Eagle of the Valley of Ice and Fire.

Chapter 286 Wolf Life
The ancient Red Kingsroad stretched on a bumpy uphill slope with a narrow moon in the sky. The cavalry of White Harbor stayed back, while the hills ahead were already planted with flags of the Stark, Severn and Hornwood families. Stark's direwolf and Hornwood's northern moose rode side by side, riding Severn's black battle axe. The flags were like the grass and trees on the mountain, shadowy.

The remnants of House Glover joined in from the right rear. The team of less than 300 people could only recognize each other based on their friendship. They escaped from the Ironborn Axe without even being able to bring out a decent family flag.

He was wearing tattered cloth armor, which looked extremely shabby compared to the elite White Harbor cavalry.

Harrenhal has released most of the northern captives, and this group has been integrated in Moat Cailin, including Earl Galbert Glover who escaped from the south.

The morale of the army was temporarily stabilized. Eddard Stark rode on his horse, panting in the cold wind.

"Duke," Gaibert Glover came over with his horse, "I want to serve as the second echelon in the battle to retake Winterfell." The earl's cheeks trembled in the cold wind, and the atmosphere was a little awkward. He whispered, "If I serve as the vanguard again, Deepwood Motte may not survive this winter."

Eddard nodded. It was his decision to divide the troops at Hornwood, letting the families that suffered greater losses in the war take the credit for retaking Winterfell. He himself would lead the army of White Harbor and the families with relatively intact strength along the Red King's Road towards the Lonely Mountain, marching slowly to stop Bolton.

The Glover family's presence in Winterfell will also facilitate the next step of attacking the Ironborn, as Deepwood Motte is still in Greyjoy's hands.

"Ser Caleb Condon and his 500 men are the vanguard of retaking Winterfell. You don't have to worry about that," Eddard said. There was no worry in his cold eyes. After all, after the Little Flayed was dealt with, there might be almost no one guarding Winterfell. "Lord Mitch Severn has already returned to Severn. They can even retake Winterfell unilaterally. You just need to ensure the communication between the rear and me."

Gebert nodded, said nothing more, pulled his hood and led the horse away.

The army had been marching for seven days since leaving Horwood City. Earl Mech and Sir Keller had already led the vanguard westward to prepare to cross the White Knife River. Earl Glover still refused to leave with his men. Eddard had guessed his thoughts long ago, but he didn't say it aloud so that neither of them would be embarrassed.

It was he who brought disaster to everyone. Eddard remained reserved, and none of his men mentioned Robb who was still in Harrenhal.

They also have respect for each other.

Marching late at night was not conducive to the battle situation. After most of the troops occupied the hill in front of them and looked at the long foothills surrounding them, Ed ordered them to set up camp. Scouts and cavalry left the camp one after another and rushed in all directions. The scouts who had returned to the camp during the day happened to gather here. This was the rendezvous point they had set in advance.

The moonlight was cold and eerie, but the never-forgotten people of the North always returned to their own land. Even though it was still snowing and the air was cold enough to irritate the throat, the warmth of returning home still made the tent less tragic.

Information on the terrain and Bolton's movements were also delivered to Ed's tent as the scouts returned.

Dacey Mormont, the brave warrior who followed Robb south, returned to the camp surrounded by sergeants.

It was a good idea to let her take charge of the scout cavalry. This Mormont bear had almost no shortcomings and rarely made mistakes in reconnaissance. Her intelligence discrimination ability was even comparable to his own. Eddard also understood her help to Robb in the south. If his son could be less arrogant and listen to the advice of others, he would be very happy.
No ifs, no whatsoever.

Eddard kept flipping through the letters sent by scouts. Some of the scouts could write, while others could only be conveyed orally by Daisy Mormont.

"There is no trace of Bolton within dozens of miles." Daisy summarized after presenting the scout's intelligence.

There was no danger around, Ed judged.

He put down the letter and the scout's sketch and looked up at Dacey Mormont, who stood upright.

"Any news from the south?"

"No ravens have been sent from Moat Cailin yet, at least there is no news from Hornwood City." Daisy answered briefly and directly.

But Mormont did not close his mouth. Instead, he opened it slightly, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

"Anything else?" Ed asked.

Daisy held her breath and said bluntly, "I'm worried about the sea monster and Bolton joining forces."

Ed remained unmoved, staring at Daisy, "Go on."

"Ravens have been sent to all parts of the North. Even the nobles who were originally dissatisfied with Stark because of the Young Wolf will be shaken by you. Now only Carhor, Last Hearth and Desolate Home have not responded. The rest have sworn allegiance. The people left behind by Karstark and Umber in the city are in the Seal Bay area. Maybe the letter may have been intercepted by Bolton's men. Although Dustin did not respond, it is unlikely that he will attack us from behind."

That's not necessarily true, Ed thought, and chose to continue listening.

"Botton has no choice. He has reached the end of his rope. He can only cooperate with the sea monster."

Ed put his hands on the table, remained silent for a long time, and then sighed.

Daisy heard words that were incomprehensible to her.

"You should be Robb's wife." Daisy pursed her lips. She could feel the loneliness in the Duke's words.

"Mormont's men are all warriors. They consider the fight on weapons first, and the fertility bed second." She said seriously. No one could restrain the Young Wolf who was at the peak of his powers.

A few chuckles escaped Ed's lips, but he nodded appreciatively, even though he thought the lady was taking it far.

He thought for a moment and asked Daisy, "How is Robb doing in Harrenhal?"

Daisy hesitated for a moment, looked the Duke in the eye, and then told him everything she had seen and heard at Harrenhal.

"Your son was not tortured in any way. Robb was only in the dungeons of Harrenhal for a short time before he was moved to a tower in Harrenhal. Although he was under strict guard, the people of the Vale did not trouble him. We saw him behind the battlements at the gate when we were released."

Ed nodded silently. At least it was much better than he had imagined.

"You go away," Ed said to her.

Daisy nodded, turned and left the tent.

Ed took a few deep breaths, calmed his heart, and recalled Daisy's guess.

The alliance between the skinned men and the sea monsters, he had discussed this issue with Maron Manderly a long time ago, but so far he didn't know any news about Greyjoy and the Ironborn. He only knew that they had started the kingsmoot, but no one told him the result.

The North is isolated, too isolated, and few nobles in the South would travel thousands of miles to send trained ravens to the freezing north, so news and intelligence are never at an advantage.

Moreover, the war in the south was probably still unresolved. He did not know the outcome of the war south of the Neck yet. No king had sent ravens to Winterfell or White Harbor. The North seemed to be ignored and the news could not be shared.

So, who is the master of the Iron Islands now?

Was it Victarion? Or was it Asha Greyjoy, the sea monster?
In short, it won't be Theon and Eddard with mixed feelings.

He frowned. If the sea monster and Bolton joined forces, Winterfell must be taken as quickly as possible. Once the Ironborn went deep into the interior of the North, they would be dead. Unless Bolton took care of them, the Ironborn would not be able to survive in the snowy weather in the North.

Winterfell is a possible intersection where the two may connect.

Less than half a day's journey south of Winterfell is to Seventh Castle. Lady Joliet's scouts have been gathering intelligence from the Wolfwood to the area around Winterfell, and will report any unusual movements in a timely manner.

If Bolton really reached a cooperation with the Ironborn.
The thousand-year-old memory of the Stark family was awakened deep in Ed's heart.

The North Never Forgets
If this is true, Bolton would be like destroying his own Great Wall, just like the dilapidated Red King's Avenue. Without any new disputes, it would be forever abandoned in the long river of history.

Thinking of this, Ed's heart sank. He stroked the rough table, looked at the giant sword "Ice" hanging on the wall, and thought of the conversation between Artis Arryn and himself again. His eyes became solemn again.

Daisy Mormont wiped her sword with a handkerchief dipped in water under the gloomy blue moonlight, over and over again, wipe it again and again.

The scattered dirty snow refracted light which was somewhat dazzling, so she simply turned around, with her back to Xia Yue, and breathed on the sword.

Her face appeared on the smooth and flawless sword blade. She did not have the delicate and fair skin of a southern noble lady. Her skin felt rough and hard to the touch. She put away her sword, half-lay in the tent with her arms around her, closed her eyes and prepared to fall asleep.

But the rustling footsteps made it difficult for her to fall asleep.

"My lord," his own guard whispered. He was one of the seventeen who had returned from the south with Mormont. The others lay buried in the hills of the westerlands or in the streams of the riverlands.

"Scouts report that there is a Bolton team lurking in the woods in the northeast."

"how much?"

"Less than fifty people. They should be a group of advance scouts."

Daisy stood up and said, "I will inform the Duke and tell the soldiers to prepare to see blood."

"Yes!"

(End of this chapter)