iron throne of ice and fire

Chapter 628 Winterfell 7
The fire in the study was blazing, and the burning firewood crackled and popped.

Green frowned slightly as his fingers slowly traced the secret letter, while Lady Catelyn and Sansa sat quietly to the side.

Duke Eddard issued a troop mobilization order, and the two thousand new recruits just gathered in Winterfell were to be transferred to Last Hearth as soon as possible.

The letter revealed that the Earl of New Cahors—Hilion Karstark—was not actively involved in the war in the North, and had only provided support to more than two hundred farmers who had no land to cultivate due to the approaching long winter.

However, what Duke Eddard needed most was the Karstark Longshield Legion, which could be considered a powerful weapon against Stannis's Wildling army.

At this moment, everyone in the room understood that the reason why the city of Carhorn did this was because of the problem left by Robb Stark, who personally beheaded Earl Halion's father (Chapter 284).

Everything has a price.

Cahor City dared not rebel against the Starks, but it could find seemingly reasonable excuses to express its dissatisfaction.

This incident also shows that the trouble Robb caused is still fermenting in the North, and Duke Eddard has no choice but to mobilize the forces protecting Winterfell.

If those new recruits were transferred away, there would be less than three thousand soldiers left to guard Winterfell, while Green brought tens of thousands of elite troops, as well as several thousand auxiliary soldiers who arrived one after another.

Green couldn't help but rub his temples. Duke Ned had entrusted Winterfell and his family to him with complete peace of mind.

Isn't Ned afraid...?

It can only be said that the gods are protecting the Starks, after all, His Majesty Grimm is a knight of high honor and great loyalty...

……

Sir Brienne spread the map on the table, and Green lowered his head, his gaze slowly sweeping over the marked locations.

He paused, then his voice rang out: "Lady Caitlin, Duke Ned's decision is wise. He must hold the last hearth. If he retreats further, the North will only become more panicked."

"Thank you for your recognition."

Lady Catelyn rose from her chair and walked slowly over: "Yes, I also support my husband's judgment, as for Lord Karstark..."

She paused at the table, her gaze falling on the location of Kahor City: "...Ned is the lord of the North, I believe he will handle it well."

"Yes, the trust of family is the most precious thing."

Green paced back and forth, his footsteps making a moderate sound as he stepped on the wooden planks.

Not long after, Green stopped and turned to ask, "Mrs. Stark, when will the reinforcements from Winterfell depart?"

Lady Caitlin paused for a moment, then looked to her side. After a pause, Maester Luwin stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Madam, we can depart in three days at the latest."

Green nodded slightly and asked again, "Who will lead?"

This time, Scholar Luwen did not respond on his behalf, but silently took a step back and returned to his original standing position.

Lady Catelyn displayed her decisive nature, and after only a moment's thought, she spoke up: "Earl Jon Umber (Great Jon)."

Greatjon was once one of King Robb's most trusted lieutenants and one of the main executioners in the Red Wedding at the Twins. Therefore... upon returning to the North, he found himself in a precarious situation, much like Daisy.

Now, his son, Little Jon Snow, serves as acting lord of Last Hearth, while he himself remains in Winterfell as a temporary instructor of recruits.

To atone for Robb's sins, Lady Caitlin secretly sheltered her son's followers and sought opportunities for them to regain their honor.

However, military achievements are always the shortcut to gaining honor.

……

Green made no comment on Lady Catelyn's decision, simply nodding, and then instructed Brienne to bring in Ser Marin Trilling, the Kingsguard guarding the door.

"His Majesty."

Soon, Sir Marin, carrying a tall, golden sunburst helmet, strode up to us.

“Sir, I am entrusting you with two thousand troops to reinforce the Stark army stationed at Last Hearth.” Then, Green briefly explained the current situation and added, “Once there, you must obey the Duke of Winterfell’s orders.”

Ser Grimm and Ser Merlin can be considered "old colleagues," as he served both King Robert and Queen Cersei, and thus the two collaborated on numerous occasions.

Therefore, Green knew him very well; he was a cunning and ruthless Kingsguard.

The Kingsguard needs to restore the glory of the strongest knights in the Seven Kingdoms, and Ser Marin is the "forward" chosen by Green.

"Yes, sir! I guarantee I'll return with honors!"

“Very good. Also, you need to pay attention to Stannis…”

After hearing the king's reminder, Sir Marin flicked his snow-white cloak and left the study.

“Your Majesty, thank you for your trust and support of Winterfell!” Lady Catelyn bowed deeply and solemnly.

Sansa and Maester Luwin also came over and bowed to the king in thanks.

"The Starks protect the North, and the King protects the Starks; this is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit."

Green's lips curved slightly: "Looks like... we can continue with breakfast."

Sansa smiled faintly, her eyes sparkling. Not long after she left, she reappeared in the study.

Following them were several Winterfell maids carrying food. Meanwhile, Lady Catelyn and Maester Luwin took their leave to arrange the military deployment.

As the maids set out the dishes, Sansa said respectfully, "I had the kitchen prepare in advance, and they are honored to serve the benevolent king."

"Thank you, Sansa. You're always so thoughtful."

Green took a bite of the fried fish and said, "It reminds me of the trout from the Tengshi River. I fell in love with its taste at first sight."

Sansa's eyes flickered slightly. She gently sat down in the seat opposite her and asked curiously, "Tengshi River? Your Majesty Green, was that when you led your troops to the Riverlands?"

Green nodded, took a sip of ale, and said, "Strictly speaking, I went to fight for the Lannisters' 'fruits,' when... Riverrun was the only city left fighting in the entire Riverlands."

Upon hearing this, Sansa's eyes reddened slightly: "During that time, my mother shed many, many tears. Everyone thought... Riverrun would become Uncle Brynden's grave."

Her eyes, which were covered with a layer of mist, were filled with gratitude: "I prayed every day, asking for the mercy of the gods, until the raven brought my great-uncle's letter. He told us that it was you who saved him."

Green swallowed the food in his mouth, smiled, and said, "Duke Brynden was prepared to die, yet he made the lions tremble beneath Riverrun. He was a knight worthy of respect."

Sansa nodded slightly, and after exchanging a few more words, she tentatively asked, "Your Majesty Green, is my great-uncle... Duke Brynden, very strict?"

Green thought for a moment and said, "His 'severity' is only directed at his enemies; I think he is kind to you."

He took another sip of malt liquor and added, "Perhaps you'll have a chance to see him soon."

Seeing Sansa's puzzled expression, Green explained, "When I meet with your father, we will discuss the matter of reinforcements. Duke Brynden will be the commander of the King's Landing reinforcements and lead the army to Winterfell."

As the words fell, Sansa's small hands clenched tightly under the table, her expression tense. She seemed to have heard something very important to her...

Seeing that she was sitting there lost in thought, Green didn't say anything more and continued to enjoy his delicious fried fish.

……

"Let's go back……"

"This place doesn't belong to you..."

"Only dragon flames can melt the ice..."

That night, Green suddenly opened his eyes while he was sleeping.

(End of this chapter)