To be honest, when Wyman Manderly received the message his granddaughter Wylla had sent him by raven, he nearly choked to death on the Arbor gold he had just drunk.
Gods above, what in the world had that little bastard Clay done in Winterfell?
He had slaughtered a Lannister like livestock right in front of the queen. Although Earl Wyman admitted he found it deeply satisfying, Clay's sheer nerve had frightened him as well.
After receiving the news, he immediately ordered the maester in charge of the ravens to keep silent. He did not even inform his two sons, who were away training soldiers, although Wendel Manderly was Clay's father.
At breakfast the next morning, he announced that he was going to Winterfell, leaving his eldest son Wylis in charge at home.
Strange though it was, no one could defy Earl Wyman.
And so Clay's grandfather took one hundred of White Harbor's finest fully armored heavy cavalry and one hundred auxiliary soldiers, covering in five days the distance Clay's party had taken more than a week to travel.
Naturally, news of his march north with troops reached Eddard Stark, Duke of Winterfell, well in advance. There was nothing the latter could do. The man was desperate to rescue his heir, and he was a Northman just like Eddard. Eddard simply could not order Earl Wyman to turn back.
King Robert, who had been planning to go hunting, canceled his outing when he heard the news. White Harbor's northern cavalry had left a deep impression on him during the War of the Usurper.
As a king who had won his realm through conquest, Robert had blood filled with violence coursing through his veins at every moment. So rather than hunt, he wanted to take a look at these troops.
High atop the arrow tower at Winterfell's east gate, King Robert stood beside Eddard Stark, Duke of Winterfell. His Majesty wore an enormous fur cloak and cursed:
"Damn it! Ned, what sort of bloody place do you live in? It's summer, summer! I wager even King's Landing in winter isn't as cold as this place. How do you Northmen survive?"
The Duke of Winterfell smiled helplessly. Looking at the swollen figure of the man who had once been his brother, he said quietly:
"Your Majesty, the Northmen, House Stark-we have long since grown used to all this. We will live well enough."
"I know... I know... you Starks are a stubborn lot, cold as stone."
Neither spoke again. Eddard knew very well that Robert was thinking of Lyanna again. Ever since he had arrived at Winterfell, every blade of grass and every tree here could remind Robert of his late betrothed.
It was the same for Eddard, except that he could remain by his sister's side at all times.
From this lofty arrow tower, only the banners of the Crowned Stag and the Direwolf could be seen. The loathsome Lannister banners were nowhere in sight.
About ten minutes later, a series of clear, lingering horn calls sounded in the distance.
One deep-blue merman banner after another appeared before the king and the Duke of Winterfell.
Wyman Manderly, lord of White Harbor, had brought his troops before the king.
When the troops advanced close enough for Robert to make them out clearly, he gave Eddard Stark a surprised glance and asked in some bewilderment:
"Seven Hells, Ned, these are your vassal's troops? Why are they so well equipped? Fuck! I thought I'd only see a sight like this in that old lion Tywin's army."
As lord of the North, Duke Eddard naturally knew the strength of his vassals. Thus, he showed only mild surprise at this splendidly arrayed cavalry force, with little other expression.
He patted the king's shoulder and explained:
"Your Majesty, House Manderly... does hold White Harbor, after all. It is the fifth-largest city in all of Westeros. It is perfectly reasonable for them to maintain an army like this."
"If all the troops under me back then had been like these, I could have fought my way into King's Landing in a month and killed every last one of those dragon bastards," Robert said viciously.
Duke Eddard frowned slightly and said gravely:
"You have already done that, Your Majesty."
"No... no, not enough. Do you know, Ned? Across the Narrow Sea, the last of the dragons' blood still hides. I will kill them all!" The king's voice was not loud, but anyone could hear the still-blazing fury and indelible hatred within it.
Eddard Stark did not want to discuss this subject, so he could only say:
"Your Majesty, I should go and meet Wyman Manderly."
"Go, Ned. Tell that old eel not to make trouble for the queen. Spare me that much dignity, at least. Wyman can take that boy and his sister away whenever he likes. The Lannisters won't dare stop him."
As Robert spoke that last sentence, Eddard Stark felt that this was the most kingly he had been all day.
Below the walls, at the very head of the column, stood a huge, luxurious carriage. Earl Wyman ordered the troops to halt.
Through the carriage window, he had already seen the five hundred Winterfell cavalrymen drawn up in neat ranks opposite them. His liege lord sat on horseback beneath an enormous Direwolf banner, looking toward him from afar.
His purpose had been achieved anyway. Earl Wyman said a word to the driver and went alone toward the great Direwolf banner, taking no guards.
While still a good distance away, he called out in his deep, hoarse voice:
"My lord duke!"
Only when Earl Wyman came close did Eddard Stark give a slight nod and dismount.
Earl Wyman also knew that his visit had caused his liege lord some trouble, so he wasted no time and bowed.
Eddard Stark knew why he had come and did not make things difficult for him. He pulled him upright, and the two exchanged pleasantries as they entered Winterfell.
"My lord duke, that boy Clay..." Earl Wyman asked tentatively.
"That grandson of yours certainly knows how to cause trouble. Still, he's much cleverer than those two sons of yours."
That was all he said. Without caring whether Earl Wyman understood, he led him straight toward the dungeons.
The king was right. Although he understood Earl Wyman's actions, in a sense, this move by House Manderly carried a hint of coercing the crown. If the queen truly made a fuss, the king could not support such behavior, even if he wished to.
So he would cut through the tangle swiftly and have Earl Wyman take his grandson and granddaughter away at once, lest further trouble arise.
Without dodging or avoiding anyone along the way, Duke Eddard walked quickly, leaving Earl Wyman, whose girth exceeded even Robert's, sweating profusely as he followed.
When they reached the dungeon, the White Harbor guards had just spotted Duke Eddard and were preparing to salute when they saw their own earl appear behind him. Every man immediately lowered his head, cowering like a quail.
White Harbor's heir had been thrown into a dungeon, and their noble young lady had been harassed by a Lannister. Even they themselves would not have believed that they bore no responsibility as guards.
Breathing heavily, Earl Wyman looked at the White Harbor guards, gave a heavy snort, and glared at them before following Eddard Stark down into the dungeon. His heir came first for now. He would deal with these men later.
Just as he approached Clay's room, Duke Eddard slowed. His nose told him someone was drinking here, and his ears told him there were three people inside. He knew all three voices very well.
His face twitching, he kicked the cell door open and glared at the three people drinking merrily inside.
The boys' smiles froze on their faces.