CHAPTER 170
The heavy oak door of Hoster Tully's study slammed shut.
An oppressive silence settled over the room.
It lasted only a few moments before Edmure Tully was the first to lose his temper.
"Why?"
His fist crashed onto the table, sending several parchments fluttering onto the floor.
"Robb, why won't you agree?"
"Whether it's restoring our alliance with House Frey or seeking an alliance with House Tyrell, both choices are far safer than our current position."
"I've already agreed to marry one of Lord Walder Frey's daughters for the sake of the Riverlands."
"So why can't you do the same?"
Edmure's voice trembled with anger.
He simply could not understand Robb anymore.
For the sake of the war, he had already accepted marrying whichever Frey girl Lord Walder chose for him.
Even if she were plain or difficult, he would endure it.
If he could make that sacrifice, why couldn't Robb?
"Are you really going to let the Riverlands burn because of Jeyne Westerling?"
"Or are you planning to retreat to the North and leave us here to face the Iron Throne alone?"
Those accusations immediately changed both Robb's and Catelyn's expressions.
"Edmure!"
Lady Catelyn stood at once, stopping her brother before his anger went any further.
She then looked toward her son.
Confusion and pain filled her blue eyes.
"Your uncle didn't mean it that way, Robb."
"But tell me honestly."
"Are you truly willing to abandon all of us for the sake of one girl?"
"To abandon your father's vengeance."
"To abandon Arya and Rickon's future."
"To abandon the tens of thousands of men who crossed the Neck and followed you into war."
Being questioned by the people closest to him caused Robb's face to flush crimson.
He suddenly stood.
"Honor!"
His voice echoed through the study.
"Father raised me to value honor above everything."
"He taught me never to break my word."
"I am a king."
"I swore before the gods to protect Jeyne for the rest of her life."
"If I betray that oath..."
"Then what right do I have to call myself king?"
"What right do I have to condemn the false king sitting upon the Iron Throne?"
Edmure immediately answered without yielding.
"For your own honor, you destroyed the agreement your mother made with House Frey."
"Where was her honor?"
Robb clenched his teeth.
For a moment, he found no words.
He knew better than anyone how deeply he had hurt Catelyn.
But Catelyn herself paid little attention to wounded pride.
She quietly defended her son's dignity.
"I am only a woman."
"My own honor matters little."
She paused before pleading once more.
"But Robb..."
"Please."
"Let Jeyne go."
"Garon is right."
"You must secure our future through marriage."
"That is your duty as king."
"As for Jeyne..."
"If you truly love her..."
"You could treat her as your father..."
Before she could finish, Robb interrupted her.
His face was filled with disbelief.
"Mother..."
"Are you asking me to make Jeyne my mistress?"
"What kind of man do you think I am?"
"Why not?"
Edmure immediately agreed with the suggestion.
"King Robert filled the Seven Kingdoms with his mistresses."
"He remained king until the day he died."
"Uncle Edmure..."
"You..."
"Enough."
An aged but commanding voice silenced everyone.
Brynden Tully finally rose from his chair.
The seasoned Blackfish looked calmly at both Robb and Edmure.
His steady gaze alone was enough to make them fall silent.
"Arguing solves nothing."
"It only gives our enemies something to laugh about."
He slowly bent down and gathered the scattered documents from the floor.
"Garon's strategy was excellent."
"Viewed purely from the standpoint of war..."
"Robb."
"You have made a mistake that could cost us everything."
A trace of disappointment crossed Brynden's face.
Moments later, his tone softened.
"But you are still King in the North."
"You are the pillar supporting both the North and the Riverlands."
"If we lose our unity first..."
"Lord Tywin wins this war without drawing another sword."
"We cannot destroy ourselves."
After calming Edmure and Catelyn, Brynden turned back toward Robb.
His eyes carried both expectation and the patience of an elder.
"My boy."
"A king cannot rule by emotion alone."
"Garon Glover is Sansa's promised husband."
"He is your sharpest sword."
"And your clearest pair of eyes."
"He wasn't trying to force you."
"He was offering you a choice."
Seeing Robb's anger gradually subside, Brynden continued.
"Now go."
"Put your pride aside."
"Find him."
"As king, search for a path that protects both your honor and your people."
"Go."
Under Brynden's unquestionable gaze, Robb slowly gripped the hilt of his sword.
His face remained filled with struggle.
Finally, he turned and hurried out of the study.
Meanwhile, Garon had already left the castle hall and was quietly walking along Riverrun's riverside battlements.
The cool breeze from the Tumblestone River stirred his cloak.
It also washed away the lingering emotions from the performance he had just completed.
Everything remained under control.
Leaning against the stone battlements, Garon quietly watched the endless current below.
His heart was perfectly calm.
"Robb..."
"You truly didn't disappoint me."
"The Stark devotion to honor really is the easiest weapon to exploit."
He carefully reviewed every detail of the meeting.
Aside from surrendering to Joffrey, he knew either of the remaining two proposals could have saved Robb's kingdom.
Provided Robb abandoned Jeyne Westerling.
But Robb never would.
"I originally intended to strengthen Robb first."
"Then use Stannis against him when the time came."
"But now..."
"Since Robb refuses to give up Jeyne..."
"The path ahead can only resemble the one history already followed."
His eyes remained fixed upon the flowing river as another plan slowly formed.
"Robb still trusts my advice."
"So next..."
"I'll suggest allowing Edmure's marriage to House Frey to proceed exactly as planned."
"With Lord Walder's temperament..."
"And Roose Bolton's ambition..."
"The Red Wedding will still unfold much as it did before."
"When that happens..."
"I'll finally have legitimate grounds to eliminate Bolton, Walder Frey, and everyone involved."
A sharp light flashed through Garon's eyes.
His thoughts continued racing.
"The situation has changed."
"If events are to unfold as before..."
"I still need one final piece."
"A pair of eyes inside the Twins."
"Someone capable of watching every movement."
"Someone who can warn me immediately."
"Perhaps..."
"Even open the gates for me when the decisive moment arrives."
He sighed softly.
"If only I could still enter the heart tree at the Twins through my greenseeing."
When Garon thought about needing eyes, he naturally remembered his ability to perceive through heart trees.
During the journey from Seagard to Riverrun, he had attempted to connect with nearby weirwoods several times.
None had responded.
He still wasn't certain whether his power was limited to the North or whether he simply had not yet discovered the proper method.
Just then, mocking laughter echoed from a nearby courtyard, interrupting his thoughts.
"Look."
"Isn't that the forgotten Frey?"
"Petyr?"
"I remember another Petyr."
"He disappeared long ago."
"Heh."
"Maybe the Freys are so busy breeding that they can't think of new names."
Standing atop the battlements, Garon looked down.
Several Tully household knights had surrounded a lone man in the courtyard below.
The man being mocked was none other than Ser Petyr Frey.
His face burned red with humiliation.
His fists were tightly clenched.
His entire body trembled with restrained anger.
Yet he never answered them.
"Petyr Frey..."
A thoughtful look appeared in Garon's eyes.
"A lesser branch of House Frey."
"Little attachment to Lord Walder."
"Unhappy with his own circumstances."
"Perhaps..."
"He could become the eyes I need."
Rather than intervening immediately, Garon quietly observed him.
He wanted to see whether Petyr truly possessed the temperament he required.
Only after several moments, when one of the Tully knights reached out to shove Petyr, did Garon finally decide.
"Enough!"
His cold voice rang out from above.
Moments later, he descended the battlement stairs and stepped directly between them.
"It seems the knights of Riverrun have far too much free time."
His voice remained calm.
Yet every word carried unquestionable authority.
"Our enemies stand beyond these walls."
"And yet you waste your strength humiliating a knight who has faithfully served as guide to the North."
The Tully knights immediately froze.
They all recognized Garon.
His arrival earlier that day had already spread throughout Riverrun.
Everyone knew King Robb valued him above nearly every other bannerman.
None of them dared challenge him.
Ignoring the knights completely, Garon walked directly to Petyr.
"Stand straight, Ser."
"Honor is never granted by another man's tongue."
Gratitude instantly filled Petyr's eyes.
His back unconsciously straightened.
After watching him for a moment, Garon turned toward the stunned knights.
His voice became noticeably colder.
"Ser Petyr is my honored guest."
"If anyone insults my guest again..."
"He will answer to me."
The Tully knights immediately turned pale.
Without another word, they repeatedly apologized before hurriedly fleeing the courtyard.
"My lord..."
"I..."
Petyr was so overwhelmed that he struggled to find words.
Garon simply smiled.
"No thanks are necessary."
He naturally placed a reassuring hand upon Petyr's shoulder.
"We've known each other only a few days."
"But I've already seen your character."
"And your ability."
"No matter what others think..."
"To me..."
"You are a knight worthy of respect."
Those simple words struck Petyr harder than any reward.
After years of neglect and ridicule, Garon's recognition felt like cool wine on a sweltering summer day.
Hope returned to Petyr's eyes.
He opened his mouth.
He wanted to ask Garon if he might someday enter the service of House Glover.
Before he could speak, another voice suddenly echoed across the courtyard.
"Garon!"
Robb's urgent shout interrupted him.
Garon turned toward the sound.
He nodded slightly toward Robb before looking back at Petyr.
"Get some rest, Ser."
Having already seen the longing in Petyr's eyes, Garon understood exactly what he wanted.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Perhaps..."
"It won't be long before you have the opportunity to stand before all of Westeros..."
"With a new identity worthy of your honor."
With those final words, Garon turned and walked toward Robb.
Petyr Frey remained standing alone in the courtyard.
Garon's words echoed endlessly inside his mind.
For the first time in many years...
Hope quietly took root within his heart.
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