Chapter Five: Eddard Stark

The duel between Kray and Jon is still ongoing, but it seems that the situation is turning against Jon, as observed by the seasoned knight, Ser Rodrik. Despite Jon's quick and tricky attacks with his shorter weapon, he is at a disadvantage due to his limited strength. While Kray has faced several close calls, he manages to stabilize the situation, and Jon realizes that he is tiring.

In each exchange of slashes and thrusts, Jon finds it increasingly challenging to defend himself against Kray, who clearly dominates in terms of strength. After another intense collision, the two step back, and Jon looks at the small nicks on his short sword with a sense of regret.

As a bastard son, Jon doesn't have much savings, and even forging a short sword requires considerable effort and determination. With the sword's blade held against his chest, Kray takes a moment to catch his breath, wiping the sweat from his brow. He keenly notices the slight trembling and involuntary movements in Jon's right hand as he holds the sword.

Realizing Jon's fatigue, Kray leans forward, raising his sword to charge. However, before the final blow is struck, a sword, noticeably better crafted than Jon's, interposes between them. A voice declares, "You've won, friend from White Harbor." The voice is youthful, yet someone intervenes.

Kray, choosing not to defeat the son of the host in his own territory, gracefully retracts his sword and steps back. Despite Jon's protest, expressing his capability to win, Kray feels that the Stark family might not appreciate such contests. The young Stark, revealed to be Robb, advises Jon to change his dirty clothes before their mother reprimands him. Jon, somewhat unwillingly, nods in acknowledgment and follows a guard away from the scene.

With the spectators dispersing, only the guards of the two families, Robb and Kray, as well as Ser Rodrik, remain on the field. "Ser," calls Robb, and Kray responds in kind. Ser Rodrik, with a scrutinizing gaze, looks at Kray and says with seriousness, "Lord Eddard is waiting for you in the Great Hall. Come with me." Robb attempts to join them, but Ser Rodrik's advice about finding Bran prevents him from doing so.

Robb smiled helplessly, gave Kray an apologetic look, and quickly left, draping a wolf-skin cloak over himself. Leading Kray through various passages, Rodrik brought him to the Stark family's Great Hall. This hall, second only to the main castle where the Starks resided, was a vast structure capable of accommodating five hundred people with its eight long tables.

On the elevated platform in the hall, Kray saw an ordinary-looking middle-aged man. However, he was well aware that this man was one of the seven most powerful figures in the entire kingdom, Duke Eddard Stark, the Warden of the North. Without waiting for Rodrik's introduction, Kray bowed and greeted, "My lord Duke."

Eddard waved his hand, and after Ser Rodrik bowed and stepped aside, the spacious platform was left with only Kray and Eddard. Eddard scrutinized the young man who had just defeated Jon; he had inherited the Mandrake family's tall and sturdy build. After a moment of silence, Eddard kindly inquired, "Which member of White Harbor is your father?" Without first asking for Kray's name.

"Lord Wendel Mandrake, my lord Duke," Kray replied. "Wendel... Ah, Wendel. Are you Wendel's son?" As the Warden of the North, Eddard naturally knew about the vassals under his rule. After a brief thought, he remembered who Wendel was and realized Kray's identity—the third-generation heir of House Mandrake!

Hearing Kray's words, Ser Rodrik also showed surprise. He hadn't expected the Mandrake lad he thought of as a distant relative to be the child of an old friend with whom he had good relations.

Kray took out the letter sealed with Lord Wyman Manderly's mark from his pocket and placed it on Duke Eddard's desk. Eddard Duke looked a bit puzzled, but upon recognizing the unique emblem of Lord Wyman, he gained additional trust in Kray's identity.

After reading the contents of the letter, Duke Eddard understood Lord Wyman Manderly's intention. He was asking Eddard to vouch for Kray's identity by conveying the message to all the Northern nobility. While such actions were common when dealing with matters of inheritance, the significance of endorsing the heir of House Mandrake required Eddard's utmost caution due to the family's power.

"Kray Mandrake, trouble you to stay in Winterfell for a few days. I will send a raven to White Harbor to confirm your identity," stated Duke Eddard after mentioning his name in the letter.

Though finding it a bit troublesome, Kray couldn't refute and nodded in agreement. Seeing Kray's prompt acceptance, Duke Eddard's stern expression softened with a hint of a smile. He pointed to the side and said, "Rodrik, you've already met. These days, let him show you around Winterfell. I heard you brought your sister? That's good; she can get acquainted with Robb and Sansa."

Kray had a favorable first impression of both Jon and Robb, so he had no reason to refuse. He realized that his conversation with the Warden of the North had concluded, so he paid his respects and left the hall with Rodrik.

As soon as they stepped out, Rodrik remarked, "Wendel used to talk to me a lot when he visited Winterfell. Now, looking at you, it seems you've inherited your mother's appearance. However, you've got the stature that qualifies you as a Mandrake."

Kray looked at the aging knight and thought that his father's words were indeed true. He did have a good relationship with Ser Rodrik, who had been considered a distant relative. Remembering his father's instructions before leaving White Harbor, Kray said, "Ser, before I came, my father entrusted me with a bottle of wine to repay a gambling debt he owed you." Ser Rodrik paused for a moment, then burst into laughter. Now that Kray's identity was known, the secret gambling debt between him and Lord Wendel was no longer a concern.

He chuckled, "Rare that he still remembers. I thought he was hiding in White Harbor, avoiding me just for a bottle of wine."

The old knight was clearly in good spirits, and he placed an iron hand on Kray's shoulder.

"Lord Eddard is right; you young folks should get acquainted. Come, go have breakfast first, then fetch your sister. Find us at the training ground later."

As the master-at-arms of Winterfell, Ser Rodrik was responsible for training the young Starks in swordsmanship. Smiling, Kray headed to his residence; he needed to wake up his sleepy sister, Vira.