Game of Thrones: The Frozen Throne

After the order was given, a Pentoshi captain looked at the sky.

"Lord Edd, the night is approaching fast. If we sail under the cover of darkness, we might fall prey to pirate ambushes."

Edd responded, "Pirates can attack just as easily during the day. If we set sail in daylight and arrive at the shores of Skagos Island at night, we would still be vulnerable to ambushes—and even more likely to run aground."

He then proceeded to assign tasks to his vassals.

"Greatjon Umber, you and the Sistermen must be ready to charge at the forefront. 'Big Barrel' Wull, Middle Riddle, and Donnel Flint, you will lead the mountain clansmen. Once we reach the island, they will be the fist of the North."

Next, Edd designated Roose Bolton of the Dreadfort, Mark Ryswell of the Rills, Marlon Manderly of White Harbor, Lady Maege Mormont of Bear Island, the Glover brothers of Deepwood Motte, and Rickard Karstark of Karhold to accompany the expedition.

Finally, he turned to Wendel and Wylis of White Harbor.

"Wylis, you have an important task. You, along with Ser Wendel and Ser Herman Tallhart of Torrhen's Square, will stay behind to guard the ships and provisions. Ensure that the supplies are safely loaded and watch over the fleet."

Ser Herman Tallhart, standing nearby, frowned. He was displeased to be overlooked. "Lord Edd, Ser Wendel and Ser Wylis are more than capable of protecting the supplies. I should be leading warriors into battle! I do not wish to sit idle guarding provisions for the entire war."

As one of the few knightly lords north of the Neck, Ser Herman Tallhart was a proud man, eager to prove himself in battle. Seeing even the women of Bear Island, the chiefs of the mountain clans, and the Sistermen mercenaries assigned to the frontlines, he naturally did not want to be left behind.

Edd waited for Wylis and Wendel to leave before addressing Herman directly. "Guarding the supplies is no small task. I am taking most of our elite forces across the sea. If pirates attack our fleet in Seal Bay and our supplies are lost, how do you expect us to fight?"

"Wendel and Wylis are loyal, but I do not fully trust their capabilities for such an important task. That is why I am entrusting this to you. If you take this responsibility lightly, I will have to replace you."

Only then did Herman Tallhart realize Edd's intent. He felt ashamed. "Lord Edd, I will not disappoint you."

Under the cover of night, Edd led two-thirds of the Northern fleet across the sea. They encountered no pirate ships during the crossing.

As dawn broke, Edd and Marlon Manderly stood at the bow of the White Harbor merchant vessel, Son of the Silversmith, gazing at Skagos Island. A vast coastline stretched before them, its rocky mountain ranges standing defiantly amidst the morning mist.

Breathing in the salty air, Edd recalled the famous words of King Qhorwyn of the Iron Islands: "Wherever the scent of salt and the sound of waves can be found, that land is mine."

Skagos Island was Northern territory, yet the accursed Stoneborn had never truly sworn loyalty to House Stark of Winterfell. The North may not have the Ironborn's ambition to conquer the seas, but this island had to be secured.

The large ships could go no farther; approaching the coastline risked running aground. Despite Edd's cautious orders, two White Harbor merchant vessels and a fishing boat from Oldtown struck the reefs. One ship sank quickly, forcing the crew to swim to safety, while the other two were forced to turn back for repairs.

"Greybeard, take your men ashore for reconnaissance," Edd called out to the Sisterman captain aboard the Sister's Hammer.

Greybeard Kasseren flashed a sly grin. "Lord Edd, this is a cursed sea, and Skagos is a cursed island. It is said that the Stoneborn perform blood sacrifices beneath the heart trees and steal the souls of outsiders. We, of the Three Sisters, do not worship the Old Gods. We dare not be the first to set foot on such accursed land."

Marlon Manderly scowled. "Greybeard, do not forget that White Harbor has only paid you half of your fee. The other half is being withheld. If you defy Lord Edd's orders, you will not see a single copper more."

Greybeard chuckled nervously. "Ser Marlon, don't be angry! I do love gold, but I love my life more. What good is coin if I am dead? I am no coward, but White Harbor hired me to fight pirates—not to lead the charge onto an island. That was never part of our deal."

Edd understood. Greybeard's talk of curses was merely an excuse—he feared an ambush. Mercenaries would fight fiercely for a wealthy city, motivated by the promise of plunder. But Skagos was a barren, desolate place. There was little wealth to be gained, and Greybeard's men had no desire to be the first into battle, knowing that the first wave was most likely to suffer the heaviest casualties.

Standing beside Edd, Greatjon Umber had already donned his plate armor and helmet. "Lord Edd, we don't need these Sistermen to lead the charge. Leave it to me and my men."

The Umber lands had suffered greatly at the hands of pirates—farms, saltworks, and fishing boats had been raided, and hundreds of women and children had been taken. Greatjon and his people burned with vengeance against the Stoneborn and the Ironborn raiders.

Edd clapped a hand on Greatjon's shoulder. "Very well! Lead the Umber warriors in the charge—but be careful."

The Son of the Silversmith lowered small boats into the water, alongside the longships of the Sistermen, to carry a hundred Umber warriors toward the shore.

The longships of the Three Sisters were similar in design to those of the Iron Islands, capable of carrying about thirty men each. The merchant ship's smaller boats could barely hold ten.

Nearby, White Harbor's second merchant vessel, Light of the Seven, also lowered its boats. Edd called out to Ferran and Robert Glover aboard the ship. "Get the horses and scouts to shore. If you see the enemy, charge immediately."

Robert Glover and Ferran had been in charge of Northern scouting parties. Initially, Robert had resented Edd's decision to pair him with Ferran, a former poacher. But over time, Ferran's exceptional archery skills had won Robert's trust.

Now, they began ferrying the warhorses and scouts to the beach.

Beside Edd, Domeric Bolton remarked, "Lord Edd, isn't it too soon to send in the cavalry?"

A seagull soared overhead as Edd replied, "If the Stoneborn or Ironborn pirates choose to ambush us during the landing, they will likely use archers. Infantry charges will struggle against a rain of arrows—but heavy cavalry will strike fear into archers. The riders will help drive off those troublesome bowmen."

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