Dusk."

He was shocked to hear a question that was so specific. Why Dusk? But it was more than that. Like Lord Reed wanted to confirm something and every fiber of his being was telling him to tell the truth about the Mace.

"King. I don't think since my great-great-grandfather, Willam Stark died, anyone claimed the title. Not even my father. SO I CLAIMED IT ALONG WITH THE THRONE OF WINTER."

Oh, how dry his throat had become. As he was sipping some water. Lord Howland's eyes were open wide but he didn't say anything. Almost like wishing for me to continue.

"For a castle that's been standing for more than 8,000 years. It held to few of a secret. Even after finding the Winter Throne, I kept searching. I found some books with priceless knowledge and the mace. For a few moons I didn't even knew its name.

Before Father was back, I had removed Dusk from the chest it was into to training with it. The velvet cloth got dragged too and I found a book hidden underneath it. 'Weapons of House Stark', contains the story of Ice, Dusk, and Dawn.

Ice was a spellforged bronze sword crafted by Edric Dayne, founder of House Dayne. The moon before the final battle of the long night, a star fell where Starfall is now built upon. He crafted two weapons, Dusk & Dawn. A mace because Bran the Builder already had a sword."

For a few minutes, Lord Reed didn't say anything but suddenly started laughing uproaringly. I thought he was mocking me for not believing in my story. Then just as suddenly stopped and looked at me.

"You have answered my question satisfactorily. I ask that you join me and my family, as we visit the godswood on the morrow after breaking our fast." And he started to leave.

Stopping, with turning he said, "We have records too, Winter King. All three of us have. It is said in those records that when the mace is wielded by Starks again, the Long Night will come again."

"Do you know?" He asked slightly turning towards me.

"I know."

"Books?"

"No. Would you believe me if I said I had a vision?"

Without answering he felt. As I looked around I realized that he had had a sensitive conversation in the Hall. But thankfully it was empty.