Analyzing the Situation

Joel escaped.

Garon and Ser Rodrik spurred their horses into the Wolfswood, but the night was deep, and the two eventually lost track of Joel.

Garon reined in his horse, scanned the gloomy Wolfswood, and suggested to Ser Rodrik beside him.

"Ser, it seems we cannot catch up to that fellow."

"The night is already very late; it would be troublesome if we encountered wild beasts!"

"Let us return first, question the knights who left the town with him, and find out exactly what his background is!"

Ser Rodrik nodded, frustrated, and said, "How can this brat run so fast!"

"His horsemanship is also extraordinary, but do not let me run into him again, or I will certainly break both his legs!"

Garon turned his horse around, "That fellow ran into the Wolfswood; it is not certain whether he can make it out alive."

"I am afraid we will not have the chance to run into him again!"

"Let us go, Ser!"

Garon flicked the reins, and he and Ser Rodrik headed toward Winter Town.

By the time the two returned to Winter Town, the entire town had been surrounded by soldiers from Winterfell.

The torches held by the crowd almost turned the town as bright as day.

"What is the situation?"

Ser Rodrik called over a man in charge of the inquiry to understand who the person who had just run away was.

"My lord, that man is called Quick-Legs Joel. He came with the King's party and is said to be a hedge knight of House Baratheon!"

"Quick-Legs Joel?", Garon was stunned, "The name fits the man; he really can run!"

He thought for a moment, turned his head, and said to Ser Rodrik, "Ser, I will return to Winterfell to report the situation here to Lord Ned."

"Hmm," Ser Rodrik nodded, "Leave this place to me!"

Seeing this, Garon did not hesitate further and spurred his horse toward Winterfell.

In just a short while.

He returned to the Winterfell stables, dismounted, handed the reins to the groom, and walked quickly toward the main keep.

About ten minutes later.

Garon arrived at the entrance of the corridor leading to Ned's bedchamber and requested to see Ned from Desmond, the attendant.

Desmond signaled Garon to wait a moment and turned to report to Ned.

Soon, Desmond returned and led Garon to the door of the bedchamber.

"Lord Garon, please enter!"

Garon smiled and nodded at Desmond before stepping into the room.

At this moment, Ned, wearing a robe, was standing quietly by the window as he did every day, gazing out at the night in Winterfell.

Hearing Garon's footsteps, he turned to look at him: "What urgent matter do you have to see me about so late?"

"If it is to say goodbye, that can wait until tomorrow morning!"

Garon shook his head and said in a deep voice, "My lord, it is not about saying goodbye; a suspicious person was discovered in Winter Town."

"Hmm?", Ned looked puzzled, "What suspicious person?"

But he quickly reacted, "Did you catch the person who was conspiring with Theon?"

Garon gave a wry smile and said, "My apologies, my lord. Ser Rodrik and I chased him into the Wolfswood, but he managed to escape in the end!"

"Escaped?"

Ned was immediately disappointed, "What exactly happened?"

Garon hurriedly told Ned all the information he had gathered.

"Because of our plan, Ser Rodrik specifically instructed the serving girls to watch for any suspicious individuals."

"Tonight, a girl discovered a knight carrying a pouch of Gold Dragons, claiming it was a reward for completing a task and that he was leaving Winterfell tomorrow..."

"As it turned out, the man was very alert; once he realized something was wrong, he fled immediately."

"We chased him into the Wolfswood, but he still managed to escape!"

Ned listened quietly to Garon's description and asked, "What is his identity?"

"His nickname is Quick-Legs Joel, and he is said to be a hedge knight of House Baratheon."

Garon answered immediately.

"Quick-Legs Joel? A hedge knight of Robert's?"

Ned's brows furrowed tightly, and various thoughts flooded his mind, leaving him unable to find any clear lead for a moment.

Seeing Ned deep in thought, Garon stood quietly to the side without saying another word.

After a moment, Ned finally collected his thoughts. "I understand. Go back and get some rest; we have to hit the road early tomorrow morning!"

Garon nodded. "Yes, Lord Ned!"

He turned to walk out the door, but just as he stepped out of the room, he turned back around.

"Lord Ned!"

Meeting Ned's puzzled gaze, Garon said with concern, "You must be extra careful when you head south to King's Landing!"

He paused briefly, then lowered his voice to explain, "My lord, people with ulterior motives have infiltrated the King's party. The situation in King's Landing is likely even more complicated than we thought. You must be careful!"

Garon's words were sincere, bringing a sense of comfort to Ned.

A smile appeared on Ned's face, and just as he was about to reply, he thought of the problem that had been giving him a headache.

Garon is loyal, intelligent, and his strategic mind is second to none. Perhaps he can offer me some advice...

With this in mind, he spoke: "Actually, I have received some information suggesting that Lord Jon was murdered, not that he died of natural causes. Garon, what is your take on this?"

"What!" Garon gave a start, feigning shock. "How can that be? I recall the ravens saying that Lord Jon passed away due to illness?"

Ned did not reveal the source of his intelligence, saying vaguely, "I only have some suspicions, and I am currently hesitating over whether I should head south."

"Garon, I need your analysis now!"

"I hope you can be like your father, Galbart, and give me your advice without reservation."

Garon's expression turned solemn; he had not expected that Ned would actually consider abandoning the journey south.

How could that be!

His mind raced as he phrased his response: "My lord, Lord Jon served as the Hand of the King in King's Landing for nearly ten years."

"It could be said that the entire Seven Kingdoms only functioned properly under his stewardship..."

Garon paused slightly, then continued, "If your suspicion is correct and he was indeed murdered, then one can only imagine the extent of the enemy's influence in King's Landing!"

"If you were to head south rashly, I fear it would be very easy to repeat his mistakes!"

"You must realize that whoever could murder the Hand must have significant influence over the King, and perhaps even the King himself is..."

Garon did not finish his sentence, but Ned had already understood the hidden implication.

This was precisely why he had not formally refused Robert; he was worried that Robert was in danger.

Garon's assessment coincided with his own thoughts, causing Ned's heart to sink.

"Are you saying the King is also in danger?"

He looked at Garon, hoping he could provide a reasonable explanation.

"My lord, I cannot be certain."

"But with people like Joel, who harbor malicious intent, having infiltrated the King's party, combined with the information you suspect regarding Lord Jon's murder..."

"All these pieces of intelligence lead me to suspect that the King may have already lost control of King's Landing!"

Garon's eyes darted around as he continued, "I fear—His Majesty is truly at the center of a storm."

"I suspect His Majesty may have realized this as well, which is why he traveled thousands of miles to The North to ask you to serve as Hand and take control of the situation!"

After hearing this, Ned's heart was filled with mixed emotions.

He thought of his conversation with Robert in the crypts, where Robert had mentioned the complex situation in King's Landing.

Ned had originally thought it was just a pretext for Robert to invite him to be Hand, but after Garon's analysis, he could now imagine how difficult the situation in King's Landing truly was.

"If I am to go to King's Landing, what should I do?"

He sighed, having made a decision in his heart.

No matter what, he could not stand by and watch once he knew Robert was in danger.

The corners of Garon's mouth curled upward, knowing his goal had been achieved—Ned had to go south.

Thus, after a brief moment of thought, he offered his advice.

"Lord Ned, if you must go..."

Garon pondered for a moment, then said solemnly, "You must take absolute control of the Gold Cloaks who guard King's Landing!"

"No matter what, you must ensure that your military strength in King's Landing is enough to suppress the situation."

"As for the other ministers, you can test them one by one to confirm who is an enemy and who is a friend."

"Win over allies, drive out enemies!"

When Garon finished, Ned looked at him with a complex expression.

"Galbart has a good son. You are better suited to be the Hand of the King than I am!"

Garon smiled faintly and did not respond.

Ned stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder. "I will consider your advice!"

"Go back and get some rest early."

"Yes!"