The Riverlands.
At the crossing of the Trident, where the Green Fork, Blue Fork, and Red Fork converged into a mighty river flowing eastward toward the sea, the waters surged endlessly onward.
At this moment, the northern cavalry was crossing to the northern bank one ferry at a time.
Only after the final boat reached shore did the scout sent by Roose Bolton finally arrive.
"Your Grace," the scout reported, "Lord Bolton is waiting at the camp and has sent me to guide you there."
Mounted upon his horse, Robb nodded.
"Lead the way."
The scout dared not delay.
He immediately wheeled his horse around and galloped along the Kingsroad, guiding Robb and his party forward.
Hooves thundered against the ground.
About half an hour later, a heavily fortified military camp appeared ahead, built beside the Kingsroad.
Banners filled the encampment.
Among them, the most eye-catching was the pale pink banner of the Dreadfort, bearing the unsettling image of the flayed man.
By the time Robb and his cavalry arrived, Roose Bolton was already waiting at the gate with his closest retainers.
Among them stood Black Walder, serving as a messenger from the Twins.
Roose watched the arriving king with his usual unreadable calm.
Black Walder, by contrast, wore a dark expression, clearly still furious over Robb's broken marriage pact.
"Your Grace. Lady Stark."
Roose inclined his head in a flawless bow.
"Your tent has already been prepared."
Robb swung down from his horse, tossed the reins to a squire, and immediately asked:
"Lord Bolton, what movements has Stannis made?"
"Your Grace," Roose replied as he led them toward the command tent in his characteristic soft voice, "Stannis currently remains at Saltpans and has made no further moves."
"He appears to be waiting for your response. However..."
He paused slightly.
His pale eyes swept across Lady Catelyn. Then they settled briefly upon Rodrik Harlaw.
'Ironborn... Harlaw?'
'Why would they be accompanying Robb Stark?'
Roose froze for a moment.
A troubling feeling rose within him.
Because the letter he had sent to Riverrun had arrived so quickly, Robb had never had the opportunity to inform him about Galon's arrival.
As a result, Roose still knew nothing about Galon's conquest of the Iron Islands.
Nor was Roose the only one surprised.
Black Walder's eyes widened as well.
"Patrek?"
He stared at the knight standing among Robb's royal guard. "What are you doing in Stark's Kingsguard?"
Robb immediately understood their confusion.
"Ser Patrek Frey has proven himself loyal and capable," he explained.
"He served Lord Glover's army faithfully in the Riverlands, ensuring supplies were delivered efficiently.
Therefore, I personally selected him to join my royal guard."
Behind him, Patrek immediately nodded toward Black Walder, confirming Robb's words.
Black Walder looked lost.
Instinctively, he turned toward House Frey's ally, Roose Bolton.
Yet Roose himself was equally unsettled. Because he had noticed another name.
One that concerned him far more.
"Glover?" Roose asked.
"I thought Lord Galon was defending the North against the Ironborn. When did he arrive in the Riverlands?"
Robb nodded.
"Only a few days ago."
"Lord Galon and Queen Asha have already reached an agreement. The Iron Islands are now our allies."
Those few words sent shockwaves through Roose's mind.
'Galon Glover has arrived as well…'
'With his abilities, he might actually stabilize the Stark position.'
'And if the situation stabilizes... If Tywin reveals my letters to Robb... I'm finished.'
'Damn it. I placed my bet too early.'
A thin sheen of sweat appeared on his back. Yet the more dangerous the situation became, the calmer Roose grew.
His gaze moved beyond Robb and Catelyn.
Not seeing Galon among them, he casually asked, "Curious. Where is Lord Galon?"
Robb glanced briefly at Black Walder before replying:
"Galon has spent months campaigning without rest. I ordered him to remain at Riverrun and recover for a few days.
Once I've met with Stannis, I'll decide whether to summon him here.
Now then—what were you saying about Stannis?"
Roose felt a trace of relief as the conversation returned to its original topic.
"My scouts discovered a party bearing Stannis Baratheon's banners heading toward the Bloody Gate."
"What?"
Catelyn's expression changed immediately.
"He's trying to win Lysa over." She turned toward Robb. "Robb, we must act immediately!"
Roose smiled faintly.
"Have no fear, my lady."
"The knights of the Vale may not be eager to follow a defeated king. Besides, Lady Arryn shares family ties with both you and His Grace."
Catelyn remained tense and was about to argue further when Robb interrupted her.
"Mother. This isn't the place. We can discuss it inside."
Turning back to Roose, he said, "Lord Bolton, please see that the cavalry is properly quartered."
Roose nodded and issued orders to one of his retainers before continuing onward.
The camp bustled with activity.
Thousands of men moved about the muddy pathways.
The newly arrived cavalry only added to the commotion.
Accompanied by greetings from soldiers and officers alike, the group eventually reached the command tent.
Once inside, everyone took their seats.
Robb wasted no time.
"The news about Rickon—is it confirmed?"
"Unfortunately, yes, Your Grace."
Roose nodded.
"When I met with Stannis, Rickon was kept under extremely tight guard. My men were unable to rescue him."
Disappointment and anger flashed through Robb's eyes.
But he quickly suppressed both.
"That isn't your fault."
"Rickon is too valuable a bargaining chip. Stannis would never allow us to take him back so easily."
At that moment, Black Walder cleared his throat.
"Your Grace."
"Since you have decided to reconcile with House Frey, my great-grandfather has one small condition."
Immediately, every eye in the tent turned toward him.
"My great-grandfather is tired of empty promises."
His gaze moved disrespectfully between Robb and Catelyn.
"Lord Edmure Tully must first travel to the Twins and marry Roslin Frey. Only once the wedding is completed will House Frey believe your sincerity.
Only then will our soldiers once again follow Lord Edmure into battle."
"That's impossible!"
Robb rejected the demand instantly.
"With enemies all around us, Lord Edmure is currently recruiting forces along the Red Fork.
How can he abandon that task and leave for a wedding now?"
Black Walder spread his hands.
"Then there's nothing to be done." His expression was openly arrogant. "This is my great-grandfather's only condition."
"No wedding. No soldiers. You deceived us once already. You will not deceive us a second time."
The atmosphere inside the tent immediately grew tense.
Robb's face darkened.
He knew he was at fault.
He also knew that Walder Frey was deliberately making things difficult—taking revenge for the humiliation of Robb's broken betrothal.
In the end, it was Catelyn who spoke.
She looked at her son with weary, pleading eyes.
"Robb... Agree to it.
We need Frey soldiers. We need stability in the Riverlands.
Let Edmure marry first. We can handle things here."
Faced with Black Walder's arrogance and his mother's plea, the young king finally gave a reluctant nod.
He knew she was right.
They had no other choice.
"Very well."
The word emerged through clenched teeth.
"Send a raven to Raventree Hall. Tell Uncle Edmure... to prepare for the journey to the Twins."
"A wise decision, Your Grace." Black Walder smiled smugly. "My great-grandfather also hopes that you will attend."
"After all, what better way to witness the renewal of our alliance than with the king himself present at the wedding feast?"
"Once I've met with Stannis, I'll come immediately." Robb did not even bother looking at him.
Then he turned toward Roose.
"Send word to Stannis."
"I will meet him in three days. At the crossroads where the Kingsroad and the High Road meet."
Roose bowed his head. "It shall be done."
With that, he left the tent first. The others soon followed, tactfully giving mother and son some privacy.
Only Catelyn and Robb remained behind.
__________
Upto 20 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/Xorath