[Training Ground (Blueprint)]
When the Guards Corps trains, they gain experience based on time and intensity. Symbolic objects of mysterious power can enhance this effect. Repair this building to receive the next blueprint.
Eddard Karstark, a humanities major who had graduated long ago, had by chance supervised projects in his youth. That experience allowed him to make sense of the blueprint, though just barely. Most of the training ground required ordinary wood and stone—materials readily available near Twin River City.
Clearing the site, leveling the earth, and constructing various training facilities, barracks, and administrative buildings would require substantial manpower and careful planning. In the center of the grounds, a statue was to be erected—a life-sized knight on a galloping horse, bow drawn, frozen mid-shot. The statue would be carved from ebony, its base composed of black stone inlaid with dragonglass and colored gemstones, etched with runes of power.
Eddard planned to build the peripheral structures first. Once the skull of the Black Dread arrived, he would treat it for anti-corrosion and weatherproofing, bury it underground, build the black stone base above, and finally erect the statue. He hoped the legendary dragon's skull would imbue the training ground with extraordinary effects. If it failed, alternative items might be considered.
Ordinary wood and stone posed no challenge. Twin River City had ample forests and quarries nearby, and labor was plentiful. Gemstones and dragonglass were limited, but the city's stock was sufficient. Ebony, imported from the Summer Islands, was not rare, but finding a piece large enough to carve a life-sized statue would require procurement from multiple port cities. The truly troublesome component was black stone. Eddard sent a letter via Scholar Bennet to the Citadel in Oldtown, seeking knowledge from any scholar familiar with magical materials. Simultaneously, he arranged for his trusted subordinate, Dita Caron, to explore Pentos, one of the Nine Free Cities, for potential sources.
Amidst these preparations, a raven from Winterfell arrived. Robb Stark expressed satisfaction with Eddard's prior efforts, particularly the acquisition of vast quantities of livestock, grain, and materials through prisoner exchange. The North was beset with multiple crises, and Robb hoped Twin River City could spare some troops for urgent reinforcement.
On the same day, a raven from King's Landing arrived. The message, thick with Tywin Lannister's accusations against Tyrion, demonstrated the old lion's shrewd understanding: in the coming winter, gold alone could not match the value of real supplies. Tywin, however, wished to settle the matter quickly, relying on his capable brother Ser Kevan as assistant. Previously, Tyrion had served as Master of Coin, but now Tywin wanted the matter resolved efficiently and without delay.
It was only later that Tyrion realized his father had agreed to the terms because of solid support from the Reach, Dorne, and the Vale. Meanwhile, Randyll Tarly was urgently needed in the south to defend the Reach against Stannis's forces. His mother, the Queen of Thorns, disapproved of his leading troops, preferring him to remain at Highgarden, safer and more controlled.
Dorne's contingent, led by Oberyn Martell on the Small Council, sought only to watch the Stormlands and Reach bleed each other dry. Sending troops to aid the North or Riverlands was never part of their plan. Doran Martell, mindful of maintaining his family's tenuous alliance with the Iron Throne, offered limited support—grain and livestock—but no soldiers.
In the Vale, Petyr Baelish secured grain, livestock, and a merchant ship from Gulltown. Now, obedient to Tywin Lannister, he refrained from provoking the King's Hand and prepared for the next phase of conflict.
With these measures in place, Eddard and Tyrion affixed their family seals to the contract, the roaring lion of Lannister and the golden sun of Karstark marking the historic agreement. The contract, in duplicate, would travel between King's Landing and Winterfell, collecting seals and signatures, before officials and nobles executed its terms. Eddard estimated the process would take six months, a window of relative safety for the North and Riverlands—unless Tywin chose to break the fragile peace or died unexpectedly.
Three days later, over two thousand soldiers gathered on the east bank of Twin River City. The force included the First and Second Guards Corps, all mounted warriors armed with spears. Seven hundred men, each with two horses, stood in disciplined formation under the sun. Their chainmail glimmered silver, black sheepskin cloaks provided warmth, and the House Karstark banners fluttered in the wind.
The remaining fifteen hundred troops were infantry, equipped with spears, pikes, shields, and swords, alongside a small number of knights and squires. Wagons carried supplies, armor, and tents. One-third of the soldiers were conscripts from Twin River City; the rest were vassals called to service. They stood according to their respective villages and knights, awaiting commands from their officers.
Eddard, clad in gleaming armor, rode out with a hundred retainers, issuing commands that organized the force into a unified body in minutes. With the silver-black banner and golden sun of Karstark leading, they marched toward the King's Road, ready to support Winterfell.
Robb Stark's letter detailed three pressing issues. First, Roose Bolton, commanding two thousand elite soldiers at the Dreadfort, was conducting raids, destroying villages, and looting trade routes. His indirect strategy, a form of mad dog behavior, caused disruption without direct confrontation. Eddard suspected Old Flayer sought to leverage the chaos to negotiate the Wardenship of the North.
To counter this, Robb relocated Bolton's vassals and subjects to White Harbor, Last Hearth, Karhold, and Winterfell. With careful provisioning, the displaced could resettle swiftly. This strategy weakened Bolton's influence without mass violence—a subtle but effective tactic.
Meanwhile, the Ironborn posed another threat. Northern soldiers knew the terrain well and had access to continuous reinforcements, but the invaders could strike from unpredictable coasts. Asha Greyjoy and Earl Glover clashed in the Wolfswood, while pirate fleets threatened Stony Shore, Riverrun, and Kraken Point. Victarion Greyjoy intensified his assault on Karin Bay, creating another hotspot of tension.
Under a bright moon, the three towers of Karin Bay stood like drunken sentinels, tilted and covered in grime. Southward, an army formed a neat formation along the causeway, preparing to advance into the North.
"Lord Reed, it seems the old kraken truly intends to fight to the death this time," Eddard observed, navigating the winding path through the black mud. Mist drifted over the swamp, giving rise to ghostly figures in the dim light.
"That is natural, Lord Eddard. Balon Greyjoy always sends his proudest fleet to strike here," replied Howland Reed, patriarch of Greywater Watch. Hidden beneath his green hood, his eyes and eyebrows were obscured; only a straight nose, blade-like lips, and lightly bearded chin were visible. He carried a yew longbow taller than half a man's height.
Howland recounted past skirmishes: Victarion's small boats had broken through their defenses, nearly overwhelming the Reed warriors. Bolton soldiers disguised as Karstark troops had intervened, saving Karin Bay.
"Like the situation we face today?" Eddard asked.
"More or less," Howland replied.
From above, a black raven revealed the Ironborn's attack. Their fleet advanced from Saltpans along the Fever River, then deployed small boats to approach Karin Bay. Ironborn soldiers braved arrows and waded through waist-deep mud, some falling to crocodile-like creatures in the swamps. Others attempted to scale the walls with grappling hooks, only to be struck down by defenders.
Karin Bay was defensible yet harsh. The living conditions were grim, supplies scarce, and clean water unavailable. The Reeds had prepared layered defenses along the Neck to intercept invaders. If the fortifications failed, messengers would alert reinforcements. Today, however, unexpected support had already turned the tide.
"Let's go, Lord Eddard," Howland said, leading him across a temporary wooden bridge. "As host, I will ensure your stay is comfortable. The soldiers can camp near the King's Road, where Manderly forces await."
The two stepped into the Drunken Tower, the hearth fire roaring, ready to plan the next moves in a conflict that stretched from Twin River City to the frozen North.
Füll bōøk àvàilàble óñ pàtreøn (Gk31)
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