The news from the North that made Kal curious and uneasy did not arrive until nightfall—only when he was already preparing to go to bed did it finally come.
Outside the window, the glow of the red comet replaced the moon, staining the sky a deep blood-red.
Inside the bedroom, Lady Arwyn Oakheart, who had already been stripped of her status as the Lady of Crakehall, stood quietly to one side.
The others present were Ser Arys Oakheart, who as a member of the Iron Guard was required to stand watch for Kal; the maester of Crakehall, who had been conveniently pulled in to act as an advisor; and Jon White Wolf, who had personally delivered the news.
Together with Jon came a force of two thousand men.
This force was reinforcements secretly dispatched by Tyrion Lannister after learning that Kal had actually taken Crakehall. Realizing what Kal would do next, Tyrion had sent them quietly.
But clearly, he was still half a step too late.
Along the way, as Jon passed through Crakehall, he had also conveniently brought with him this letter that had been sent directly from Winterfell to Crakehall.
"This letter was personally written from Winterfell by Uncle Benjen of Castle Black. He has already become the new Lord Commander of the Night's Watch."
"And because Tywin Lannister took all the ravens with him after his betrayal, this letter only reached Winterfell after they exhausted every effort—riding their remaining few horses until half of them dropped dead—before it could be sent."
Jon had many things he wanted to say, but they all seemed to clog his throat, and in the end he only managed to say these words.
His expression was somewhat uneasy—perhaps anxious.
Kal, on the other hand, said nothing. He remained silent, calmly reading the letter in his hands, his face showing little expression.
Also following Jon was Ghost, lying at the doorway. His blood-red eyes looked at Kal with a trace of fear; from time to time he let out low whimpering sounds, yet he did not dare disturb the one reading the letter.
After a while, Kal silently set the letter down and pushed it aside. His gaze turned toward the blood-red sky outside the window, and his fingers unconsciously tapped lightly on the tabletop.
Seeing that Kal did not speak, Jon grew even more anxious.
Although Jon knew that after finishing the letter Kal had already learned about what had happened at the Wall, as well as at Last Hearth, he still could not help but speak.
"My uncle's meaning is that the Night's Watch will still adhere to its oath and not involve itself in the internal affairs of the realm," he said, "but they need aid. He hopes that Your Majesty might consider reinforcing them with an additional force."
"During the war between King Robert and Tywin Lannister, there was already some unrest beyond the Wall. The movements of the wildlings were uncertain, and the Night's Watch, which had originally planned to investigate this issue, had to suspend those plans. Because of that, Uncle Benjen is extremely worried about the situation."
"And then there is also—" he hesitated, "—it is said that there was an incident at Castle Black where wights killed people, but all the evidence was destroyed."
"My uncle wants to investigate this matter thoroughly," he said, "in order to protect the safety of the realm."
As Jon spoke, he felt ashamed of making such a request, and by the end his voice had grown quieter and quieter
After all, King Robert's side had already handed over men to them, and out of concern that a sudden increase in numbers might impact the Night's Watch, considerable effort had already been made to accommodate it.
And now?
Not only had the Night's Watch botched the matter, they had also brought a major trouble upon the realm.
Moreover, this happened after King Robert had suddenly been assassinated, and after Kal had captured the assassin and identified who was behind it, at which point the realm had already issued a warning to the Night's Watch.
It could be said that if Kal chose to pursue responsibility for this affair, not a single member of the Night's Watch would be able to escape blame.
Yet now, after causing this disaster, the Night's Watch not only did not want to deal with it themselves, they even dared to turn around and ask the realm for men and supplies?
If that was not shameless, then what was?
As for the wights mentioned in the letter, although Jon felt that Uncle Benjen would not lie about such a matter, he could not help but maintain a degree of doubt.
After all, the claim was simply too absurd.
It was entirely based on the Night's Watch's own assertions, and instead seemed more like an excuse.
As for why Jon, knowing all this, still chose to step forward and speak—
Well, in truth, he was simply pleading on behalf of his uncle, hoping that Kal would show leniency.
Kal did not pay attention to Jon's small, careful thoughts. He looked at the comet still hanging high outside the window, but in fact he was thinking about other matters.
Tywin's rebellion had already become an established fact, and Jeor Mormont had also died due to his own negligence. Kal could not be bothered to pursue the matter any further.
He was thinking about what it was that supported Tywin Lannister's sheer audacity—what made him dare to truly launch a rebellion again.
If it was a matter of hiring assassins to kill Robert and himself, that could be explained.
After all, he had already lost everything. Making one last gamble—taking out wealth that he had no use for anymore to trade for Robert and Kal's lives—could also be considered taking revenge for Jaime Lannister and Cersei Lannister, and venting his anger.
After all, for House Lannister to end up having lost everything, reaching this point today, it could be said that it had countless threads of connection to Kal. No one in that position could possibly swallow that anger so easily.
What was more, even if he did it quietly, no one would suspect him.
After all, when the Faceless Men kill, who could ever find evidence?
And he, a defeated general, had long since been exiled to the border, with nothing to his name—freezing and starving every day. Who would even remember him?
So Kal did not believe Tywin had truly gone mad. If he was going to go mad, why had he not gone mad earlier?
Moreover, at the Wall, in that bitterly cold land where there was nothing to be had, how could he possibly have had an opportunity?
Why do something so thankless and exhausting, something that would instead bring ruin upon himself?
So even if he kept close watch on matters in King's Landing and knew that Robert was dead, there was no need at all for him to do anything extra.
In freezing weather, leading a group of battered remnants, lacking supplies and food, weapons and armor, mounts, and cold-weather protection—everything was lacking—and with them being southerners by nature, what courage would they have to raise the banners and rebel?
Roose Bolton?
No. This Lord of Leech would not be so foolish. He had no motive at all to do such a thankless thing—the reasoning was the same as above: there was simply no need.
In such a matter, even if he harbored ten thousand ambitions toward House Stark, he would never choose to join forces with Tywin Lannister.
Even if he truly did, it would certainly be as a scheme against Tywin Lannister—wanting to watch the farce from the side, and perhaps seek profit for himself, would be far more likely.
If Tywin Lannister truly did such a thing, he could sit back and watch two tigers fight; when the time was right, wouldn't it be wonderful to seize the chance and strike back with an accusation?
It would be a double harvest of profit and reputation.
What was more, if Eddard Stark did not die and the Seven Kingdoms were not thrown into chaos, Roose Bolton would have to have had his head crushed in a door to involve himself in this game of power.
Kal did not believe that Tywin Lannister could fail to see through such a low-end scheme.
Unless he had an even deeper trump card and further contingencies that he had yet to reveal.
At that thought, the fingers with which Kal had been tapping the tabletop suddenly paused.
"Before leaving, I asked Tyrion to keep a close watch on the Iron Islands. Is there any news on that front?"
Jon had spoken for quite some time without receiving any response from Kal, and the oppressive silence made him uneasy.
Kal's sudden question snapped him back to his senses.
What he had not expected was that the first thing Kal asked about was actually news of the Iron Islands.
At that, Jon suddenly recalled some words Tyrion had secretly and personally come from Casterly Rock to Lannisport to tell him before he led his troops away.
Now that Kal asked, Jon frowned slightly and replied, "There has been some movement, but Tyrion said he cannot quite make out what they are trying to do—"
This information was not written in the letter. Tyrion had specifically instructed Jon to answer only when Kal asked about it.
Even speaking of it now, Jon still did not fully understand the issue and remained somewhat puzzled.
Yet as he spoke, Kal's eyes gradually brightened.
The corners of his mouth followed with a cold smile.
"Tywin Lannister cannot stir up much in the North. The snow there is enough to bury all his ambitions, so even if he launches a surprise attack and takes Last Hearth, it is not anything too serious."
"And I believe Robb can handle this matter well."
"But— the Iron Islands."
As for Tywin Lannister trying to cause trouble north of the North, Kal did not actually care very much.
What concerned him more was the information revealed by why Tywin Lannister would do such a thing.
At that moment, Lady Arwyn Oakheart—who had come thick-skinned to attend the meeting—quietly analyzed the exchange between the two. Clever as she was, she also picked up on something from Kal's few words.
She asked instinctively, "Your Majesty, are you worried that the Iron Islands had already colluded with Tywin Lannister long ago?"
Her tone when speaking to Kal was extremely respectful, yet firm and resonant.
Hearing this, everyone else in the room besides Kal—Jon and Arys, and even the maester of Crakehall, who had been acting as if he were a piece of wood—was momentarily taken aback.
But as a man of the North, Jon was the first to snap to his senses, and a thought immediately followed in his mind.
"But the North is so vast. Even if the Iron Islands truly colluded with Tywin, there would be no need for him to join forces with Tywin Lannister, would there?"
"And I also remember that King Balon's two sons died in the battle at Lannisport, and Theon—Theon—"
As he spoke, Jon suddenly widened his eyes, as if he had realized something.
Seeing that Jon had finally reacted, Kal let out a cold laugh, withdrew his gaze from the window, and turned his head back.
"I have to say, looking at it carefully now, this move of Tywin Lannister's is truly deep. I even have to suspect that he still has more methods left unused—"
Kal narrowed his eyes slightly and thought again of the Bolton family.
If a single excuse was not enough to pry open Roose Bolton's ambitions, then what about one, two, or three?
Until Tywin could pile up benefits and temptations sufficient to move a man's heart, then under shared interests, who would truly be the enemy?
But unfortunately for him, Kal would not give him that opportunity.
Since he had already been sent to hold the line against the Others, no matter how strong he was, he would be forced to remain there.
Wouldn't it be better to obediently serve as cannon fodder?
"It seems it's time to make use of Little Robert."
Kal narrowed his eyes, the faint smile at the corner of his mouth icy cold.
At the mention of this name, aside from Lady Arwyn Oakheart and the maester, both Jon and Arys immediately thought of that mischievous little dragon.
Yet a sense of confusion also rose in their minds. "Your Majesty, you mean Robert?"
In their impression, that little dragon seemed to do nothing all day but eat and sleep, wearing the look of a useless dragon proudly declaring itself useless.
Of course, no one would truly think a dragon was useless—it was just that it was still a bit too young.
Kal naturally knew what the two of them had misunderstood, and he shook his head slightly.
"I'm not referring to the little bastard at home. It's not his time to appear yet. I mean Robert Arryn of the Eyrie. I must now mobilize the armies of the Vale—the situation in the North cannot be allowed to fall into chaos."
Kal's voice was firm and resonant.
From the moment he chose to sit upon the Iron Throne, and up to now, when he had single-handedly made his choice regarding Highgarden and Renly Baratheon, from beginning to end, Kal had never once thought of calling upon the armies of the Vale or those 'connections' that supported him.
One reason was distance; the other was that the intensity of the war had not yet reached that stage.
To use those pieces at this time would amount to nothing more than wasteful consumption, achieving little of real effect.
Moreover, if not for his sudden dispatch of troops now, and earlier his sudden move against Crakehall, this contest over succession between him and his two Baratheon uncles would have remained nothing more than a war of words.
This was also part of the reason why Tyrion Lannister had consistently argued that Kal should first steady himself and deal with the Westerlands before anything else.
Kal was not truly lacking in strength or allies—he merely appeared somewhat awkward on the surface.
If it truly came to fighting, as long as Kal played it cautiously and immediately called upon the North, the Vale, and the Reach—those forces that could basically support him—then when the time came, Kal would not be incapable of grappling with his two uncles on the battlefield.
This was also why House Tyrell wanted to jump ship.
At such a time, if House Tyrell could place its bet on Kal and commit fully, the returns would be all but guaranteed, and they could even serve as the final straw that breaks the camel's back, plucking the most delicious fruit.
Just as House Lannister had done before.
This was also the main reason why all sides' actions were still limited to verbal sparring, and why Renly Baratheon and Stannis Baratheon had yet to make any moves.
Because at a stage like this, does everyone not first sort through the cards in their hands before playing them one by one?
Otherwise, why would Renly Baratheon and Stannis Baratheon both acknowledge Kal's legalized status, yet refuse to acknowledge his status as an heir to the throne?
If they wanted to win, they had to shout their slogans loudly, firm up their claims, and then find ways to secure the support of the nobles.
It was a very simple matter.
However, with Tywin's abnormal movements, Kal had not expected that the piece he had deliberately left in place would need to be set in motion so soon.
As for the wight incident that seemed somewhat insignificant in light of this news—
Since the originally designated Lannister force was no longer sufficient, then it would be replaced with one that was.
The same rule applied as always: no matter how chaotic things became south of the Neck, north of the Neck there absolutely could be no disorder.
Having made up his mind, Kal's gaze swept toward the maester of Crakehall, who since arriving here had been acting as if he were nothing more than a block of wood.
"Maester, draft a letter for me—in the name of House Baratheon's King Kal I, King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Ruler of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm—"
"Order Lord Robert of House Arryn of the Eyrie in the Vale to immediately muster the strength of all the nobles throughout the Vale and dispatch them all to the North to support the situation there."
"Warn them that I suspect the forces of the Iron Islands, and even those of the Free Trading Cities of Essos across the Narrow Sea, may seize this opportunity to invade the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros."
"As Wardens of the East, this falls within their duty."
Kal issued his orders calmly, but as he spoke, his gaze was involuntarily drawn to the heavy, deeply pressed lines of writing on the parchment.
After two seconds of contemplation, Kal suddenly added, "Also—no," he corrected himself, "place special emphasis on requiring House Royce of Runestone, House Redfort of Redfort, and House Belmore of Strongsong to proceed directly to the Wall at the fastest possible speed to support the Night's Watch."
"Huh?"
The people in the room, already shocked by Kal's sudden display of decisiveness, never expected that at the end he would specifically designate three great houses to bypass defensive duties and go straight to the Wall.
Seeing their confusion, Kal smiled faintly, his expression carrying a hint of mystery.
He extended his index finger and pressed it against the words on the letter describing the wight attack at night.
"Didn't Lord Commander Benjen Stark say it in the letter?"
"The Others have attacked."
"So I'm wondering—if we now gather all the strength of the Vale of Arryn and the entire Westerlands, will it be enough to force these monsters that are about to crawl out of their coffins into the sunlight back where they belong."
"I'm very curious how they will respond next."
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