Three days later, as the east was just beginning to show a pale glow and the western sky was still dim, night had just departed.
The lords led their troops away from Pinkmaiden.
Some of them took soldiers to garrison various places, while others returned to their territories to gather farmers hiding everywhere and rebuild the burnt lands.
Roose Bolton, who had regained the King's trust, led his soldiers to guard Ruby Ford to prevent the enemy from advancing unchecked.
It was now flood season, and the river had risen, so not many people were needed to hold the ford.
Robb, on the other hand, stationed the majority of his forces at Riverrun, so that he could support Harrenhal and Golden Tooth at any time.
With these two castles in hand, when the enemy invaded the Riverlands, they could only choose to besiege them and not advance freely, as that would completely expose their supply lines.
At the same time, Robb, on Eddard's advice, sent envoys to King's Landing to attempt negotiations with the Iron Throne, to see if they could buy some time.
With so many high-value captives in hand, keeping them was a waste of food; it was better to exchange them for their own people, and it would also make the Iron Throne hesitant to attack the Riverlands at will.
Once Stannis had reorganized the Stormlands, House Baratheon and Lannister would inevitably clash, and that would be a good time to reap the benefits.
Perhaps, after the Lion received help from The Rose, he would lose patience and proactively attack the stag.
Tywin, who was skilled in calculation, would not stay obediently in the Red Keep and watch his enemies gradually grow stronger; he also understood who was the enemy Lannister most needed to deal with.
Robb Stark wanted the Riverlands and the North to be independent, and his sister to return safely.
In a last resort, such things could actually be given away without causing significant harm.
After all, House Lannister did not have dragons, and relying solely on the gold mines of the Westerlands could not defeat all enemies.
But Stannis wanted the Iron Throne, the rule of the Seven Kingdoms; this kind of conflict could never be compromised!
Eddard also had his own mission; he planned to take one hundred cavalry and three hundred infantry of House Karstark to garrison the Twins, replacing Herman Tallhart.
Because he knew that even if Theon was killed without hesitation, the Iron Islands would most likely still invade the North, and at that time, the Twins would become an extremely important place.
It was also possible that Robb Stark would complete his wedding with House Frey when he led his army back to the North.
If everything went smoothly, that would, of course, be good.
Walder Frey, that old man, was very unreliable and extremely cunning; no one knew what he was thinking, and he was not trustworthy at all.
However, the strength of the Twins was extremely formidable, and it was no exaggeration to say it was the strongest in the Riverlands and the North.
At the beginning of the war, his family alone fielded three thousand infantry and one thousand cavalry, and they still had four hundred soldiers left to guard their family castle.
If vassals were excluded, it was estimated that the Tully Family could not muster such a powerful force.
Once the old man died and a new heir took over, things might become much more reliable.
Eddard had done so much, doing his best to preserve the strength of the Riverlands and the North, and also preventing Robb Stark from being heartbroken by the Ironborn's actions and being taken advantage of by some girl.
To be honest, when Robb learned that Theon Greyjoy had led troops to capture Winterfell and killed his two younger brothers...
Or when he heard that his mother had released Jaime for Sansa and Arya, at that moment, his heart was extremely pained, having been betrayed by the person he trusted most.
At this time, whether it was the female doctor Talisa Maegyr, or Jeyne Westerling of Crag, or even the daughter of a Riverlands lord, as long as she was not ugly and willing to comfort this sixteen-year-old boy, there was a great possibility that she would become Queen!!
It didn't matter which woman Robb slept with, because they were utterly insignificant.
Why such a situation occurred was what Eddard painstakingly sought to change.
All along, he had actually done quite well.
Next, Eddard would make himself a chess piece, staying in the Twins, ensuring that something like the Red Wedding would not happen.
The Northern army would only need at most half a year to go back and kill the invading Ironborn, and since Theon was already dead, the other captains of the Iron Islands would most likely not disobey orders to attack Winterfell, but rather would rampage along the coastline.
That also meant there was no need to worry about Bran and Rickon's safety.
It also ensured that Robb Stark and his selfish, foolish mother would not do those outrageous stupid things.
With Kevan and the Kingslayer in hand, was there any fear of not being able to exchange for a Sansa?
It was just that Arya was not in Harrenhal, and this time even Eddard, who was familiar with the plot, could not guess the specific reason.
Perhaps she would appear on her own after some time?!
He could only think that.
As for how Bran Stark became the Green Seer in Winterfell, and how he learned warging and green sight.
What the hell does that have to do with me?!
Thinking of this, Eddard cursed fiercely in his heart, 'I've been a nanny to this extent, I've already earned Golden Tooth and an Earl's title!'
If I do any more, Robb will probably have to marry his sister to me to repay this kindness!
Eddard shook his head, turned over and mounted his horse, and was about to lead the soldiers behind him away when he saw the Running Wolf Flag suddenly galloping towards him.
"Karstark!! Wait a moment!"
It was Robb Stark, the Young Wolf, preparing to bid farewell to his distant relative, his advisor, his vassal, and his friend!
After experiencing so many things on the battlefield, he had come to regard Eddard Karstark as his closest friend, and he believed the other party saw him the same way.
Otherwise, why would he help him with all his might?!
Watching the King approach, Eddard's face showed a puzzled expression; he didn't quite understand why Robb would still be here. He had given all the advice he needed to, and his own mission was clear.
Had there been some change?
"Eddard!"
Robb rushed over, looking quite disheveled on horseback.
His coattails were a bit messy, his collar wasn't quite straight, and even his boots seemed not to be properly worn, with obvious creases.
Approaching, he said, "I just remembered something. Before, your title was Hand of the King. Now that you're going to garrison the Twins, it's not quite suitable. Although I don't quite understand why you're so eager to take on this task, I'm still willing to give you a suitable title again."
Then he smiled and winked, saying, "How about Commander of the River Crossing Army? As for your salary, after our negotiations with Lannister are over, you will become the Lord of Golden Tooth. I won't be giving you any gold dragons, though."
[Identity change detected. Current status: Army Commander.]
[Troop slots: 9 / 50]
A hint of surprise flashed across Eddard's face; he hadn't expected Robb Stark, a King, to come see him off so early in the morning, and even with a title!
Then a smile appeared on his face, and he said, "Then I thank Your Majesty for the bestowal. It's getting late, please allow me to lead my troops and depart quickly!"
Robb waved his hand, indicating, "Mm! I wish you a smooth journey."
Eddard took off his helmet, nodded in return, then put his helmet back on and shouted, "Depart!"
He then pulled the reins, urging his horse to leave Pinkmaiden without looking back, with House Karstark's soldiers following closely behind.
Robb Stark watched the contingent leave, and a feeling of loss suddenly welled up in his heart.
Since the battle in the Haunted Forest, Eddard Karstark had always been by his side, offering counsel, and almost everything he said came true. Two important events were also highly successful, successfully drawing out Tywin and capturing the crucial Golden Tooth.
This allowed him to defeat Tywin and achieve the current situation.
Although some of the suggestions he made were at times difficult to accept, he always considered things from the perspective of the North and Stark.
Now, with neither Eddard nor Ser Brynden, who was garrisoned at Harrenhal, by his side, Robb always felt a bit unaccustomed.
It wasn't until the contingent was far away, reduced to a tiny black dot, that Robb finally withdrew his gaze and returned to the military camp.
He refused Earl Clement's invitation, insisting on staying with the soldiers rather than in a luxurious castle.
Dacey Mormont finished her night duty and returned to her own camp, entering Lady Maege's tent, crouching down and crawling inside.
"Mother."
Lady Maege was wiping a mace, and without looking up, she said, "You're back?"
"Mm, do you know? I just heard His Majesty say that Eddard Karstark is going to become the Lord of Golden Tooth!"
Bringing up this news, Dacey Mormont's face was full of disbelief. Before, she could hold back, but now, facing Lady Maege, she could no longer suppress it.
"I guessed as much."
Lady Maege nodded, unsurprised, and said, "In war, there are always some sharp individuals who gain favor, and Eddard Karstark is the most brilliant blade during this period."
Dacey Mormont sat cross-legged, frowning, and said, "It's just that he's too young, isn't he not even twenty this year?"
"That has nothing to do with age. The Young Wolf is only sixteen, yet he became the King of the North, and he's undefeated. The battlefield is a place that tempers people, and gold will shine quickly."
Lady Maege continued to wipe the mace in her hand, her voice calm as she said, "If you were prettier, perhaps I would beg His Majesty to arrange a marriage for you with Eddard Karstark. Golden Tooth has both gold mines and guards a crucial pass. Even doing legitimate business would make life on Bear Island much better."
Suddenly hearing this, Dacey Mormont paused, then asked curiously, "Mother, why does it have to be pretty? Isn't being good at fighting enough?"
"Ha, that boy picked and chose among the women in the brothels of Riverrun, and in the end, didn't fancy a single one. If you're not pretty, how could you catch his eye?"
Oh, Dacey Mormont nodded, deeply agreeing.
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