Ch 60.- " Rats in the north"
In the Frosthall
Cregan got up from his bed and see three naked snakes in his room . He smiled and remembers the events of last night.
With great satisfaction he wake up the three from their sleep .
All three woke and remembered the events and got red but Obara and Tyene quickly recovered buy Nymeria remained red as she was the wildest in the night.
Cregan just smiled at their reaction and said"so did I passed in your last test ?"
Obara and Tyene stood up and kissed his cheeks one in right and one in left ." Oh you did pass ,rather with colourful marks"
---
The heart of Frosthall pulsed with fire and steel. The forge roared with life, its heat a stark contrast to the snowy world outside. Gendry stood over an anvil, sweat dripping down his forehead as he hammered a bar of raw blacksteel. Sparks danced like fireflies in the dim, smoke-heavy air.
Cregan watched from the shadows with arms crossed. Jon stood beside him, nodding slowly.
"He has strength," Jon said. "But more than that, he has focus."
Gendry lifted a glowing dagger from the coals. The blade shimmered with a faint dark gleam. It held promise.
"That's his third attempt," said the master smith. "The boy learns fast."
At the far side, Samwell grunted as he swung a hammer clumsily onto an iron slab. His arms trembled, his tunic soaked in sweat. Gendry glanced at him, then walked over.
"You're gripping it too tight," Gendry said, adjusting Sam's stance. "You want the hammer to do the work. Not your arms."
Sam nodded, panting. "Right. I think... I think I'm dying."
"Not yet," Cregan muttered from behind. "But maybe by supper."
The men chuckled. Sam managed a shaky grin.
Cregan stepped forward and inspected both their work. "Gendry, continue refining that blade. I want it tested against chainmail. Samwell... you'll assist the scribes in the evening. But mornings belong to the forge. No excuses."
Sam saluted with the hammer, then nearly dropped it.
---
Trouble at the Border
A raven from Moat Cailin arrived by midday. Its message was brief but troubling:
> "Northern caravan ambushed south of the Neck. Sigils unclear. Goods stolen. No survivors but one."
Cregan read the letter in silence before passing it to Jon and Robb.
"You think it's Lannister work?" Robb asked.
"Too clean for bandits. Too bold for cowards," Cregan said. "But they are doing in the north it's rather difficult without some type of support maybe Freys to cross but who in the north"
Jon stepped forward. "Let me go. A small team. Frostguards and loyal former Watchmen. We track them. We find the truth."
Cregan nodded. "Take Nymeria Sand with you. She's eager for field work."
Robb raised an eyebrow. "A snake with a wolf? That'll be a hunt."
"Let's hope they bite in the same direction.
Meet with Lord Reed and request some of his men to escort you ,They are good trackers. " Cregan replied.
He continued"Also make sure to compensate family of the men who died . Give jobs if they have someone eligible"
Preparations began at once. Quiet. Swift. Unseen.
---
Sibling Conversations
In the solar, Sansa spoke privately with Cregan after supper. Her tone was calm, but her brow furrowed with concern.
"She adores you, but Lyanna... she isn't just spoiled. She's wild. Even Arya listens better."
Cregan leaned against the hearth. "She's still a cub. She'll grow."
"Not if we don't guide her," Sansa said. "You give her too much. She'll start believing she can command more than toys."
A soft knock interrupted them. Arya entered, smirking. "Talking about me or Lyanna again?"
"Both," Sansa said with a sigh.
Arya turned to Cregan. "You still owe me sparring. I want to try blades like the one Water Dancers uses ."
"Tomorrow morning," Cregan promised.
Elsewhere, Rickon ran down the hall carrying a wooden dagger, Bran also followed behind him.
"Big brother Cregan!" Rickon shouted. "Boulder ate my rabbit!"
Cregan lifted him with one hand. "Then you'll have to eat his dinner in return."
Bran smiled. "Echo followed me into the library. He knocked over a stack of books."
"That means he missed you," Cregan said, gently.
Laughter echoed through Frosthall.
---
In the West
In the solar of Casterly Rock, Tywin Lannister reviewed three letters, each marked by a different sigil.
"We begin now," he said coldly.
"Orders?" Kevan asked.
"Disrupt northern trade. Discreetly. No banners. Use sworn men of lesser houses who can be bought."
"And Essos?"
"I've contacted the Second Sons . Mercenaries from essos. If Cregan's influence spreads too far east, they'll bleed it dry."
Kevan hesitated. "And King Robert?"
"Drunk and distracted," Tywin said. "He'll never see the storm until it's upon him."
He turned to his steward. "Plant spies in White Harbor. Pose as northern merchants. Learn what you can about the Frosthall shipments. We choke the North not with swords, but with silence."
Tywin Lannister stared out toward the west.
"Let the wolf build his castle of snow. It will melt in fire soon enough."
---
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