The morning sun finally pierced through the lingering mist, illuminating the land that had only recently witnessed a bloody massacre.
The air was thick with the nauseating mixture of fresh blood and damp earth.
Hundreds of northern soldiers combed the battlefield, searching for Rickon's body.
But after the thunderous charge of thousands of horses, the ground had become a muddy sea of corpses, blood, and churned earth.
Finding him was proving far more difficult than expected.
On a rise overlooking the battlefield, Roose and Edmure stood alongside many of the northern and Riverlands lords, silently waiting.
Nearby, several lords who had pursued Stannis returned empty-handed.
"Gods above, that witch is unnatural."
"Aye. Every arrow I fired was burned away by her flames. We couldn't hit her."
"At least we slaughtered most of Stannis's men."
The men sighed as they reported the results of the pursuit to Edmure and Roose.
Yet despite what should have been a great victory, not a single face showed joy.
There was only grief for their fallen king and uncertainty about the future.
Roose stood straight and motionless.
Spots of dried blood still stained his leather armor, making his pale features appear even colder.
His eyes moved across the gathered lords before he spoke first.
"Stannis escaped."
"But most of his army has been destroyed."
His voice carried no emotion, merely stating facts.
"We have avenged King Stark in part." He paused. "But our problems remain unresolved."
His gaze swept slowly across the assembled nobles.
"Stannis still lives. The red witch still lives. And they will continue to use sorcery against us."
The words immediately changed the mood.
Many faces paled.
If the same shadow assassin that had killed King Robb came for them... Wouldn't they die just as helplessly?
The thought spread through the crowd almost simultaneously.
Roose noticed their reaction and pressed the advantage.
"The witch's magic serves the Lord of Light. Only the power of the gods can oppose such things."
"We mortals cannot."
He turned toward Edmure.
"My lord, perhaps we should put some distance between ourselves and Stannis."
"Perhaps we should leave this place."
"Leave?" Lady Maege Mormont interrupted with a frown. "And go where?"
"Lord Bolton, have you forgotten the king's final command?"
"Aye," added a knight from House Locke. "We should remain here and wait for Lord Glover."
"He is Lady Sansa's betrothed. If we abandon our post, what will she think of us?"
Their objections immediately drew protests from the Riverlords.
"Wait?" Lord Blackwood snapped. "Wait for how long?"
"Until Kevan Lannister surrounds us here? The news of today's events will reach Harrenhal soon enough.
If the Lannisters march before Glover arrives, we'll all be dead first."
"And what do you suggest?" Rickard Karstark shot back. "Without a king, without a Stark, who are we fighting for?"
"House Tully?"
"What exactly are you implying, Karstark?" Edmure demanded, rising angrily to his feet.
"Enough."
Roose's cold voice cut through the argument once more.
He ignored the squabbling northerners and turned his attention to Edmure.
"My lord."
There was a faint hint of respect in his tone.
"You are King Robb's uncle. Lord of House Tully. And the highest-ranking noble among us now."
"What do you think we should do?"
It was a deeply calculated question.
Roose had just shifted the burden of leadership onto a man already crushed by grief and confusion.
Edmure's lips moved uncertainly.
He looked around at the suspicious faces surrounding him. Then toward the soldiers still searching for Rickon's body.
The shock and sorrow had left him nearly incapable of thinking clearly.
"I... we..." He struggled for words. "We should wait for Galon."
"Yes... wait for Galon. He is the man Robb chose."
It was the only answer he could think of.
"I agree." Roose nodded. "Of course we should wait for Lord Glover."
For a moment, it seemed he fully supported the suggestion.
Then his tone shifted.
"But, my lord, as I said earlier, remaining here is dangerous. Kevan Lannister's army sits at Harrenhal.
They could attack at any moment. And Stannis's sorcery still threatens every lord present.
If we remain here, fear and uncertainty will spread through the army."
He paused again.
Then revealed the proposal he had been building toward all along. "I have a solution... We should not place all our eggs in one basket."
He looked around the gathering before outlining his plan.
"A portion of the army should remain here.
They can watch for Kevan's movements and await Lord Glover's arrival.
As for you, Lord Edmure, you should take the wounded and the rest of the army and march to the Twins.
There, you can complete your marriage to House Frey."
"What?" Edmure immediately protested.
"No."
"King Robb has just died. How can I possibly marry at a time like this?"
"My lord," Black Walder suddenly spoke. "The patience of House Frey is not endless."
"King Robb broke his oath. Now will you break yours as well? Is the honor of House Tully truly worth so little?"
The accusation landed heavily.
Edmure flushed red. He opened his mouth to argue. But found himself unable to answer.
At last, beneath the gaze of every lord present, he reluctantly nodded.
"Very well." A flash of satisfaction passed through Roose's eyes. "Then we must act quickly."
Without waiting for further discussion, he began assigning commands.
"Lady Mormont."
"Lord Tallhart."
"Lord Cerwyn."
"The men of White Harbor. You are among the bravest warriors of the North."
"You were trusted by King Robb above all others. You will remain here and welcome Lord Glover when he arrives."
One name after another was called.
Almost every major northern lord still fiercely loyal to House Stark was assigned to the rear guard.
Several steadfast Riverlords joined them as well.
"And I..."
Roose let his gaze drift over the remaining nobles.
"...will escort Lord Edmure and the rest of the army to the Twins for the wedding."
On the surface, the arrangement sounded perfectly reasonable.
Then Edmure raised another concern.
"What about the Ironborn?"
"They came to fulfill Robb's alliance." Roose turned calmly toward him. "I'll speak with Captain Harlaw."
"We'll learn where his loyalties truly lie."
"If the Ironborn still wish to honor the alliance, they may accompany us to the Twins as honored guests."
No one objected.
Heads nodded throughout the gathering.
Not a single person realized that, with only a few carefully chosen sentences, Roose had effectively divided the northern host.
The most loyal supporters of House Stark had been left behind as expendable pawns.
They would remain here to be weakened, consumed, and destroyed by Kevan Lannister's army.
Meanwhile, Roose himself would march west with his own supporters, the uncertain Riverlords, and the remnants of the army toward a castle where a wedding awaited.
A wedding that would soon become infamous in blood.
Just as the lords began carrying out their assignments, a northern soldier came running from the battlefield.
They had found Rickon's body.
"Rickon..."
Edmure whispered sorrowfully.
He hurried forward.
With tears in his eyes, he personally lifted the boy's body onto a stretcher.
Then the army turned back toward the crossing camp once more.
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