The Iron Throne of Ice and Fire

In the main hall of Riverrun, huge marble columns support the towering sky, and the surrounding walls are covered with gorgeous tapestries depicting history, legends and family crests.

On the high platform of the hall, the King of the North and the Trident, Robb Stark, sat on an oak chair with exquisitely carved patterns and a high back.

On Robb's head, the bronze and black iron sword crown emitted dim light under the torch, casting shadows and covering his eyes.

Guards in gray robes carried Martin Lannister's body on their shoulders and below the dais.

There was a sudden silence in the candlelight-swaying hall.

Traces of a struggle can be clearly seen on the corpse. The arms are all covered with sword wounds left by blocking, and red liquid is still slowly flowing out from the wounds on the chest and lower abdomen, as if many toothless mouths are dripping all over the body. saliva.

Edmure Tully stood on the right side of the king, with one hand on the back of his father's throne. He looked back from under the high platform and glanced at Brynden Tully beside him. His uncle was not easy. He tapped his chin slightly aware of it.

Under the high platform, Roose Bolton stood in front of the Northern vassals, his face still like an ice sculpture, as if he had not seen the corpse not far away.

King Robb looked down, and it took a while before his eyes left the bloody corpse.

There was no emotion in his voice: "Reynard, tell Greatjon to bring them in."

"As you command!" Leonard Westerling turned around, his footsteps echoing in the dull stone hall.

Not long after, the escort Greatjon appeared. He had many similarities with the prisoner in his hands. He was also tall, with a thick beard and long shoulder-length hair.

There were more than a dozen people following them. They all wore chainmail or ringmail made of iron rings, boots, and thick cloaks, some of which were made of wool or natural animal fur... They could only be passed through the hands. The possession of weapons determines who is the prisoner.

Two of the Greatjon's men were wounded, and three of the prisoners were struck by swords. Yesterday, to be exact... not long ago they were brothers fighting side by side and drinking together. The North is a cold and difficult place. The descendants of the ancestors who have grown there for generations have no mercy. They only recognize the lords they recognize.

When the prisoners stood up quietly and paused, King Robb's voice came from above: "Greatjon, are there only five of you?"

The Greatjon's groan was like a bell: "King Robb, we killed two people when we captured them, and one was seriously injured. He was dying, so we didn't bring him."

King Robb's eyes moved to the prisoner below: "Are you eight strong men going to kill an unarmed thirteen-year-old prisoner?"

At this time, seeing his uncle looking at him, Edmure quickly raised his voice and said, "In order to enter the cell, they also murdered two guards of the Tully family."

After saying that, Edmure glanced at his uncle as if he was taking credit.

"..." Ser Brynden pretended not to notice. The reason he asked Edmure to speak was just in case. The ancestors of the North were not only stubborn, but also reckless, and Robb was still new to the game of power. He was worried that his great-nephew king would be forced to kill. As the king with the bronze and black iron sword crown, he has the power to deal with criminals, but... the man below is Rickard Karstark, and Karstark is a branch of the Stark family. Family, and... that man was also a vassal of Robb's father.

Ser Brynden's eyes trembled. A wolf pack cannot have two wolf heads for a long time. Robb and his father must meet each other as soon as possible, otherwise the vassals in the north will be divided sooner or later. No matter how big or small, every lord has selfish motives, which cannot be solved simply by relying on the love between father and son.

Brynden's deep eyes slowly glanced at Earl Bolton and other northern vassals. There may be people with greater ambitions hiding there... Something is amiss today. He suspected that the simple-minded Earl of Karstark might It was inspired by someone with a good heart.

…………

"Lord Edmure, that was not murder." Lord Rickard refuted the accusations made by the heir of Riverrun without changing his expression.

He was tied tightly with ropes and his face was dripping with blood. He shouted to the king: "Even the king, no one has the right to prevent the father from avenging his son."

There was a hint of suppressed anger in King Robb's voice: "Karstark, during the battle in the Whispering Forest (Chapter 221), I saw your sons die with my own eyes. Torrhen Karstark ( Rickard's second son) and Eddard Karstark (Rickard's third son) did not die at the hands of Martin Lannister. How can this be called revenge as you call it?"

His eyes became sharp: "This is a stupid act of yours, a bloody murder! Your two sons died gloriously in battle, but you insulted their honor by murdering innocent prisoners."

Lord Rickard was unmoved by King Robb's accusation: "My two sons are dead. They died in the hands of the regicide. Blood debt can only be paid with blood. This man is of the same race as him, so his death is not a pity."

"Pay with the child's blood?"

Robb pointed at the corpse below angrily, and then said: "Rickard, how old is he? He is only twelve or thirteen years old!"

Earl Rickard did not back down. In response to the king's anger, he also chose to be angry: "A descendant of the ancestors of the north can hunt and fight at the age of ten. He is not young anymore."

Robb's fists tightened, and he stared at the people below and said: "Rickard Karstark and Martin Lannister laid down their weapons as early as in the West (Chapter 262). From then on, they Just a prisoner, disarmed, locked in a cell...God damn it, this kid is just a prisoner!”

Seeing that the king's anger was getting stronger, Ser Brynden approached quietly. Just as he was about to speak, Robb raised his hand slightly to stop him.

He continued: "You murdered the prisoners who laid down their weapons. This is betrayal!"

"betray?!"

Lord Rickard held his chin high and said: "The person who killed the Lannister family is a traitor? Your Majesty, have you forgotten who our enemy is? We are still at war with the Lannister, and in war, people will die. .”

He mocked: "Lord Ned must have taught you this. Has His Majesty the King forgotten your father's teachings, boy?"

"Damn you!" Greatjon raised his steel-armored fist and smashed it, knocking Count Rickard to the ground.

"Don't touch him!" Robb's tone was stern, and he stopped the Great Jon who was about to continue to attack.

"Watch your mouth!" After warning, the Great Jon retreated.

"Bah!" Lord Rickard spat out a tooth and said, "Very well, Greatjon, let the king deal with me."

His bloody mouth split open: "Your Majesty, a father who loves his son will make any request to the king. If you execute the regicide, I will let you do it."