After all arrangements were settled, Eddard Stark left Robb Stark behind to manage the household, assigning Maester Luwin and Ser Rodrik to assist him, one serving in civil matters and the other in military.
As Eddard Stark's eldest son, it was time for him to take on major responsibilities.
Eddard Stark himself, along with his wife Catelyn, his daughters Sansa and Arya, his sons Bran and Rickon, and his steward, journeyed south with King Robert's entourage.
Jon Snow and Ygritte also traveled south with him.
This was because Catelyn Tully felt it necessary for Jon Snow to be away from Winterfell, and Ygritte also required proper lady's education.
However, Mufasa did not head south directly; instead, he and Tyrion joined Benjen Stark to travel to the Wall to investigate the situation with the wildlings.
King Robert and Hand Eddard would decide on the subsequent deployment based on their findings.
The two groups parted ways on the Kingsroad: some heading south, others heading north.
As he was leaving, Myrcella grabbed Mufasa's hand tightly.
"Brother Mufasa, you absolutely must come back alive!"
Hearing her words, Mufasa was speechless. Was she indirectly cursing him to die? He responded by flicking her on the forehead.
"Ow!"
Myrcella clutched her head and wailed.
"Why are you bullying me!"
"Because I think you're strangely cute! Hahaha!" Mufasa ruffled her hair.
"Perhaps, we won't need to wait long; we might even return to King's Landing before you do!" Mufasa said.
"How is that possible? I don't believe it," Myrcella replied, her wide eyes full of disbelief.
"I have the Red Hare; it travels a thousand *li* a day! It crosses snow as if on flat ground, much faster than all of you!" Mufasa explained.
"Mufasa, we will be staying in the Riverlands for a while, so why don't we meet up there! I've always wanted to visit the Ruby Ford to see if any of Rhaegar's rubies are still left," Joffrey said.
"Joff, I need to remind you of something: don't bully people casually, especially someone like a butcher's apprentice!" Mufasa warned.
"Why would I bully a butcher's apprentice for no reason? What if they come back for revenge late at night with a slaughtering knife? I wouldn't dare!" Joffrey replied.
Just thinking about the scene was terrifying: someone arriving quietly at his tent in the dead of night, holding a slaughtering knife, then a quick slash, blood splattering on the canvas.
He'd be instantly gutted.
Worse, his flesh might be made into meat pies for Robert and Cersei to eat, and they'd even find them delicious.
Joffrey got goosebumps just thinking about it.
Afterward, Mufasa said his goodbyes to everyone else individually.
"Ser Mufasa, when we get to King's Landing, can I join your Lionheart Society?" Sansa asked him.
"And why do you want to join the Lionheart Society? Right now, besides the founding members, it's mostly just little children!" Mufasa replied.
Mufasa's Lionheart Society had recruited new members at the North Sea Kindergarten before coming to Winterfell.
"Because I want to understand more about what a lion is," Sansa said, a glint flashing in her eyes.
"Alright, suit yourself! But you can only join the Lionheart Society after passing a test," Mufasa said, waving his hand.
"I will definitely pass the test!" Sansa declared, clenching her fists.
Once everyone had said their farewells, both parties began their respective journeys.
Mufasa's group consisted of Benjen Stark, Tyrion, his two attendants Podrick and Aguda, and the witch Melisandre.
She had initially refused to go to the Wall because her power, the power of the Lord of Light, would be greatly weakened there.
Without a sacrifice, her power would be less than that of an ordinary person! Even the Lord of Light could not grant her much strength there.
However, Mufasa told her a secret: there was a dragon egg in Queenscrown, laid by Queen Alysanne when she flew her dragon there.
Mufasa knew about the dragon egg because he had seen it when the Green Seer pulled him into his domain.
Although Mufasa didn't know its exact location now, he had indeed seen a dragon lay an egg in the snow more than two hundred years ago, unnoticed by anyone.
Perhaps the Wall's power made the dragon uncomfortable, causing it to abandon the egg.
Mufasa and his companions traveled light: Benjen Stark and Tyrion rode the same horse, Wuzhui (Black Steed); Aguda and Podrick rode the Red Hare.
Mufasa and Melisandre rode the white lion, Hraka.
Since Mufasa was shorter than Melisandre, he sat in front while she hugged him from behind.
Mufasa clearly felt her intriguing presence.
Although Mufasa wasn't sure of her age, he was certain that Melisandre was definitely not a centuries-old crone relying on the ruby around her neck to maintain her youth.
Their speed was very fast, at least three times that of traveling by horseback.
After reaching the Wolfswood, they encountered another group, also members of the Night's Watch.
This was a Watchman named Yoren, who was responsible for scouting the entire continent for potential Night's Watch recruits, usually prisoners found in jails.
This time, he was bringing two criminals: one a murderer, the other a rapist.
"Hey, Benjen! Your company looks strange! Beauty and the Beast, and a dwarf, hahaha!" Yoren laughed.
"I am a giant in thought, not a dwarf."
Tyrion dismounted and spoke to Yoren while relieving himself.
"Our giant seems to have some real substance, hahaha, very amusing," Yoren roared with laughter as he looked at Tyrion.
"It's too cold; let's start a fire!" Mufasa suggested.
He wanted to try out his Firebird spell.
Mufasa used the Firebird spell on the pile of wood.
Three burning, sparrow-sized birds flew into the woodpile, instantly setting the logs ablaze.
"Is that witchcraft?" Yoren asked.
"You don't look very old! Are you heading to the Wall too?"
"I bear the King's Command!" Mufasa stated.
"A death sentence? You killed someone?" Yoren asked. He thought the child seemed quite fierce, killing someone at such a young age.
"No, Tyrion and I are King Robert's envoys, traveling to the Wall to investigate the situation with the wildlings and the Others." Mufasa corrected.
"The King's envoys, huh? I hope you aren't some kind of foolish strategists! The Night's Watch stands apart; we take no part with the armies, powers, or houses of the Seven Kingdoms."
"We are the sword in the darkness, the watchers on the Wall, the fire that burns against the cold, the light that brings the dawn, the horn that wakes the sleepers, the shield that guards the realms of men," Yoren recited.
"Yet, the noble Black Knights of the past seem to be long gone!" Mufasa retorted.
"You!" Yoren glared at him, displeased. Why bring up past failings? Couldn't he just bask in the glory of the past for a moment?
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