I Have a Plan

The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, Garon climbed out of bed and, as usual, headed to the training yard to practice.

He had been swinging his sword for about half an hour when a second figure appeared in the yard—Robert Baratheon.

"Your Grace!"

Sweat-soaked, Garon saw Robert looking at him and quickly stopped swinging his sword to bow and greet him.

Robert walked a few more steps, then waved Garon over.

Garon approached and noticed the bloodshot look in Robert's eyes. Clearly, he hadn't slept well.

Robert asked, "You're up training this early?"

Garon slid his sword back into its scabbard and smiled. "Your Grace, I got used to this routine at Deepwood Motte. If I don't get up early to train every day, I feel uncomfortable all over!"

Robert laughed heartily and praised him. "Good. That's how a warrior should be!"

Then he lowered his head and glanced at the belly he could never quite conceal, sighing.

"Back when Ned and I were at The Eyrie, I used to leap out of bed full of energy every morning, too."

"But in the blink of an eye, all these years have gone by. The burdens of worldly affairs have weighed me down and turned me into what I am now!"

Robert shook his head and sighed at his own figure.

"Giant Bear Slayer, walk with me!"

He beckoned Garon, then turned and strolled aimlessly along the training yard.

Garon nodded and followed behind him.

After walking for a while, they came to a staircase and climbed the stone steps leading to the castle's second floor.

As they climbed, Robert suddenly asked, "What do you make of what happened last night?"

Garon was taken aback. He faltered, then hesitantly asked, "What do you mean, Your Grace?"

Robert kept walking, speaking casually as if making small talk. "Do you think Theon conspired with Jaime?"

Garon's eyes shifted as he hurried to keep up. He answered cautiously, "I don't know!"

"Don't know?" Robert repeated calmly, then said nothing more.

Tap, tap, tap.

They climbed the cold stone steps and soon reached the top of the castle wall.

Garon looked ahead—

In the distance, the vast Wolfswood shimmered in and out of view through the mist, seeming especially mysterious.

Robert took a deep breath. The cold morning air of Winterfell swept through him like an icy serpent, jolting him awake.

"You found so many clues yesterday. Surely you must have some suspicions?"

Then he turned to look at Garon, picking up where he had left off.

Meeting Robert's scrutinizing gaze, Garon shook his head. "Your Grace, there weren't many clues last night. I only suspected that Theon might be involved."

"As for whether Theon conspired with Ser Jaime, there's no evidence to prove it yet."

Robert's hopes sank.

After parting from Ned on bad terms the previous night, Robert knew all too well that unless he could find the real culprit who had conspired with Theon, Ned's stubborn nature meant he would never agree to go south with him again.

He sighed with worry and turned to gaze into the Wolfswood, cursing, "Damn it, ever since I came north, I haven't had a single day's peace!"

"Fuck, I just want a few days to myself..."

A string of curses poured out of him, and Robert didn't bother to mind his status as king or Garon standing beside him.

Garon awkwardly looked away, but a thought suddenly struck him.

According to the story, someone will try to assassinate Bran soon.

I might be able to use that to shift Robert and Ned's attention back to the Iron Islands.

Only if I keep emphasizing the threat from the Iron Islands can I stay in the North openly later...

He thought it over. When Robert paused for breath between curses, Garon spoke up.

"Your Grace, I do have a plan that could help you and Lord Ned find another culprit!"

Robert's eyes locked onto Garon. "What plan?"

"Your Grace, this plan will require Lord Ned's cooperation."

"Let's go back and find Lord Ned first. I'll explain the details then."

Robert spun around impatiently and hurried down the steps. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

A smile tugged at Garon's lips as he followed.

The two returned to the training yard and asked a passing servant, who told them that Ned had gone to the Winterfell Great Hall.

When Robert and Garon returned to the hall, they found that not only was Ned there, but the queen was as well.

Ned sat at the dining table with a cold expression, observing the courtesies due a guest.

Cersei, meanwhile, was in high spirits. The gloomier Ned looked, the happier she became.

"Ned! Ned!"

Robert burst excitedly into the hall. Without even glancing at Cersei, he went straight to Ned and said with a hearty laugh, "I've figured out how to find the culprit who conspired with Theon!"

At that, Ned assumed Robert had agreed to let him question Jaime. He sprang to his feet and said, "I'll have Jaime arrested at once!"

Cersei's face immediately grew flustered.

Robert could only shake his head in exasperation. Pointing at Garon behind him, he said, "We're not arresting Jaime. Garon has thought of another way."

Now it was Ned's turn to feel disappointed. His heart sank as he sat back down. "What way?"

"Garon, you tell them!"

Robert waved a hand, urging Garon to explain the plan.

"Your Grace, Your Majesty, Lord Ned!"

Garon looked around at the three of them and spoke calmly. "Based on last night's evidence, Theon was definitely conspiring with someone, and there's a good chance one of the conspirators was a woman!"

"Now that Theon is dead, the only ones who know the truth about the whole affair are the conspirator—or conspirators—and Bran!"

Cersei suddenly cut in. "But Bran is still lying in bed, neither alive nor dead. I heard Maester Luwin say he's unlikely to survive!"

She didn't care that Ned's expression was growing darker by the moment. With a sneer, she said, "Are you going to use the magic of the Children of the Forest to bring Bran back to life?"

To her surprise, Garon stared at Cersei and said meaningfully, "That's exactly what I intend to do!"

Cersei's expression shifted slightly, while Ned asked in surprise, "Garon, do you know medicine?"

Garon shook his head. "Of course not!"

Seeing the confusion on Ned and Robert's faces, he unhurriedly laid out his plan.

"Almost everyone in Winterfell knows Bran is near death after falling from the tower—including the conspirator."

"But what if we spread word that Bran has woken up and will soon be able to speak?"

Ned froze, murmuring, "You mean..."

"Exactly. We'll smoke the snake out of its hole!" Garon confirmed Ned's guess and explained further.

"If the conspirator is still in Winterfell, I'm sure they won't be able to sit still when they hear the news!"

"They'll either risk trying to kill Bran, or flee Winterfell under cover of night!"

"Either way, we'll be able to find the conspirator easily."

Ned's eyes lit up. "That's right. We just need to guard Bran's bedchamber and keep an eye on everyone entering or leaving Winterfell. Then we can expose the conspirator."

But Ned quickly realized a flaw. "What if the conspirator isn't in Winterfell?"

Garon shook his head. "This plan is really just a gamble that the conspirator is still in Winterfell. If they aren't, then all we can do is hope Bran wakes up soon."

Cersei's eyes brightened as she listened. Idiots. The conspirator is right in front of you.

Now that I know your plan, why would I let Jaime fall for it?

She continued listening to Robert and Ned discuss how to carry out Garon's plan, looking on as if enjoying a show.

Once they had finished discussing it, Ned quickly sent people throughout Winterfell with the news—

Bran, blessed by the Old Gods, had woken up.

With Ned allowing the rumor to spread and helping it along, by noon even the whores in Winter Town had heard the news.