"If you don't fly, you'll only fall to your death!"
The Three-Eyed Raven pecked at him, shrieking fiercely, while Bran Stark cried and pleaded bitterly.
The Three-Eyed Raven showed no mercy; it first pecked out Bran's left eye, then his right.
Once he was completely blind and plunged into darkness, it pecked his forehead again, its terrifyingly sharp beak drilling deep into his skull.
Bran screamed madly, the pain like an axe splitting his head in two… Yet, when the crow pulled out its sticky beak, covered in bone fragments and brain matter, Bran could see again.
"With two eyes, you can see a person's face; with three eyes, you can see a person's heart…"
"With two eyes, you can see the oak tree now; with three eyes, you can see the acorn from before and the stump from after…"
"With two eyes, you can see the edge of The Wall; with three eyes, you can… look south to the Summer Sea… and north beyond The Wall…"
"Bran! Bran! Bran!"
Maester Luwin's urgent voice finally woke Bran from his dream.
Bran Stark said distractedly, "Mae… Maester Luwin?"
Bran blinked.
For the first time in his memory, he saw Maester Luwin looking so anxious.
Maester Luwin quickly instructed the others nearby, "Hurry!"
The scenery before Bran shifted, and he was already on the broad back of Hodor, the stable boy.
Bran reached out a hand and clutched Maester Luwin's clothes, his voice calm: "Maester Luwin, tell me what happened?"
"It's Theon, he led pirates to attack Winterfell; he knows this place well…"
Maester Luwin exhaled and continued, "Little Rickon has already been captured.
You and Rickon are Robb's heirs; you cannot both fall into Theon's hands."
"My brother?!"
Maester Luwin ruffled Bran's hair and said, "Don't worry, I will protect him."
A tall woman brushed her messy brown hair and said, "The city gate is full of enemies with axes and sharp blades."
The petite girl with brown hair and green eyes tightened her belt and said, "Maester Luwin, I will protect him."
The thin boy in a green robe with green eyes said, "Let's go north."
Maester Luwin's kind gaze slowly swept over everyone in the room, and he nodded slightly, saying, "Go through the crypts, and leave Winterfell from there."
He looked at Bran and continued, "Go north, to The Wall, to find your uncle, Benjen Stark."
Reaching out to caress Bran's cheek, Maester Luwin instructed, "Little Bran, from now on… you must be strong!"
Winterfell, the hearth in the Great Hall was stirring.
The benches were all pushed against The Walls, leaving nowhere to sit.
The people of Winterfell gathered in small groups, no one daring to speak.
Theon Greyjoy, dressed in a black coat embroidered with a golden kraken sigil, sat high upon the Stark family's throne.
Maester Luwin stood below the throne, holding Rickon Stark's small hand.
Little Rickon's tender voice rang out, "Theon, that's Robb's seat."
Theon patted the wolf's head at the front of the huge stone armrest and said playfully, "Call me Prince Theon, little fellow."
His eyes shifted to look at the Maester of Winterfell, and he added, "Who would have ever dreamed of such a sight? Stark's Winterfell is in my grasp, Maester Luwin."
Maester Luwin put an arm around Rickon, first signaling him not to speak, then said, "Theon, Duke Eddard was your foster father."
Theon scoffed, "A hostage's foster father? Too bad he'll never come back…"
He feigned sympathy as he looked at the indignant Little Wolf Cub, then added, "Your crippled brother ran off and left you alone.
You're truly pitiful, little fellow."
Maester Luwin pulled Rickon behind him and said, "You cannot harm him!"
Theon arrogantly tilted his chin and said, "Listen!
Once the fighting outside ends, my men will gather the remaining residents of the castle in the hall.
The little squirt beside you will come with me to speak to them.
He must tell them he has surrendered and yielded Winterfell to Prince Theon.
He must order them to obey their new master as they served and obeyed their old one."
He leaned forward, his voice filled with undisguised threat: "Understood, old man?!"
Rickon, in his tender voice, shouted, "I will never surrender!"
Maester Luwin quickly pulled little Rickon back, and Theon's smile turned very dangerous: "This isn't a child's game, little fellow."
His gaze turned to Maester Luwin: "My father has donned the ancient crown of sea salt and stone and been crowned King of the Iron Islands.
As a conqueror, he has the right to annex the entire North.
You are all his subjects."
He raised his voice slightly, threatening coldly, "If you want to be safe, you'd best obey, understood?!"
Maester Luwin, looking as if he had aged a dozen years in an instant, sadly closed his eyes and nodded slightly.
Only then did Theon nod with slight satisfaction, waving his hand and saying, "Take them both away."
Once the old man and the boy had left, Theon's attention shifted to the group of noble ladies below.
Theon pinched his chin with interest… They had once dared to scorn or ignore him, but now they were all his captives.
They were terrified or disgusted, but… if they didn't want to be utterly humiliated, they could only beg or appease him.
He was the king here now.
It was a pity there were no Stark women here, Theon licked his lips.
Tonight… no… in a little while… who would be the first? Or two or three together?
Theon's gaze was like a hungry wolf's.
What did Theon see? He saw on their faces… fear… pleading… fawning… anger… hatred…
How exciting… Is this the pleasure of a conqueror?!
What else could they do?
Theon couldn't help but laugh: "Hahahah…"
Prince Theon tried to suppress his laughter: "Hoo hoo hoo…"
He was a conqueror: "Haha…"
"Hahahaha…"
"Hahahahaha ah!"
Theon knelt on the ground, looking at the mud-stained black boots in his line of sight, his eyes filled with terror, his body trembling uncontrollably.
Theon didn't want to kneel, but his limbs had become weak and powerless from fear, so he could only kneel on the ground.
"Theon, you disappoint me greatly."
Hearing this voice, Theon tried to control his body, his neck flushed crimson, and he laboriously raised his head.
Wasn't he dead?!
Why wasn't he dead?!
The veins on Theon's neck bulged, like winding earthworms crawling all over his neck.
He roared with all his might: "Hypocritical Stark!"
It was all over, Theon wanted to die.
He dared not face the current situation; he wanted to die by his foster father's hand as soon as possible!
Eddard Stark's figure remained tall and imposing, his grey eyes looking indifferently at Theon kneeling on the ground.
There was no anger on Duke Eddard's face?!
Theon only saw deep disappointment in himself!
Theon's fists clenched, knuckles white, and he roared like a madman: "Kill me! Stark!"
Duke Eddard still maintained a stern expression.
Someone in the hall suddenly roared, "Kill him!"
The others chimed in, "Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!"
Facing the deafening shouts of killing, Theon suddenly smiled.
His goal had been achieved… He was the Prince of the Iron Islands, and what is dead may never die!
Duke Eddard slightly raised his hand, and everyone in the hall immediately fell silent.
Duke Eddard's voice was like winter: "Child, I failed to teach you well."
Fingertips digging into his palms, Theon shrieked: "Stark! I am not your child! I am your hostage! Hostage! Hostage! Hostage!"
The roar ended, and Theon gasped for breath.
He opened his eyes wide, staring fixedly at Duke Eddard.
After a moment of silence, Duke Eddard said, "Child, you have committed an unforgivable mistake…"
Hearing Duke Eddard's words, a strange smile appeared on Theon's twisted face.
Duke Eddard sighed lightly and continued, "There is a place where you can redeem your lost honor."
Theon froze, his pupils constricting, and his desire for death immediately wavered.
"If you are willing…"
Duke Eddard turned his back to Theon and said, "I can let you take the black."
Buzz!
As Duke Eddard's words fell, the crowd standing around immediately became silent… They might not understand Duke Eddard's decision, but no one would voice opposition to his decision, because the person standing there was Eddard Stark.
Theon's body trembled again.
He hated himself, hated his cowardice, hated his courage for betraying him!
Why was there still a trace of joy at having escaped death in his heart?!
I… I… I just don't want to die, am I wrong?!
I don't want to die! I want to live!
Theon Greyjoy's forehead humbly pressed against the ground, his voice choked with tears: "I am willing to wear the black… Lord Stark…"
Vaes Dothrak, the Governor's Mansion.
On the bed, Greene Kleber looked at Daenerys, who was sleeping with a headscarf, a smile playing in his eyes… Daenerys was very persistent about wearing a headscarf.
Since the last time, he hadn't seen her bald.
Greene recalled the events of the past few days; most memories seemed to be of Westeros-style romance.
Greene held the sleeping Daenerys tightly and closed his eyes… just for a bit…
The next evening, a certain reed-filled lake.
…The splashing sound of water…
…The murmuring of a quiet song…
The stars in the night sky twinkled, and the lake surface was as calm as a giant mirror, reflecting the beauty of the night sky.
By the bonfire, Daenerys leaned against Greene's chest with her eyes closed, a faint blush on her cheeks.
Greene's hand, resting on Daenerys's waist, moved, and she let out a soft laugh.
After a pause, Daenerys turned her head, looked up at Greene, and their eyes met.
Daenerys, with glistening eyes, suddenly said, "Greene, are you leaving?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Greene's eyes.
How did Daenerys sense it? Was it some kind of intuition?
Greene's brown eyes shifted slightly, and he sighed softly, saying, "The hatred of the Crab Claw Peninsula for the Vale has accumulated for over a decade.
I am the ruler of the Crab Claw Peninsula, and my people are all looking forward to me leading them to begin the war of revenge."
Daenerys lowered her violet eyes, suppressing her disappointment.
Her voice trembled slightly: "Greene, I believe… you will surely win."
Greene's lips curved almost imperceptibly, and he said, "I'm only deploying 6,000 soldiers to the Vale, and the Vale has tens of thousands of cavalry… Do you still believe I can win?"
Daenerys raised her eyes again, nodded very seriously, and said, "Greene, you will definitely win.
I believe you will become a legendary hero, and the gods will bless your war of revenge."
Greene reached out and squeezed one of Daenerys's hands, but she lowered her face and murmured, "I will wait here for your triumphant return."
Greene gently called, "Daenerys…"
Daenerys didn't respond; she buried her head in Greene's embrace.
Greene first smiled slightly, then said, "Daenerys, I plan to conquer the Vale.
Do you believe I can do it?"
Daenerys silently nodded in Greene's arms, then she hugged Greene tightly.
Soon, a warmth spread across Greene's chest, and Daenerys's warm tears wet his clothes.
Greene sighed again: "Daenerys, don't you believe I can conquer the Vale?"
Greene felt Daenerys's body stiffen for a moment.
She quietly wiped away her tears, and they separated.
Daenerys looked up at Greene, tears in her eyes, and shook her head, saying, "Greene, I believe you."
After speaking, she nodded again.
"Daenerys, thank you for your immense trust."
Greene reached out and gently wiped Daenerys's tears, saying, "Since you trust me so much…"
With that, he showed a gentle smile and continued, "Come back to the Crab Claw Peninsula with me, my Princess."
Daenerys's pupils constricted.
She stared at Greene for a while without moving, but then she shook her head with a dejected expression, saying, "The usurpers won't let me go.
I can't implicate you.
I believe…"
The Dragonstone Princess turned her face away and said, "Later…"
Daenerys really wanted to say… maybe there would be a good opportunity later… or when her three little dragons grew up… but these things were too far away for her.
She truly couldn't bear to be separated from Greene.
Daenerys had even thought about asking Greene to stay here, but she knew Greene had just managed to restore Kleber's rule in the Crab Claw Peninsula, and he still had no heir… She had to give up that thought.
Greene reached out a finger and gently pulled Daenerys's small face back, asking, "Don't you believe me?"
"I do, but…"
"Daenerys, there are no 'buts'."
"But…"
"No buts, my Daenerys."
They looked at each other for a while, and tears slid down Daenerys's cheeks.
She nodded slightly.
Greene smiled, leaned down, and left a gentle kiss on Daenerys's forehead, saying, "Then… my Princess, let me tell you my plan."
Daenerys's beautiful eyes glistened with tears.
She gently touched Greene's face, and then… she pushed him.
"Greene, lie down."
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