Submission

The Earl of Dreadfort moved closer to the fireplace. The flames cast a scorching red glow over his bloodless, ice-sculpted face, making his features seem even colder and sterner amid the shifting light and shadow.

"If the long winter comes, The North's most pressing problem will be stockpiling enough food to survive it. More than a year of war has nearly consumed this year's entire harvest, Lord Eddard."

Lord Eddard nodded slowly. "I have ordered White Harbor to purchase southern grain with all its strength. Wyman Manderly sent someone to contact me a few days ago. Trade has been progressing smoothly."

[White Harbor is The North's principal trading port, located at the mouth of the White Knife. It is the smallest of Westeros's five great cities.]

Roose Bolton cast a sidelong glance at his liege. "Lord Eddard, forgive my frankness, but the more grain we purchase, the higher its price will rise. Our needs are a bottomless abyss. This will completely drain The North's wealth."

Lord Eddard fell silent for quite some time, his expression grave. The gray eyes of the Direwolf shifted toward Lord Roose. "Let me hear your proposal."

Lord Roose did not answer at once. Unhurriedly, he pulled over a chair and sat down. After a pause, his quiet yet piercing voice carried through the room. "The long winter is imminent. Your decision now concerns the survival of all The North. If we do not receive aid from the Red Keep, those greedy grain merchants alone will be enough to crush us. The consequences may be even worse than I have estimated. They will show no mercy whatsoever to Northerners."

His pale, slender fingers brushed the armrest as he continued, "We cannot waste any more time with Lord Stannis. It will give the southern lords an excuse