After everyone had left, Catelyn slowly rose and walked to Robb's side.
"Robb, we can't wait any longer. Since Stannis has already sent envoys to the Vale, I must leave immediately."
"Lysa…"
A complicated expression crossed her face.
Remembering the last time she had seen her sister's hysterical behavior, Catelyn held little confidence in the coming meeting.
She sighed. "Your aunt is no longer the Lysa I once knew."
"She suffered too much in King's Landing. For the sake of her son, she's become little different from a madwoman.
But even if I can't persuade her to support you, I'll make sure she doesn't side with Stannis."
Looking into his mother's determined eyes, Robb knew he could not dissuade her.
He could only nod.
"Mother, I'll have Ser Marq Piper escort you. If the Vale refuses... you must return immediately."
Catelyn smiled and gently brushed a hand through Robb's hair.
"Don't worry."
"Even if your Aunt Lysa refuses to help me, she won't harm me. We're sisters, after all. Sisters bound by blood."
Standing before him, she offered one final warning.
"As for the Freys, you must be twice as cautious.
Old Walder's heart is smaller than a crab's shell. I fear he'll use this wedding feast as an excuse to humiliate you.
And before you leave camp, make sure every precaution has been taken."
Robb nodded reluctantly.
"I'll leave Lord Bolton in command. With him here, even if the Lannisters launch a surprise attack, everything will be fine."
But Catelyn immediately shook her head.
"No. Those ten thousand men cannot be left to Bolton... Bring Galon here instead."
She stared directly at her son.
It was the final piece of advice she intended to give.
"I didn't like Glover before because I thought he wasn't worthy of your sister.
But now...
Galon is exactly as your father once described him—loyal and exceptionally capable.
He's also Sansa's future husband. At a time like this, anyone else might harbor ulterior motives... He won't."
The seriousness in her voice made Robb nod unconsciously.
"Very well, Mother."
"I'll send a raven to Riverrun immediately and have him come at once."
Catelyn smiled in relief. Yet thoughts of her youngest son soon clouded her expression once more.
"Robb, promise me something." She met his questioning gaze. "You must do everything in your power to save Rickon."
"And if... if..."
Her voice trembled, tears beginning to gather in her eyes. "If Stannis uses Rickon to threaten your life... then you... you..."
Before she could finish, Robb stepped forward and embraced her tightly.
"Mother, that won't happen... It won't. I promise you—I'll bring Rickon home safely.
When you return from the Vale, our family will be reunited."
Catelyn sniffled and managed a smile.
"Good."
Meanwhile, while mother and son spoke within the command tent, Black Walder was carrying out an order from Roose Bolton.
He had gone to find Patrek Frey.
...
In a corner of the camp, Black Walder stared at Patrek with a puzzled expression.
"Weren't you serving as Captain of the Guard under Lord Jason at Seagard? How did you suddenly become one of the king's personal guards?"
Patrek looked at the large man before him, his emotions complicated.
Back at the Twins, he had once served under Black Walder.
More often than not, he had been assigned every unpleasant task nobody else wanted.
Only three years earlier had he finally left and entered the service of Lord Jason Mallister.
Now, facing his former superior, Patrek answered honestly.
"Lord Glover recommended me to His Grace."
"Glover?" Black Walder frowned. "Why would he recommend you?"
Patrek shook his head.
"I'm not entirely sure... "Perhaps because I helped him secure supplies from various lords during our march."
Truthfully, Patrek himself did not fully understand it.
He had intended to ask Galon about the matter eventually, but the campaign had begun almost immediately afterward, leaving no opportunity.
Of course, a part of him believed Galon had simply recognized his abilities. But that was not something he could explain to Black Walder.
Black Walder studied him suspiciously.
Patrek, however, appeared completely sincere.
After a moment, Black Walder changed the subject. "You spent some time with Glover's army. What do you think of his relationship with that Harlaw captain?"
Remembering Bolton's instructions, he moved directly to the question that truly interested him.
"Not a good one," Patrek replied with a sigh.
"Lord Glover is a capable lord, but even he struggles to control those sea monsters.
I saw countless clashes between them during the march. Some of the Ironborn practically caused trouble for no reason."
Since the questions concerned matters of little importance, Patrek answered honestly.
He even described how Galon had conquered the Iron Islands.
"Lord Walder," he continued, "Captain Harlaw seems to despise Lord Glover. He constantly challenges his authority."
"Lord Glover always suppresses him in the end, but..."
Patrek shook his head.
He left the rest unsaid.
Black Walder understood perfectly.
He stood silently for a moment before speaking again. "Patrek, I don't care how you entered Stark's royal guard."
"But remember one thing..."
"We are Freys."
His voice lowered.
"If King Robb reveals anything important, make sure I hear about it... Lord Walder won't forget your service."
Patrek froze.
He stared at Black Walder's rough face in disbelief. "Is that Lord Walder's command?"
Black Walder nodded.
"Keep it to yourself.
Lord Walder merely wishes to determine whether King Stark is sincere about reconciliation.
We've been humiliated once already. We won't allow it to happen a second time."
Patrek was visibly conflicted.
On one side stood his family. On the other stood the king he had only recently sworn to serve.
"But I've already sworn my oath to King Robb," he said hesitantly. "How can I spy on him—"
Black Walder cut him off with a hand on his shoulder.
"You misunderstand. I'm not asking you to spy on the king.
I'm simply asking you to determine whether his intentions toward House Frey are genuine.
If they are, everyone benefits. If not, our family needs time to prepare. Understand?"
Patrek fell silent.
The meaning was obvious.
It was still spying.
"Patrek, your family remains at the Twins. We're family. You wouldn't ignore Lord Walder's command, would you?"
The friendliness vanished from Black Walder's face.
His eyes hardened instantly.
Patrek felt a familiar chill run through him. Years of fear and intimidation resurfaced all at once.
His lips moved slightly.
Finally, he lowered his head and nodded.
Satisfied, Black Walder released him.
"Good. When you return to the Twins with King Robb, Lord Walder will reward you handsomely.
I hear you're still unmarried? Perhaps he'll even arrange a suitable marriage for you."
Patrek felt his stomach turn.
Everyone knew Black Walder's reputation. The man had slept with his own cousin and even with the wives of his relatives.
Still, Patrek could only force a laugh and nod along.
Eventually, he used the excuse of returning to royal duties and hurried away.
Black Walder watched him leave before turning toward another tent.
Inside stood Roose Bolton, who had been waiting patiently.
As soon as he entered, Black Walder relayed everything he had learned from Patrek.
When he heard that Galon had personally led the assault that captured Pyke, Roose's pupils contracted sharply.
His wariness of Galon deepened even further.
'No.'
'Glover must be eliminated as soon as possible. Otherwise, he'll become my greatest obstacle.'
Roose paced slowly around the tent.
Before long, an idea formed.
'He's at odds with the Ironborn... Perhaps the Ironborn can be used to kill him.'
His pale eyes narrowed.
'Though that will require careful planning.'
A cold glint of murderous intent flashed through them. His decision had already been made.
'First, I'll test Harlaw's loyalties. Once I understand his true thoughts, I can push him toward action.'
And so, while Roose quietly began plotting Galon's death, Catelyn departed for the Vale under the protection of Ser Harris Mollen.
At the same time, a raven carrying orders for Galon to join the army took flight from above the camp and sped toward Riverrun.
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