Led by his uncle Edmure Tully, Robb entered his grandfather's study.
Riverrun was a three-sided structure, and the Duke's study was also triangular, with a stone balcony protruding from the east, like the prow of a giant sandstone ship.
In Robb's memory, his grandfather Hoster Tully had always been large, but now he seemed to have shrunk, all his muscles melted into his bones, and his hair and beard had turned completely white.
Uncle Edmure spoke softly, "Father, your grandson is here."Hearing Edmure's voice, Lord Tully opened his eyes, which were as blue as Robb's.
"Robb... Robb of House Catelyn, I remember him, he inherited my eyes..."
Lord Tully's voice was small and pained, and he groped with his hands, trying to grasp Robb's hand.
Robb quickly stepped forward and took his grandfather's hand.
The hand, though once large, now seemed withered, the skin hanging loosely over the bones, having lost all its strength.Even though he was gravely ill, Lord Tully resolutely summoned his bannermen to fight to the death against the Lannisters for the sake of his family, a sentiment that moved Robb somewhat.
Golden light erupted from Robb's palm: "Grandfather, it's me... don't speak yet."
Edmure was astonished to see two golden rings suddenly appear on the ground, centered on Robb, unleashing a wave of comfortable energy.
Edmure had never felt this sensation before, but he inexplicably felt that it was a blessing only bestowed by the gods, a baptism only the most devout believers could enjoy.Blessing of Grace
A prayer of the Tarnished, possessed of the makings of a lord. Heals status ailments of the caster and those nearby.
A burst of golden light erupted, and Duke Tully, enveloped in the golden light, felt a warm sensation wash over him.
The excruciating pain in his stomach, as if countless crabs were pinching him from within, which he could only alleviate with medication, had completely vanished!
To his astonishment, he felt hungry!
For Duke Tully, who had not had a proper meal in a long time, this feeling was long forgotten, and in that instant, he felt a surge of emotion that brought him close to tears."I... my body doesn't hurt anymore?!"
Edmund happily saw his father's complexion improve: "This... what's going on? Just now you were..."
Robb explained, "Grandpa's condition is very serious. I can't completely cure him, I can only alleviate his pain."
"This is already very good, this is already very good."
Edmund muttered to himself. He felt immense hatred for himself when he saw his father's weak and painful appearance. Now that his father's pain has lessened, he feels incredibly relieved.
Edmund said gratefully, "Thank you, Robb!"Robb waved his hand. "We're all family, no need for thanks. If anyone should be thanking, it's me, for your hard work for my father."
Uncle Edmure was covered in wounds, with bandages wrapped around his neck, injuries sustained in the battle against the Kingslayer. He had almost died on the battlefield.
Lord Tully's eyes regained their sparkle, and he looked at Robb, a loving smile on his face. "You used to be just this big, and now you can lead armies into battle.
Last night I had them carry me to the city gate tower, and I saw it.""You did well. The torches were like a tide, and I heard the screams from across the river. The siege tower burned completely.
You are stronger than your uncle."
Robb smiled and said, "It was just a small, insignificant matter. Grandfather, it wasn't just me, Ser Brynden came too."
Hearing that his brother had returned, Duke Tully's eyes lit up: "He's back from the Vale of Arryn? What about little Catelyn, Lysa, are they here too?"
"My mother went to the Stag's to find Robert's younger brother. Aunt Lysa is in the Vale of Arryn and didn't come," Robb shook his head, "She has to take care of her son.""She should be here, how could she not be?" Duke Tully said with some displeasure. "The Blackfish, is he married?"
"No."
Duke Tully was even more displeased. "Humph, I told him, I ordered him to get married! I am his liege lord, he knows I have the right to arrange his marriage."
Robb found it amusing that his grandfather, at such an old age, still had a bit of a childish temper. "Ser Blackfish is very brave in battle and knows how to use strategy. Without him, our battles would be very difficult."
"He was born to lead troops into battle.""He does have a knack for this, he used to be called Bloodgate Knight, right? This black fish..."
Duke Tully glanced at Robb, then at his own son, sighed, and waved his hand at his son, "I have something to say to Robb."
Edmure understood his father's meaning and walked out, slightly disappointed.
"You did well, what are your plans next?"
Robb thought for a moment and told the truth, "I want to rescue my family first.""Now I will send troops to attack the Lannister lands and put pressure on them, but I don't want to fight all the way to King's Landing. The situation is still quite complicated."
Duke Tully nodded, "Your idea is good, worthy of being Ned's son. I don't have many days left. I know. Edmure is not as good as you. If it were a time of peace, he could still be a good Duke, but now, he can't defend the Riverlands."
Seeing his grandfather being so blunt, Robb didn't hide his own thoughts either, "Although Uncle Edmure isn't a first-rate commander, he has a good reputation among the lords and is suitable for managing the internal affairs of the territory.""As for military matters, I think Ser Brynden Blackfish would be a good choice."
Duke Tully stared into Robb's eyes, eyes that mirrored his own: "You are indeed a man with ideas, but this is a good thing for our family."
He meant that Robb had designs on the Riverlands, but Duke Tully knew the perilous situation outside. The Riverlands had to rely on the North to survive, and submitting to Robb was not an unacceptable thing.
Duke Tully was old and had experienced so many ups and downs on the continent over the years, he knew which path was the most suitable.Robb's feat of defeating the Lannister armies with so few men and capturing the Kingslayer Jaime was enough to spread Robb's name throughout the entire continent of Westeros.
In comparison, his own son had been defeated and captured by Jaime, his reputation at an all-time low, making it impossible for him to compete with Robb for the position of commander.
Robb looked solemnly at his grandfather: "You are my family, and I will not allow any member of my family to be treated unfairly. At all times, you are the Duke of the Riverlands, and Uncle Edmure will retain his title."Duke Tully looked at Robb, not saying anything more: "The future of the Riverlands is in your hands."
...
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(End Chapter)