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For Sansa, there was nowhere left to go.
The only place she could seek refuge now was the Wall, where Jon Snow might protect her.
While helping Sansa pack her belongings, Brienne quietly discussed their options with her. In the end, they agreed on one thing.
If this man named Jimmy turned out to be heading somewhere other than the Wall, they would find a chance to escape.
As for fighting him…
Brienne didn't even mention it.
She dared to draw her sword against Jimmy if necessary, but she knew perfectly well she had no chance of defeating him.
She didn't even know how long she could last.
Perhaps she would fall in the next instant.
They simply weren't on the same level.
And that wasn't even counting the massive red eagle that could breathe fire.
That wasn't something an ordinary person could defeat.
---
"Ladies," Jimmy said, "the horses are ready, Time to move."
"It's going to be a long trip."
"The North is crawling with Roose Bolton's riders right now, and they're not exactly friendly."
The four of them mounted their horses and rode toward the Wall.
---
That night, Jimmy built a campfire.
Venison sizzled over the flames, fat dripping and crackling.
Not far away lay the body of a massive brown bear.
The creature had no visible wounds, but blood flowed from its mouth and nose. It was barely clinging to life.
Just moments earlier, the bear had attacked their camp.
Brienne had only just drawn her sword when Jimmy moved.
Like a sudden gust of wind.
What they witnessed next was something they would probably never see again in their lifetimes.
Jimmy, completely barehanded, grabbed the massive bear and began throwing it around.
Again.
And again.
And again.
The beast was slammed into the ground repeatedly until its internal organs ruptured.
Now it lay there dying.
---
Is he even human?
For the first time, Sansa truly understood why Brienne had suggested sneaking away quietly.
With strength and speed like that, Jimmy wasn't even comparable to a normal man.
Even the Mountain might not stand a chance against him.
---
"What's wrong?" Jimmy asked casually. "Still not used to riding all day?"
"Sansa, honestly. You're a Stark."
"Your aunt Lyanna was called the Stark family's centaur."
"How can you be this exhausted after just half a day of riding? You're awfully delicate…"
He muttered the complaints under his breath.
Brienne narrowed her eyes.
"Who exactly are you?"
"Why has no one in the Seven Kingdoms ever heard of you?"
"With your combat ability, it's impossible for you to be completely unknown."
Jimmy shrugged.
"Who says I'm unknown?"
"Ever heard of the Knight of the Laughing Tree in the Riverlands?"
"The one who nailed Amory Lorch to a wall with forty-seven sword strikes."
"The one who crushed the Mountain with his bare hands."
"The one who executed the royal headsman Ilyn Payne in the middle of the night."
"That was me."
That was about the only reputation he could openly claim.
Brienne stared at him.
"You're him?"
She had heard those stories before.
But she had always assumed they were exaggerations.
After seeing Jimmy fight today, she wasn't so sure anymore.
"But… I thought that was the work of a ghost," Podrick said.
"I also heard Tywin had many 'Laughing Tree Knights' executed in retaliation."
"And Hot Pie once said the Knight of the Laughing Tree saved him too. He said the knight was nine feet tall…"
Jimmy rolled his eyes.
"Oh please."
"If you ever run into Arya, you'll understand."
"Hot Pie is the biggest exaggerator in the world."
"And he never stops rambling about his cooking."
"He was just an apprentice in a bakery."
"What kind of experience could he possibly have? He can only impress peasants who've never eaten decent bread."
Jimmy flipped the meat over the fire.
"The venison's ready."
"Do any of you have plates?"
"Hmm… doesn't look like it."
A moment later, the roasted meat was placed onto several plates.
Each one bore the sigil of House Glover.
Sansa's eyes lit up the moment she saw them.
Jimmy noticed immediately and shook his head.
"Sansa… you've got some brains. Just not quite enough."
"You saw the Glover crest on those plates and suddenly relaxed, didn't you?"
"Tell me something."
"Why don't you ask Brienne who sent her to escort you somewhere safe?"
Sansa turned toward Brienne.
Brienne answered directly.
"Jaime."
"Jaime Lannister."
Sansa stared in disbelief.
Jimmy grinned slightly.
"Want to know who sent me?"
"Tyrion."
"Tyrion Lannister."
"Really?" Podrick blurted out immediately.
"How is Lord Tyrion now? Is he alright?"
Jimmy shrugged.
"Oh, he's fine."
"Better than fine."
"After you left, Tyrion was accused of conspiring with you to poison Joffrey."
"You already knew that part."
"After the trial where everyone was against him," Jimmy continued casually, "Tyrion chose trial by combat."
"The Red Viper fought as his champion."
"He lost his life."
"With my help, Tyrion managed to escape."
"And before leaving, he shot Tywin Lannister dead while the old lion was sitting on the privy."
Jimmy shrugged.
"So there you have it."
"Two Lannisters kept their word and went to great lengths to rescue you."
"Meanwhile, Petyr Baelish—who grew up alongside your father and mother—sold you to Roose Bolton."
"And Lysa Arryn, who was your mother's own sister, tricked your mother with a letter and sat safely in the Eyrie while your brother was fighting for his life in the Riverlands."
He glanced at Sansa.
"So tell me."
"Who do you think are the good people?"
"And who are the villains?"
Sansa stared down at the venison in her hands.
It no longer tasted like anything.
Her mind felt numb.
Jimmy burst out laughing.
"Look at that!"
"She's gone blank again!"
"You shouldn't be called Sansa."
"You should be called 'Three-Fool Sansa.'"
His face was full of mockery.
---
After setting up the tents, Jimmy told Brienne to stay inside and keep Sansa company.
He remained outside with Podrick to keep watch.
Jimmy walked over to the dead brown bear with a knife.
One clean slice.
Soon he had skinned the bear completely.
He separated the useful organs from the rest, tossing aside what he didn't need.
Podrick sat across from the fire, clutching his axe nervously.
He clearly feared Jimmy.
Jimmy noticed Podrick's eyelids drooping.
He picked up a clod of dirt from the ground.
Thwack.
"Hey!"
"If you're sleepy, go get some rest."
"Head over to the horses. Got any bedding in the luggage?"
"Yes… but…"
"But what?"
"You're already snoring while trying to keep watch."
"Who snores during night watch?"
"Don't worry about it."
"Horus and I are enough."
---
The next morning, Sansa was the last one to wake.
She had stayed awake half the night, lost in her thoughts.
When she stepped out of the tent, Brienne had already finished Podrick's morning training.
The two of them were eating roasted meat and onion rings.
"You're awake?"
Jimmy glanced over.
"If you're up, hurry and eat."
"We've got a long ride ahead."
"Water for washing is over there."
"You delicate noble ladies…"
"I'm sorry, I—"
"Move aside."
Jimmy muttered complaints the entire time as he packed up the camp.
The massive tent was quickly folded and stuffed into a single backpack.
---
Seeing Sansa's hurt expression, Brienne spoke gently.
"Lady Sansa, don't take Jimmy's words too seriously."
"Didn't you notice?"
"He only complains with his mouth."
"Last night he gave us the tent and stayed outside."
"He's a good man."
Sansa nodded.
She understood that.
But understanding didn't mean she liked being spoken to like that.
Back in King's Landing she had endured plenty of cruelty.
But even the sharpest insults there didn't compare to Jimmy's blunt remarks.
---
After breakfast, Jimmy placed a saddle wrapped in fresh bear fur onto Sansa's horse.
"Sansa."
"Try this."
"If it's uncomfortable, tell me right away."
"I'll adjust it."
"Thank you," Sansa said softly.
Only yesterday, that bear had been alive.
And now its hide had become a saddle.
Jimmy had clearly worked on it through the night.
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