Night, the night was deep and boundless, and the beautiful, prosperous Seagull Town fell into a state of tranquility.
Deep in the woods outside Seagull Town, Jon waited for Earl Jellico.
He was lean, long-faced, with brown hair and grey eyes, typical House Stark features.
"I'm sorry, Jon. We can only meet this way, but your handwritten will has already spread throughout Seagull Town," Earl Jellico said.
"I understand, Lord Jellico," Jon said.
"There's no other way. Petyr started in Seagull Town, and the customs are full of his spies," Lord Jellico explained.
"I understand, but with The late King's will as proof, what other concerns do you have?" Jon asked.
"It's not that I doubt the character of Lord Eddard and Barristan. It's just that I have my own difficulties," Earl Jellico said.
"Firstly, my liege, the young Lord Arryn, is underage, and Lady Lysa has ordered us not to send troops.
Secondly, when will Lord Gendry's war banner appear in Westeros? After all, Seagull Town is vulnerable to war, not far from Dragonstone and King's Landing."
"The time is not far off," Jon said, summoning his courage.
"All righteous people will denounce the traitorous villains."
"I also look forward to that day," Earl Jellico said.
"Unlike my father, I hope to join a victorious war."
"You will see victory," Jon said.
"Come, Jon, I will introduce you to a noble," Jellico pointed to the shadows, and another noble appeared.
"This is?"
"The Earl of Redfort," Earl Jellico introduced.
The man before them was dressed in black, but his sigil was a red castle on a white field with a red border.
"Horton Redfort, please convey my regards to Gendry, the legitimate heir of King Robert, Jon. Redfort welcomes him," Earl Horton, a short man, greeted Jon.
Earl Horton's Greybeard was neatly trimmed, and he had a kind face.
He was very polite.
"I will, my Lord," Jon nodded, not understanding why this Lord from Redfort seemed so loyal.
"Speaking of which, Lord Horton and Prince Gendry also have some family ties," Jellico introduced.
"King Robert's first daughter, Miss Mia, now Mia Baratheon, is in love with Earl Horton's son, Michel."
A smile appeared on Earl Horton's face, "They have known each other for a long time, and I wish them well."
Ser Michel Redfort is a member of House Redfort, and an Attendants to Ser Lyn Corbray.
People say he is one of the best young swordsmen in The Vale of Arryn, exceptionally brave.
When he was still an Attendants, he took Mia Stone's virginity.
Since then, he has always been in love with Mia.
So that was it, Jon suddenly understood.
These old Lords were also driven by self-interest; if not for the King's will and the reality that the King's bastard might once again bring a large army, Earl Horton would most likely never have agreed to this marriage, allowing his son to marry a bastard daughter.
"I will convey your greetings properly," Jon said politely, knowing that their courtesy was not for him, but for Gendry's many elite troops, luxurious warships, and the feat of killing the Dothraki Khal.
"I am also sorry about your father's matter," Earl Horton said.
"In fact, The Vale of Arryn and the North have close ties, and Lord Eddard was once fostered at The Eyrie.
We should clear Lord Eddard's name and send troops to the Riverlands.
But..."
"You are speaking of Lady Lysa's wishes," Jon understood the gravity of the situation.
"Yes," Earl Horton nodded, "The Lady is truly exasperating, alas."
"There is one thing you should also know, perhaps," Earl Jellico said.
"Because Littlefinger was imprisoned in King's Landing by Lord Eddard, Lady Lysa was furious and almost had Lady Catelyn thrown into the sky cells.
Although it didn't happen, she didn't show any kindness.
Lady Catelyn is probably on her way down from The Eyrie by now, the sisters having parted on bad terms."
"Will Lady Catelyn be imprisoned then?"
"You don't need to worry about that.
Lady Lysa still has some scruples, after all.
Lady Catelyn is probably on her way to Seagull Town."
"Lady Lysa is too rude.
So Lady Catelyn went to The Eyrie after failing to kidnap The Imp," Jon sighed.
"If that's the case, then Robb is in charge of Winterfell now."
Jon knew that Lady Catelyn loathed him, his birth, and his more Stark-like appearance.
But with the Snow falling and the Long Winter approaching, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives.
"Yes," Earl Horton nodded.
"It's a pity Lady Lysa is not what she seems."
When Jon heard about the conflict between Lady Lysa and Catelyn, he knew that The Vale of Arryn would be unable to send troops.
If so, House Stark marching south would actually be at a disadvantage in terms of military strength.
It seemed he would still have to rely on support from Across the Narrow Sea.
"Snow, are you alright?" Earl Horton asked with a frown, seeing Jon's gloomy expression.
"My Lord, I am well," Jon Snow said, though his mood was terrible.
Lord Eddard and his two sisters were both in King's Landing, and Robb was struggling to hold Winterfell; the situation was now unpredictable.
He worried greatly for Arya and his sisters, and also for Robb.
"I understand your feelings, just as I did when I heard the news that my father, Earl Morko Grafson, was killed by King Robert's hand.
But I could only accept it, and King Robert pardoned me.
Child, these are times of war," Jellico said.
Jellico had thick arms and broad shoulders, but he was not tall.
He had a messy mop of dirty blonde hair and a booming voice.
He was polite.
Jon was silent for a while, then said, "After I pass the Fingers Peninsula and the Three Sisters Islands in The Vale of Arryn, I must return to White Harbor quickly."
"There is one person you absolutely must meet," Earl Jellico said.
"Bronze Yohn of Runestone."
"I will, I had already considered it before I came," Jon nodded.
Robb might be calling his vassals and marching south, but his own mission was still that of an envoy.
House Royce was the primary vassal of House Arryn, with their seat, Runestone, located north of Seagull Town, along the Narrow Sea coast.
House Royce and House Stark also had family ties.
"I recognize Lord Royce's face," Jon added.
"Years ago, Earl Yohn's youngest son, Ser Waymar, swore to join the Nights Watch.
Earl Yohn accompanied his son north, and when they passed Winterfell, they were entertained by Lord Eddard—they went hunting together; Yohn even used a blunted sword in the training yard to defeat Lord Eddard and Instructor Ser Roderick Cassel."
"That's good enough then," Jellico said with relief.
"Lord Yohn's influence is great, and he has always been a loyal friend of House Stark."
"Thank you for the reminder," Jon nodded.
winter is coming.
For Jon, House Stark's motto had never sounded so grim, so ominous...
In the dungeons beneath The Red Keep, the straw on the floor reeked of urine.
There were no windows, no beds, not even a slop bucket.
Urine and feces; Eddard, once a Duke, now had only a few feet of space, truly pathetic.
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