Perhaps because of the Mountain, the Brotherhood Without Banners, upon arriving at Harrenhal, specifically requested to join Jon's army.
Upon hearing this news, Jon could only leave the Hundred Hearth Hall amidst the jealous and disdainful gazes of the Dreadfort nobles, to personally receive them.
And when Roose Bolton learned that this Brotherhood Without Banners was the remnant of the force Eddard had sent to eliminate the Mountain, he lost even more face.
Those were people sent by Eddard; their significance was immense! He, the Commander of the 'Eastern Army,' was once again cast aside.
Especially when Roose Bolton saw the suggestive looks from Vargo Hoat and other mercenaries, he felt his face flush.
They clearly also knew of the 'Brotherhood Without Banners,' and although this guerrilla-focused army didn't have much power and was an inconspicuous presence among the tens of thousands of troops fighting in the Riverlands.
Their choice, however, pierced through the facade of Roose Bolton, the 'Commander of the Eastern Army,' exposing the fact that he was merely a figurehead.
Jon didn't know that Roose Bolton's inner thoughts were so complex at the moment; he only thought of the Lightning Lord in the Brotherhood Without Banners who possessed 'Resurrection Magic.'
It was true resurrection magic, the kind that could bring people back to life as long as the body was intact.
His name was Thoros, and because he was from Myr and had a good relationship with Robert, he was also known as 'Thoros of Myr.'
Like the Red Woman, he was a devout follower of the Lord of Light.
However, Jon's impression of him was only 'enchanting weapons' and resurrection magic.
After the Red Wedding, he seemed to have even resurrected Catelyn, who had her throat slit, turning her into 'Lady Stoneheart,' who only knew vengeance.
But overall, the Red Woman's 'magic' seemed to be superior to his, but Jon was still very willing to meet this Lightning Lord.
He would ask him about the 'Faceless Men' then, to see how much this guy knew.
If possible, he would use a Faceless Man to directly eliminate Roose Bolton.
As for saying that he hadn't yet harbored thoughts of betrayal, or judging by actions not intentions, Jon didn't care at all; it was about saving himself at the expense of others, at this point, who cared about such things?
Soon, Jon met the representatives of the Brotherhood Without Banners, led by Dondarrion, but these people indeed didn't look very good.
Each of them was sallow and emaciated, their armor incomplete, and because of their thin bodies, even their armor seemed too big for them.
Due to their simple equipment, their main combat objective in their daily lives was to disrupt the transportation of food in the Westerlands.
Because they often engaged in guerrilla warfare, their supplies were often not guaranteed, and their clothes, though not tattered, were dirty.
Especially their collars and cuffs were covered in brownish-black grease stains and frayed edges.
However, Jon did not underestimate these people because of this; their eyes were all sharp, like the cold glint reflected from an arrow or a blade.
Among them was a young man in his twenties with thick calluses on his thumb, clearly an expert archer.
However, before Jon could identify who was who, one of them recognized Jon first.
"You must be Jon, right?"
The person who spoke had his left eye covered by a headscarf; it seemed he had lost an eye in battle.
This person who stepped forward to speak was indeed 'Lord Beric Dondarrion of Blackhaven,' who was originally ordered by Eddard to go to the Riverlands to apprehend the Mountain.
But unexpectedly, he was ambushed by the Mountain near the Mummer's Ford, and he died directly in that battle.
Thoros accidentally resurrected him while performing his funeral.
Dondarrion didn't know how many times he had died now; he was a somewhat pitiful person, but also brave enough.
Towards Jon, because he had slain the Mountain, Dondarrion did not put on airs due to Jon's status as a bastard, but instead actively saluted him; in his opinion, no matter who it was, as long as they could kill the Mountain, he was willing to express the highest respect.
"May I see the demon's body?" Dondarrion requested again.
"Of course, I have also heard of your deeds in the Riverlands. His head hangs on my battle standard; you can go see it anytime, even use it as a chamber pot, it's no problem." Jon joked casually, and everyone chuckled, and the atmosphere eased.
As Jon spoke, he observed the other members of the Brotherhood Without Banners out of the corner of his eye.
One bald man with a distinct missionary aura caught Jon's attention.
His face looked somewhat weathered, with white strands mixed in his unruly reddish-brown beard.
There was no mistake; he was the Lightning Lord!
Jon did not immediately go forward to befriend him, but instead said a lot of words expressing respect to all the representatives of the Brotherhood Without Banners.
As for the others, Jon had no impression, and he would get to know them slowly later.
The members of the Brotherhood Without Banners saw that Jon was not arrogant despite killing the Mountain, and also had a sense of humor, which increased their good impression of him by a few points.
Jon invited them to go with him to the Tower of Dread to enjoy some food, and everyone happily followed along.
"Ser Dondarrion, how many people have you brought this time? I'll have someone arrange your food and weapons," Jon asked.
"Not many, just under two hundred," Dondarrion replied.
This Dondarrion had been resurrected seven times; to die and come back to life so many times, he truly was a man of misfortune.
And it is said that those resurrected by Thoros lose some memories with each resurrection; it is unknown what state this Dondarrion is in now.
Jon chatted with Dondarrion for a few more moments, then prepared to ask Thoros about magic.
But Dondarrion asked a new question:
When did Jon plan to attack King's Landing?
The Brotherhood Without Banners had absorbed many Riverlanders, which made Jon realize that compared to the North, the Riverland nobles' desire for revenge was even stronger.
And Dondarrion's subsequent words made Jon think even more highly of him.
"Jon, I have heard about Robb being crowned King. This is very unfavorable for us in the short term.
Renly is dead. If he had become king, perhaps there would still be room for maneuver in this matter, but now Stannis has become the legitimate heir to the iron throne; he will not sit idly by and watch the North declare independence." Dondarrion expressed his opinion.
As a noble who had frequented King's Landing for many years, his political sensitivity was quite high.
"Of course I know that; I also tried to stop it, but it was no use. This is the collective will of the Northern nobles."
"I know; it's already spread outside that when the King in the North was crowned, he was only opposed by his bastard brother." Dondarrion personally poured Jon a glass of wine and continued, "This is why I truly decided to join you, and not because you killed the Mountain."
Jon looked at the Lord of Blackhaven, and suddenly felt a sense of finding a kindred spirit.