Chapter 22
Robb's POV (Age 11), 291 AC Moon 07
The Godswood used by the people of Greywater Watch is unique in Robb's opinion. Winterfell's Godswood was found in the middle of a forest and surrounded by nature, the Godswood Robb, Lord Reed, and his family went to was situated on a small island in the middle of the lake that the castle was resting on. The Heart Tree in the middle stood as the sole tree on the island, otherwise, there were dozens of plants, bushes, and flowers scattered all around.
Directly below the Heart Tree, and slightly in front of it, was a large throne made out of a mess of interconnected, still-growing willow branches. It was lined with bronze along the seat itself along with the backrest and armrests, and had more of the green flowers growing around the edges of it, causing the fireflies to swirl around it.
"After the Long Night, many choose to forget their Oaths leaving House Stark as only one of the many petty kings of the North with only three minor houses to call upon House Reed, House Umber, and House Mormont. This is the throne of the ancient Marsh Kings, my Lord. Millennia ago, when the Starks first started uniting the North, the first of the petty Kings to fall to the Starks was the Marsh King. The Marsh Kings were cruel.
They practiced the worst of blood magics, sacrificing thousands of crannogmen to build this sacred throne, and to enchant their weapons to be stronger than any other in the North. The Founder of House Reeds was a Crannogman himself, seeing the suffering of his people, the then Lord Reed made a pact with the Stark, we would forever bend the knee to Winterfell, and know no King but a King in the North whose name is Stark.
In return, the Stark agreed to cast down the Marsh Kings, to free our people from their tyranny. It was here, in this very hall, where King Rodrick Stark struck down the Marsh Kings. It was here where House Reed first swore fealty to the Stark of Winterfell. I could think of no place better for us to speak of such things."
I walked up to the throne and sat down, "What other magic can you do?"
"I and Jojen have some small gifts for the greensight. Meera and Jayen can warg. I cannot see much of the future, only getting confusing dreams all garbled in different symbolism. All I could tell you of them is to be wary of the dragon, the lion, and the hidden enemy deep in the North." Howland said, looking at me.
Yeah, I knew all of that already. Jojen Reed was the same age as his sisters and Meera Reed was the same age as Bran.
"I am much better at scrying the present, however. Stretching my senses far and wide through the Weirwoods I can see much of what happens." He told me with a small smirk.
"Good, that makes this easier. Lord Howland, your family was one of the first to kneel to the Stark, as you said, and your House has been our most loyal ever since. I need that loyalty and your skills. Can I count on you?" I asked him, actually sitting down on the throne of the Marsh Kings as I spoke. I could feel a tingle run through me as I did, a remnant of some old magic long since faded away.
Howland immediately got on one knee, bowing his head. His family followed his actions.
"To Winterfell, I pledge the faith of Greywater. Hearth and heart and harvest I yield up to you, my lord. Our swords and spears and arrows are yours to command. Grant mercy to my weak, help to my helpless, and justice to all, and I shall never fail you. I swear it by earth and water. I swear it by bronze and iron. I swear it by ice and fire." He said, a rather intense look in his eye as he looked at me.
"I accept your oath, Lord Reed. As long as Greywater never fails me, you shall always have bread and salt at my home, and a place at my table. I shall grant mercy to your weak, help for your helpless, and justice for all. This I swear by earth and water, by bronze and iron, by ice and fire." I responded, returning his gaze with one of my own.
"Now stand!" I said, as I jumped up out of the chair, and helped Howland back up to his feet.
"The task I have for you is a simple one, but most certainly not easy. I need you, and your most trusted men, to gather as many greenseers and wargs as you can find in the North. I need you to find loyal, trustworthy, men and women and train them. Train them in archery, and stealth. Train them in poisons, and assassination.
Then send them to Winterfell. My spymaster will integrate them into the Northern Spy Network. The North is growing stronger, but we cannot stand up against the might of the entire South. We do not know about what they are doing, or what they think of us, and this lack of knowledge could be our doom.
Lord Reed, I need a specialized force of wargs that can be used as spies, scouts, and even warriors in battle. Can you do that for me?"
Lord Howland was triple my age, I was still taller than him, however, so I was looking down at him. He returned my gaze steadily, not flinching at all.
"Your wish is my command, my Lord," Lord Reed said, giving me a confident smile.
"Can I do the ritual now?" I asked.
"Please, by all means."
I turned toward the weirwood tree and knelt. Took a bowl and placed it nearby, mixed the root shaving, weirwood sap, and my blood in equal parts. After draining the paste in a sack, he dug under the weirwood tree put the sack there, and filled the hole back.
Standing up, I put my hands on the side of the carved face. His voice was firm.
"I am Robert of House Stark. Lord of the North. King of Winter. By ancestral claim, by the pledge of First Men and Green Men and the Children true, bound in blood and bronze and iron thrice over, in the God's Eye, Upon the Fist, in the place where Winter Fell at the end of the beginning, I claim this land for man. By Right of Oath. By Right of Blood. By Right of Conquest."
Jojen POV (Age 09), 291 AC Moon 07
Just as Lord Stark did the ritual. The Godswood teetered suddenly as if weighed down by the weight of the world. His eyes seemed to mist over with white fog. He barely remembered it happened. It was vague and distant, like a dream.
The Heart Tree looked serene now, somehow. Almost at peace.
Robb's POV (Age 11), 291 AC Moon 08
The rest of our time in Greywater Watch was spent without much excitement. I sparred with crannogmen, their unique style of fighting with spears and daggers in close combat was unique.
He had made a quick trip to Flint's Finger and stayed there for 3 days. A day was spent feasting with the Flints. Second day in Godswood and resting later on. On the third day, I sparred with whoever was willing.
And I was leaving for Moat Cailin and from there White Harbor to spend my winter. It has been decided that Jojen will come with us.
Third Person POV, 291 AC Moon 09
"That's White Harbor?" Jojen said with a look of awe on his face from the litter.
After a few weeks of traveling across the North Robb, Jojen, and their men had finally made it to the only city in the North.
"It's amazing," Robb said as they entered the city. White Harbor was the only city in the North and one of the few cities in Westeros. White Harbor was the North's lifeline for sea trade and trade with Essos. The city was simple but big, with merchants, people, and shops all around.
Off into the distance, Robb saw New Castle, the home of House Manderly. It was simple but well-built, just like most castles in the North.
"It's cold," Jojen said.
"It's the sea, it makes White Harbor cold most days. And Winter is Coming" Lord Wylis Manderly said with a laugh as he took in a deep breath. "But you get to smell the sea every day, perhaps I'll teach you, boys, to fish during our free days. It is quite relaxing and may save you if you are ever hungry and near the sea." The Lord said as Robb and Jojen nodded.