Twin River City.
The Banquet Hall glimmered under bright lights. Two or three dozen impeccably dressed knights, their chest badges gleaming, were dining cautiously. Their movements were precise, and their faces held a mixture of tension and curiosity.
Eddard sat on a tall ebony chair at the dais. The backrest bore the symbol of Twin River City, slightly altered—a golden sun in its center.
Pure gold. Symbolic of Eddard's family.
Ever since a raven arrived from Winterfell, delivering his appointment as Lord of River Crossing, Bennet had inquired whether the family name or emblem should change. Eddard had considered it carefully. The name Karstark, reflecting the Stark of Karhold, needed no alteration. "Twin Stark" sounded awkward. But the family emblem could use refinement.
Eddard understood the significance of a crest. Each family's emblem represented its ancestors, its rise to prominence, or its cultural values. The Starks' Running Wolf Flag symbolized unity, bravery, and resilience. House Tarly's red hunter honored an ancestor from the Age of Heroes. The three hounds of Clegane, the Tyrell rose, and Hightower's white beacon tower—all carried similar legacies.
Now, Eddard had risen to rule River Crossing by overcoming House Frey. He would retain the Twin River City emblem but modify it: a black background to symbolize the Sunburst Star, a golden sun above the city, and the motto "The Sun Shines Bright." It echoed House Karstark's original motto, "The Winter Sun," and subtly expressed Eddard's ambition: to rise like the sun, slowly but steadily, until his influence illuminated the land.
Of course, one cannot conquer in a single day. Progress came bite by bite, consistently.
Eddard raised a glass of wine in his right hand and rubbed his forehead with his left, reflecting on the task he had just completed. Not long ago, the Reach army had retreated to Ruby Ford, unaware that they would be intercepted by forces from Harrenhal. Count Matthus, inexperienced in facing Robb Stark, had underestimated the Young Wolf of the North.
Eddard had shadowed them with over ten thousand infantry, waiting for their supplies to dwindle, their strength to wane, until starvation forced their hand. Then, with a thunderous strike, his troops captured the enemy. Minor twists occurred, but they posed no real threat. The starving Reach soldiers quickly surrendered, leaving behind thousands of sets of armor, tens of thousands of weapons, and over two thousand emaciated warhorses.
The high-value captives—landed knights, sworn swords, and second sons—were locked in Twin River City's dungeons, alongside the Tarly father and son. Ordinary soldiers were divided: one-third sent to Harrenhal to repair the abandoned castle, one-third escorted north to assist against wildling threats, and the remaining third distributed among Northern houses to work the land, earn ransom, or, for those who could not return home, to survive the harsh North winters.
That afternoon, Eddard had overseen the spoils distribution. One-third of the captured goods he kept, another third was sent to Winterfell, and the last third distributed among other families. The hall had been chaotic—northern nobles, unused to wealth, clamored over swords, armor, and supplies. Eddard finally invoked Robb Stark's authority, promising a second distribution wave soon, and the matter concluded.
Now, his attention turned to a second problem: the Northern army had brought over three thousand soldiers of House Frey. Among them were five hundred cavalry and over fifteen hundred infantry, previously loyal to Twin River City. A month ago, they had sworn allegiance to House Frey; now, they were subjects of House Karstark.
Most were uneducated conscripts, indifferent to politics; they followed whoever commanded them. Eddard distributed rewards fairly, ensuring none would suffer for Frey's betrayal. Soon, these soldiers would return home to see their families.
The real challenge lay with the former vassals of House Frey. Landed knights who governed villages or small castles near Twin River City now answered to Eddard, bringing four hundred cavalry and over a thousand infantry. They had not participated in rebellion and had provided excellent service, so Robb Stark had instructed Eddard to reward them accordingly.
In the Banquet Hall, two or three dozen men sat uneasily, whispering and glancing at one another, attempting to understand their new lord's intentions.
"Do you know why we're kept here?" one asked.
"No idea. He neither assigns tasks nor lets us leave."
"Could he plan to execute us all?"
"We risked our lives in battle, and this is how we're treated?"
Eddard's grey-blue eyes swept over the room. Some harbored doubt or resentment, yet they endured silently, recognizing the power of the Northern and Riverlands lords. For millennia, Westeros had functioned this way: conquest bred hatred, but time and shared interests softened it.
Eddard, however, had no time to slowly win hearts. Winter approached, and war lingered in the Riverlands. He could not gamble on uncertain loyalty. Among his enemies, Aemon Frey still served the Iron Throne, claiming legitimacy over Twin River City. Eddard, though now its lord, was considered a rebel.
Additionally, his new lordly status changed the management system. The knight quota converted to a vassal quota, with no upper limit. Twenty-eight knights now served under him, and twenty-four idle territories could be assigned to new vassals. He also activated the Personal Guard Corps, now numbering 368, which could gain loyalty and combat buffs. While his troops' superhuman abilities had normalized, Eddard trusted that with proper organization, their strength would return and even increase.
Raising a small wooden hammer, Eddard silenced the hall instantly.
"Gentlemen," he said, standing from his chair, "I know some of you are puzzled as to why you remain here, now that the Riverlands campaign has ended. The reason is simple: your liege has changed. It is no longer House Frey. River Crossing is now ruled by House Karstark, and old customs must change."
Ser Leslyn Haigh of Golden Wheat Village rose. His appearance was impeccable, eyes firm, beard trimmed, chest badge bearing a golden diagonal stripe over brown with a black pitchfork. "My Lord, please tell us clearly how we may serve House Karstark to your satisfaction."
Eddard knew his loyalty was poor; Ser Leslyn had been fiercely loyal to House Frey. "Sit down," Eddard snapped. Leslyn's expression shifted, and he obeyed silently.
"From today forward," Eddard continued, "all of you must report the state of your territories: population, artisans, land, soldiers, livestock, everything. Any concealment or deception will be considered rebellion. Once verified, I will instruct you on your duties."
"Let us begin with House Haigh of Golden Wheat Village." His gaze swept the hall. Though he had no three hundred axemen behind the dais, his personal guards outside, and his silent "heartbreaker" enforcer, ensured no one dared challenge him.
The room fell silent. Anyone considering defiance understood: oathbreaking would be met with swift retribution.
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