Triumphant Return

"Someone come and set this place up. It's so messy, it's uncomfortable to look at.

Also, that side is too plain. Add some brightly colored cloth strips for decoration."

In the Great Hall of Winterfell's main keep, Catelyn, her face flushed with color, was directing servants to arrange the somewhat messy tables and chairs, decorating the hall with flowers, colorful cloths, and other items.

The enormous and burly Hodor stood silently by, holding the now-conscious Brandon in his arms, watching with a blank expression.

Rickon, chuckling, chased Shaggydog through the crowd of servants, adding to the chaos for the busy staff.

"Lady Catelyn, Lord Robb is about to arrive at the Winter Market. Let's hurry and prepare to welcome him at the training grounds!"

Maester Luwin, wearing his maester's robes and chains, hurried in and relayed the news reported by the soldiers.

"Everyone move faster! Once you've tidied up, go to the training grounds and form ranks to welcome him!"

Hearing the urgency, Catelyn's tone grew rapid as she urged the servants on even louder.

Clatter! Clatter!

The hooves of thousands of warhorses struck the damp earth, making soft sounds.

Men, women, and children from the Winter Market stood on both sides of the road, their eyes filled with excitement as they watched the cavalry pass by.

They occasionally discussed in low voices the imposing and orderly formation of the troops as they marched.

"My gods! The army trained by Lord Robb is so magnificent! Their spirit is completely different from before!"

"Of course. I heard a few days ago that Lord Robb conquered Dreadfort, a place that could scare children into crying.

This is the first time in thousands of years that Dreadfort has been forcibly breached."

"Hey, isn't that Lord Roose of House Bolton? I saw him from afar when he came to Winterfell with a few hundred cavalry.

Such an important figure is now in chains, a prisoner!"

Roose, dragging heavy chains as he walked slowly, could naturally hear the loud discussions of these damned commoners.

He wished he could immediately skin and flay these civilians, but he was powerless at the moment. He could only lower his head and pretend not to hear.

Clack!

Blood Wind, walking beside Robb at the very front, suddenly turned its head to dodge a small stone thrown from the left. It suddenly exerted force with its four limbs and leaped over the heads of the commoners on the left.

"Ah!"

"Run!"

"You scared me to death!"

Because Blood Wind was so imposing, the commoners it leaped over cried out in alarm, ready to cover their heads and flee.

"Blood Wind!"

Hearing Robb's voice, Blood Wind, baring its sharp teeth, stopped its next move just before a child's dusty little face.

Hoo! Hoo!

Its ferocious wolf mouth, which looked terrifying, exhaled white mist with a foul smell, causing the child in front of it, who was trembling with fear, to gag.

"Ah, Aeg! My Lord, I beg for your mercy!!!"

A middle-aged woman among the onlookers, reacting quickly, lunged forward.

She grabbed the child, who had dared to throw a small stone at Blood Wind, and wailed in pleas for mercy.

"Come back!"

Hearing Robb's call, Blood Wind turned and, before leaving, maliciously extended its long tongue and licked the child's face.

"Waaah... Boohoo!"

The child Aeg, thinking he was about to be eaten, immediately wet himself and burst into tears.

Sensing the amusement from Blood Wind, Robb rolled his eyes and took a Silver stag from his pocket, flicking it with a 'ding' sound towards the middle-aged woman.

"The child is frightened. Buy him something good to eat to comfort him!"

"Thank you! My Lord, you are merciful, wealthy, and healthy!"

Seeing that her child's life was spared and that she had received a Silver stag as a reward, the middle-aged woman immediately uttered poor praises.

After this small interlude, the Winterfell army continued to advance, but the commoners around them were no longer discussing the army's majesty.

Instead, they talked about the fierce Blood Wind, the merciful Robb, and the lucky mother and son.

The triumphant procession stretched for several kilometers, but once they returned to Winterfell, Robb and the other high-ranking officials wouldn't need to worry too much.

The middle-ranking officials of Winterfell would naturally handle miscellaneous matters such as prisoners, the placement of the wounded, and the inventory of spoils of war.

When they arrived at the training grounds, Mother Catelyn and everyone in the inner keep had assembled in the same formation as when they had welcomed the King.

"Mother!"

Robb dismounted with a smile, shouted, and embraced Catelyn with open arms.

"It's good that you're back! I've already sent a raven to your father about this war. He'll be proud of you!"

Seeing her eldest son return unharmed (her left arm's sword wound was not visible), Catelyn's face glowed, and she spoke excitedly.

"Mother, this time I used four thousand men as bait, and over two thousand eight hundred died."

Robb wasn't happy hearing this. Not needing to pretend in front of his mother, he said softly with some guilt.

"They sacrificed their lives for their lord. You should ensure their families receive the compensation they deserve."

Catelyn stroked her eldest son's soft hair and replied softly.

"I will. This time, the spoils far exceed our imagination."

Having vented the vulnerability in his heart, Robb, feeling much better emotionally, stood up straight and nodded.

"Good, then. Robb, you are far stronger than you think!"

Catelyn smiled and encouraged her eldest son, in whom she saw Eddard's shadow.

Robb nodded and moved past Hodor.

Looking at Brandon, whose face was still delicate but whose eyes no longer held their former spark, he kissed Brandon's chestnut hair with heartache.

"Bran, don't worry! Your brother will make you recover!"

"Robb, you should know, my legs can't recover!"

Brandon no longer called him 'brother' affectionately. Instead, he addressed him by name, his tone as cold as a stranger's.

"I know, but I will make you recover."

Robb didn't mind his coldness and continued to answer with a smile.

He told himself he had to make Brandon recover into the lively, happy boy he once was, and not let him become that so-called Greenseer.

After teasing little Rickon a bit more, and visiting Jory, who had returned to Winterfell to recuperate from his injuries, and Daisy, who had been following his orders and guarding Winterfell, and Maester Luwin, who was hardworking and capable of anything, and Osha, who had nothing else to do, and so on...

After painstakingly visiting everyone, Robb dismissed them, saying they would meet again at the banquet hall during dinner.

Blood Wind's current size meant he could no longer fit in Robb's room, so he had his own.

It was located in the left corner of the main keep's first floor, with a ceiling high enough to easily accommodate him, directly below Robb's room.

This war had lasted for more than half a month. Robb finally returned to his familiar solid wood bed. After a comfortable bath, he lay down for a short nap, tired from his journey.

By the time a servant woke him, it was already sunset.

Changing into the lord's casual wear that Catelyn had specifically instructed a servant to bring, the handsome and imposing Robb headed to the banquet hall for the feast.

This banquet hall was a victory celebration and welcome banquet meticulously prepared by Catelyn. All sorts of fruits, fine bread, and large chunks of meat were displayed in a dazzling array.

Robb, seated at the head of the high table in the banquet hall, rapped twice on the long table and stood up with his wine cup.

The murmuring in the banquet hall immediately ceased. Everyone turned to stare at him.

"Tens of thousands of Wildlings are still gathering strength beyond the Wall. Tomorrow, our training must not slacken in the slightest.

But that has nothing to do with today. Today belongs to all of us. We are the victors. Enjoy your wine and food to the fullest!

Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

Thank you, Great One, for another 1500-point reward and monthly votes. Thank you, xiao huai ji 123, Early Bird Lover, Zai Xia Ren Wo Xing, and -S for the monthly votes. Also, thank you to all the readers for your daily votes and continuous reading.