Ser Marq grew so irritated listening that he could not help speaking up. "My lord, in that case, I ask leave to depart. I still have to go north to Winterfell."
"There is no hurry. Unless I see favorable terms, I must get my forces together first. You say there are Stark and Tully troops, but where are they?" Lord Walder laughed. "You may not be Edmure, but you are a knight, after all. I still have plenty of unmarried daughters. There must be one you like."
"You." Ser Marq's face twitched. Did this mean he, too, was to be kept under house arrest in Luan River Castle?
"That will not do." Ser Marq's face turned livid. "Surely I can leave with my own men?"
"Leave? There is war and chaos around Riverrun. Where could be safer than here? I can even arrange a marriage for you. As for those Mercenaries, I imagine money is money wherever they earn it. We need soldiers in Luan River Castle too."
"You will regret this, Lord Walder. Send your troops at once. Riverrun cannot wait much longer."
"Hmph, regret? All I know is that I would regret being knocked out early. I will not act until the outcome is settled."
Ser Marq stood rooted to the spot until bells rang and a great crowd of Freys entered the hall again. Swept along with them, he attended the feast.
Sure enough, Bluebeard's Mercenaries were already with Black Walder. These hungry Mercenaries seemed half starved, and were like brothers with House Frey's children.
Ser Marq came to the Freys' feast feeling defeated. There were steaks, roast suckling pigs, roast fish, and more, along with fine wine. Ser Marq would be forced to stay here while Walder slowly introduced him to the girls of his family.