Chapter 39 Chapter 38 Bran

It was snowing finely, and Bran could feel the flakes falling on his face, melting on his skin like a gentle rain.He sat up straight and watched as the iron gate was winched up.Although he tried his best to stay calm, his heart kept beating wildly in his chest. "Ready?" Robb asked. Bran nodded, trying not to look scared.Although he hadn't stepped out of Winterfell since he fell from the building, he made up his mind to ride out like a knight. "Let's go, then." Robb rode his big gray and white stallion through the gate, with a grip on his stomach. "Forward," Bran whispered to his mount.He touched its neck lightly, and the chestnut-colored filly stepped forward.Bran named it "Little Dance".He was two years old, and Joseth said he was too smart for a horse.They had specially trained it to respond to reins and sound and touch, but so far Bran had only been riding him around the square.At first Joseth or Hodor would lead it, and Bran would be strapped to the oversized saddle on its back—the saddle had been built to the Imp's plans.But in the past two weeks, he has been able to drive it alone, jogging back and forth on it, and every time he goes around, he becomes more courageous.

They passed through the gatehouse, crossed the drawbridge, and walked out of the outer city wall.Xia Tian and Gray Wind ran beside them, sniffing the breath in the wind.Close behind was Theon Greyjoy with longbow and feathered arrows.Before he left, he said that today he would headhunter the deer back.Behind him came four guards in mail and mail hoods, and the bony Joseth.After Hullen left, Robb made Joseth the new master of stables.Maester Luwin came to the rear on his donkey.Bran would have liked to go out with just him and Robb, but Hal Moran would not let it go, and so did Maester Luwin.To prevent Bran from falling or getting injured, the master made up his mind to accompany him.

Outside the castle is the market square, but now the wooden stalls are all abandoned.They walked through the muddy streets of the town, passing neatly lined huts of timber and rough stone.Less than a fifth of the houses are currently occupied, and a few thin wisps of wood smoke rise from the chimneys.As the weather gets colder, the remaining vacant houses will gradually fill up.Old Nan said that when the snow came and the icy winds came from the north, the peasants would leave their frozen fields and their distant cottages, and pack their things in wagons and live in the town, and then the town would Get lively.Bran had never seen anything like it, but Maester Luwin said that day was coming.For the long summer is over, and winter is approaching.

As they rode past, a few villagers looked at the direwolf uncomfortably, and one dropped the log he was carrying and ran away in fear, but most of the villagers were used to this sight.Seeing the two boys, they got down on one knee, and Robb gave a lordly-nod. The swaying of riding made Bran feel unsteady at first because his feet couldn't clamp down hard enough, but the thick, high back of the big saddle hugged him comfortably like a cradle, and the straps around his thighs and chest made him feel more secure. Don't fall off the horse.After a period of time, he gradually got used to the shaking rhythm, his anxiety faded away, and a frightened smile climbed onto his face.

Two waitresses stood under the sign of the Smokewood Tavern.The younger girl flushed and covered her face with her hands when Theon Greyjoy greeted them.Theon kicked up to Robb's side. "Kayla is so cute," he laughed. "She twists like a weasel in bed, but before I finish a word with her in the street, I turn red like I'm a little girl. I have Didn't tell you about the night she and Bertha—" "Theon, don't say such things in front of my brother," Robb warned him, glancing at Bran again. Bran looked away, pretending he didn't hear, but he could feel Greyjoy's eyes on him.It is conceivable that he must be smiling at this moment.He smiled all day long as if the whole world was a secret joke and only he, the wise one, could understand it.Robb seems to admire Theon and enjoy his company, but Bran has never been able to develop feelings for his father's adopted son.

Robb leaned forward. "Bran, you rode well." "I want to ride faster," Bran replied. Robb smiled, "No problem." Then he rode off, and the wolves rushed out after him.Bran yanked the reins hard, and Xiao Wu picked up his pace.He heard a cry from Theon Greyjoy, and the clutter of horseshoe acres behind him. Bran's cloak billowed in the wind, and snow fell in his face.Robb was far ahead, looking back from time to time to make sure Bran and the others were following.He pulled the reins again, Xiao Wu took steps and galloped as smoothly as slippery silk.The distance between them was closing, and by the time he had caught up to Robb on the edge of the Wolfwood, two miles from Winterfell, they had left the others far behind. "I can ride a horse!" Bran yelled with a giggle, the feeling was like flying.

"I really want to race with you, but I'm afraid I can't beat you." Although Robb's tone was light and joking, but behind his brother's smile, Bran could see that he had something on his mind. "I don't want to race you." Bran looked around for the direwolf.But the two wolves had long since disappeared into the forest. "Did you hear Xia Tian calling last night?" "Grey Wind is also restless," Robb said.His reddish-brown hair was long, uncombed and disheveled, and a few red beards covered his chin, making him look older than his fifteen years. "Sometimes I think they know a lot... sense a lot..." Robb sighed. "I don't know how much I should tell you, Bran. I wish you were older."

"I'm already eight!" Bran said. "Eight is not much different from fifteen, and after you, I'm also the heir to Winterfell." "Yeah," Robb said sadly, even a little scared. "Bran, there is something I must tell you. A raven came last night, from King's Landing, and Maester Luwin woke me up in the middle of the night." Bran felt a sudden panic.Black wings, black news, Old Nan always said, and the ravens who delivered the message had proved the old saying again and again.Robb writes to the commander of the Night's Watch, but the bird brings back news that Uncle Benjen is still missing.Then there was a letter from Eagle's Nest City, written by mother, but unfortunately it was not good news.She didn't say when she would come back, only that the little devil is now her prisoner.Bran actually liked the short guy, but the name "Lannister" sent shivers down his spine.There was one thing about the Lannisters that he should have remembered, but every time he tried to, he felt dizzy and had a stomach ache.Robb shut himself in his room all day that day, conferring with Maester Luwin, Theon Greyjoy, and Harris Moran.Then messengers rode on fast horses and carried Robb's orders throughout the North.Bran vaguely heard the name of Moat Cailin, the ancient fortress built by the First Men at the northern end of the Neck.Nobody told him what happened, but it sure wasn't a good thing.

At this moment, another raven came and brought new news.Bran forced himself to hope. "Is it from my mother? Is she going home?" "The letter is from Alyn from King's Landing. Jory Cassel is dead, and Vail and Howard. They died at the hands of the Kingslayer." Robb threw his head back into the snow, which melted on his cheeks. . "May the gods of heaven rest in peace." Bran didn't know what to say, but felt as if he'd been punched.Bran was born, and Jory was the captain of the guards at Winterfell. "Did they kill Jory?" He remembered every time Jory ran after him on the rooftops, and he could clearly make out his full armor, striding across the scenery of the square, or sitting in his old seat in the hall On the table, talking and laughing while eating. "Why would anyone want to kill Jory?"

Robb shook his head dully, grief in his eyes. "I don't know. And... Bran, it's not the worst news. Father was pinned down by a fallen horse in the fight, and Alyn said his leg was broken... Grand Maester Pycelle gave him He drank the milk of the poppy, but they weren't sure when... when he..." Hearing the sound of hooves behind him, he turned his head to look the way he came, and Theon and others had already caught up. "He won't wake up." Robb finished speaking, stretched out his hand to press the hilt of his sword, and resumed the solemn tone of Robb's castellan, "Bran, I promise you, no matter what happens, I will never forget this hatred. "

His tone made Bran even more afraid. "So what are you going to do?" he asked.Theon Greyjoy took the reins and stopped beside them. "Theon thinks I should summon my vassals at once," Robb said. "Blood for blood." Greyjoy didn't smile this time.His thin, swarthy face had a hungry look, and his black hair hung down over his eyes. "Only a lord can call his vassals," Bran said, as the snow continued to fall around them. "If your father dies," said Theon, "Robb is the Lord of Winterfell." "He won't die!" Bran screamed at him. Robb took his hand. "He won't die, my lord father won't die." He said calmly. "But... now the honor of the North rests in my hands. My lord father told me before he left that I must be strong for you and Rickon. Bran, I am almost a grown man." Bran shuddered. "It would be great if mother was here." He said pitifully.He turned to look for Maester Luwin, whose donkey was just visible in the distance, now trotting up the gentle hill. "Does Master Luwin also think that the princes should be recruited?" "Master, he is as timid as the old woman." Theon said. "But Father always listened to his advice," Bran reminded his brother, "and so did Mother." "I listen, too," Robb insisted. "I listen to everybody." Bran's joy in going out riding was gone now, melting like snowflakes off his face.In the past, when he heard that Robb was going to gather his vassals and lead an army, he would have been excited, but now all he felt was fear. "Can we go back?" he asked. "I feel so cold." Robb looked around. "The wolf must be found first. Can you bear it a little longer?" "As long as you can ride, I can ride as long as you can." Maester Luwin had warned him not to ride too long, lest he get sore from sitting too long in the saddle, but Bran would not admit to being weak in front of his brother.He was fed up with all the fuss and questions about his body. "Then let's hunt the little hunter back," said Robb.So they walked side by side, and drove their horses off the King's Road into the Wolfwood.Theon stayed far behind, chatting and laughing with the other guards. It feels really good to be in Linwen.Bran lightly held the reins and told Xiao Wu to walk slowly while looking around.He was familiar with this forest, but after being trapped in Winterfell for a long time, he was interested in visiting it for the first time.The scents of the woods filled his nostrils: the sharp scent of fresh pine needles, the earthy scent of damp rotting leaves, the vague musk of animals, and the smell of distant cooking smoke.He catches a glimpse of a black squirrel weaving between the branches of a snow-covered oak tree, then stops to admire the silvery web of a queen spider. Theon and the others got farther and farther away from them until Bran could no longer hear them.There was a vague sound of running water ahead.The sound of the water grew louder until they reached the edge of the stream.At this moment, tears stung his eyes. "Bran?" Robb asked. "What's the matter with you?" Bran shook his head. "I just remember the old days," he said. "A time when Jory took us here fishing for trout. Just you and me and Jon, remember?" "I remember," said Robb, his voice calm and mournful. "I didn't catch anything," Bran said, "but Jon gave me all the fish he caught on the way back to Winterfell. Will we ever see Jon again?" "Didn't we see Uncle Benjen last time the king came?" Robb told him. "Jon will be back too. You'll see." The stream is swift and the water is high.Robb dismounted and led his mount across the shallows.The deepest part of the ferry, water and thigh.He tied the horse to a tree on the opposite bank, and waded back to take Bran and Dancer across.Bran could feel the splash on his face as Robb led him across as the stream lapped against rocks and tree roots.he laughed.For a moment, he felt that he was strong and strong again, with sound limbs.He looked up at the woods, dreaming that he could climb up to the top of the tree, and let the whole sea of ​​trees spread before his eyes. When they reached the opposite bank, they heard a long howl from the woods, the pitch became higher and longer, like a cold wind passing through the forest.Bran looked up and listened. "It was summer," he said.As soon as the words fell, the second howl joined in. "They killed the game," said Robb, as he mounted his horse. "I think I'd better go and bring them back. You wait here, Theon and the others should be here soon." "I want to go with you," Bran said. "I'll be quicker by myself." Robb kicked his spurs and disappeared into the woods. After he was gone, the whole forest seemed to surround Bran.The snow fell even harder, and although it would melt as soon as it touched the ground, the rocks, roots and branches around him were all covered with a thin layer of white.As he waited, he realized just how uncomfortable he was: his legs were useless, hanging uselessly from the stirrups; His hands were numb.He couldn't help wondering why Theon, Master Luwin, Joseth and others hadn't come yet. Then he heard the rustling of leaves, and Bran pulled the reins and told Dance to turn and meet his friends.However, it was a group of ragged strangers who walked from the forest to the stream. (Wen'heart'hand'beat'group'hand'beat'organization') "Hi there," he said nervously.One look and Bran knew they were neither foresters nor farmers.He suddenly realized that he was richly dressed, wearing a new dark gray wool coat with silver buttons sewn on, and a fur-trimmed cloak fastened at the shoulders with a heavy silver brooch.His boots and gloves were also trimmed with fluff. "You, are you alone?" said the tallest bald man with a weathered face, "Poor kid, lost in the wolf forest." "I'm not lost." Bran didn't like the way the strangers stared at him.There were four people on the other side, and when he turned his head, he saw two more behind him. "My brother has just left, and my guards will be here soon." "Your guard, huh?" said another haggard, gray-bearded man. "I ask you, my lord, what are they guarding? Guarding that silver pin on your cloak?" "What a beautiful thing." This time it was a woman's voice.She didn't really look like a woman; tall and thin, with the same sad face as the others, her hair buried under a bowl-shaped half-helmet.The spear in her hand was an eight-foot club of black oak with a rusted point on the front. "Show us," said the bald man. Bran looked at him uneasily.The man's clothes were filthy and tattered, brown here, blue here, and a patch of dark green, and all the rest faded to gray, but it was recognizably a black cloak.He suddenly discovered that the man with the gray beard was also wearing black rags.Bran suddenly remembered that the day they found the little wolf, the man who broke his oath and was beheaded by his father was also dressed in black, and his father said he was a deserter from the Night Watch.This is the most dangerous person in the world. He remembered Duke Ed's words, because they knew that if they were arrested, they would only die, so they acted evilly, and they could do even the most outrageous deeds. "Bring me the pin, kid." The big man stretched out his hand and said. "And your horse," said the other woman, who was shorter than Robb, with a broad flat face and straight yellow hair. "Get down quickly." A jagged dagger slipped from her sleeve into her hand. "But," Bran blurted out, "I can't..." Before Bran could think of turning around and running away, the big man grabbed the reins. "Young master, of course you have a way...and you must find a way, if you don't want to suffer." "Look, Steve, he's strapped to the saddle," said the tall woman, pointing the spear. "Maybe he's telling the truth." "It's tied up, isn't it?" Steve said.He drew his dagger from the scabbard at his waist. "That's not a problem." "Are you crippled or something?" the short woman asked. Bran said angrily: "I'm Brandon Stark of Winterfell, you'd better let go of my horse, or I'll kill you all." The thin man with the gray beard laughed. "I think this kid must be from the Stark family, that's right, only the Stark family is so stupid, and they are even more ruthless when they should beg for mercy." "Cut off his dick and stuff it in his mouth," the little woman suggested, "so he'll shut up." "Harry, you're ugly enough, I didn't expect you to be so brainless." The tall woman said, "This child is worthless when he dies, but you have to keep him alive... God damn it, think about what Mance has in his hands." What will Benjen Stark reward us if we have a kinsman of Benjen Stark as hostage!" "To hell with Mance," the big man cursed. "You want to go back, Osha? I don't think you've got any brains. Do you think the White Walkers care if you have any hostages?" He turned to Bran and slit his thigh. belt.The leather parted as if relieved. He struck quickly and carelessly, and the result was a deep cut.Bran looked down and saw where the woolen leggings had been cut, revealing the white flesh of his thigh.Then the blood gushed out, and he watched the red blood stain gradually spread, feeling slightly dizzy, but unexpectedly alienated, feeling no pain at all, not even feeling a little bit.The big man snorted in surprise. "Drop your weapons now, and I promise you a quick death," Robb yelled. Bran looked up in one last hope, and there he was.It's a pity that the majesty of his words was weakened by the tense and hoarse tone.He was riding a horse with the bloody carcass of a deer hanging on his back, holding a long sword in his hand. "Brother is back." The gray bearded man said. "Hey, this guy is quite fierce." The short woman mocked him.They call her Halle. "You want to fight us, little brat?" "Boy, you're playing one against six, don't be stupid." The tall Ou Shaping raised his spear. "Dismount quickly and throw away the sword. We will thank you for the horse and the venison, and let you and your brother walk." Robb whistled.Everyone heard the sound of footsteps stepping on wet leaves.The low-hanging branches of the bushes shed their snow-covered branches and parted, and gray wind and summer burst through the green.Xia Tian sniffed the breath in the wind and let out a low growl. "Wolf is coming." Harry said silently. "It's a direwolf," Bran said.Although they are not fully developed and their physique is only about the size of a normal wolf, if you observe carefully, it is easy to distinguish the difference.Master Luwin and Beast Master Fran had taught him that the direwolf had a larger head, longer limbs, and a particularly tapered and distinct nose and jaw.Standing in the light snow, they looked haggard and frightening.Gray Wind's nose and mouth were covered with blood. "Two stinky dogs." The bald man said contemptuously, "I know that there is nothing better than a wolf fur cloak to keep you warm at night." He gestured violently. "Take it!" Robb shouted, "Long live Winterfell!" and kicked his horse forward.The stallion leaped into the stream, surrounded by ragged enemies.A man with an ax rushed towards him, yelling without thinking.Robb's long sword hit the opponent's door, making a sickening sound of cracking, and then blood spattered everywhere.The bearded man stretched out his hand to grab the rein, and only held on for half a second... only to see Gray Wind jumping up and throwing him down.He fell into the stream with a thud, shouting and flailing his dagger wildly, his head submerged in water.The direwolf jumped up and continued to attack, and the two of them disappeared into the water. In the blink of an eye, the white water of the river turned dark red. Robb and Osha are fighting in the middle of the river.Like a steel-headed viper, her spear darted toward his chest once, twice, thrice, but Robb's sword parried each blow, deflecting the point of the thrust.On her fourth or fifth thrust the tall woman lost her balance with too much force, and in a second Robb charged and crushed her. A few feet away, Xia Tian jumped forward and bit Harley, only to receive a dagger in the back.Xia Tian roared back and sprinted again.This time his sharp teeth closed tightly around her calf.The short woman held a knife in both hands, and stabbed downward desperately, but the direwolf seemed to sense the danger, and quickly let go, tearing off the leather, rags and bloody pieces of meat in its mouth.Harley fell to the ground, and he jumped forward again, knocking her back and biting her belly. The fifth man wanted to escape the carnage... but didn't get far.He was staggering up to the other bank, when Gray Wind came out of the river dripping wet, shook off the water on his body, and strode after him.The direwolf opened and closed its jaws, snapped his hamstring, then went to bite his throat, and the man slid into the river screaming. At this time, only the big man Steve was left.He slit the straps from Bran's chest, grabbed his arm and yanked so hard that Bran fell off the horse.He was paralyzed on the ground, his legs were entangled, he was pressed by his body, and one foot slipped into the stream.He couldn't feel the cold water, but he could feel Steve's dagger on his throat. "Stand back," he warned, "or I swear I'll cut the brat's windpipe." Robb reined in his horse, panting sharply.The anger disappeared from his eyes, and the hand holding the sword went limp. At that moment, the whole situation was clearly visible to Bran.Summer was dealing with Harley, pulling little shiny blue snakes out of her belly.Her eyes were wide open, staring at the direwolf.Bran couldn't tell if she was dead or alive.The two men with the gray beard and the axe lay motionless.Osha got up and was moving towards her spear.Hui Feng dripped water all over his body, and approached her with a splash. "Tell him to go away!" shouted the big man. "Screw them all away, or this crippled brat will die now!" "Grey Wind, Summer, come here," Robb said. The direwolf stopped and looked back.Gray Wind flew to Robb's side, while Summer stayed where he was, looking at Bran and the people beside him, growling.Its muzzle was bloody, and its eyes were burning with rage. Osha stood up holding the butt of the gun.Robb cut her upper arm with a sword, and she was bleeding.Seeing the sweaty face of the big man, Bran realized that Steve was as scared as he was. "Stark," he murmured, "Damn Stark." He raised his voice. "Osha, kill the wolf and take his sword." "If you want to kill yourself, kill yourself," she replied, "I will never go near those monsters." Steve seemed suddenly out of ideas.His hands began to tremble, and Bran felt the edge of the blade press against his neck, blood dripping down it.The man's stench filled his nostrils, it was a horrible smell. "Hi," he called to Robb, "what's your name?" "I am Robb Stark, Heir of Winterfell." "This is your brother?" "right." "If you want him alive, do as I say. Dismount." Robb hesitated for a moment, then dismounted slowly and deliberately, and stood with sword in hand. "Now kill the wolf." Robb didn't move. "Kill it quickly, or this kid will die." "No!" Bran screamed.Even if Robb followed suit, Steve wouldn't let the two of them go when the direwolf died. The bald grabbed his hair with his other hand and twisted it until Bran was sobbing in pain. "Little trash, shut up, do you hear me?" He twisted harder. "Did you hear that?" A whistling sound came from the woods behind.Steve's voice tightened, out of breath.He saw a wide and half-foot-long arrow that was as sharp as a razor suddenly exploded from his chest.The whole arrow turned bright red, bathed in blood. The dagger fell loose from Bran's throat, and the big man staggered and fell face down in the stream.He snapped the arrow, and Bran watched his blood drip into the water. Osha looked around; her father's bodyguard emerged from under the trees, all armed.She quickly dropped the spear. "My lord, spare me," she called to Robb. Seeing the massacre in front of them, the guards all turned pale and looked weird.They looked at the two wolves hesitantly, and when Summer went back to feast on Harley's carcass, Joseth dropped the hunting knife and turned back to the bushes to vomit.Even Maester Luwin looked horrified when he came out of the woods.Then he recovered, shook his head, and waded across to Bran. "Are you hurt?" "He cut my foot," Bran said, "but I don't feel it." The old master bent over his wound, and Bran looked away, and saw Theon Greyjoy standing under a sentinel tree, bow in hand, grinning.This guy is always smiling.There were five or six arrows stuck in the soft mud near his feet, but he only used one. "The best enemy is a dead one," he said triumphantly. "Greyjoy, Jon always says you're a jerk," Robbrund said. "I should have chained you up and set you up in the yard for Bran to use as a target." "Why don't you thank me for saving your brother's life?" "What if you miss?" said Robb. "What if you miss him? What if your arrow shakes his hand, or hits Bran? All you can see from behind is his cloak." , how do you know he didn't wear a breastplate? If he did, what would happen to my brother? Greyjoy, have you ever wondered?" Theon's smile faded.He shrugged resentfully, and then began to pull the arrows out of the ground one by one. Robb stared at the guards. "Where did you go?" he demanded. "I want you to follow me." The guards exchanged sullen glances. "We're following, my lord," said Quint, the youngest among them, with a thin brown beard, "but we'll wait for Maester Luwin and his donkey, my lord, and then, well, that's . . . He glanced at Theon, then looked away awkwardly. "I saw a turkey on the road," Theon said angrily. "I didn't know you'd leave the kid alone?" Robb turned to stare at Theon again.Bran had never seen him so angry, but he said little, crouching down beside Maester Luwin. "How is my brother's injury?" "It's just a bit of skin," said the old maester.He soaked a cloth in the stream and used it to wash the wound. "There are two men in blackshirts," he told Robb, gesturing. Robb turned his head to look at Steve, who was lying in the stream, and the stream kept tugging at his tattered black cloak. "Deserters from the Night's Watch," he said grimly, "must have no brains to come so close to Winterfell." "Deeds born of folly or desperation are often indistinguishable from each other," said Maester Luwin. "My lord, shall we bury them?" Quint asked. "They're not going to bury us," Robb said. "Chop off the heads and send them to the Wall. The crows will leave the rest." "What about her?" Quint pointed at Osha with his thumb. Robb walked over to her.She was a full head taller than Robb, but she knelt down when he came. "Master Stark, please spare my life, my people are yours." "My people? What would I want an oath-breaker for?" "I didn't break my oath. It was Steve and Warren who escaped from the Great Wall, not me. Those black crows don't accept women." Theon Greyjoy swayed slowly. "Feed her to the wolves," he urged Robb.The woman looked at Harry's wreckage, and turned away tremblingly.The sight even made the guards want to vomit. "She's a woman," said Robb. "A wildling too," Bran told him. "She told them to keep me alive so they could give me to Mance Rayder." "Do you have a name?" Robb asked her. "If your lord is happy, you can call me Osha." She whispered sourly. Maester Luwin stood up. "It's safer to cross-examine." Bran saw the relieved look on his brother's face. "That's it, master. Wayne, tie her hands. She will return to Winterfell with us... Live or die will be decided by her word."