Im taking a look down from my gates and who should ride up out of the past? Bethod called to him. The Bloody-Nine! Would you believe it? Id organise a feast, but weve no food to spare in here! He stood there, at the parapet, high up above the doors, fists on the stone. He didnt sneer. He didnt smile. He didnt do much of anything.
If it aint the King o the Northmen! Logen shouted up. Still got your golden hat, then?
Bethod touched the ring round his head, the big jewel on his brow glittering with the setting sun. Why wouldnt I have?
Let me see Logen looked left and right, up and down the bare walls. Just that youve got shit all left to be King of, far as I can tell.
Huh. I reckon were both feeling lonely. Where are your friends, Bloody-Nine? Those killers you liked around you. Wheres the Thunderhead, and Grim, and the Dogman, and that bastard Black Dow?
All done with, Bethod. Dead, up in the mountains. Dead as Skarling. Them and Littlebone, and Goring, and Whitesides, and plenty more besides.
Bethod looked grim at that. Not much to cheer about, if youre asking me. Thats some useful men gone back to the mud, one way or another. Some friends of mine, and some of yours. There never is a happy outcome with we two, is there? Bad as friends, and worse as enemies. What did you come here for, Ninefingers?
Logen sat there, for a moment, thinking of all the other times hed done what he had to do now. The challenges hed made, and their outcomes, and there were no happy memories among that lot. Say one thing for Logen Ninefingers, say hes reluctant. But there was no other way. Im here to make a challenge! he bellowed, and the sound of it echoed back from the damp, dark walls and died a slow death in the misty air.
Bethod tipped back his head and laughed. A laugh without much joy in it, Logen reckoned. By the dead, Ninefingers, but you never change. Youre like some old dog no one can stop from barking. Challenge? What have we got left to fight over?
I win, you open the gates and belong to me. My prisoner. I lose, the Union pack up and sail for home, and youre free.
Bethods smile slowly faded and his eyes narrowed, suspicious. Logen knew that look from way back. Turning over the chances, sorting through the reasons why. That sounds like a golden offer, considering the fix Im in. Hard to believe it. Whats in it for your Southern friends up there?
Logen snorted. Theyll wait, if they have to, but they dont much care about you, Bethod. Youre nothing to them, for all your bluster. They kicked your arse across the North already and they reckon youll not be bothering them again either way. If I win, they get your head. If I lose, they can go home early.
Im nothing to them, eh? Bethod split a sad smile. Is that what its come to, after all my work, and sweat, and pain? Are you happy, Ninefingers? To see all Ive fought for put in the dust?
Why shouldnt I be? Youve no one but yourself to blame for it. It was you brought us to this. Take my challenge, Bethod, then maybe one of us can have peace!
The King of the Northmen gaped down, eyes wide. No one else to blame? Me? How soon we all forget! He grabbed the chain round his shoulders and rattled it. You think I wanted this? You think I asked for any of it? All I wanted was a strip more land to feed my people, to stop the big clans squeezing me. All I wanted was to win a few victories to be proud of, to pass on something better to my sons than I got from my father. He leaned forward, his hands clutching at the battlements. Who was it always had to push a step further? Who was it would never let me stop? Who was it had to taste blood, and once hed tasted it got drunk on it, went mad with it, could never get enough? His finger stabbed down. Who else but the Bloody-Nine?
Thats not how it was, growled Logen.
Bethods laughter echoed harsh on the wind. Is it not? I wanted to talk with Shama Heartless, but you had to kill him! I tried to strike a deal at Heonan, but you had to climb up and settle your score, and start a dozen more! Peace, you say? I begged you to let me make peace at Uffrith, but you had to fight Threetrees! On my knees I begged you, but you had to have the biggest name in all the North! Then once youd beaten him, you broke your word to me and let him live, as though there was nothing bigger to think about than your damn pride!
Thats not how it was, said Logen.
Theres not a man in the North that doesnt know the truth of it! Peace? Hah! What about Rattleneck, eh? I would have ransomed his son back to him, and we could all have gone home happy, but no! What did you say to me? Easier to stop the Whiteflow than to stop the Bloody-Nine! Then you had to nail his head to my standard for the whole world to see, so the vengeance would never find an end! Every time I tried to stop, you dragged me on, deeper and deeper into the mire! Until there could be no stopping any longer! Until it was kill or be killed! Until I had to put down the whole North! You made me King, Ninefingers. What other choices did you leave me?
Thats not how it was, whispered Logen. But he knew it had been.
Tell yourself that Im the cause of all your woes if it makes you happy! Tell yourself Im the merciless one, the murderous one, the bloodthirsty one, but ask yourself who I learned it from. I had the best master! Play at being the good man if you please, the man with no choices, but we both know what you really are. Peace? Youll never have peace, Bloody-Nine. Youre made of death!
Logen wouldve liked to deny it, but it would just have been more lies. Bethod truly knew him. Bethod truly understood him. Better than anyone. His worst enemy, and still his best friend. Then why not kill me, when you had the chance?
The King of the Northmen frowned, as though he couldnt understand something. Then he started to laugh again. He shrieked with it. You dont know why? You stood right beside him and you dont know? You learned nothing from me, Ninefingers! After all these years, you still let the rain wash you any way it pleases!
Whatre you saying? snarled Logen.
Bayaz!
Bayaz? What of him?
I was ready to put the bloody cross in you, sink your carcass in a bog with all the rest of your misfit idiots and was happy to do it, until that old liar came calling!
And?
I owed him, and he wanted you let go. It was that meddling old fuck that saved your worthless hide, and nothing else!
Why? growled Logen, not knowing what to make of it, but not liking that he was learning about it so long after everyone else.
But Bethod only chuckled. Maybe I didnt grovel low enough for his taste. Youre the one he saved, you ask him the whys, if you live long enough. But I dont think you will. I take your challenge! Here. Tomorrow. At sunrise. He rubbed his palms together. Man against man, with the future of the North hanging bloody on the outcome! Just as it used to be, eh, Logen? In the old days? In the sunny valleys of the past? Roll the dice together one more time, shall we? The King of the Northmen stepped slowly back, away from the battlements. Some things have changed, though. Ive a new champion now! If I was you, Id say your goodbyes tonight, and get ready for the mud! After all what was it you used to tell me? His laughter faded slowly into the dusk. You have to be realistic!
Good piece o meat, said Grim.
A warm fire and a good piece of meat were two things to be thankful for, and thered been times enough when Dogman had a lot less, but watching the blood drip from that chunk of mutton was making him feel sick. Reminded him of the blood that came out of Shama Heartless when Logen split him open. Years ago, maybe, but the Dogman could see it fresh as yesterday. He could hear the roars from the men, the shields crashing together. He could smell the sour sweat and the fresh blood on the snow.