He took a deep breath before hesitantly continuing, "Last time you wrote to me, asking me to send grain to help the Free Folk who had come south get through those first days, that was the last of the North's grain reserves. We had already tightened our belts and scraped together every morsel we could spare."
"For that shipment, some villages on House Stark's lands had to cut rations even for children and able-bodied workers. As for further supplies of food for the Wall, there truly is nothing more we can do."
Those last words were painfully difficult for him to say. After all, admitting that the lands under his rule were so weak was a shame any competent ruler would struggle to voice.
But Robb knew that, faced with a threat to the North's very survival, concealing the truth would only bring greater disaster.
Viserys simply listened in silence, his face betraying neither surprise nor disappointment.
Once Robb had finished, Viserys returned to the desk. Rather than sitting down, he tapped a page of the open book with his fingertips.
The page bore a rather crude illustration depicting the First Men and the Children of the Forest joining forces, fighting a host of pale figures with dragonglass weapons.
"That is why I will bring men and food up from the south."
Viserys answered Robb, his voice decisive and unwavering. "The armies of the Westerlands and the Riverlands suffered heavy losses, but even diminished, they still have considerable strength. House Lannister's former vassals and House Tully can each muster a full force."
"There is also the Vale's cavalry. House Royce stood aside throughout the earlier fighting, but now it is time they contributed to Westeros's survival. The surrendered soldiers and nobles of the Stormlands also need a chance to redeem