Game of Thrones Iron Stark

Robb Stark stood in the great hall with his head bowed while his mother tore into him. Bran had gone outside the walls with Osha and Hodor and still hadn't come back. Catelyn was furious.

"You're the acting Lord of Winterfell!" she snapped. "How could you let your brother wander off like that?"

Robb took the scolding in silence. When she finally finished, he sent out every spare man he had to search the wolfswood. Grey Wind paced beside him, sensing his worry.

"Old gods, keep him safe," Robb whispered, staring up at the blue sky.

The northern lords started arriving the next morning. Bolton. Manderly. Reed. They came with their banners and their men, ready to wait for the southern armies before marching to the Wall. Roose Bolton and his bastard son Ramsay rode in with a tall white-haired man at their side.

Robb greeted them all from the battlements. "You can camp outside the walls, my lords. No fighting among yourselves. Stannis will be here soon with the southern host."

Most of the lords bowed and moved on. Roose Bolton stayed.

"Lord Robb," Roose said in his soft voice. "Your father said the northern army would answer to me. We should talk."

Robb nodded. "Come inside. The hot springs are open if any of your men want to warm up."

He led Roose, Ramsay, and the white-haired stranger into the castle. Once they were alone with wine, Robb turned to the stranger.

"Who are you?"

"Geralt of Graystark," the man answered calmly.

Robb's eyes narrowed. "Prove it."

Geralt stepped forward. "Starks carry the blood of the First Men. Let me touch your direwolf. If I truly have Stark blood, he'll know."

Robb whistled. Grey Wind padded into the hall, growling at the stranger. Geralt reached out anyway. The moment his hand touched the wolf's fur, Grey Wind's eyes glazed over. The direwolf's tail started wagging like a common dog.

"Grey Wind!" Robb shouted.

The spell broke. Grey Wind shook his head and trotted back to his master.

Robb drew his sword. Guards flooded the room.

"That wasn't blood magic," Robb said coldly. "That was sorcery. Who the hell are you really?"

Geralt raised his hands. "My name is Geralt. I'm a Witcher. I came here by chance, but I felt the darkness gathering in the North. The Night's King is waking."

Roose spoke quickly. "My lord, we found him at Lonely Mountain. He's not one of us. He helped against the wolves, that's all."

Robb stared at Geralt for a long moment, then lowered his blade.

"You can stay. But you're watched every second. One wrong move and I'll have your head."

Geralt bowed. "Understood."

Later that evening, two more guests arrived from the Neck. A girl and a boy, both dressed in ragged green clothes.

"Robb Stark," the girl said with a sharp smile. "I'm Meera Reed. This is my brother Jojen. We came for Bran."

Robb frowned. "How do you even know my brother?"

Jojen's green eyes were calm. "I saw it. In a dream. Bran was taken by wildlings. Osha is pretending to be on their side. We're here to help you get him back."

Robb felt his stomach drop.

"Tell me everything."