At dawn the next day.
A large number of armored knights gathered once more at Winterfell's East Gate, mounted on warhorses and carrying lances bearing Direwolf banners.
Rainwater and Snowball, laden with passengers, paced step by step to the front of the knights.
The knight leading them was Theon. He wore a set of gleaming black plate armor, with an exquisite helmet. A dark Sea Monster of Greyjoy was etched into the center of his breastplate, yet a silver-gray cloak embroidered with a Direwolf was fastened over his shoulders.
Joffrey could read the struggle in his heart.
"Rainwater won't slow down. Theon, do your best to keep up. Hopefully, we'll all arrive before Bloodraven attacks."
Joffrey waved at him. "We'll be going on ahead!"
Rainwater shook his thick mane and burst through the gates in a single leap. Snowball gave a dissatisfied howl and immediately followed.
Theon silently watched the giant beasts swiftly vanish from sight. He turned to look at the hundred or so splendidly armored knights behind him, unable to suppress his excitement and pride. Then he raised his head.
Robb gave him a firm nod from atop the gatehouse, while Lady Catelyn looked at him with expectation.
Theon raised his right arm and swung it down hard. "Move out!"
The steel-clad knights rode out in a steady stream.
The sound of hoofbeats gradually faded, and Winterfell fell quiet.
But for a castle in broad daylight, it was a little too quiet.
Winterfell remembered everything from the past. Since the end of the War of the Usurper, this was the first time it had seen the humans within it so quiet and worried.
Hopefully, nothing would happen.
More than two days had already passed since they left Winterfell.
Tyrion was still reminiscing about slippery Ros. It was