The next morning, the first rays of sunlight finally broke through the clouds.
After raging through the night, the storm had at last come to an end.
The rain-washed ground looked spotless.
Galon had not slept a single moment.
Now he strode briskly through the corridors of the eastern castle.
Every breath he took carried the thick scent of blood lingering between the stones, a smell that sharpened rather than dulled his senses.
Following behind him were not only the Bolton bannermen who had surrendered, but also several minor Riverlands nobles who had been coerced into supporting House Frey.
Moments earlier, while reassuring those lesser lords, Galon had received word that Edmure had awakened.
Without delay, the entire group hurried from the eastern castle toward the great hall of the western castle.
About fifteen minutes later, Galon led them back into the hall, which had only been hastily cleaned after the night's bloodshed.
Every lord of the North and the Riverlands was already assembled.
Edmure Tully, the nominal bridegroom of the Bloody Wedding, sat in the seat of honor with a bewildered expression.
Even now, he still had no idea what had happened.
His bride, Roslin Frey, stood beside him like a frightened doe.
Her face was pale, and it was obvious she had already guessed what awaited her.
"Galon..."
The moment Edmure saw him, it was as though he had found a lifeline.
He gently moved Roslin aside and hurried over.
"What... what happened? I only just woke up... and they told me the Freys and the Boltons betrayed us?"
Galon sighed heavily, wearing an expression of sorrow.
"Yes, Lord Edmure.
After King Robb's death, the Boltons and the Freys decided to surrender to the Lannisters.
They brought you to the Twins to control you.
They intended to use your wedding to lure the remaining loyal lords of the North and the Riverlands into a trap.
They coordinated with the Lannisters and had Kevan Lannister attack our camp.
If I hadn't arrived in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable."
He gave Edmure no time to process everything gradually, recounting everything that had happened over the past several days.
Edmure stood frozen, disbelief written across his face.
"No... that's impossible!"
He blurted out, "Lord Bolton was Robb's most trusted bannerman! And Lord Walder... he married Roslin to me!"
Seeing Edmure's refusal to believe the truth, the assembled lords could no longer remain silent.
"So one woman was enough to convince you?"
Rickard let out a cold laugh.
"Lord Tully, forgive my bluntness, but if Lord Galon hadn't turned the tide, you'd have spent the rest of your life imprisoned in the Twins with that woman."
Lord Bracken stepped forward next, his voice burning with anger.
"Exactly!
If not for the Protector, the Riverlands would already have become a hunting ground for the Lannisters!"
Even Lord Blackwood, who normally opposed Bracken on everything, offered no argument this time.
"My lord," he said solemnly, "no one blames you for being deceived by the Freys and the Boltons."
"But you should not question us."
"Too many good men died rescuing you."
"That's right."
"My lord, your words are deeply disappointing."
Faced with criticism from both his own bannermen and the veteran northern lords, Edmure's face turned crimson.
The pride of the Lord of Riverrun had been trampled into the ground.
He suddenly sprang to his feet, trembling with fury.
"Enough!"
His roar echoed through the hall.
"Bring Walder Frey and every Frey involved in this treason before me!"
Moments later, old Walder and dozens of his sons and grandsons who had participated in the conspiracy were dragged into the center of the hall like livestock.
"Lord Edmure... my dear good son..."
The moment Walder saw him, he forced a flattering smile and desperately tried to plead for mercy.
This time, however, he no longer faced the naive young man he had manipulated before.
He faced an enraged Tully.
"Silence, oathbreaker!"
Edmure strode toward him, drew a sword from a nearby soldier's belt, and leveled its point at Walder's throat.
"I'll ask you one question: Did you conspire with Bolton to betray our alliance?"
Looking into Edmure's bloodshot eyes, Walder finally realized there was no escaping the truth.
His legs gave way beneath him.
"No... it wasn't me!"
"It was all Bolton's idea! He deceived me!"
"Roslin... my daughter! Please! Beg the lord for me!"
Walder desperately cried out to Roslin.
She stood frozen, unable to move.
Edmure turned toward her.
The woman who had comforted him over the past few days now stood there with tears streaming down her face.
He slowly closed his eyes.
After taking a deep breath, he gave his order.
"Take them away."
"Every Frey involved in this treason. Leave none alive. Hang every one of them from the castle walls."
"No!"
Panic erupted among the Freys.
Their desperate pleas and furious curses echoed throughout the hall.
"Lord Glover! You promised us! You said if we surrendered—"
The soldiers surged forward before anyone could finish speaking, dragging the condemned traitors from the hall one by one.
Their voices gradually faded.
Soon afterward came screams...
Then silence.
Only then did Roslin's strength finally fail her.
Her knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the floor as tears flowed uncontrollably.
Edmure looked at her, his heart torn between pity, disgust, sorrow, and anger.
"Someone."
"Escort Lady Roslin back to her chambers."
The moment he addressed her as "Lady Roslin" rather than his wife, Galon knew the marriage was over.
He watched as the soldiers gently helped the grieving woman away.
Only after Edmure had finally vented his rage did Galon step forward and place a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"My lord."
"The greatest poison in the Riverlands has been removed. There is no need to let your anger consume you."
He continued gravely,
"Our situation is still dangerous. You should be thinking about the future of the Riverlands and the Twins."
Edmure looked utterly exhausted.
"What do you think we should do, Galon?"
"We must appoint a new Lord of the Twins. We still need the strength of House Frey to continue the war."
Edmure frowned.
"But the Freys betrayed us. What makes you think another Frey won't hate us just the same?"
Galon shook his head.
"Not every Frey betrayed the Riverlands. One of them has aided us from the very beginning."
"Who?"
"Ser Patrek Frey."
Galon calmly laid out the case.
"Ser Patrek is loyal, capable, and honorable. He once served in the King's Guard.
At the crossing camp, he volunteered to become our agent inside the Twins.
It was he who opened the gates for us, making our victory possible.
If he inherits the Twins, the remaining Freys will have someone they can accept.
It will also demonstrate your mercy and justice to every house in the Riverlands."
The hall erupted into discussion.
Only after entering the castle the previous night had most of the lords learned of Galon and Patrek's secret plan.
Now, whether from genuine agreement or a desire to support Galon, nearly everyone voiced approval.
"That's right."
"Ser Patrek served King Robb. He won't betray us."
"If Lord Glover recommends him, he's worthy of the position."
Edmure considered the proposal for a long moment.
Finally, he nodded. "Very well. I appoint Ser Patrek Frey as the new Lord of the Twins."
Patrek was quickly summoned into the hall.
When he heard the appointment, his entire body trembled with excitement. He immediately knelt before Edmure and swore his oath of fealty.
After finishing, however, he walked over to Galon and gave him a grateful nod.
Galon smiled.
"Lord Patrek. You should begin stabilizing the Twins immediately."
He paused, letting his gaze sweep across Edmure, the Riverlords, and the northern lords alike.
"My lords.
The traitors within our ranks have been eliminated. But our true enemy still sits in King's Landing.
Tywin Lannister will not let us go unchallenged."
Galon slowly walked to the center of the hall.
Without realizing it, he had become the one setting the course for the war rather than Edmure.
"I have decided.
We will gather all our forces and return to the crossing camp.
There we will rebuild our strength while awaiting Lady Catelyn's negotiations with the Vale.
When the knights of the Vale join us..."
His crimson eyes burned with determination.
"We will march south. We will seize Harrenhal. Then we will force the Lannisters into battle...
And avenge our king."
The clear and ambitious strategy rekindled hope throughout the hall.
"Vengeance!"
"Vengeance!"
As the cries echoed through the chamber, Galon lowered his eyes, concealing the bloody ambition burning within them.
'Now...It all depends on Catelyn's success in the Vale. She should have received my letter by now.'
Once the cheers subsided, Galon and Edmure continued discussing the finer details of their plans.
When every arrangement had finally been settled, the war machine of the North and the Riverlands began moving once more.
Just three days later, with morale restored, the united army marched back to the crossing camp.
At the same time, Catelyn finally received the news of Robb's death.
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