Galon stood up and watched Ned depart.
'Bran fell from the tower, but what about Theon?'
He pondered for a moment, and just as he was about to question the messenger, he saw Ned suddenly turn back.
He rode his horse up to him, his brow tightly furrowed. "Galon, I must return to Winterfell at once. I leave you in charge of the camp for the time being."
"Notify Robb, and make sure he looks after the King and the Prince!"
Galon nodded.
"Yes, I will arrange for men to find him immediately!"
He paused slightly, then added with concern, "Lord Stark, you should not worry too much. Bran is blessed by the Old Gods and will surely be safe!"
Hearing his comfort, Ned forced a smile, then turned his horse and galloped toward Winterfell.
Once his figure disappeared from the camp, Galon frowned and looked at the messenger.
"What exactly happened to Bran? How could he fall from the high tower?"
The attendant had not witnessed the fall and shook his head. "Lord Galon, I am not sure."
Galon knitted his brows and asked again, "Who was the first to discover him?"
"It was Hodor!"
The attendant recalled, "I heard others say that Hodor heard the wolf howl and went to investigate, and that's when he found the young master lying in a pool of blood."
"Hodor..."
A large, simple figure nearly seven feet tall, with a basket on his back, surfaced in Galon's mind.
In the canon, he served as Bran's means of transportation after his spine was broken, and later even carried him on the journey to find the Three-Eyed Raven.
"Besides that? Were there any traces of other people at the scene?"
His eyes flickered slightly as he pursued the matter, pretending to be casual.
Unfortunately, the attendant had not been to the scene and knew nothing.
He shook his head.
"Lord Galon, I was in the Maester's tower serving Maester Luwin at the time. I was only informed that the young master had fallen from the tower when someone reported it."
"Then Maester Luwin sent me to notify Lord Stark."
Seeing his answer, Galon knew there was nothing more to learn, so he waved his hand, signaling him to withdraw and rest.
He slowly sat down on a chair, picked up a cup of wine from the table, took a sip, and pondered silently.
'Did Theon have any part in Bran's fall?'
'If he was involved, what is he doing now? Is he alive or was he killed?'
The mellow flavor of the wine spread in his mouth. He narrowed his eyes slightly, carefully considering his next plan.
'If Theon also died, Winterfell would likely be in utter chaos!'
If Ned's son fell from the tower and his ward was also murdered…
In that scenario, no matter how much Ned avoided politicking, he would be forced to believe there was a major conspiracy.
And to provide an explanation to the Iron Islands, he and Robert would inevitably turn Winterfell upside down.
By then, even if Jaime and Cersei survived, they would be stripped of their dignity.
In fact!
It would also make Ned completely wary of King's Landing and the Lannisters.
It's possible that when he traveled south, he might take more people to King's Landing than in the canon. Then the Lion would have to pay a much heavier price to devour the Wolf!
'But if Theon is still alive, there are only two possibilities!'
'Either he didn't go to the broken tower at all or didn't run into Cersei and Jaime. Or he reached some kind of agreement with Jaime…'
The first possibility would have little impact on Galon, merely reverting to the original plot.
But if it were the second possibility...
His lips curved playfully.
'Then things become much more interesting!'
He put down his wine glass and thought seriously, 'Perhaps when I return to Winterfell, I can ask Ned to allow me to investigate Bran's fall.'
'If Theon was involved, he will expose himself sooner or later.'
Galon smiled as he looked up, his gaze fixed on the direction of Winterfell, as if he could already see Theon being forced out of Winterfell by him.
Soon, very soon!
'The Iron Islands will be restless before long, and this is precisely my opportunity.'
'Balon is old, Asha has obvious weaknesses, and Theon is not up to the task. Only Euron is a major threat to my life!'
'Especially since he possesses the Dragon Horn!'
Galon carefully recalled the plot.
Although the Dragon Horn had obvious drawbacks, its effect of controlling giants was enough to make people ignore its negative effects.
This horn was one of the means he planned to use to contend with the Dragon Queen.
'It's a pity I transmigrated too late; Jorah Mormont has already fled.'
'If I could have contacted the Dragon Queen through him, perhaps it wouldn't be so difficult.'
He sighed slightly, then his eyes filled with anticipation.
'But it's not too late now. As long as I control the Iron Islands, I can completely revitalize Deepwood Motte!'
'Now, I just need to wait a little longer...'
Just then, Jon, who had been following the Baratheon knights transporting the giant bear, returned to the camp.
As soon as he arrived, he rushed toward Galon.
It seemed he had already learned about Bran's fall.
"Galon!"
As expected, Jon rushed over, calling out from afar, "Something happened to Bran?"
Galon composed himself, immediately stood up to meet him, and said somberly,
"Yes, the attendant just reported that he fell from the high tower and is clinging to life."
"Lord Stark has already returned..."
But before Galon could finish, Jon turned his anxious face and started to walk away.
Galon quickly stopped him.
"Hey, where are you going?"
Jon shook off his hand and said urgently, "Move aside, I need to go back and see him!"
But Galon did not move aside. Instead, he shook his head.
"Calm down, Jon. You won't be able to see him even if you go back now!"
"Maester Luwin is treating him, and Lady Catelyn will not leave his side. You won't even be able to get through the bedroom door!"
Jon instantly froze.
He knew Galon was right.
Lady Catelyn had never been fond of him. If he went to visit, it would only increase her dislike, which was already heightened by her worry for Bran.
But Jon and Bran were as close as true brothers. How could he stand by and do nothing?
"Galon, are you just going to make me stand here and wait like an idiot!"
"I... I can't bear to think about him..."
His voice choked up, his heart filled with terror, fearing he would return to Winterfell only to hear the news of Bran's death.
Galon knew he valued affection above all else.
He stepped forward to comfort him. "Don't worry. He is blessed by the Old Gods and will be fine!"
But Jon remained deeply saddened and grief-stricken.
Seeing his state, Galon had no choice but to find another way to divert his attention. "Jon, Robb is still hunting in the Wolfswood and doesn't know about this yet."
"My strength hasn't fully recovered, so I can't go into the Wolfswood to look for him."
"Take a few men and go find him. Notify him of this matter as quickly as possible and tell him to come back immediately."
Jon paused, then agreed after a moment's hesitation.
He turned and left in silence, preparing to gather a few Winterfell soldiers to enter the Wolfswood and search for Robb.
Galon watched him ride away and couldn't help but think.
'If Jon is like this, Robb will probably be just as anxious and worried when he returns.'
'I will have to think of a way to calm him down.'
The King has not yet left. If the Starks leave one after the other, others will only assume they are disrespecting the King.
Ned and the King have a good relationship, so his departure is acceptable.
But if even Robb leaves, they will be hard-pressed to explain themselves.
Now, Galon and the Starks are in the same boat, so he must persuade Robb to stay, no matter what.
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