CHAPTER 172
The welcoming feast reached its climax when Robb, following Garon's earlier suggestion, publicly announced that Ser Petyr Frey would join his personal household guard.
Goblets clashed together as cheers echoed throughout Riverrun.
Many of the Riverlords were still unfamiliar with Garon and remained somewhat reserved, unwilling to approach him too boldly.
Petyr Frey, however, stepped forward immediately.
His gratitude toward Garon had long since overcome any hesitation.
He had only begun thanking him when he was pushed aside by a crowd of enthusiastic Northern lords.
Greatjon Umber, Rickard Karstark, Galbart Glover, Maege Mormont, and the others crowded around Garon with wineskins and overflowing cups, each determined to outdrink him.
Garon accepted every challenge with a smile, displaying the straightforward hospitality that Northerners admired.
Before long, Lady Maege Mormont, annoyed by the others constantly forcing drinks upon him, used the opportunity to ask the question everyone truly wanted answered.
"Lord Garon."
"How exactly did you win the battles at Oxhorn Hill and Pyke?"
Before Garon could answer, Ron Glover proudly stepped forward.
"My lord personally fought Victarion Greyjoy amid thousands of warriors."
"He slew the Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet with his own hands."
"And although Euron Crow's Eye wore Valyrian steel scale armor..."
"My lord still defeated and captured him after only a brief exchange."
Before returning south, Garon had specifically ordered his trusted followers not to reveal anything about Galon of the White Staff or the miracle surrounding the weirwood at Pyke.
There was no need to create unnecessary misunderstandings.
Therefore, Ron carefully omitted everything concerning Euron's public trial and execution.
Instead, he vividly described the daring night assault, the fighting throughout Pyke, and the fierce battle in the pine forest.
That alone was enough to leave everyone in the hall speechless.
Their eyes repeatedly drifted toward the black Valyrian steel scale armor Garon now wore.
It was the greatest trophy of his campaign.
Even Robb stared in stunned silence.
He had never imagined warfare could be conducted with such daring precision.
At last, Brynden Tully raised his goblet.
"To Garon Glover!"
"The Steelhand of House Glover!"
The hall instantly erupted.
"Glover Steelhand!"
"Glover Steelhand!"
The thunderous cheers pushed the feast into an even greater frenzy.
Wine flowed endlessly.
Robb, overwhelmed by Garon's successful return, drank far beyond his limits.
Before long he was completely intoxicated.
Jeyne Westerling eventually helped him from the hall.
Thanks to his exceptional constitution, Garon remained perfectly sober.
One after another, Greatjon Umber, Edmure Tully, Maege Mormont, and countless others finally collapsed beneath the tables.
By the end of the night, only Garon and Brynden Tully remained fully awake.
With nearly everyone thoroughly drunk, the feast finally came to an end.
Night had grown deep.
After bidding farewell to Brynden, Garon returned to the chambers prepared for him and quickly fell asleep.
Before dawn, while Riverrun still slept beneath the darkness, a black raven landed atop the rookery in Maester Vyman's tower.
Because nearly everyone remained asleep after the previous night's drinking, no one noticed its arrival.
Only after sunrise did the maester finally discover the bird.
The moment he finished reading the letter, his expression changed dramatically.
"This is bad..."
Without hesitation, he hurried toward the Great Hall and awakened Edmure Tully, who was still recovering from his hangover.
"My lord!"
"A letter has arrived from Lord Bolton."
"Stannis Baratheon has reached Saltpans with Prince Rickon Stark."
"He demands a meeting with King Robb."
Edmure's drowsiness vanished instantly.
"What?"
He snatched the letter, read it himself, and immediately shouted,
"Quick!"
"Summon His Grace."
"And Uncle Brynden."
"Tell them to meet me in Lord Hoster's study immediately."
Without even washing, Edmure hurriedly dressed and rushed toward the study where they had met the previous evening.
Soon afterward, Garon also received the summons.
At Robb's request, he made his way to Hoster Tully's study.
When he entered, he found Jeyne Westerling personally preparing warmed milk mixed with herbs for everyone's hangovers.
Jeyne possessed a graceful figure.
Her gentle brown eyes resembled rippling spring water.
Every glance she cast naturally remained fixed upon Robb.
Catelyn Stark sat beside her son.
Her weary face was filled with worry.
Her thoughts clearly remained fixed upon Rickon.
Although Brynden and Edmure privately disapproved of Robb's marriage, neither displayed any disrespect toward Jeyne.
They remained perfectly courteous.
Seeing Garon enter, Jeyne smiled warmly.
"Lord Glover."
"You've arrived just in time."
"This should help with yesterday's wine."
She instructed one of her maids to pour him a cup.
"Thank you, Lady Jeyne."
Garon accepted it with a polite smile.
As he watched her moving gracefully through the room, a thoughtful look briefly crossed his eyes.
"No wonder Robb became so devoted."
"But if my calculations are correct..."
"Lady Sybell Spicer has probably already reached an understanding with Lord Tywin."
"Should I interfere now?"
Suppressing the thought, Garon quietly sat beside Brynden.
"What happened?"
No one answered immediately.
Instead, every eye turned toward Jeyne.
Understanding the situation, she quietly approached Robb, whispered something softly into his ear, and then withdrew from the study together with her attendants.
Before leaving, she gently closed the door.
Brynden finally handed the letter across.
"Lord Garon."
"Read this first."
Garon accepted it.
After only one glance, his expression became completely serious.
"Stannis wishes to meet His Grace?"
"And Rickon is with him?"
Although he remained calm outwardly, countless thoughts instantly raced through his mind.
"The timeline has changed."
"In the original course of events, after Blackwater Stannis eventually sailed north to answer the Night's Watch."
"But now he's at Saltpans."
"And he specifically wants to meet Robb."
"Is he planning to remove Robb..."
"And use Rickon to gain influence over the North?"
Garon frowned slightly.
"But even if Robb dies..."
"Rickon alone couldn't command the Northern and Riverlands armies."
"Unless Melisandre has prepared something else."
His thoughts moved rapidly as he pieced together every possibility.
Robb finally broke the silence.
"Lord Bolton says Stannis has occupied Saltpans."
"He demands I meet him near the Trident crossings."
"He claims it's to decide the future of the realm."
"What do you think he wants?"
Edmure answered first.
"What else could it be?"
"After Blackwater, Stannis has nowhere left to turn."
"If he refuses to submit to Joffrey..."
"Then naturally he'll seek our alliance."
He glanced toward Garon.
"I think we should hear him out."
Before he could continue, Catelyn interrupted sharply.
"No."
She turned toward Robb.
Fear filled every inch of her face.
"You must not go."
"Absolutely not."
She looked around at everyone present.
"You didn't witness it."
"But I did."
"At Storm's End..."
"I saw Renly Baratheon murdered."
"A creature made entirely of shadow killed him."
"It was Melisandre's sorcery."
"Stannis isn't inviting you to negotiate."
"He's inviting you to die."
The room immediately fell silent.
Even the temperature seemed to drop.
Robb, Brynden, and Edmure all worshipped either the old gods or the Seven.
The thought of a shadow assassin instinctively filled them with unease.
Yet it also sounded almost impossible.
Had anyone besides Catelyn spoken of such a thing, none of them would have believed it.
Robb looked toward his mother.
"But Rickon is with him."
"Just as you don't want anything to happen to me..."
"I can't abandon Rickon."
"He's my brother."
"I have to save him."
"Rickon..."
Pain crossed Catelyn's face.
Memories of Storm's End returned vividly.
"No."
"It's a trap."
She suddenly stood.
"Stannis is ruthless."
"He's using Rickon to force you into submission."
"And if you refuse..."
"He'll murder you exactly as Renly was murdered."
Robb's voice softened.
"Perhaps..."
"What happened to Renly was unique."
He wanted desperately not to believe.
If magic truly existed...
Then this war had become something entirely different.
No longer merely a contest of swords and strategy.
Brynden finally spoke.
"Catelyn."
"Calm yourself."
He interrupted the argument.
"If Stannis truly possesses such sorcery..."
"Why lose at Blackwater?"
"If he could summon shadow assassins at will..."
"He could have killed Joffrey."
"Tyrion."
"Tywin."
"And marched straight into King's Landing."
Catelyn froze.
"I..."
"I don't know."
"But I saw it myself."
"With my own eyes."
She struggled to answer.
At that moment, Garon finally reached his decision.
"No matter Stannis's intentions..."
"I have to meet him."
"The old gods protect me."
"Even if Melisandre attempts her magic..."
"I may still have a way to counter it."
He finally spoke aloud.
"Unless..."
"Her sorcery carries severe limitations."
"Perhaps she simply couldn't use it during the Battle of the Blackwater."
Every eye immediately turned toward him.
Instead of continuing immediately, Garon calmly returned the letter to Brynden.
"I have one question."
"Besides this raven..."
"Has any other information arrived?"
Brynden shook his head.
"Nothing."
"The raven landed during the night."
"Because of yesterday's feast..."
"No one noticed until this morning."
Garon nodded.
"I understand."
He slowly stood.
"Your Grace."
"My lady."
"Whether Stannis possesses sorcery or not is almost irrelevant."
"Our plans cannot stop because of uncertainty."
He looked around the room.
"We know only that Stannis lost Blackwater."
"We know almost nothing about what happened afterward."
"We need information."
"We need to understand the true situation at King's Landing."
"The alliance between House Lannister and House Tyrell is powerful."
"But they have only just emerged from a great battle."
"They cannot immediately march north."
"This is our greatest opportunity."
"If we simply remain inside Riverrun..."
"We'll only allow them time to strengthen themselves."
He paused.
"Instead..."
"We should seize this chance."
"Know the enemy."
"And know ourselves."
"Only then can we hope to win."
He added calmly,
"And if Stannis truly possesses dark magic..."
"Then perhaps one day..."
"We'll possess dragons."
The single word stunned everyone.
"Dragons?"
Robb immediately leaned forward.
"Are there truly dragons on Skagos?"
Garon nodded.
"If the Skagosi spoke truthfully..."
"The dragons have lived there for many years."
The study once again became silent.
After a long pause, Robb asked,
"Did you obtain the means to control dragons from Euron Greyjoy?"
Garon nodded again.
"So many people saw Dragonbinder that hiding its existence would accomplish nothing."
"It's a horn."
"But whether it truly controls dragons..."
"I cannot yet confirm."
He continued calmly.
"The war leaves us no time to verify its power."
"The horn is also enormous."
"Bringing it into the Riverlands would only create unnecessary complications."
"So I've left it safely in Pyke."
"Queen Asha Greyjoy is safeguarding it."
Brynden frowned.
"What if Queen Asha attempts to claim the dragons herself?"
Garon smiled faintly.
"I expected that question."
"First..."
"She still has to reach Skagos."
"And even if she somehow did..."
"The horn alone accomplishes nothing."
Robb looked curious.
"Why?"
Garon calmly answered.
"Because Dragonbinder requires both the horn..."
"And the words that awaken it."
"I forced those words from Euron before his death."
"Only I know them now."
"Without both together..."
"The horn is useless."
"This arrangement also strengthens our alliance."
"I hold the words."
"Queen Asha safeguards the horn."
"Neither side can succeed without the other."
He deliberately omitted the truth that Dragonbinder had already accepted him as its master.
Instead he concluded,
"The matter of dragons is far too important."
"Until everything is confirmed..."
"It must remain secret."
"Otherwise we'll create unnecessary enemies."
Brynden nodded immediately.
"Lord Garon is right."
"We have neither the time nor the strength to chase dragons."
He continued,
"Instead..."
"We should follow yesterday's strategy."
"Capture Harrenhal."
"Threaten the Crownlands."
"And force King's Landing to divide its strength."
His eyes brightened.
"I'll accompany Robb to meet Stannis."
"If sorcery truly exists..."
"Better that it targets an old man than our king."
Before anyone else could respond, Garon interrupted.
"I'll accompany His Grace instead."
"Riverrun needs you here, Lord Brynden."
"If forces emerge from the Golden Tooth..."
"Only you can respond quickly."
Brynden was about to object.
Robb answered first.
"Uncle Brynden."
"Riverrun truly needs you."
"No one is better suited to defend it."
He then looked toward Garon.
"You've crossed the sea."
"Captured Pyke."
"Marched all the way here."
"You need rest."
"So both you and Uncle Brynden will remain at Riverrun."
"When the time comes..."
"I'll send word."
"As for Stannis..."
Robb slowly drew a breath.
"I am king."
"I should face him myself."
"If he seeks cooperation..."
"Good."
"If not..."
"I'll rescue Rickon by force."
Catelyn still tried one final time.
"But the shadow assassin..."
Robb gently interrupted.
"Mother."
"If Stannis truly possesses such power..."
"It clearly has limits."
"When I meet him..."
"I'll seek the gods' protection."
Seeing Robb's resolve, Catelyn finally sighed.
"Then I'll accompany you."
"After reaching the Trident..."
"I'll continue through the Bloody Gate."
"I'll ask Lysa to send the knights of the Vale."
Hearing Robb order him to remain behind, Garon merely nodded.
His own men genuinely needed rest after everything they had endured.
Still, he added one suggestion.
"Your Grace."
"Take Lord Rodrik Harlaw and his men."
"The Ironborn are experienced in fighting along rivers."
"They may prove useful."
Robb nodded.
He rose.
Drawing his sword, he struck its point firmly against the stone floor.
The uncertainty disappeared from his face.
Only determination remained.
"So be it."
Thus the council reached its final decision.
Robb would personally lead the main Northern and Riverlands host, accompanied by Rodrik Harlaw and his Ironborn, to the Trident crossings and meet Stannis Baratheon.
Whether negotiations succeeded or failed, the army would immediately march south toward Harrenhal afterward.
Lady Catelyn would accompany Robb to the Trident before continuing east through the Bloody Gate toward the Vale to seek Lysa Arryn's support.
Garon and Brynden Tully would remain at Riverrun with part of the army, guarding the castle while the main host campaigned.
Edmure Tully received perhaps the most important responsibility of all.
In the name of the Lord of Riverrun, he would summon every loyal Riverlord still capable of bearing arms, gathering reinforcements for the coming campaign against Harrenhal.
The war council finally ended.
Once again, Riverrun's great war machine roared back to life.
At that very moment, far to the south, another messenger carrying Roose Bolton's correspondence was already riding toward King's Landing.
As he hurried past Harrenhal, he unknowingly crossed paths with Ser Barristan Selmy, the former Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, who was traveling north in secret.
The currents of war were beginning to converge toward a future no one yet foresaw.
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