When Jason mentioned his father, Robb's eyes turned red again. He fought to control his emotions, his voice growing hoarse. "Don't worry, Jason. I won't let my grief blind me. I have to defeat the Lannisters, break through King's Landing, and take the heads of Cersei and Joffrey with my own hands. I will avenge my father!"
Jason nodded, offering a few quiet words of comfort.
Just then, another young man with a familiar long face and sad, grey eyes stepped forward. "Robb—"
"Jon!" Robb's sorrow lifted for a moment. He strode forward and pulled his half-brother into a fierce embrace. The two held each other tightly, each drawing strength from the other's presence.
Jon Snow pulled back slightly, his voice deep with conviction. "I'll fight by your side, Robb. We will avenge him together."
"I'm glad you're here to help me, Jon." Robb clapped him on the back, a bit of his confidence returning.
Jason stepped aside to greet the other northern lords.
"I didn't expect you to come, Lord Jason," said Wyman Manderly, a portly lord with whom Jason had business dealings.
"I came to Westeros and was shown great kindness by Lord Eddard," Jason announced, his voice carrying a heavy weight. "I admired him deeply for his honor and justice. I never imagined the Lannisters would commit such an atrocity—placing a bastard on the throne and slandering a great man like Lord Stark with treason! It's madness! I will never believe a man as noble as him was capable of rebellion!"
Jason's passionate defense of Eddard Stark and his open contempt for the Lannisters resonated with the northern lords, easily winning their favor. Their hatred for the Westerlands ran deep, especially for Tywin Lannister, who had only joined Robert's Rebellion at the last moment. They had never forgotten how the deceitful lord had tricked the "Mad King" Aerys Targaryen, sacking King's Landing and slaughtering the royal family, down to the last woman and child. The northern lords had always despised him for that craven act.
That evening, a banquet was held in Jason's honor. Afterward, he joined the war council and learned the full extent of the problem Robb faced. The strategy to split their forces was sound, but it was all for naught as long as House Frey of the Twins refused them passage across the river.
Can this only be solved by a marriage pact, just like in the story I know? Jason wondered. It seemed there was no other way to appeal to the notoriously prickly Lord of the Crossing.
Some lords proposed attacking the Twins, while others suggested finding another place to cross. But the castle was a formidable fortress, and attacking it would be a bloody affair that would only aid their enemies. Bypassing it was no better; the Green Fork was widest for leagues in either direction, and gathering enough boats for the army would take too long. Riverrun could fall to the Kingslayer in that time.
While Robb and Roose Bolton were stuck in this dilemma, Lady Catelyn arrived, having ridden hard from the east. She proposed a solution: an alliance with House Frey, sealed by marriage. She would go to the Twins herself to negotiate with Lord Walder Frey.
As long as Robb doesn't make the same mistake he does in the story, Jason thought, as long as he doesn't break his vow for another woman, the "Red Wedding" can be avoided. He made a mental note to keep a close eye on the young lord.
Lady Catelyn entered the Twins and made her offer to Lord Walder. In exchange for his allegiance and passage across the river, her son Robb would marry one of Walder's daughters or granddaughters. Furthermore, her daughter Arya would be wed to one of his grandsons.
Lord Walder, long scorned as a grasping upstart by the ancient houses of Westeros, was delighted at the prospect of marrying into the Stark line. His lands bordered the North, and an alliance would greatly strengthen his family's position in the Riverlands.
The pact was sealed. Robb's army was granted passage.
That night, Jason and the northern lords were invited to a feast in the great hall of the Twins. The chamber was brightly lit by the white, energy-saving lamps Jason's company produced, casting a glow as bright as day. Musicians played cheerful tunes while serving maids bustled between the long tables, laying out a sumptuous feast.
The atmosphere was lively, especially at the high table, where the Freys and Starks sat together. The northern lords were pleased; the addition of House Frey not only bolstered their numbers but also came with generous supplies from Lord Walder.
The old lord was indeed generous. To ensure his new allies were successful, he committed a significant portion of his army to the cause: 500 cavalry and 3,000 infantry, commanded by his eldest son and heir, Ser Stevron Frey. In addition to his soldiers, Lord Walder opened his granaries and armory to supply Robb's army.
The sudden influx of men and resources eased the reluctance Robb had felt about the forced marriage. The family of his betrothed was surprisingly powerful, their wealth and strength nearly rivaling that of House Stark. It was no wonder Lord Walder so often defied Robb's grandfather, Lord Hoster Tully. The Freys had the power to back up their insolence.
Because Jon Snow was now a knight in service to an Earl, he was granted a seat at the feast, his bastard status for once overlooked.
------------------------
For Advance chapters visit : patreon.com/Mythic_Muse