The ThornedCrown

Three hundred and twelve years ago the isle was dying, and Aeldric the Thorned cut nine thorns from the hawthorn at Kingsbarrow and set them in a crown, and nine Houses swore nine oaths, one to each thorn, to be kept by their blood for as long as their blood ran. Houses forget. Houses lie. Houses die out, or marry badly, or sell what was never theirs to sell.

Four thorns have withered. The oath is yours now, whether you wanted it or not.