CHAPTER 190
Inside the command tent, the Northern lords and the Riverlands lords stood in separate groups, their eyes filled with anticipation as they looked toward Garon. However, Garon was in no hurry to speak. He slowly walked back to the wooden table at the rear of the tent, rested both hands upon it, and silently studied the map of the Riverlands spread across its surface. After thinking for several moments and carefully arranging his thoughts, Garon finally raised his head and swept his gaze across the two dozen or so lords gathered inside the tent. When his eyes briefly settled on Petyr Frey, who stood quietly in a corner, a trace of surprise flashed across his face before disappearing just as quickly.
"My lords," he began softly, an unusual glint shining in his eyes, "Lord Edmure is currently being escorted to the Twins by Roose Bolton. I fear he still knows nothing of the conspiracy between Bolton and House Frey. Our highest priority is to rescue Lord Edmure before dealing with the Twins."
"But how are we supposed to rescue him?" Lord Bracken sighed heavily. "The Twins is one of the strongest castles in Westeros. Once old Walder closes the gates, we have no way of forcing our way inside."
As the famous twin castles that guarded the crossing of the Green Fork, the Twins consisted of two great keeps standing on opposite banks of the river, linked by a massive stone bridge protected by fortified gatehouses and towers. If either castle came under attack, the other could immediately provide support. Each side was also defended by formidable curtain walls and deep moats. Once the gates were shut, even a much larger army would struggle to take the fortress by storm.
Garon naturally understood this better than anyone. After deciding that House Frey would become his next target, he had already devised a plan for dealing with the Twins. Looking toward Lord Bracken, he replied meaningfully, "Then we must force them to open the gates themselves, either by drawing them out or by making them willingly invite us inside."
"Lure them out?" Lord Bracken frowned. "Invite us inside?" He shook his head. "Lord Glover, forgive my bluntness, but old Walder Frey is as cautious as any man in the Seven Kingdoms. He will never willingly leave the safety of his walls. If we appear before the castle, he will simply shut the gates and wait for reinforcements."
The other Riverlands lords nodded in agreement. As fellow bannermen of the Trident, they knew Walder Frey's character all too well.
"Under ordinary circumstances, Lord Bracken would be absolutely right," Garon replied calmly. "But what if the men standing outside his gates are not a victorious army, but the broken remnants of one that has just suffered a crushing defeat?"
"A defeated army?" Lord Blackwood narrowed his eyes as realization slowly dawned upon him. "Lord Glover... are you suggesting we disguise ourselves as survivors fleeing from the Lannisters in order to deceive the Freys?"
Garon nodded. "Exactly. Since House Frey and Roose Bolton have already laid a trap for us, we shall simply turn their own trap against them."
Lady Maege Mormont frowned thoughtfully. "Lord Glover, your plan is certainly bold, but Walder Frey is no fool, and Roose Bolton is even more dangerous. If our defeated army appears before the Twins, they will undoubtedly test us in every possible way. If they refuse to open the gates and instead greet us with crossbows from the walls, what then?"
Her concern echoed the doubts in everyone else's mind.
"Lady Mormont raises an excellent point." Garon nodded approvingly. "Naturally, they will test us, which is why our performance must be flawless."
His gaze briefly lingered on Petyr Frey before continuing.
"We will discard most of our banners, damage our armor, and scatter wounded soldiers throughout our ranks. Most importantly, our numbers must not exceed five thousand."
"A broken force numbering fewer than five thousand men, exhausted and stripped of much of its equipment, would pose little threat to Roose Bolton or House Frey while they remain safely behind the walls of the Twins. That alone will lower their guard."
Rickard Karstark immediately pressed further.
"What if they still refuse to open the gates? They could simply send us food and supplies before ordering us to leave. They already have Lord Edmure in their custody. They could simply wait until the rest of the war is decided."
Garon turned toward him.
"Then we will give them a reason they cannot ignore."
His voice became colder.
"We will force Roose Bolton to come outside."
"If old Walder remains too frightened to act, then before everyone watching from the walls we shall announce that with King Robb dead and the Northern alliance shattered, I have decided to withdraw to the North. We will publicly invite Roose Bolton to accompany us home."
He looked around the tent.
"My lords, think carefully. Roose Bolton and House Frey hope to present our heads to Lord Tywin as proof of their loyalty. If we abandon the Riverlands and march north along the kingsroad, that opportunity disappears."
"House Frey may still have Lord Edmure as leverage."
"But what does Roose Bolton possess?"
Understanding immediately spread throughout the tent.
Lord Cerwyn slowly nodded.
"In that case, Bolton will have no choice but to pressure House Frey into acting. Otherwise everything he has planned will come to nothing."
"And once that happens," another lord continued thoughtfully, "half the battle is already won. All that remains is arranging our hidden forces."
Others exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.
"There is something else," Garon continued as Rodrik Harlaw and the Ironborn briefly crossed his mind. "Even if House Frey refuses every risk, I still have another method of opening the gates from within."
Before returning to the camp, he had already learned that Rodrik Harlaw had accompanied Roose Bolton to the Twins. He knew the arrangements he had made earlier at Seagard were already bearing fruit.
Now all that remained was waiting for the proper moment.
A dangerous smile briefly appeared on Garon's face before disappearing again. He offered no further explanation.
Regarding Rodrik Harlaw, the fewer people who knew, the greater the chance of success.
"My lords," Garon continued seriously, "beginning today we will remain here for several days."
"During that time, every road leading from the Riverlands to the Twins must be sealed. No messenger, no traveler, not even a raven is to carry news there."
"Organize patrols around the Ferry Camp. Hunt down every fleeing Lannister soldier and prevent anyone from reaching the Twins with news of Kevan's defeat."
One order after another followed.
After everyone fully understood their responsibilities, Garon dismissed the council and ordered them to begin their preparations.
Just then his eyes settled upon Petyr Frey once more.
"Ser Petyr," Garon called calmly, "remain behind. There are still matters I wish to discuss with you."
The departing lords paused and looked toward the lone Frey standing nervously in the corner.
Only then did many of them remember that a member of House Frey still served among King Robb's household guard.
Some immediately became furious.
But before anyone could speak, Garon cut them off.
"Everyone except Ser Petyr may leave."
"I need to speak with him alone."
His authoritative gaze silenced any objections.
Reluctantly, the assembled lords departed, throwing angry looks toward Petyr Frey as they left.
Once everyone else had gone, Petyr looked utterly uneasy.
"My lord... I truly knew nothing about the conspiracy between House Frey and Roose Bolton."
His voice trembled.
"I was recommended to the King's Guard because of you, and His Majesty King Robb always treated me generously."
"I swear before the Seven that I never betrayed either the Riverlands or the North, nor did I participate in any conspiracy."
"My lord... please believe me."
Garon slowly approached him before smiling gently.
"Ser Petyr."
"Of course I believe you."
Petyr blinked in astonishment.
"My lord... what did you just say?"
"I said I believe you."
Garon raised a hand and gently patted his shoulder.
"From Seagard to Riverrun, and from Riverrun to this camp, I have watched your conduct."
"I know your sense of duty."
"I know your honor."
"I do not believe you resemble those oathbreaking traitors."
Petyr's eyes immediately became moist.
Just as he was about to thank him, Garon's expression became serious.
"But Ser Petyr... what difference does it make if only I trust you?"
"You saw how Lord Bracken and the others looked at you."
"They despise House Frey."
"And now they naturally despise you as well."
Petyr's expression instantly turned pale.
"My lord, please speak for me."
"I am loyal to you and to the Riverlands."
Garon slowly shook his head.
"If explanations alone could solve everything..."
"Would Lord Eddard Stark have died in King's Landing?"
"The only thing that truly matters is action."
Those words immediately calmed Petyr.
Looking into Garon's eyes, he slowly seemed to understand.
"My lord..."
"What do you want me to do?"
Garon smiled approvingly.
"I want you to return to the Twins."
"I want you to observe every move made by Roose Bolton and House Frey."
"And when the time comes..."
"I want you to help us open the gates."
Petyr's entire body stiffened.
He had expected a difficult assignment.
He had never imagined he would be ordered to infiltrate the Twins.
"My lord..."
"I... I can't."
"Yes, you can."
Garon looked directly into his eyes.
"Your task is simple."
"Report the situation here to Lord Walder exactly as expected."
"Earn his trust."
"Remain inside the Twins."
"When the proper time arrives, my people will contact you."
"Then, together, you will open the gates."
Petyr stared blankly.
"There are still... your men... inside the Twins?"
Garon merely smiled.
He neither confirmed nor denied it.
That mysterious smile alone sent a chill down Petyr's spine.
"He planted agents inside the Twins this long ago?"
"Did Lord Glover foresee everything?"
"But... even so..."
"If I fail..."
"I'm dead."
Petyr's thoughts became a chaotic mess.
"The opportunity has already been placed before you."
"The choice is yours."
Garon did not pressure him further.
If Petyr agreed unwillingly, he would become a liability.
Instead, Garon quietly returned to the map and waited.
Several moments later, Petyr finally clenched his fists.
"I'll do it."
"Lord Glover recognized my worth and recommended me to King Robb."
"I cannot betray that trust."
He raised his head.
"My lord."
"Tell me what I must do."
Garon laughed warmly.
"Excellent."
"I knew I hadn't misjudged you."
He thought for a moment before speaking words that completely stunned Petyr.
"Ser Petyr."
"If you succeed..."
"I personally promise to ask Lord Edmure to grant the Twins to you."
"From that day onward..."
"The future of House Frey will be written by your hand."
Boom.
Those words struck Petyr like thunder.
His eyes widened in utter disbelief.
"M... my lord..."
"You mean..."
Garon nodded calmly.
"That's right."
"You will become Lord of the Twins."
Without the slightest hesitation, Petyr immediately dropped to one knee.
"My Lord Protector."
"I swear before the Seven."
"From this day onward..."
"My life and my loyalty belong to you alone."
Garon chuckled before helping him back to his feet.
"There is no need for such formality."
"I have always rewarded merit fairly."
"As long as you serve faithfully..."
"I will never treat you unjustly."
Petyr nodded vigorously, excitement overflowing from his eyes.
Garon then returned to business.
"Now."
"Listen carefully."
Petyr immediately straightened.
"My lord."
"You will leave tonight under cover of darkness and ride to the Twins as quickly as possible."
"You will report that you escaped from the Ferry Camp to request reinforcements."
"They will certainly test you."
"You must convince them that our position is becoming increasingly desperate."
"Make them believe our defeat is only a matter of time."
Garon carefully explained every detail of the deception.
Only after ensuring Petyr understood every step did he ask,
"Do you have any questions?"
Petyr hesitated briefly.
"My lord..."
"You said someone would contact me."
"How?"
Garon narrowed his eyes.
"When the time comes..."
"They will find you."
"You need not concern yourself with anything else."
Petyr immediately understood.
Garon still had not completely trusted him.
He nodded.
"I understand."
"I'll begin preparing immediately."
Garon nodded in return.
"I'll have someone secretly clear the road for you."
"Ride to the Twins without delay."
"Remember."
"You have very little time."
"Once you arrive, learn everything you can about the situation inside the castle."
"My defeated army will depart in five days."
"We should reach the Twins roughly ten days from now."
Petyr bowed respectfully.
"I understand, my lord."
With nothing left to discuss, he turned and departed.
After Petyr left, Garon remained standing silently for a long while.
Only after carefully reviewing every detail did he summon one of his trusted Glover soldiers and quietly order him to escort Petyr safely beyond the camp.
Soon afterward, as dusk settled across the Riverlands, a lone brown horse galloped out from the Ferry Camp and disappeared along the kingsroad toward the Twins.
Thus, an enormous snare had quietly been cast around the Twins.