Family

"Joel?"

Garon was taken aback. The image of Quick-Legs Joel, who had escaped from under his command four days earlier, surfaced in his mind. He lowered his head and murmured,

"I never thought he'd make it all the way to Deepwood Motte alive."

"I thought he'd died in the Wolfswood."

Robett heard Garon muttering and couldn't help asking in confusion, "Garon, you know him?"

Garon looked up at Robett and explained, "Yes. The night before I returned from Winterfell, Ser Rodrik and I tracked down a suspect who'd conspired with Theon. It was him!"

Robett's face lit up, and he smiled. "That really is a blessing from the Old Gods!"

"I'll take some men and escort him straight back to Winterfell tomorrow, so Lord Ned can deal with him."

But Garon shook his head, stopping him.

"Uncle Robett, there's no need to send him to Winterfell just yet. Lock him up for a few days, and don't give him any food."

"Once he's hungry enough, I'll go question him!"

Robett couldn't help feeling puzzled.

Still, he knew his nephew was always full of ideas. After thinking it over, he agreed. "All right, I understand!"

Seeing that Robett agreed, Garon remembered something else.

"Uncle Robett, before I came back, Lord Ned ordered me to send a hundred archers to garrison Moat Cailin."

"Tomorrow morning, select a hundred men from the clan and have..."

Many members of House Glover flashed through Garon's mind, until the image of a tall figure gradually came into focus. "Have Newgate go."

But Robett still didn't understand, and asked, "Garon, why did Lord Ned suddenly want to station troops at Moat Cailin? Could it be..."

Garon didn't answer right away, instead considering how to explain it to Robett.

He slowly poured himself another cup of wine. Just as he raised it to his lips, hurried footsteps sounded outside.

Robett's wife, Sibella Locke, directed the servants as they carried in steaming dishes. Behind her were Lawrence and Gavin, as well as a little girl who had only just learned to walk—Aina Glover.

"Garon, why are you sneaking wine again?"

"Haven't I told you many times? You're still young. You can't drink!"

Seeing Garon drinking again, Sibella came over, clearly displeased.

When his mother took the cup from Garon's hand again, Aina, behind her, giggled foolishly.

"Big Brother Garon was naughty and got scolded by Mom again!"

"Big Brother Garon is a bad boy—ah!"

Garon couldn't help getting up and walking over to her. He suddenly lifted Aina into the air.

She let out a startled cry.

But she quickly realized Garon was playing with her. She kicked at his shoulder as hard as she could, giggling in midair as if she were riding a horse.

A moment later,

Garon finally set the reluctant Aina down with a smile.

He looked at Sibella and complained softly, "Aunt Sibella, I only had one cup!"

"When I was in Winterfell, I drank plenty of toasts from the king..."

Sibella raised an eyebrow and gave him a cold look. Garon immediately fell silent.

Garon's mother had died in childbirth, and so he had grown up without a mother's love.

After Sibella Locke married into House Glover, she had willingly taken on the role of Garon's mother and the responsibility of caring for him.

In the original Garon's eyes, Sibella was just like his own mother.

After Garon transmigrated, he inherited those feelings too, and treated Sibella with great respect.

He never went against her over the little things in daily life.

Seeing Garon fall silent, Sibella finally said, still displeased, "Winterfell is Winterfell, and this is Deepwood Motte. The king isn't here, so he can't order me around."

Robett shook his head, trying to smooth things over. "It's only one cup. When I was Garon's age, Galbart and I sneaked plenty of wine."

Sibella glared at Robett in disapproval.

Robett gave an awkward smile and stopped defending Garon. Lawrence watched from the side, secretly amused.

Fortunately, the servants had finished setting out the food.

"Let's eat first!"

Garon called out, and the others took their seats.

Sibella looked at Garon's travel-worn face and couldn't help saying, "What about Steward Mormann? Why didn't you ask the servants to help you wash up first?"

"Look at you. You don't look like a nobleman at all."

"You weren't like this in Winterfell too, were you?"

Sibella went on and on, just like any mother worrying about her child.

After returning to Deepwood Motte, Garon felt completely at ease. He didn't mind at all as he replied, "Aunt Sibella, I asked Steward Mormann to settle Jon in."

"Besides, after four days of travel, if I washed up first, I'd probably fall asleep right away."

"Let's eat first!"

Though Garon had spent half a year in Westeros and had grown used to the life of a nobleman, when he relaxed, his old personality from his previous life still showed through.

Hearing this, Sibella could only let him be.

The family sat around the table and quietly began their supper.

During the meal, Robett remembered their earlier conversation and couldn't help asking again, "Garon, you still haven't told me why Lord Ned wants to send a hundred archers to Moat Cailin."

Garon swallowed his bread and chose his words carefully. "Lord Ned wants to be prepared for anything!"

"Hm?"

Seeing that Robett didn't understand, Garon went ahead and explained plainly.

"Because of Bran's fall from the tower, Lord Ned's relationship with the Lannisters has become extremely strained and hostile."

"At the time, Lord Ned even wanted me to arrest the Kingslayer."

Recalling the scene, he continued, "I suspect Lord Ned is worried the Lannisters will send troops to retaliate against the North."

"After all, Lord Tywin considers the Lannisters' reputation to be of the utmost importance!"

Robett moved his knife and fork over the roast, looking thoughtful.

A moment later, he snorted. "The Lannisters stir up trouble in the North and dare to defy Lord Ned. They must have a death wish."

"Garon, you should have followed Lord Ned's orders and arrested the Kingslayer."

"Let the weak southern knights see that we in the North aren't pushovers!"

Lawrence swallowed a mouthful of meat and chimed in, "That's right. I've heard of the Kingslayer. They say he killed the king by stabbing him in the back."

"His swordsmanship must be terrible. He surely wouldn't stand a chance against Garon!"

Garon shook his head and admonished Lawrence. "Seeing isn't always believing, and what you hear is even less reliable."

"Lawrence, remember this: never underestimate the Kingslayer!"

"His swordsmanship is among the best in the Kingsguard. Underestimating him is like gambling with your life!"

Garon's words left Lawrence embarrassed, and he could only lower his head and keep chewing his roast.

Seeing him like that, Garon lightened the mood again. "But Lawrence did get one thing right. The Kingslayer really wasn't a match for me!"

"He was so scared that he even dropped his sword."

"Haha..."

Lawrence and Gavin looked up at once, gazing at Garon with admiration.

Even Robett's eyes gleamed with pride.

And so, supper ended in a cheerful atmosphere.