"Galon, Protector of the King!"
The thunderous cries rolled through the crossing camp like crashing waves upon a storm-tossed sea.
Filled with hope and fanatic devotion, the cheers echoed into every corner of the encampment.
They even penetrated the thick canvas of a prison tent and reached the ears of a captive.
Kevan slowly regained consciousness.
His head throbbed as though it had been struck by a siege hammer. With great effort, he opened his eyes.
Above him was the unfamiliar ceiling of a tent.
'Where... am I? Wasn't I on the battlefield... fighting the northern host?'
''Protector of the King'... Galon...'
'Who is that?'
His mind remained clouded, unable to piece together where he was or what had happened.
Only after the roaring chants outside gradually subsided did the northern guards notice that he was awake.
"He's awake!"
"The Lannister's awake! Go inform the lords!"
A soldier outside immediately sprinted off to notify Galon and the others.
The commotion finally stirred Kevan's memory.
'I lost...'
'I actually lost?'
He struggled to rise, only to discover his hands were tightly bound behind his back.
All he could manage was to sit upright.
'Galon Glover... Protector of the King? Heh... What an arrogant title.'
Calm gradually returned to his eyes.
He began recalling everything he knew about House Glover, searching for any opportunity to escape.
....
Meanwhile...
Galon had left the tent where Robb's coffin rested.
Surrounded by the gathered lords, he entered the command tent at the crossing camp.
Everyone assembled around a large campaign map spread across the central table, discussing their next course of action.
"The Lannisters have been defeated."
One of the riverlords spoke optimistically.
"Kevan Lannister himself is our prisoner."
"If we negotiate with the Iron Throne now, they'll have no choice but to accept whatever terms we demand."
"Impossible." Lord Cerwyn immediately rejected the idea. "That old lion Tywin will never surrender unless he's driven into a corner."
"And don't forget. He still has the strength of the southern kingdoms behind him."
"Then what do we do next?"
Lord Bracken cut in.
"After today's battle we've suffered devastating losses.
Even counting Lord Glover's men, we have barely more than seven thousand soldiers left.
If the Lannisters attack again... How are we supposed to fight?"
"And what exactly are you suggesting, Lord Bracken?" Lord Blackwood sneered. "Surrender again?"
"You..."
Another argument was about to erupt.
Bang!
Galon slammed his hand onto the table.
"Enough!"
His voice cracked through the tent. "Now is not the time for quarrels."
After a brief pause, he looked around at everyone. "Whatever we decide afterward... There is one matter we must settle first."
Lady Mormont frowned.
"What matter?"
"Kevan Lannister." Galon's voice became even colder. "Why did he suddenly appear here?"
"And why did he attack precisely after our king was murdered... and after Bolton departed?"
"Can he predict the future?"
His words immediately silenced the room.
"Could it simply be coincidence?"
Wylis Manderly ventured.
"No."
Galon already suspected that Bolton had secretly informed the Lannisters, triggering the sudden attack.
Even if Bolton had done nothing...
Galon intended to plant the seed of suspicion anyway.
"The Lannisters numbered barely over ten thousand.
If Robb had lived...If Bolton hadn't departed...There would have been nearly twenty thousand troops in this camp.
Kevan is an experienced commander.
Without certain intelligence, why would he recklessly attack an army nearly twice his size?
He must have known the true condition of our camp before he marched."
Galon slowly surveyed the assembled lords as he spoke, carefully watching every reaction.
His reasoning quickly won their approval.
"Lord Glover is right.
We've been locked in a stalemate with the Lannisters. Kevan wouldn't attack without confidence of victory.
Think about the timing.
He marched from Harrenhal exactly two days after King Robb was killed.
It's too perfect. Far too perfect."
As each lord continued the discussion, an increasingly horrifying possibility took shape.
"A traitor!" Greatjon roared, his eyes blazing. "We have a traitor among us!"
Instantly the tent exploded into furious shouting.
"Who was it?"
"Who betrayed us?"
Lord Bracken shouted angrily.
Yet his eyes remained fixed on Lord Blackwood.
Blackwood answered with a cold smile, preparing to fire back. Before he could, a guard burst into the tent.
"My lords!"
"Kevan Lannister is awake!"
Galon immediately raised his head. A sharp gleam flashed through his eyes.
"Bring Kevan Lannister here."
"If there truly is a traitor... We'll simply ask him."
The guard saluted and hurried away. The other lords reluctantly swallowed their anger and waited.
Moments later...
Kevan entered the command tent under heavy guard. Three soldiers escorted him forward, his wrists tightly bound with rope.
He stood proudly in the center of the tent despite his captivity.
His face showed no fear.
Instead, he calmly surveyed the gathering.
When he saw the hatred burning in every pair of eyes around him, his heart quietly sank.
Finally, his gaze settled upon Galon.
"So..."
"Have you lords decided to execute me?"
The gathered nobles stirred.
Several opened their mouths to threaten him. Yet after noticing Galon's composed expression, they fell silent again.
Once the tent had quieted, Galon finally spoke.
"Ser Kevan."
He walked forward until he stood directly before the Lannister commander.
Looking down at him, he said evenly,
"You are Lord Tywin's brother. His most trusted lieutenant. I have no intention of harming you."
"In fact..."
"There is something I'd like to ask you."
Kevan's eyebrow rose.
"Ask me?"
"Yes."
"I want to know why, after barely arriving at Harrenhal, you immediately marched against us."
"Was Lord Tywin pursuing some larger plan?"
Rather than asking directly about the suspected traitor, Galon began with Kevan's military movements.
He hoped to uncover Tywin's overall strategy first. If Bolton happened to be involved...
All the better.
Kevan looked at Galon and laughed mockingly. "You think I'd betray my own family? I'm not one of you northerners..."
Before finishing his sentence, however, a thought suddenly crossed his mind.
'That flayed bastard Bolton tried to trick me into destroying myself against the northern army while he claimed all the rewards.'
'Hmph. Not a chance.'
'This Glover isn't easy to deal with either. I might as well expose Bolton.'
'Let them tear each other apart. It weakens the North... And buys Tywin more time.'
Having made up his mind, Kevan looked directly at Galon.
His tone suddenly changed. "I'm not like your Lord Bolton. I don't betray my own people."
Boom.
In only a few heartbeats...
The entire command tent erupted.
Just two words—"Lord Bolton"—turned the room upside down.
Fury and outraged shouts exploded from every corner of the tent.
__________
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