Game of Thrones: The Frozen Throne

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Guys I have some news. Translating this novel is taking up a lot of my time and I have started writing my own novel. I also have a job interview soon, so the pace of uploading chapters may slow down. I apologize for that, but I promise to try to make it no less than two chapters a day. I really apologize for that

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Eddard still remembered that Maester Luwin had once told him that the best blacksmiths of the Iron Islands were gathered in Lordsport. The armor and weapons forged there were considered unparalleled across the Seven Kingdoms. Eddard had previously asked Theon to write to Balon Greyjoy requesting blacksmiths, but Balon had only sent blacksmith apprentices.

The Rockborn of Skagos, much like the mountain clans of the North, the hill tribes of the Vale, and the wildlings beyond the Wall, were divided into numerous tribes. These tribes constantly waged war against one another over land, food, and women, playing a poor man's version of the game of thrones on that island cursed by cannibalism. Because of this, the Rockborn had long been unable to pose a real threat to the North. But now, the Rockborn tribes had somehow unified, eliminating internal conflicts and logically moving on to external expansion. No wonder their pirates had become so rampant.

However, what worried Eddard the most was the Ironborn. The Iron Fleet of the Iron Islands could only be matched by the Royal Fleet of King's Landing and the Redwyne Fleet of the Arbor. The Ironborn were also the most skilled seafarers and naval warriors in all of Westeros. If the Ironborn and the Rockborn truly managed to forge an alliance despite the vast distance between them, it would be a nightmare for the North, which lacked strong naval power.

Balon Greyjoy had always been ambitious—how could he not be? Years ago, he had led the Iron Islands in open rebellion, raising his banners against Robert Baratheon and the Seven Kingdoms. Though the rebellion had been crushed, it had only been six years since then. The Ironborn could not have forgotten the humiliation of that crushing defeat, and the North had fought desperately to suppress their uprising.

Eddard now regretted investing so much in the expansion of the winter town outside Winterfell. If he hadn't rushed the town's expansion, he could have hired ships from White Harbor or the Free Cities, gathered Northern warriors, and sailed across the Bay of Seals to deal with the Rockborn. Recently, Eddard had entrusted the construction of stables, forges, barracks, and the great market to Donnis Arryn. The foundations had already been laid, and the buildings were slowly taking shape. But Winterfell's treasury was nearly empty, with only the incomes from the saltworks and beehives barely keeping it afloat.

Greatjon Umber glanced at Theon and then said to Eddard, "Lord Stark, I actually quite like this boy Theon, but I absolutely despise the Ironborn. It seems the Iron Islands are not just raiding the western coasts; they're also colluding with the Rockborn to attack the eastern shores."

Eddard pondered for a moment. "The Ironborn are indeed very suspicious. However, their armor, weapons, and longships could also be obtained through trade. Is it possible that the Rockborn acquired these materials through maritime trade?"

Maester Luwin responded, "My lord, I find that highly unlikely. The Rockborn don't even have their own currency. According to historical records, they only barter."

Eddard countered, "Maester Luwin, is this conclusion based on ancient records again? We need to look at things with a more evolving perspective. Those records never mentioned the Rockborn being so well-equipped, yet here they are."

Luwin nodded in agreement. "Yes, the records from the Citadel on the Rockborn and Skagos are centuries old. They are indeed outdated. After all, though Skagos is nominally part of the North, it practically functions as an independent kingdom."

Financial advisor Klar shrugged. "I've traveled to all the major ports of the Seven Kingdoms and the Free Cities, yet I've never encountered a single Rockborn, let alone their trading ships. Unless the Ironborn are deliberately sailing all the way to Skagos, there's no way the Rockborn could be getting Ironborn armor and weapons."

For the Ironborn to reach Skagos by sea, they would have to sail south along the Sunset Sea, past Lannisport in the Westerlands, through Oldtown in the Reach, cross the Redwyne Straits, circle around the long and desolate Dornish coast, enter the Narrow Sea, navigate the pirate-infested Stepstones, reach the stormy Shipbreaker Bay in the Stormlands, pass the Crownlands and the Vale, and finally travel up the long eastern coast of the North to Skagos. If the Ironborn were truly transporting weapons, armor, and longships along such an arduous route to a barren island, the only explanation was that they had indeed forged an alliance with the Rockborn.

Theon grew anxious. "The Iron Islands and Skagos are separated by thousands of mountains and waters—such a vast distance."

Roose Bolton smiled faintly. "And yet, the Ironborn are here in the North, aren't they? Standing right beside the Warden of the North is none other than Theon Greyjoy himself."

Theon trembled with rage. Greatjon Umber roared, "That's right! And let's not forget that the commander of Eastwatch-by-the-Sea, Ser Cotter Pyke, is also of Ironborn descent." The name "Pyke" was a bastardy surname for the Iron Islands, just like "Snow" in the North, "Rivers" in the Riverlands, and "Flowers" in the Reach.

Greatjon continued, "Every year, I send grain and gold to the Night's Watch to support their defense of the Wall. But when the Rockborn invaded my lands, I personally traveled to Eastwatch to ask Cotter Pyke to send his fleet to aid us against the Rockborn. Do you know what that Ironborn bastard said? 'The mission of the Night's Watch is to guard the Wall and defend against threats beyond it. The Night's Watch does not interfere in the internal conflicts of the Seven Kingdoms. Skagos is nominally part of the North, and the Night's Watch does not get involved.' What utter nonsense! I suspect that the Rockborn are getting their weapons and armor through ships from Eastwatch."

The men of House Umber, along with the Karstark bannermen led by Rickard Karstark and the Bolton men under Roose Bolton, all voiced their agreement, filling the hall with shouts and anger. Rickard Karstark gripped his sword tightly, seething with fury. "Lord Stark, tell me, who else besides us Northerners even cares about the Night's Watch anymore? Without our food and gold, the Night's Watch would have starved long ago. They claim to protect the Seven Kingdoms, yet every year wildling raiders appear in the Northern mountains, in the Gift, in the Bay of Seals, and even in the Wolfswood."

"The wildlings often row small boats past Eastwatch, sneaking into Umber and Karstark lands. Who's to say the King-Beyond-the-Wall, Mance Rayder, hasn't already infiltrated Skagos? After all, wildlings and the Rockborn are all the same—savages who plunder our lands and steal our children and women."

Roose Bolton spoke in his usual soft voice, "Lord Stark, your brother, Benjen Stark, is the First Ranger of the Night's Watch. Why not have him request Lord Commander Mormont to investigate Cotter Pyke? I believe Balon Greyjoy and Cotter Pyke are working together, aiding the Rockborn in their raids along the Northern coast."

Eddard rested his hands on the direwolf-carved throne, his voice calm and steady. "You have no proof of Cotter Pyke's involvement. When he donned the black, he swore an oath to remain neutral in the conflicts of the Seven Kingdoms. The Night's Watch does not take sides. Do you expect Cotter Pyke to lead the Eastwatch fleet into battle against Rockborn pirates?"

"The Rockborn are Northmen who have turned against us. They have betrayed us. It is time to make them kneel once more—with steel and blood."

The Great Hall of Winterfell erupted in cheers. Greatjon Umber pounded his chest with his massive fists. Roose Bolton gave a quiet nod of approval. Rickard Karstark drew his sword. The Northerners roared with fury and battle cries. "Iron and blood"

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