The meeting concluded, and Robb signaled for Jon to stay behind.
The Northern and River lords departed one by one. As they passed Jon, many cast unfriendly glances his way.
The Greatjon even spat on the ground behind him before stalking off.
Rickard Karstark, despite knowing Jon had saved his son Harrion, walked out with his head held high, deliberately ignoring Jon's presence.
Soon, only Robb, Catelyn, Brynden the Blackfish, Edmure Tully, and Jon remained in the hall.
Theon Greyjoy also slipped in during the confusion.
He had heard about the earlier commotion and came to see for himself.
He couldn't understand why Jon would stop Robb from becoming King.
Once only the core group remained, Robb addressed his great-uncle, the Blackfish.
"Great-uncle, I wish to appoint you Warden of the Southern Marches. You will command the Riverlands' armies until the war ends. Uncle Edmure, you will assist him."
"Rest assured, I will integrate the Riverlands' forces in the shortest time possible," Brynden promised.
Edmure, who wasn't much older than Robb, accepted the arrangement as well.
Robb nodded. This seasoned and capable great-uncle was one of the people he trusted most.
He then turned to Catelyn.
"Mother, I need you to contact Renly for me. Perhaps..."
"I understand," Catelyn said. "I will find a way to forge an alliance with him."
In truth, Catelyn knew an alliance would have been much easier if Robb hadn't declared himself King.
But there was no other way now. Even if the chances were slim, she had to try—for her children.
Finally, Robb turned to Jon.
"Jon, your martial skills are exceptional. I hope you can protect my mother and accompany her."
Entrusting his mother's safety to Jon was a sign of immense trust from Robb.
The others looked at Jon. Theon, in particular, looked envious—though his jealousy had faded somewhat, he still wished he had that kind of trust.
But Jon didn't seem inclined to accept.
He knew Catelyn's trip was doomed to be a wasted effort.
Jon bowed to Robb.
"Robb, I've already refused you once today. By rights, I shouldn't refuse you again. But here is my thought: Since you've decided to help the River lords reclaim their lost lands, I want to contribute to that effort. As you know, our forces are stretched thin. At the Green Fork, I captured a mountain clan chief. He mentioned that the wildlings allied with the Lannisters are only a portion of their total numbers. I want to persuade the rest to join our army. Perhaps that can alleviate our manpower issues."
This time, Jon spoke calmly and logically.
Although he was refusing Robb again, both Robb and the others understood his reasoning.
Hearing that Jon could recruit an army from nearby, Robb agreed immediately.
After all, Renly was in the Stormlands, quite a distance from the Riverlands.
Distant water can't quench a nearby fire. Although they weren't desperate yet, getting fresh troops nearby was ideal.
So when Jon asked for weapons and armor, Robb agreed readily.
"We captured plenty of Westerlands soldiers. We're not short on gear. How about two thousand sets?"
Robb was unexpectedly generous.
Jon figured the Mountains of the Moon could yield maybe two thousand able-bodied men at most.
But Jon knew this was the peak time to "cash in favors." He had to ask for more.
"How about three thousand? Even if they're damaged, it's fine. The war will likely last a long time; I plan to recruit some militia in the Riverlands too."
"Three thousand... acceptable." Robb looked at Edmure. "Riverrun should still have some stock, right?"
"We do," Edmure nodded.
"Good. Jon, if you're in a hurry, I'll arrange horses and boats for you. As for the weapons and armor, I promise they'll be delivered before you return from the Mountains of the Moon."
Trying to send me away already? Fine by me. I don't want to waste time here either.
"For vengeance. For the North."
Hearing Jon say this, Robb paused slightly, then nodded solemnly.
---
"Jon, why did you try to stop Robb from becoming King?"
After leaving the hall, Theon voiced the question burning in his mind.
"Theon, out of everyone, I thought you would understand me best."
Huh? I don't understand at all. Theon stood there, unsure how to respond.
"Your father declared himself King and was crushed by King Robert. Your brothers died because of it. You should understand better than anyone that 'heavy is the head that wears the crown.' I'm worried about Robb. Becoming King puts a huge target on his back. And since you're by his side, and we've been like brothers for years, I don't want you in danger either."
Oh... so that's it. Jon really is a loyal guy.
Jon's mix of flattery and logic left Theon a bit dazed but touched.
"Do you remember our bet? If I won, you had to help me persuade someone."
"Of course. Name the person!" Theon agreed immediately, then quickly added, "But not Robb. Everyone wants him to be King."
"I know, so it's not him." Jon laughed, then his expression turned serious.
"Theon, if one day you were asked to kill Bran and Rickon, would you do it?"
"Jon!" Theon's eyes widened, his hair practically standing on end. "How could I do such a thing?! I treat them like little brothers!"
"What if your father, Balon, ordered you to?"
"He... why would he?"
Theon felt increasingly confused.
"The North is empty right now, and the Iron Islands are close. What if the Ironborn lords decide to attack the North and Winterfell?"
"They wouldn't. They..." Theon denied it instinctively, but a seed of doubt was planted.
As Jon had said before, Theon's thinking had become "Westernized"—or rather, "Greenlander-ized."
"Theon, I suspect Robb will soon send you to the Iron Islands to ally with Lord Balon. Don't try to stop him from attacking the North outright. Just say there's no rush. Tell him that if Robb invades the Westerlands, we can target the wealthy Westerlands instead. Can you do that?"
Theon looked at the boy half a head shorter than him, wondering how he could think so far ahead.
But remembering his promise, he agreed.
Seeing Theon's solemn promise, Jon decided to put the North out of his mind.
He turned his gaze toward King's Landing.
That was his stage.
Stannis had been just one step away from taking the city.
Now, with Jon in the mix, turning the tide wasn't impossible.