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Everyone had already left the council hall. Theon, who had deliberately stayed until the end, asked:
"Robb, Lord Norrey of the mountain clans is usually quiet and withdrawn. He does not understand noble etiquette or negotiation at all.
Why not let me go with him? I can help you negotiate with the Twins and perhaps even bring House Frey into our camp."
Seeing that Theon was sincerely offering advice, Robb smiled and said:
"No. You must stay by my side. Without you giving me suggestions, there are many matters I cannot decide.
As for sending Lord Norrey, do not worry. I have my own considerations."
"Mm. If you have already thought it through, then good. Do not worry, I will give you plenty of advice."
Theon, clearly pleased by Robb's words, nodded in satisfaction. Then he continued asking.
"I wanted to ask earlier. Since time is tight and the infantry marches slowly, why are we not setting out today? Why wait until tomorrow?"
Hearing Theon's question, Robb looked toward a corner of the map on the table and answered softly:
"Because I am still waiting for some guests. I want them to see the might of our army."
"Guests? Here at Moat Cailin... someone is trying to scout our army?
Robb, do you want me to take some men and find them?"
"No need. Bloodwind is watching them for me."
"Mm. If the direwolf is keeping watch, there is no problem at all. No wonder I did not see Bloodwind today.
By the way, what did that kennel master at Castle Cerwyn say about Nymeria and Lady?"
Hearing Robb say Bloodwind was watching them, Theon nodded in relief, then continued gossiping.
"Heh, Theon, you do have experience. Nymeria and Lady are indeed in heat. By now, they should already have been sent back to Winterfell.
The North has no other direwolves, but there are many large gray wolves.
I have already arranged for people to capture some in the Wolfswood."
Robb chuckled and satisfied Theon's curiosity.
After Theon's reminder, when the northern army passed Castle Cerwyn, Robb had left Nymeria and Lady there for the kennel master to observe.
After several days of watching them, it was confirmed that they were indeed in heat. Robb did not know why investing sixty Blood Pact Points in them had not increased their size but had instead increased their desire.
From a certain point of view, however, this could be considered a good thing.
He still remembered the shocking sight of Nymeria the last time she met Arya, leading a great pack of gray wolves born of her blood.
"Heh, save one of their pups for me in advance.
I want to raise it until it is as big as Bloodwind, then ride out on it looking glorious."
Looking at Theon's yearning face, Robb smiled and did not shatter his dream.
Early the next morning, the horns signaling departure sounded across the northern army's camp. The force of nearly twenty-six thousand men still formed a long, winding column as it followed the kingsroad south.
On a small mound not far from Moat Cailin, the ironborn who had crept over from the Fever River were staring fixedly at the northern army.
Only after the northern host had completely left Moat Cailin did one of them say:
"About twenty-five thousand men. Should we send the report to King Balon now?"
"No. Follow them. We will report after they leave the Neck.
That will be safer."
Another ironborn shook his head and stopped him.
"Right, right. I do not want to suffer King Balon's punishment because of a mistake."
"Yes. Better to be careful."
After discussing it, the ironborn quietly followed behind the northern army and moved south.
Far behind them, Bloodwind skillfully hid his enormous body while using his extraordinary eyesight to keep those ironborn firmly in view.
The Twins were made of a pair of castles standing on either side of the Green Fork. Together, they guarded the bridge that had made House Frey rich, powerful, and numerous for centuries.
Lord Norrey, who had accepted the King in the North's mission, traveled light with several personal guards and rode hard the entire way.
In less than five days, he reached the Twins. After reporting his purpose to the gate guards, he did not have to wait long before servants led him into the castle to meet Lord Walder Frey.
Lord Walder was an old man with thin white hair, loose skin, and a sharp, cunning appearance.
He was already ninety years old. Troubled by gout for many years, he now sat in a black oak chair, watching Lord Norrey enter the audience hall.
"Lord Walder, I am the envoy sent by the King in the North. Our thirty thousand northern soldiers wish to cross the bridge at your Twins. Will you permit it?"
Among the mountain clans, customs had always been fierce, and matters were decided by strength. Lord Norrey therefore understood nothing of noble etiquette.
He offered no polite words at all and stated his purpose directly.
Seeing Lord Norrey speak so bluntly and without the slightest ceremony, Lord Walder lifted his brows slightly. Yet not a trace of displeasure showed on his face.
Instead, he smiled and said:
"Of course the King in the North may pass through our Twins.
However, for hundreds of years, anyone who wishes to cross the bridge has had to pay us a toll.
It is like paying for goods when you buy them. The most basic principle in Westeros."
"How much?"
Having already attended the council at Moat Cailin, Lord Norrey naturally knew a toll would be required. He nodded and asked directly.
"Ten gold dragons per soldier. For thirty thousand men, that makes three hundred thousand gold dragons."
"What?"
The moment Lord Walder said it so lightly, Lord Norrey cried out in astonishment.
Although Clan Norrey often dealt with Winterfell, their lands were remote and had no resources. The entire clan would struggle to produce more than ten gold dragons.
Now Lord Walder had opened his mouth and demanded three hundred thousand gold dragons. It was almost beyond imagining.
"Heh. Let me think. A war comes only once every ten years. In such special times, the bridge toll naturally cannot be calculated at the usual price."
Looking at Lord Norrey's worsening expression, Lord Walder first gave that explanation. Then he changed the subject and continued.
"Of course, the King in the North may also pay the toll another way."
"What way?"
Hearing that, Lord Norrey immediately asked.
"He must swear before the Seven above... ah, and before your old gods as well, that when the war ends, he will marry one of my daughters.
And he must have one of his sisters marry one of my sons.
If he agrees, not only will I let all of you cross, but the soldiers of House Frey will also join his command."
Lord Walder smacked his lips a couple of times, then slowly laid out his terms.
"This... I cannot decide. I must return and report to the King in the North."
"Of course. Someone, escort the King in the North's envoy out."
Lord Walder watched Lord Norrey turn and follow the guards out of the banquet hall. Then he could not help muttering.
"What an uncouth northern savage."
"Ha, the old gods they worship are nameless gods to begin with, primitive and without manners.
How could they compare with our Seven? The Mother is a merciful goddess who nurtures and teaches the world."
Ser Kevan Lannister, who should have been besieging Riverrun, now emerged from a passage behind Lord Walder's left side, smiling as he picked up the thread of the conversation.
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