"Robb, tell me first. What is the situation in the south right now?"
Galon estimated that news of Riverrun's setback should have already reached Winterfell, so he decided to start from there to persuade Robb.
At the mention of the southern situation, Robb let out a heavy sigh of frustration.
"The Kingslayer crushed Riverrun at the Golden Tooth. The forces stationed there have already withdrawn back to Riverrun.
He is probably reorganizing his army now, planning to besiege Riverrun until it surrenders."
"And Tywin defeated all the men my father sent to capture Gregor Clegane at the Mummers' Ford. Only a handful escaped.
The intelligence says Tywin intends to seize Harrenhal."
Galon's expression remained calm. This information was almost exactly what he had expected.
But just as he was about to speak, Robb revealed something that left him stunned.
"Before King Robert died, he legitimized two of his bastards. One of them even became my father's adopted son."
"What?" Galon's expression changed sharply. Before Robb could continue, he pressed urgently, "You said the king legitimized two bastards?"
Robb nodded to confirm. "That's right. One of them is called Gendry. He became my father's adopted son. The other is named Edric Storm."
Seeing Galon's shock, Robb could not help asking, "What's wrong? Is there something special about them?"
The news was so unexpected that Galon had no time to answer Robb. Instead, he silently reasoned it out.
'Ned must have told Robert about Jaime and Cersei's affair. Yet Robert managed not to kill them?'
'And instead chose to legitimize his bastards.'
Even Galon had to admire Robert's shrewdness.
Once the bastards were legitimized, Joffrey's claim to the throne became extremely unstable. A clash between the Lannisters and the bastards was inevitable.
Galon guessed Robert's intention was to use the bastards to wipe out the Lannisters completely.
He came back to himself and met Robb's puzzled gaze.
"I know why lord Eddard was arrested."
"Why?" Robb's expression shook as he asked urgently.
"Because of the legitimized bastards," Galon said in a low voice.
Seeing Robb's confusion, he explained patiently.
"I do not know why the king chose to legitimize his bastards, but once legitimized, they undoubtedly threatened Joffrey's position.
And even more critically, one of those bastards is the lord Eddard's adopted son."
"If the bastards gain the support of the North, they will certainly challenge Joffrey's claim. When that happens…"
Galon did not need to finish. Robb already understood.
"So that's how it is…"
He cursed angrily. "Damn the Lannisters. They dared to imprison my father and frame him for treason just for this."
"And that bastard Joffrey. I am his sworn enemy!"
Galon's eyes shifted slightly as he tested the waters. "Robb, do you know where Gendry is now?"
Robb shook his head. "No. The letter said that when my father was arrested, Gendry escaped King's Landing. His whereabouts are unknown."
Galon's mind turned quickly.
"Perfect. I can use the escaped Gendry to persuade Robb to march south, and keep myself in the North."
After thinking it through, he organized his words and spoke firmly.
"Robb, it seems you have no choice but to lead the army south."
Robb looked puzzled. He did not understand why Galon had suddenly changed his stance, but he did not interrupt.
"Joffrey first hired someone to harm Bran, and now he has imprisoned your father. There is no room for reconciliation between the North and him."
"Especially you, Robb."
Galon met his eyes and said solemnly, "If you refuse to kneel to Joffrey, there is only one path left."
"March south, find Gendry, and place him on the Iron Throne. Just as your father once supported King Robert.
This is something only you can do. No one else is suitable."
Robb felt enlightened at once.
"You're right. Asking me to swear loyalty to Joffrey would be worse than killing me."
But he quickly added, "If I leave the North, what about an attack from the Iron Islands?"
Galon's heart tightened.
'Here it comes. Whether I can stay depends on what I say next.'
He looked at Robb steadily and began guiding him.
"Robb, you can appoint someone you trust here in the North and grant him partial authority.
If the Iron Islands land to raid, he can organize the forces to repel them."
Robb lowered his head in thought, then asked, "Who do you think is most suitable?"
Without hesitation, Galon answered, "Harris Mollen."
"Hm?" Robb thought of the new captain of the guard his father had appointed and asked, "Why him?"
Galon explained, "He is the captain of Winterfell's guard and deeply trusted by House Stark. If you entrust him with authority, you can rest easy."
He paused, then added hesitantly, "The only concern is whether his military ability is sufficient."
Robb recalled his father's assessment and shook his head.
"Captain Mollen will not do. He is loyal, but his ability leaves much to be desired."
He looked at Galon, wanting him to suggest someone else.
But before he could speak, Robb suddenly realized something. 'Who could be more suitable than Galon?'
'Deepwood Motte and the ironborn are sworn enemies. Galon is loyal, and his military talent is unmatched.'
'With him here, Winterfell would be completely secure.'
After a brief moment of thought, Robb made his decision.
He smiled broadly. "I've chosen the person. It's you, Galon."
Galon felt a surge of joy, but showed shock on his face.
"Me?"
He raised his voice and refused. "No. I promised Sansa I would march south to rescue the lord and Arya. How can I stay in the North?"
Though refusing, Galon was reminding Robb that his bond with House Stark was extraordinary.
As expected, thinking of Galon as his future goodbrother made Robb even more confident.
"Galon, you're the only one I trust in the North. If you don't stay, I truly don't know what to do."
"Help me. You must stay."
Galon remained unmoved and refused again with the same words.
At last, Robb invoked his authority.
"Galon, in the name of Winterfell, I order you to remain and defend the North against the Iron Islands."
Only then did Galon put on a reluctant expression and agree.
"Yes. House Glover obeys your command."
Robb clapped his arm and laughed. "That's more like it."
"Tonight, I will inform the other northern lords."
"And I will notify Barrowlands, Torrhen's Square, and Cerwyn. If the Iron Islands truly attack, I will grant you the authority to levy troops there."
Galon's heart shook. A flicker of delight passed his eyes before he spoke solemnly.
"House Glover will not fail Winterfell's trust. I will give everything to defend the North."
Robb nodded. With that burden lifted from his mind, he continued to seek Galon's advice on the southern campaign.
After some thought, Galon laid out the plan of dividing forces and using cavalry to relieve Riverrun.
When Galon finished his detailed explanation, Robb could not help praising the brilliance of the strategy.
"An excellent plan. It's exactly what I had in mind."
Galon smiled inwardly.
"Of course it is. It's your plan."
He moved his lips and smiled along.
After that, the two continued to estimate and rehearse the plan and its possible developments.
That evening, all the northern bannermen arrived with their deputies for the war council.
During the meeting, when Robb mentioned the Iron Islands possibly taking advantage of the chaos, Lord Tallhart of Torrhen's Square and Lord Cerwyn both changed color.
They even considered asking to stay behind themselves.
But when they heard that Galon would remain to guard the North, and having witnessed his command ability, they hesitated briefly before agreeing.
Lord Tallhart and Lord Cerwyn planned to strengthen ties with Galon after the meeting, since their lands would depend on him if attacked.
Roose Bolton, meanwhile, felt a surge of delight.
'With Galon gone, who can rival me in military command? The greatest glory of the southern campaign will be mine.'
Wary of House Glover, he immediately supported Robb's proposal.
The lords of Bear Island, Oldcastle, Hornwood, and others also voiced their agreement.
Thus, the decision for Galon to remain and defend the North was finalized.
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