She was brought to the Council Chamber. Robb, Edmure, and all the northern and Riverlands lords still at Riverrun looked at her with differing expressions, but every gaze was filled with suspicion and anger.
"Mother!"
Robb's voice held incredulous shock and pain. "You went to see him last night. What did you do?"
Catelyn straightened her back beneath the burning gazes of her son and the assembled lords, her face pale but unusually calm.
She admitted it openly. "I saw him and mocked him for his crimes. Nothing more. I swear on the honor of Houses Stark and Tully that I did not release him. The guards can bear witness."
Her gaze swept over the guards, but under her scrutiny they stammered, looking afraid to speak.
The nobles caught this exchange, and their suspicions of Catelyn deepened.
Greatjon spoke then. "My lady, tell us the truth! We all know you have two daughters held hostage by the Lannisters, but that is no reason to release the Kingslayer. If you did it, you must admit it. Otherwise, it is treason against the North and your king!"
The others voiced their agreement.
"I did not!"
Catelyn's voice rose sharply with the anger of being falsely accused. "Someone framed me. It was-"
Her gaze swept the crowd, but all she saw was doubt and anger.
She understood that no one believed her.
Just then, an attendant covered in blood came stumbling and scrambling into the Council Chamber, his voice shrill. "Your Grace! Lord Karstark-Lord Karstark, he-he killed Tion Frey and Willem Lannister!"
Tion Frey was the son of Aemon Frey and Genna Lannister. Though a Frey, he served the Lannister side.
Willem Lannister was Lord Tywin's nephew and Kevan Lannister's son.
Both had been captured at the Battle of the Whispering Wood, but