Chapter 6 — The Council of the North
The lords stared at Manny as if he had spoken something close to blasphemy. For a moment, not a single man moved. Then the anger came.
Greatjon Umber rose first, face red and voice loud. "Are you saying the North is weak?" he demanded. "The First Men fought giants, fought the cold, fought every damn thing the world threw at them. We stand as strong as they ever did."
Lord Karstark bristled. "My men have fought in more battles than most. The North bends to no one and fears no one."
Lady Mormont crossed her arms. "Bear Island does not turn from any danger. Speak plain, stranger. Do you doubt our courage?"
Lord Hornwood gave a sharp snort. "The North has stood for thousands of years. We will not fall to stories."
Even Lord Manderly, who was usually calm, frowned. "It sounded as though you were questioning our strength."
Even Ned looked displeased. His voice was quiet, but firm. "Manny, perhaps choose your words better. These are proud houses, and rightly so."
Manny did not flinch before their anger. He lifted his hands slightly, asking them to listen.
"Do not misunderstand me," he said. "I am not doubting your courage. I am not doubting your strength. I am not doubting your fearlessness. The North is strong, and the First Men were stronger still. But this enemy is not like others. I wanted to point out that the North will need all the hands it can get to defeat the dead."
The room fell still.
Manny continued, "The dead do not tire. They do not eat. They do not drink. They do not feel pain. When a Northern warrior falls in battle against them, he becomes an enemy soldier. Every dead warrior added to their ranks makes them stronger. This is the most terrifying part of fighting the dead."
Some of the lords shifted uncomfortably.
Manny's voice remained steady. "Even dead people buried in the land for years will rise again as wights when the White Walkers command it. Even dead animals. Horses. Wolves. Bears. Everything that once lived."
Understanding began to creep through the room, though slowly.
Lord Cerwyn swallowed and asked, "Do you mean to say… the dead in the crypts will rise too? Even the old lords and ladies of Winterfell?"
A chill passed through everyone present. Even Ned felt it.
Manny nodded. "Yes. Every dead person or animal can be used by them."
Roose Bolton leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "You seem to have a very thorough understanding of their nature. Their means. Their measures." His voice was cold. "Suspiciously thorough."
Manny met his gaze without fear. "I know what I know because I was sent by the gods with this knowledge. Not all of it, but enough. Yes, I understand the enemy better than any living person in this realm." His voice softened into a murmur. "Except one person."
The last words were quiet, but a few nearby lords heard them.
Ned stepped forward. "If you know them so well," he said, "then you should lead our preparations for the fight that is coming."
Several lords nodded in agreement.
Lord Glover said, "A man who knows the enemy is better than a man who only knows stories."
Karstark added, "He should lead the plans."
Even Maege Mormont nodded once. "Knowledge is a weapon. We should use it well."
Roose Bolton, however, spoke with icy calm. "Lord Stark, our men will not follow a leader chosen in a single decision. Not someone they do not know. Not someone without a house."
Before Ned could respond, Manny raised a hand.
"I do not wish to lead your warriors," he said. "It would only cause problems. It would be better to create a council. A council made of the lords of the North for this one purpose. I will just lead the preparation and coordination among the Northern Lords. You will all lead your own men. This way no one will complain or cry foul, and everyone keeps command of their own people."
The response was immediate.
"That is acceptable," Umber said.
"Aye," Karstark agreed. "I will not hand my men to another lord. But a council… that we can do."
"House Mormont agrees," Maege said.
Manderly nodded. Bolton gave the slightest dip of his chin.
And so, the council was accepted in the shortest time.
Its purpose was simple: unite the North for the coming war, coordinate preparation, and make decisions together.
Maester Luwin cleared his throat. "If such a council is formed… should we not inform the king? And perhaps the Citadel as well?"
Every lord looked at another lord, unsure.
Then all eyes turned to Ned and Manny.
Manny spoke first. "Do not send a raven. The Southerners believe in the White Walkers even less than you did an hour ago. They will think you fools. They will laugh at you. Or worse, they will think you mad lunatics."
Greatjon Umber let out a string of curses. "The Southerners are useless cunts! All they do is play games and stab each other in the back! Those scheming bastards!"
Other lords nodded. Even Lord Manderly agreed.
Manny waited for the noise to settle before continuing.
"The first priority should be to gather the small villages near each keep. Move them closer to your castles. Protect them. Feed them. Then grow more food. Buy grain from the Reach and Riverlands while it is still cheap and plenty. Store it."
The lords listened with growing seriousness.
Manny's next words tightened faces and straightened backs.
"You must take the dead out from your lands," he said, "and burn them. Even the dead lords and ladies in your crypts."
A few faces twitched, and almost every lord looked uncomfortable. But they understood.
"You can bury the ashes later," Manny added. "Their memories will remain. But their bodies must not fall into enemy hands."
Ned nodded slowly. "It must be done."
Manny continued, "You must also unearth bodies in villages and forests around your keeps. Even in the wilds where you remember any fights or battle which has happened. Do not leave any dead behind. The White Walkers will use everything they can find."
Again, the lords nodded.
"And you will need more men," Manny said. "Train them. Arm them. Prepare them. Each lord will train his own men. No armies will be mixed yet. Keep everyone under their own banners."
He then turned to Benjen and Maester Luwin.
"For you two, I have tasks as well."
Luwin straightened, ready to write.
"Maester," Manny said, "you must stock up on medicines. Gather herbs, bandages, spirit fire, anything that holds back sickness. Then check old records of the Winter Kings, they are even older than the Citadel and the Dragonlords of Valyria. They should have some important records."
The moment he said "Winter Kings," something shifted.
The lords of the North all turned toward Ned with burning eyes. It was as if the words had struck a sleeping fire inside them.
Ned and Benjen shared a look. Neither had heard that title spoken in centuries. Last it was used was 300 years ago when Aegon Targaryen arrived in his Dragon and the then Winter King bent the knee, the last one to hold that title, Torrhen Stark.
Manny blinked. "Why are you all staring at me like that?"
No one answered, so Manny continued.
"Have you forgotten your own history? The man who built Winterfell, raised the Wall, and defeated the White Walkers eight thousand years ago was Brandon the Builder. And he was then named Winter King. Why, have you forgotten how your words and motto 'Winter Is Coming' came from to be? It was to remind everyone in future to always be cautious about the Walkers. It was a warning. It meant that the White Walkers would come again."
The lords stared at him, stunned. They all came from old houses, yet none had ever heard the words explained like this.
Manny pointed at Umber, Bolton, Karstark, and Reed. "Your houses are old. Very old. Some records must survive. You must check them."
Lord Reed finally spoke. "My father kept old stories and scrolls. I know some things… but not many."
Manny asked, "Do you remember your words Lord Reed?"
Lord Reed answered, "We Remember."
Manny continued, "And your Oath of Fealty?"
Lord Reed hesitated a bit but said in solemn voice, "I swear it by earth and water, by bronze and iron, and by ice and fire."
This shocked many lords as they had not heard of this oath ever. They looked with full of questions at Lord Reed but he was not looking at anybody. He was staring at the main seat which was Lord Stark's seat.
"And who do you owe your fealty to? Why do you have so harsh and solemn oath?"
Lord Reed, "To the King of Winter. To the King in the North."
This shook many old houses to their core.
Lord Karstark questioned, "Why have we never heard of this before?"
"Because many things were lost," Manny said. "The war was over 8000 years ago. Then there were the Andals. The Andals invaded six thousand years ago and destroyed countless records. Your lorekeepers fell. And the Citadel…" He paused and looked at Luwin. "They fear magic. They deny it exists. And they do not allow much written about it."
Maester Luwin shifted, uncomfortable. "It is true," he admitted slowly. "The Citadel discourages such studies. They hate anything related to these topic."
Many lords exchanged looks. This was new to them. And troubling.
Manny lifted his voice again to bring them back to the task. "The Citadel can be dealt with later. For now, we focus on preparation."
He turned to Benjen. "I need you to take me to the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch."
Benjen frowned. "Why?
Ned's face tightened. He knew what was coming. But even he had not expected Manny to say it here, so early, in front of everyone.
Manny did not hesitate.
"Only the Lord Commander can give permission for what must be done."
Benjen asked, "And what is that?"
Manny looked at every lord in the room, then spoke clearly.
"I need permission to use the land of the Gift to settle the Wildlings."
Silence fell again.
And this time it was even heavier than before.
End of Chapter 6 — The Council of the North