chapter 119 part 2
The arrows shot by the Thorn Legion rained down on the enemy like hailstones—a hundred, a thousand, an uncountable number in an instant.
Many of the mountain clansmen fell, their screams turning into whimpers.
Just then, the second wave of the attack fell from the sky, and the Kleb longbowmen quickly nocked their third arrows.
On the eastern side of the battlefield, Pell stood before a formation of a thousand soldiers.
Thanks to Lord Greene sparing no expense, the weapons of the Kleb soldiers had seen a qualitative improvement. In the dim morning light, their weapons were like slowly blooming steel roses, their sharp points glinting.
The arrow rain from the Thorn Legion slowed. Pell roared, "Beat the war drums!"
*Boom, boom, boom, boom,* the thunderous war drums sounded.
With a clang, Pell drew the longsword from his waist, his voice resounding, "For Lord Greene, fight!"
Pell swung his longsword, and a thousand voices immediately responded, "Long live House Kleb!"
Under Pell's command, the soldiers chanted in unison, marching in large strides toward the enemy.
At the front of the Thorn Legion was a crescent formation of spearmen, like a steel-armored porcupine.
Aemparoa observed the movements on Pell's side, estimated the distance, and then said loudly to Reina beside her, "Pass my order! Final three volleys!"
On the battlefield, longspears thrust from all directions. A warhorse crashed to the ground, spitting blood and dying.
A mountain clansman roared and charged directly at Pell, only to be struck square in the chest by a Kleb soldier's battle-axe, dying instantly.
The Kleb soldier raised his battle-axe high and let out a terrifying roar.
Following this shout, battle cries echoed across the blood-stained battlefield, as if in response.
...
...
Winterfell, the lord's solar.
Eddard Stark sat quietly by the fireplace, his neatly trimmed beard already starting to gray.
Eddard looked up and said, "Catelyn, you will remain in Winterfell."
For some reason, when Catelyn Tully heard her husband's words telling her to stay, her heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Catelyn suddenly felt a surge of fear. "Ned, I beg you, don't leave me behind."
Lord Eddard's tone was unyielding. "No, you must stay."
Catelyn's face was set in a stubborn expression.
After a pause, Eddard explained, "Winter is coming, and I am worried about Robert. I will head south as quickly as possible. During this time, you must manage the North in my place. Winterfell must have a Stark in charge.
Robb is already fourteen; he will soon be a man. He must begin to learn how to rule, and I cannot stay by his side to guide him.
Catelyn, you must personally involve him in your counsel and cultivate his ability to stand on his own. He is my heir; he must be fully prepared."
Her husband's words pierced Catelyn's heart like ice.
Ned wasn't bidding her farewell; he was preparing for the worst.
Catelyn became even more afraid. Would she never see him again? Never again receive her husband's warm embrace?
Catelyn took a deep breath, mustering the courage to ask the question to which she most dreaded hearing the answer. "What about the other children?"
Lord Eddard rose from his chair, walked over, and embraced his trembling wife, his voice gentle. "Except for Sansa and Arya, the other children will stay here to keep you and Robb company."
Her husband's warm embrace soothed Catelyn's uneasy heart. She looked up, puzzled. "Arya?"
Thinking of his little daughter, Arya Stark, Eddard's lips unconsciously curved slightly. "It is past time for Arya to learn southern customs and courtesies. In a few years, she will also need to prepare for marriage... I hope it's not too late."
Catelyn couldn't help but let out a small laugh. Their little daughter certainly needed to learn some manners.
Eddard gently kissed the unshed tear in Catelyn's eye. "I know this is painful, my dearest Catelyn. Thank you."
Catelyn closed her eyes and shook her head slightly. She couldn't bear to part with anyone in her family.
After a pause, Catelyn suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Eddard, asking, "What are the arrangements for Jon?"
Catelyn was referring to Lord Eddard's bastard, Jon Snow.
Catelyn had known since she was a girl that it was common for noblemen to father bastards. Therefore, not long after her wedding, when she learned that Ned had fathered a bastard with a farmer's daughter during the war, she was not at all surprised.
After their wedding, Ned had been with her for only a few days before he hastily went south to fight the Targaryens, leaving her to wait safely in Riverrun, far behind the lines of battle.
Separated as they were, her thoughts at that time were entirely on the babe Robb in his cradle; she gave little thought to the husband she barely knew.
Catelyn could understand that her husband, hovering between life and death, would naturally seek comfort. And if he left a child behind, she hoped he would at least ensure the child was fed and clothed.
But House Stark was different. Ned brought his bastard son home and, in front of everyone, called the boy his son.
No matter how Catelyn pleaded or reasoned, she could not convince him to send the bastard out of Winterfell. At that time, Catelyn thought that no matter who Jon Snow's mother was, Ned must have loved her deeply! This was the one thing she would never forgive him for.
Catelyn had learned to love her husband with all her heart. She could turn a blind eye to as many bastards as Ned wanted to father outside, as long as they didn't appear before her.
However, Jon Snow was an ever-present sight within Winterfell, and every glimpse of him was an irritation.
What Catelyn loathed most was that the bastard grew to look more and more like Ned—even more so than her own sons!
...
Lord Eddard hesitated, then said, "He and Robb get along very well. I hope..."
Catelyn interrupted angrily, "He absolutely cannot stay! He is your son, not mine! I will not have him here. Jon must go."
Catelyn knew she was being harsh, but she was also speaking her mind.
If Ned left Jon Snow in a Winterfell without him, it would do the bastard himself no good either.
Lord Eddard's face was pained. "You know I cannot take Jon south with me. There is no place for him in King's Landing. A child with a bastard's name will be shunned. You should know well enough how people will gossip."
Catelyn had no intention of yielding. Perhaps she wanted to take this opportunity to resolve the issue that had troubled her for years once and for all.
"I hear your dearest brother, our King Robert, has also fathered many bastards in King's Landing, and they are living there just fine!"
Lord Eddard's voice held a trace of anger. "Catelyn, how can you be so cruel to him? He is just a boy!"
Catelyn could see the pain in Ned's eyes as he looked at her, a silent plea in their depths.
Seeing her husband's expression, Catelyn's heart ached terribly, but she gritted her teeth and hardened her resolve. This time, she absolutely would not compromise.
The words of House Tully: Family, Duty, Honor.
Everything Catelyn Tully did, she did to protect the family she loved most.
Lord Eddard looked out the window, his long face remaining silent for a long time.
Finally, Lord Eddard sighed, his voice laced with weariness. "I will take him south with me."
Ned had finally agreed. Catelyn was so happy she wanted to kiss her husband immediately and comfort him.
But Catelyn showed nothing on her face. She understood her husband; her wolf needed time to sort out his thoughts. To appear too excited now would only anger Ned.
She would prepare some more gold dragons for him, so that at least the boy would not have to worry about food and clothing in King's Landing.
(end of chapter)