Inside the command tent, the northern lords stood on one side while the riverlords stood on the other, all watching Galon with hopeful anticipation.
Galon, however, did not speak immediately.
He slowly walked back to the wooden table at the rear of the tent.
Resting both hands on its surface, he lowered his head and silently studied the map of the Riverlands spread before him.
After thinking it through several times and carefully choosing his words, he finally looked up at the twenty or thirty lords gathered inside.
His eyes briefly paused on Ser Patrek Frey, who had quietly withdrawn into a corner of the tent.
A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but it disappeared just as quickly.
"My lords."
He spoke calmly, his eyes gleaming with quiet resolve.
"Lord Edmure has already been taken to the Twins by Bolton. I doubt he knows anything about the conspiracy between Bolton and House Frey.
Our highest priority is to rescue Lord Edmure. Only then can we deal with the Twins."
"But how?" Lord Bracken sighed. "The Twins are nearly impossible to assault. Once old Walder shuts the gates, there will be nothing we can do."
The Twins, one of the most famous castle complexes in Westeros, stood on opposite banks of the swift Green Fork, connected by a fortified stone bridge lined with arrow towers.
Should one castle come under attack, the other could reinforce it almost immediately.
Both fortresses were protected by deep moats as well.
Once the gates were closed, storming them would be nearly impossible.
Galon understood that better than anyone.
But ever since he had decided that House Frey was now his enemy, he had already devised a way to deal with the Twins.
Looking toward Lord Bracken, he said meaningfully, "Which is why we need to make them come out."
"Or... make them invite us inside."
"Make them come out? Invite us inside?"
Lord Bracken shook his head.
"Lord Glover, forgive my bluntness, but old Walder is a coward. He'll never willingly step outside his walls.
The moment our army appears before the Twins, he'll simply bar the gates and wait for reinforcements."
The other riverlords nodded in agreement.
As fellow Riverlands nobles, they knew exactly what sort of man the Late Lord Frey truly was.
"Lord Bracken is right...Under normal circumstances."
"But what if the army outside the Twins...is a defeated one?"
Galon's eyes gleamed like those of a hunter.
"What if it is an army shattered by the Lannisters...desperately seeking refuge at the Twins?"
"Wait..."
Lord Blackwood's eyes widened.
"Lord Glover... are you suggesting we disguise ourselves as defeated soldiers and lure House Frey into opening their gates?"
Galon nodded.
"Exactly."
"If Bolton and Frey have prepared a trap for us...then we'll simply turn their own trap against them."
"Turn their own trap against them..."
Lady Mormont repeated softly, concern visible on her face.
"Lord Glover. It's a bold plan. But Walder Frey isn't a fool. And Roose Bolton is even more cunning.
If a defeated army appears beneath the Twins...
...they'll test us in countless ways.
What if they neither come out nor let us in? What if they simply welcome us with crossbows from atop the walls? What then?"
Her concern echoed everyone else's.
Galon nodded approvingly. "An excellent question, Lady Mormont. I've considered exactly that."
"You're right. Bolton and Frey will test us. So our performance must be flawless."
His gaze swept across the room, pausing briefly on Patrek before continuing.
"We'll discard most of our banners. We'll wear battered armor. Our ranks must include wounded men.
And most importantly... our force cannot exceed five thousand.
A broken army of fewer than five thousand men, stripped of banners and equipment, poses no threat to Bolton and Frey, who possess a powerful fortress and thousands of defenders.
That will lower their first line of suspicion."
As soon as he finished, Lord Rickard asked, "And if Frey still refuses to come out? What if he simply gives us supplies and tells us to leave?"
"He already has Lord Edmure. He could simply wait until everything is settled."
Galon turned toward him.
"Then we'll give them a reason they cannot ignore. We'll force Bolton to come out."
His voice turned cold.
"If old Walder is too timid to act...
Then we'll publicly announce to Bolton that the king is dead, the northern host has ceased to exist, and that I've decided to lead the remnants back to the North.
We'll invite Bolton to return north with us. We'll force him to leave the castle."
Galon's eyes shone with confidence.
"Consider this carefully. Bolton and Frey intend to exchange our heads for favor from the Iron Throne.
If we simply march away along the Kingsroad... their chance to earn Tywin's gratitude vanishes.
Frey still has Lord Edmure. But what does Bolton have?"
By this point, everyone understood.
Lord Cerwyn slowly nodded.
"So Bolton will have no choice but to pressure Walder Frey into making the same decision.
And once that happens... our plan is already halfway to success.
All that's left is to prepare the ambush."
The others considered it carefully. The more they thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.
"And besides..." Galon's thoughts briefly drifted to Rodrik Harlaw. "Even if Frey refuses to take any risks..."
"...I still have a way to open the gates from the inside."
Before returning to the camp, he had already learned that Rodrik had accompanied Bolton to the Twins.
That confirmed his earlier arrangement at Sea Dragon Point had completely deceived Bolton.
Now all that remained was to wait for the final harvest.
A dangerous smile tugged at the corner of Galon's mouth.
Seeing the puzzled expressions around him, he offered no explanation.
The fewer people who knew about Rodrik, the greater the chance of success.
"My lords."
His voice became solemn as he began issuing orders.
"From today onward... We'll remain here for several days to regroup.
During that time... Cut off every route by which information could reach the Twins.
Not even a single raven is to get through.
Establish patrols centered on the ferry camp.
Hunt down every surviving Lannister soldier. None of them are to escape toward the Twins."
One order followed another.
Only after everyone understood their responsibilities did Galon dismiss the meeting and send them to prepare.
Just then, however, his eyes found Patrek once again.
After a brief pause, he called out, "Ser Patrek. Please stay behind."
"I have something I'd like to discuss with you."
The other lords halted.
Following Galon's gaze, they looked with surprise toward the Frey knight cowering in the corner.
Only then did they remember there was still a Frey among the late king's guard.
The moment they heard the name Frey, anger flared in several of them. Some were already opening their mouths to curse him.
Galon stopped them.
"Everyone else may leave. I wish to speak with Ser Patrek alone."
His authoritative gaze silenced the room.
Reluctantly, the lords glared one last time at Patrek before filing out of the tent.
"My lord..."
Once everyone had left, Patrek looked utterly terrified.
"I truly knew nothing about the conspiracy between House Frey and Bolton."
He looked as though he were about to burst into tears.
"Lord Tully recommended me for the Kingsguard. King Robb treated me generously.
I swear before the Seven...
I've never done anything against either the Riverlands or the North. I had no part in their plot.
My lord...
Please believe me."
Galon slowly walked over and smiled. "Ser Patrek... I do believe you."
"My lord..."
"Black Walder didn't even tell me before he left..." Perwyn had been prepared to keep explaining.
Instead, he froze.
"My lord... What... did you just say?"
"I said I believe you."
Galon placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"From Sea Dragon Point ...to Riverrun...to this very place...
I've seen your loyalty. I've seen your sense of honor. I believe you are nothing like those faithless traitors."
Patrek's eyes immediately reddened with emotion.
Just as he was about to thank him, Galon's tone changed.
"But, Ser Patrek... What good is my trust alone?
You saw the way Lord Bracken and the others looked at you. They hate House Frey.
And now...
They hate you as well."
Patrek immediately panicked.
"My lord!"
"Please explain things to them. I've always been loyal to both you and the Riverlands!"
Galon's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"If explanations alone were enough... Would Lord Stark have died in King's Landing?"
"What matters..."
"...is action."
At that moment, Patrek finally understood.
Looking at Galon's calm expression, realization slowly dawned on him.
"My lord... What do you want me to do?"
Galon smiled approvingly.
"I want you to return to the Twins. I want you to watch Bolton and the Freys. I want you to report everything they do.
And when we arrive... I want you to help open the gates."
Patrek's entire body trembled violently.
He had expected a dangerous mission. He had never imagined Galon intended to send him back as a spy.
His face filled with despair.
"I... I can't."
"No. You can."
Galon looked directly into his eyes.
"What you need to do is actually very simple.
Report our situation to Walder Frey. Earn his trust. Remain inside the Twins.
When the time comes... My people will contact you. Then you and my men will open the gates together."
Patrek's eyes widened.
"My lord..."
"You already have people inside the Twins?"
Galon smiled without answering. That mysterious smile alone sent a chill through Patrek's spine.
For the first time, he realized just how unfathomable Galon truly was.
'He already planted spies inside the Twins... Did Lord Glover foresee all of this long ago?'
'But...'
'It's still far too dangerous.'
'If I fail... I'm dead.'
He hesitated.
"I've given you the opportunity. The rest depends on whether you can seize it."
Galon did not pressure him.
If Patrek refused, forcing him would only ruin the plan.
Instead, he returned to the table and quietly studied the map, giving the knight time to choose.
Several long moments passed.
Finally...
Patrek made his decision.
'I'll do it.'
'Lord Glover recognized my worth. He recommended me to the king.'
'How can I fail to repay such kindness?'
He clenched his teeth and looked up.
"My lord. Tell me what I must do."
Galon laughed warmly. "Excellent. I knew I hadn't misjudged you. Since that's your decision..."
He paused.
Instead of explaining the details immediately, he offered something that left Patrek utterly stunned.
"Ser Perwyn. If you complete this mission... I give you my word.
When it's over... I'll personally ask Lord Edmure to grant you the Twins.
The future of House Frey...
...will be written by you."
Boom!
The words exploded through Patrek's mind like thunder.
His head jerked upward. He stared at Galon, his eyes filled with disbelief, joy, and trembling excitement.
"M-My lord..."
"Y-you mean..."
Galon ignored his astonishment. "That's right. You will become the next Lord of the Twins."
Without a second's hesitation, Patrek dropped to one knee.
"Protector of the King."
"I swear before the Seven... From this day onward... My life and my loyalty belong to you."
Galon chuckled softly as he helped him to his feet.
"There's no need for that, Ser Patrek. I've always rewarded those who serve me well.
So long as you do your duty... I will never treat you unfairly."
Patrek nodded vigorously, his eyes burning with excitement.
Galon patted him on the shoulder.
"Now. Listen carefully."
Perwyn straightened immediately. "I'm listening, my lord."
"Tonight...
You'll leave the camp under cover of darkness. Return to the Twins as quickly as possible.
You'll tell Walder Frey and Roose Bolton that you've been sent to seek reinforcements.
They'll test you from every direction.
You must convince them that our camp is on the verge of collapse. That defeat could come at any moment.
Prepare the stage...
...for our coming rout."
Galon patiently explained every detail of the operation.
Only after ensuring Patrek understood everything did he ask, "Any questions?"
Patrek thought for a moment.
"My lord. You said someone would contact me."
"How?"
Galon's eyes narrowed. "When the time is right... Someone will find you."
"You needn't concern yourself with that."
Patrek's heart tightened. He understood that Galon still withheld certain secrets from him.
Wisely, he asked no further questions.
"My lord. I'll begin making preparations."
Galon nodded.
"I'll have someone escort you safely out of camp. Leave for the Twins as soon as possible.
Remember.
You don't have much time. Learn everything you can once you arrive.
My army of 'defeated soldiers' will leave within five days. We should reach the Twins in roughly ten."
Patrek bowed deeply.
"I understand, my lord."
With that, he turned and left the tent.
After Patrek's departure, Galon stood silently for a long while.
Only after thinking everything through once more did he summon one of his Glover soldiers and instruct him to escort Patrek safely beyond the camp.
Soon afterward...
As darkness fully settled over the land, a brown horse burst from the camp at full gallop, racing toward the Twins.
And so, an invisible net had finally been cast over the fortress of the Twins.
__________
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