Chapter 11 KARSTARK

On the way to Karstark lands, I made a surprising discovery: the Last River contained particles of gold that settled in the crevices and under the current, perhaps washed down from the Wull mountains. If so, we might have a mine in the North.

The journey was uneventful, although I spotted some things along the way with my vision: a total of 30 gold dragons and several weapons. It seems the forest is a hiding place for most common folk, but they never return to claim their treasure.

The Karstark forest is different, less ancient than the Wolfwood, with fewer rare woods due to continuous exploitation, but teeming with life. As we progressed, Brandon and I had an archery competition, which I won.

After two days, we encountered the Bolton caravan heading towards the wall. As soon as they saw us, they prepared to return to Fort Terror. Two of the guards were missing a hand. I didn't need to use my gift to see that I already knew them. They departed quickly; apparently, we would escort the prisoners for the rest of the journey, and someone from the Night's Watch would pick them up in Karhold in a few weeks. This delayed the journey by a few days, but a week later, we stood before the imposing castle of the Karstarks, two forts located between two cliffs that rose above the forest, tall and connected by a bridge.

In the courtyard, we were greeted by Lord Rickard Karstark. He was still young and cheerful, nothing like the old and grumpy Karstark from the show. With him was his heir, Harrion, 15 years old, and his wife, Lady Lysena Karstark, Stark's unmarried.

It turns out the reason my mother wanted to make the trip was to see Lady Karstark, who turned out to be an aunt of ours. My mother will stay for a moon and return to Winterfell when we depart for Last Hearth. When we arrived at the fortress, the Karstarks welcomed us with honors. We also met the family. Harrion is pleasant company; we sparred with training swords several times, and although he's not the best, he excels in fistfights and grappling. It was interesting to learn from him. Along with Harrion, his uncle Arturo showed us around, as well as the castle. Impressive indeed, but without anything that triggered my vision.

One of those days, after dinner, we met with Lord Karstark. While in the lord's solar, Brandon handed him a black parchment. He read it slowly; at one point, he lifted his face and asked seriously:

"Are you aware of what's in this letter, Lord Brandon?"

"Yes, my lord, and I have no problem with it."

"I see, I hope your father knows what you're doing."

"Of course, my lord."

"Well, besides being banner-men, we're family, so we'll support you."

"Now, young Ned, the raven announcing his arrival also mentioned that you have business in the village, as well as some commercial offers. If you don't mind, tomorrow my son will show you the village."

"Of course, my lord. As for the commercial offers, I already have some that might interest you. First, I would like a port to be built in the Bay of Seals. This would allow us to open a route with Ibben. The purpose of the port would be more military than commercial; we could have part of the fleet in this port without crowding White Harbor. We could also negotiate with Skagos for things like volcanic ash and skins, thus controlling wild incursions."

"Hmm, a very expensive venture, my lord, but I see the benefits. It would take quite some time to accomplish, but perhaps in a few generations."

"Regarding that, my lord, I might have a way to expedite the process... by harnessing the river that runs through the forest, we could install water-powered mechanical sawmills. I can provide the plans and details to your maester."

"Of course, Lord Stark. But before that, we might need a background check by your maester." "Don't worry about that, Lord Stark. Your father informed me of recent news and his new interest in controlling the maesters. My maester is clean."

"Ok, then I won't insist."

I already knew that information. Since my spy network spread throughout the North, I had located maesters with ties in the South, as well as anyone with an ornamented chain like Walys'. It turns out there aren't many, just two: one in Fort Terror with an ornamented chain, which happens to be different from the one Rose Bolton had in the books.

Aquí está el texto corregido:

There was one more in White Harbor, but their connections were not with the Citadel but with the Tyrells and Tywin Lannister. It seems they underestimate the importance of the North.

The next day, we set out to explore the village of Whitesun near the fortress. It's not as grand as Wintertown, but being surrounded by trees gives it a unique touch. My orphanages were doing well; I don't think I need to bury anyone today. The Stark name is well established in the local population, something that doesn't seem to matter to the Karstarks.

While we were on the outskirts of the village, a rider came with news of wildlings sighted near Last River, and since we were about 20 riders, we decided to investigate ourselves without notifying, something like youthful stupidity. As we advanced, an arrow struck the feet of one of our horses.

Then 40 wildlings armed with spears and weapons of bronze and steel surrounded us.

"Men in a circle!" I shouted.

As we prepared for combat, two of them, I suppose their leaders, spoke in the ancient tongue. "But look what we have here, some mainlanders. Today is our lucky day, brothers. We lost the caravan, but they also seem important."

While they were still talking and laughing, I gave Brandon and Mance a look. At the same time, we grabbed our bows and started shooting at the wildling archers. When they reacted, five of them were already dead. They gave a war cry and started running towards us.

With that, we launched into battle.

Taking my spear, I galloped towards a man who seemed to be the leader, but before reaching him, another man intervened only to be impaled by my spear. Drawing my sword, I pressed on. When I was a meter away, I cut him with my sword pointing at the leader's head, who for some reason didn't react, losing his head.

After beheading him, I dismounted my horse; I'm not a good enough rider to fight on horseback, not in the forest, and even less if surrounded.

Taking my shield from my mount, I approached the next wildling, blocking his axe with my shield and kicking him in the knee, unbalancing him. At that moment, two more approached with their spears aimed at my head and chest. I managed to dodge the attack to my head, blocking the second spear with the shield. At that moment, an arrow embedded itself in the head of the first man, knocking his axe and shield away, giving me time to step back a few steps, abandoning the shield that had the spear embedded in it, and drawing my dagger, throwing it at the unarmed wildling before he could react.

"One less," I said.

Taking the axe from the nearby corpse, I threw it at the last one. He blocked it with his spear, but that gave me time to run towards him and attack him with a thrust to the stomach. He managed to prevent me from piercing him completely, but not without getting a cut on the ribs. Taking advantage of his moment of pain, I stepped on his spear and swung my sword upward, cutting off his wrist, and finishing him with a direct blow to the neck.

With adrenaline still high, I looked up to see my next opponent, but there were no more; the battle was over. Apparently, when the battle turned against them, some wildlings retreated.

It's rare for any battle to end in annihilation; usually, the fighters don't fight to the end, they're not so motivated. We lost two guards to archers. Counting the bodies, we realized we had killed 28 wildlings; the other twelve fled into the forest.

"Damn wildlings," said Harrion.

"My lord, they don't seem like wildlings," said Mance as he examined the bodies.

"They don't seem like southerners, and only wildlings attack these lands," said Harrion.

"Wait a moment, Harrion, let him speak," said Brandon.

"My lord, you know I grew up on the Wall, so I know how wildling tribes operate better than anyone here. Those who cross the Wall by sea do so in canoes and in small groups to avoid the guards' surveillance. Besides, the tribes are usually small; they usually cross with women and children if they're going so far south to settle, but these forty men chose to attack instead of fleeing. Besides, the first sighting report was on the coast near Last River heading here. There are some unprotected settlements they could plunder, so I doubt it's a spring incursion. Plus, there's this," he said, showing me an object in his hands.

"A horn?" asked Cley.

"A Unicorn horn, to be specific, my lord," Mance replied.

"What do you think, Ned?" Brandon asked.

"It makes sense. They're very far south and have too much steel. Divide up, search for those who escaped, and capture them alive. We'll meet back here before nightfall. Cley, ride to Karhold and get reinforcements."

"At your command."

With that, we spent the next few hours searching in the forest. We managed to capture four raiders before returning. While the prisoners were gathered, they shouted curses in their language, referring to how their Magnar on the coast would punish us, all without knowing that Brandon and I understood them perfectly.

"So tell me, who are you?" I said in the common tongue.

"Damn continentals, we won't tell you anything," replied one.

"Fine."

"Separate them. I'll interrogate them separately," I said as my eyes gleamed.

ORBERT LEVEL 20 AGE 19

GALT LEVEL 30 AGE 27

SIMP LEVEL 25 AGE 40

RAY LEVEL 21 AGE 32

Approaching the first, the youngest and the one who spoke first, I asked in the language of the First Men.

"Tell me, who are you?"

"You speak the ancient tongue."

"And I also understand screams. Now tell me, who is the Magnar you keep talking about?"

"Damn continental, I won't tell you anything. Just kill me now."

"Very well. You see, unlike the guards who just want to kill you all, I detest shedding blood. So can you inform me who gave you the weapons and who sent you, and I'll let you go?"

"Haha, call us and we'll tell you."

Leaving him, I moved on to the next prisoner, who was far enough to overhear my previous conversation.

"How are you, Galt? That's your name, right? Good old Orbet told me you won't say anything. I'm sure House Stane values men as loyal as you."

"Hmm, damn, no one told you anything. We're wildlings, not kneelers."

"Come on, someone already snitched on you. If you give me something, maybe I'll let you go."

Repeated this with the next one, just changing the clan name. It wasn't until the third attempt that the man named SIMP went mad. Clan Magnar, apparently.

After a moment, I returned to the first man.

"All right, thank you for not giving in, Orbert. The Magnar will reward your sacrifice."

"Damn Magnar, he'll kill you all," he shouted at his comrades. "Don't kill me, kid. I don't know what they told you, but I have more information. I'll tell you what I know if you spare my life."

"Very well then... If the information is more than what SIMP gave me, I'll let you go, and it better be good. You see, he's the oldest and he's jealous that you're almost as good as him at your age."

He then confessed.

"Very well, men. It seems Mance was right; they're not wildlings."

"Now what, Lord Eddard?"

"For now, let's rest. Let's wait for reinforcements from your father."

Later that night, reinforcements arrived: 30 riders under Lord Karstark's command.

"Lord Eddard, are you all right?"

"Yes, my lord, thank you for coming so soon."

"Now, tell me, lad, what are we up against?"

"Apparently, a group of Skagosi raiders are camping near the coast, alongside their ships. According to the prisoners, there are only 20 men left."

"Excellent, Lord Eddard. With your ten, we double their numbers."

"Yes, my lord. I suggest we rest the horses and attack in an hour. I know nighttime battles don't favor us, but if their men don't see them return soon, maybe they'll flee."

"Understood, men. Rest up. We leave in an hour."

Close to midnight, we were on the outskirts of the forest, observing a camp on the coast. We decided to attack on foot, gradually approaching in the darkness. The coast is too rocky for a cavalry charge; we'd lose too many before reaching them, so we crept up and surrounded them.

The attack horn sounded. Suddenly, fire arrows streaked across the sky. I ran as fast as I could to the nearest tent. Upon entering, two men were half awake, putting on their armor.

Before they had a chance, I threw a dagger at the furthest one, killing him. The other man grabbed his spear and charged at me. I managed to dodge while attacking his leg with my sword. He dropped his spear and attacked me with his fists. I took a hit to the ribs but managed to recover. I headbutted him in the nose and, taking advantage of his distance, finished him off with a stab to the abdomen.

Leaving the tent, I found a fallen guard being attacked by a Skagosi. Just as he was about to smash the guard's head with his hammer, I stopped the swing with my sword, kicked his chest, and he fell backwards. I finished him off with a stab to the throat.

"Thank you, my lord."

"Don't thank me yet," I said as I offered him my hand, helping him up.

The next opponents rushed out of a nearby tent. I grabbed the hammer from the ground and hurled it like a boomerang at their legs as hard as I could. Luck was on my side; one broke his leg, and the other lost his balance. But before I could celebrate, a shadow rose behind me, only to be met with an arrow in the neck.

"You almost had it there, brother."

"Brandon, where the hell were you?"

"You rushed ahead too fast, Ned. You basically entered the camp alone."

"Damn it, I forgot I run faster thanks to my healthy body."

"Well, whatever. There are two ahead; I'll leave the one with the broken leg to you if you want."

With that, we ran towards the men who were getting up.

After a while, the horn sounded again; we had won. By some miracle, we had no casualties and ended up capturing another five Skagosi, among whom was someone claiming to be noble.

"All right, tell me, you're the one who claims to be noble," I asked.

"I am, my lord. I am Trant, son of Magnar Trandar."

"Oh, that's new—a Skagosi claiming to be noble," said Lord Karstark.

"We are. My house knelt before the Starks; they granted us titles and land."

"And now it seems you're betraying us, isn't that right?" said Brandon.

"..."

"All right, Trant, tell me, what are you doing in these lands with an army? Who sent you?"

"I don't know."

"Or he doesn't want to tell us," said Rickard Karstark.

"What do you know, then? Are you here for revenge or war?"

"No, my lord. My father said a southerner gave him weapons and gold in exchange for attacking the Stark caravan passing through these lands. But due to the bad weather at sea, we didn't arrive in time, so we attacked the patrols to find gold. Finding you was just a coincidence, I swear by the old gods."

"A southerner?"

"No, my lord. He spoke the ancient tongue."

"..."

"..."

Stepping away, Lord Karstark asked, "What do my lords, the Boltons, think?"

"I don't believe it. They already tried it in their lands; it would be very suspicious if they tried it again so soon."

"Then..."

"I don't know, my lord. It could be an excuse, or maybe someone disguised who also speaks the ancient tongue."

"Damn it, then what shall we do? War?"

"Not unless necessary."

Turning back to the boy, I said, "All right, Trant, that's more than what your companions gave me. But they said there's still more—an army like this one waiting to land for war. How many are there?"

"There's no other army, only those we haven't captured yet. Only a few knew of the plan. A plague wiped out our crops; we don't want war. We only did it for gold."

"All right, it seems you've earned your freedom."

I gestured to the guards nearby and said, "We don't need them anymore; kill them all."

"Brandon, take Trant's head."

With that, we returned to Karhold. As we moved, I approached Marwyn.

"Marwyn, send a raven to Arwen. Tell her I need people in King's Landing and await further instructions."

"Very well, my lord."

"Also, tell Duncan I'll need my guards."

"Of course, my lord. How many?"

"All of them... have them meet us on the road to Last Hearth."

"Understood."

"By the way, Marwyn, I'll need something from your collection."

"Of course, my lord, whatever you need."

"The dragon egg."

"..."

"Any problem?"

"None, my lord."

"Don't worry, Marwyn, you'll get it back later."

After many hugs from my family and a scolding for our recklessness, we could finally rest after a day of battles. The next day, before breaking fast, a guard came to fetch me to meet with Lord Karstark. As we watched Brandon practice in the courtyard, Lord Karstark spoke.

"He seems very motivated, doesn't he?"

"Haha, yes, apparently I killed more bandits than he did in the last battle."

"It's good to be motivated."

"..."

"May I ask, Eddard, why did you take the boy's head?"

"My lord, despite their claims of having no resources and not letting anyone go, sooner or later it will be known, and their honor demands that they take up arms. After all, their heir died. So why not give them another target to vent their frustration on? If we send Trant's head to the Crowls and spread the word that they are responsible, they will turn on each other."

"But won't that deceive Lord Magnar?"

"We don't need him to believe us, just to give him an excuse. It's easier to attack the Crowls and blame them for everything than to attack the mainland."

"But what if they decide to unite?"

"They won't. If they form a coalition, the Stanes will attack them. They are the only house still somewhat loyal to the Starks."

"Very well, Lord Eddard, I'll take care of it."

"All right, my lord. I bid you farewell; I also need to practice."

The rest of the month passed without further incidents.

"My lord, we appreciate your hospitality, but we must depart."

"Of course, Lord Brandon. Please allow my son to accompany you for the rest of the journey through the North. I'll send people to escort Lady Stark and you to your destination."

"Thank you, my lord, but the escort for us is not necessary. You need them to reinforce the coasts in case the Skagosi attempt anything again. With two guards and us, it will be sufficient to reach Umber lands."

"I'll also send the Stark guard with my mother and siblings. I don't want any more surprises."

"Okay, I'll send Arturo with you to Last Hearth."

"Very well, my lord, it shall be done."

With that, we set off with two escorts: Brandon, Martyn Cassel, Cley Cerwyn, Marwyn, Harrion Karstark, his uncle Arturo Karstark, and myself, heading for Last Hearth.

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Good morning, readers. I'm very excited about yesterday. Why, you may ask?

Firstly, we surpassed a thousand collections and two hundred power stones.

Additionally, I received my first donation on Ko-fi. Many thanks to Ovleer for the donation.

I also have to mention that these are my first battle scenes, some involving armies and others personal duels.

For all of this, thank you very much. Have a great Sunday!