At this moment, Lord Rickard Karstark dismounted and knelt beside his fallen son, his face dark and stormy with grief.
Even amidst the battlefield, the sight sent shivers down the spines of soldiers and nobles alike.
A few seconds later, Lord Rickard rose, gripping his longsword tightly. Without a word, he strode toward the captured golden-haired knight, rage burning in his eyes.
It seemed as if, in the next breath, he might impale the Kingslayer's handsome head on his blade.
Jaime Lannister, now conscious, saw Rickard approaching and, upon recognizing the white sunburst sigil on his chest, sneered instead of flinching.
"So, the father of those two blockheads has arrived. If you dare, release me and give me a sword. I'll reunite the three of you—father and sons—in no time."
His words were arrogant and dripping with disdain. In his prime, Jaime alone could handle both Karstark sons.
Rickard said nothing, treating Jaime as if he were already dead.
"Lord Karstark, put down your sword! The battle is over, and we have won!" Robb Stark called out loudly.
Robb knew he needed Jaime alive—he was a valuable hostage who could be exchanged for his father and sisters held in King's Landing. Jaime's death would ruin any chance of negotiation.
Besides, Lord Eddard Stark had taught him never to execute prisoners without a trial.
The weary Lord Rickard paused. Loyalty held him back, but fury still burned in his heart.
"Robb Stark," he said, voice trembling with grief and fury, "I led my men into battle for you. I deserve to judge my own captive. As a father who has just lost a son, I demand justice—a Lannister life in exchange."
"You will have it, Lord Karstark," Robb replied, calm but firm. "But not here. Not now. Not Jaime. The North remembers."
Robb, covered in blood and trembling slightly, struggled to maintain composure. He feared Lord Rickard would defy him, as Lord Umber once had. But Grey Wind wasn't here to back him up.
After a long silence, Eddard Karstark, Rickard's younger son, stepped forward.
"Father, Torhen died fighting for Robb. I believe Lord Stark will not forget our loss."
As a son, Eddard stood behind his father. As a Karstark, he stood behind his house.
He knew that if Rickard lashed out and killed Jaime or another Lannister, Robb might execute him as a traitor. That would ruin House Karstark, making them enemies to both crown and North.
And Eddard had no desire to end up with Roose Bolton or sent to the Wall.
Rickard turned to glance at Eddard, the grief in his eyes softening.
He sheathed his sword and nodded to Robb. "I trust you, Robb. Karstark remembers."
Then, lifting his son's bloodied body, he walked solemnly from the field.
Eddard nodded to Robb and followed.
Winterfell had already seen one vassal challenge Robb's command. Now another test of loyalty had passed—barely.
This wasn't the end of Karstark's loyalty to Winterfell. Just a rift. One that, if handled well, could be mended.
But Robb was still young, only fifteen. Whether he could grasp the politics of the moment remained to be seen.
Still, as Rickard bowed and left, Robb felt a wave of relief. His eyes settled on Eddard with newfound appreciation.
The moonlight faded, and the Western army, realizing Jaime had been captured, quickly surrendered.
Cheers erupted in the forest, now thick with blood and corpses.
Back in camp, the Northern army celebrated. Robb Stark was hailed as invincible.
According to an Ironborn count, the North lost fewer than 200 men. The Lannisters lost nearly 2,000, with hundreds of knights and nobles captured—including Jaime and several Frey and Lannister relatives.
The war, however, was far from over.
In his tent, Eddard lay staring at the canopy, pondering how to avoid future disasters.
He thought of betrayals and Red Weddings.
It felt like being a nanny, but gaining power required protecting the North.
Otherwise, what? Grovel to Roose Bolton?
Earlier, Robb had said, "The North remembers," promising compensation.
Rickard had responded in kind—a Lannister must die.
It should've been two, but since Eddard had replaced his brother through transmigration, only one was now expected.
But Robb needed the Lannister alive to trade.
And Eddard? He was still a second son, with no land or inheritance.
His path lay in valor and strategy.
Maybe, if he returned with Lannister heads, peace between the houses could be restored.
Maybe even a castle.
To build his own strength, Eddard requested four cavalrymen to serve as his direct subordinates.
Rickard, grieving, granted the request without hesitation.
Eddard was satisfied.
He hadn't accessed the original Eddard's memories, so keeping a respectful distance from Rickard was safest.
The four cavalrymen arrived outside his tent.
Northern lords were poor. Their vast lands were cold and harsh. Few people. Little income. Even elite soldiers wore modest armor—chainmail, padded jackets, and black cloaks with the Karstark sigil: the white sunburst.
They were not landed knights, but loyal household troops.
"Young Master," they greeted in unison.
"Introduce yourselves," Eddard ordered, curious if his system would react.
A strong black-haired man stepped forward. "Karas Snow, 26, from Barrowton. I've served House Karstark for four years. No family."
A bastard, Eddard realized. Likely raised under noble patronage. He nodded approvingly.
Then came Lando, a brown-haired veteran with blue eyes. His family had long served Karhold. His wife had died, and his children worked in the castle.
Next was Dita Kalander, a former free knight from White Harbor. Polite, well-spoken, perhaps descended from fallen nobility.
Last was Mam, a red-haired youth full of enthusiasm, the son of a carpenter and a cook.
All had proven loyal through years of service and war.
After the introductions, the system finally responded. It prompted Eddard to recruit them. He accepted.
Their loyalty was middling, but understandable:
Long-time service to House Karstark
Personally assigned by Lord Rickard
Earned respect after the confrontation with Jaime Lannister
Satisfied, Eddard reached into his cloak and pulled out several coin purses.
Time to run a little experiment.