Even in the North, where the salt winds rarely reached past the Neck, the Ironborn were making themselves known. Fishing villages along the Stony Shore whispered of longships seen at dusk shadows on the horizon, sails like wings of crows. Smoke on the water. Nets slashed. Boats burned. Men gone.
At first, it was dismissed. A few drunk raiders, perhaps. A rogue captain testing his luck. But the attacks grew bolder. Faster. More precise. And always, always before the ravens could fly.
In Deepwood Motte, Lady Sybelle Glover stood before her war council, her fingers drumming on the hilt of her sword.
"They're testing us," she said. "Testing the realm."
Her brother Galbart frowned. "The Ironborn haven't dared a full raid in years. Balon Greyjoy knows better."
"Does he?" she asked. "Or has he forgotten?"
In the Taverns of Winter Town
The ale was bitter, the fire warm, and the talk uneasy.
"They say the Ironborn are stirring again," muttered a man with a scar across his cheek. "Three fishing boats taken off Bear Island. No survivors."
"Old wives' tales," said another, waving a hand. "The Greyjoys lost their teeth years ago."
"Aye, but even a toothless dog can still bite," said a third. "And Balon's never been one to stay quiet for long."
In the Halls of Power
At Winterfell, Lord Eddard Stark read the latest raven with a furrowed brow. The parchment smelled of salt and blood.
He passed it to Maester Luwin. "Another raid. This time near Flint's Finger."
Luwin adjusted his chain. "They're probing. Testing the coast."
"Or preparing for something worse," Ned said. "The Greyjoys have always been proud. And pride, when wounded, festers."
"Surely the Crown would not allow another rebellion," Luwin offered. "Not so soon after Robert's War."
Ned said nothing. He looked out the window, toward the grey horizon. Snow fell in slow, lazy flakes, but the wind carried a different chill one that smelled of salt and iron.
[ hey this is the author I been thinking about doing a another story actually too one about Apollo already have a idea of what he's going to have I got his weapons set up and what he's mainly going to be basically Another Game of Thrones one I am still working on the house of the Dragon I'm just trying to figure out some Minor Details of like I have an idea of two characters the other story that I have an idea for a daughter of Thor in storm]