CHAPTER 171: AFTER THE NIGHT RAID - II

Chapter 171: After the Night Raid - II

130 Kilometers North of The Wall

POV of Robb Stark

Robb took out his own sword and started looking for any Cave Dweller to stab as well. He had never taken a life before, and even if it felt somewhat cowardly to take the life of a defeated opponent. However, it was preferable to do so now than during a freezing battle.

After all, the slightest hesitation on the battlefield could cost a person their life. And as someone who had never taken a life before, Robb wasn’t sure he wouldn’t hesitate, even momentarily, when the time came.

So, rather than make a costly mistake on the battlefield, he’d rather resolve that hesitation in the relative safety of this place, on dead or half-dead people lying on the ground.

’Cave Dwellers.’ He thought. There was a time when he would look at these people and call all of them wildlings.

But after receiving a lesson from Lord Bolton on the various cultures of the wildlings, or Free Folk, as Lord Bolton liked to call them, he came to realize that the people North of the Wall were as diverse and different from each other as the people in the North, if not more so.

"You did well today." He heard Lord Bolton’s voice from a few steps ahead and hurried to catch up to him.

"I did not do anything." He replied. Truly, what else could he have done when the battle was already over and the remnants of the Cave Dwellers were being hunted by Lord Bolton’s horse riders and direwolves?

"Maybe you didn’t fight." Lord Bolton nodded, "But you rallied your men quickly and came to my aid. Not only that, you also took the time to send your uncle and half your men to the other side of the camp in preparation for another ambush. That was very wise of you to do, especially in a situation where many men lose their wits. You have the making of a great battle commander, Robb. Your father would be proud of you."

He flushed like a virgin maiden at Lord Bolton’s praise and then kicked himself for it. "Th... thank you, Domeric." He said to his idol even as his cheeks remained pink.

He was thankful for the darkness now than ever before.

"My direwolf gave me strength and confidence when I gathered my men. He helped me to focus." He said, and Lord Bolton nodded.

"I’m not surprised. The bonded animals are said to do that." Then Lord Bolton turned around and knelt in front of Midnight, who growled at the larger man but didn’t do anything as Lord Bolton rubbed his head.

"When he grows up, I’ll give you chain armor that I’ve designed for the direwolves of my wargs, for Snowric as well." Lord Bolton said and rubbed Midnight’s head one last time before getting up.

"Come, Robb. Let’s go to the command tent to explain the situation to the rest of the lords." Lord Bolton explained and stabbed one last man before turning around and walking away.

He hurried to catch up to Lord Bolton, wondering if the Night’s Watch or any other army would have reacted as quickly as Lord Bolton’s army if they suffered a night raid.

The Night’s Watch has been fighting the Free Folk for centuries, so they would probably have been fine, but he couldn’t say the same for the other heirs.

Maybe this was why Lord Bolton and Lord Jeor Mormont had decided to take the front and the back. To protect the naive and young heirs that would otherwise be easy prey in the cold of these Lands.

The realization stung anew the pride he had thought he had regained. Despite everything, he was still in a position where he was constantly watched, like a toddler, guarded, and even feared he might be harmed.

Even worse was the fact that he had only just realized he was being protected in this way. When Lord Bolton and the Lord Commander of Night’s Watch shared the front and back of the camp, he hadn’t even realized he was being guarded like a newly hatched baby bird.

He was starting to see why his father allowed him to come here. His father respected Lord Bolton and believed that he would be safe in his care. And he also understood why he was told to watch and learn from Lord Bolton and the others.

When Lord Bolton and Robb arrived at the command tent, all the lords and heirs were already waiting for them.

It wasn’t surprising that Smalljon Umber was the first to speak. In fact, it would have been surprising if someone else had acted before Smalljon.

"What happened? What’s the situation outside? I heard the Wildlings were making a night attack, but they told me it was over before I could rally my men." Smalljon asked.

"Nothing. Just some Cave Dwellers who are eyeing our weapons, food, and clothes. They launched a night raid from the front side, and now they’re all dead."

"How many casualties do we have?" Lord Commander Jeor Mormont asked.

"A dozen Bolton men are dead."

"Just a dozen? So, all this chaos was caused by a few marauding Wildlings interrupting our sleep?" Theon grunted. This friend of Robb sometimes didn’t know what he shouldn’t say.

"A dozen brave soldiers are still a lot to me, squid boy. The Boltons value every man. And if you’re really curious, they attacked with 500 men, not just a few. Thanks to the Warg who did his duty, we were aware of the attack early, so our losses weren’t much greater.

Now, the lords and heirs are speaking here. If you’re not going to say anything useful, I suggest you keep your mouth shut," Lord Bolton said.

"Or what will yo..."

"Or you’ll become not only a squid but also a mute," Varko said before Theon could finish. He took a step forward, one hand on his sword pommel.

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Next Chapters’ Name:

Ch.172: Like a Wave Crashing Against a Cliff

Ch.173: Rumors