It was the year 278 AC, three years after the birth of House Hornwood's fortune. The lands of the North had changed greatly in that short time, and no change was more evident than the imposing silhouette of Horncrest Castle rising atop the highest hill of the territory.
The Greatest Investment
Halys Hornwood, aware that prosperity had to be not only mercantile but also military and political, had decided to build a castle worthy of his lineage and of the times.
The cost of raising a medium-sized stone castle was around 50,000 gold dragons, a considerable sum that Halys covered with the profits from his caravans and the steady support of his allies, including an alliance with the Clovers and semi-permanent backing from the Freys.
Horncrest Castle was more than a fortress; it was a symbol of power and security for his house, a declaration that echoed throughout the North.
Description of the Castle
The castle rose with walls 10 meters high and 6 meters thick, built from the finest stone quarried nearby. Its perimeter was protected by a solid curtain wall that seemed impenetrable to any enemy.
Four towers were strategically placed along the wall, providing vantage points that allowed visual control over the surrounding forests and roads.
Inside the wall stood the infantry barracks, designed to house up to 3,000 men. However, House Hornwood currently maintained around 1,000 heavy infantry, trained in close combat and armed with spears and sturdy shields. They were joined by 500 crossbowmen, experts in the use of crossbows and bows, capable of defending the castle from above or during sieges.
The stables could accommodate 2,000 horses, though at present only about 500 riders were housed there — light and heavy cavalry that played a key role in caravan security and territorial control.
In addition, the castle featured a granary large enough to store provisions for prolonged sieges, a forge where weapons and armor were made, and workshops where carts and equipment were repaired.
Life in Horncrest Castle
Life was not all about war and power. Within the walls of Horncrest, the Hornwood family lived and ruled. Halys shared his days with Rowena Glover, his wife, whose skill in administration complemented the lord's ambition and resolve.
His younger siblings — Eddard, Ricard, Robert, Danella, and Lyrra — were growing up in this new environment of prosperity and strength. Training for the defense of the land intensified, and the loyalty of the house's men was ensured through a careful balance of justice and discipline.
Preparations and Expectations
Halys knew that the construction of Horncrest Castle was a decisive step not only to secure his dominion but also to ensure the survival and expansion of House Hornwood in the face of threats like the Boltons, ambitious neighbors long accustomed to war.
The white-bearded men — veterans of many campaigns who once sacrificed themselves not to be a burden in cruel winters — were now a vital part of the garrison, passing down their experience and training the new generations of soldiers.
The caravans, now protected by the military power emanating from Horncrest, could travel more safely, strengthening the commercial network Halys had initiated.