Joel escaped.
Galon and Ser Rodrik spurred their horses into the Wolfswood in pursuit, but the night was deep and heavy. In the end, they still lost Joel's trail.
Galon reined in his horse and looked around the dark forest, then suggested to Ser Rodrik beside him.
"Ser, it looks like we won't be able to catch that fellow."
"It's already very late. If we run into wild beasts, it will be troublesome.
We should head back first and question the knights who left the castle with him. Let's find out exactly who he is."
Ser Rodrik nodded, frustrated. "That brat runs incredibly fast! His riding skills are impressive too. But if I ever catch him again, I'll break both his legs!"
Galon turned his horse around. "He ran into the Wolfswood. Whether he can even make it out alive is uncertain."
"We may not get another chance to meet him."
"Let's go, ser."
With a flick of the reins, Galon and Ser Rodrik headed back toward the Winter Town.
By the time they returned, the entire town was already surrounded by Winterfell soldiers.
The torches they held nearly turned the town as bright as day.
"What's going on here?" Ser Rodrik asked, calling over someone responsible for gathering information.
"My lord, that man is called Swiftfoot Joel. He came with the King's party. They say he's a free knight sworn to House Baratheon."
"Swiftfoot Joel?" Galon paused, then laughed. "His name fits him well. He really can run."
After a moment's thought, Galon turned to Ser Rodrik and said, "Ser, I'll return to Winterfell and report this to Lord Stark."
Ser Rodrik nodded. "Very well. Leave this place to me."
Galon did not hesitate. He urged his horse onward and galloped back to Winterfell.
A short while later, he arrived at the stables, dismounted, handed the reins to the groom, and quickly made his way toward the main keep.
About ten minutes later, Galon reached the corridor outside Ned's bedchamber and asked the attendant Desmond to announce him.
Desmond gestured for him to wait, then turned to report to Ned.
Before long, Desmond returned and led Galon to the door.
"Lord Galon, please enter."
Galon smiled and nodded to Desmond before stepping inside.
Ned, dressed in his night robe, stood as he often did by the window, gazing out over Winterfell under the night sky.
Hearing Galon's footsteps, he turned around. "Why are you here so late? Is there something urgent?"
"If this is to say farewell, it can wait until dawn."
Galon shook his head and said gravely, "My lord, this is not about farewells. A suspicious person was discovered in the Winter Town."
Ned looked puzzled.
"A suspicious person?" Then realization struck him. "Did you catch someone who conspired with Theon?"
Galon gave a wry smile. "I'm sorry, my lord. Ser Rodrik and I chased him into the Wolfswood, but he still managed to escape."
"He escaped?" Ned's expression fell. "What exactly happened?"
Galon quickly relayed everything he knew.
"Because of our plan, Ser Rodrik instructed the girls who entertain guests to keep an eye out for suspicious people."
"Tonight, one of them noticed a knight carrying a pouch of gold dragons.
He said it was payment for completing a task and that he would be leaving Winterfell the next day."
"That man was extremely alert.
Once he sensed something was wrong, he fled immediately. We chased him into the Wolfswood, but in the end he got away."
Ned listened quietly, then asked, "What is his identity?"
"He goes by the name Swiftfoot Joel. Supposedly a free knight of House Baratheon."
Galon answered at once.
"Swiftfoot Joel? One of Robert's free knights?"
Ned frowned deeply. Thoughts crowded his mind, leaving him momentarily unable to sort them out.
Seeing Ned think, Galon stood silently to the side.
After a while, Ned came back to himself. "I understand. Go back and rest early. You still have to set out at dawn."
Galon nodded. "Yes, my lord."
He turned toward the door, but just as he stepped out, he turned back once more.
"Lord Stark."
Meeting Ned's questioning gaze, Galon said earnestly, "When you go south to King's Landing, you must be extra careful."
He paused, then added in a low voice, "The King's entourage has already been infiltrated by people with ulterior motives.
The situation in King's Landing will only be more complicated. You must be careful."
Galon's sincerity brought a look of warmth to Ned's face.
Ned was about to respond when another troubling thought surfaced in his mind. 'Galon is loyal, intelligent, and sharp. Perhaps he can offer me some insight.'
With that, Ned said, "I've received some information suggesting that Jon Arryn may not have died of illness, but was murdered. What do you think of this?"
"What?" Galon stiffened and feigned shock. "How could that be? I remember the raven said he died of sickness."
Ned did not explain the source of his information. He only said vaguely, "It's just a suspicion for now. And I'm hesitating over whether I should still go south."
"Galon, I need your analysis.
I want you to advise me frankly, just as your father Galbart once did."
Galon's expression turned serious at once. He had not expected Ned to consider abandoning the journey south.
That could not be allowed.
His mind raced as he chose his words. "My lord, Jon Arryn served as the King's Hand in King's Landing for nearly ten years.
It can be said that the Seven Kingdoms functioned normally largely because of him."
After a brief pause, Galon continued, "If your suspicion is correct and he was indeed murdered, then the power behind it in King's Landing must be immense."
"If you go south rashly, my lord, you may easily follow the same path.
Anyone capable of murdering the Hand of the King must wield tremendous influence over the King. Perhaps even the King himself…"
Galon did not finish the sentence, but Ned understood the meaning clearly.
That was precisely why he had not outright rejected Robert. He feared that Robert himself might already be in danger.
Galon's analysis aligned exactly with his own thoughts, and Ned's heart sank.
"You mean the King himself may also be in danger?" He looked at Galon, hoping for a reasonable explanation.
"My lord, I cannot be certain.
But now we see people like Joel infiltrating the King's retinue, and you suspect Jon Arryn was murdered.
All of this makes me wonder whether the King has already lost control of King's Landing."
Galon continued, "Perhaps His Majesty truly stands at the center of the storm."
"I believe the King may have sensed this himself. That's why he traveled so far north, to ask you to become the Hand and regain control of the situation."
When Galon finished, Ned's emotions were in turmoil.
He recalled his conversation with Robert in the crypts, where Robert had spoken of the complicated situation in King's Landing.
Ned had once thought it merely an excuse to persuade him to serve as Hand. Now, after Galon's analysis, he could imagine just how dire the situation might be.
"If I do go to King's Landing, what should I do?"
He sighed and made his decision.
No matter what, he could not bring himself to stand aside knowing Robert might be in danger.
Galon's lips curved upward slightly. His goal had been achieved. Ned would go south.
After a brief moment of thought, he offered his advice.
"My lord, if you must go…"
Galon said solemnly, "You must take complete control of the City Watch, the Gold Cloaks who guard King's Landing."
"No matter what, you must ensure that the forces under your command are sufficient to stabilize the situation.
As for the other ministers, you can test them one by one to determine who are enemies and who are allies.
Win over your allies. Drive out your enemies."
When Galon finished, Ned looked at him with a complicated expression.
"Gerbert truly has a fine son. To be honest, you are more suited to be the King's Hand than I am."
Galon merely smiled faintly and did not reply.
Ned stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder. "I will consider your advice. Go back and rest early."
"Yes."
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