Chapter 64: The Siege of Abyss Keep

The Stern Clan was one of the most powerful clans of the Rockborn on Skagos. After Billy Stern declared his surrender to Eddard, the Frost Clan chieftain, Gewen, and the Ice Clan chieftain, Aes, also followed suit.

Before the heart tree of the weirwood in the Vale of Snow, the three chieftains of the Rockborn clans knelt before Eddard, along with over four hundred Rockborn warriors.

"Under the watchful eyes of the Old Gods, we swear by stone and earth, by trees and streams, by ice and fire, to serve the House Stark of Winterfell!"

Eddard helped Billy Stern, Gewen Frost, and Aes Ice to their feet. "Welcome back under Winterfell's rule! You are now part of the North's army. The pretender king, Samlor Crowl, is doomed to fail."

Billy Stern said, "Lord Eddard, this war was started by the so-called Rock King and his iron whore. So many brave warriors of the North and the Rockborn have died needlessly for his ambition. Driftwood Hall and the Stern Clan are willing to aid the North in defeating the Rock King!"

Gewen Frost added, "Lord Eddard, the Rock King is now making his last stand at Abyss Keep, a fortress that is nearly impossible to breach. However, he does not yet know that the Frost Clan, the Ice Dragon Clan, and the Stern Clan have joined your forces. We can return to Abyss Keep by hidden paths. The Rock King will not be expecting this. With an attack from within and without, the North can take the keep."

Should Eddard accept the Rockborn chieftains' plan? Though they had sworn allegiance, their loyalty was still uncertain. Arming newly surrendered foes was a dangerous risk. But without their help, Abyss Keep would be incredibly difficult to conquer.

Within Abyss Keep, the Ironborn maintained forges and shipyards. As long as the Rock King held the fortress, the Ironborn could continue to supply him with weapons, armor, and longships. The North had to destroy those forges and shipyards to cut off the Rock King's supply lines.

The Ironborn reavers and Rockborn raiders had previously ravaged the North's eastern coast, attacking the lands of House Umber, Karhold, and the Dreadfort, kidnapping over five hundred women and children. They were likely being held in Abyss Keep.

Additionally, many Northern soldiers and commanders had been captured during the raid at Seal Bay by the Ironborn captain, Helya Pyke. Among them were Ser Herman Tallhart, Lord of Torrhen's Square, Wylis Manderly, heir to White Harbor, and his younger brother, Wendel Manderly. These were important Northern nobles, and Eddard had to rescue them.

After carefully considering the plan, Eddard said, "It is a good strategy. You will lead the way, and I will send my men to follow and support you."

He then ordered Jory Cassel, Captain of the Winterfell Guard, to return the Rockborn warriors' weapons, unicorns, and mountain horses.

Jory Cassel hesitated. "My lord, these Rockborn have only just sworn their loyalty. It has not yet been tested. If they betray us in battle—"

"They swore before the Old Gods. I trust they will aid us in taking Abyss Keep," Eddard replied. In truth, he did not fully trust them, which was why the North's main force would march behind them. The Rockborn had been weakened after the battle in the Vale of Snow, with only four hundred left, many wounded. Even if they attempted betrayal, Eddard could easily crush them.

Just then, a raven flew in and landed on the cage. Domeric Bolton, who was in charge of the ravens, removed the message tied to its leg. His eyes gleamed as he read it.

"Lord Eddard, my father, Roose Bolton, reports that Ser Marlon Manderly of White Harbor has arrived in the waters near Abyss Keep with supply ships. The Summer Isles merchant ship Goddess of Love is sailing alongside Marlon's Northern ships. The Ironborn reavers have repeatedly tried to intercept the supply ships but have been driven back by Marlon's men and the Summer Islanders' archers."

Roose Bolton, leading three thousand Northern soldiers, was camped outside Abyss Keep, seemingly preparing for a siege but in truth waiting to receive the supply ships.

Now that the supply ships had arrived, the North's dire food shortage could soon be alleviated. This would completely foil the Rock King and Helya Pyke's plan to starve Eddard into retreat.

"Have the supplies been unloaded?" Eddard asked.

Domeric shook his head. "The waters near Abyss Keep are filled with reefs, and the Ironborn fleet continues to harass our ships. Ser Marlon Manderly has not yet been able to land."

The waters around Skagos were treacherous with jagged rocks. The Ironborn longships were smaller than Northern merchant vessels and Summer Isles swan ships, making them more maneuverable in such conditions.

The Northern army outside Abyss Keep numbered around three thousand. Eddard estimated that the Rockborn inside the keep had around a thousand warriors, while Helya Pyke commanded only four or five hundred Ironborn raiders.

"Has the Magnar Clan reached Abyss Keep yet?" Eddard asked.

"The letter does not say," Domeric replied, tucking it away.

The biggest unknown was the Magnar Clan's thousand-strong force. The Magnar Clan was the most powerful on the eastern side of Skagos. Eddard had previously received reports that their chieftain, Layson Magnar, was marching toward Abyss Keep with warriors from several mountain clans.

Eddard turned to Nonda Maple, a Rockborn scout. "What kind of man is this Layson Magnar? Does he have strong ties to the Rock King?"

Nonda Maple bared his rotten teeth in a grin. "Layson Magnar was once the greatest challenger to the Rock King's rule. He is an ambitious man. While he and the Rock King are not close, the Magnar Clan will stand with him against outsiders."

Could the Ironborn reavers, the Rock King, and Layson Magnar be planning to trap the Northern forces between them? Eddard immediately grew wary.

He gestured for Rickard Karstark to step forward. "Take one thousand Northern soldiers and follow the Rockborn through the hidden paths into Abyss Keep. If Billy Stern's warriors take control of the keep, you will lead the Northerners in seizing the gate and its defensive towers."

Rickard Karstark grinned like a wolf. "Finally, my turn to lead the charge."

Billy Stern, Aes Ice, and Gewen Frost led their remaining Rockborn warriors along the mountain paths toward Abyss Keep, with Rickard Karstark's soldiers following close behind.

Meanwhile, Eddard Stark led the rest of the Northern army along the main road, advancing toward Abyss Keep by the sea.

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