Chapter 5 – Karhold
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Ulfric walked without a sign of doubt. He didn't know where he should go or what he will find, but he knew that he must go. He walked without a proper destination, but he was determined. The words of the unicorn gave him an aim. The aim of his life. He let his instincts guide him. Help. Go. Big land. Look. See. Know. Help. The words he will never forget.
The land was far friendlier than Skagos. The ground was dark brown. He knew that this kind of ground is perfect for growing plants. He has talked in his life with several peasants about agriculture. The weather was almost the same or at least a bit warmer, than what he was used to.
He saw a man guarding his herd of sheeps at the foot of a hill. Ulfric walked up to him. The shepherd looked at him, but said not even a word.
- Good day. Where am I?
- Good day to you, as well. I haven't expected a question like this, to be honest. You don't know, where you are now? How is that so?
- I travelled here from another land. I don't know this place.
- Then why did you come here? It wasn't a wise idea.
- It wasn't an idea from me. I had to come here. I had no choice.
- Oh, I see now. Well, you're on no man's land. Twenty years ago two big noblehouses fought each other. One perished, the other almost perished. Once House Karstark ruled over these lands. Now we have many little noblehouses killing each other till this day to take control over this place.
- So it's chaotic here. I thought, the Warden of the North would not let a war ... in the North.
- Huh, good point. Some say the Starks aren't what they were, that they are weak. There are rumors that they caused this war intentionally, so after it they can put their own people in charge. The relationship with the Karstarks and the Boltons was bad for decades. They wanted to weaken them so that they have a better position.
- So you're saying that people killed and are killing each other and noone do a thing against it.
- More or less.
- Pathetic. What a waste of human lifes. What has the king said to this madness?
- Nothing. The old king didn't give a shit about the North. He had to fight several battles against the Greyjoys and the Tullys. His son, the young king has his own problems now. The Vale is invaded by the clansmen for years now, they are at war with the knights. And folks are saying that the king's brother wants to kill the king and take his throne. Our noble king has no wife nor children yet, so his brother is in a good position. Our noble king has no time for tiny troubles in the far North.
- I see. Is there something to be seen around here?
- Strange question. Karhold, once the most important town of these lands, is nearly destroyed. You can see it's demolished towers from here. I doubt that you would find anything there. But, really, what do you seek? Shelter? Why did you escape from Skagos? Have you committed a crime?
- Why do you think that I'm coming from Skagos?
- You said, you're coming from another land. And you don't look like an Essosi, but more like a stoneman from the isle of Skagos.
- Well, I was told to come here.
- Exile?
- Not exactly, but we can say that. My business.
- Your business. So, I think that there is nothing to be seen here. You will find only ruins, ravaged lands, dead bodies. The Gods have forsaken this place. Go. Go away. Go to Dreadfort, southwest from here. The Boltons need people for their rebuild. Or go to Last Hearth. Lord Umber like the Skagosi. You should only follow the sunset.
- Thank you. May the Gods protect you.
- They can't hear our words from here. I tried it.
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The devastation in the town was astonishing. Burned shacks, overturned wooden palisades, destroyed barns, demolished towers. The former town was empty. Ulfric could hear only the wind, but nothing else. This was the silence of death.
As he was going along on the mud covered road, he noticed a little cemetery. It was uncared and full of weed. But in front of the only clean grave, there were new flowers. An old, half-handed man was standing there and spoke to the grave. He had no hair and wore a long necklace of chains. His face showed no emotion, but his eyes. They were full of grief.
- Greetings.
- Greetings. Do you come to visit your family members?
- No. I don't think they are resting here.
- Then why are you here, within these ruins? Noone lives here anymore. No valuables, everything was stolen. Even this cemetery was robbed.
- I wished to see this. The result of war.
- Then see this. This pointless death.
- You seem, you're still loyal to your lord and his family.
- As the master of Karhold, I have to serve it, till my death.
- What did really happen?
- Owen Bolton started a war two decades ago. He wanted to get all the bronzewood the Karstarks owned. He declared a different casus belli, but his true motives were clear. Then many people died. All of the members of House Karstark was killed. Karhold was destroyed. But the Boltons suffered numerous losses, too. They retreated to Dreadfort, still licking their wounds to this day. Now small Houses are killing each other here, so that someone will become the new Lord. The one who will triumph, will have a tremendous work to do, to rebuild these lands. Maybe life will win over death. I hope it.
- Can I find here books?
- Can you read?
Ulfric just glared at the half-handed master.
- Well, as you can see it, nothing survived the destruction of war. My tower was burned. The few books I managed to save have been taken away by the Boltons. As I said, nothing is here.
- You're here.
- I'm just a shadow now.
- Come with me, tell me the stories of these lands and the North, and I will get meat for you in exchange. I'm a hunter. I've seen some deers in the woods. We will be fine.
- You don't understand. I belong here. I shall never leave Karhold.
- Do as your principles command. But as I can see it, there is no Karhold anymore.
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He set up a firecamp before sunset. He was able to get a rabbit with his bow. As he skinned the animal, he was thinking about the master and his words.
Ulfric knew that bronzewood is a precious and extremely rare material. The wood was used to craft weapons, buildings and ships. He saw once a bronzewooden shield by one of the merchants who sailed to Skagos. It was wonderful, strong and light. It was not for sale. The merchant was just bragging with it. The merchant told him that bronzewood is hard to find. It grows only in the North and somewhere in Essos. Or at least, that's what he said. Ulfric knew that merchants weren't the most reliable sources of information.
The stupid old man. He is wasting his life. What a useless way to live. But Ulfric wasn't surprised. He has experienced the absolute loyalty of the masters. He found that an odd mix of noble behavior and blind fanatism. An oath can be really a pain in the arse.
As he was chewing on the thigh of the rabbit, he heard noises. A man was running towards him, and two other were after him.
- Stop, you filth.
The gasping, chased man felt in a root. He was crawling up to the leg of Ulfric. He stared in the eyes of him. Ulfric had to make a decision.
He grabbed his bow and pointed to one of the chasers.
- Not one stop closer!
- Have you lost your mind, buddy? Get out of our way!
- What do you want from him?
- Not your business, buddy.
- Enough, Tym. My name is Rolfe, stranger. That man, shaking behind your legs, is a traitor. We would like to take him with us.
- They will kill me – shouted the man, still laying on the ground.
- Shut up.
- As I said, we will take him with us. The Lord will decide about his fate.
- What has he done?
- Nothing!
- He was spying for the Boltons.
- It's a lie. I would never ...
- A man saw him drawing our town's walls and roads to a paper.
- No, it wasn't ...
- So, please, stranger, step away. We have nothing to do with you.
Ulfric hesitated. Tym was moving slowly to Ulfric's right, he was trying to get to his back.
- Noone moves! – shouted Ulfric.
Suddenly, the chased man took out a knife behind his belt and started to run towards Tym. Tym was surprised and raised his club too slow.
- Arrrrrrrgh.
The assumed spy was on the ground, crying and shouting. An arrow pierced through his thigh.
- I said, noone moves.