The sun was already far to the west when the hillside began to turn to plain under the horses' hooves. It had been several days since they had left the green, wet fields to make way for the vast, snow-covered plains.

Since leaving the Twins they had passed by lush forests and sleepy villages, skirted orchards and golden fields of wheat, crossed a dozen streams and climbed steep peaks.

Before reaching Moat Cailin it was common to come across farmers' wagons, merchants' carts and horsemen from lesser houses. Everyone would step aside and look at them in amazement as they passed each other. But from the moment they crossed the neck it was all snow.

Nevertheless, they rode on until, in the dead of night, they came in sight of Winterfell. Torches shone on its bastions, and the moon was reflected in its immense walls. The drawbridge was already raised and the portcullis lowered, but Dany saw lights shining in the guardhouse. Light was also spilling from the windows of the inner towers.

- The last time I was here we had met guards many leagues back," said Jaime, "Now it seems as if no one was waiting for us.

Dany looked around. The truth is that she also expected to see large armies preparing the defense of the Wall. But all she saw were stones and trees next to the imposing mass that was the castle of Winterfell.

It had a first outer wall at least twenty rods high. Behind this, another even higher and, even further away, a third. All these walls were topped by large round towers, so high and distant that vertigo invaded her.

- Apparently the Starks don't like visitors very much - she heard Tyrion say - If you plan to sleep indoors, we'd better go now - we'll spend the night here.

- We will spend the night here, tomorrow we will appear before their gates - answered Dany.

Just after saying this, the drawbridge began to descend, and the sound of the greased chains lifting the castle reached them.

A group of horsemen came out with torches to light their way. Lord Yohn Royce, Lord of Runestone, led the way, surrounded by Stark and Vale guards to welcome them.

- Your Majesty - he said, with a bow. He was a stout man, with a torso like a barrel, and his bow, mounted on his horse, was a little awkward - It is an honor to be the first to welcome you to Winterfell -

- Lord Royce - greeted Dany. She did not know the man except by reputation. He was head of House Royce, one of the most important houses in the Vale, and she knew that he was dislodged by his brother Rhaegar at the tournament of Harrenhal - It is also an honor for me to meet you, Lord Royce -

- Lady Sansa has sent me to tell you that she wishes to receive you under her roof this very night - said Lord Royce - But I am afraid your army cannot be accommodated until tomorrow, there is too little light -

- In that case, my lord, I commend you to assist in setting up the camp.

- And I commend you to set before me a cup of wine and a good roast capon, before I starve to death - Tyrion interjected.

Lord Royce ignored him.

- As you command, your majesty, if you follow me I will show you the way - only then did he deign to look at the dwarf - You and your trusted companions.

Dany bit spurs to trot towards the gates of Winterfell, followed by Jaime, Tyrion and Ser Barristan.

She was tired, bruised and hungry. She had not yet dismounted and was dreaming of a long hot bath, a hot supper and a featherbed and preferred to be greeted in the morning, but knew better than to offend Lady Sansa even before she met her.

And so Daenerys and her entourage entered the Great Hall of Winterfell. It was a huge vaulted hall, with stone walls and more than twenty burning fireplaces. Tapestries with the wolf of House Stark hung on the walls, and a dozen chandeliers marked the way from the door to the King's table in the North. There Arya and Sansa Stark, Eddard's daughters, and their brother Brandon were waiting for them.

- Your Highness - was their greeting - Winterfell is at your disposal.

- You are very kind, my ladies - answered Dany - I thank you for receiving us so late at night - Sansa had reddish hair.

Sansa had the reddish hair, high cheekbones and light eyes of the Tully. Arya, on the other hand, had inherited the Stark features. She was slender, with an elongated face and deep gray eyes.

- Lord Tyrion - Sansa turned to her former husband - I apologize for leaving without saying goodbye the last time we saw each other -

- It was not easy to explain the sudden disappearance of my wife on the day of Joffrey's death - replied the dwarf.

- I'm glad you managed to survive - I'm glad you did.

- You have my brother to thank for that.

All eyes then turned to the Golden Lion. That night Jaime looked splendid. He was wearing his battle armor, thick scarlet enameled steel so burnished that it glowed like fire in the torchlight.

- We are glad to have such a famed knight for the coming war," said Sansa.

- I know. Since I crossed the castle gates all the northerners who have seen me have been jumping for joy.

Dany was amused by the comment, but the lady of Winterfell did not seem to like it so much.

- My lords must be tired after such a long journey - she said with such an icy courtesy that Dany's ears froze - We have arranged for rooms and hot water to clean the dust on the way. I hope that tomorrow you will honor us with your presence at lunch.

- You are very kind, my lady -

The night had slowly unfolded its mantle over Winterfell, a cold and implacable darkness. Outside, snow swirled and drifted through the castle gates, but within the thick stone walls it was warm and silent.

Too quiet, for Dany's taste.

They had reserved the royal chambers in the great keep for her. She was told they were the warmest in the castle. Winterfell stood over natural hot springs, and the boiling waters ran down the inside of the walls like blood down a man's body; they chased the cold from the stone halls and filled the inner greenhouses with a quality of moisture that kept the earth from freezing. In those outbuildings they almost never lit the fireplace. But she didn't like the cold so, as soon as she entered, Dany asked for it to be lit.

On a small polished wooden table a piece of cheese and a jug of red wine had been left for her. The queen poured herself a glass to the brim and sat by the window ready to savor it together when Ser Barristan burst into the room.

- Your Highness, the queen's hand begs to see you -

- Let him come in -

The darkness behind the door engulfed the tall, firm figure of the old knight and then allowed Tyrion Lannister to enter.

- It is a strange hour for a visit - were the queen's words - I imagined you resting after such a long journey - I have never been one to need much.

- I have never been one to need much sleep - he replied as she took a seat without waiting to be invited - This way there is time to do more things - he said.

Dany then poured a second glass of wine for his hand and sipped his slowly. It would help him sleep better when he went to bed.

- Well? - she asked with an inquisitive look - Did you want something? -

- Your Highness, I am your hand. I am here to help you -

- Even at the hour of the wolf? I was just about to go to sleep when you arrived.

- It's the best time, there are fewer little birds listening - he gave her a fierce smile - It's the second time I've seen myself making preparations for a great battle -

- Is there something in my army that worries you? - she asked - With the darkness I couldn't see much, but the castle walls seemed solid -

- I am a layman in strategy, my brother would answer you better to that. I prefer to talk to you about people.

- I am listening -

- You may not have noticed, but you have not been very well received - Tyrion said - Not that you could have expected anything else. The daughter of Aerys Targaryen arrives at Winterfell accompanied by the Imp and the Kingslayer. I'm almost surprised they let you in. Your father murdered Rickard and Brandon Stark, my nephew kills Eddard Stark and my father his son Robb. And the North remembers -

- will also remember that I came here to defend Winterfell -

- Little matter your intentions, your highness - he said - have appointed Jon Snow king in the North and will not bend the knee -

- I don't care whether they bend the knee or not. If Jon Snow is right, his loyalty is the least of my concern right now -

"They're just men. They are not my enemy. The deaths are the enemy.''

- Yes, you care about the Others. The army of the dead - Tyrion stroked his beard - It's a more immediate danger, yes, but unfortunately I can't help you with that. I've never been good with a sword. If they win, it's over. But if we survive this could trigger another war and I know you don't want that.

"I don't know what I want anymore.

- What do you suggest then? -

- You don't need the Northerners - Tyrion said - the North is too big and too divided. The Manderlys of White Port have little in common with the Umbers of Bastion Kar. But they all swore fealty to the same king - he cleared his throat - you only need him -

- I tried in King's Landing - Dany replied - You saw it yourself -

- I can vouch that you tried. You lost a battle, but you can still win the war. Jon Snow trusts his sisters, you can win them over first.

- I don't think they like me very much.

- They don't know you - he gave her a half-hearted smile - You don't lose anything by trying -

- Maybe you're right - she nodded resignedly - I'll think about what you've told me. I thank you for your advice - she got up - I'm tired, we'll continue in the morning -

- As you command my queen - said Tyrion bowing deeply.

That night Daenerys did not sleep well either.