By the time the raven summoning Galon reached Riverrun, another two days had passed.
Inside Riverrun, more than a hundred Northmen and Tully soldiers had gathered at the training yard, watching a sparring match between Galon and Brynden Tully.
Meanwhile, from a window along the second-floor corridor of the inner keep, the Westerling family observed the contest from above.
Below, Galon stood bare-chested, wielding a blunted training sword. His movements were calm and controlled as he exchanged blows with Brynden Tully.
Both men were seasoned warriors.
Their practice swords clashed repeatedly, each carefully regulating the force behind their strikes.
Yet after only a few exchanges, Brynden was already suffering in silence.
Every time Galon's sword crashed against his own, the aging knight felt his sword arm tremble violently.
Though he did his best to maneuver and evade, Galon pressed forward relentlessly, giving him little room to breathe.
For the first time, Brynden truly understood how Galon had managed to kill Victarion Greyjoy.
Bang!
Galon brought his sword down in a powerful overhead strike.
Brynden hurriedly raised his blade to block.
A tremendous force surged through the impact.
His right arm went numb. The training sword flew from his hand and embedded itself in the dirt.
Brynden stumbled backward several steps, nearly falling.
As soon as he regained his footing, the surrounding soldiers erupted into cheers.
"Glover!"
"Glover!"
Galon planted his own sword in the ground and walked over amid the applause.
"Lord Brynden, are you all right?"
Brynden shook his head and laughed openly.
"Haha! I lost."
Looking at Galon's powerful physique, he couldn't help but praise him.
"To be honest, I still had doubts about your claim of killing Victarion single-handedly.
Now I see I underestimated you.
With your current strength, even if Arthur Dayne himself returned from the grave, he might not be your match."
Galon smiled modestly.
"I only won because you're older, Lord Brynden. If you were a few years younger, I wouldn't stand a chance."
Brynden immediately burst into laughter and shook his head.
.....
Up on the second-floor corridor, Lady Sybell Westerling saw that the match had ended and began leading her daughter away.
As they walked, she quietly advised Jeyne.
"My daughter, when you have the chance, speak with Lord Galon more often."
"He's about to marry King Robb's sister and enjoys the king's complete trust. Building a good relationship with him will greatly benefit your future."
Jeyne nodded gently.
"I understand, Mother... Perhaps I could prepare some pastries for him later?"
A trace of helplessness appeared in Sybell's eyes.
As they continued walking, she replied with hidden meaning.
"That won't be necessary.
You're a future queen. Don't lower yourself like that.
When you meet him, simply find topics to discuss. You could ask about King Robb's campaigns, for example.
If Lord Galon is willing, perhaps you can bring your brother to seek instruction in swordsmanship."
Walking beside her mother, Jeyne obediently nodded.
Yet her thoughts drifted elsewhere.
She found herself remembering Galon's sweat-covered upper body.
The image of his powerful physique contrasted sharply with thoughts of Robb.
A faint blush spread across her cheeks.
Sybell glanced at her daughter and mistakenly assumed she was merely being shy again.
"If Lord Galon doesn't wish to teach him, don't press the matter. Just talk to him about military affairs."
...
While Sybell was enthusiastically trying to guide her daughter toward gathering information, an elderly figure was hurrying down the stone stairs at the far end of the corridor.
It was Maester Vyman.
He practically ran across the castle grounds and rushed into the training yard.
"Lord Brynden! Lord Galon!"
The maester was breathing heavily.
"King Robb... King Robb has sent a letter!"
He immediately handed the parchment to Brynden.
Brynden only needed a single glance to realize something had happened at the Trident crossing.
He passed the letter to Galon.
"Lord Galon," he said gravely, "it seems you'll have to depart immediately."
Galon's heart skipped a beat.
For a moment, he feared Robb had been defeated by the Lannisters.
He quickly took the letter and read it.
The message contained only a single instruction: Report to the Trident crossing immediately and join Robb's army.
Galon stared at the parchment, his expression growing serious.
"What happened?"
He looked at Brynden.
"Why does he need us there so quickly? Have the Lannisters launched a major offensive?"
But Brynden understood the Riverlands better than anyone.
He sighed.
"If Robb didn't mention the Lannisters, then the problem must be with the Riverlands themselves.
My guess is that the Twins have demanded yet another troublesome condition."
A flash crossed Galon's eyes.
After a moment of thought, he nodded.
"Whether that's true or not, Robb has summoned me. I must leave immediately."
Turning to Brynden, he said:
"Please prepare provisions and ships. I intend to travel by river to the Trident crossing."
Brynden nodded firmly.
"Of course."
"I'll have everything ready by this afternoon."
Galon wasted no further time.
He immediately returned to his quarters, changed clothes, and summoned every Northman under his command.
Once Brynden completed preparations, Galon boarded the ships and led his men downriver along the Red Fork without delay.
...
While Galon traveled toward the Trident crossing, Roose Bolton was busy dealing with conflicts inside the army camp.
The Ironborn and the men of Torrhen's Square had nearly come to blows.
"Enough, Lord Tallhart!"
Robb pulled Helman Tallhart away from the confrontation.
"Harlaw is our ally."
"It was Crow's Eye who burned your castle and slaughtered your people. Captain Harlaw bears no responsibility for that."
At the same time, Robb gave Roose a subtle glance, signaling him to remove the Ironborn as well.
Roose complied immediately.
He led Rodrik away to a quieter corner.
Then, seemingly casual but carefully probing, he spoke.
"Captain Harlaw, you shouldn't have come.
You invaded the North. You brought suffering to Torrhen's Square and Seagard alike.
A treaty alone cannot erase that hatred."
He deliberately sighed.
Rodrik naturally understood what he was implying.
Only moments earlier, Helman Tallhart's men had clashed with Ironborn soldiers.
Rather than stopping them, Tallhart had practically encouraged the violence.
Had Robb not intervened in time, bloodshed would have been unavoidable.
Rodrik's eyes shifted thoughtfully.
Hearing the hidden meaning behind Bolton's words, he deliberately followed Galon's prior instructions.
"Hmph. You think I wanted to come help you?
If Lord Glover hadn't promised Queen Asha a share of the spoils, why would we involve ourselves in your war?"
"Spoils?" Roose asked casually.
"Lord Glover isn't a Stark. Any rewards he promises may not actually be honored."
Rodrik gave a dismissive laugh.
"Winterfell agreed to the arrangement as well. If you decide to break your word, don't blame us for our response."
His performance was flawless.
He played the role of a greedy Ironborn captain perfectly.
"Oh?"
Roose continued.
"And you're not worried Glover might attack Pyke again?"
The question sounded casual, but it was another probe.
Rodrik snorted.
"Haha... You really think Glover is some military genius?
If Crow's Eye hadn't been both insane and careless, he'd never have taken Pyke.
As for another invasion..."
He let out several cold chuckles.
"If he dares return to Pyke... well..." He left the sentence unfinished.
Yet that was enough.
For the first time, a faint gleam appeared in Roose's pale eyes. He had heard exactly what he wanted to hear.
The Ironborn hated Galon. Perhaps enough to kill him.
'Patrek was right.'
What I need now is an opportunity. An opportunity to persuade Harlaw.'
In his mind, Roose added several more details to his developing scheme.
The situation was becoming clearer by the moment.
What Roose did not realize, however, was that every step of his plan had already been anticipated by Galon.
And the unexpected turn of events was approaching far faster than Roose could possibly imagine.
__________
Upto 20 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/Xorath