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On the fifth day of travel, Owen, riding ahead, easily picked up the tracks left by Robert and Eddard's party.
A caravan that large moving along the Kingsroad left far too many traces to ignore.
Theon, Smalljon, and Bloodwind followed at a distance, waiting for the moment they stopped at the Inn at the Crossroads.
Without outside interference, fate was truly difficult to resist.
Arya, as restless as ever, was playing at dueling with sticks along a tributary of the Trident, accompanied by the butcher's boy.
Joffrey, having been instructed by Cersei, had returned to acting like a proper golden prince, walking along the riverbank with Sansa trailing after him, clearly enamored.
Hidden nearby, Theon, Smalljon, and Bloodwind watched Arya and Nymeria in silence, their faces partially concealed beneath hooded cloaks.
It all happened very quickly.
When Arya, heart heavy, decided to drive Nymeria away, Theon knew it was the moment.
He reached out and tapped Bloodwind lightly on the head.
Even lying low, the massive wolf barely fit within the cover of the bushes.
Bloodwind rose smoothly, lowering his body as he moved forward like a hunting predator.
Moments later, he returned.
Nymeria followed beside him, completely subdued under the overwhelming presence of the larger wolf.
"Half the job's done. Let's go find Owen."
Theon tried to imitate Robb, reaching out to scratch Bloodwind under the chin as a reward.
The wolf simply turned away, eyes filled with quiet disdain.
Theon pretended not to notice and immediately turned to Smalljon.
…
Owen was still watching Lady.
The she-wolf remained inside the Inn at the Crossroads, showing no intention of fleeing.
Because of that, Owen had found no opportunity to enter the inn, which was heavily guarded by soldiers bearing the golden lion and crowned stag.
When Theon and the others arrived, they continued to wait.
Night fell.
Torches were lit around the inn.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out at the entrance.
With the sharp vision of an archer, Theon immediately saw Arya being dragged inside by Lannister soldiers.
As she was taken in, knights and guards rushed after her, eager to see how the king would handle the situation.
Seeing most of the soldiers' attention drawn away, Theon exchanged a glance with Owen.
He tapped Bloodwind's head again.
The group moved silently toward the stables behind the inn, where Lady was being held.
In truth, Theon and Owen alone would have been enough.
Bloodwind was only there in case Lady refused to follow.
Even if she was gentle, she was still a direwolf.
Lady was chained to a wooden pillar beside the stable with a thick iron chain.
Her innocent eyes had no idea what was about to happen.
To show his neutrality in the conflict, Eddard had sent all the northern soldiers with him out to search for Arya.
Only Jory remained behind to report to him.
As a result, Lady was guarded by just two Lannister soldiers.
Tap.
A small stone struck the wooden post with a sharp sound.
The two guards turned instinctively.
Two figures slipped out of the darkness.
Short blades flashed.
Their throats were cut before they could react.
Only after the bodies went still did Theon and Owen finally exhale.
They quickly searched for the key to the chain.
They had just begun when hurried footsteps approached.
Jory had seen Arya being taken before the king and had rushed back to mount his horse and inform Eddard.
But as he turned the corner behind the inn, he saw two masked men searching the bodies of Lannister soldiers.
He drew his sword immediately, mouth opening to shout.
"Bloodwind!"
Theon reacted instantly.
A gray blur shot forward.
Bloodwind lunged, jaws snapping around Jory's right arm and driving him to the ground.
Perhaps recognizing him, the wolf did not go for his throat.
Otherwise, Jory would have died instantly… or ended up like Jaime in the future.
Jory coughed, grimacing.
"Bloodwind?"
He recognized the wolf at once.
Theon pulled off his mask.
"Captain Jory, I don't want to kill you. We need to take Lady. This is Robb's order."
Jory let out a breath of relief.
"Robb's awake? And you came for Lady? Then get this wolf off me first."
"Alright, Bloodwind."
The wolf stepped back.
Theon didn't hesitate. Jory wouldn't betray them.
As Jory stood, pressing his injured arm, he spoke quickly.
"We don't have time for this. If Bloodwind's here, then it has to be Robb's order. Take Lady now."
He pointed at the dead guards.
"But first, have Bloodwind bite their throats too. That way it'll look like the wolves did it."
He paused briefly, then added:
"And have him bite my leg as well. Otherwise they'll wonder why I didn't chase you."
Theon didn't argue.
He simply nodded to Bloodwind.
The wolf immediately bit into Jory's thigh.
Jory clenched his teeth, refusing to cry out.
When Bloodwind released him, he dropped to the ground.
"Go. I'll start shouting."
By then, Owen had already found the key and freed Lady.
Theon pulled his mask back up, gave Jory a brief nod, and vanished into the darkness with the others.
Only after they were gone did Jory finally shout.
"Help! Someone get over here!"
The rest unfolded as expected.
But now, with both direwolves gone, Cersei had nowhere to vent her fury.
She buried her hatred for House Stark even deeper, waiting for the right moment to take revenge.
…
The next day, at the inn, Jory lay in bed while a healer from the royal party treated his wounds.
Eddard stood beside him.
"Jory, you don't need to continue to King's Landing tomorrow. Find a caravan heading back to Winterfell and return to recover."
"Yes, Lord Eddard."
Jory nodded.
Eddard suddenly walked to the door and checked outside.
Then he returned and spoke in a low voice.
"Others might not notice because of the blood… but I'm certain."
He continued:
"The bite marks on you and those Lannister soldiers weren't made by Lady or Nymeria."
He looked directly at Jory.
"It was Bloodwind, wasn't it?"
Jory didn't lie.
"Yes. Robb's awake. Theon came under his orders to take Lady and Nymeria back."
Eddard fell silent for a moment.
"I see… get some rest."
He left the room.
When he returned to his own chamber, Arya was sitting on the bed, looking downcast.
The moment she saw him, she ran to him.
"Father… I want to go home. Do you think Robb and Bran are awake yet?"
Eddard embraced her.
"Robb is awake. And I'm certain Bran will be safe under his care."
He stroked her hair as he looked north.
The events of that day left a lingering question in his mind.
Had Robb's plan been mere coincidence…
Or had he already known this would happen?
But of one thing Eddard was certain.
Robb would protect House Stark.
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