Compared to the time other nobles in the Seven Kingdoms received the war report, this report about King's Landing arrived in Robb's hands several days late because it first had to be sent to Riverrun, and then from Riverrun, transferred by fast horse overland to Cliff Rock City.
The contents of this war report, from all perspectives, were good news for Robb; if he could seize this opportunity, he would be able to sandwich the Western armies in the Riverlands, completely eradicating them or driving them out of the Riverlands.
However, Robb was unable to utilize this opportunity, not only because Stannis's proclamation also declared him, who had crowned himself King, a rebel and stated that he would be the next target of their crusade, but also because his own Northern Allied Forces were experiencing internal problems, and if not handled well, the alliance would surely fracture.
"Lord Rickard, because of your unauthorized slaughter of captured Western soldiers, which led to a riot among the surrendered Western soldiers and caused us unnecessary casualties, I must punish you!" Robb had just recovered, his face still somewhat pale. He sat in his seat, trying to keep his body upright, looking directly at the tall Rickard Karstark, and said with a serious expression.
"My two sons sacrificed themselves for you on the battlefield. I have lost all my heirs. I must have my revenge," Rickard said, his eyes wide, as he stared at Robb Stark, gritting his teeth.
Robb Stark stood up from his chair, his slightly weak body making it difficult for him to stand steadily. Janie Westerling, who was nearby, immediately stepped forward to support him, but he pushed her away. After pushing her away, he felt he had been too harsh, turned his head to look at Janie with a slight apology, then turned back to look seriously at Rickard, saying, "In the name of the King of the North, I declare that Rickard Karstark must be punished for his act of killing captives. All spoils of war obtained after entering the North shall be confiscated and distributed among the lords whose armies suffered losses in this prisoner riot."
Rickard paused upon hearing this, his eyes filled with disappointment as he looked at Robb, and he also glanced at the other Northern lords around him. He said nothing, turned, and walked out of the Hall of Affairs.
"That old man won't change; his character is as unyielding as the Wall," Jon Umber reminded him. "If Robb doesn't want him to continue killing captives, he should reassign him back to the North."
The other Northern lords present also nodded in agreement.
Although the Northern lords present sympathized with Rickard's plight and felt that if they were in Rickard's shoes, they might do the same.
But the current problem was that Rickard's actions had indeed affected the war. Previously, the Western armies they encountered would surrender, and their resistance was not very fierce, but ever since the news of Rickard killing captives spread, all the Western armies they encountered fought to the death, and their casualties increased dramatically. Banefort was even lost because of this, and all the villages and towns on the road to Casterly Rock had built walls, making their progress in the Westerlands extremely difficult.
Just yesterday, the prisoners of war held in Branded City even rioted, almost recapturing Branded City. Fortunately, Jon Umber, who was defending the city, discovered the anomaly in time and quelled the riot. Otherwise, if Branded City were recaptured by the Western army, their retreat route would be completely cut off, and they would be trapped in the Westerlands.
It was precisely because of this that they did not intercede for Rickard when Robb punished him just now.
"No, every army is very important to us right now. We don't have many troops to begin with, and if we were to send the Karstark army back to the North, it would only make our already limited forces even more stretched," Robb Stark shook his head, then said with a serious expression, "It's no longer appropriate for us to continue attacking Casterly Rock. We should now take advantage of Stannis's attack on King's Landing to tie down Tywin's army, preventing him from reinforcing King's Landing. Once Stannis takes King's Landing, Tywin's Western army will no longer pose a threat."
Someone worriedly said, "But Stannis doesn't like us either. Once he deals with Tywin and King's Landing, then we..."
Robb said earnestly, "Don't worry about that for now. Our main enemies right now are King's Landing and the Westerlands. Let's deal with them first, then consider other things."
Everyone expressed no objections and prepared to return to their respective camps to prepare for withdrawal from the Westerlands.
However, at this moment, Black Walder of Frey suddenly spoke, stopping everyone, and then looked at Robb Stark with extreme seriousness, saying, "Robb, our Frey family has kept its promise, dedicating ourselves to your cause. We have not only provided the necessary provisions for the large army but also a large number of troops, following you on your campaigns. Even my grandfather Stivren died on the battlefield for your cause."
Robb sensed a hint of trouble and said in a deep voice, "The contributions of the Frey family are evident to all. After the war subsides, the Frey family will undoubtedly receive their due Glory and rewards, not one bit less."
"I believe Robb is benevolent, generous, and willing to keep his vows," Black Walder smiled and said, "However, I have a small request now. I am still single and have not been able to find a suitable noble lady to marry." As he spoke, he pointed to Janie beside him and said, "Until I saw Miss Janie of the Westerling family, I felt she was the wife I most desired. I hope Robb can, in light of the Frey family's achievements for you, bestow Miss Janie..."
"No," Robb Stark immediately interrupted him before Black Walder could finish.
Black Walder feigned confusion and looked at Robb, asking, "Does the Frey family's contribution not even qualify you, Your Majesty, to bestow a noble lady from a Western family who has just surrendered to you? It seems our Frey family has not paid enough for your vows and promises. One heir dying is not enough, then what about two?"
"I see and remember the Frey family's contributions, and I will certainly give the Frey family their due reward, but Janie..." Robb said with an exceptionally serious tone.
Black Walder stopped playing games and directly exposed him: "But this Miss Janie is already your wife, isn't she, Robb?"
Robb's face turned exceptionally grim. He said, "Walder Frey, since you knew about this, how dare you say such words just now!"
"Say what words?" Black Walder sneered and said, "I merely spoke a few words, and you already can't bear it. Then what about your insult to the Frey family? Please tell me, Your Majesty, what about your vows and promises to the Frey family..."
"What vows do you need to make with a weasel!" Jon Umber suddenly interjected mockingly.
The other Northern lords around them all burst into laughter, with only a few lords slightly frowning.
Black Walder coldly looked around, then turned back to Robb, saying, "Robb, if you now annul your marriage with this Miss Janie and choose one of my cousins to marry, fulfilling your vow, then we will consider your breaking of the vow nonexistent and continue to serve you..."
"Enough! I will not annul my marriage with Janie," Robb said, reaching out and taking Janie's hand.
Black Walder's face turned incredibly grim, but he quickly regained his composure. He bowed to Robb and said, "Since Robb, you have broken your vow, then we will no longer serve you. I hope you continue to have good fortune in battle."
After speaking, he led the Frey family out of the Hall of Affairs without looking back.
"Even without the weasel, we can still win. The Western armies are a bunch of weak sheep!" a Northern lord said with disdain.
Others echoed his sentiment. The recent string of victories made the Northern lords feel that the Western armies were not as strong as expected; instead, they were just as the legends said, that one Northern warrior could defeat ten Southerners. This also made them confident, believing that winning this war would not be difficult.
Robb also felt regretful about the Frey family's departure, but he, like the Northern lords, believed that they would win this war, so he didn't pay too much attention to it.
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