Rills

The Rills are a broad, windswept expanse of rolling plains and grassy hills in the north of Westeros, the domain of House Ryswell. The region is renowned for its horse-breeding, and its lords are noted for their skill as horsemen. The Ryswells are tied to House Bolton by marriage, a connection that shapes their political allegiance during the conflict between the Boltons and Stannis Baratheon.

Geography and Character

The Rills are described as flat and windswept, a landscape of open plains that contrasts with the forests and mountains found elsewhere in the north. The region is home to the Ryswells, a quarrelsome family whose members cannot even agree on the color of their arms; their banners show four horseheads—one grey, one black, one gold, one brown. The land is known for producing fine horses, and the Ryswells are a martial people, providing cavalry to the armies they support.

Political Role in the War

During the War of the Five Kings, the Rills and their lords initially followed Robb Stark. After the Red Wedding, however, the Ryswells, like many northern houses, were forced to choose between the ascendant Boltons and the distant claim of Stannis Baratheon. The Ryswells are tied to House Bolton through marriage: Barbrey Dustin, the Lady of Barrowton, is the sister of Rodrik Ryswell and the widow of Lord Willam Dustin. This connection, along with the Boltons' control of the north, leads the Ryswells to support Roose Bolton. When Ramsay Bolton writes to Jon Snow at Castle Black, boasting of his victory over Stannis and demanding the return of his bride, the letter is co-signed by four Ryswells, signaling their allegiance to the Bolton cause. The Ryswells are present at the wedding of Ramsay Bolton and the false Arya Stark at Winterfell, and their men are part of the Bolton host that awaits Stannis's advance.

The Rills and Stannis's March

As Stannis Baratheon marches south from Deepwood Motte toward Winterfell, the Rills are among the lands he must pass through or contend with. The Ryswells, along with the Dustins, are identified by Lady Melisandre in her fires as among the banners that have declared against the king. The Ryswells' support for the Boltons is a significant obstacle for Stannis, as it denies him the cavalry and resources of the Rills. During the desperate march through the snow, the Ryswells are part of the Bolton force that remains within Winterfell, and their men are among those who suffer from the cold and the mysterious murders that plague the castle's garrison. The Rills, therefore, represent a region whose loyalty to the Boltons, cemented by marriage and political necessity, helps to solidify the Bolton hold on the north and contributes to the dire strategic situation facing Stannis Baratheon.