Chapter 108 - Robb and the Free Folk (III)
"I like what's coming," Aenar thought, watching Robb look at Val with a passionate gaze.
"I, Mance of House Rayder, Lord of Sea Dragon Point and Stony Shore, bend my knee and promise to honor my oath. When House Stark needs it, House Rayder will be there to fight alongside the Lord of Winterfell," Mance declared in a loud, clear tone, his voice not hiding the seriousness of the moment.
After hearing Mance's oath, Robb stood up and spoke aloud:
"I, Robb of House Stark, Heir of Winterfell and future Guardian of the North, in the name of Aenar of House Targaryen, First of His Name, Knight of Caraxes, King of the Andals, the Roinars and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, accept your oath. May our homes have peace and prosperity."
With Mance kneeling before Robb, the atmosphere became more restrained, and the hostility coming from the noble houses lessened slightly.
Arya, who was eating a piece of bread, watched the whole scene and nodded. To her, it was natural that Mance had knelt down; in her eyes, the North belonged to House Stark, and House Rayder becoming a vassal of House Stark was to be expected.
However, Robb knew that Mance's fiefdoms were at least too large, so vast that they could easily form a small kingdom. He cast a disgruntled glance at Aenar, who was sitting in the largest seat. In Robb's eyes, his brother was using the Wildlings to prevent House Stark from completely dominating the North.
Feeling Robb's gaze, Aenar realized that his cousin had got it all wrong, but he didn't try to explain himself, especially in the presence of everyone. He had only granted those lands to Mance to avoid dissatisfaction among the Free Folk; there was no other intention behind it.
Aenar sat in the center, with Robb on his right and Mance on his left. The three most powerful men in the hall were talking in low voices.
"Do you think House Stark will turn its back on House Targaryen, Your Grace?" Robb asked casually, as he sipped his wine. His blue eyes looked at Aenar with obvious dissatisfaction.
"Not at all. But other places couldn't offer so much land without causing overpopulation and even more chaos. Besides, the other lords of the North wouldn't accept the Free Folk in their lands," Aenar replied in an equally casual tone, looking at Robb.