Dark Currents

The study door closed behind him. Robb walked out, leaving Eddard inside with a grave expression, lost in thought.

"Mother!"

As soon as he stepped out, he saw Catelyn standing silently to the left of the door, holding a tray of late-night refreshments.

"Robb, do whatever you want to do. Some things don't need to be reported to your father. He can be a little stubborn."

Catelyn looked at her tall, handsome son and smiled. She stepped over to Robb and spoke softly,

"Of course, as long as what you do doesn't put our family in danger."

"Of course. I just want to protect you all!"

"I believe you. Now I'm going to take some refreshments to your stubborn father."

"All right, Mother."

As Catelyn went into the study, Robb's troubled mood lifted a little. At least someone understood him.

His father, Eddard, was indeed an excellent military commander and an honorable, trustworthy lord, but he was certainly no capable politician.

In the past, House Stark had lived quietly in a remote corner of the realm, and that simple life had suited them. But now King Robert and his party were about to arrive at Winterfell, drawing House Stark into the power struggles of Westeros.

Time was short. So...

"Lord Robb!"

Robb was lost in thought over one of his plans and had arrived at the guardroom before he knew it. Several fully armed Winterfell soldiers quickly stood at attention and saluted.

"Mm. Thanks for your effort. I'm here to see the Wildling woman."

"Yes, I'll open the door for you!"

In the guardroom's holding cell, the Wildling woman Osha sat on the ground in chains.

She raised her head to look at Robb, her strength spent. Her voice was a little hoarse as she said, "I've already told you everything I know."

"Mm, I believe you. I'm here to make you a deal."

"What deal?"

"Become my younger brother's servant and protect him at all times. After three years, I'll make you a Free Folk woman of the North."

Osha's eyes widened in surprise. "Aren't you afraid I'll take your brother hostage? Or hurt him?"

"Heh."

Robb chuckled and replied, "You're not like the other Wildlings. You're clever! But clever people are afraid to die.

"You'll have food and warm clothes as my brother's servant, and after three years, you'll be free.

"How could you be foolish enough to hurt him and get yourself eaten by my Direwolf? Don't you agree?"

"Heh, what a terrifying threat.

"By the way, why are you being so lenient with a Wildling like me? Don't you Southron folk kill every Wildling you see?"

As she spoke, Osha suddenly got to her feet and moved close to Robb, her voice turning suggestive.

"Or are you like that pretty-faced boy, and you want me to take good care of you..."

That pretty-faced boy must be Theon! He was the only one interested in even a Wildling woman!

Robb grumbled inwardly, but took a step back and said, "Lady Osha, the smell coming off you is hard to describe. I'll have a servant take you to bathe and change your clothes in a little while."

At that, Osha's seductive expression froze, and she stood there awkwardly.

Yes, this Osha was the loyal Wildling woman who would have stayed by Brandon and Rickon's side.

Her band of Wildlings should have been wiped out in House Bolton's lands, but Osha and two others had managed to escape into the Wolfswood. They'd spent several months wandering the forest and struggling to survive, until they happened upon Brandon, out riding for the first time after recovering from his injuries. Then they'd been captured.

It was clear that the ripples caused by Robb's flapping butterfly wings were already affecting the surrounding area. They would gradually spread across Westeros, until they changed the whole world.

The story of Robb's campaign against the Wildlings passed from one Northman and passing merchant to another. The name Young Wolf Lord became known throughout the North ahead of time, and his personal guards, just as brave and skilled in battle, came to be known as the Wolf Guard.

The farther south the rumors spread, the more outlandish they became. In some places, Blood Wind was described as a bloodthirsty Direwolf, while Robb was said to be more beast than man and to eat raw meat at every meal.

At the crossroads where the King's Road met the River Road and the Mountain Road stood a particularly famous inn, the Crossroads Inn.

Since every traveler passing through the area had to come by the inn, business there thrived all year round.

Today, it welcomed a large party of distinguished guests.

Jaime, with golden hair and an exceptionally handsome face, wore the imposing armor of the Kingsguard as he rode up to the entrance of the Crossroads Inn on a tall horse.

"Go clear out the inn. We're staying here tonight."

Jaime looked down from horseback at the inn's servant standing at the entrance and gave his order.

"My lord, there are other noblemen staying at the inn. I wouldn't dare throw them out!"

The inn servant looked troubled as he answered.

"Hmm?"

Jaime raised an eyebrow. His imposing presence instantly terrified the servant, who felt as if Jaime might draw his sword and kill him at any moment.

"Kingslayer, what is it? Do you want to cut him down?"

Robert, tall and stout, with a thick head of black hair and a full beard, rode over at a leisurely pace. As soon as he spoke, he called Jaime by the nickname he hated most.

"No, Your Grace. I'll go in and clear the inn for you right now."

Jaime clenched his teeth, then dismounted without looking back.

"Don't bother. I like drinking with the common folk. Only you Lannisters, that lot of rich, effeminate men, are always clearing out inns."

Robert spoke without the slightest filter, saying whatever came to mind. As soon as he lifted his leg, a servant hurried over with a mounting block to help him dismount.

As Robert entered the Crossroads Inn ahead of him, Jaime watched with a distant look in his eyes, lost in thought.

"Don't overthink it. Let's go in, Jaime!"

The blonde Queen stepped out of the carriage. Elegant and magnificent, she passed Jaime and spoke softly.

Jaime nodded and went in with her. Prince Joffrey followed, scowling in distaste, along with his younger siblings, the Hound, and the others.

"Really? So many interesting things have happened in the North lately? Hahaha! I've just come up from the South. I had no idea!"

As soon as Joffrey entered the inn, he saw his father sitting among a group of men dressed like knights, talking and laughing loudly.

"Yeah! I heard the Young Wolf Lord's bloodthirsty Direwolf eats Wildlings raw at every meal. That's why it's so savage, and it loves hunting Wildlings."

Hearing their lively conversation, a drinker at a nearby table loudly shared another rumor he'd heard.

"Haha, the Young Wolf Lord? You mean Eddard Stark, the Lord of Winterfell?"

Hearing tales about his old friend's family for the first time in years, Robert chimed in with interest.

"No, no. It's Lord Eddard's eldest son, Robb Stark."

"Oh? His son? Darling, did you hear that? If only our useless son could turn out as accomplished as Lord Eddard's!"

Robert sounded surprised, then turned and shouted over to Cersei.

"Exactly! My lord, you've said what's in my heart."

"Ah, forget being like Lord Robb. I'd be over the moon if my son could just join the Wolf Guard."

As the people around them chimed in, Cersei managed a strained smile but said nothing. She went straight upstairs to her room.

Prince Joffrey's face twisted with rage. He gripped the hilt of his sword, itching to draw it and cut someone down.

"Haha, drinks are on me today. You, tell me more about this Wolf Guard."

"Thank you, my lord!"

"What a generous and hearty nobleman!"

"The Wolf Guard? Well..."

In Hornwood, Ramsay walked alone through the foul-smelling alleys of the commoners' quarter, leading the Hound.

He reached a shabby house with red clothes hanging outside. After checking that no one was around, Ramsay pushed open the door and went inside.

A person wearing a hooded cloak sat waiting in the room.

Ramsay beamed and bowed. "My most respected Young Wolf Lord, your loyal Hound greets you.

"Is there something you wish me to do?"