"Galon!"
Robb cried out in delight.
Galon nodded to Robb, then turned his gaze to Greatjon Umber.
"At present, Lord Eddard's life hangs in the balance in King's Landing. Winterfell summoned us here to aid House Stark and to rescue him!"
His voice hardened.
"And you!"
Galon stared coldly at Greatjon, his words sharp as blades.
"Again and again you provoke discord and obstruction. Is this not deliberate sabotage?"
Greatjon's face twitched. He let out a scoff.
"Sabotage? I came for the North, not to watch you wag your tongue here!"
"For the North?"
Galon sneered and suddenly turned his head toward Robb. "The North belongs to House Stark!"
Then he swept his gaze across the assembled bannermen.
"And to those loyal vassals who stand here!"
His eyes returned to Umber, his voice icy. "As for you, one who scorns his liege lord is nothing but an oathbreaker. What right do you think you have?"
Greatjon laughed in fury.
He kicked over his chair, drew his sword, and pointed it at Galon. "Bear Slayer! Do you dare test whether my blade is sharp?"
Galon showed no hesitation. He drew his greatsword in a single smooth motion.
"My blade is no less keen."
Greatjon was hot-tempered by nature. Faced with such provocation, he could not hold back.
With a roar, he swung his sword and charged at Galon.
The others were shocked. By the time anyone tried to intervene, it was already too late.
A violent wind rushed forward, yet Galon remained calm.
When Greatjon reached him, Galon neither retreated nor dodged. He met the charge head-on, swinging his greatsword to collide directly with Umber's blade.
Clang!
Steel rang against steel. Greatjon felt an overwhelming force surge from Galon's sword, forcing him to strain with all his strength just to hold his ground.
Even so, Galon's blade continued to press down, inch by inch.
"Haah…"
Greatjon's pupils shrank.
He bent backward, summoning every ounce of strength in a desperate attempt to overpower Galon.
But a cold light flashed in Galon's eyes. He too unleashed his full strength, driving Greatjon back two steps in a sudden burst.
Seizing the moment, Galon gripped his greatsword with both hands, roared, and hacked down toward Greatjon's unsteady form.
Only then did Robb snap out of it and shout urgently, "Galon, spare him!"
In the blink of an eye, Greatjon barely regained his footing and raised his sword to block.
Galon's blade came down hard on the weapon in Greatjon's grasp.
The next instant, Greatjon's right hand went numb. His sword flew free, and his body staggered back before crashing to the ground.
Galon stepped forward and looked down at him from above.
"For Lord Stark's sake, I spare your life today."
His gaze swept the hall, fierce and unyielding. "But if anyone dares provoke Lord Stark again, this table will be their example!"
With that, Galon swung his greatsword and split the long table beside him in half. Food scattered across the floor as the table collapsed with a thunderous crash.
As it fell, every heart in the hall tightened.
"What a fiercely loyal Glover," Roose Bolton murmured darkly.
He already sensed that any hope of seizing command of the army had been utterly crushed.
Lady Mormont, Lord Cerwyn, and Lord Rickard Karstark showed no anger. Instead, approval shone in their eyes.
Galon had won the respect of everyone present through his loyalty.
Robb gave Galon a grateful nod.
He then stepped lightly to Greatjon, who was still seated on the floor, and extended a hand.
"My father once taught me that drawing a sword before one's sworn lord is a crime punishable by death."
He paused, then added calmly, "But I believe you merely wished to help me cut the meat."
Greatjon's expression shifted several times before he burst out laughing.
"Meat? That's right. But with Glover here, who else is worthy to cut it for you?"
Accepting the way out Robb offered, Greatjon allowed himself to be pulled to his feet.
He then looked at Galon and snorted.
"Oi, Bear Slayer. I admit it. You've won me over."
Greatjon respected strength above all else, and Galon's power had earned his wholehearted admiration.
Galon knew his temperament well and chose not to press further.
"House Umber is no lesser house," he replied evenly.
The two exchanged a glance and laughed aloud. With that laughter, the conflict dissolved.
When the noise died down, Robb stepped forward and announced that a council of war would be held that evening to discuss the march south.
The northern lords readily agreed and soon departed in small groups.
Before long, only Galon and Robb remained in the hall.
Robb looked at the shattered table and sighed.
"Galon, if not for you, I truly don't know how I would have subdued them."
Galon's eyes flickered.
"You do not need to subdue them, Robb. You are a Stark. Their loyalty comes from the oath of blood."
He stepped closer and spoke softly. "You only need to let them see the man you are. They will follow you of their own accord."
Robb fell silent, deep in thought.
Galon did not interrupt him, though inwardly he reflected.
'The Starks may not need it, but I do. The more loyal I appear and the more tightly I bind myself to House Stark, the fewer obstacles I will face in ruling the North one day.'
Recalling the expressions of Greatjon Umber, Lady Mormont, and the others, Galon knew that today's display had already achieved its purpose.
Robb soon came back to himself and sought Galon's counsel.
"Galon, when my father marched south, he said that if I ever faced difficulty, I could seek your advice."
"I hope you will advise me as you did him, without holding anything back."
Galon answered solemnly, "Yes, Lord Robb."
Robb did not hesitate and spoke his concern. "Galon, do you think I should hand over command of the army?"
"Maester Luwin, Sansa, even Bran oppose my leading the host south myself. Lords like Bolton also wish for me to give them command."
"I cannot decide. What do you advise?"
The moment Robb asked, Galon thought to himself, 'This is it. Now I can persuade him to remain in the North.'
He pretended to ponder, carefully choosing his words.
After a moment, Galon met Robb's expectant gaze.
"Lord Robb, in my view, you should remain in the North and hold the overall command."
"Hold the overall command?" Robb asked, puzzled. "What could be more important than rescuing my father?"
Galon shook his head and spoke plainly.
"You have forgotten the Iron Islands."
Robb's eyes widened. "You mean they will strike the North while it is weakened?"
Galon nodded.
"Yes. Balon's only son died at Winterfell. Combined with old grudges from nine years past, he will surely send his fleets to raid the North."
He paused, lowering his voice.
"And if our campaign in the riverlands becomes a stalemate, there is a great chance they will seize Winterfell itself."
Robb felt a chill run through him.
The more he thought about it, the more convincing Galon's reasoning became.
"Theon died at Winterfell. How could the Iron Islands let that go?
They have held back only because they feared the alliance between the North and the crown. Now that alliance has collapsed…"
Seeing his reaction, Galon pressed on.
"Robb, an invasion from the Iron Islands is almost inevitable. So besides the Lannisters, we must also prepare to face them."
Robb hesitated even more.
"If I stay in the North, then what of the army marching south?"
Galon's gaze shifted slightly, and he soon gave his answer.
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