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"That was quite the display, Young Wolf. Care for a spar?"
Jaime, who had been watching from the side, was clearly displeased by Joffrey's loss, but kept his smile as he challenged Robb to a spar.
Before Robb could respond, Robert's booming voice echoed from the second floor.
"What is it, Kingslayer? Planning to stab Robb in the back during training too? Just like you did to the Mad King? Hahaha!"
Jaime's expression tightened at the irritating voice.
He knew that with Robert present, there was nothing he could do to avenge Joffrey.
Without even glancing back, he turned and left the training grounds.
On the wooden walkway, Robert waved at Robb and the others.
"Eddard, it seems that in that filthy, shit-filled city called King's Landing, all I ever produce are useless stags. But here, in this frozen place, you raise fierce wolves."
Eddard inclined his head slightly and replied sincerely:
"Your Grace, only fierce wolves can properly protect the North in your name."
"Hahaha! You do know how to speak."
"I only speak the truth."
As Robert and Eddard walked away along the balcony, the members of the Wolf Guard finally burst into laughter.
They kept talking about the spar from earlier.
Robb smiled and occasionally responded, but from the corner of his eye, he noticed Owen—one of the six captains—slip away quietly from the training grounds.
…
After dinner, Owen came to Robb's room to report Jaime's movements.
Robb gave him a brief nod of approval and said:
"Keep watching. As long as Jaime doesn't head toward the broken tower, don't do anything that might alert him. Just keep your distance and follow him."
Owen nodded, bowed, and left.
Over the next few days, Robb and the others continued their daily training.
Interestingly, Joffrey never showed up again.
On the fifth day of the king's visit, Robert, who spent his days drinking, wandering, and chasing women, started to grow bored.
Early that morning, he announced that he had received word of a direwolf sighting in the Wolfswood.
He insisted that Eddard accompany him.
If they didn't find the wolf, they could at least enjoy a good hunt.
Among the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms, it was well known that after ascending the throne, Robert only cared about three things:
Drinking, hunting, and women.
Unable to refuse the king, Eddard ordered the servants to prepare.
After a long morning of arrangements, with the sun already high, Robert and Eddard departed Winterfell through the Hunter's Gate, accompanied by guards and servants.
Normally, Jaime would have gone with them.
But Cersei made an excuse.
She said that after Joffrey's humiliating loss, she wanted Jaime to personally train him.
And so, Jaime remained behind.
No one knew whether Cersei truly wanted Jaime to teach Joffrey…
Or if she preferred him to teach her some "other techniques."
Robb, watching from the side, maintained a polite smile.
But inwardly, he almost felt like applauding.
Because everything was unfolding even better than he had planned.
…
Night fell.
Most people were already asleep.
"Ahh…"
At the top of the inner gate wall, a guard let out a long yawn, his breath turning to mist in the cold air.
Suddenly—
Creak… creak…
The sound of wagon wheels echoed below.
The guard immediately leaned over to look.
A cart loaded with barrels was slowly approaching.
The driver wore a hooded cloak.
Around the cart walked several members of the Wolf Guard.
"Open the gate. That shipment is mine."
Hearing the clear voice behind him, the guard turned quickly.
It was Robb Stark.
"Yes, Lord Robb!"
He hurried to operate the drawbridge.
With a creaking sound, it slowly lowered.
"Thank you. Good work."
Robb said as he stepped down.
The cart crossed into the castle.
The driver pulled back his hood.
"Lord Robb!"
It was Sam.
"Sam, you've done well."
Robb studied him.
After more than half a month away, he looked thinner… but also more hardened.
"Thank you, my lord. It is an honor to serve you."
Sam replied, clearly pleased.
Robb glanced at the barrels.
"You didn't let it out of your sight during transport? No issues?"
"Since Lord Ramsay handed it over to me, I didn't let it out of my sight. I checked it again before entering the city. No problems."
"Good."
Robb nodded.
"Theon, take them to the location. Follow the plan."
"Yes."
Theon replied, though he seemed hesitant.
Robb noticed immediately.
"No need to say anything else."
"When everything is ready, send someone to inform me. Once I give the signal, you execute the plan."
"Be careful."
Without waiting for a reply, Robb turned and walked away.
Theon bit his lip.
He knew he couldn't change Robb's mind.
So he simply led the others away.
After about ten minutes of walking, they reached a point near the rear wall.
A white circle painted on the ground marked the spot.
The barrels were unloaded there.
Even though the smell was overwhelming, no one dared ask questions.
They had been trained to obey.
When one barrel was set down too hard, both Theon and Sam shouted:
"Careful!"
They exchanged a glance.
Both knew exactly what was inside.
Wildfire.
…
Meanwhile, Robb walked through the castle halls.
He was whistling a tune from his previous life on Earth, trying to ease the tension.
From the shadows, Dacey appeared in full armor.
"Lord Robb, Lady Catelyn and the young lords and ladies are asleep. Guards are stationed outside their doors."
"We've rotated the guards in the guest wing. All the Lannisters are inside. None of them have left."
"Perfect."
Robb replied calmly.
"If the wildfire doesn't kill all the Lannisters…"
"Then we'll finish the job."
Robb trusted the six captains of the Wolf Guard completely.
The plan had been in motion for a long time.
They had been informed three days earlier.
Not all of them had agreed at first.
Theon, for example, had tried several times to persuade him to reconsider.
But in the end, faced with Robb's determination, they all agreed to support him.
Yes.
What Robb intended to do now was simple.
Flip the entire board over.
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