The Iron Throne of Ice and Fire

The early morning sunshine struggled to penetrate the thick clouds above the Great Wall.

Mance Rayder......

Standing in front of the dilapidated narrow window, Duke Ed's memory instantly went back to ten years ago...

At that time, this man accompanied Kogel, the 996th Commander-in-Chief of the Night's Watch, on his visit to Winterfell.

I remember that he was of medium height, well built, and had long brown hair...

He often played and sang at Winterfell banquets, and everyone present gave him warm cheers...

Lord Eddard still remembered that Mance Rayder had a kind personality. Robb and Jon played pranks on him several times, but he kept it a secret for the wolf cubs to avoid being punished...

However, nothing lasts forever.

Later, Mance Rayder broke his oath, betrayed the Night's Watch, and became the Out-of-Game King.

Now, his messenger threatens the Night's Watch. If the wildling troops are not allowed to pass the Wall, he will sound the horn and destroy the Wall.

[The Horn of Winter is a legendary magic item. It is said that it can make the Great Wall collapse]

Roose Bolton came over and said, "Lord Ned, do you believe that legend?"

Duke Eddard raised his eyes and glanced at Luce. His eyes were deep and worried. After a moment of silence, he said: "Perhaps it may be an ancient lie, but we can't take any chances. You and I both know that if the Great Wall is destroyed due to winter, If the horn collapses, it will be a disaster. "

After saying that, he couldn't help but sigh tiredly.

Count Roos narrowed his eyes slightly and said softly: "The envoy of the wildlings suddenly meets you. Obviously, this is another trick of Stannis. His purpose is nothing more than to trap you here and let you stay. Here."

“Bucks know running wolves well.”

The light in the room reflected on Duke Ed's face, making the shadow appear darker. After a moment of silence, he slowly spoke: "I know what you are worried about. I will write a letter soon to tell Green about the situation here."

"And what, my lord?"

Hearing Luce's questioning, Duke Ed's brows knitted even more tightly into a deep knot.

Earl Luce continued: "People from Crabb's Trading Company have appeared on the Great Wall more and more frequently recently. They are like the eyes of the regent, everywhere. It is obvious that although the lord is far away in King's Landing, he has already begun to pay attention to it. Everything is moving here.”

His small voice was rare and dignified: "Every move we make with Stannis, everything that happens here, will soon appear on the regent's table in its entirety.

Lord Ned, no matter how deep a friendship is, it will be consumed by suspicion. You must make a choice as soon as possible, for the sake of the Stark family and the entire North. "

"The North will never be forgotten."

Duke Eddard's gray eyes moved to the Earl of the Dreadfort: "I must protect the North. This is the mission of the Stark family, and it is the responsibility and obligation that flows in my blood."

Hearing this, Count Luce's ice sculpture-like face couldn't help but frown slightly.

"Lord Stark, I have to remind you that time is of the essence. At times like this, stalling for time is not a wise approach."

Duke Eddard stared at him for a while and said: "Northerners never leave trouble to their friends. I won't delay for too long. I know what I am doing, Luce."

Roose Bolton has a clean shaven face, and his skin is pale and smooth. Although he is in his forties, there are not a few wrinkles on his face, and no trace of time can be seen on his face.

“…”

Count Luce's eyes were surprisingly pale, deeper than milk and lighter than rocks.

He stared at Ed Stark quietly. Although his appearance was not handsome, he was not ugly either. Whether he was angry or happy, he always had a face like an ice sculpture.

Finally, under the majestic and sharp gaze of Running Wolf, Count Luce took a step back, stroked his chest, and saluted respectfully: "The Dreadfort is at your disposal, my lord."

After saying that, without waiting for Duke Ed's response, he turned around and left with a flick of his pink cloak.

After walking out of the house, he whispered a few words to his guard captain, and then went as usual to start the inspection that he repeated every day.

First came the horses in the stables, then the food and fodder, and then the thousand northern soldiers stationed in a remote corner of Castle Black.

Then, after finishing his time in the Night Watch mess hall with the lords of the North, he walked to the library alone.

The library is filled with thick books. Ever since Earl Roose followed Duke Eddard to Castle Black, he has spent his afternoons here when there is no military duties.

After lighting the candle, he picked up a book that he had not finished reading yesterday - it was old and worn and had obvious signs of repair.

Time and man-made damage have destroyed less than half of the content above. By candlelight, he carefully read the meaning word by word while patiently reading it word by word.

The Night King is the thirteenth Lord Commander of the Night's Watch...

He fell in love with a woman whose skin was as pale as the moon, her eyes were like blue stars, and her skin was as cold as ice...

The King of Winter, the Liberator, Brandon Stark, the King Beyond the Wall, and Qiaoman finally teamed up to defeat the Night King...

After the Night King's death, it was discovered that he had offered sacrifices to the White Walkers, so all records about the Night King were destroyed and his name became taboo.

Lord Roose put the books in his hands back to their original places. It was obvious that he was not interested in the Stark family's bedtime stories.

At this time, he was more concerned about whether he could find books containing the true information about the Horn of Winter in this room.

Squeak.

The slightly harsh sound of the old wooden door opening came. Count Luce just glanced at the figure of the visitor and continued to flip through another book in his hand.

"Your invitation came a few days in advance. Should I thank you, Lord Bolton?"

Melisandre, wearing a crimson cloak, lifted her hood, and her flaming red hair instantly poured down.

Approaching gently, the corners of her mouth curved slightly, and the big ruby ​​on her neck throbbed in the dark room: "You are all cautious, I am referring to another man I know."

Count Luce closed the book, looked at Melisandre, and said, "Witch, why do you want to see me in private?"

"This is the guidance of the Lord of Light. I foresee the meeting of the two of us in the flames. The flames will tell us the truth."

"Naked people rarely have secrets, but skinned people have no secrets, woman." Count Luce's ice-like eyes swept over to the witch in front of him, and then said: "Tell me your purpose quietly, woman."

"Ha..." Melisandre couldn't help but laugh, with a hint of contempt in her laughter.

"The night is dark and dangerous everywhere."

The priestess's low and magnetic voice echoed faintly in the quiet room. She slowly raised a hand and slowly spread her slender fingers little by little: "I once saw an interesting scene in the flames. In the kitchen, the maid Busy, a glass of poisoned wine, the poor one-day queen of Riverrun..."

As she spoke, she moved her fingers slightly, and the flame of the candle, which was originally burning quietly, seemed to be driven by some mysterious force. It suddenly grew in size, and the jumping flame instantly illuminated a small area around it.

Immediately afterwards, the candle wicks in the room that had not been lit before lit up one by one.

For a time, dozens of candlelights flickered and flickered at the same time, making the originally dark room look like daylight.

Looking at him, Melisandre's lips slowly raised a faint smile: "Are you interested in hearing about it, Roose Bolton?"

Count Roose's eyelids moved slightly, and he looked at her eyes coldly as if they were burning for a while, and said: "The performance is wonderful, no wonder Stannis and you are inseparable."

Melisandre corrected gently: "It's King Stannis."

"Put away your pointless tricks."

Count Luce picked up the books placed on the table and said as he walked: "This is the northern border of the old gods. No one will be interested in your god."

He put the book in his hand back to its original place and faced the priestess again: "Tell me your purpose directly, and I will judge the rest."

Melisandre pursed her lips and smiled: "The specific location of Robert's bastard son."

Count Luce narrowed his eyes slightly: "Why should I tell you?"

"You really know..."

Melisandre slowly approached and stretched out a hand: "And I know that you don't want to see Stark surrender to King Stannis."

"He won't surrender."

Melisandre's palm gently pressed against Count Luce's chest: "If Running Wolf continues to stay here, the result will be the same. The North will still have to bear the wrath of the Regent."

Before touching his body, Count Luce took a half step back and avoided the witch's hand.

Melisandre laughed again: "You are indeed cautious enough."

"However, excessive caution may cause you to miss opportunities, Bolton."

…………

That night.

Elder Bear held a war meeting of the Night's Watch in the Great Hall of Castle Black, and invited Stannis and Eddard to discuss how to deal with the threat of the King Beyond the Wall.

Lord Eddard and Stannis met outside the door of the Night's Watch Hall. There was no verbal exchange between the two parties. They just nodded slightly and walked in.

Then………

When Lord Eddard took his seat to the left of the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Lord Roose's low voice floated over: "Lord Ned, Stannis did not bring his witches to attend tonight."

…………

…………

King's Landing, Throne Room, Prince Regent's Study.

Green glanced at the map of the seven countries spread out on the table, then picked up the quill and dipped it in ink.