The Starks had ruled the North long before the Dragons had brought Westeros to its knees.
Its banner, the standard of the Direwolf had been flying upon the towers of Winterfell since it had been first built.
They were the greatest descendants of the First Men, who had descended upon Westeros thousands of years ago.
They had presided upon their lands since the time of Brandon the Builder. They had survived thousands of winters.
They had been Kings of Winter, and later on, Wardens and Lords of the North.
But they are no more.
It is not the banner of the Direwolf that is flown upon the blackened walls of Winterfell any more.
It is not the Starks who preside upon the North anymore.
They are now but a shattered line, with its remnants lost and scattered through the land.
Instead it is the sigil of the flayed man that flies above Winterfell.
Winter has come yet again, but the Direwolf is no where to be seen.
