Ripples of Unrest

The study door closed, and Robb walked out of the room, leaving Eddard with a solemn expression, lost in thought.

"Mother!"

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

"Robb, do whatever you want. Some things don't need to be reported to your father; he's a bit stubborn."

Catelyn looked at her tall, handsome son, a smile blooming on her face. She stepped forward, came up to Robb's side, and said softly, "Of course, that's assuming what you do won't harm our family."

"That's for sure, I just want to protect you all!"

"I believe you. Then I'll go take this late-night snack to your stubborn father."

"Okay, Mother."

Watching Catelyn enter the study, Robb's depressed mood eased somewhat; at least someone understood him.

His father, Eddard, was indeed an excellent military strategist and a good lord, upright and trustworthy, but he was definitely not a competent politician.

In the past, House Stark was content to stay in its corner and live a simple life like this. But now, King Robert and his entourage were about to arrive at Winterfell, intending to drag House Stark into the power struggles of Westeros.

Time was pressing, so...

"Lord Robb!"

Robb was contemplating some plans and had unknowingly arrived at the guardhouse. Several fully armed Winterfell soldiers quickly stood at attention and saluted.

"Mm, thank you for your hard work. I've come to see that wildling woman."

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

Entering the room where the prisoner was held in the guardhouse, the wildling woman Osha knelt on the ground, bound in chains.

She weakly looked up at Robb and said in a hoarse voice, "I've told you everything I know."

"Mm, I believe you. I've come to make a deal with you."

"What deal?"

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

Osha's eyes widened in surprise at this: "Aren't you afraid I'll kidnap your brother? Or harm him?"

"Heh heh."

Robb chuckled and replied, "You're different from other wildlings, you're very smart! But smart people fear death.

Be my brother's servant, eat well and dress warmly, and you'll be free after three years.

How could you be foolish enough to harm him and then be eaten by my Direwolf! Don't you agree?"

"Heh heh, that's quite a frightening threat.

By the way, why are you so lenient with me, a wildling? Don't you southerners kill wildlings on sight?"

As Osha spoke, she suddenly stood up, leaned close to Robb, and said in a suggestive tone, "Could it be that you, like that pretty boy, want me to serve you well..."

Pretty boy must be Theon! Only that brat is interested in even wildling women!

Robb complained inwardly, but his feet took a step back. He said, "Lady Osha, the smell you have on you right now is a bit hard to describe. I'll have a servant take you to bathe and change shortly."

Hearing this, Osha's seductive expression froze, and she stood awkwardly in place.

Yes, this Osha was the loyal wildling woman who had been accompanying Brandon and Rickon.

This group of wildlings should have been wiped out in the Bolton lands, but only Osha and two others had luckily escaped into the Wolfswood. After wandering and surviving in the Wolfswood for several months, they encountered Brandon, who had just recovered from his injuries and was riding a horse for the first time, and were captured.

It could be seen that the ripples caused by Robb's butterfly effect were already beginning to affect the surroundings, and would gradually spread to Westeros, and eventually to the entire world.

Robb's campaign against the wildlings was spread by word of mouth among the common people of the North and passing merchants, allowing the name "Young Wolf Lord" to echo throughout the North ahead of time. At the same time, his personal guards, due to their equally brave and skilled fighting, were collectively called the Wolf Guard.

As the rumors traveled further south, they became more and more exaggerated. Some places described Blood Wind as a particularly bloodthirsty Direwolf, portraying Robb as more beast than man, who liked to eat raw meat at every meal.

At the intersection of the King's Road, the River Road, and the Mountain Road, there was a very famous inn called the Crossroads Inn.

Because this place was a necessary passage for travelers, the inn's business was booming all year round.

Today, a large group of distinguished guests arrived.

Jaime, with his golden hair and extraordinarily handsome face, clad in the imposing armor of the Kingsguard, rode a tall horse to the entrance of the Crossroads Inn.

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

Jaime looked down at the inn servant at the entrance and said.

"Report, sir, there are other noble lords still in the inn. I wouldn't dare to clear them out!"

The inn servant replied with a troubled expression.

"Mm?"

Jaime raised an eyebrow, and an imposing aura instantly made the inn servant tremble with fear, feeling as though the other party would draw his sword and kill him at any moment.

"Kingslayer, what? You want to cut him down?"

Robert, tall and stout with thick black hair and beard, ambled over on horseback. As soon as he spoke, he used the nickname Jaime detested.

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

Jaime gritted his teeth, dismounted without looking back.

"No need. I prefer drinking with commoners. Only you Lannisters, you rich pansies, always clearing out inns for no reason."

Robert was completely unrestrained, saying whatever came to mind. As soon as he lifted his leg, a servant beside him quickly brought a stool, allowing him to dismount with ease.

Watching Robert lead the way into the Crossroads inn, Jaime's gaze deepened, lost in thought.

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

Stepping out of the carriage, the graceful and elegant blonde Queen walked past Jaime, speaking softly.

Jaime nodded and accompanied her inside. Then, Prince Joffrey, frowning in disgust, entered with his siblings and The Hound.

"Is that so? So many interesting things happening in the North lately? Hahaha, I just came from the South and had no idea!"

As soon as Joffrey entered the inn, he saw his father, surrounded by a group of men dressed as Knights, laughing loudly.

"Yes! I heard that Young Wolf Lord's bloodthirsty Direwolf eats Wildlings raw at every meal, so it's full of wildness and loves hunting Wildlings the most."

Hearing their lively conversation, a drinking buddy at a nearby table loudly recounted a rumor he'd heard.

"Haha, Young Wolf Lord? Are you talking about Eddard Stark, the Duke of Winterfell?"

Listening to the family anecdotes of a brother he hadn't seen in years, Robert continued to chime in with great interest.

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

"Eh? It's his son? Darling, did you hear that? If only our useless son could be as accomplished as Lord Eddard's son!"

Robert was initially a little surprised, then turned and shouted to Cersei.

"Yes, yes, my Lord, you've spoken my heart."

"Alas, never mind being like Lord Robb, I'd be happy as can be if my son could join the Wolf Guard."

Listening to the agreement around him, Cersei forced a smile, didn't reply, and walked directly towards the inn's second-floor rooms.

Prince Joffrey, however, had a contorted face, burning with rage. His right hand clenched the sword at his waist, feeling an urge to draw it and attack.

"Haha, drinks are on me today. You, tell me again what the Wolf Guard is."

"Thank you, my Lord!"

"What a generous and heroic noble lord!"

"The Wolf Guard! That is..."

Inside Hornwood, Ramsay walked alone with The Hound through the common district, in a dark alley reeking of excrement and urine.

Arriving in front of a dilapidated house with a red cloth hanging, Ramsay looked around, saw no one, and pushed open the door to enter.

Inside, a person cloaked in a hooded robe was waiting quietly.

Ramsay smiled brightly, bowed, and said, "Respected Young Wolf Lord, your loyal Hound greets you.

May I ask if there is anything you wish to command me to do?"