Hearing Robb's decision, Edmure couldn't help but widen his eyes. He opened his mouth and said, "Must he be killed? Can't we spare his life…?"
Robb's sharp gaze shifted, and he stammered a bit: "Robb… Your Majesty… I hate him as much as you do. He killed my men; the prison guards were all my father's veterans, yet they met such a terrible fate."
His Adam's apple bobbed, and he continued: "We must punish Lord Karstark, that's certainly correct… Perhaps, lock him up… Harrion, yes, Harrion Karstark!"
He seemed to finally find a reasonable excuse: "We can hold Lord Karstark as a hostage and tell him that if he pledges loyalty to you, we will spare his father's life!"
He spread his hands: "Lord Frey's matter hasn't been resolved yet. If we lose the Karstark cavalry and infantry again, what hope do we have in our war with Lannister?"
The atmosphere in the room was heavy. Edmure secretly swallowed, and King Robb murmured, "Hope…"
Taking a deep breath, Robb continued: "Lord Frey still hasn't responded. The Valley… has fallen into Lannister's hands… Damn it! How could the Valley Knights, famous throughout the Seven Kingdoms, be defeated so quickly? That was tens of thousands of heavily armored cavalry! Ten thousand… no, three thousand would be enough. If three thousand heavy cavalry from the Valley joined us, I could immediately change the tide of the war."
Splash, Ser Brynden poured a cup of wine and placed it in front of Robb.
He was usually kind to his grand-nephew King, but now his tone was stern: "As a King, you cannot complain about the gods' arrangements. This is a test from the gods for a new King."
Robb paused, then raised the cup and took a big gulp of wine. He paused again and said, "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
He exhaled and continued: "Lannister has just gone through a major battle. They won't be able to advance their troops in a short time. I will use this opportunity to solve the immediate problems."
His gaze swept over his two relatives, then he added: "Uncle, I plan to use this time to reorganize the army and prepare for the decisive battle."
Ser Brynden's expression was kind. He nodded and said, "I will support you, My King."
Edmure first looked at his Uncle, then at Robb for a while, and said, "King Robb, perhaps we can end this war without fighting."
Robb's gaze towards Edmure was cold. He quickly said, "Marriage alliance, I mean marriage alliance. Lannister's attendant suggested to me that I marry Cersei Lannister."
After speaking, he remembered his Uncle's advice and added: "The Karstark matter happened too suddenly, I haven't had time to tell you about it yet."
Robb gazed at the somewhat evasive Edmure for a moment and said, "Uncle, please continue."
Only then did Edmure secretly sigh in relief. He recounted Tyrion's proposal in detail.
After listening, Robb frowned in thought. He looked at Ser Brynden: "Uncle, I don't trust Lannister. Could this be their plot to rescue Tywin's eldest son?"
Ser Brynden nodded slightly and said, "That's possible. We need to be constantly vigilant of Lannister's cunning. If this is a Lannister plot, you can also use their plot to buy us more 'reorganization' time."
Remembering Cersei's beauty as described by Tyrion, Edmure's mind raced. He suggested: "King Robb, we must first make Lord Tywin send Cersei Lannister to Riverrun before we release his son."
Edmure's face flushed under Ser Brynden's gaze. He feigned confusion and said, "What's wrong? Is my idea not good?"
Ser Brynden withdrew his gaze and remained silent. Robb, uncharacteristically, smiled at Edmure and said, "Your idea is very good, Uncle."
Edmure was flattered by Robb's praise and couldn't help but chuckle. Ser Brynden barely managed to resist the urge to rub his forehead.
"Two things."
Robb raised the crown forged from iron and bronze with both hands, placed it on his head, and said, "First, Rickard Karstark must die."
Edmure was very surprised. He blurted out, "Wouldn't it be better not to kill him?!"
Robb shifted the heavy crown and said, "Uncle, I have my own responsibilities. In battle, I would personally kill Martin Lannister, but this is not a battlefield. He is unarmed, my prisoner, under my protection. Rickard Karstark not only murdered Martin Lannister, he also murdered my honor. Tomorrow morning, I will execute him."
Ser Brynden was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "What is the second thing?"
Robb announced: "In ten days, I will marry Jeyne Westerling."
Ser Brynden frowned slightly: "King Robb, Lord Frey's reply…"
King Robb shook his head and said, "Uncle, we don't have much time. We must make Frey make a choice as soon as possible. Before the war comes, I must know who my enemies are. I would rather lead ten thousand loyal troops than thirty thousand disloyal troops."
Aren't you going to marry into Lannister… why are you talking about war again? Just as Edmure was wondering, Robb spoke to him: "My Uncle, I would like your help with the wedding arrangements."
Edmure collected his thoughts, pleased by his nephew's trust: "Don't worry, leave everything to me. I will surely arrange everything well."
...
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