Flames surged into the night sky, carried by gusting winds that turned the snow around the Free Folk camp into a blistering furnace. Heat radiated across the battlefield, scorching everything in its path.Waramir felt a pang of regret, though it was fleeting. He had never intended the chaos to escalate this far, yet once hatred ignited, it became impossible to contain.He had taken control of Haryll's eagle, and as his soul merged with that of the previous warg, Haryll's lingering rage infused him. Haryll had died at the hands of the Night's Watch—more accurately, by Jon Snow—and his spirit could not accept coexisting with the black-cloaked crows. Waramir, now consumed by a similar fury, found an immediate kindred spirit in Doghead Hama.Through secret contacts with various restless tribes, Waramir had ignited chaos across the camp, spreading fires and inciting tribal skirmishes. Soon, the unrest spread beyond coordination, as the Free Folk, wild and untamed, were driven by barbarism itself. Their leaders, normally bound by Mance Rayder's guidance, were unprepared for such turmoil. And the King-Beyond-the-Wall, who should have been leading them south, had yet to appear—leaving Doghead Hama to manipulate events in his absence.Now, enormous fires consumed the camp. Old grudges erupted violently as tribes fought one another amidst the flames. Snow, blood, and corpses carpeted the ground, while shouts and war horns clashed against the roar of the wind, drifting ever farther across the White North. Only Styr and Giantbane Tormund fought to restore order, their immense strength barely managing to restrain the chaos.Waramir, mounted in the form of a massive snow bear, sought out the Thenns with a deadly grin. Spears and bronze daggers struck his fur, but he paid them no heed, trampling soldiers beneath his paws and lunging toward Styr. The struggle had been long and brutal, yet the six-form warg proved superior, dominating the battlefield.Just as he prepared to deliver the killing blow, a group of Thenn warriors intervened. They formed a human shield around their leader, standing resolute as if guarding a god.A sudden roar of cavalry horns broke over the battlefield like a mighty tide. Unlike the shrill, chaotic cries of the Free Folk, these sounds were disciplined, precise, and overwhelming. Blood-red eyes turned toward the Wall as after after group of gleaming cavalry poured from a hidden gate, their silver-white armor reflecting the firelight. Black cloaks trailed behind them, and their mounts were draped in layered linen and blue silk. Banners emblazoned with a golden sun upon black twin castles swayed proudly, leading a torrent of steel—lances, axes, and greatswords—into the camp."Lay down your weapons! Cease fighting!"The command rolled over the battlefield like thunder. Some Free Folk froze, fear overtaking them as the disciplined cavalry advanced. Others, defiant, raised their spears only to be crushed beneath the iron hooves of massive horses. Corpses littered the snow, the ground painted with streaks of red, while those too terrified to resist fell in panic, collecting snow to douse flames or salvage supplies.Amid this chaos, Waramir's voice shrieked, a piercing, ear-splitting wail. His soul had been expelled from the snow bear, tossed out as though by an avalanche. He landed in his original body, and immediately saw One-Eye guarding him—a gray-furred alpha wolf missing an eye, his largest and most formidable companion. The second wolf, Sneak, the youngest and fastest, had been crushed by the white bear's paw during the battle. The third, Sly Wolf, tried to flee but was pierced by a blade and pinned to the snow."No! No!!" Waramir screamed, the pain of loss crushing him. These wolves were more than companions—they were family, bonded through countless cold nights, their warmth and presence a comfort in the frozen wilderness. Losing them in an instant drove the six-form warg to the brink of despair.Eddard, atop his horse, bent down to retrieve his weapon, shouting orders to Kalas: "Kill Waramir! Kill his wolves! Kill any Free Folk resisting the Thenns!"Kalas led the cavalry forward like a swarm of hornets, axes and lances cleaving enemies as the blood-soaked white bear charged into the forest. Waramir, still reeling from his expulsion, looked at Eddard Karstark—the young lord had bested him in the struggle for control of the beast. Youthful, powerful, and savage, Eddard had the strength and cunning Waramir craved.One-Eye lunged with blood-tinged fangs aimed at the snow bear's throat. The bear's paw struck the alpha wolf with a bone-shattering force, sending him sprawling. Waramir's body was caught by the bear's bite, slammed into trees and snow, and finally, with a sickening crack, his neck gave way. His soul, freed from mortal pain, soared into the weirwood above. From there, he witnessed the chaotic camp gradually come under control. Wherever the silver-white banners unfurled, the Free Folk knelt, those who resisted lying in blood-stained snow.Emboldened, Waramir surged toward Eddard's body, seeking to inhabit it and continue his life in strength, to rise as a lord in Karstark's name. Yet, the magical armor shielding Eddard suddenly vanished, shattered like glass. A tragic wail pierced the night—Waramir's lament fading into the cold wind. The snow bear approached Eddard, its aura of ferocity sending horses into panic."Kalas," Eddard called, calm yet commanding, "round up the remaining Free Folk. Tell them the North can provide safety and sustenance this winter. Those who refuse will be dragged back by their corpses!"He dismounted and approached the snow bear, stroking its scarred head. This bear, likely female, had resisted Waramir's control. Eddard had tested his Animal Friend ability against the warg's invasion—and had emerged superior, restoring the bear's freedom and forcing Waramir out.The spell would only last half an hour, but Eddard intended to use this time to earn prestige among the Free Folk. Reverence and fear of wargs ran deep in their culture; those who offered protection would follow willingly. Eddard's claim of the six-form warg's snow bear would elevate him above the dead Waramir.Riding slowly, he approached Mance Rayder's tent, flanked by Styr with his golden-hilted battle axe. Bronze-armored Thenns formed a protective circle around them. The line of followers grew as the bear's deliberate pace, enhanced by refreshing Animal Friend, drew attention. By the time Eddard reached Giantbane Tormund, countless Free Folk had gathered behind him."Ha! You've become the new King-Beyond-the-Wall, Eddard Karstark," Tormund boomed, jesting yet awed. The chaotic moment had been tamed; even the Free Folk now looked to power for guidance."There is no King-Beyond-the-Wall," Eddard replied calmly. "Call me Lord Marquis."He dismounted, the snow crunching beneath his feet, and patted the bear's head, sending it off to rest in the forest. If it returned willingly, he would keep it; if not, so be it.Eddard turned to Tormund. "What of Mance Rayder?""He's dead," Tormund admitted. "Doghead Hama stabbed him in betrayal, right before he struck. Styr and I didn't react in time. Waramir vanished—he must have sided with Doghead Hama before you defeated him."Eddard's expression remained calm. "It's done. Now, you must lead the remaining Free Folk south of the Wall and settle them according to the previous plan."Tormund scratched his head. "Marga refuses to go south anymore. He joined because of Mance. Now Mance is dead, and Marga protected Dana and Val—he's ready to leave."Eddard shook his head. Letting them flee would risk the Others gaining hundreds of wights. He turned to Marga. Tormund translated in the Old Tongue: defeat him in a one-on-one fight and guarantee the survival of his kin, then they will follow."Did Mance ever defeat him directly?" Eddard asked.Tormund shook his head. Mance had won loyalty through song, not combat.Giants had followed for his music."I cannot sing," Eddard admitted. "Then let us fight. I will not hold back."Tormund's eyes widened in surprise before bursting into laughter. "This is going to be a show."Eddard merely nodded, preparing for the challenge that would solidify his authority Beyond the Wall.---
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