After the military council ended, the date for the army's departure was set as well.
Two days later, Galon and Sansa saw Robb off as he led his host south. After that, Galon remained in Winterfell for another day, spending time properly with Sansa.
Then he led his troops back to Deepwood Motte once more.
Galon did not disband the levied forces. Instead, he kept them behind for further training.
When the soldiers raised questions, Galon did not try to hide the truth.
After learning that the Iron Islands were likely to raid the North, the leaders of the four major clans were skeptical at first.
But Galon's recent conduct had earned their trust.
In the end, they decided to stay for a few more days and observe.
While Deepwood Motte prepared for war, time passed little by little.
Thirteen days later.
Robb reached Moat Cailin with his army and joined forces with the troops from White Harbor and Barrowlands. His strength swelled to over eleven thousand men.
At the same time.
Catelyn, returning from the Eyrie under the escort of House Manderly, arrived at Moat Cailin together with Brynden Tully, the Blackfish.
They brought the latest news that Riverrun was under siege.
Inside the command tent.
Catelyn tactfully suggested to the assembled bannermen that she wished to speak with Robb alone.
The lords all looked to Robb, waiting for his decision.
Only after Robb nodded did they file out of the tent one by one, leaving space for the mother and son.
Seeing this, Catelyn could not help but feel pleased that her son had so easily commanded the respect of the northern lords.
"Mother!"
Only now did the stern expression on Robb's face soften into a smile. "I'm so glad you're safe."
Catelyn looked at her son with pride and joy and sighed.
"If your father were here, he would be amazed by how much you've changed."
Unexpectedly, Robb laughed. "That's all thanks to Galon."
Catelyn froze. "What does this have to do with Galon?"
She quickly recalled the lords she had just seen and realized Galon was not among them. Anxiety immediately surfaced.
"Where is Glover? Why didn't Galon march with the army?"
"Has he betrayed House Stark?"
Robb shook his head helplessly.
"Mother, I was the one who ordered Galon to remain behind and hold the North."
He recounted everything that had happened over the past half month, and Catelyn's expression shifted again and again.
"The Iron Islands…"
She unconsciously looked westward, as if her gaze crossed the distance to see the ironborn warships filling the sea.
"Galon is right. Balon Greyjoy would never sit by while the North is empty. It's only a matter of time before he strikes."
Then she fixed Robb with a serious stare. "But Robb, can Galon alone truly hold the North?"
Robb nodded firmly. "You can rest easy, Mother. Galon's strategy impressed even Father. He even predicted that Riverrun would be besieged."
That left Catelyn deeply shocked.
"What?"
Seeing her reaction, Robb simply told her the strategy Galon had proposed at the military council.
"Mother, two weeks ago, while still in the North, I already learned that the Kingslayer defeated Lord Vance and Lord Piper at the Golden Tooth, forcing them back to Riverrun."
"And even worse, Tywin is leading more troops toward Harrenhal. He plans to block us on the kingsroad."
These were things Catelyn already knew well.
She asked, "Then what does Galon intend to do?"
Robb smiled slightly. "Leave most of the infantry behind as a feint, to maneuver with Tywin on the kingsroad."
"Then concentrate all the cavalry and ride through the night to Riverrun, coordinating with Uncle Brynden to take down the Kingslayer."
"That way, we can trade the Kingslayer for Father."
Catelyn's eyes flickered. She could hardly believe such a plan came from Galon.
"But then there would be a river separating you from the rest of your army."
Recalling the map, she continued, "And that same river also lies between the Kingslayer and Tywin."
Robb replied confidently, "Exactly. And the only crossing is controlled by Lord Frey. He is my grandfather's bannerman. No matter what Tywin does, he won't be able to cross."
"The late Frey…"
Catelyn felt uneasy and warned him, "Your grandfather never trusted him. You shouldn't either."
"I won't," Robb assured her, then asked, "Mother, what do you think of this plan?"
Though she still disliked Galon, Catelyn had to admit the plan was excellent.
"It's very good," she nodded reluctantly. "Which force do you plan to command?"
"The cavalry," Robb answered without hesitation. "As for the other force, I plan to have Roose Bolton command it. What do you think?"
Catelyn recalled Ned's assessment of Lord Bolton and had to agree it was a sound choice.
She nodded with relief. "Yes. Lord Bolton is calm-headed. He's a suitable choice."
Her approval put a broad smile on Robb's face.
He now felt increasingly confident about the course of the war.
"Mother, I'll send an escort later to take you back to Winterfell. Sansa and Bran both miss you very much."
Catelyn was tempted, but then she clenched her teeth. "I'm not going back to Winterfell. My father and brother are surrounded. I must return to Riverrun."
Robb tried to persuade her, but seeing that she had made up her mind, he could only let her continue south with the army.
After resting in place for one day,
Robb left behind one hundred archers, together with the hundred archers led by Newgate, to garrison Moat Cailin.
The rest of the northern host crossed Moat Cailin and charged toward the Green Fork like tigers descending a mountain.
Soon, news of Robb's advance spread in all directions.
King's Landing, the dungeons.
Ned looked haggard as he leaned against the stone wall of his dark cell.
Since being thrown into this dungeon, he was only given small amounts of barely edible food and water at long intervals.
It was obvious that Cersei and the others were merely preventing him from starving to death.
Ned understood clearly that only a living Ned was a bargaining chip. A dead one was worthless.
'Fool. You utter fool!'
He cursed himself bitterly. Why had he not listened to others? Why had he failed to see Littlefinger's scheme?
'I should have listened to Galon. I should have replaced Janos at once instead of trusting Littlefinger!'
Pain filled Ned's eyes. After learning of Robert's death, he had rushed to act, determined to seek justice, only for reality to teach him a cruel lesson.
Littlefinger had joined hands with Janos and defected to the queen.
Ned was stabbed in the back on the spot. All the Stark men were slaughtered, and he himself was thrown into prison.
Just as Ned was drowning in regret, footsteps echoed in the corridor outside.
Moments later, a dim oil lamp lit up his vision.
"You!"
Ned was startled, then calmed himself. "Varys. Have you come to convey Cersei's orders?"
Varys hung the lamp on the wall, then, as if performing a trick, produced some food wrapped in paper and a skin of summerwine from his wide sleeves.
"Yes, Lord Stark."
Varys smiled as always and placed the food and wine before him. "Queen Regent Cersei hopes you will confess and submit. If you do, she will allow you to take the black and spare your life."
Ned did not take the food or wine. He sneered. "She certainly plans things well."
He stared at Varys and said with certainty, "It seems my son has already led the army south."
Seeing him refuse the food, Varys set it down on the straw and said leisurely, "Indeed. An army of the North in the hands of a child is very dangerous."
His smile grew sickeningly sweet. "Lord Stark, as long as you acknowledge King Joffrey's legitimacy and write to your son, I guarantee you will return safely to the North."
Ned was about to spit in contempt when a thought struck him.
"Cersei failed to catch Gendry and Arya?"
"They ran too fast. The gold cloaks simply couldn't catch them."
For some reason, Varys shrugged and shared the intelligence he had just received. "And your son has also safely reached Dragonstone. Stannis has risen in rebellion."
Ned's expression lit up with joy.
"Rickon reached Dragonstone? Arya is alive too?"
The great weight in his heart finally lifted.
Seeing this, Varys's lips curved slightly. "Lord Stark, I hope you will give the queen regent's proposal careful consideration."
With that, he turned and left, lamp in hand, without waiting for Ned's reply. It was as if his true purpose had simply been to inform Ned about his children.
Ned could not fathom the eunuch's intentions.
In the end, he picked up the food Varys had brought and began to eat.
He had to live.
Elsewhere, Euron steered his ship, the Silence, back to the Iron Islands.
A twisted horn nearly two meters long was carried into the great hall of Pyke. And there, Balon and Asha were already waiting.
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