Game of Thrones: The Frozen Throne

Aside from Borrison Stern, the heir to Driftwood Hall, the Northern army had also captured several other Rockborn nobles. Among them were members of the Ice Dragon Clan, the Frost Clan, and the Maple Leaf Clan, as well as a man from the Crowl Clan of Abyss Fortress.

This man, named Donald Crowl, had brown hair. Unlike many Rockborn, who were usually strong and rugged in appearance, Donald Crowl was short, rosy-cheeked, and looked kind-hearted. He had been captured on the battlefield by Eddard's personal guard, Dawson.

As Eddard scrutinized Donald Crowl, he was surprised to find that beneath his chainmail, he wore an exquisite mink coat embroidered with gold thread. The crest on his chest displayed black and red jagged lines—the sigil of House Crowl. "Are you really one of the Rockborn?"

Donald Crowl smiled ingratiatingly, as if he were meeting an old friend. "Absolutely! Lord Eddard, I was born during a particularly harsh winter when food was scarce, so I have always been weak and sickly."

Eddard frowned. "What is your relation to the so-called Rock King, Samro Crowl?"

"He is my uncle," Donald Crowl replied. "My father died when I was three, and my mother remarried Samro Crowl. So, I have always regarded him as my father. I am the steward of Abyss Fortress."

This was a valuable captive. Eddard raised his voice, "You are both the Rock King's nephew and the steward of his stronghold. You helped him rebel and slaughter Northern people. I could take your head at any moment."

Dawson drew the Stark family's Valyrian greatsword, "Ice." Donald Crowl broke into a cold sweat. "Lord Stark, I am just a steward, not a warrior! Please, spare me!"

This was a cowardly Rockborn. Eddard said, "If you want to live, answer my questions honestly. Why were you here?"

Donald Crowl wiped his forehead. "The Rock King sent me to Driftwood Hall to gather warriors from the northern tribes and bring them to Abyss Fortress. But Billi Stern spotted the Northern army along the way and immediately launched an attack. Recently, the Sistermen pirates and Pentoshi mercenaries have been raiding the coastal villages of House Stern. When Billi Stern saw the Northern army, he was enraged and attacked despite my protests."

Graybeard Casseren and his Sistermen fleet, along with the Pentoshi mercenary ships, had not disappointed Eddard. His pirate raids had successfully provoked the Rockborn. However, the food supplies from these raids were limited. The Northern army's provisions were severely lacking, and they still relied on Marlon Manderly's fleet to transport supplies across the sea.

Eddard asked, "How many Rockborn warriors did you gather in the Skagos tribal villages?"

Donald Crowl thought for a moment. "Over a thousand men and eighteen unicorns."

After the battle, Roose Bolton had assessed the Rockborn casualties. Three unicorns lay dead on the battlefield, and more than four hundred Rockborn warriors had perished. The Northern army's losses were nearly equal. If Donald Crowl was telling the truth, the army that Stern led to Abyss Fortress had lost almost half its forces.

Eddard continued his interrogation. "How many soldiers are in Abyss Fortress?"

Donald answered, "Fewer than eight hundred. Our Crowl warriors have lost too many men at sea—we are not skilled in naval combat. However, the Rock King has recruited new warriors, and Billi Stern, with his remaining soldiers and unicorns, will also be heading to Abyss Fortress."

"Is the Iron Bitch, Helen Pyke, in Abyss Fortress?" Helen Pyke was the enemy Eddard was most concerned about.

Donald Crowl replied, "Helen Pyke rarely stays in Abyss Fortress. She spends most of her time on her ship. When I left the stronghold, she was gathering a pirate fleet, planning to cross the sea and raid the Northern supply ships."

And the Iron Bitch had already succeeded. The thought of Helen Pyke dominating the seas against the Northerners left Eddard with a bitter taste.

After a moment of contemplation, Eddard spoke again. "So, the Rock King intends to gather all the tribal forces and fortify Abyss Fortress?"

Donald Crowl shrugged. "I wouldn't know. The Iron Bitch and the Rock King do not share many plans with me. I am just the steward! And his nephew! Yet the Iron Bitch excludes me from all major decisions."

Eddard could not blame Helen Pyke and the Rock King. A coward like Donald could never keep a secret. He had barely been captured before spilling valuable information just to save his life. Eddard himself would never allow such a man in his war councils, let alone his inner circle.

Once again, Donald Crowl forced a fawning smile onto his face.

"Lord Eddard, I have always opposed my uncle Samro wearing the Rock Crown. I urged him to submit and swear fealty to the North, but he refused. It was that damn Iron Bitch, Helen Pyke, who poisoned his mind with rebellious thoughts. That's why he sent troops to attack the Northern coastline. If you release me, I can convince Samro to give up his crown and pledge allegiance to the North."

Roose Bolton chuckled darkly. "Lord Eddard, do you really think Samro will listen to this coward? This man is a smooth talker—who knows if he's lying? Better to hand him over to me. I will interrogate him thoroughly. You know, a naked man has few secrets, but a flayed man has none."

Donald Crowl turned pale. "Flaying? My lords, I swear I am telling the truth!"

Eddard declared, "If your words prove false, no one will be able to save you."

The Winterfell Captain of the Guard, Jory Cassel, dragged Donald Crowl away.

Then, Borrison Stern, the son of the Stern Clan leader and heir to Driftwood Hall, was brought in. He had been captured by Eddard's bastard son, Jon Snow, after being wounded in battle.

Despite being only fifteen years old, Borrison Stern was far more resolute than the cowardly Donald Crowl.

Eddard studied Borrison Stern. "Borrison, I am Eddard Stark, Warden of the North. How many cavalry and unicorns does House Stern possess?"

Borrison Stern spat back, "I would rather die than betray my clan."

Eddard replied, "It is unfortunate that your House betrayed itself the moment it followed the Rock King into rebellion against the North. You were sworn vassals of Winterfell, yet you chose treason."

Jason Stern sneered. "From the days of the Winter Kings to the Kings in the North, Winterfell never conquered Skagos. Now that House Stark is merely Warden of the North, how can you make the Rockborn kneel?"

Theon Greyjoy scoffed. "Lord Eddard, let's just kill the boy."

Eddard smiled. "This one has spirit. Let's keep him alive for now."

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