Game of Thrones: The Frozen Throne

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On Skagos Island, the Rockborn attempted to drive the Northern army back into the sea. Their ambush was met with fierce resistance from the Northmen, forcing them to retreat into the mountains. Some wounded Rockborn warriors were captured by the Northern army.

Before the heart tree on the hillside, Eddard Stark began interrogating the prisoners. He chose this sacred place because of the Old Gods' presence—he believed the Rockborn would be more inclined to speak the truth before them. If the prisoners fed him false intelligence, it would not only waste time but could also lead to devastating losses for the Northern army.

Morgan Rydell of the mountain clans stood nearby, draped in a snow-white bearskin over his chainmail. A strong and resolute warrior, he was the second son of the Rydell chieftain. Many called him "Middle Rydell" behind his back, though he disliked the nickname, and few dared say it to his face.

Middle Rydell dragged forward a Rockborn warrior. The man bore a sword wound across his face, and half of his ear was missing. Rydell spoke, "Lord Eddard, this one claims to be a warrior of the Mapleleaf Clan. He's given us some information."

Eddard studied the Rockborn warrior with curiosity. He was a weathered man in his forties, clad in a bloodstained leather coat over fur armor. Eddard turned to Rydell and asked, "How did you make him talk?"

The Rockborn were known for their resilience. Northern warriors who had captured them in the past found them as stubborn as stone—unyielding even under torture.

Rydell replied, "His name is Nonda Mapleleaf. He was captured along with his two sons. If he remained silent, he would have had to watch them die before his eyes."

The warriors of the Rydell Clan brought forth Nonda's two sons—both mere boys of fifteen or sixteen.

No matter how strong-willed a man was, everyone had weaknesses. Even the Rockborn, who prided themselves on being as unyielding as the mountains, were not exempt from human emotions.

Eddard fixed his gaze on Nonda. "I am Eddard Stark, Warden of the North and head of House Stark. Your so-called Rock King, Samro Crowl, has allied himself with the Iron Whores and Haelen Pyke. He has broken his clan's oath to Winterfell, crowned himself king, and led raids along the eastern coast of the North, pillaging and slaughtering. I have come with the Northern army to bring him to justice."

"You bear the Mapleleaf name, which means you are not of the Crowl Clan. I believe that you and your people were coerced into this war. Before the heart tree, under the eyes of the Old Gods, I swear upon the honor of House Stark—if you answer my questions truthfully, you and your sons will be spared."

"In the presence of the gods, you must tell the truth. Lying before the gods brings divine retribution."

Nonda remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Big Jon drew his dagger and pressed it against the face of one of Nonda's sons. A crimson bloom of blood blossomed instantly.

Big Jon roared, "Damn Rockborn! You slaughtered so many of my Umber kin—warriors and innocents alike. If you don't speak, I'll gut your sons right here!"

The boy trembled but did not utter a sound. The Rockborn truly were a tenacious people.

Nonda looked at the blade against his son's throat. At last, he spoke. "Let them go. I will talk."

Eddard gestured to Domeric Bolton, heir to the Dreadfort. "Domeric, write down everything he says."

Domeric unrolled a parchment, quill in hand, ready to record.

Eddard asked, "Nonda, where is Samro Crowl's stronghold?"

"The Abyss Keep. It is the ancestral seat of the Crowl Clan."

This was the first time the Northern army had heard the name of the Rock King's castle. Roose Bolton of the Dreadfort, Big Jon Umber of House Umber, and Lady Mage Mormont of Bear Island all perked up with interest.

Eddard continued, "Where is Abyss Keep? How far from here?"

Nonda thought for a moment. "Crowl Gorge. Ten leagues southeast of here."

Skagos was the largest island in the North, and Eddard had feared that Abyss Keep might be far from their landing site. But it was closer than expected.

Roose Bolton said, "Lord Eddard, if Abyss Keep is this close, our light cavalry could reach it in three days. But how strong is this fortress?"

Nonda let out a beast-like grin. "It might be the strongest castle in the world."

Rickard Karstark scoffed, "He's lying! The Rockborn couldn't build a stone fortress even if they tried!"

Nonda replied, "Abyss Keep was built upon a natural cavern. The Crowls believe the Old Gods granted it to their ancestors and guided them in its construction."

Lady Mormont smirked. "Savages! You dare invoke the Old Gods? Have you forgotten that we, the First Men of the North, also worship them?"

"You have long forgotten their true names," Nonda said solemnly. "The Old Gods belong to the mountains and rivers, to the forests and streams. The Children of the Forest, the Greenseers, the Wood Dancers, the Earth Dancers—you treat them as myths. But we, the Rockborn, know they are real. Even now, they watch us through the heart trees!"

Eddard felt a chill as he glanced at the solemn face etched into the heart tree's bark. The expression seemed darker than before.

Westeros had many tales of the Old Gods and the Children of the Forest. Legends spoke of how the First Men arrived through the Arm of Dorne, wielding bronze weapons that overwhelmed the obsidian blades of the Children. To stop their advance, the Children used magic to raise the sea level, breaking the land bridge and creating what was now the Broken Arm of Dorne and the Stepstones.

Could the Rockborn possess some ancient magic of the Old Gods? Did they use it to help the Crowls build Abyss Keep? A strange thought indeed.

Roose Bolton sneered, "I don't believe for a second that the Old Gods built a castle for the Rockborn. That's a bedtime story."

Eddard mused, "Perhaps the legend refers to a 'Builder'—a figure like Bran the Builder, who aided the Crowls in its construction."

Nonda nodded. "The Crowls were granted the cavern by the Old Gods. Then they mined it and, under the gods' guidance, built the fortress."

Eddard frowned. "Mined? What do they mine at Abyss Keep?"

"Obsidian," Nonda grinned, revealing rotting teeth. "We craft arrows tipped with it—arrows meant to slay Northmen. Even the Ironborn smiths cannot forge obsidian weapons, but we can!"

Eddard asked, "Besides the Crowl Clan, which other Rockborn clans are powerful?"

Nonda considered. "The Stern Clan of Drift Hall and the Magnar Clan of the King's Hall in southeast Skagos."

"Magnar?" Eddard echoed.

Domeric Bolton paused his writing. "Lord Eddard, Nonda is lying. Magnar is a title used by the Thenns—the wildlings beyond the Wall. There shouldn't be a Magnar on Skagos."

Nonda chuckled. "Young man, 'Magnar' means 'Great Lord' in the Old Tongue."

Eddard waved his hand, and Middle Rydell and his men took Nonda and his sons away.

Eddard's confidence swelled. "If we take Abyss Keep and kill or capture Samro Crowl, the Rockborn alliance will collapse. They'll tear each other apart. I've decided—our light cavalry will strike at Abyss Keep immediately!"

"Lord Eddard!" Marlon Manderly burst into the hall, breathless.

"The Iron Whores have ambushed our fleet in the Bay of Seals! Herman Tallhart, Wyman Manderly, and Wendel Manderly have been captured. Our ships are burned, and our supplies on the far shore are lost!"

Eddard felt as though he had plummeted into the abyss. The face in the heart tree seemed to gaze upon him with a hint of mocking disdain.

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