How Favors Should Be Used

When the meeting ended, Robb motioned for Jon to stay behind.

The nobles of the North and the Riverlands filed out one after another, casting hostile looks at Jon as they passed him.

Men like Greatjon would even spit behind his back before they were satisfied.

As for Rickard, who had nearly come into conflict with him, even though he knew Harrion had received Jon's help, he still raised his head and left as though he had deliberately failed to see him.

Soon, only Robb, Catelyn, Brynden, Edmure, and Jon remained in the hall.

Taking advantage of the moment, Theon slipped inside as well.

He had heard about what had happened not long ago and had come specifically to see for himself.

He also could not understand why Jon had stopped Robb from becoming king.

Once only a few of them remained in the hall, Robb spoke first to the eldest among them, Brynden the Blackfish.

"Great-uncle, I want to appoint you commander of the southern front. Until this war ends, you will command the armies of the Riverlands. Uncle Edmure, help Great-uncle with this matter."

"Don't worry. I'll unite the Riverlands armies in the shortest time possible," Brynden promised.

Edmure, who was not much older than Robb, also expressed his acceptance.

Robb nodded. This older, seasoned great-uncle was one of the people who reassured him most.

Then he looked to Catelyn.

"Mother, I hope you can help me contact Renly. Perhaps..."

"I understand what you mean." Catelyn said, "I'll find a way to make him ally with us."

In truth, Catelyn understood that if Robb had not declared himself king, forming an alliance might have been much easier.

But there was no helping it. Even if their chances of success were low, they still had to try. It was all for her child.

Then he looked at Jon.

"Jon, your skills are formidable. I hope you can protect my mother and go with her."

For Robb to entrust Catelyn's safety to Jon was an immense show of trust.

Everyone turned to look at Jon. Theon especially—though there was little jealousy left in his heart, he certainly still felt envy.

Yet Jon did not seem inclined to accept.

He knew that Catelyn's trip was destined to be a wasted effort.

Jon first bowed to Robb.

"Robb, I have already refused you once today. Logically, I shouldn't refuse you again.

"This is what I think: since you've decided to help the Riverlands nobles reclaim their lost lands, I should also make an effort for it.

"But you know our forces are insufficient. When I was at the Green Fork, I captured a Mountain Clans chieftain. He said the Wildlings who joined the Lannisters were only one part of them.

"I want to persuade the rest to join our army. Perhaps that can ease our manpower shortage."

This time, Jon spoke calmly and reasonably.

Though he had refused Robb once more, both Robb and the others understood.

And when Robb heard that Jon could bring in an army from somewhere closer, he immediately agreed.

After all, the Stormlands where Renly was located were quite far from the Riverlands.

In other words, distant water could not quench immediate thirst. Though he was not that thirsty, gaining another fresh force nearby would be better than anything.

Thus, Robb readily agreed when Jon asked him for weapons and armor.

"We captured a great many Westerlands soldiers, so we aren't short on armor or weapons now.

"How about this? Will two thousand sets be enough?"

Robb was unexpectedly generous.

Jon reckoned that the Moon Mountains could at most produce around two thousand able-bodied young men.

But Jon knew that this was the peak moment to cash in a favor. How could he not squeeze out a little more?

"What about three thousand? Damaged ones are fine too. The war will probably last a long time, and I plan to recruit some militia in the Riverlands."

"Three thousand... that's fine." Robb looked to Edmure. "There should still be some in Riverrun's stores, right?"

"There are." Edmure nodded.

"Good. Jon, if you're in a hurry, I'll arrange ships and horses for you. As for the weapons and armor, I guarantee they'll be delivered before you return from the Moon Mountains."

"So you're trying to send me away already? Fine by me. I don't want to waste time here either."

"For revenge. For the North."

Robb was slightly stunned by Jon's sudden words, but he nodded solemnly.

"Jon, why did you stop Robb from becoming king?"

After leaving the hall, Theon voiced the question that had been troubling him.

"Theon, out of everyone, I think you're the only one who can understand me."

"Huh? I don't understand." Theon froze, not knowing how to respond.

"Back then, your father was attacked by King Robert for proclaiming himself king, and several of your brothers lost their lives because of it.

"You should understand the saying 'he who wears the crown must bear its weight' better than anyone.

"I'm mainly worried about Robb. After becoming king, he may face many dangers.

"And you'll be by his side. We've lived together for so many years, and I consider you a brother too. I don't want you to face danger either."

"Oh... so that's how it is. Jon really is such a decent man."

Jon's mixture of coaxing and deception left Theon rather dizzy.

"Do you remember the bet we made before? If I won, you had to help me persuade someone."

"Of course! Just tell me who!" Theon immediately agreed, but then he remembered something and hurriedly added, "It can't be Robb, though. Everyone wants him to be king."

"I know, so it isn't him." Jon laughed, then turned serious.

"Theon, if one day you were told to kill Bran and Rickon, would you do it?"

"Jon!" Theon's eyes widened, his hair standing on end. "How could I do something like that? I treat them as younger brothers!"

"What if your father Balon ordered you to?"

"He... why would he?"

Theon felt increasingly unable to make sense of this.

"But the North is empty now, and it's close to the Iron Islands. What if the Iron Islands lords decide to attack the North and Winterfell?"

"They wouldn't..." Theon blurted out the denial, yet he also felt it was not impossible.

Just as Jon had said before, this guy's thoughts had all turned Westerlands.

"Theon, I estimate that before long Robb may send you to the Iron Islands to ally with Lord Balon.

"Don't stop him from attacking the North yet.

"Just say that he can wait a little longer. If Robb can invade the Westerlands, we can strike at those rich Westerlands instead.

"Can you do that?"

Theon looked at the boy before him, half a head shorter than himself, unable to understand how he could think so far ahead.

But remembering his earlier promise, he agreed anyway.

Seeing his solemn assurance, Jon decided to stop thinking about the North.

He turned his gaze toward King's Landing.

That was where his stage lay.

Stannis had originally been just one step away from taking King's Landing.

Now, with him added to the equation, it might not be impossible to turn the tide.