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Creak, creak!
Bloodwind carried Robb lightly into Winterfell's training yard. Behind them, Gendry and the Winterfell light cavalry escorted four prison wagons covered in furs.
"Your Grace!"
Sam, the North's master of intelligence, stood waiting quietly with a red mask on his face. The moment he saw Robb approach, he immediately knelt on one knee and saluted respectfully.
Robb jumped down from Bloodwind, stepped forward, pulled Sam up, and drew him into a firm embrace. "Sam, it has been too long. When did you return to Winterfell? And your intelligence network has been excellent. You deserve much of the credit for how smoothly the southern campaign went."
"Your Grace, it has indeed been a long time. We only just returned to Winterfell. To receive your recognition is my honor."
Hearing Robb's praise, Sam answered humbly in his hoarse voice.
Robb released Sam and looked at the red mask on his face. In a gentle voice, he asked, "Since returning north, I have often heard people mention the red-masked lord of the Dreadfort. Sam, the wounds on your face..."
Hearing this, Sam raised a hand, removed his red mask, and answered Robb, "Thank you for your concern, Your Grace. A few months ago, when my wounds first showed signs of infection, the maester at the Dreadfort cut away the flesh.
"They have now completely healed. I wear the mask because I fear frightening others."
After removing the mask, Sam revealed a face covered in twisted, flesh-red scars. The scars were all raised and thickened, like fat, swollen leeches.
On both sides of the raised scars were obvious red patches, making Sam's whole face look less like a human's and more like a terrifying figure from one of Robb's previous-life stories.
To be honest, seeing Sam's present appearance, Robb could only remember the general outline of how he had looked back then. This youth, the same age as him, had indeed endured too much over the past half year.
At first, all of Sam's family had been robbed and killed. Then, because of the mission Robb assigned him, he had become this terrifying figure. Robb felt a trace of guilt despite himself.
"Your Grace, after Osha sent me a letter, I took the Dreadfort soldiers and quietly followed them.
"On the road toward the Wall, they met the Reed siblings. After that, no one else came into contact with them.
"I saw that they had already reached the Wall, so I directly led my men out and tried to force them back to Winterfell.
"Mm... when we acted, your brother's direwolf attacked. After losing several soldiers, we had no choice but to shoot the direwolf's hind leg.
"On the way back, Master Brandon's mood became somewhat abnormal. Lady Catelyn has been staying with him."
Seeing the guilt on Robb's face, Sam immediately put the red mask back on and shifted the topic to serious matters.
"Mm. You handled it properly. Those soldiers will receive death benefits as if they died in battle.
"Sam, I remember your merit. Think about what you want. Tell me when you have decided, and I will do my best to satisfy it."
"No... yes, Your Grace."
Sam had meant to shake his head and refuse, but after recalling the guilt on Robb's face, he quickly changed his answer. Then he seemed to remember something and continued.
"Right, Your Grace. Ramsay Bolton did not return to the Dreadfort. He followed King Theon to the Iron Islands."
"Heh. The recruits he finally gathered all died this time, and the Dreadfort is firmly under your control. He wants to open a new situation in the Iron Islands.
"I will write to Theon later and have him keep a close eye on Ramsay."
Robb chuckled and immediately explained Ramsay's intention.
"Your Grace, a newly arrived letter from Riverrun!"
While Robb and Sam were speaking, Maester Luwin hurried into the training yard. The moment he saw Robb, he spoke loudly.
"Thank you."
Robb thanked him, took the letter from Maester Luwin, and opened it directly. Seeing Robb's brows gradually furrow, Sam carefully asked, "Your Grace, has something happened at Riverrun?"
"Riverrun is fine. The strategic plan I arranged earlier has been carried out smoothly. It is King's Landing. Stannis has been defeated."
Robb shook his head, put away the letter, and answered.
"Hm? I heard Tywin's army has remained at Harrenhal. Stannis led nearly forty thousand men and lost to King's Landing with only a few thousand troops?"
"That is where Tywin is formidable. He understood long ago that his movements were the focus of everyone's attention, so he drew all eyes to Harrenhal.
"Apart from the few thousand soldiers defending King's Landing, he also mobilized the more than ten thousand cavalry who had previously returned west to reinforce Casterly Rock. Of course, those troops alone would not have given Tywin complete confidence.
"So he must have secretly made a bargain with House Tyrell of Highgarden.
"At the critical moment, thirty thousand Highgarden cavalry attacked from the roseroad and directly defeated Stannis."
Hearing Sam's question, Robb's face showed a hint of admiration as he praised Tywin.
"A secret bargain? Highgarden cavalry?"
"Your Grace, the bargain between House Lannister and House Tyrell should already be complete.
"I also have a letter from King's Landing. The false king Joffrey has issued notice to all lords from King's Landing, recognizing the independence of the Kingdom of the Reach under Renly II. He now calls himself King of the Six Kingdoms."
Maester Luwin, standing nearby, cut in at the right moment and took another letter from his sleeve.
"Tsk. Decisively giving up a nominal interest to gain more practical benefits.
"The letter says Stannis abandoned nearly twenty thousand Stormlands soldiers at King's Landing. If nothing unexpected happens, the entire Stormlands will fall to House Lannister."
"Your Grace, if House Lannister truly allies with House Tyrell, they will form an overwhelming power."
Hearing this, Sam spoke to Robb with some concern.
Robb shook his head and answered with certainty. "From the moment House Tyrell raised Renly II, the two houses could no longer truly ally.
"House Tyrell controls the fertile Reach, has fifty or sixty thousand Highgarden cavalry alone, and commands the famous Redwyne Fleet of Westeros.
"After raising Renly II, they only needed to settle the Reach's internal conflicts. They are waiting for us and Tywin to wear each other down before taking the Iron Throne in one stroke.
"This time, they have gained the nominal independence of the Kingdom of the Reach and can escape the old criticism that House Tyrell was only the Gardeners' steward.
"Heh. None of these old nobles who like playing politics are simple."
"Your Grace, did you return north this time intending to recruit new soldiers and march south again? I can screen the recruits' identities in advance."
As master of intelligence, Sam understood the North's position after Robb's brief explanation. He immediately asked.
"You are right. I am preparing to test a new northern military merit promotion system and recruit new soldiers. But that is not urgent.
"Sam, I want you to help me quickly select thirteen men from the Winterfell light cavalry. They must be loyal to me and come from stable families. I am going to rebuild the Wolfguard."
Robb nodded to confirm Sam's thinking, then gave him the task.
"Yes, Your Grace. That is simple. I will prepare the list today and bring it to you tonight."
"Mm. Sam, send the four prisoners behind us to the inner castle cells and take good care of them.
"Mm. By care, I do not mean the kind of care you learned at the Dreadfort.
"Maester Luwin, please prepare some Myrish ointment for me."
"Yes!"
Sam and Maester Luwin answered together, then each left to carry out Robb's orders. Robb took Gendry and walked into the inner castle toward Brandon's room.
Brandon's room was on the third floor of the inner castle. When Robb pushed the door open and entered, he found Catelyn, Sansa, Dacey, Osha, Hodor, and the Reed siblings all inside.
"Your Grace!"
"Brother!"
"Robb! You are home!"
Robb nodded in response to everyone's greetings, then fixed his gaze on Brandon lying in bed.
Brandon's eyes stared blankly at the ceiling. His expression was stiff, like a wooden doll's, and his mouth kept murmuring something in a low voice.
"Your Grace, please allow us to go north of the Wall. A great disaster is brewing, and time is growing short. We must learn how to save the North and how to save Westeros!"
Jojen Reed, short and thin with a handsome, delicate face, urgently pleaded with Robb in a mystical tone.
"Mm. I understand. In your most recent dream, what scene did you see?"
"You know about my dreams? Recently, I have kept dreaming of a man wearing a red mask coming to capture us.
"So we kept taking detours and moving quickly. But they had too many men, and she kept leaving marks."
Hearing Robb's question, Jojen doubtfully but honestly described his dream. At the end, he pointed at Osha beside him.
"Did a crow with three eyes appear in your dream?"
Hearing him, Robb nodded thoughtfully and asked again.
"A crow with three eyes!"
Before Jojen could answer, Brandon on the bed seemed to hear Robb's words. He had been murmuring softly, but now he suddenly shouted.
"Bran, calm down. Did you see it? What did it say to you?"
Robb hurried several steps to Brandon's side and pulled him into his arms. While patting his back, he asked gently.
"I have to go north... I have to go north. Otherwise everyone will die. Everyone will die!"
Brandon's condition today was completely different from his previous rational coldness. Held by Robb, he kept repeating these words without pause.
"All right. Everyone go out. Let Brandon rest properly. Dacey, keep Hodor by your side these next days. Without my order, no one may let him leave."
After Robb slowly calmed Brandon and laid him back on the bed, he exchanged a look with tearful Catelyn and gave the order.
"Yes!"
Robb knew that as long as Hodor was watched, the Reed siblings alone could not easily take Brandon out of Winterfell.
Because he had other matters to handle, Robb did not stay long. He directly turned and left the room. Seeing this, Osha hurried after him and followed him out.
"Your Grace, I completed my bargain with you. Can my freedom be restored now?"
When Robb turned around, Osha hurriedly asked.
"Of course. From now on, you are free. Whether you wish to stay in Winterfell or return beyond the Wall is up to you."
Hearing this, Robb nodded and fulfilled his promise to Osha.
"Heh. Who wants to go back beyond the Wall? A good life like Winterfell is something I dreamed of."
"Mm. I will have someone arrange work for you in Winterfell."
Hearing Osha's choice, Robb answered and turned to leave.
But behind him, Osha hesitated and said, "Your Grace, your brother has some strange abilities. There are wildlings beyond the Wall who have them too. I think you can try believing him.
"After all, you have no idea what lies beyond the Wall."
"Thank you for the suggestion. Believe me, when it comes to what lies beyond the Wall, I am clearer than anyone."
The Frostfangs were mountains beyond the Wall, northwest of the Shadow Tower and the Fist of the First Men. Their jagged peaks were covered in snow year-round. Even from afar, they looked vast, cold, lonely, and desolate.
On a low snow-covered peak, a figure dressed in animal furs ran desperately forward, as if being chased by something terrifying.
A black shadow slid swiftly down from the mountain beside her and directly knocked the running figure down. The two immediately tangled together.
The black shadow drew a sharp dagger from behind his waist and pressed it against the running figure's throat. Both of them stopped moving.
Only now could the running figure be seen clearly. She had a fair, pretty face and a head of flame-red tangled hair.
"Jon Snow, the sun is about to set. If we do not find a safe place to spend the night, we either freeze to death or join those walking dead."
Ygritte smiled at Jon, who was pressing down on her, utterly ignoring the dagger at her throat.
"If you dare run again, I will let you join those dead things right now."
Jon bared his teeth and made a fierce expression, growling at the smiling Ygritte.
"Heh. We both know you cannot do it. So do not try to frighten me like that."
"Hmph."
Jon did not continue answering. He took a coil of rope from his waist, tied Ygritte again, and then pulled her along to search for a place to spend the night.
Before the sun completely set, the two found only a low rock cave shielded from the wind. With no other choice, they could only spend the night there.
Because he feared drawing attention, Jon did not start a fire. The two of them simply lay quietly on the cold ground of the rock cave.
"Hey, Jon Snow. Come closer if you want warmth. Otherwise, you will certainly freeze to death before I do."
Ygritte suddenly broke the silence in the cave and spoke to Jon, who was keeping his distance from her.
Jon pondered for a moment, then silently moved beside Ygritte and held her tightly.
"Have you ever had a woman?"
Ygritte deliberately shifted her hips a few times, then asked.
Jon, already a man of few words, had no desire to answer such a question.
"You answer one of mine, and I answer one of yours. How about that?"
"No. What are you doing in these snowy mountains?"
Hearing Ygritte's proposal, Jon, wanting information, considered it and chose to answer.
"Heh. You will not believe it. We are looking for a horn. Legend says it can wake giants from beneath the earth. Unfortunately, after digging through dozens of graves, we still have not found it."
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