"Bang…"
After reading the raven's message, Robb Stark hurled his wine cup across the tent in fury.The Ironborn attack would completely shatter his campaign, and if things went wrong, he could end up trapped in the Westerlands.
At this point, Robb had already thrown the Westerlands into chaos and was only waiting for Tywin Lannister to march back to defend. Riverrun had also gathered a force, ready to ambush the returning Lannister army.
But just yesterday, Jon Snow had sent word saying that Harrenhal had been abandoned and warned Robb to watch Tywin's movements. And now, Lady Catelyn brought the news that Duke Renly had been assassinated.
What Robb didn't know was that Littlefinger, Petyr Baelish, had already finished his negotiations with Highgarden — the Roses and the Lions had joined hands. King's Landing's disadvantage would soon be overturned.
The loud crash from inside drew the attention of the men outside the tent. When the flap was lifted, a group of Northern lords stepped in.Roose Bolton glanced at the broken wooden goblet on the ground and the raven scroll in Robb's hand, and a faint sense of foreboding rose in his heart.
"Your Grace! What has happened? Why are you so angry?"
Roose asked carefully, though unease gnawed at him. A dozen possibilities flashed through his mind — but the most likely culprits were House Frey and the Iron Islands.
When the raven's message from Theon was read, the Northern lords broke into furious curses.Especially the Glovers of Deepwood Motte and the Tallharts of Torrhen's Square — if not for the other nobles present, they might have marched north immediately.
"Send out ravens at once," Robb ordered, his tone sharp. "Warn our garrisons to prepare for an Ironborn invasion. We probably can't hold Moat Cailin. For now, we must prioritize securing the rest of the North."
Even as he spoke, worry gnawed at his heart — his two younger brothers were still in Winterfell.Fortunately, he had already sent Ser Rodrik Cassel back earlier to guard them.
"Your Grace," Roose Bolton suddenly suggested, "since the Reach has withdrawn from the war, now is our best chance to win them over.Although you're already betrothed, if we promise to grant Highgarden the queen's crown, we could instantly gain an army of eighty thousand. The Frey betrothal could be abandoned — so long as Lady Arya's match remains, or one of your younger brothers' engagements is kept, that will suffice."
A few of the Northern lords exchanged glances — clearly intrigued by the idea.
Greatjon Umber nodded vigorously."My king, Lord Roose speaks true. These southerners may not be as brave as we are, but they've got the men and the grain. With Highgarden's support, we could march straight to King's Landing!"
"I… I already have a betrothal…"
Robb's voice faltered; he looked uneasy and guilty.
Roose raised an eyebrow. He had heard rumors — that his young king was growing close to a certain healer girl.To Roose, that was a dangerous sign.
Before he could speak further, Robb interrupted, "Enough, Lord Roose! Let's not discuss this now. I'm still bound by my engagement, and breaking it would be unfair to House Frey. I'll assign you five thousand men — take Harrenhal. For now, we only need to wait and watch how things unfold in King's Landing."
He paused, then added coldly,"We still hold the Kingslayer, Jaime, and several Lannister kin. No matter who wins this war, it will benefit us. There's no need to worry yet."
"As you command, Your Grace. I will take Harrenhal for you," Roose replied.But his mind was racing. If Robb missed this opportunity, it could doom them all — yet it wasn't something Roose could control.Still… as his thoughts turned, a new and darker idea began to form.
Returning to his own tent, Roose summoned his two sons.
"Father," said Domeric Bolton calmly, watching Roose's expression, "it seems our King in the North didn't accept your advice, did he?"
Ramsay Snow tilted his head, puzzled. "Why do you think that, brother?"
Domeric smiled faintly. "It's easy to tell. First, our young king is just like his father, Lord Eddard Stark — bound by honor. I'd wager he refused Father's proposal on the grounds of his betrothal.Frankly, had the North proposed an alliance marriage, Highgarden would likely have agreed. What a pity…"
"And what's the second reason, brother?" Ramsay asked eagerly, admiration in his eyes.
"The second reason," Domeric said lightly, "is that His Grace already has someone he fancies.That's what surprises me most. The Stark family's education has failed — how can a noble heir be so selfish? Did Lady Catelyn never tell him that the family's interests come first?"
He paused, then continued with a slight frown."Still, perhaps we shouldn't blame him entirely. I've met the girl. There's something strange about her — a faint aura, like some kind of Eastern witchcraft that makes people like her.If our king spends too long in her company, it's no wonder he's become… like this."
Domeric sighed, disappointment flickering in his eyes. He knew that kind of charm magic wasn't harmful — probably just a protective spell women from Essos used while traveling.But clearly, Robb had fallen too deep.
After a long silence, Domeric turned to his father — and found Roose already staring back at him.
"Father," Domeric said confidently, "I'll stay here. Leave ten of the Dreadfort's best for me. I'll handle this matter.Leave the rest to Ramsay and yourself."
His tone brimmed with quiet certainty, and Roose felt a rare swell of pride.With such a perfect heir, what did he have to fear?
"Brother… what are you two talking about?" Ramsay blinked, utterly confused.
"Father will tell you soon enough," Domeric said with a faint smile. "Everything we do is for the family."
About fifteen days later, when news arrived that the Westerlands had allied with the Reach, Robb was forced to consider retreating to Riverrun.But many Northern lords questioned his decision — especially Lord Rickard Karstark, who demanded that they press on and take Casterly Rock in one decisive blow.
A raven from Theon had arrived earlier, claiming he would lead three hundred men to launch a surprise attack on Casterly Rock, opening its gates for the Northern host.The news had delighted many — visions of gold-filled halls and Lannister treasure danced in their minds.
But Robb soon received reports that remnants of the Reach and Westerlands had joined forces, preparing to sail north and reinforce Casterly Rock.
After much thought, Robb ordered a withdrawal from the Westerlands, regrouping at Riverrun to reassess.Yet most of his bannermen saw it as cowardice — a retreat from battle.
On the road to Riverrun, disaster struck again.Jaime Lannister — the Kingslayer — broke free from his chains, strangled a guard, and tried to flee.He was recaptured only after more than ten men died in pursuit.
Then, Lord Rickard Karstark tried to hang Jaime from a tree during his transport. If not for Domeric Bolton's timely intervention, the consequences would've been disastrous.
From that day onward, Rickard publicly declared,"No one can stop a father's vengeance."
The words haunted Lady Catelyn. She feared that if Jaime died, her daughters would die in King's Landing in turn.
After long nights of inner torment, Catelyn made a choice that went against every vow and ancestor she honored.One night, she secretly freed Jaime and ordered Brienne of Tarth to escort him safely to King's Landing — hoping his release would ransom back Arya and Sansa Stark.
By dawn, Robb learned what she had done.Though Catelyn pleaded that it was for his sisters, her actions threw the Northern army into deeper peril.
To quell his lords' fury and to punish his mother, Robb ordered Lady Catelyn placed under house arrest.
That night, drowning in sorrow and wine, Robb drank heavily.And that night — a certain kind, gentle healer girl was allowed into his tent.Though Catelyn had long warned the guards to watch for such a thing, somehow… that night, they all seemed to forget.
What followed came as no surprise.
At first, the Northern lords who heard of it merely chuckled — thinking the healer girl would simply become Robb's mistress.But only a few days later, Robb announced that he had secretly married Talisa Maegyr.
Just like that, the girl from Volantis became Queen of the North.
The news cast a shadow across the hearts of every Northern lord.Umber, Karstark, Manderly, Glover — the great houses all expressed concern.But Robb stubbornly declared it a personal matter.
Lady Catelyn remained confined, unable to interfere.At least then, Jon Snow finally returned to the Northern host — and when he heard the news, he immediately went to confront Robb.
"Robb," Jon said coldly, "I heard you're married. But weren't you betrothed to a Frey girl? What is going on?"
The blunt question darkened Robb's expression instantly.
"You should address me as 'Your Grace,' Jon Snow," Robb said sternly. "I am King in the North and of the Riverlands. By law and courtesy, you owe me a kneel."
His tone was heavy with authority — but it only fanned Jon's anger.
"I represent Skagos," Jon shot back. "By oath made a century ago, the island never swore fealty to your house. They came here for me.Including myself, none of us have sworn to you — you have no right to command me to kneel, my King in the North."
His words were cold as ice. For a moment, Jon barely recognized the man before him.Then he sensed it — a faint pulse of blood magic.
It radiated from the woman beside Robb.Looking at Talisa, who was softly speaking to calm her husband, Jon's fury exploded. His hand went to the hilt of Moonlight Blade before he forced himself to draw his plain sword instead, pointing it straight at her.
"Who are you?" Jon demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "Why do you carry the aura of blood magic?"
"Jon Snow! Drop your weapon!" Robb roared. "That is my queen — your kin! What do you intend, you bastard? You— Guards!"
Furious, Robb shouted for the guards as Jon stood frozen, silent, his eyes locked on Talisa.
The guards seized him moments later.
When Magner of Skagos heard Jon had been captured, he immediately rallied his men to rescue him.A bloody clash between Skagos and the Northern host was seconds away — until Lady Catelyn stepped out of her confinement.
After speaking privately with Jon through the night, dawn came — and the Skagos army quietly departed, taking Jon with them.
As they rode away, Magner looked over at the grim, silent Jon and sighed."Lord Jon, where do we go now? We can't pass Moat Cailin — how will we return?"
Jon's answer was weary. "Lady Catelyn gave me a letter. We'll go through the Vale — she's arranged for us to cross the Bloody Gate and sail from Gulltown to White Harbor. We'll take it one step at a time.I'm… a man in exile now."
"Exile?" Magner asked, confused. "What do you mean?"
Jon smiled bitterly. "You don't need to worry about it. To Lady Catelyn, we're still children who never grow up.There's nothing more I can do… except—"
He fell silent, lost in thought. Catelyn had told him she couldn't bear to see Stark fight Stark — and that Robb truly loved the girl.It couldn't be changed now.
Jon's actions had already shaken the king's authority. To preserve Robb's rule, Catelyn would tell the lords that Jon had been exiled — and ask him to return north, to help Bran and the others.
Lady Catelyn had already secured the Vale's permission through Lady Lysa.The Vale would grant passage, Gulltown would offer ships, and House Royce would aid them on their way home.
"May the gods watch over you, my brother," Jon murmured to himself as they rode."The only path forward is through Moat Cailin. I just hope Lady Catelyn can make Robb see that."
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