"If we don't fly, we'll only fall to our deaths!"
The Three-Eyed Crow pecked at him and shrieked sharply; Bran Stark cried and pleaded.
The Three-Eyed Crow showed no mercy. It first pecked out Bran's left eye, then his right. When he was completely blind and plunged into darkness, it pecked at his forehead, its terrifying, sharp beak digging deep into his skull.
Bran screamed madly, the pain as if an axe had cleaved his head in two... but when the raven pulled out its sticky beak, covered in bone fragments and brain matter, Bran could see again.
"With two eyes you can see a person's face, with three eyes you can see a person's heart..."
"With two eyes you can see the oak tree now; with three eyes you can see the acorns of the past and the stumps of the future..."
With two eyes you can see the edge of the wall, with three eyes you can... look south to the Summer Sea... and north the Wall of the End...
" Bran! Bran! Bran!"
Maester Luwin's urgent voice finally woke Bran from his dream.
Bran Stark stammered, "Lu... Maester Luwin?"
Bran blinked; this was the first time in his memory he had seen Maester Luwin look so anxious.
Maester Luwin quickly instructed the people standing nearby, "Hurry!"
The scenery before Bran's eyes shifted, and he was already sprawled on the broad back of the stable boy, Hodor.
Bran reached out and grabbed Maester Luwin's robes, his voice calm. " Maester Luwin, tell me what happened?"
"It was Theon. He led the pirates to raid Winterfell. He knows this place well..."
Maester Luwin sighed and continued, "Little Rickon has already been captured. You and Rickon are Robb's heirs; you cannot both fall into Theon's hands."
My brother?!
Maester Luwin ruffled Bran's hair and said, "Don't worry, I'll protect him."
A tall woman smoothed her messy brown hair and said, "The city gates are teeming with enemies wielding short axes and sharp blades."
The Maiden with brown hair and green eyes tightened her belt and said, " Maester Luwin, I will protect him."
The thin, green-robed boy with green eyes spoke up, "We'll head north."
Maester Luwin's kind gaze slowly swept over everyone in the room. He nodded slightly and said, "Go through the crypt. Leave Winterfell from there."
He looked at Bran and continued, "Head north, to the the Wall of the End, to find your uncle, Benjen Stark."
Reaching out to stroke Bran's cheek, Maester Luwin said, "Little Bran, from this day forward... you must be strong!"
In the Winterfell, the hearth fire flickered in the Lord's Hall.
The benches were all leaning against the wall, Winterfell huddled together in small groups, and no one dared to speak.
Theon Greyjoy, dressed in a black coat embroidered with a golden kraken emblem, sat high on the throne of the Stark patriarch.
Maester Luwin, holding Rickon Stark's little hand, stood below the throne.
Little Rickon's childish voice rang out. " Theon, that's Robb's seat."
Theon patted the wolf's head at the end of the massive stone railing, a playful look on his face, and said, "Call me Prince Theon, little guy."
His eyes flickered as he looked at the Maester of Winterfell, and said, "Who could have dreamed of such a thing? Winterfell of House Stark is now in my grasp, Maester Luwin."
Maester Luwin put his arm around Rickon, first gesturing for him to be quiet, then said, " Theon, Lord Eddard is your foster father."
Theon scoffed, "The hostage's foster father? Too bad he'll never come back..."
He looked at the indignant Little Wolf with feigned sympathy, then said, "Your disabled brother abandoned you and ran away. You're really pitiful, little guy."
Maester Luwin pulled Rickon behind him and said, "You mustn't hurt him!"
Theon raised his chin haughtily and said, "Listen! Once the fighting outside is over, my men will gather the remaining inhabitants of the city in the hall. The little boy beside you will come with me to speak to them. He must tell them that he has surrendered and handed Winterfell over to Prince Theon, and that he will command them to obey their new master as they would their former master."
He leaned forward, his voice carrying an undisguised threat. "Understand now, old man!"
Rickon shouted in his childish voice, "I will never surrender!"
Maester Luwin quickly pulled little Rickon back, Theon's smile turning dangerous, "This isn't a child's game, little one."
His gaze turned to Maester Luwin: "My father has donned the Crown of Salt and Rock, and has been crowned King of the Iron Islands. As conqueror, he has the right to annex the entire the North, and you are all his subjects."
He raised his voice slightly, coldly threatening, "If you want to be safe, you'd better obey. Do you understand?!"
Maester Luwin, who seemed to have aged more than ten years in an instant, sadly closed his eyes and nodded slightly.
Theon nodded slightly in satisfaction, waved his hand, and said, "Take them both away."
After the old man and the child left, Theon's attention shifted to the group of noble ladies below.
Theon rubbed his chin with interest... They used to dare to despise or ignore him, but now they've all become his captives.
They were terrified or disgusted, but... if they didn't want to suffer further humiliation, they could only beg or fawn over him; he was now the king here.
"It's a pity there are no House Stark women here, "Theon licked his lips.
Tonight... no... soon... who's the first one? Or two or three together? Theon's eyes were like those of a hungry wolf.
What did Theon see? He saw on their faces... fear... pleading... fawning... anger... hatred...
This is so exciting... Is this the thrill of conquest?!
What else can they do?
Theon couldn't help but laugh, "Hehehe..."
Prince Theon tried to suppress his laughter. "Hoo hoo hoo..."
He was a conqueror. "Ha ha..."
"Hahaha..."
"Hahahaha!"
Theon knelt on the ground, staring at the mud-covered black boots in his line of sight, his eyes filled with fear, his body trembling uncontrollably.
Theon didn't want to kneel, but his limbs were weak and powerless with fear, so he could only kneel on the ground.
Theon, you've disappointed me.
Upon hearing this voice, Theon tried to control his body, his neck turning bright red, and he struggled to lift his head.
Wasn't he dead?!
Why didn't he die?!
Theon's neck veins bulged, like winding earthworms crawling all over his neck.
He roared with all his might, "Hypocritical Stark!"
Everything was over. Theon wanted to die. He couldn't face his current situation and wanted to die at his adoptive father's hands as soon as possible!
Eddard Stark remained tall and imposing, his grey eyes gazing indifferently at Theon kneeling on the ground.
Lord Eddard's face showed no anger?! Theon only saw deep disappointment in himself!
Theon's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white, and he roared like a madman, "Kill me! Stark!"
Lord Eddard's expression remained stern when suddenly someone in the hall roared, "Kill him!"
The others shouted in unison, "Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!"
Amidst the deafening shouts of battle, Theon suddenly smiled. He had achieved his goal... He was the prince of the Iron Islands, What Is Dead May Never Die!
Lord Eddard raised his hand slightly, and everyone in the hall immediately fell silent.
Lord Eddard's voice was as cold as winter. "Child, it is my fault for not teaching you well."
His fingertips dug into his palm, Theon screamed, " Stark! I'm not your child! I'm your hostage! Hostage! Hostage! Hostage!"
When the roar ended, Theon was panting heavily. He opened his eyes wide and stared intently at Lord Eddard.
After a moment of silence, Lord Eddard spoke, "Child, you have committed an unforgivable error..."
Upon hearing Lord Eddard's words, a strange smile appeared on Theon's twisted face.
Lord Eddard sighed softly and continued, "There is a place where you can regain your lost honor."
Theon froze, his pupils contracted, and his resolve to die wavered.
"If you'd like..."
Lord Eddard turned his back to Theon and said, "I can let you Take the Black."
Buzz!
As Lord Eddard finished speaking, the crowd standing around fell silent... They might not understand Lord Eddard's decision, but no one would voice their opposition, because the person standing there was Eddard Stark.
Theon's body trembled again. He hated himself, hated his cowardice, hated that his courage had betrayed him!
Why did he still feel a sliver of joy at escaping death?!
I... I... I just didn't want to die, was I wrong?!
I don't want to die! I want to live!
Theon Greyjoy pressed his forehead humbly to the ground, his voice trembling with tears. "I'm willing to wear the black robes... Lord Stark..."
The Magister's Palace in the city-state of Viserys City-State.
On the footstool, Gryn Crabb looked at Daenerys, who was sleeping with a headscarf on, a smile playing in his eyes... Dany was very particular about wearing headscarves; he hadn't seen her bald since the last time.
Gryn recalled the events of the past few days, and it seemed that most of his memories were of Westeros- style sexual encounters.
Gryn held the sleeping Daenerys tighter, closed his eyes... and...
The following evening, at a lake overgrown with reeds.
... the splashing sound of water...
... a soft, murmuring voice...
The stars twinkled in the night sky, and the lake was as still as a giant mirror, reflecting the beauty of the night sky.
Beside the campfire, Daenerys leaned against Gryn's chest with her eyes closed, a faint blush on her cheeks.
Gryn moved the hand that was around Daenerys's waist, and she chuckled softly.
After a pause, Daenerys turned her head and looked up at Gryn, their eyes meeting.
With tears welling in her eyes, Daenerys suddenly spoke, " Gryn, are you leaving?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Gryn's eyes. How did Dany figure it out? Was it some kind of intuition?
Gryn's brown eyes flickered slightly. He sighed softly and said, "The hatred that Crackclaw Point has harbored for the Vale for over a decade. I am the ruler of Crackclaw Point, and my people are all hoping that I will lead them in a war of revenge."
Daenerys lowered her violet eyes, suppressing her disappointment.
Her voice trembled slightly. " Gryn, I believe... you will win."
Gryn's lips curled up almost imperceptibly as he said, "I'm only sending 6,000 soldiers to the Vale, while the Vale has tens of thousands of cavalry... Do you still believe I can win?"
Daenerys raised her eyes again, nodded earnestly, and said, " Gryn, you will definitely win. I believe you will become a legendary hero, the Gods will bless your war of revenge."
Gryn reached out and squeezed Daenerys's hand, but she lowered her face and murmured, "I will wait here for your triumphant return."
Gryn called softly, " Dany..."
Daenerys didn't respond; she buried her head in Gryn's arms.
Gryn first smiled slightly, then said, " Dany, I intend to conquer the Vale. Do you believe I can do it?"
Daenerys nodded silently in Gryn's arms, then hugged Gryn tightly.
Before long, a warm feeling came from Gryn's chest; Daenerys's hot tears had soaked his clothes.
Gryn sighed again, " Dany, don't you believe I can conquer the Vale?"
Gryn felt Daenerys stiffen slightly; she quietly wiped away her tears, and the two separated.
Daenerys looked up at Gryn, tears welling in her eyes, shook her head, and said, " Gryn, I believe you."
After she finished speaking, she nodded again.
" Dany, thank you for your unwavering trust."
Gryn reached out and gently wiped away Daenerys's tears, saying, "Since you trust me so much..."
With that, he gave a gentle smile and continued, "Come back to Crackclaw Point with me, my princess."
Daenerys's pupils contracted sharply. She stared at Gryn for a moment, then shook her head dejectedly, saying, " The Usurper won't let me go. I can't drag you down with me. I believe..."
The princess of Dragonstone turned her face away and said, "From now on..."
Daenerys wanted to say... maybe there would be a better opportunity in the future... or when her three little dragons grew up... but those things were too far away for her, and she really couldn't bear to be separated from Gryn.
Daenerys even considered having Gryn stay, but she knew that Gryn had finally restored Crabb's rule over Crackclaw Point, and that he had no heir... so she had to abandon the idea.
Gryn gently pulled Daenerys's face back with his finger and asked, "Don't you believe me?"
"I believe it, but..."
" Dany, there are no 'buts'."
"But..."
"No buts, my Dany."
The two stared at each other for a long while, and a tear slid down Daenerys's cheek. She nodded slightly.
Gryn smiled, lowered his head and left a warm kiss on Daenerys's forehead, saying, "Well then... my princess, let me tell you about my plan."
Daenerys's beautiful eyes welled up with tears. She gently touched Gryn's face, and then... pushed him away.
" Gryn, lie down."