CHAPTER 83
For Robb, the pain and confusion of these past days seemed endless. First, King Robert died unexpectedly, then his father was framed for treason and imprisoned. As for his sisters and brothers in King's Landing, there was still no news, and their fates remained unknown. Yet at such a crucial moment, his mother, the one person who could guide him, was also missing.
"Winter is Coming!"
Robb could only repeat the words of House Stark over and over in his heart, imitating his father by bearing all responsibilities and exercising the authority of the Lord of Winterfell and acting Warden of the North, summoning his bannermen to march south and rescue Lord Stark.
Although the Northern lords answered the call as promised, most of them did not truly trust the underage Robb, and their words often carried traces of doubt and contempt. During these days, they constantly tested him in their own ways.
Until Garon arrived.
The imposing might of Glover's army made Garon's oath of loyalty appear extraordinarily solemn and grand, instantly restoring the dignity Robb had struggled to maintain these past days. It swept away much of the confusion and anxiety weighing on his heart.
Joy immediately appeared in Robb's eyes.
Like his father once had, Robb stepped forward and personally helped Garon rise.
"Garon, rise."
Garon stood upright and, just like when he had first met Ned Stark, respectfully lowered his head and greeted him.
"My Lord."
Their eyes met, and both smiled faintly.
At this moment, Robert Glover also dismounted from the cavalry formation and stepped forward to greet Robb.
Robb nodded before his gaze swept past the two men toward the tightly ordered army behind them.
"What magnificent cavalry the Wolfswood has produced."
The Northern lords standing behind him were only now recovering from their earlier shock. Hearing Robb's praise, they all nodded in agreement, and the way they looked at Garon became even more respectful and cautious.
One pale-faced middle-aged lord narrowed his eyes slightly before smiling.
"I had thought a man capable of winning a trial by combat must simply possess extraordinary martial skill, but I never expected Lord Glover to be equally proficient in military matters."
"Galbart truly left behind a remarkable son."
Garon looked toward the speaker, noticing the man's pale complexion and quiet demeanor.
"So this is Roose Bolton?"
His thoughts shifted briefly before he calmly replied,
"You flatter me, my lord. May I know whom I have the honor of addressing?"
Only then did Robb react and begin introducing the gathered bannermen to Garon.
"Garon, this is Lord Roose Bolton of the Dreadfort."
"And this is Lord Rickard Karstark of Karhold…"
Garon maintained a calm and composed expression throughout, greeting each Northern lord in turn as Robb introduced them one by one.
Thanks to the overwhelming impression left by Garon's entrance and his disciplined army, nearly every Northern lord present showed goodwill toward House Glover. Even the rough and hot-tempered Greatjon Umber showed unusual friendliness, loudly encouraging his sons to spend more time speaking with Garon.
After the introductions ended, Garon smiled toward Robb and said,
"My Lord Stark, please wait for a moment. I should first settle my troops."
Robb was in an excellent mood and immediately nodded.
"Go ahead. I'll wait for you in the Great Hall."
Garon acknowledged the order, then mounted his horse again alongside Robert and led the Glover army toward Winter Town.
After watching Garon lead his troops away, Robb turned and returned to Winterfell with the gathered lords.
About half an hour later, after arranging camps for his men and instructing his officers to prevent conflicts between soldiers and the forces of the other houses, Garon brought Robert and several trusted retainers toward Winterfell's Great Hall.
At this moment, Winterfell was bustling with activity, far livelier than even during King Robert's visit.
Since the Great Hall could not accommodate everyone at once, Robb had spent these past days receiving the various lords separately.
As Garon approached the Great Hall, he saw Rickard Karstark emerging alongside his sons Harrion, Eddard, and Torrhen.
Rickard's expression was grim, as though he had just heard deeply troubling news from Robb.
The two groups crossed paths briefly.
Lord Rickard forced out a smile, exchanged a few polite words, then hurried away with his sons.
"Did something happen again in King's Landing?"
Garon became suspicious inwardly, though he did not stop walking, continuing into the Great Hall with Robert and the others.
The moment he entered, he saw Robb seated at the high table, Bran beside him on the left, while Sansa sat quietly on the right with a gentle smile on her face.
Garon did not delay and immediately stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
"Lord Stark."
But this time, Robb no longer maintained the imposing composure he had shown outside the gate.
He stepped down from the dais and spread his arms with obvious relief.
Seeing this, Garon stepped forward and embraced him firmly.
"Garon, you've finally arrived!"
After separating, Sansa also descended from the dais, her beautiful eyes filled with tenderness as she looked at Garon.
Garon eagerly returned her gaze and explained softly,
"My apologies for making you wait. Organizing the army delayed me."
Sansa shyly lowered her eyes at his words.
At that moment, Garon looked toward Bran and smiled warmly.
"Bran, it's been a long time. Jon will be very happy when he hears you've awakened."
Bran immediately looked surprised.
"Jon came too?"
Robb glanced over the men Garon had brought with him and, not seeing Jon among them, asked in confusion,
"Jon didn't come?"
Garon shook his head.
"No. I was worried Lady Catelyn might be displeased if I brought him here, so I left him behind to guard Deepwood Motte."
After speaking, he introduced his trusted retainers to Robb one by one.
When the introductions were finished, Robb nodded and gave a bitter smile.
"My mother's whereabouts are still unknown. You probably should have brought him. Bran hasn't seen him since the accident."
Bran's expression immediately darkened. At this moment, he missed his bastard brother more than ever.
Garon's eyes flickered slightly as he asked,
"Has Lady Catelyn sent any word?"
Robb shook his head.
"After Mother sent a letter from the Eyrie regarding Tyrion Lannister's trial, no further messages have arrived. I'm beginning to worry something happened to her in the Vale."
"The Vale?"
Garon pondered briefly before comforting him.
"The Vale and House Stark are tied through blood and marriage. Lady Catelyn should be safe."
Robb sighed heavily.
"I hope so."
He paused before continuing.
"To tell the truth, I don't know who I can trust anymore."
"King's Landing sent a letter claiming Father committed treason and demanding I swear fealty to Joffrey. Otherwise, they threatened to destroy the North."
Garon immediately shook his head.
"Lord Stark is an honorable and just man. There is no way he committed treason. Someone must have framed him."
"Yes. You don't believe it, and neither do I," Robb replied angrily. "The entire North refuses to believe it."
"If the Lannisters truly dare…"
Just as Robb was about to continue, Hallis Mollen, captain of the Winterfell guard, suddenly hurried into the Great Hall alongside Maester Luwin.
Hallis spoke urgently.
"Lord Robb, men from House Bolton killed one of Lord Cerwyn's soldiers at the Smoking Log Tavern."
"Now the two groups are on the verge of fighting."
Robb frowned deeply and asked angrily,
"What happened? Didn't I order them to keep their men under control?"
Hallis replied helplessly,
"It seems both sides drank too much, and a dispute broke out over some minor matter."
His expression remained grim.
Ever since the Northern bannermen and their armies began arriving at Winterfell, conflicts of all kinds had constantly erupted throughout Winter Town, keeping Hallis running without rest. Even so, many disputes exceeded his authority, forcing Robb to personally intervene.
Robb rubbed his forehead helplessly before apologizing to Garon.
"I need to deal with this first. We'll continue our discussion later this afternoon."
Then he glanced meaningfully at Sansa before adding,
"Sansa, why don't you show Garon around Winterfell for now?"
Sansa immediately agreed happily.