Submission

The Earl of Dreadfort moved closer to the fireplace. The flames cast a blazing red hue over his sculpture-like, bloodless face, making his stern features appear even colder amid the shifting light and shadow.

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

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

[White Harbor is The North's primary trade port, located at the mouth of the White Knife. It is the smallest of Westeros's five major cities.]

Roose Bolton cast a sidelong glance at his liege and said, "Lord Eddard, forgive my bluntness, but the more grain we buy, the more expensive it becomes. Our need is a bottomless abyss. This will completely drain all the wealth of The North."

Lord Eddard's expression turned grave, and he remained silent for a long while. The Direwolf's gray eyes 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 small yet piercing voice carried over. "The long winter is approaching. Your choice now concerns the life and death of all The North. If we cannot obtain support 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 the northerners no mercy."

His pale, slender fingers brushed over the armrest as he continued, "We can no longer waste time with Lord Stannis. It will give the southern