I Know He's a Targaryen

The night before Robb's departure, a Northern nobleman whom the Starks held in especially high regard came to visit in person.

Even Catelyn personally went out to receive him.

"Ser Hode, are you saying you wish to join Ser Bolton's side?"

"Yes, my lady. Crannogmen are naturally skilled at fighting on foot and using bows. Perhaps I can be of some help."

This Ser Hode's full name was Lilan Hode.

Eddard Stark had told everyone in his family that if not for Lilan Hode, he would have died at the hands of Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning.

Robb had originally intended to bring him along to Riverrun, but since Lilan Hode had made the request himself, they would respect his wishes.

"No problem, Ser Hode." After communicating with her son Robb, Catelyn supported his proposal.

What neither of them knew was that Lilan Hode had another reason for asking to join the army commanded by Roose Bolton.

And that reason was Jon.

As far as he knew, perhaps in the entire Seven Kingdoms, only he knew that Jon was not Eddard's bastard.

At the very least, he had personally seen Eddard leave the Tower of Joy carrying a swaddled infant.

And when they had fought Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning had personally said that Rhaegar had sent them to protect the prince!

That was right! The prince!

Jon's performance over this period had simply been too dazzling.

Lilan Hode could not ignore it.

He had sworn before Eddard to protect this secret.

He needed to make sure Jon truly only wanted to "save his father," as he claimed, and had no other motive.

At this time, Tywin's army was entrenched on the southern bank of the Green Fork, five days' journey from the Twins.

Tywin's judgment truly was as sharp as ever.

By positioning his army here, he could block the Northern army from the north while closely watching the Vale's movements to the east.

Roose Bolton and Jon's task was to tie down Tywin's army and create an opportunity for Robb to relieve Winterfell.

In order to launch a surprise attack on the Westerlands forces surrounding Riverrun, Robb had set out early with the cavalry.

Though cavalry moved quickly, their route was longer.

If they marched normally, the infantry main force led by Roose Bolton could easily appear before Tywin's army before Robb reached Riverrun.

At this moment, Roose Bolton was making pre-battle arrangements and rallying the troops in his tent.

Since Roose Bolton still held command over the main force, the tent was filled with the North's most prominent nobles.

For example, House Karstark, House Seaworth, House Manderly, and House Blackwood.

Naturally, there was also the newly joined House Frey.

Robb had only taken eight hundred cavalrymen with him. The remaining thousand-plus infantrymen were still under Roose Bolton's command.

Roose Bolton was assigning tasks, determining the marching order and how the army's center, left wing, and right wing would be arranged.

As for the newly joined Lilan Hode, arranging his placement posed no difficulty at all.

The soldiers he had brought were assigned to the archers.

Now, only the most crucial part of Roose Bolton's ambush plan remained for someone to undertake.

That was scouting.

In the original Battle of the Green Fork, Roose Bolton had been discovered after running into the cavalry of House Maranbul from the Westerlands.

The ambush had failed as a result.

Roose Bolton spoke. "Is anyone willing to take on the scouting task?"

These Northerners might usually shout about fighting and killing, but when their lives were truly on the line, every last one of them was cunning as a monkey.

Scouting was a terrible assignment.

Do it well, and no one would notice your contribution.

Do it poorly, and you would definitely be made the scapegoat.

So no one spoke for a long time.

Just then, Jon rose to his feet and volunteered for the task.

"Lord Bolton, I wish to scout for the army and ensure the road ahead is safe and clear."

Jon's declaration drew sidelong glances from the others, especially Lilan Hode. With his emerald-green eyes, he studied the boy who looked so much like Eddard, as though pondering something.

"Ensure it's safe and clear? How? With that bunch of soldiers who have only just learned to walk?"

Meiqi Saiwen once again tried to make himself feel important at Jon's expense.

But Jon was not going to indulge him this time. He abruptly turned his head, his face cold.

Severn's smile froze on his face, and he awkwardly turned away.

Those who had been about to mock Jon fell silent as well.

They seemed to have forgotten that although the boy before them was a bastard and had previously made a fool of himself with his "wildly imaginative" battle plan, it would not be an exaggeration to call him the North's finest warrior.

Sitting in the corner, Lilan Hode softly spoke a name only he could hear: "Lyanna."

Roose Bolton's eyes flickered as he spoke.

"A wolf's sense of smell is always keen. The scouting will be left to you."

"As you command, my lord."

Jon nodded and accepted.

He had already made up his mind that if this attack did not go smoothly, he would pin the blame on Jon.

That would loosen some of Robb's restrictions on him.

Of course, he could not simply pin the blame wherever he wanted. As commander, he could not fabricate accusations out of thin air.

After all, the others were not blind. If the battle truly went poorly for other reasons, he could not simply lie with his eyes open.

But in Roose Bolton's view, since Jon had volunteered, there was no reason for him to refuse.

Just then, Lilan Hode suddenly rose and said.

"Lord Bolton, we Crannogmen are fairly familiar with this area as well. Perhaps I can go with Jon."

"Very well. Then I'll leave it to Ser Hode and Jon."

Everyone looked at Lilan, finding it rather strange.

Just moments ago, no one had been willing to take on the scouting task, yet now two people had suddenly stepped forward.

But when Jon heard that name, it exploded in his ears like thunder.

Still, so as not to arouse suspicion, he made no unnecessary movement.

He merely arranged to meet up once the time was right.

After the war council ended, each lord returned to his own troops.

Next, they needed to relay Roose Bolton's plan to their bannermen.

The bannermen would then pass it on to the knights and other frontline soldiers.

Jon naturally had to return to see his "two generals."

At this moment, in Jon's camp, Old York was watching with bored eyes as the soldiers endlessly drilled turning left, turning right, advancing, and halting.

Even after exhausting his imagination, he could not figure out how soldiers like these were supposed to win a battle.

Their formations looked neat enough, but what were they supposed to do when it came time to kill the enemy?

In his view, this expedition would likely be the last of his life.

He had originally hoped to earn some military merit and buy more land after returning home.

But now, it seemed everything had been ruined.

Slap!

Old York slapped himself across the face, hating himself for falling asleep in a situation like that.

He turned to look at his "partner." Tommen was always the same, either arranging his armor or wiping down his weapons.

It was as though those simple actions alone could keep him endlessly occupied.

Suddenly, Old York saw Jon return to camp. Though reluctant, he still rose to greet him.

At his attendant's reminder, Tommen also came to Jon's side.

"My lord."

The two greeted him together. They—or more accurately, Old York—knew that Jon's return this time must mean he had brought combat assignments.

Old York still held onto a sliver of hope. Perhaps this bastard commander could use his connection to Robb to secure them a good position in the battle.

"Gentlemen, I happen to have two tasks for you now. The first is scouting. Our target is the Westerlands army, and we must ensure the main army's movements are not discovered."

The moment Old York heard this, he thought, What kind of damned task is this? Do it well and there might not be any credit, but do it poorly and we'll definitely be held accountable.

It was completely thankless work! So he placed his hopes on the second task.

"The second task is for me to create a dammed lake near the Green Fork. At the crucial moment, we'll release the water to attack or obstruct the enemy."

After hearing both tasks, Old York's heart went cold. He knew this expedition would bring him nothing.

At that moment, Old York suddenly asked in a low voice.

"My lord, were these assignments forcibly imposed on you by Lord Bolton? You could write to Lord Robb..."

In Old York's eyes, Jon had clearly been set up.

Otherwise, he would not have ended up in such a miserable situation.

Jon ignored the old hand.

Next, he needed to upgrade the entry for [Gods' Eye] and figure out why Lilan Hode had approached him.

Eddard always said that without him, Arthur Dayne would have killed him.

Could that old bastard have some kind of "sorcerous means"?