At his mother's words, Robb lowered his head in silence, unable to bear the urgency and worry in her eyes.
This was also the question that tormented him most. His father was dead, but his two sisters were still trapped in King's Landing. Every night, he dreamed of them, of their eyes pleading with him to save them.
But he was now the King in the North. He could not think only of his sisters; he had to consider the entire North as well.
"If Targaryen takes King's Landing," he began slowly, "Sansa and Arya might..."
Before Robb could finish, Blackfish cut in. "They might become prisoners, but at least prisoners are alive. If we go charging off to fight Targaryen to the death now, we'll be the ones putting them in danger."
Robb took a deep breath, then stood.
"Then it's settled," he said. "We'll continue with our original plan and lure Tywin back to defend his lands. The North will remain neutral for now and watch how the situation develops."
Without even looking in his mother's direction, he turned and left. Having received their orders, the others gradually dispersed as well. Only Catelyn remained in the tent, sitting in a daze and staring in the direction Robb had gone.
Blackfish caught up with Robb alone and said quietly, "You're preparing for more than just this plan to lure him back, aren't you?"
Robb stopped and turned to look at him without saying a word.
Blackfish sighed. "You want to use this opportunity to capture more prisoners from the Westerlands and trade them to the Lannisters for your sisters?"
Robb finally spoke. "Sansa and Arya are my sisters, after all. If Targaryen really takes King's Landing, the city is bound to descend into chaos. I'm worried about their safety."