The letter was short.
Yet Catelyn read it again and again.
"Petyr... Lysa..."
"Why... why would you do this to me?"
Her entire body trembled as her fingers tightened around the parchment.
Her grip grew so firm that her knuckles turned white and the letter crumpled in her hand.
She remembered the letter Lysa had sent to Winterfell all those months ago.
"It was me... it was all my fault.
If I hadn't urged Ned to accept the king's offer and ride to King's Landing, that bastard Petyr would never have had the chance to destroy him.
Robb... Rickon... none of them would have died."
Regret filled her face as tears poured down without end.
John could not help but pity her.
But remembering the task Galon had entrusted to him, he gently interrupted her self-reproach.
"My lady... You must pull yourself together.
The North is still waiting for you.
After defeating Kevan, Lord Glover not only learned of Littlefinger and Lady Lysa's conspiracy from him, but also discovered that the Boltons and the Freys had already betrayed the alliance.
They have sworn themselves to the Lannisters and planned to wipe out every loyal lord of the North and the Riverlands.
Lord Bolton even intends to seize Winterfell for himself. As for Lady Sansa..."
At first, Catelyn paid him no attention.
After losing her sons, she no longer cared what became of the North or the Riverlands.
But the moment she heard that even Winterfell and her remaining daughter were in danger, she jerked her head up, trembling with fury.
"They will do no such thing!"
"Where is Galon? He is my daughter's betrothed. What is he doing?"
John answered quietly.
"My lord has already marched on the Twins to destroy the Frey and Bolton rebels.
But after the Battle of the Green Fork, our losses were severe.
The Twins is a formidable fortress, and even Lord Glover cannot guarantee victory."
He glanced at Catelyn before repeating the message Galon had instructed him to deliver.
"My lady, Lord Glover hopes that you will go to Runestone and explain everything to Lord Royce.
He is one of the Vale's most respected lords and the man Lord Arryn trusted above all others.
If Lord Royce steps forward, his longstanding friendship with House Stark will surely bring the Vale into alliance with us.
Then we can defeat the Lannisters and avenge the North."
Catelyn quietly wiped away her tears.
The dangerous reality before her left her no choice but to force thoughts of her husband and sons into the background.
She still had living children. They needed her.
"Galon is right. Lord Royce is an ally we must win over."
She rose from the bed. The moment she stood, however, the room spun violently around her.
She nearly collapsed before John caught her.
"My lady!"
"Are you all right?"
Catelyn drew a deep breath.
Once the dizziness eased, she gently pushed him away.
"I'm fine."
Supporting herself, she walked to the writing desk.
After collecting her thoughts for a moment, she picked up a quill and began writing.
In her capacity as Lady of Winterfell, she composed a letter to Lord Royce.
"When you leave, take both this letter and Lord Glover's.
Leave the Eyrie before nightfall and return to the Gates of the Moon.
Wait there for me for two days.
If I do not arrive within those two days, return immediately to the Riverlands and report everything to Lord Glover.
When he reads this letter, he will know what must be done."
John's expression changed immediately.
"My lady... What are you planning?
Please don't act rashly.
Before I left, Lord Glover specifically ordered me to protect you. If anything happens to you, I won't be able to answer to him."
Catelyn slowly shook her head.
Determination burned in her eyes.
"I intend to hear the truth from my dear sister's own lips."
Although Galon's letter had spoken with certainty—even naming the poison that had been used—she was still a Tully.
She was still Lysa's elder sister. She needed an answer.
'Family. Duty. Honor.'
'Father... please watch over me.'
Remembering the words her father had taught her throughout her life, Catelyn solemnly handed both letters to John.
"Don't worry.
As long as Lysa still has even a trace of sisterly affection left, she won't harm me.
At worst, she'll imprison me.
As long as Lord Glover reaches an agreement with Lord Royce, I'll be safe."
She gave John an encouraging nod.
"Go. Leave the mountain immediately."
John accepted the letters, "Yes, my lady. Take care of yourself."
Catelyn nodded silently.
John left the chamber with the other two soldiers, hurrying down the mountain without delay.
Only after they were gone did Catelyn finally break down once more.
"Petyr..."
"I'll make you pay for every drop of blood you've spilled."
Her voice, filled with hatred, echoed throughout the room.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Vale, the great hall of Runestone was hosting a very different meeting.
Bronze Yohn Royce threw a sealed letter onto the table.
Seated before him were the Vale's foremost lords: Lord Hunter, Lord Redfort, Lord Belmore, Lady Waynwood, and Ser Templeton.
"You've all read it," Royce said, his voice as solid as the walls of his ancient castle.
"This information came from Lord Glover of the North after he captured Kevan Lannister.
Lord Arryn... He did not die of illness. He was poisoned."
The announcement darkened every face in the hall.
"Can we trust this information?"
Lord Hunter still found it difficult to believe.
"To claim that Lady Lysa... together with Littlefinger from the Fingers... poisoned Lord Arryn..."
Before he could finish, Lady Waynwood let out a cold snort.
"Hmph.
Lady Lysa was involved with Littlefinger long before she married Lord Arryn.
If Lord Hoster Tully hadn't looked down on Littlefinger's birth, those two would likely have married years ago.
If you ask me, there's every chance it's true."
Lord Redfort nodded in agreement.
"Exactly.
Since Lord Glover defeated Kevan Lannister, fleeing Lannister soldiers have spread these rumors throughout the Vale.
The honor of the Vale has already been dragged through the mud."
Silence settled over the chamber.
After a moment, Lord Belmore spoke.
"What do we do now? Are we simply supposed to watch Lady Lysa remain safely in the Eyrie?"
Lord Royce answered immediately.
"Absolutely not.
Lady Lysa has fallen completely under Littlefinger's spell.
She even intends to marry him and hand control of the Vale to some upstart from the Fingers.
We cannot stand by any longer."
He rose to his feet, resting one hand firmly on the hilt of his sword.
"My lords, I propose this.
In the name of the Protectors of the Vale, we march to the Eyrie. We will demand that Lady Lysa surrender custody of her son.
And we will launch a full investigation into Lord Arryn's death."
In an instant, the other five lords stood as well.
"I agree."
"I second the motion."
"House Belmore stands with you."
"House Waynwood agrees."
"House Templeton concurs."
Thus, the alliance of the Vale's loyal lords was born.
Across the Vale, great houses began gathering their armies. A storm aimed directly at the Eyrie had begun.
Unaware of any of it, Lysa sat feeding little Robert.
She remained completely immersed in dreams of a happy future with Littlefinger.
Unfortunately for her, those dreams were about to shatter.
__________
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