Game of Thrones: The Wolf of Deepwood Motte

After the military council ended, the date for the army's departure was officially decided.

Two days later.

After personally seeing Robb lead the Northern army south, Garon remained in Winterfell for another day to accompany Sansa.

Only afterward did he lead his forces back toward Deepwood Motte.

Garon did not disband the newly conscripted troops. Instead, he kept them behind to continue their training.

When the soldiers questioned the reason, Garon chose not to conceal anything.

Upon learning that the Iron Islands were likely preparing to raid the North, the leaders of the four major clans initially reacted with skepticism.

However, Garon's recent achievements and performance had already earned their trust.

In the end, they all decided to stay temporarily and observe the situation for a few more days.

Thus, while Deepwood Motte quietly prepared for war, time gradually passed.

Thirteen days later.

Robb's army finally arrived at Moat Cailin, where they joined with the forces from White Harbor and Barrowton, increasing the Northern host to more than eleven thousand men.

At the same time, Catelyn Stark also returned from the Eyrie.

Escorted by House Manderly's forces and accompanied by Brynden Tully, the Blackfish, she arrived at Moat Cailin together with them.

The two brought Robb the latest news from the Riverlands.

Riverrun had already fallen under siege.

Inside the command tent.

Catelyn tactfully hinted to the gathered Northern lords that she wished to speak privately with Robb.

However, none of the bannermen moved immediately.

Instead, they all turned their eyes toward Robb, waiting for his permission.

Only after Robb nodded did the Northern lords finally leave the tent one after another, allowing the mother and son some privacy.

Seeing this scene, Catelyn felt greatly relieved.

Her son had already begun commanding the Northern lords with authority.

"Mother!"

Only after everyone left did the sternness on Robb's face disappear, replaced by a genuine smile.

"Thank the gods you're safe!"

Catelyn gazed proudly at her son and sighed softly.

"If your father saw you now, he would be astonished by how much you've changed."

Unexpectedly, Robb laughed.

"That's thanks to Garon."

Catelyn froze slightly.

"What does this have to do with Garon?"

She quickly recalled the faces she had just seen among the lords and suddenly realized Garon had not been present.

Her expression immediately changed.

"Where is Glover?"

"Why didn't House Glover march with you?"

"Has Garon betrayed House Stark?"

Robb immediately shook his head helplessly.

"Mother, I personally ordered Garon to remain behind and defend the North."

Then Robb slowly recounted everything that had happened more than half a month earlier.

As she listened, Catelyn's expression shifted repeatedly.

"The Iron Islands..."

She subconsciously turned her gaze westward, as if she could already see Ironborn longships covering the sea.

"Garon is right."

"Balon Greyjoy would never miss the chance to strike while the North is empty. It's only a matter of time before the Ironborn attack."

Then she suddenly stared directly into Robb's eyes and seriously asked,

"But Robb, can Garon alone truly defend the North?"

Robb nodded confidently.

"Don't worry, Mother."

"Even Father highly praised Garon's military judgment."

"He even predicted the siege of Riverrun in advance."

Catelyn was greatly shocked.

"What?!"

Seeing her disbelief, Robb immediately repeated the strategy Garon had proposed during the military council.

"Two weeks ago, while we were still in the North, we already received reports that Jaime Lannister defeated Lords Vance and Piper at the Golden Tooth and forced them to retreat back to Riverrun."

"And worse still, Tywin Lannister is marching toward Harrenhal with a larger army. He clearly intends to block us on the Kingsroad."

Catelyn was already aware of those developments.

She immediately asked,

"So what strategy did Garon suggest?"

Robb smiled slightly.

"He proposed leaving the infantry behind to create the appearance of a larger force and keep Tywin occupied on the Kingsroad."

"Meanwhile, the cavalry would ride hard through the night toward Riverrun and join forces with my uncle from inside the castle to defeat the Kingslayer."

"Once Jaime is captured, we can exchange him for Father."

Catelyn's eyes flickered.

She could hardly believe such a plan had come from Garon.

"But if you do that, the river will block your advance."

She quickly recalled the map of the Riverlands and spoke at once.

"Exactly."

"But that same river also separates Jaime from Tywin."

Robb's confidence became even stronger.

"And the only crossing is controlled by House Frey, one of Grandfather's bannermen."

"Tywin will never be able to cross it in time."

"The Late Lord Frey..."

Catelyn instinctively became cautious.

"Your grandfather never trusted Walder Frey, and neither should you."

"Of course not."

Robb immediately assured her before asking expectantly,

"Mother, what do you think of the plan?"

Although Catelyn still disliked Garon, she had no choice but to admit that the strategy was excellent.

"It's a very good plan."

She nodded somewhat reluctantly.

"Which force do you intend to personally command?"

Robb answered without hesitation,

"The cavalry."

"As for the infantry, I plan to leave them under Roose Bolton's command."

"Mother, what do you think?"

Catelyn recalled Ned's evaluation of Roose Bolton and eventually nodded.

"Lord Bolton is calm and cautious. He is indeed a suitable choice."

Receiving his mother's approval immediately brightened Robb's mood.

His confidence in the coming war increased even more.

"Mother, after this meeting I'll arrange for some men to escort you back to Winterfell."

"Sansa and Bran miss you very much."

Catelyn's face briefly showed hesitation and longing, but eventually she gritted her teeth.

"I'm not returning to Winterfell."

"Your grandfather and uncle are trapped in Riverrun. I must return there."

Robb tried to persuade her several times, but seeing her determination, he could only reluctantly allow her to continue south with the army.

After resting for one day.

Robb left behind one hundred archers together with another hundred men under Newgate to continue defending Moat Cailin.

The rest of the Northern army crossed the Neck like a tiger descending the mountains and marched directly toward the Riverlands.

Soon, news of Robb Stark's southern campaign spread in all directions.

King's Landing, the Black Cells.

Ned Stark leaned weakly against the cold stone wall inside the dark dungeon.

His appearance had become haggard and exhausted.

Since being imprisoned here, he had only received small portions of foul food and water at long intervals.

Clearly, Cersei intended to keep him alive while ensuring he suffered.

Ned understood perfectly well that his living body was their bargaining chip.

A dead Ned Stark would be worthless.

"Fool..."

"You utter fool..."

Ned cursed himself bitterly inside his heart.

He regretted not listening to the warnings of others and hated himself for failing to see through Littlefinger's schemes.

"I should have listened to Garon."

"I should have removed Janos Slynt immediately instead of trusting Littlefinger."

Pain filled Ned's eyes.

After Robert's death, he had immediately attempted to seize control and demand justice.

Reality, however, had answered him mercilessly.

Littlefinger and Janos Slynt had betrayed him together and sided with the Queen.

Most of the Stark guards were slaughtered on the spot, while Ned himself was thrown into the dungeon.

Just as Ned sank deeper into self-reproach, footsteps suddenly echoed from the corridor outside the cell.

Moments later, dim lamplight illuminated the darkness.

"It's you."

Ned looked up in surprise before calmly saying,

"Varys, are you here to deliver Cersei's orders?"

Varys hung the oil lamp upon the wall.

Then, as though performing a magic trick, he produced some wrapped food and a wineskin of summerwine from his enormous sleeves.

"Indeed, Lord Stark."

Varys smiled as pleasantly as ever.

He handed the food and wine toward Ned.

"Queen Regent Cersei hopes that you will confess your crimes."

"If you do, she is willing to allow you to take the black and spare your life."

Ned did not accept the food.

Instead, he sneered coldly.

"She truly plays her game well."

Then he stared sharply at Varys and said confidently,

"It seems my son has already marched south with the Northern army."

Seeing Ned refuse the food, Varys simply placed it gently upon the straw beside him.

"Indeed."

"A Northern army led by a child is quite dangerous."

A strange smile spread across his soft face.

"Lord Stark, as long as you acknowledge Joffrey's lawful claim to the throne and write to your son ordering him to submit, I can guarantee you a safe return to the North."

Ned originally intended to mock him.

However, his thoughts suddenly shifted, and he quickly asked,

"Cersei failed to capture Gendry and Arya?"

"Those two children fled too quickly. Even the Gold Cloaks could not catch them."

Varys shrugged slightly and calmly revealed the latest intelligence.

"And your younger son successfully reached Dragonstone."

"Stannis Baratheon has already begun gathering his banners."

Ned's eyes brightened instantly.

"Rickon reached Dragonstone?"

"And Arya escaped safely as well?"

The massive burden weighing upon his heart finally lightened slightly.

Seeing Ned's reaction, the corners of Varys's lips curved upward.

"Lord Stark, I hope you will seriously consider the Queen Regent's proposal."

After saying that, he picked up the oil lamp and turned away without waiting for a response.

It was almost as though his true purpose had only been to deliver news about Ned's children.

Ned could not understand what the eunuch truly intended.

Finally, he slowly picked up the food Varys had left behind and began eating.

He had to survive.

Meanwhile, far away upon the Iron Islands, Euron Crow's Eye finally returned aboard the Silence.

A twisted black horn nearly two meters long was carried into the great hall of Pyke by his men.

Inside the hall, Balon Greyjoy and Asha Greyjoy had already been waiting for him.