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Outside Winterfell, in the Winter Market, stood a tavern called Smoke and Cinder.
The Smoke and Cinder was the largest tavern in the Winter Market. Besides food and drink, it also offered lodging and various kinds of entertainment.
Naturally, some people came here to exchange information, investigate rumors, or conduct certain discreet dealings.
La-la! Dlim-dlim!
At that moment, inside the tavern, a carefree bard was playing and singing the lively Westerosi classic, "The Bear and the Maiden Fair."
Winterfell peasants with a bit of spare coin, passing merchants chasing profit, and mercenaries looking for work—all kinds of people gathered there, drinking and chatting loudly.
"Did you hear? Lord Robb of House Stark defeated dozens of wildlings who invaded the North."
After plenty of food and drink, a plump man with a prosperous appearance, his eyes cloudy with alcohol, brought it up as if he were revealing a great secret.
"Hic… who doesn't know that? Anyone who isn't blind saw that pile of wildling heads by the road."
A middle-aged merchant at the same table replied with a belch, mocking the well-known story.
"But do you know the most important part? That creature that follows him… the direwolf."
"I saw it the day Lord Robb left the city. It was an imposing direwolf… and terrifying."
"Hm… the sigil of House Stark is a direwolf. Don't you think there might be some secret behind that?"
"Cough, cough."
The drunk fat man cleared his throat, lowering his voice mysteriously.
"I'll tell you a secret… that direwolf is barely more than ten days old. It's still a pup!"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! I saw it with my own eyes. That was a full-grown wolf. Sonny, you've had too much to drink."
The moment Sonny finished speaking, one of the men who claimed to have seen the wolf immediately shot him down.
"It's true! House Stark found six pups, but Lord Robb's wolf is growing unbelievably fast."
Seeing everyone side with the other man, Sonny grew irritated and raised his voice.
"My brother-in-law works in the castle! He's part of the administration. He's the one who told me all this!"
"Say whatever you want, I'm not believing it. What I saw with my own eyes can't be wrong."
"Exactly. Lots of people saw that direwolf. It was an adult wolf. Maybe the other pups are its offspring."
"That's right! A pup turning into an adult in a few days? No one would believe that."
"Ah, forget it! If you don't believe me, that's your problem."
Seeing everyone laughing at him, Sonny lowered his head and started drinking silently.
"But I heard Lord Eddard has already declared Robb his heir."
"I heard that too. They say Robb was blessed by the Old Gods—a true Young Wolf with both intelligence and courage."
"Of course! He hunted down Bolton deserters during the night and defeated dozens of wildlings without losing a single man. He deserves the title Young Wolf."
"And that guard he created… the so-called 'Wolf Guard.' They say each of them can fight ten men."
"Yes, I also heard that—"
Even though Sonny had stopped talking, the topic he had started set the entire tavern buzzing. Everyone began sharing rumors and stories they had heard.
The North had been peaceful for so long that even a fight between ten men could be discussed for days. A battle involving hundreds of fighters was something far more extraordinary.
After all, many minor noble houses could barely maintain a hundred professional soldiers. Most local forces were made up of peasants called up to fight.
That was why Robb's recent feats kept spreading among the people of Winterfell.
Creeeak.
The tavern door opened.
A young man with dark brown hair and fair skin stepped inside. His face was handsome and youthful, and he wore leather armor marked with the direwolf sigil. A sword hung at his waist.
Several equally young soldiers dressed the same way followed behind him.
"That's Lord Theon! One of the six captains of the Wolf Guard, Lord Eddard's adopted son and Lord Robb's right hand."
"Impressive…"
"I wish I could join the Wolf Guard too. Do you think they accept mercenaries?"
Theon heard the comments—far from subtle—and couldn't help stopping to listen.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
His pride was thoroughly satisfied.
Seeing him stop, one of the squad members behind him lightly punched his shoulder.
Theon immediately snapped back to reality.
Remembering the mission, his eyes began scanning the room.
Suddenly, they lit up.
He quickly walked toward Sonny, who was still drinking alone.
"You're Sonny, right? Lord Robb wants to speak with you."
"Hic… Lord Robb wants to speak with me?"
Sonny lifted his head, still drunk.
When he saw the fully armed Theon standing before him, he suddenly remembered that he had revealed his brother-in-law's secret moments earlier.
The alcohol haze vanished instantly.
"Help this drunken Sonny up."
Theon tilted his head toward the men behind him.
The soldiers immediately grabbed Sonny and began dragging him out of the tavern.
Crash!
Sonny tried to resist.
During the struggle, cups and plates fell to the floor.
The surrounding patrons quickly backed away. No one wanted to get involved.
Theon frowned.
Without hesitation, he threw a punch that knocked Sonny out cold.
The soldiers continued dragging the unconscious man out of the tavern.
Theon looked around the suddenly quiet tavern.
Then he pulled a small coin pouch from his pocket and tossed it to a waitress wearing a servant's apron.
Taking the opportunity, he slapped her on the backside and announced loudly:
"This round is on Lord Robb!"
"Woo! Long live the Young Wolf!"
"The generous Lord Robb!"
"Lucy! Bring me a golden Arbor wine!"
"Sorry, we don't have that."
"Then bring me your best ale!"
After Theon left the Smoke and Cinder tavern, the bard resumed playing his music, blending with the noise of conversation and laughter.
The customers quickly forgot about Sonny.
They returned to drinking and enjoying themselves.
Of course… some people hidden among the crowd had not forgotten him.
They quietly left the tavern.
…
"So my stablemaster was a spy?"
In Winterfell's study, Eddard stared at his son.
He pressed two fingers to his temple while frowning.
"Yes, father. We still don't know who he was working for, but he was indeed passing along information about our movements."
Robb nodded and continued:
"Father, I would like to establish our own intelligence network. At the moment we rely entirely on information brought by others. That prevents us from obtaining reliable reports in time."
"Where is the stablemaster now?"
Eddard did not respond to the proposal.
He simply asked another question.
"He died. He didn't survive the interrogation."
"This time you were reckless, Robb."
Eddard sighed.
"Even knowing he likely didn't work for the king, did you consider that he might have been a spy of the Crown?"
"Father, our house has protected the North for centuries. Do we truly need to fear whether an unknown spy belongs to the Crown?"
Robb answered calmly.
"If the Crown itself decided to destroy our house, should we simply accept our fate?"
Hearing this, Eddard's expression changed.
He struck the table.
"I do not want to hear words like that again. House Stark has sworn loyalty to the Iron Throne, and oaths must be honored.
Honoring promises and keeping oaths is the reason our house has maintained its honor for thousands of years.
Do not speak of building an intelligence network again. The North is peaceful and stable. We have no need for such things.
You may leave now."
"Yes, father."
Robb restrained his emotions.
Eddard's words had deeply disappointed him.
Even so, he kept his expression calm. After bowing, he walked toward the door.
As he opened it, he suddenly remembered something.
He turned back.
"Ah, father. The wildling woman we captured said that when they were surrounded in Bolton lands, the route leading into our territory suddenly opened.
The blockade simply disappeared."
Robb paused briefly.
"Father… perhaps the North is not as peaceful as you think."
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