Chapter 42 Eddard

Winterfell awoke to a downpour of rain that had started in the night and continued all morning. As Ned Stark and his family broke their fast in the great hall, the rain kept coming down outside. A chill was also in the air, despite the burning fires in the hearths of the great hall.

The hall was mostly empty, so Ned sat with his wife and children on both sides of a lower table. Breakfast in Winterfell did not have a formally set time, with people coming and going and eating as they awoke to perform their duties. At another table sat the Frey boys, the Reed children, and Jeyne Poole, and a few other tables had some occupants, but not many. Ned did not have much of an appetite this morning, thinking on the trip to the village that lay ahead, and the prospect of dealing with Roose Bolton later in the day or possibly tomorrow. He also had to have words with Howland Reed's children before they left, if they were still planning on leaving in this rain. Maybe rain did not bother them so much, seeing as they came from a swampy, watery world. Ned was not looking forward to any of these tasks, but knew he must deal with each.

Ned just ate some bread covered in butter and honey, with a cup of ale at his elbow, foregoing the boiled eggs and crisp bacon that were on platters in front of him. Catelyn also ate little, and was now sipping a piping hot mug of nettle tea, as were Arya and Sansa, trying to warm up. Bran and Rickon ate crisp strips of bacon sitting on slabs of warm buttered bread, while Robb sat in morose silence opposite his father, not touching the food on his pewter plate which he was staring at. His wife Roslin was conspicuously absent.

"She will get over it," Ned told his oldest son quietly.

"Aye," Robb said, not looking up from his plate, his tone telling them he was not totally convinced of his father's words.

"Does she hate us all?" Arya asked as she reached for a strip of bacon.

"She does not hate us," Catelyn said to her daughter. "She's just…afraid. She does not understand what is happening. It is too much of a shock. Give her time."

"Is it because of…what we are?" Bran asked, and Ned knew Bran had caught onto the gist of the conversation, even though he had missed the earlier explanations. Robb had quickly explained to the others what had happened between him and Roslin before Bran and Rickon had joined them this morning.

"Yes," Robb told Bran.

"Why is she mad?" Rickon asked as he chewed his bacon.

"She just is," Sansa told her little brother. "Don't speak with your mouth full."

Everyone gave glances to each other, all of them knowing why Roslin was absent, but unable to speak of it in front of Rickon. Roslin wasn't mad, Ned knew, she was just afraid, afraid of what Robb was. Yesterday when they had all learned the truth of the Stark children being wargs, Roslin's face had been full of fear and shock. This morning Robb had explained to the others what had happened after they had gone to bed last night.

In the privacy of their bedroom, Roslin had questioned Robb about it all, and they had argued. She thought he would turn into a direwolf, would become a beast in the night while she slept, and would hurt her, but that was not true. Robb told her she had already spent several weeks in his bed and he had not turned into a direwolf. He explained how it worked, how he joined with Grey Wind in his dreams, but was not part of him all of the time, not every night. And he would never, ever hurt her or anyone else in Winterfell. After that she calmed down and went to sleep. She was still sleeping, Robb had said. He looked terrible, his eyes bloodshot and his face haggard, and Ned knew Robb had not slept well.

"Gendry can talk to her," Arya said suddenly. "He knows what it's like. He's slept by me when I had the dreams and I never hurt him."

Bran looked at his sister in a curious fashion. "Why was Gendry sleeping beside you?"

Sansa let out a giggle. Arya's face flushed at first but then her eyes narrowed and she snapped at her brother. "In the tent, stupid, on the road from King's Landing. I told you yesterday."

Bran glared at her. "Don't call me stupid, stupid. I know he's your boyfriend, so you can stop pretending he's not."

"He is not!" Arya said swiftly, blushing even more.

"Liar!" Bran shot back.

"Enough!" Catelyn snapped at her children. She stared at Bran. "Gendry was brought here to be an apprentice smith. He is Arya's friend. That is all. And you had best remember that around certain people." She glanced over at the table where the Frey boys were

"Yes, Mother," Bran said quietly, sulking, not liking being scolded in front of the others.

"Arya," Catelyn said next. "Apologize to your brother."

"I'm sorry," Arya said to Bran, in an airy voice that sounded like she wasn't sorry at all. At least it didn't sound like it to Ned, but Bran seemed to accept it.

"I like Gendry," said Rickon in the silence that followed. "He's big and strong."

Ned smiled at his youngest child. "Aye, he's a good lad." Then he looked at Bran. "Bran…leave it be. You are not wrong….but others cannot know. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Father." Then Bran looked across the table at Arya. "I'm not stupid."

Arya gave a snort and Ned was about to scold her when he saw Roslin enter the hall and then come to their table.

"Here's the sleeping beauty," Ned said with a grin and Robb and the others looked and saw who it was. Robb stood swiftly as Roslin came to their table.

"Good morning," she said quietly, and it looked like she hadn't slept well either. She was also a bit wet from running across the court yard to the great hall.

"Good morning," Robb said. He motioned for her to sit but she stayed standing and looked at him, her eyes on his face.

"I am sorry, my husband. I was foolish."

Robb grinned. "Not to worry. Just…hard news to handle."

"Sit and eat," said Catelyn to them. "We can discuss all this later," she added with a knowing look to Rickon.

"Yes, my lady," Roslin said as she sat beside Robb.

After a few moments Roslin's brother Olyvar, who was Robb's squire, came into the great hall. As a squire he did not eat with the family, even though his sister was married to the heir to Winterfell. He slept in a barracks with the other squires, soldiers, and the few knights of Winterfell, who were all helping with the rebuilding of the winter town outside of the castle.

"Lord Stark," Olyvar said with a dip of his head after he approached the table. "The folk from the village wondered when you would be leaving, my lord."

Ned had heard that the village people had been up very early, the first to breakfast, and were anxious to be away, but in this rain it would be a wet and uncomfortable ride back to their village. "Tell them when the rain lets up a bit. Maybe in an hour or two."

"Yes, my lord," Olyvar said and he ran off to pass the news.

After he left Ned saw that the Reed children were about to leave as well. He excused himself, stood, and quickly walked to where they were.

"We need have words," he told them and motioned to a nearby empty table. They sat and Ned sat opposite them.

"Are you leaving today?" was the first thing he asked.

Meera spoke for them. "Yes, my lord. When the rain lets up a bit perhaps. Do you have any messages for our father?"

"Aye…but first I need ask you again, both of you, about this business with Bran."

"We told you all we know yesterday," Meera said.

"Bran must go to the Wall," Jojen told him. "And then north of it."

"But why?" Ned asked in frustration.

"We don't know, my lord," Meera answered.

"You must understand how this looks to me and my family," Ned told them. "You are asking my eight-year-old son, who cannot even walk, to go where most grown men fear to go, to a place that is full of danger, a cold, bitter place where you will find no castles or friends to comfort you. But you don't even know where you are going or why."

"I know it sounds idiotic, my lord," Jojen answered. "But I cannot help my green dreams. I see what I see…and it always comes true."

Ned grasped at an idea he had been forming in his mind. "Maybe things have changed. Maybe he doesn't need to go now. Have you had any new dreams about him?"

"No," Jojen replied. "My dreams of late are…cloudy."

"Cloudy? You mean not clear?"

"Yes, my lord. I cannot fully see them sometimes. This may mean nothing. Or it could mean everything. The old men and women of our land who have had the green dreams for a long time say that sometimes a dream not seen clearly means something has changed, something has disturbed the balance of things as they should have been or should have become."

"What do you think changed if this is so?" Ned asked.

Meera and Jojen looked at each other, and then Jojen nodded to his sister and she spoke to Ned. "Something happened that has sent a ripple through events in Westeros."

"Many momentous events have happened in recent weeks and months," Ned answered. "King Robert died, war began, battles were fought, Tywin Lannister and Joffrey have also died, King's Landing has fallen to Stannis Baratheon, and the ironmen have attacked the North."

"All true, my lord," said Meera. "One of these events or another, something we cannot grasp, is causing his dreams to be cloudy. But Jojen's first dream about the wolf in chains was clear, and it is what will happen. He will free the wolf in chains, and the wolf will fly."

Ned had had enough. "Riddles and nonsense," he muttered. "I am sorry you have come this far for nothing. I thank you again for your help when the ironmen came here. But I cannot allow Bran to go with you. He is my son, and he is staying here. That is my final decision."

"As you wish my lord," said Meera. "Then we will go, today. You said you had a message for our father?"

"Aye. I will write a letter and give it to you before you leave."

"We will leave by the East Gate when the rain lets up, my lord," Merra said. She and her brother stood, dipped their heads to him once more, and then left the great hall. No sooner had they gone than Catelyn was by his side.

"Did they have any other explanations?" she asked.

"None," Ned told his wife. "The boy still insists Bran must go north of the Wall, but gives no reasons. I refused them again. They will leave when the rain stops."

She sat and grasped his left arm. "Ned…it must mean something. The boy has had these dreams before, and they always come true."

"Aye," he replied. "But what does it mean? He does not know."

"Or will not say."

"Could be some truth to that. He also said of late his dreams are cloudy, not clear. They said it means something has changed, some event has happened to make things unclear."

Catelyn took hope from this news. "Then perhaps it means the dream concerning Bran is no longer going to come true."

"They said it would," Ned told her and the almost happy look on her face fell. "What event could they mean?" he mused after moment. "So much has happened."

"Too much," she replied heavily. "I will pray to the gods for a peaceful quiet life from now on."

"As will I," Ned told her.

Ned wrote the letter in his solar after breakfast was over, and sealed it with his direwolf sigil. The letter told Howland he was sorry he could not believe his children, and that he could not send Bran with them, could not allow them to go there themselves, and that he hoped this did not strain their friendship. Ned knew it would not, knowing Howland as well as he did. Ned wanted to believe them, wanted to understand the riddle behind the green dream. Was Bran a wolf in chains? Would he fly? But…how? And why north of the Wall?

Ned had been north of the Wall once, a short trip with Benjen's rangers and Lord Mormont, years ago soon after the last winter had ended and just before the Greyjoy Rebellion. The land north of the Wall was bitterly cold, with nothing but trees, frozen lakes and streams, and the odd wildling village. He would not send his son to that, especially a son who could not walk.

The rain did not let up until noon, and the Reed children left soon after. There were many goodbyes as the Stark family and others gathered by the East Gate. Ned gave them his letter and wished them a safe journey. They also gave them plenty of food to help them on their trip. The road south was safe now Ned knew, and Meera and Jojen were not exactly children and he knew they could defend themselves if need be. Still, he offered them an escort of ten men, but Meera refused, and also refused an offer of horses or donkeys, telling him they could move fast on foot alone, and that horses and donkeys had no place in the Neck's bogs.

Bran was there to say goodbye, on Hodor's back, and before they left, Jojen came up to him and asked Hodor to bend down. Jojen said something quietly to Bran that no one else could hear and then after one more goodbye, Meera and Jojen walked out the gate and soon headed to the Kingsroad.

"What did he say to you?" Sansa asked Bran as they walked back into the castle.

"Nothing," Bran said quickly and Catelyn stopped them and looked at her son.

"Bran…tell us," she demanded, a worried look in her eye.

"He just said good-bye, Mother."

"He didn't have to whisper that," Arya said.

"Bran," Catelyn said in her serious tone. "You will not leave this castle. You will not go anywhere with Jojen and Meera or anyone else." She stared at Hodor. "Hodor, you will not take Bran outside of Winterfell. Do you understand?"

"Hodor," the big stable boy replied.

"Bran, you will not ask him or anyone else to help you."

"I wasn't planning on going anywhere, Mother. If you all must know, all he said was 'You will fly someday.' That's all."

"Bran," his mother said, with sorrow in her eyes. "Men cannot fly. Nor can little boys."

"I know," Bran said in his sulky voice. "I'm not a stupid little boy. Hodor, take me to the library."

"Hodor."

As the big stable boy walked away with her son on his back, Catelyn looked like she wanted to speak again but Ned shook his head. "Let him be for now."

After that it was time for Ned and Catelyn to go to the village. They left the castle by the Hunter's Gate just after midday. Ned and Catelyn mounted their horses while their children stood by, even Bran on Hodor's back. Robb and the Greatjon both said they should come as well but Ned felt more comfortable having them here, keeping an eye on the castle and making sure work was progressing on rebuilding the winter town. Twenty soldiers came with them, as well as the maester, all on horseback for swifter travel. The villagers had also been given horses, to make the trip easier for them as well. They also brought four pack horses, laden with tents and food, in case they had to spend the night in the village. Ned knew the villagers would shelter them and feast them, but he did not want to impose on their food supplies, not with winter so close at hand.

Ned led them out the Hunter's Gate and into the Wolfswood, the forest near the castle somewhat empty of trees but as they went deeper into the forest, the foliage grew thicker. The leaves were already turning red and orange Ned noted, and fall was advancing more rapidly than he thought it would.

"Winter is coming," Catelyn said as she looked to the trees and Ned chuckled and then she realized what she had said and gave a small grin. "I guess I truly am a Stark now."

"Aye, my lady," Ned replied. Then he turned grim. "Let us take care of this business and all else before the snows come."

After a while Ned let the old man from the village lead them, following paths and well-known ways until they hit the stream that flowed past the mill. They followed it for a few hours, until by mid-afternoon they had reached the mill.

Ned looked at his soldiers. "Ten of you spread out in the woods. Look for a fresh dug grave. Farlen is buried out here somewhere. We will take him back to Winterfell for a proper burial."

As the men moved to do as he commanded, Ned and Catelyn and the others examined the scene at the mill. The blood on the ground had been washed away by the recent rain, but bits of the miller's flesh that carrion birds had clawed out of him were still on the ground under the tree. Two cut ropes were hanging there as well.

"Two men were hung here?" Ned asked the old man and Caster Flint's son.

"Could be, my lord," said the old man, looking at the ropes, a puzzled look on his face. "We only found the miller."

Ned looked at the two rope ends. "Fresh cut with a knife," he said. "There had to be a second man tied up here. Why else cut the rope?"

Then Flint's son spoke up. "There was a chair here, by the tree, when we arrived, my lord," he said. "Must be someone stood on it to cut down the miller…and the second man…if there was one. My father was not that tall. It must have been him."

"Aye," said Ned. "You put the chair back in the house?"

"Aye, my lord."

Ned could see it all now. Farmer Flint had come in on his wagon and saw two men hanging here and he cut them down. The miller was already dead. But who was the second man? Ned had a feeling it was Theon, but where was the proof?

In the house they found it. The miller's house seemed neat and in order, except on the table where the remains of the burnt clothing the villagers had found in the fireplace. Catelyn was there already, looking at it. "A surcoat," she said. She carefully examined it and then she gave a start. There, just visible in yellowish gold thread, under the ash and soot and charred cloth, was the head and a few tentacles of the kraken sigil of the Greyjoys.

"Theon," Ned said through gritted teeth.

"Or one of his men," Catelyn added and for a moment Ned thought she was right. It could have been any of the ironmen. Then he remembered they were all accounted for. Except Theon.

"It had to be Theon. All his men are dead or in our cells."

"We should take it with us," Catelyn said and then Ned took it from her, carried it to his horse and put it in a saddle bag. Just then they heard a shout through the trees.

"Lord Stark!" came the shout. They followed the shouts and soon came to a small clearing. A soldier pointed to a mound of dirt. Nearby was a tree with some bits of rope tied to it. On the ground nearby were some burnt tree branches and some ashes from a recent fire.

"It must be Farlen," Catelyn said, her voice with an edge of emotion to it.

"Dig it up," Ned commanded and his men soon set to work, using their helmets to remove the dirt. Ned looked to his wife, wanted to tell her to look away, but then he remembered she had seen many dead men and had even cared for some of the wounded, including Gendry. The dead do not scare her, he thought, nor do they scare me. It's the living ones we need fear.

The grave was shallow and in a few moments Farlen's body was exposed. A rank, sickly smell of decaying flesh filled the air and many wrinkled their noses and stepped back from the smell of the rotting body. The maester came forward and bent over the dead kennel master. After a quick examination, he stood and turned to Ned.

"His throat is cut, very deep," Maester William told them.

"As Lord Bolton's man said," Catelyn stated.

"Aye," Ned answered. "Look at his hands, maester, if you would."

Maester William did as he was bade and then after a moment stood again. "He was bound. There are marks on his wrists."

Ned thanked him and then told a soldier to go back to the house and get a blanket. After ten minutes he returned with a large blanket. They wrapped Farlen's body up in it and then Catelyn said a small prayer which several soldiers and the maester joined her in. When they finished, Ned looked at two of the soldiers.

"Take him back to Winterfell. Do you know the way?"

"Aye, my lord," said one. They loaded Farlen's body on one of the pack horses after its supplies were taken off, and soon the men were gone, back towards Winterfell.

"Now to the village," Ned ordered.

They redistributed the supplies from the now gone pack horse, and soon were making their way to the village on the path that was alongside of the stream. It took them about thirty minutes at a slow pace, the path rutted and muddy and full of puddles from the recent rain. As they got closer they came to some fields, which were mostly empty, the last harvest taken in almost a moon's turn ago during the harvest festival time. They passed barns Ned knew must be full of grain. A small herd of milking cows was in a field of grass, most likely a common ground for all the village cows. They also saw some pigs in a sty and Ned heard the clucking of chickens and the cackle of geese from somewhere nearby.

The village proper had a main street and three side streets, all just dirt tracks, with about thirty buildings, mostly mud and wattle houses, with stone fireplaces and chimneys. There were a few houses made from wood. As they came into the village they passed some gardens where people were digging up potatoes and carrots. The smallfolk stopped their work and dipped their heads, and soon began to follow them.

Unlike most lords, Ned did not begrudge the smallfolk the bounty of the lands near his castle. The people were free to hunt and fish, and gather fruit and berries and honey within a league of their village proper. Although the land belonged to the lords of each region, customs and traditions over the centuries had decreed which lands were used by each village and town. The North was so vast and empty that there were few disputes over property. As was customary each nearby village paid a tax to their lord, sending produce to their liege lord at harvest time. Ned also bought some produce with his own coin, and trade in many other items was brisk between villages and towns and Winterfell. The winter town outside the castle had a market day once a week when nearby villagers could come and sell their extra produce or things they had made in their homes, such as clothing, shoes and boots, wool yarn, and a myriad of other things. The villages and towns also provided men and horses and herds in time of war. In return for all of this the local smallfolk got the protection of their lord and his men, the healing hands of his maester on occasion, the metal items from his forge, and the power of his justice when disputes arose. The land was ruled with a firm but fair hand, and the smallfolk had little to fear from lawless men.

But of late things had not been so in parts of the Seven Kingdoms. The Riverlands had seen the worst of it, and so had the lands near King's Landing. The North had also seen some share of lawlessness at the hands of the ironmen. And now at the hands of Ramsey Snow, once again.

Soon they came into the center of the village, a small square where there was a small pub on one side. A large crowd started to gather and more people came running. A visit from their lord was a special thing, but the people were not in a cheery mood. They were here to see justice served. Ned had been here a few times over the years, on his way to somewhere, or when they stopped at Farmer Flint's home while hunting. Once he even had to serve justice here, on a thief the villagers had caught stealing some chickens. Ned told the thief it was his hands or the Wall and the man wisely chose the Wall. Benjen later told Ned the lad turned out to be a good ranger. Benjen used to jest that some of the best rangers had been thieves in their former lives, the thieving skills of scouting out a target and trying to be stealthy coming in handy north of the Wall.

Thinking of his missing brother made Ned morose and he could not have that today so put those thoughts from his mind. Ned stopped his horse by the pub and as he and his wife and the others dismounted, all the smallfolk got down on their knees.

"Rise, my good people," Ned said in his lord's voice and everyone stood. "We have come to learn the truth of what happened here. I will be in the pub. Those with words for me can come. First, the maester will see to the wounded man and the miller's wife." He turned to the old man. "Show him the way."

"Aye, my lord," said the old man and he started to lead the maester towards one of the houses. Then an old woman, who must have seen as near as many name days as Old Nan, spoke up.

"My lord, where is Maester Luwin?"

Ned had forgotten that they had known Maester Luwin. He had often traveled to the nearby villages when there had been a difficult birth or someone had been injured in an accident. Catelyn answered the woman in a voice that was full of sadness. "He is dead, my good woman. The ironmen killed him and many others at Winterfell."

That was a shock to the villagers and there was a babble of voices and more questions. The men that had come from the village to Winterfell told their people what they had seen and learned of the attack on the castle.

"We never even knew the ironmen were there until we caught that one and he went on about the ironmen at Winterfell," said Flint's son. He sounded guilty, as if they had done something wrong.

"What is done is done," Ned told them. "You could not have done anything. The ironmen would have killed any of you who tried to help the people of Winterfell. Now, let us get to the business at hand."

Ned and Catelyn entered the pub, the owner opening the door for them. It was a small pub, with only four tables and a bar with some kegs of ale and mead behind it, and clay jugs and mugs on a shelf. No wine was served here, Ned knew from past trips. He immediately went to a table and sat with Catelyn by his side. The pub owner poured them cups of mead and they thanked him. The mead tasted good and after a long drink to quench his thirst Ned looked to the pub owner. "Let us begin,"

After that the villagers came in, one at a time, and told what they knew. Some were a bit hesitant at first, but they all spoke on what they saw happen. And they all told pretty much the same story, the same as what he heard at Winterfell, so that by the time the eighth one had come and gone Ned had had enough.

"I think we have the truth of this now," Ned told Catelyn.

"Now we must needs speak to the miller's wife," she replied.

They found the old man outside and he took them to a house, the home of the miller's wife's mother, a widowed woman of the village, who still had a small garden and piece of land she farmed. The maester was there as was the mother, and the freshly widowed miller's wife Leslie was in bed. But when she knew Ned was in the house she rose, despite the protests of her mother.

"He is my lord, I must see him," they heard Leslie say, her voice weak. In a few moments she came from the bedroom and entered the small kitchen area. She was young, with brownish blond hair and well figured body. Her brown eyes were red from weeping and she moved slowly. The left side of her face was bruised from where her assailant had hit her. She had trouble walking and Ned felt a small twinge of guilt for being the reason she rose from her sick bed, but he had to get to the truth of all this. Maester William and her mother helped her sit opposite Ned and Catelyn at a rough, wooden kitchen table. Ned was about to speak but his wife started before he could.

"I am Lady Catelyn Stark," she told the girl in a gentle tone. "This is Lord Stark."

"Aye, my lady, my lord," said the girl, her voice hesitant.

"Leslie, we need the truth of what happened," Ned said in his lord's voice and Catelyn gave him a sharp look, which he knew meant he was being too stern. It was how his father had taught him and his brothers, how to talk to the smallfolk so they knew who was in charge. If you show doubt that you are the true ruler of these people, in voice or action, his father had said, they will doubt it as well and soon you will have more trouble that you can handle.

Ned raised his eyebrows, and then dipped his head slightly to his wife, and let her do the talking.

"What my husband means is, please tell us all you can…in your own words. Take your time."

She sniffled a bit. "It…was…I don't know. Must be three days ago now."

"Almost six," said her mother, and Ned could see she was red eyed as well. Then he suddenly knew something. Six days ago Theon Greyjoy had still been at Winterfell. If Ramsey Snow arrived at the mill then, Theon was no where nearby and Ramsey was lying about Theon's involvement, as they believed.

"Six? Yes, that sounds right," said the girl. "It was late. I was just putting dinner on the table…when he came."

She stopped, her eyes getting wide, and Ned could see the fear in them. He wanted to say something, but kept silent, and they waited for her to speak again.

"He knocked on the door," she said in a rush. "And Wallis…that's my…my…husband." She stopped for a moment, and a tear fell which she brushed away. "He answered the door. And like that…he was there, with a sword at Wallis' throat and that man was in our house."

"He threw a piece of rope at me…and made me tie Wallis' hands…behind his back, and pushed him to the floor and told him to stay there or he would kill us both." She sniffed some more, and a few more tears fell. "Then he sat at the table with me, and ate our food and made me eat as well. He drank our ale, too, and the whole time Wallis was on the floor. He told him where the coin was, and told him he could have all the food, anything he wanted. But then he looked at me, and I knew what he wanted. He tied me up and shoved me in the bedroom. After that…I don't remember much, that night at least."

"Tell us all you can," Catelyn said, with a reassuring pat on her hand.

"He…must have killed Wallis then," she said, and then cried some more. "Then he came at me. And…he…" But she shook her head and would not speak anymore.

Catelyn looked at her. "I understand." Then she looked at Ned and the maester. "Perhaps it best if you both wait outside."

"Aye," said Ned and then with a nod to the maester they went out. Outside some of the soldiers were waiting, the horses nearby. Ned looked at the sky and knew it was getting near to the dinner hour and would be dark soon after that. They might have to stay the night.

"How was the wounded man?" Ned asked the maester.

"He will live. He has a three inch gash on his upper left thigh. The villagers took good care of him. They gave him a strong poultice of nettles and bread mold, and even stitched it with some thread. He will have a scar but he won't lose the leg or his life."

"That is good to hear," Ned replied. "And the girl?"

The maester sighed. "She was violated, repeatedly. I have seen it before, in White Harbor when some drunken Myrish sailors raped a young girl. Lord Wyman had them all gelded before they were hung. Drunken men bent on rape take no care to be gentle with a woman. She will have pain for a while, but I think no permanent damage. They gave her moon tea so hopefully no bastards will be a result of this crime. Her bosom was bitten, as you said the men claimed. At least five times. They used a poultice on those wounds as well, and they should heal without corruption. But she will have scars. Inside as well."

"He's a beast," Ned said through gritted teeth.

"Aye," replied the maester.

"What makes a man so?"

William shrugged. "There are many theories among my kind. A blow to the head can derange a man. Some afflictions of the brain as well, fevers and such. And some men...some men are just evil, and only the gods know why."

As they stood there, thinking on this, Ned heard the sound of barking and the four dogs that had chased the girl were brought forth by the village men. Ned looked at the dogs closely but could not be sure if they were Farlen's or not. But one of his soldiers knew the dogs and confirmed they were from Winterfell. "We'll take them back with us," Ned told them.

Then the old man and Flint's son came with something wrapped in canvas. They lay it on the ground and opened it up. "The prisoner had them on him when he came into the village," Flint's son said. Ned told his men to wrap the objects up again and put them on his horse. Ned knew he would need these things to prove to Roose Bolton hat his son had done the murder, not Theon Greyjoy.

Ten minutes or so later Catelyn came out. "She told all she can, Ned."

"Was Theon the second man?" he asked her.

"Yes, by the sounds of it. She knows not how he was taken, but she awoke in the morning, tied to the bed, and she heard voices in the kitchen, two men talking. Then Ramsey came in and hit her and then the other man ran. Ramsey chased him. Later she was taken outside, naked, and she saw her husband dead and the second man hanging there beside him, and he looked unconscious. When I asked her if had had any markings on his clothing she said something yellow on his chest, but could not describe it well. Ramsey told her to run, that she was free to go, and so she ran, barefoot and naked to the village. And…well, you know the rest."

"Aye," said Ned. He knew what he had to do now. "Maester, is she fit to travel to Winterfell?"

"Maybe in a few more days, my lord," Maester William answered. "She cannot sit a horse and even a wagon ride may do her more harm."

"Then we will wait," Ned said. "In a few days or week or whenever, we will have a trial for Ramsey Snow. She must be a witness against him. Cat, can she do it?"

"I don't know," Catelyn replied. "She is here in her mother's home and she feels safe, for the moment. But in Winterfell, in front of many people, facing him, and Roose as well…she may falter."

"Then we will help her and make sure she does not falter," Ned answered. He looked to the sky. "I think it is too late in the day to return." He looked at the nearby soldiers, waiting for his orders. "Let us make camp on the village outskirts and prepare our supper. We are staying the night."

As the men moved to obey, the old man and Flint's son and others nearby heard this. They offered their homes and beds and food, but Ned begged them all off, saying he could not honor one family without offending the others, and that they needed their food, for winter was coming.

The villagers did provide them with some tables and benches and firewood, for which Ned thank them. He also bought some mead and ale from the pub for his men, shoving the coins into the pub owner's hands when the man tried to refuse to take his money. After they had eaten and the sky was growing dark, Maester William said he had promised the people of the village to see to their hurts and ailments and went off to set up shop in one of the houses.

Ned sat at a table with Catelyn outside of their tent, him sipping on a mug of mead while she drank some mulled wine which they had brought from Winterfell.

"He must die," Catelyn said suddenly in the silence between them.

"Aye," Ned said wearily. "He must."

The night proved to be cold and the next morning as the dawn broke with a crisp fresh cleanliness, the sky a deep rich northern blue, Ned stepped from his tent and saw frost on the ground. The villagers were all up and scrambling to remove the last vegetables from their gardens before the frost could ruin them. Ned ordered his men up to help them. Soon after that was done they had a quick breakfast and were on their way back to Winterfell. Ned left orders for Leslie and the other witnesses to come to Winterfell in a few days time, when she was fit to travel. The old man and Flint's son promised they would be there.

Winterfell greeted them warmly when they returned. Robb and the Greatjon told them there was no news from Roose Bolton yet and that all else was as it was before they had left. Robb had a raven message for Ned from White Harbor. Lord Manderly promised to send the things they asked for, and also wondered when he could get his maester back. Ned chuckled over that, and told Maester William. Ned knew White Harbor had a least one other maester, and could easily get another by ship before Winterfell could replace William. They still only had the one bird for White Harbor so decided to let it rest for a day or two before sending a reply.

After the noon hour a guard came and found Ned helping with the rebuilding of the winter town. He said the ironmen prisoners they had taken at Moat Cailin wished to speak with him.

Ned found Robb and they went to the cells below the armory soon after. There were only six cells, three on each side of a stone corridor. The cells were all solid stone with heavy iron doors that had a small barred window to let in air and some light. The two ironmen that had come to Winterfell as prisoners were in the first cell on the left. Next to it was the one with Theon's squire Wex. The cell at the far end on the right held Ramsey Snow, back in his old cage.

The gaoler opened the ironman's cell. Inside were Gerald Pyke and the man named Codd that had cursed Pyke back when they had been captured. Both men had chains on their feet but their hands were free. They were sitting on the floor, opposite each other, backs leaning against the stone walls. The floor was covered in dry rushes, and a latrine pail was sitting in the corner. There were no blankets or other creature comforts, but the cells were warm due to the hot springs under the castle. The two ironmen blinked as the sudden light from the corridor's torches filled their cell.

"You asked to see me?" Ned said to them as they stood up from the floor, making a clanking noise as the chains on their feet moved. Robb was right behind him, his hand on his sword, and three guards were in the hallway nearby, plus two more were outside Ramsey's door a short distance away.

"I asked for you, Lord Stark," said Pyke. "When we laid down arms you promised us honest work if we promised not to escape. I will make that promise to you. I know your castle has been damaged. I will do labor to repair it."

"I as well," said Codd.

Ned thought on it for a moment. The two men were big and strong to be sure, and they could use some extra hands with the work. And it would be justice, as their brethren had done the damage. But he had another worry.

"Theon Greyjoy and his men burnt Winterfell and killed some of my people. My people have no love for your kind at the moment, maybe not ever again. They will not welcome you kindly."

Codd snorted. "There is no need to honey your words, Lord Stark. They hate us, you mean."

"Aye, they hate you."

"I am tired of this cell," Pyke said, his weary eyes fixed on Ned's. "It has only been a few days and now I know that a man will go mad if he stays in such a place for long. I need to feel the wind on my face and the sun on my brow, at least for a bit each day. I will not run, nor will Codd. We will swear it on the Drowned God himself."

"Best not make that oath in front of my mother or any others," Robb said in anger. "Your lot drowned our septon when they was here, drowned him to honor your god."

"The Seven are…" Codd started in anger but Pyke snarled at him. "Hold your tongue for once in your life, Codd!" Codd glared at him but kept silent, and Pyke turned back to the Starks. "We will keep our prayers silent and our opinions to ourselves. We will not run. And if we do, then you may have our heads."

"Aye, we will," said Ned in his grim voice. "And you will keep your chains on your legs until I say otherwise." He turned to the guards. "Take these two to the winter town and tell the Greatjon to put them to work sawing timbers and shaping bricks. Tell him to make sure he keeps a guard on them at all times."

"Aye, my lord," said the guard.

Pyke and Codd shuffled out of their cell, gave thanks to Ned, and then were soon gone, their leg chains clanking as they walked up the stairs to the sun and air above. Ned could sympathize with them, a small bit. After being in the black cells of King's Landing Ned knew what the sun and wind meant to a man who could feel neither for days on end.

After that Robb meant to leave as well, but Ned asked him to stay, and then turned to the cell where the boy Wex was. It was time they tried to communicate with him, if it were possible.

"Open his cell," Ned said to one of the remaining guards. After it was done Ned and Robb entered the cell, Robb with a torch in his hand for light. He put the torch in a bracket on the wall and then Ned told him to close the door behind them and he did so. The boy Wex was standing there. He had no chains on his feet, and looked them in the eye, and did not seem afraid.

"Wex, is it?" Ned asked and the boy nodded his head, a wary look in his eyes now, no doubt wondering what these men, his enemies, wanted. Ned knew the boy could at least hear and understand words.

"I am Lord Stark and this is my son Robb. Wex, I am going to say what I think happened to you and the others. You just nod 'yes' or 'no'. Understand?"

Wex nodded 'yes', the wary look still there.

"Good," Ned said. "First, Theon has escaped us…for now. I would like to know what happened in the Wolfswood. There were three other men and you with Theon and the kennel master and his dogs, according to what we were told when we arrived here. But Theon and the kennel master were not with you and the three men when Lord Bolton found you. Did you part company with Theon somewhere?"

Wex nodded and Ned continued. "Was there an argument?"

Again the squire nodded. "Was it near a stream?' Again a nod for 'yes'. "The other men wanted to leave here, go to Deepwood Motte?" Another nod. "And Theon would not go, not without my sons as hostage?" Again a nod came from the boy.

Then Robb spoke up. "Did the other men attack Theon and the kennel master?" A shake of the head. No.

Ned asked the next question. "Did they leave the first day after you went searching?"

A nod for 'yes'. "Did you see another man?" Robb quickly asked, and Ned knew he meant Ramsey Snow. Wex shook his head 'no'. "Were you near a mill?" Robb asked and again a shake of the head.

"After you left Theon you headed to the west?" Ned asked and Wex nodded. "Then some men found you?" Another nod. "And you fought?" This time a shake of the head.

"Roose said the ironmen fought except for him," Robb reminded his father.

"You did not fight?" Ned asked the squire and Wex nodded. "The other men fought?" Wex shook his head and then made a motion like he was sleeping, and then drew two fingers across his throat and both Ned and Robb knew what that meant.

Ned snorted. "They found your companions sleeping and cut their throats." Wex nodded.

"Where were you when this happened?" Robb quickly asked and Ned was about to say he could not answer such a question when Wex made a motion like he was pissing and Ned understood.

"He went to piss and they cut the others' throats in their sleep," Ned surmised. "Roose said they had made a fire and were cooking rabbit. Were you?"

Again Wex nodded and pointed to himself. "Aye," Ned said, and looked to Robb. "He was cooking the rabbit, while the others rested. He went to take a piss and then Bolton's men were on the others and killed them."

Wex was shaking his head violently. He held up two fingers, made the cutting motion across his throat again.

"They only killed two in their sleep?" Ned asked and Wex nodded. "What happened to the third man?"

Wex gulped and his eyes grew big. Then he placed the index finger on his right hand on his chest and made a sign like an "X".

"What's that?" Robb asked and Wex did it again, and then he spread his arm and legs wide and opened his mouth wide as if he was screaming, but no sound came out.

With sudden clarity Ned knew what had happened. "They flayed the third man." Wex nodded vigorously, his eyes still wide. Wex had been making the House Bolton sigil on his chest, the sign of the flayed man with arms and legs splayed like the shape of an "X".

"What did he tell them?" Robb asked and then realized Wex could not say so he reformed his question. "Did Lord Bolton ask the third man about Theon?" A shake of the head. "About Theon's sister and Deepwood Motte?" Another shake of the head. "About things happening on the Iron Islands?" A third shake of the head.

Then Ned knew. "Roose did not ask him any questions. He flayed him for the sport of it."

With that last Wex nodded. Ned could see it now. The boy was in ropes on the ground as Roose and his men strung up his companion and ripped his skin from his body and the man begged for death. Ned was sure if Wex hadn't had that piss before being caught he would have pissed himself in fear.

"Why did they let him live?" Robb asked his father next.

"To prove he had found those others. Once he knew the boy was a mute, Roose perhaps had no need to fear his crime being reported. Or maybe he just does not care."

"What will you do now?"

Ned looked at Wex and back to his son. "We will talk on it later." He looked back at Wex. "Do you want to go outside, do some work?"

Wex nodded his head vigorously. "You promise not to run?" Again a vigorous nod.

"Guards," Ned called out after he opened the door. A man appeared in the doorway. "Yes, my lord?"

"Take this one to the Greatjon and tell him to put him to work as he sees fit."

"Aye, my lord."

"And remind the Greatjon the boy is a mute but understands words well enough."

"Aye, my lord. Come boy."

Wex and the guard left and then another guard closed the cell door as Ned and Robb came out of it. They were about to leave the cell block when a voice came from the far end.

"Is that you Lord Stark?" Ramsey Snow called out.

Ned and Robb walked down there where two guards were standing by the door. Ramsey Snow had his face pressed against the bars on the small window. He chained hands grasped the bars.

"What do you want?" Ned asked in his lord's voice.

"When is my father coming?"

"Soon," Robb answered with an edge of anger in his voice. "And then justice will be served."

"Kill me and my father will never forgive you Starks," Ramsey told them, as if Ned did not know that already.

"Aye, maybe," Ned replied. "But the people of the North will know justice has been served. Your father is but one man. Your people few compared to the strength of the North. I will be sure to remind him of all that when he arrives."

"If I am found guilty," Ramsey said with a small smirk on his fat lips. "Theon Greyjoy killed the miller and that old man, I told you. Raped his wife. I saved her."

"No," Ned said with a shake of his head. "We've talked to her. You killed her husband. You raped her. I don't know how Theon fits into all this, but he was there. Strung up by his arms in the yard next to the miller. All that matters not since you killed two of the villagers and there are many witnesses to that crime."

"I was defending myself!" Ramsey snarled at them through the bars. "Every man has a right to defend himself!"

"Aye," Ned replied. "That they do. The villagers defended themselves and the miller's wife from you and those hounds. They will all swear to it."

"They all lie! They attacked me first!"

"That is for a trial to decide. Best prepare yourself. If you are guilty, you will die. If there is any god you believe in, it is time to say a few prayers."

Ned and Robb turned to leave when Ramsey shouted one more thing. "I will take the black!" His voice had a sound of desperation to it.

Ned turned back and looked at him. "The Wall has its share of murderers and rapists. No doubt you would find good company there. But I think even the Wall is no place for a cur such as yourself. You would only desert or cause some other mischief. I will not inflict you upon the good men of the Night's Watch."

"My father will avenge me!' Ramsey shouted as they departed.

"Will he avenge him if we execute Ramsey?" Robb asked as they emerged from the cells to the clear skies above.

"Perhaps," his father replied. "Roose and I must have a long talk when he arrives."

Arrive he did, the next day before the noon hour, with a strong escort of two hundred of his men, the rest having continued on to the Dreadfort. Roose Bolton was no sooner off his horse and made a polite but restrained greeting to Ned by the East Gate when he asked to see his son. Ned showed him the way to the cells and told Roose to come to his solar when he was finished.

Ned told Catelyn and Robb to keep all others away when he was talking to Roose Bolton. Cat had a worried look in her eye.

"I don't like you being alone with him."

"He is not so wreckless as to attack me in the midst of Winterfell and all my people."

"No…but be careful. He is not to be trusted."

"Aye," Ned told her, and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze before she left.

Twenty minutes later Robb escorted Roose Bolton to Ned's solar, and then Robb stepped outside the door, and Ned knew his son would stay there, keeping an ear on the door. Ned poured two cups of wine and bid Roose to sit. He looked tired and travel worn. Roose sat and took the offered cup of wine.

Roose asked him what had happened and Ned explained it all. "What did Ramsey say about these matters?" Ned asked when he finished.

"That he is innocent, my lord," Roose replied in his quiet voice after a sip of wine.

"Others say different."

Roose nodded. "Of course they do. My son claims Theon Greyjoy did the crimes he is accused of. Have you found Greyjoy?"

"No. But we know Greyjoy was there. We found a burnt surcoat with the kraken sigil at the miller's house. Theon is the only ironman unaccounted for."

"Then perhaps my son tells the truth."

"The miller's wife says otherwise."

"She saw Ramsey kill her husband?"

"No…but he raped her," Ned told him, trying to control his anger. "And chewed on her flesh like a rabid dog."

"She was distraught. She may have confused who was attacking her."

He was grasping at straws, Ned knew. Thinking of any way to save his son, trying to cast doubts. "The villagers are not confused," Ned said next. "The woman came running naked into their midst and the hounds and Ramsey soon followed. He killed two men and wounded a third."

"He claims they attacked him first. His face is bruised, his lips cut, two teeth are missing."

"Aye, after they overcame him they beat him."

"They beat a lord's son. Smallfolk. Why are they not in chains as well…my lord?" Roose asked in a dangerous tone.

"Because they did no crime, Roose. They defended the woman and themselves."

"Their word against Ramsey's."

"I'll take their word any day over a man who has done the things your son has done."

"If you are referring to this Hornwood business, we had agreed that I would decide Ramsey's punishment."

"That was before," Ned told him. "This is too much, Roose, and you know it. I have heard you always demand a peaceful land and a quiet people in your domain. Is that not so?"

"It is," Roose admitted.

"So do I. There is not one law for lords and another for smallfolk, Roose. The law is the law for all the people of the North. I am the Warden of the North and I will see justice done here."

"Cersei Lannister stripped you of your titles."

Ned snorted, struggling to control his anger. "King Stannis has reinstated them. You left before the news arrived."

Roose's pale grey eyes fixed Ned with a deadly stare. "You mean to kill my son."

Ned stared back. "If a trial finds him guilty, he will be judged according to his crimes. The penalty for murder is death."

"There is always the Wall. There are plenty of murderers up there. And more than one bastard." That was another dig at Ned, but he let it go. "But Ramsey said you even refused to consider that notion."

"Aye."

"He is my heir, Eddard. You would kill my heir?"

"If he is found guilty. Even if I send him to the Wall, Roose, he will no longer be your heir."

"He is still of my blood. It will grieve me if he dies. He is all I have left of my line."

"Then start a new line," Ned advised him.

Now there was doubt in Roose's eyes. "A new line?"

"You are not so old not to be able to foster new sons and daughters on a new wife."

Roose almost grinned but then had a shrewd look in his eye. "A new wife. From where would this fertile lady come from? One of your daughters perhaps? Your youngest is betrothed but your eldest has no suitors at present."

Ned had not expected this and it threw him for a moment. There was no way in hell he would let Sansa marry this man. He knew his face betrayed his thoughts, but did not care, and pressed on. "I was thinking one of Walder Frey's brood. He has plenty of daughters and granddaughters I am sure he wishes to be rid of. He will pay a nice dowry as well."

Roose gave a small chuckle. "Have it all figured it have you…my lord. Kill my son and hope I will sate my anger with a buxom new bride?"

"Roose…do you love him?"

Now Ned knew he caught Roose by surprise. His pale grey eyes flickered away for a moment and he drank some more wine. Then he looked at Ned. "Could you love a mad dog?"

"No."

"Neither could I. But he is my blood. I cannot allow him to die."

Now Ned knew he had to say what he did not want to say. "The whole North knows Ramsey killed your true son."

"There was no proof," Roose said flatly, but Ned could see more doubts in his eyes.

"Aye, maybe not. But you know it to be true. In your heart."

"Perhaps."

"Roose…with Ramsey alive there will never be peace and quiet in your lands or the rest of the North. Already the Hornwoods and White Harbor hate your people for what he has done. Lord Umber has never had any love for the Dreadfort either. As for Winterfell and the other lords, we are tired of these disturbances and desire peace as well."

"It sounds like you are threatening me and mine, Lord Stark."

"Only advising you, Roose. We were ready to isolate the Karstarks for going against the North. The same can be done to the Dreadfort."

"I have always obeyed the law and given my support to your causes. I fought your son's battle on the Green Fork and lost many a good man, to help free you and your daughters from the Lannisters. This is how I am rewarded?"

Ned ignored the last part of his comment. "Obey our laws, is it? What happened with the ironmen you found in the Wolfswood?"

That was unexpected, but Bolton recovered from his slight surprise and shrugged. "They fought and died. Why do you ask?"

"I have heard you flayed one of them," Ned said in a calm voice.

"Flaying is outlawed. I did no such thing. Who has accused me? That gutter rat I let live? He's a mute. How can he tell you anything?"

All lies Ned knew, but let it go, knowing his point had been made. "Perhaps I was misinformed. But crimes such as your son committed are not to be tolerated. He must be punished."

"It sounds like you already believe he is guilty."

"There will be a trial, where all can see the evidence and you can decide yourself."

"Who will judge?"

"Only myself, as is tradition."

Roose said nothing, drained his cup of wine and stood. Ned stood as well.

"I will speak for and defend my son," Roose told him. "I want to question these witnesses myself."

"Aye, as you wish," said Ned, knowing he would want that, and then Roose left him.

The trial was held three days later in the afternoon, a cloudy, chilly, cheerless day outside. It seemed as if the whole village had come the night before to get the justice they demanded. They and many of Winterfell's people gathered in the great hall, crowding the benches and leaning against the walls. Ned sat at the high table in the lord's chair, with Robb on one side, and Maester William on the other, parchment and ink and quills before him to record the event. Lord Umber, Catelyn, Roslin, and the rest of Ned's children, except Rickon, who was too young for such things, were sitting at a lower table in the front of the crowd, while Roose Bolton and two of his captains sat at a lower table to the right. Ned saw many familiar faces in the crowd, Gage the cook, Osha, Gendry and Mikken, Old Nan and Hodor, the new steward Samson, Jeyne Poole, and many others.

The crowd was mostly quiet until the prisoner was brought into the hall in chains. Many of the villagers gave him dirty looks and shouted curses at him and Ned had to have his guards pound their spear butts on the floor to restore order. Ramsey was placed in a chair by his father's table and two Winterfell guards stood by him the whole time.

Ned presented the charges against the accused first. "Ramsey Snow, you are accused of rape and murder. The punishment for these crimes is death." Then Ned proceeded to give the bare facts of the case, just who had died and been attacked, when, and how. He called the first witness against Ramsey and so it began, with Ned questioning the witnesses and Roose asking many questions as well.

Maester William was first. He presented evidence on the wounds to Farlen's body, wounds to the miller's wife, and the fact that she had been raped repeatedly. Roose asked about the other dead men, but the miller and Flint and the other men had already been buried so the maester had no evidence for their wounds.

The miller's wife Leslie was the next witness. She still had trouble walking, and had to sit in a chair when she gave her testimony. The whole time Ramsey was glaring at her, like he wanted to kill him. She would not look at him. She said all that she had told them in the village about what happened the first night when Ramsey came to her home. Her voice was quavering at times, but she did not falter from her story, even as Roose tried to poke holes in it. When finally Ned asked her who had raped her, she looked at Ramsey at last and pointed a finger.

"Him," she said in a strong clear voice.

"Lying bitch!" Ramsey snarled and the hall erupted into outrage that took a minute to subside and Ned had to warn Ramsey to be silent unless questioned.

Ned asked her next if she knew who had killed her husband and she said Ramsey as well, but Roose soon got her to admit that she had not actually seen Ramsey kill him. Ramsey smirked after he heard this, and then Ned asked her about the second man at the mill, and his smirk disappeared.

"I woke up in the morning," Leslie said, her voice still strong. "Tied to my bed. I heard him, that one, talking to someone."

"What did they talk about?" Ned asked.

"Something about dogs…and how he had his own dogs at some fort, and he liked to have sport with them. Then I heard him talk about flaying. I don't know what that is, my lord. He said your name once…don't know why. Then he came into the bedroom, shouting at me again, and I saw another man, in the kitchen, get up from the floor and run out the door. This one, Ramsey, chased him and I heard him cursing at him, shouting very loudly, from outside. After a while he came back, took me outside…wouldn't let me dress, though I begged him, and I saw them…Wallis…and the other man, hanging from the tree." She gave a small whimper after she said this.

"What did the second man look like?" Ned asked.

She took a few seconds to collect herself and then spoke. She proceeded to describe Theon and many in the crowd gave knowing nods, having seen him here so recently. "Also, on his chest was a yellow sigil. I don't know what it was. Something with many arms."

The burnt surcoat was produced and Ned had Robb take it to her and show her and she nodded. "Aye, that was it." He showed it to Roose as well and he only nodded, and then Robb returned to the high table.

Then Leslie talked about how she ran to the village and the dogs were chasing her, and finally she came to the village and she described what happened there. After she was finished the villagers were called, one by one, and told their stories of how Ramsey had killed two of their men, and what they found at the mill when they searched it. Again Roose questioned them but they stuck to their stories. They even established a time line that proved that Theon was still at Winterfell when the miller and his wife received their late night visitor.

After that Ned had the assistant kennel master come out and tell them that the dogs that chased Leslie to the village were Farlen's dogs. Roose had no questions for the man.

"Bring out the swords," Ned then told one of his soldiers. At the same time he called the old man from the village back to the front. Ned flicked his eyes to Ramsey, and he now saw doubt there. He has forgotten about the swords, Ned now knew.

Two swords were brought out, wrapped in canvas, the objects Ned had seen at the village. They were placed on a small table in front of the high table. One was plain, a common soldier's sword. The other was ornate, and had a well-crafted blade and sword pommel, with some intricate scroll work and etchings. On the pommel was a kraken symbol, etched into the metal, and colored gold.

"These swords were given to me by the people of the village when I went there a few days past to investigate this matter," Ned told the assemblage and then he turned to the old man. "Where did you get these swords?" Ned asked.

"The prisoner had the two of them on him when he came to our village, my lord. He used the fancy one to kill our men." There was still dried blood on the blade, Ned knew.

Five more men testified to this same thing before Roose said enough, he would agree that Ramsey brought the swords to the village.

"They lie, Father!" Ramsey said, his eyes bulging. "I never had those swords!"

"Be silent," Roose said in a voice that Ned barely heard. Roose walked up to the swords, looked at them, and held up the ornate one, looking at the pommel. "A kraken. Greyjoy's sword." He put the sword down, went back and sat at his table, not looking at his son at all.

Ned called Mikken to come forward. The blacksmith came to the front and dipped his head. "My lord."

"Mikken, do you recognize these swords?" Ned asked him.

"Aye, my lord. I made the two of them. There is my maker's mark." He pointed to his symbol etched into the blade near the pommel of each sword.

"Show it to Lord Bolton," Ned commanded. Mikken picked up the ornate sword and carried it to Roose, who looked at the mark and then nodded.

"Who did you make this sword for?" Roose asked Mikken.

"Theon Greyjoy, my lord. About three years ago, for his name day. On orders from Lord Stark. That was before we knew what a traitorous bastard Theon Turncoat was." The hall erupted in a loud murmuring as Mikken returned the sword to the small table and took his seat again.

"How did this sword come into your possession?" Ned asked Ramsey.

"They all lie!" Ramsey shouted, his eyes on fire. "I never had it. Greyjoy did, at the mill. He fought me with it. They must have found it there after taking me prisoner."

"Why would Theon leave his sword?" Ned asked.

"How should I know?" Ramsey said in a voice full of defiance, not seeming to care at all that he was at Ned's mercy.

Then Ned told Roose Bolton he could present his defense for Ramsey. The weight of evidence was strong against Ramsey, Roose admitted, but it was all the work of Theon Greyjoy, not his son. Ramsey testified to what he claimed had happened, that Theon had done the rape and murder, and that Ramsey had fought him, but Theon was too good a swordsman so Ramsey had fled. When he got to the village the people there attacked him and he had only defended himself.

Roose argued that there was no evidence Ramsey killed the miller, and that the death of the two villagers was an act of self-defense. Ramsey smirked, thinking he was going to get away with maybe just a rape charge. Ned could have his head for that, but it would be a bad precedent to set, as most rapists were sent to the Wall.

When Roose was finished and had sat again Ned made a statement of the facts.

"I think I know what happened now," Ned told the assemblage. "Ramsey Snow claims Theon Greyjoy did this, but by the evidence we heard, Theon was still at Winterfell when the miller and his wife were attacked. It is now clear that Ramsey killed the miller, raped his wife, and the next day he found Theon and Farlen the kennel master by their fire. He killed Farlen, took his dogs, and then took Theon hostage, hoping to bring him here to get a pardon for his crimes against Lady Hornwood, as he claims. The miller's wife said she heard two men talking in the morning. When she ran away she saw a second man hanging in the tree, with a yellow symbol on his black surcoat. The Greyjoy kraken. The two ropes hanging from the tree were cut with a knife. Farmer Flint's knife, when he found them there. He came along after Ramsey Snow chased the miller's wife for his sport, with the dogs, Farlen's dogs. No doubt Theon killed Farmer Flint, to make his escape from these lands. Flint's horse, knife, and cudgel are missing. Theon needed the horse to get away quickly and the weapons because he had no sword, because Ramsey took it. Ramsey chased the miller's wife to the village, he attacked the villagers when they tried to stop him, killing two and wounding one."

"LIES! ALL LIES!" Ramsey yelled, his face twisted in a demonic, hideous sneer, and at the same time he rose from his chair and strode quickly as his leg irons allowed towards the two swords on the small table. But before he got that far one of the guards struck him from behind with his spear butt and Ramsey went crashing to the floor with a groan and a clank of chains.

Roose sat in his chair the whole time and did nothing, his face impassive, his pale grey eyes showing no emotion.

Ned looked to the guards. "Pick him up." They lifted Ramsey and turned him to face Ned.

Ned stood and stared at Ramsey, and then spoke in his lord's commanding voice for all to hear. "Ramsey Snow. I find you guilty of the crimes of rape and murder. I, Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, in the name of King Stannis Baratheon, the first of his name, sentence you to death."

There was a wild shout of joy from the villagers and Winterfell people. Ned ventured a look at Roose, who still stayed in his chair, his face showing the same impassive look, as if he didn't care anymore. He did not even rise to try to plead for Ramsey's life, to at least have him sent to the Wall. Roose knew Ned would not allow that. He knew that he was alone. The North had had enough of the Bastard of the Dreadfort. It was time to end him. Now.

Then, as the noise quieted some, Ned heard Ramsey say something. He was looking straight at Ned, but Ned still had trouble hearing him. Finally, he could make out the words.

"I demand trial by combat," Ramsey said. Ned raised his hands for silence and in a moment it was quiet.

"The prisoner has demanded trial by combat," he told them and a shocked silence followed. Then the Greatjon stood and spoke in his loud rumbling voice.

"He has had his trial, Lord Stark! He has been found guilty! Let us be done with this mad dog once and for all!" Again loud cheers came from the people. Only Cat was quiet, a worried look on her face.

Now Roose bestirred himself, standing, and soon it was quiet again. He made his voice loud enough to be heard by all. "Trial by combat is any condemned man's right, Lord Stark. To be judged before the gods is his right, by all the laws of the Seven Kingdoms."

Ned knew he was right. He could not refuse Ramsey's demand. "Aye," he replied and a collective groan came from the crowd. He stared at Ramsey, his look cold and hard. "You shall have your trial by combat." Again there were shouts, this time for Ramsey's blood.

"I would name a champion!" Ramsey shouted at the top of his voice. Silence filled the hall.

"That is your right," Ned told him. "Who would you name?"

"My father!" Ramsey told him in a loud voice with that smirk on his face again. "Lord Roose Bolton of the Dreadfort."

In the shocked silence that followed all eyes were on Roose. He stared at his son, his grey eyes pale full of surprise, and Ned knew that this had not been planned between father and son. Ned also knew that much now depended on Lord Bolton's reaction. If Roose stood for Ramsey, only one man could fight him, to represent Winterfell and the justice of the North. And that was Ned himself. He saw Cat looking at him, her face filled with anxiety. He felt Robb at his side, full of nervous energy, ready to explode at any moment. Ned knew he could defeat and kill Ramsey. His father…he was not so sure.

But he also knew that if Roose killed him, the North would not stand for it. Robb and the Greatjon and the others would never let Bolton or his son or his men leave here alive. It would go against the laws of the land, but Ned knew his people. He knew they would demand the heads of Roose and his son. Cat would demand it as well, and to hell with the laws. Ned looked at Roose, and he could see on his face that Roose was thinking hard, weighing the options, and perhaps knew all this to be true as well. The only question was would he risk it all for a bastard son who may have killed his own true son.

Roose finally spoke, directly to Ramsey. "I never begrudged you your entertainments," Roose said to his son. "But you carried them too far. A peaceful land, a quiet people is all I ask for. These are my desires. Now you ask me to champion you in a trial by combat? You have sown this harvest. You shall reap its rewards. I have done all I can here. I will not be your champion."

It was almost as if a collective breath of air was released from all those inside the great hall of Winterfell. Ramsey's face was in shock. He then snarled at his father. "As you wish…Father." The last word was dripping with contempt for his sire. "I will defend myself." He then turned to Ned. "Who is Winterfell's champion?"

"I will be the one to fight this dog!" the Greatjon bellowed and more cheers rang out.

"No, Lord Umber," Ned said loudly. "No lords shall involve themselves in this matter."

More men rose and shouted that they would be the champion, and as Ned considered who to select, a voice beside him spoke. "I will do this, Father."

Ned closed his eyes and sighed. He turned to Robb. "No…" But Ramsey had heard him and shouted.

"AYE! I will fight Robb Stark for my life!"

A silence filled the hall again. Catelyn and Roslin had both gone pale, Roslin clutching Catelyn's arm, tears in her eyes, shaking her head no. Arya's face was filled with anger, and Bran looked like he was in shock. Sansa just stared at her father, her blue eyes wide, as did everyone else, holding their breath, waiting for him to speak. Ned weighed his options, knowing he could refuse to let Robb do it, as heir of Winterfell, but also knowing he could not very well ask other men to stand and face Ramsey if he would not let his son do the same. Roose was staring at him intently, knowing this as well. And there was no way to know if another man would defeat Ramsey. Robb had trained for battle all his life, was a proven warrior in combat. He would defeat Ramsey and give the people the justice they demanded. Ned decided.

"So be it," Ned told them, and there was a collective gasp and groan from the crowd. "They will fight on the morrow. To the death."