Chapter 65: The Fall of Abyss Keep

Hello guys, the translation of this novel is delayed because I am currently writing my own novel about Game of Thrones. I will not drop this, but the publishing will decrease a little.

I hope you go and read my novel called " Game of Thrones: Rise of the Golden Raven "

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Late at night, the cold moonlight illuminated the rear mountains of Abyss Keep.

Billy Stern, chieftain of the Stern Clan, along with Gavin Frost of the Frost Clan and Ace Icefang of the Ice Dragon Clan, led a group of Rockborn warriors who had surrendered to the North. They ascended the stone steps towards the side entrance of Abyss Keep's rear pathway.

A Crowl Clan lieutenant, stationed at the gate, was surprised. "Chieftain Stern, why have you returned?"

Billy Stern replied, "I led the Rockborn to victory over Eddard Stark's northern army in the valley, but my forces suffered heavy losses. I had no choice but to return to Abyss Keep to consult with the Stone King."

Believing Billy Stern was still an ally of the Stone King, the Crowl lieutenant allowed him and his warriors to enter the keep.

As the last of his men stepped inside, Billy Stern swiftly drew a sharp dagger and plunged it into the lieutenant's heart. The rest of the Crowl guards at the gate were quickly dispatched by warriors from the Stern, Ice Dragon, and Frost Clans. With the side gate secured, Billy Stern signaled to Rickard Karstark, Earl of Karhold, who led a thousand northern warriors into the keep.

Together, Rickard Karstark and Billy Stern stormed Abyss Keep, cutting down any Crowl Rockborn they encountered. Many of the Crowl warriors were still half-asleep when the slaughter began, unable to even reach for their weapons before being slain. Some Rockborn from other clans, who had been conscripted by the Stone King to defend the keep, chose to surrender rather than fight.

The Stone King, Samro Crowl, was sleeping under a thick pelt when the sounds of battle erupted in the hall. Startled, he sat up in alarm.

A Crowl lieutenant burst into his chamber. "My lord, the Northern army and several Rockborn clans have breached Abyss Keep! We must flee!"

With the cries of battle drawing closer, Samro Crowl had no time to ask questions. Throwing on a fur cloak, he clutched his stone-crafted crown and fled eastward with a small retinue of personal guards.

Meanwhile, Billy Stern and his warriors rushed to the dungeons, killing the guards and breaking open the shackles.

Inside were several prominent northern captives: Ser Herman Tallhart of Torrhen's Square, Wylis Manderly, heir of White Harbor, and his brother Ser Wendel Manderly, along with dozens of other Northern prisoners. Seeing the Rockborn turn on each other, they were momentarily confused.

Under the flickering torchlight, Ser Herman Tallhart studied Billy Stern. "You are the leader of the Stern Clan, a vassal of the Stone King. Why are you killing his men?"

Rickard Karstark stepped forward. "Billy Stern and several other chieftains have sworn fealty to Lord Eddard Stark. They have abandoned the usurper Samro Crowl and returned to the rule of Winterfell."

Relief spread across the faces of the freed prisoners.

Rickard Karstark declared, "Brave warriors of the North, you have spent nearly the entire war imprisoned. Now, take up arms and let the Rockborn and the Ironborn feel the wrath of the North!"

Ser Herman Tallhart, the Manderly brothers, and the other freed Northerners seized weapons from the fallen Crowl guards and charged out alongside Rickard Karstark and Billy Stern.

Many smaller Rockborn clans, such as the Maple Clan and the Blooddrinker Clan, seeing the Northern army and Billy Stern's forces storming the keep, surrendered without resistance.

The battle raged to the main gate of Abyss Keep, where the Crowl Clan's elite warriors manned the bridge towers and trebuchets. They fought fiercely, but their numbers were too few. Ser Herman Tallhart, Billy Stern, and Rickard Karstark led the assault, scattering the defenders.

With Billy Stern's help, the Northern army seized Abyss Keep. By dawn, the direwolf banner of House Stark flew high over the gatehouse.

Outside the keep, Eddard Stark arrived at the Northern army's encampment. Lords Roose Bolton of the Dreadfort and Galbart Glover of Deepwood Motte came out to meet him.

In his usual quiet tone, Roose Bolton reported, "My lord, Rickard Karstark and Billy Stern have taken Abyss Keep."

Billy Stern had proven his loyalty. The surprise attack by the Rockborn had worked brilliantly.

Galbart Glover added, "Ser Herman Tallhart, the Manderly brothers, and the other captives have all been rescued. We have also captured several Rockborn chieftains, including Alphonso of the Maple Clan and Brandy of the Blooddrinkers."

Roose Bolton continued, "Unfortunately, the Stone King Samro Crowl escaped. It appears he fled east to join forces with Raynson, chieftain of the Magnar Clan."

Eddard Stark smiled. "It matters little. Abyss Keep is ours, and Samro Crowl is now a hunted man. He poses no further threat. What of the Ironborn smiths and shipwrights in the keep?"

Galbart Glover responded, "They have all been captured—about a dozen Ironborn blacksmiths, over twenty Rockborn apprentices, two shipwrights, and more than twenty shipbuilders. Rickard Karstark has imprisoned them, awaiting your judgment."

These craftsmen could be invaluable to Winterfell, aiding in the construction of longships, armor, and weapons.

Eddard asked, "Has Marlon Manderly managed to bring the supply ships ashore?"

Roose Bolton's icy eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "My lord, the Iron Whore's fleet of over thirty longships has been shadowing our supply convoy, preventing them from landing. But it matters not—Rickard Karstark reports that Abyss Keep's granaries are filled to the brim. The Northern army has ample provisions."

Samro Crowl, in preparation for a siege, had stockpiled supplies from many clans. Now, all that food belonged to the North.

Eddard shaded his eyes as he gazed toward the northern fleet and the distant Ironborn longships on the horizon. He wondered where Helen Pyke, the Iron Whore, was lurking.

"Helen Pyke still thinks she's the hunter, waiting to strike at our supply ships," he mused. "She has no idea that Abyss Keep has already fallen. She's no longer the hunter—she's the prey. And I intend to make her pay for her folly."

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