The next day, Eddard was pleasantly surprised to see Theon's cynical smile back on his face. When he encountered Roose Bolton in the castle hall, Theon even knew how to joke about Roose's soft, quiet voice.
Robb, Jon Snow, and a group of similarly aged attendants were horsing around in the hall. Arya was chatting with a group of stable boys from the Riverlands. Sansa, Little Beth Cassel, and Jeyne Poole were gathered around Dominic Bolton, the heir to Dreadfort, who held a harp in his hands.
Dominic Bolton's performance captivated Sansa and the other young ladies of Winterfell. Sansa clasped her hands together in front of her mouth, looking at Dominic with adoration.
"Did you write all the lyrics yourself? Your voice, your talent, the notes that spring from your strings, it's simply heavenly. I especially love the stories in your songs, of great knights and beautiful princesses, everything is so perfect."
Dominic nodded modestly, a sunny smile on his face. "Thank you for your praise, Miss Sansa. I am glad my singing can move you."
Eddard watched Dominic's handsome face and clear, ice-lake-like eyes. His gentle and refined demeanor made it hard to believe he was Roose Bolton's son.
Sansa said, "Winterfell rarely has singers. Dominic, you're the best singer I've ever seen."
Dominic said calmly, "Miss Sansa flatters me. I am not a professional singer; music is my hobby. I am happy to share my songs at various banquets, but I would never sing for money."
A wave of adulation washed over Dominic. Sansa said, "I wish you could stay in Winterfell forever and perform for us every day."
Dominic shrugged. "I like Winterfell very much, but tomorrow, I'm going back to Dustin Hall with my aunt, Lady Barbrey."
Sansa, Little Beth Cassel, and Jeyne Poole all looked disappointed. Sansa said, "No, I'll ask Father to make you stay, at least for a few more days. I haven't heard enough of your ballads yet!"
Eddard approached. "Sansa, Dominic is Lady Barbrey's attendant, and more importantly, the heir to the Dreadfort. He's not a singer you can just order around."
Sansa pouted. "Father, even you say so." She tossed her chestnut hair and turned to leave. Jeyne Poole and Little Beth Cassel curtsied to Eddard and followed Sansa.
Dominic stood up and greeted Eddard. "Lord Eddard, I didn't realize that Miss Sansa liked music so much."
Eddard said, "Sansa always has dreams of knights and princes. Girls her age don't understand that ballads and reality are two different things. I heard you sing the ballad of the First King at the feast yesterday. That story happened thousands of years ago. Do you believe it's true?"
Dominic plucked a string on his lute, producing a sorrowful note. "I believe it's true. We have to believe in something, or we'll lose ourselves. I like history, I like books, but unfortunately, good copies of books are scarce. Lord Eddard, I heard from Maester Chayle that the library tower in Winterfell has many precious books, some even the Citadel doesn't have."
Eddard said, "Yes, as you know, House Stark has been at Winterfell since the time of the First King. The library at Winterfell holds the most comprehensive collection of books about the North in the world."
Dominic's eyes lit up. "So, there are historical books about House Bolton as well? Lord Eddard, I've always been interested in the history of my grandfather's House Ryswell of the Riverlands, my aunt's House Dustin of Dustin Hall, and, of course, House Bolton. May I borrow these books?"
Eddard replied, "These books are very precious; many are on fragile parchment or even ancient scrolls. You can consult them in the library, but you cannot take them away."
These books were priceless, and Eddard had instructed Maester Chayle to manage them carefully, even adding guards outside the library doors.
Dominic thought for a moment. "Well, it seems I'll have to stay at Winterfell for a while to read, will Lord Eddard welcome me?"
Eddard quite liked the young man; at least he didn't speak in a low voice like Roose Bolton, nor was he as sharp-tongued as Lady Barbrey. "Sansa and the girls of Winterfell all seem to like you, you can stay as long as you like. Yesterday, I saw you with Jon, Robb, and Theon."
"Theon and Robb are both fine young men." Dominic Bolton looked at Robb, Theon, and Jon Snow in the distance. "Lord Eddard, your home is truly lively. I've always longed for a brother, but alas, I have none. I served as a page for Lord Horton Redfort at Redfort in the Vale for three years; he has several sons."
"Lord Eddard, you have several siblings as well. My aunt, Lady Barbrey, often mentions your older brother, Brandon Stark. Yesterday, I had the honor of chatting with your brother, the legendary Night's Watch ranger Benjen, and he even invited me to Castle Black!"
Lady Barbrey approached, this time in a gown as white as fresh snow, which made Eddard even more suspicious that she'd deliberately worn black to Rickon's birthday party yesterday.
Lady Barbrey performed an exaggerated curtsy to Eddard, then turned towards Dominic.
"Dominic, what are you doing here? Have you forgotten about the sparring? Ser Rodrik Cassel, Winterfell's master-at-arms, publicly mocked you at yesterday's feast, saying you only know how to play the lute and sing. Dominic, show them what you've got."
Dominic looked puzzled. "Spar with whom?"
Lady Barbrey pointed towards Jon, Theon, and Robb in the distance. "Those three."
Dominic frowned. "Aunt, Robb and Jon are just children. I'm a grown man, I'm fifteen years old. What honor is there in bullying children?"
Robb and Jon heard this, and immediately came over.
Robb drew his wooden sword. "Dominic, I often beat opponents older than me. You say I'm a child? Looks like you're the one who's afraid."
Jon Snow placed his hands on his chest. "I once defeated Hodor, the giant of Winterfell, in the training yard. He's much bigger than you."
Dominic laughed. "Children always think they're invincible. Looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson. To be fair, you can both come at me. I can handle two, even with Theon thrown in."
Theon sneered. "I don't play children's games. I can beat you one-on-one."
The servants of Winterfell, Dustin Hall, and White Harbor began to cheer loudly. Robb, Jon Snow, and Theon followed Dominic out of the hall towards the training yard.
Eddard was about to leave when Lady Barbrey of Dustin Hall stopped him.
"My lord Eddard, come watch."
Eddard looked displeased.
"Lady Barbrey, I'm busy. I have no interest in children fighting. Or rather, I have no interest in any kind of sparring. Forget about children's practice in the training yard. Even if the 'Kingslayer' fought 'The Bold' Barristan, or if 'Dawn' crawled out of the grave to fight 'Dragonknight' Aemon, I wouldn't care."