Listening to Fili explain Eddard's situation, Roman only felt a headache; Eddard was truly stubborn, clinging desperately to his knightly honor.
"The Stark family has already returned to Winterfell, and it seems Lord Eddard intends to fight the Lannister to the bitter end."
"Fili, let's go to the meeting hall now; it's time to consider our next steps."
After the two went downstairs, they found Lady Helaena and a group of ministers had been waiting for a long time.
"My Lady, it seems you already know about the situation at The Red Keep. What are your thoughts?"
Lady Helaena looked at Roman and asked worriedly: "If we go to rescue Eddard Stark this time, will it provoke the Lannister?"
"Furthermore, Robb in Winterfell has already summoned his bannermen and marched directly toward the iron throne. Wouldn't doing this be equivalent to a complete falling out?"
Old Jessy added from the side: "My Lady, ever since Tyrion Lannister was detained at Winterfell, the Riverlands have been attacked by the Lannister, and we are already at odds with them."
"Instead of worrying about the Lannister, we should think about how to rescue Lord Eddard. That way, Harrenhal will gain a staunch ally."
Old Jessy's point was unanimously agreed upon by those around them, and Roman struck while the iron was hot:
"My Lady, rumors of the discord between the Hand and the iron throne have already spread. There are even rumors that His Majesty Robert's three children are not his own, and the great lords of Westeros are already restless."
Lady Helaena: "Do people actually believe such rumors?"
Roman: "No, my Lady. Whether people believe it or not is unimportant; what matters is that some nobles are using this as an excuse. Renly and Stannis are both preparing to vie for the iron throne."
"Westeros is about to fall into chaos. We need more friends, not enemies."
Looking at the approving eyes of the ministers present, Lady Helaena finally nodded in agreement after deep thought.
"You are right, Roman. Harrenhal can no longer sit and wait for death. We need to take precautions. Proceed with your plan!"
With the leadership of Harrenhal in agreement, the Hean Family quickly notified officials at all levels to initiate combat readiness mode.
Supplies began to be allocated to the army, surveillance of the territory was increased, and various units were mobilized to patrol the territory.
In addition, Roman also planned a rescue mission.
Harrenhal had long since arranged for a ship to arrive at the port of King's Landing, with Harrenhal soldiers and Manderly Family sailors lurking aboard.
Lord Eel heard that Roman intended to rescue Eddard, he immediately sent a large amount of money, ships, and soldiers, along with a letter:
"Ser Roman, the North thanks you for your help. If you have any needs in the future, come directly to me. The Manderly Family will assist with all our might!"
Looking at the letter, Roman thought of Wyman's large face and sighed: "Lord Manderly is truly a loyal and honest man!"
King's Landing, port.
Roman and a team of skilled men arrived at the secret passage of The Red Keep under the cover of night.
"We will now follow the plan to rescue Lord Eddard from the dungeons. Everyone, remember: do not trust anyone you encounter on the way. Even a child could be a lackey of that eunuch, Varys. So, if anyone appears around you, do not hesitate—kill them immediately!"
"Understood!"
There are many secret passages in The Red Keep. Later, with the help of Fili and the spies, Roman mastered several key exits, one of which led from the dungeons to the beach.
Roman charged into the secret passage first, using White Flame Vision to lock onto the patrolling soldiers nearby.
The soldiers of Harrenhal stood Guard in every corner according to Roman's instructions, waiting for the prey to walk into the trap.
Unlike the well-lit upper levels of The Red Keep, the dungeon was a completely different scene: gloomy corridors, dim light, and rats and vermin running rampant.
Even the Guards would feel uncomfortable after staying in the dungeon for too long, let alone the prisoners living there.
Eddard had been imprisoned for some time. The long-term dark and damp environment had left Eddard's body extremely weak, while also breaking down his psychological defenses.
Whenever Varys came to visit Eddard, he could hear his regrets and complaints, but whenever Varys proposed conditions, Eddard would flatly refuse.
At this point, Eddard could no longer distinguish how many days and nights had passed, but he knew his death was imminent.
He rejected all of Cersei's proposals, giving the other party no face at all. Eddard knew from Varys that his family had safely arrived at Winterfell, so he no longer had any concerns.
"Whether it's beheading or joining the Nights Watch, I don't care. My honor does not allow me to see a bastard usurp the iron throne!"
That was how Eddard communicated with Varys. In the end, The Spider could only look at this head wolf with a strained expression.
But now, rustling sounds were gradually coming from outside the cell. Eddard felt that this period had been unusually noisy, lacking the tranquility of the past.
His heart gradually turned desolate. Eddard was not afraid of death, but he only hoped to see his family one last time before dying.
"Catelyn, Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, Rickon, and Jon, you must never come to King's Landing again. Your grandfather and uncle lost their lives this way. Just stay in the North."
Just as Eddard was praying for his children not to repeat the same mistakes, a flash of light appeared on the iron door of the cell.
Eddard watched as that beam of light melted the iron lock into a pool of orange-red fluid. Then, with a creak, the iron door was pushed open, and Roman walked in.
"Long time no see, Lord Eddard."
"You?!..."
Eddard looked at Roman as if he had seen a ghost, but the latter did not want to waste words; he hoisted Eddard onto his back and walked out.
"Lord Eddard, let's get out first. We can talk once we are safe!"
Roman hurried through the secret passage with the Lord of Winterfell on his back. Eddard saw black-clad soldiers guarding the way, the corpses of patrolling Guards scattered everywhere, and the damp air was filled with the sweet, bloody scent.
Due to the preparations made in advance, the group from Harrenhal managed to reach the seaside with Eddard without any major mishaps.
Roman gently placed Eddard on a small boat and instructed the other soldiers: "Take Lord Eddard directly to Lord Manderly's ship later. Leave the rest to them."
Watching the Harrenhal soldiers struggling to carry Eddard, whose leg injury had not yet healed, Roman thought of an idea.
He pulled Eddard and asked: "Lord Eddard, was it the Master of Coin, Baelish, who betrayed you?"
Hearing that name, anger flared in Eddard's eyes.
"Yes! That dishonorable fellow, he and Janos were in cahoots, and my Guards died because of them!"
Roman: "Good! Then just wait for my gift."
After saying this, Roman retreated into the shadows, and soon a sound of commotion came from within.
Eddard did not know what Roman was going to do, but the surrounding Harrenhal soldiers had already started to laugh.
In the Master of Coin's bedroom, Baelish, having been busy all day, finally returned to his private residence.
Littlefinger silently took off his clothes and leaned lazily against the chair. Since betraying Eddard, he had been entrusted with heavy responsibilities by Cersei and was hinted that he could inherit Harrenhal after the Hean Family was defeated in the future.
Now the waters of Westeros had been muddied, the lions and the wolves were about to clash, and chaos was the channel for a small person like him to rise.
Littlefinger lit a candle and studied his face in the dim light. Years of silence and aging had stripped Baelish's face of its former vitality, leaving only the calculation of every last bit.
He looked at this mirror from Harrenhal, recently bestowed by the Queen, and began to scheme about Roman in his heart.
For Littlefinger, Roman was an uncertain factor; he was hesitating whether to drag Roman into the fray.
However, soon, Baelish stopped thinking, because he saw Roman behind him!
"Help..."
Roman grabbed Baelish by the neck from behind. His cry for help was stuck in his throat before it could be uttered, and then Littlefinger passed out.