"Earl, news from Seven city. The team of Divine Chosen One Linde Terra, Fortimo Klein, and Ser Joel has crossed Wolfswood Bridge and will arrive at Winterfell in about half a day," Maester Luwin said to Eddard Stark, who was reviewing documents, as he held a letter and knocked on the door of the Duke's study in the castle.
Duke Eddard nodded after hearing this, then quickly signed the documents in his hand and handed them to Vayon Poole, the steward, who was waiting nearby. He said, "Arrange the banquet according to the specifications on this."
Vayon Poole looked down at the documents, frowned slightly, and said, "Earl, won't this be too simple?"
"This is the standard banquet specification for receiving an Earl," Duke Eddard said in a deep voice.
"But Lord Linde Terra is not an ordinary Earl. He also has the identity of Chosen of the Seven…" Vayon Poole reminded.
Duke Eddard said in a deep voice, "What belongs to the Gods belongs to the Gods, and what belongs to the secular belongs to the secular. We only need to fulfill our secular duties; we should not interfere in the affairs of the Gods."
"Yes, I understand," Vayon Poole nodded and withdrew.
"Is there anything else, Maester Luwin?" Duke Eddard turned to Maester Luwin and asked.
Maester Luwin said with a serious expression, "Earl, last time Earl Terra led a thousand-mile assault to retake Kalin Bay, allowing your army to pass through Neck smoothly. This time, he again traveled thousands of miles to escort a group of prisoners to the Wall. For both sentiment and reason, you should personally go outside the city to greet him."
Duke Eddard was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "I understand. I will change my clothes in a bit and go with Catelyn to greet him outside the city."
After hearing this, Maester Luwin said nothing more and turned to leave.
Duke Eddard sat for a while, then got up and walked out of the room towards the courtyard. At this time, Catelyn should be playing with the children in the courtyard.
Although he had made a decision, Eddard Stark still pondered matters related to Lynd in his mind.
Lynd had recovered Kalin Bay that day, helping him out of a predicament, and then achieved great military exploits. From the descriptions of Jon Umber, who fought with him, filled with admiration, it was not difficult to see that he was brave in battle and deeply popular.
However, Eddard always disliked Lynd, mainly because Lynd had interfered in the affairs of the Gods, attempting to stir up religious disputes in the judgment of the Iron Islands. Secondly, Lynd had also privately seized the spoils that the Iron Islands had plundered from the West, which was an unforgivable grave crime.
Yet, in the end, Robert, knowing full well the crimes Lynd had committed, pardoned him and even made him an Earl, granting him Summerhall, which went against the fairness of the law.
What Duke Eddard disliked most was Lynd's pretense of acting in the name of the Gods. Rumors from the South had already made him out to be the savior chosen by the Seven, and even Brother Chale in the castle had begun to devoutly believe that set of lies. Even his wife, Catelyn, under the influence of Brother Chale, started believing that nonsense.
"It's fine! It will just be one day, just one day," Duke Eddard took a deep breath, calming the vexed emotions in his heart, and muttered softly.
Soon, Duke Eddard arrived in the courtyard, where Catelyn was sitting in a small gazebo, embroidering with nuns and maids. Sansa sat between them, watching their movements with great interest. The nun had taught her very well; her upright posture and gentle demeanor made her look like a perfect lady.
In the cradle to Catelyn's left lay Bran, who had been born not long ago. He repeatedly pulled his hands out from the small blanket, grasping at something in the air, and Catelyn repeatedly tucked them back into the blanket.
And in the small high chair to Catelyn's right sat Arya, just over a year old. She was vigorously turning her head to look at the noisy open space in the courtyard, as if something interesting there was attracting her, and the small wooden fork in her hand was constantly waving, as if imitating some movement.
In the open space of the courtyard, under the guidance of Master Rodrik, Robb was sparring with his foster brother Theon Greyjoy using practice wooden swords. The two exchanged blows back and forth, looking quite proficient, like two young knights.
Theon had been in Winterfell for almost a year now. He had gradually adapted to life here and had become good friends with Robb. It was believed that they would become good brothers in the future.
Standing at the entrance of the courtyard, looking at this peaceful and harmonious scene before him, Duke Eddard felt that he could stand there all day, and even more hoped that such a scene could last forever.
Unfortunately, as a Duke, he did not have that much free time, and not only did he have a large number of official documents to process, but he also had to meet some people he did not wish to see.
"Ned, have you finished all your affairs?" When her husband walked into the courtyard, Catelyn seemed to sense it, shifting her gaze from her weaving. Upon seeing Duke Eddard, she put down her things, stood up, and went to meet him.
Although she was already the mother of four children, Catelyn did not appear too old. As a famous beauty from the Riverlands, she now looked even more mature and enchanting, making her more charming.
"Hmm!" Duke Eddard looked at his wife with affection and nodded, then said with a reluctant tone, "You will have to come with me to greet someone later."
Catelyn frowned. In her opinion, it was somewhat inappropriate for a lady to go and greet someone, unless the other party's status was extremely noble and special.
"It's Earl of Summerhall, Linde Terra," Duke Eddard directly spoke Lynd's name.
"Oh, it's the Godsworn," Catelyn showed a look of realization, and the hesitation on her face completely faded, replaced by a hint of anticipation in her eyes.
Catelyn's change in expression was also observed by Duke Eddard, and a hint of displeasure arose in his heart.
Although Duke Eddard had only wanted to simply greet Lynd's escort team with his wife and a few others, including the Maester, Catelyn clearly did not want it to be so simple. In her words, they represented the dignity of both the Stark and Tully families and could not be dealt with casually, which would make them lose face in front of the people of The Reach.
So, from the Maester and steward down to the cooks and blacksmiths, everyone in Winterfell was summoned. Even children like Robb and Sansa were brought along.
Just as Catelyn was very excited, Robb and Sansa were also very excited about Lynd's arrival, because in recent years, various legendary stories about the Godsworn had completely replaced the old and terrifying tales told by their old nanny. Brother Chale had also become their favorite person to pester, because only from Brother Chale could they hear the latest stories about the Godsworn.
Now that the Godsworn from the stories was coming, they were naturally exceptionally happy. Robb put on the leather armor the leather craftsman had made for him not long ago and draped his long-cherished deerskin cloak over his shoulders, while Sansa changed into her most beautiful dress, making herself look more like a noble lady from the South.
Compared to Robb and Sansa's excitement, Theon seemed a bit uneasy. He even wanted to pretend to be sick and find a place to hide.
Although a year had passed, Theon could still remember that trial, and what he remembered most vividly from that trial was the Lost Country Knight's helmet held in Lynd's arms, especially the fierce flying dragon on top of the helmet.
In his mind, that flying dragon had become the embodiment of that trial in his memory. Every time he dreamed, that flying dragon would appear and destroy everything in his dream.
Soon, the guard Vary, from the outer wall's watchtower, saw a team of people on King's Road at the edge of his vision, appearing from the top of a hill and advancing towards them. As an archer, he had excellent eyesight and quickly made out the riders at the front of the team, holding high banners with a red background and a longsword, and a golden rose flag.
"They're here! They're already here!" The guard Vary leaned on the railing and shouted loudly to the people below.
Hearing the sound, everyone stood in their positions on the castle training ground. Catelyn pulled a reluctant Duke Eddard to stand at the very front of the procession.
"Damn it! Are we greeting the King?" Eddard looked at the people beside him and couldn't help but curse.
In fact, not only Duke Eddard felt this way, but when Lynd arrived at the training ground with the Winterfell guards leading the way, he also had an illusion of having traveled ten years into the future, to the scene when King Robert first arrived at Winterfell. The only difference was that the Stark little ones had not yet grown up.
When Lynd appeared before everyone, even Eddard, who had already dealt with Lynd, couldn't help but feel a hint of awe.
A warhorse, taller than ordinary horses and clad in shining armor, stood at the very front of the procession. On the warhorse sat a tall knight wearing dragon-helm armor and carrying four weapons. Beside him was a giant beast with black and white stripes, its size even surpassing that of the warhorse.
Although everyone had learned everything about the Godsworn Lynd from various legends, seeing the legendary figure from the stories and the things around him with their own eyes still left everyone deeply shocked.
"Lord Eddard, it's been a year, and you're still as spirited as ever," Lynd dismounted his horse upon reaching the crowd and proactively saluted Eddard Stark.
"It's been a year, Lord Linde, and you are still as magnificent as ever," Eddard also politely replied, then introduced his wife, children, and vassals to Lynd.
Seeing the yet-to-grow Young Wolf and Sansa, Lynd also found it very novel. Arya made him recall something Velas had once said, suggesting that the Thousand-Faced God who appeared in Winterfell at that time must have been waiting for the unborn Arya.
And when he saw Bran, still in swaddling clothes, he asked Lady Catelyn, "May I hold him, Lady Catelyn?"
"Of course," Lady Catelyn nodded quickly and handed Bran from her arms to Lynd.
Lynd took Bran, looked at him, wanting to discern any special power from him, but found nothing unusual.
At this moment, Glory also came over and stood behind Lynd, its large head passing over Lynd's shoulder, looking down at Bran. At this point, Lynd also switched to Glory's shared vision.
Catelyn, seeing Glory approach, felt a bit nervous and wanted to say something, but Eddard held her back.
Then, Lynd, having found nothing, returned Bran to Catelyn and spoke some blessings, which immediately relaxed the initially tense Catelyn, and a smile appeared on her face.
Lynd also introduced Fotimo and Joel to the people of Winterfell. After learning that Fotimo and Joel were both master swordsmen from The Reach, the Winterfell warriors, led by Master Rodrik, all hoped to spar with the Southern sword masters later.
Fotimo and Joel did not object; they expressed their desire to witness the combat techniques of the First Men of the North.
Then Lynd and his companions were welcomed into the Great Hall. The pre-prepared food was heated and served, and the welcoming banquet proceeded smoothly.
However, there was a slight problem with housing the prisoners, as Winterfell had never housed so many prisoners before, and the cells were simply insufficient.
"Let them stay in the courtyard themselves!" Joel grabbed a goose leg from a platter, took a bite, and then said to the jailer who came to report the situation, "Give them some food, they won't escape, and don't worry about them doing anything bad. With Lynd here, these vicious fellows are now as pious as the most devout believers."
Hearing Joel's words, Brother Chale, the Winterfell Septon, asked curiously, "Did something happen on the way?"
Joel then recounted how the prisoners on the road had confessed to Lynd, weeping bitterly one by one, and eventually transforming into devout believers, narrating the entire process in the Great Hall.
Brother Chale exclaimed "Seven above" repeatedly, and Catelyn, also one of the few followers of the Seven in the Great Hall, felt even more sacred and expressed to Lynd her wish to confess to him once.
Duke Eddard, listening nearby, frowned intensely, his displeasure almost written on his face, but he did not try to dissuade his wife.
After the banquet, Fotimo and the others were pulled to the training ground for a spar and to digest their food. Lynd was led by Brother Chale to the Sept next to the Great Hall, and Lady Catelyn also followed, intending to confess to Lynd.
Duke Eddard entrusted his children to the nuns and the Maester, and he also followed to the Sept.
However, before Duke Eddard could enter the Sept, he was turned away by Lady Catelyn, who was about to confess to Lynd. Brother Chale was also similarly sent outside the Sept.
Inside the Sept, after only Lynd and Lady Catelyn remained, Lady Catelyn began to confess to Lynd. She confessed about trivial matters, and a few times, although she referred to Jon with a pronoun, she quickly changed the subject to other things, perhaps feeling that such matters were family affairs and not suitable for outsiders to know.
However, even though they were just trivial matters, the information provided was enough for Lynd to understand the situation in Winterfell over the past year.
For example, Lynd had predicted a second extreme cold disaster, but it did not occur. He thought he had predicted wrongly, but in reality, he was not wrong; it was just that the second extreme cold disaster only occurred in the North, and the time interval between its appearance and the first extreme cold disaster was only five months.
Just as the first extreme cold disaster appeared very suddenly, the second was also extremely sudden. Although the lords throughout the North had made some preparations, they still suffered heavy losses, and many people froze to death.
The worst part was that many people from the nearby mountain clans died due to the extreme cold disaster, and their supplies ran out, so large groups of them came out of the mountains to plunder the North.
Although these people were eventually suppressed by the Northern lords, they still caused considerable losses.
This was also why most of the Northern villages Lynd and his companions had passed through earlier were abandoned, and even if not abandoned, they were very desolate.
For the North to fully recover, it would likely take at least ten years.
Although Lynd still had many questions about the North, just as when he listened to the prisoners' confessions earlier, he never spoke, only listening quietly.
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