Chapter 15: The Threat of the Rockborn

Dominic Bolton was passionate about history. In the halls of Winterfell, he sat before Eddard Stark, telling the children of Winterfell about Skagos Island and the Rockborn who lived there.

"The Skagosi, like the wildlings beyond the Wall, speak the Common Tongue. Some tribes might still use the Old Tongue and worship the Old Gods, much like the First Men of the North and the wildlings. Some maesters at the Citadel classify the Skagosi as wildlings, believing them to be descendants of seafaring adventurers among the Free Folk, making them a maritime branch of wildling culture. Others argue that their customs align more with the mountain clans of the North. Some scholars even suggest that the Skagosi might have Ibbenese blood."

"Regardless of whether they resemble the wildlings or the mountain clans more, the Skagosi are a fierce and warlike people who have preserved many savage traditions—such as offering human sacrifices to the weirwoods. Many ancient texts mention their practice of cannibalism, especially during the harsh winters."

Sansa shivered. "That's horrible."

Bran tapped his spoon against his bowl. "What's so scary about that? Old Nan's stories are much worse! She said that the Skagosi would raid the nearby island of Skane, kidnap women, kill men and elders, and feast on their flesh for half a year!"

Sansa turned pale with fear. Robb scoffed, "Old Nan's tales are just meant to scare children."

Dominic smiled. "There might be some truth in those stories. The most authoritative book on Skagos and the Rockborn is The Edge of the World by Maester Bardel. He served as the archmaester at Eastwatch-by-the-Sea for sixty years under Lord Commander Osric Stark."

"The terrifying Skane Feast from Old Nan's stories is also mentioned in The Edge of the World, though with different details. According to Maester Bardel, the Rockborn feast lasted half a month, not half a year. Skane is likely an uninhabited island, its shores littered with white bones. Passing ships avoid it, and sailors claim they can still hear the wails of the spirits of the slain. I believe this story has a strong basis in reality."

Robb and Jon both tensed. After all, Old Nan's tales were one thing, but accounts written by maesters were another.

Eddard Stark gave Dominic an approving look. "Dominic, you're like a walking library. You even know so much about the desolate and savage Skagos."

Dominic humbly replied, "Lord Eddard flatters me. I simply enjoy the battles, heroes, and stories in books."

Theon sneered. "I stopped believing in stories the moment I was weaned. Foolish tales are just the ramblings of old women."

Eddard smiled. "Theon, you, Jon, and Robb should learn from Dominic. Read more books. Knowledge sharpens the mind. If you wish to become strategists or leaders, reading will aid you."

Robb and Jon nodded solemnly, while Theon responded half-heartedly.

Eddard added, "Of course, if you only aspire to be mindless brutes who charge into battle without thought, then reading won't matter. Like Greatjon Umber—he actually asked me for permission to lead an army across the sea in fishing boats to take revenge on the Skagosi."

Greatjon's lands had been raided by Skagosi pirates. The first attack struck the newly established saltworks along the Bay of Seals, where soldiers refined sea salt in the mornings and trained in the afternoons. Since they were new recruits with little training, they were easily overwhelmed when the Rockborn pirates attacked.

The first raid left over twenty dead. A few days later, a raven arrived from Last Hearth, reporting another massacre—Rockborn pirates had slaughtered another village, killing the men and elderly, abducting the women and children, and leaving corpses scattered everywhere. Greatjon was furious and begged Eddard for permission to invade Skagos in retaliation.

Jon Snow looked at Eddard. "Lord Stark, the Skagosi—"

"The Rockborn," Eddard corrected him. "'Skagosi' is a derogatory term. The Skagosi are uncivilized savages, traitors to the North, and our enemies. I will not underestimate them. Disrespecting an enemy breeds arrogance, and arrogance is a grave mistake in war."

Jon nodded. "Fine, then. The Rockborn pirates raided Greatjon's lands. Isn't his request for a military response reasonable? Why do you think it would be reckless?"

Eddard answered calmly, "Jon, if you wish to become a competent commander when you grow up, you must always consider risks. Greatjon wants to gather a fleet of fishing boats to fight the Skagosi pirates at sea. He even intends to land on an unfamiliar island. Can you not see the risks? Think carefully before answering."

Jon pondered for a while. "Greatjon's fishing boats cannot match the pirates' ships. He might be attacked before even reaching Skagos."

Eddard nodded. "Exactly. And even if he reaches Skagos—the island infamous for its terrifying tales of cannibalism—his men will be on foreign terrain. The mountains are rugged, the forests ancient, the lakes unfamiliar. Marching in blindly would likely lead to complete annihilation."

Robb gritted his teeth. "Damn those Rockborn pirates! They swore fealty to Winterfell, yet they keep rebelling. Have they forgotten that House Stark was once their liege? The Rockborn raided Umber lands. Father, as Warden of the North and Lord of Winterfell, how can we tolerate their slaughter and crimes?"

Eddard replied, "I have already ordered Greatjon and Rickard Karstark to kill any Rockborn pirates on sight and destroy their ships whenever possible. However, they must not engage them at sea."

Dominic suggested, "Lord Eddard, Skagos is a backward and impoverished island. If the Karstarks and Umbers unite their forces, and Winterfell contributes men, we could gather a fleet, sail to Skagos, and teach those savages a lesson. The odds would be in our favor."

"Of course, if you were to call upon all of the North—recruiting the crannogmen archers, the cavalry of the Rills, the horsemen and spearmen of the Dreadfort, the knights of White Harbor, the mountain clan warriors, the spearmen and shield-bearers of Deepwood Motte, and the horse archers of Torrhen's Square—we could assemble a grand army at the Bay of Seals, find enough ships, and crush them completely. Subjugating them wouldn't be difficult."

Eddard sighed. "Do you really think the Rockborn will be so easy to defeat?"

Dominic shrugged. "When lords muster great armies, savages flee into the mountains. Justice always prevails over evil—that's what history teaches us."

Eddard frowned. "War is not a game. The last great rebellion from Skagos lasted for years and claimed thousands of lives—including the then-Lord of Winterfell, Barthogan Stark."

-*Thanks to venkat for subscribing in warden of the Realm*

"Help the story climb the rankings! Don't forget to leave a Power Stone and share your thoughts in the comments if you enjoyed this chapter!"