Winterfell.
Hot springs flow inside the city walls, and the hot air condenses into white mist in the cold wind, shrouding the entire castle in a vague veil.
The servants were carrying freshly brewed Ale and freshly baked black bread as they walked through the corridors, their footsteps hurried and their heels barely touching the ground.
In the yard, several grooms worked together to unload a freshly slaughtered steer from the carriage. The blood dragged a long trail on the snow, which was soon covered by new falling snow.
As a castle that had just experienced the ravages of the Ironborn and Flayed Man, the scene here was so peaceful that it almost made people think that the war had never happened.
"It's just a coincidence that you're here, Regicide, we're just about to have a wedding."
In the hall, Ramsay Bolton was sitting in a high-backed chair, with a hint of a smile on his face. His eyes slowly turned and landed on James' right wrist wrapped in gauze, with a slightly sarcastic look on his face.
It seemed as if he, the eldest son of Lannister, had come to Winterfell specifically to eat for free.
However, James didn't pay attention to it. He just grabbed a half-roasted duck rack and concentrated on tearing the meat on it.
Seeing this, Ramsay's disdain on the corner of his mouth became even stronger, and he tapped the table lightly.
A rickety figure slowly walked out of the shadows. His walking posture was very weird, as if he would pull his balls with every step he took.
He was holding a pot of Ale in his hand. He filled up Ramsay's cup first, and then slowly walked to James.
James didn't look up, just pushed the empty wine glass towards the table.
The servant filled it for him.
The sound of Ale being poured into the cup was particularly clear in the quiet hall.
Ramsay picked up the wine glass and took a sip. His eyes never moved away from James' severed hand, and he continued to mock, "It seems that you not only lost your right hand, but also lost your tongue."
Hearing the opponent lift his right hand, James suddenly stopped biting the duck frame.
He slowly raised his head and stared at the other person with his green eyes.
Ramsay seemed very satisfied with this reaction. He shook the wine glass and said loudly, "What a pity. My father has mentioned in front of me more than once that Jaime Lannister is the best knight in the Seven the Seven Kingdoms, but I deeply doubt this."
"But now I'm even more curious. I wonder if you can answer my question. James Ser... If you are really as strong as the legend, how could you let someone cut off a hand?"
This is no longer an innuendo.
Hearing this, James snorted coldly, then tore off a large mouthful of duck meat and chewed it hard. "If you have actually fought on the battlefield once or twice with a sword, you will know that it is not a rumor."
"It's a pity that you don't have it, so you can't understand it no matter how I explain it."
"Oh, I'm so sorry."
As he spoke, James put down the duck bone and knocked on his forehead. As if he suddenly realized something, he said loudly, "I forgot, it is said that your mother is the wife of a certain miller."
"Perhaps for you, pushing a millstone should be more skillful than holding a sword."
As soon as these words came out, the smile on Ramsay's face suddenly disappeared.
His chest began to rise and fall slightly, his eyes stared at James fiercely, and he did not speak for a long time.
Ramsay is indeed an illegitimate child, and everyone in the North knows this.
But since his achievements in retaking Winterfell with a surprise attack were recognized by his father and he was officially given the surname Bolton by the Iron Throne, Ramsay has long forgotten his origins.
What's more, Roose Bolton's frail and sick eldest son Domeric passed away "accidentally" two years ago. Now Ramsay Bolton is the well-deserved heir to the Duke of Winterfell.
In terms of status, he is not half inferior to the eldest son of Lord Jaime of Casterly Rock.
However, this damn cripple dared to mention his origin in front of the servants!
Ramsay gritted his teeth and did not have an attack.
He just looked down at the wine glass in his hand, shook it slightly, then raised his hand without warning, and poured the entire glass of Ale into the face of the servant next to him.
"This drink is too bitter, Reek."
"Change a pot!"
Ale flowed down the servant's sparse hair, but he didn't even blink his eyelids. He just mechanically bent down to take the empty glass from Ramsay's hand, replaced it with a jug of wine and refilled it.
But when he put the refilled wine glass back into Ramsay's hand, Ramsay suddenly stretched out his hand and pinched his chin.
"Reek, do you think this wine is bitter?"
The servant's Adam's apple rolled up and down, and he said numbly, "Bitter... Bitter, Master."
Hearing this, Ramsay actually showed a gentle smile.
"Then pour it out and fall on the ground."
The servant still didn't question this sudden request at all, and poured Ale on the stone slab very obediently, and the splash of wine soaked his bare ankles.
"Very good."
Seeing this, Ramsay nodded with satisfaction, and suddenly ordered, "Get down now and lick the wine on the floor clean!"
"My fiancée is getting married tomorrow, so this place needs to be clean."
Hearing this, James, who was chewing duck meat, stopped.
However, faced with such an insulting request, the servant still did not raise the slightest objection. Instead, he knelt down on the stone floor without saying a word, supported his body with his hands, and stuck out his tongue to lick the ground like a dog.
Why does this person... seem familiar?
James frowned, but no matter how hard he recalled, he couldn't remember where he had seen this spineless guy.
He threw the duck bones in his hand on the table, wiped the oil stains from the corners of his mouth with his sleeves, and sneered, "I think I was wrong."
"Your skill is not just grinding, it's also raising dogs."
"In the Western Region, there is also a family that raises dogs specifically for my father. Their emblem has three black dogs embroidered on them. They always rush to the front during battles because the owner's whip scares them more than the enemy's sword."
After hearing this, Ramsay, who was in a slightly better mood, immediately turned gloomy.
This damn cripple dares to compare me to a servant with a dog!
"Sounds like you have experience with dogs too, Regicide."
Ramsay gritted his teeth and said, "If you're interested, maybe you can join me on my next 'hunt.'"
When he heard the word "hunting", Reek, who had not reacted to the previous humiliations, suddenly trembled, as if it brought back some bad memories.
James, who has been at the North for several months, also knows very well what Ramsay means by "hunting".
Many people say that Luce Bolton, this illegitimate son, is bloodthirsty and sick. He always likes to strip people naked and put them into the forest, and then leads a group of ferocious hunting dogs to hunt them.
No matter male or female, all people will end up being skinned.
However, facing such a threat, James grinned indifferently.
"Of course."
"It's been a long time since I've eaten dog meat, and I miss it very much."
As soon as the words fell, the hall suddenly fell into silence.
Ramsay was still smiling, but there was an undisguised cruelty in his eyes.
Although James didn't make any move, his green eyes were staring straight at each other, and the atmosphere between the two became increasingly tense.
At this moment, a crisp sound of footsteps sounded from the entrance of the hall.
"Your bride is waiting for you to take her to try on wedding dresses, Ramsay."
The two looked sideways and saw Luce Bolton walking in slowly, followed by Maiden beside him, with his head lowered and his hands clasped in front of him, his posture was respectful and appropriate.
"The wedding banquet is tomorrow night. I don't want the adults at the North to see your bride dressed in a mess."
Luce Bolton's tone was calm, but every word seemed to blame his son for not doing his job properly.
Seeing this, the ferocity on Ramsay's face quickly disappeared, he stood up from his seat and stepped forward to greet him, showing a respectful and gentle smile again.
"Sorry, father."
He bowed slightly and said in a sincere tone, "A distinguished guest has come to Winterfell. I just want to receive it for you first."
Hearing this, Luce Bolton seemed to have noticed the existence of James. His extremely pale eyes stayed on the other person for a moment, and then nodded slightly.
His expression couldn't be described as very enthusiastic, as if he was just thinking about what impact his arrival might have on the current situation.
"Long time no see, James Ser."
"Yes, starting from Harrenhal, Lord Bolton."
The two people's eyes met in the air, but neither could see the slightest joy of reunion in the other's eyes.
After all, the last time they met was at Harrenhal. At that time, Jaime had lost his right hand and looked like a lost dog.
If Corleone hadn't relied on his superb negotiation skills to get Roose Bolton to send escorts to send them back to King's Landing, I'm afraid they would have been wasted in the Riverlands for how long.
Speaking of this...
Since that time, Luce Bolton seems to have lost a very loyal guard.
But both of them tacitly did not mention this matter.
After a moment, Roose Bolton took the lead to look away, turned to Maiden beside him and introduced in a calm tone, "This is Jaime Lannister Ser."
"I assume you've seen him before in King's Landing, Lady Stark."
Hearing this, Maiden timidly took a step forward, lifted up his skirt and bowed to perform a standard Lady salute, his movements were elegant and appropriate.
"Good day, Ser." Her voice was soft, with the unique clearness of the North Maiden.
And Luce Bolton's attention never left James' face, his eyes carefully observing the subtle expressions he might show.
She is not Ellie Yar Stark.
James shook his head in his mind.
He has seen the real Ellie Yar Stark, whether it was in Winterfell or the North all the way to King's Landing.
That girl made James feel like a wild and untamed wolf cub, ready to bite off anyone's fingers at any time.
If it were the real Ellie ia Stark standing in front of him at this moment, would she salute?
No.
The real Ellie Yar Stark would just spit in his face.
"Nice to meet you, miss."
However, under the gaze of Luce Bolton, James just nodded slightly.
But what he said was "nice to meet you", not "nice to see you again", and he didn't call her "Lady Stark".
But for Luce Bolton, that's enough.
He does not need James to admit that this girl is Ellie ia Stark, but as long as this Lannister from King's Landing does not point out that the bride is fake on the spot, then tomorrow night, in front of all the the North lords, this Maiden will marry into the House Bolton clan as Ellie ia Stark.
After getting the answer he wanted, Luce Bolton turned his head slightly and gestured to Ramsay.
Ramsay understood immediately, walked quickly to Maiden and naturally took her hand.
"Let's go, love of my life."
"I can't wait to see how cute you look in your wedding dress."
Maiden said nothing and was led by him obediently to the door.
"I have to say, you came at just the right time, James Ser."
After Ramsay and the two left, Luce Bolton looked at James, a smile appearing on his pale face.
The marriage of "Ramsay and Lady Stark" can receive the blessing of Lannister. As the Duke of Winterfell, I am deeply honored."
However, in the light of Luce's expectation, James simply shook his head and refused. "Actually, I don't have time to attend the banquet."
Hearing this, the smile on Luce Bolton's face instantly disappeared.
"I'm here to ask for support." However, James did not give in, but went straight to the point. "Mance Rayder's tens of thousands of wildling troops are about to arrive at the Wall, but Castle Black currently has less than thirty soldiers guarding it."
"As the Lord of Winterfell, you are obliged to provide assistance to Night's Watch. This is tradition."
Upon hearing this news, the expression on Roose Bolton's face did not change at all. It seemed that Mance Rayder and his army of wildlings were just decorations.
He just said lightly, "I don't remember you joined Night's Watch, James Ser."
However, Luce was constantly speculating in his mind, trying to determine what motivations Jaime had for running to Winterfell for help for a group of Night's Watch who had nothing to do with him.
Could it be that the Lannister has another agenda in the North?
"I did not join Night's Watch, I just came to ask for help at the request of Jon Snow."
"Jon Snow?"
Hearing this name, Roose Bolton frowned slightly. "I remember Night's Watch that the Commander-in-Chief is Jeor Mormont."
"The old bear is dead. Until they elect a new Lord Commander Night's Watch, Castle Black is temporarily led by Jon."
"Really?" Luce Bolton responded lightly, but there was a hint of disdain in his tone.
He knew Eddard Stark's illegitimate son, but he didn't expect that he not only survived in a shabby place like the Wall, but also seemed to be prosperous, and could even command the Night's Watch army.
But it's none of his business.
Although the Duke of Winterfell has indeed had the responsibility and obligation to provide Night's Watch with food, supplies, and even replenish troops since ancient times, he is Roose Bolton, not Eddard Stark.
To put it bluntly, even if he was really a qualified Duke of Winterfell like Eddard Stark, he would not be able to send his troops to support the enemy.
But the trouble is, the person who comes to ask for help is Jaime Lannister.
Although news has already come from King's Landing, Tywin's life and death are unknown, and Cersei first bombed Sept and was then killed by an assassin, this can only mean that the Lannister's influence on the Iron Throne has weakened slightly.
After all, the person sitting on the throne still has half... or even all of Lannister blood flowing through his veins.
Moreover, if a Lannister can appear at Bolton and Stark's wedding banquet, and he is also the heir to the Guardian of the West, it will definitely bring considerable deterrence to those wavering wallflowers.
After an unknown amount of time, Luce Bolton slowly said, "I can give you twenty people."
As soon as these words came out, James' brows immediately frowned.
Twenty people?
Are you fucking kidding me?
I rode a long way from Castle Black to Winterfell, passing through ice fields and frozen soil, with the Wall slush on my boots. However, the numbers given by the new Duke of Winterfell were not even as good as hiring a Free Riders team on the streets.
"What can a person like this do?"
James suppressed the fire and said in a deep voice, "Even if Mance Rayder's army of tens of thousands of wildlings eats them alive, each of them will not get a piece of meat."
"That's the best help I can give, James Ser."
Roose Bolton pretended to explain, "Although the House Bolton clan has taken over Winterfell, not all the North nobles are of the same mind as us. A large part of them are still thinking about welcoming Stark back to Winterfell."
"Furthermore, Stannis Baratheon has gathered thousands of people in White Harbor, and Wyman Manderly's attitude towards him is also quite ambiguous."
"In such an unstable situation, I really can't allocate too many troops to support the Wall."
Hearing this, James fell silent.
Because what Roose Bolton said is true, the North has never been a monolith, not to mention that the Stark family has ruled for thousands of years, and their influence cannot be uprooted in just a few months.
Although the House Bolton clan captured Winterfell with Red Wedding and the canonization of the Iron Throne, in the eyes of many the North lords, they are still traitors who stabbed the Stark family in the back.
It is understandable for Roose Bolton to suppress the vassals who are nostalgic for their lord, but also to be wary of Stannis, who is eyeing him.
"I don't think you need to worry too much, James Ser."
Seeing that James was silent, Luce Bolton suddenly changed the subject, and his tone was a little lighter than before. "The Wall has been standing there for thousands of years, and no one has ever been able to break through it."
"The savages have no armor and little food, so they pose no threat at all."
"Instead of paying attention to the insignificant savage, I think you should stay and rest for a few days first."
As he spoke, he made a rare joke, "The North doesn't have as much food as in the south, does it?"
Hearing this, James followed his gaze and glanced down at the cleanly chewed duck skeleton in front of him.
This is quite true.
Although the Night's Watch legion has practiced his sword skills, the food is really poor, and since the North fell into war, they have often faced food shortages.
In order to continue to stay in Castle Black, James even had to sell all his Golden Hand to provide supplies to the defenders.
But under Luce Bolton's expectant gaze, James still shook his head decisively. "I'm sorry, Mr. Bolton, I really don't have time to attend the banquet."
"You should be well aware of the news from King's Landing. I'm always sleeping. I'm just on my way to Winterfell. I... have more important things to do now."
As soon as these words came out, Luce Bolton's smile faded again.
He wanted to speak again to persuade the other party to stay, but James did not give Luce a chance to speak, and said first, "If you are not willing to provide support for the Wall, then I have a better proposal, Sir Luce Bolton."
Under Luce's doubtful gaze, James stood up, his green eyes shining with Lion-like courage in the firelight, and the corners of his mouth raised slightly.
"Give me those twenty men."
"I'll kill Stannis Baratheon for you."