Tormund stood in the new room looking at the doors. He had come across the ice when the bay started freezing over. In the room with him were the maesters and some tree-kin scholars who had come to see the room as well. There were muted conversations going on around him, but he strode to the runes on the sides of the doors, saying, "I don't know what these other runes say, but these four here say The cave of the slumbering god." The other sounds in the room stopped in shock. One of the maesters muttered, "How..." and Tormund cut him off. "You all think wildlings are stupid, don't you? There is a similar site at the Giant's Stair, though the giants shattered the mountain to get to it long ago. It's been studied for generations by wildlings. These runes are older than the First Men, but not by much, and the First Men remembered them well. Where do you think the wildlings came from, huh? We are the First Men, though much removed by time."
One of the tree-kin scholars spoke up, "He isn't wrong, though we use different words in the west; these runes are the same as ones found all over the west in hidden ruins. At least four sites have turned up very similar specifics. My colleagues and I agree that the other four runes are the name of the magi that slumbers here. To open the doors will require reciting the name exactly." The room exploded with arguments and astonished exclamations; Tormund just turned and walked out with a chuckle. As he walked out of the stone-kin tunnels, the chuckle turned into full-blown laughter.
It was full winter now at Brandon's Rest, and Thomas and Arya were sitting around the fireplace with their children, talking. "You can't go, Arya, Thomas whined. You have too many responsibilities here; look at our children... What would happen if you were lost?" Arya kissed his head. "I love you too, Thomas, but nothing will keep me from going on this expedition. No one is better suited to lead this mission of discovery. I promise I will come back to you in one piece." Young Cate met her mother's gaze. "I will come too, Mommy, to protect you." "No, dearest heart, you must stay and protect Daddy and your brother; only you are strong enough to defend them. Catelyn stood and spread her legs in a fierce battle stance. "I will save them, Mommy!" Arya grabbed her up and smothered her with kisses and tickles, saying, "I know you will, dear."
In another room in the intel building, a dozen sat discussing what was known about the doors. The tree-kin scholars relayed that in only one instance in their history had an intact door been found. And in that time, a team of twenty tree-kin had been assembled to plumb its depths. When the door opened, there was a portal behind it, and as the team entered, only six could go through. The rest had been left behind. The team never returned; the door was closed, and a massive earthquake later destroyed its location. Arguments broke out among them as to who would be best to send. In the end, it was decided: Arya Stark the Blackhand, Brienne of Tarth, Hassan the sand-kin assassin, Leland the tree-kin healer, Intevar Reylamin the tree-kin scholar, and Siora Qinlar the tree-kin mage.
Arya spoke to them all as they assembled in the room a month later. "We're going to get in, discover everything we can, and get out. We leave no one behind, and survival is our priority." The tree-kin scholars and assembled maesters began intoning words one after the other with no success. Various tree-kin tried as well. Nothing was working until one maester said, "What if it is the Grey King here?" As he said the words Grey King, two of the runes glowed briefly. Several variations were said, and though the runes glowed, nothing happened. Then Intevar said, "I veleg thîn aran!" and the doors started opening. People moved clear of the doors' swing, and then Tormund stepped up from the back of the crowd, saying, "I think you need a seventh."
A watery-looking portal appeared where the doors had stood. It wavered and shone in the torchlight. Astonished gasps came from the onlookers. Arya turned to Thomas and kissed him, saying, "See you soon, my love," and marched through the portal. The other six followed through the opening, and all six disappeared. From the back of the room, Bran in his wheelchair said, "Come, we still have much to discuss, and I would trust no one better than my sister to lead them in and out again."
The team stood spellbound by the dark scene inside the portal. Siora cast a light spell, and the area lit up brightly. The walls were of a black, oily stone and stretched 100 feet to another set of doors. Various things that could only be described as furniture stood along both walls, though nothing seemed to be in them. On one wall, above a desk-like object, a giant mural was carved into the black stone. They all stood looking at it. It seemed to be a map of the world of some sort, like a 3d view of the planet from a high angle. Two moons were above the half-horizon of the view. Tormund walked over to this mural and put his finger on what looked like a star shape above the ocean. "What is that?" he said. "It's too low to be a star."