Rodrik Ryswell
Rodrik Ryswell is the Lord of the Rills and head of House Ryswell, a vassal house of Winterfell in the North. Ambitious and fond of horse breeding, he spent years pursuing a marriage that would tie his family to the Starks, and though that goal eluded him, his two daughters, Bethany and Barbrey, both ended up married to two of the North's great lords.
Chapter 1
The son-in-law that never was
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Rickard Stark
Catelyn Stark
Eddard StarkWhile Brandon Stark, Lord Rickard Stark's eldest son, was fostered with House Dustin at Barrowton, he spent long stretches riding through the Rills, and Lord Ryswell enjoyed hosting him. Rodrik hoped to marry him to his younger daughter Barbrey, who eventually gave Brandon her maidenhead, but Lord Stark chose instead to betroth Brandon to Catelyn Tully, daughter of Lord Hoster Tully. Rodrik then tried for Rickard's middle son, Eddard, without success, and Barbrey ended up marrying Willam Dustin.
Chapter 2
The stallion that came back without the bones
Books only
Robert's Rebellion broke out after Rickard and Brandon Stark were killed in King's Landing, and Willam Dustin rode south with Lord Eddard. Barbrey sent him off with the red stallion, the pride of her father Rodrik's herds, but Willam fell at the Tower of Joy. Barbrey still resents that Eddard brought the horse home and left her husband's bones behind.
Chapter 3
Sworn to the Dreadfort
Books only
Roose BoltonWith the War of the Five Kings already lost for the Starks, House Ryswell was among the first northern houses to swear loyalty to Roose Bolton once King Tommen named him Warden of the North.
Chapter 4
Enemies at the wedding
Books only
Ramsay Bolton
Arya StarkLord Rodrik attended, with his cousins and with Barbrey, the wedding of Ramsay Bolton and the girl presented as Arya Stark, held at Winterfell. He was openly hostile to the Freys present, since several men of his house had died in the Red Wedding.
