Several members of House Stark clearly hesitated at Aegor's decision to separate them, but Catelyn quickly reassured her family with a few calm words, then followed the Night's Watch without hesitation, passing through a door into the small room next door.
This had originally been the armory guard's rest chamber, furnished with several single beds. Upon one of them lay the unconscious ruler of the North, attended by a medic and a soldier. Catelyn rushed anxiously to his bedside, bent down, and gently stroked her son's face. Only after confirming that his skin was still warm and soft, and his heartbeat steady and strong, did she finally exhale a long breath of relief. She tenderly examined the small wounds on his face and the bandages across his body before straightening again.
"When will he wake?"
"Perhaps before nightfall, perhaps not for a week. I cannot say for certain," Aegor replied before the medic could speak. "But there are many urgent matters concerning the safety, prosperity, and even survival of House Stark, the North, and The Gift that cannot wait. I hope to speak with Lady Stark immediately so we may be prepared."
She had already steeled herself for the possibility of losing her son, yet now, against all odds, Robb had survived. That joy, the feeling of recovering something lost, filled her chest. When Catelyn turned back to look at Aegor, there was life in her face again, and the hard, cold light in her eyes had softened considerably. She didn't speak, simply waited quietly for him to go on.
"Due to the strain of fighting the White Walkers and the rushed preparations, the Gift Army is currently short on food and equipment. I hope Winterfell will open its reserve stores to ease our difficulties."
Although he said "hope," Aegor's tone was declarative, not inquisitive. This first request was more of a formality, offered out of courtesy for their past friendship. He was not asking permission.
And Catelyn clearly understood this.
"I only hope that what remains will be enough for us to get through this winter."
Aegor nodded and moved on to the main point.
"Maester Luwin sent a raven to the Seven City last night. Once they receive the news, the Northern Army assembling there will march here at once. It's only a day's travel from Winterfell. Whether three thousand, five thousand, or ten thousand come, whether they fight in the field or try to defend the walls, the Gift Army can defeat them." He kept his tone level, not arrogant. "But I made a promise to the Queen to help her reclaim the Iron Throne, not to occupy or rule the lands of House Stark. I have no intention of fighting your people again and shedding more blood."
The declaration of certain victory was undoubtedly arrogant, but with the achievement of having taken Winterfell in a single night, it had weight. Catelyn had seen the strange tactics used to break through the gate and bombard the main keep. She had no doubt that even if the entire Northern Army stood outside the city, it would be like eggs thrown at stone.
She nodded. "When they arrive, I can go out and speak with them myself. I will order the lords not to act rashly."
That was exactly what Aegor had hoped for. He had worried that House Stark might be uncooperative. If that happened, to avoid appearing weak in front of his men and destroying the fearsome image he had worked so hard to build in The Gift, he would have had no choice but to resort to more unpleasant and forceful measures. That would only push him further down the path of becoming a villain. But now, Lady Stark proved more reasonable than expected, and Aegor realized this woman might actually be the best negotiation partner. Robb being unconscious had become an unexpected blessing.
The Young Wolf was impulsive and likely to act out of pride and rage. But this woman, mature and experienced, could stay calm and think rationally.
Relieved, Aegor continued, fully exercising the power of the victor. "Furthermore, I hope you can warn the other lords that Roose Bolton has changed his allegiance, to prevent the Dreadfort's forces from launching a surprise attack while your vassals remain unprepared. This will avoid weakening the North's strength."
Catelyn again nodded without hesitation. "No problem. I'll deliver the warning exactly as you say."
Aegor was not born of this world. His cultural background and identity as a transmigrator made it impossible for him to fully understand the emotions House Stark was experiencing. Winterfell had fallen into the hands of the Gift Army. The only Stark not present, Bran, had joined the Night's Watch. By all standards, this was a dire situation in which "the entire family, old and young, had fallen into another's hands." For any noble house in history, this was second only to complete extermination.
Aegor would never harm Arya or her family, but Catelyn did not know that. In such a situation, resistance was not something that could be expected.
Catelyn was not cooperating because she had calmly assessed the situation. She was doing so because she was a mother. At this moment, she was holding fast to one simple principle: no matter what conditions the other side proposed, she would accept them without argument. These were not even outrageous demands. If the man before her had taken a liking to her, even now in middle age, she would have stripped naked without a second thought, if it meant he would spare her daughters and not become a beast who played at double or triple games.
...
The negotiation had gone more smoothly than expected. Aegor found himself slightly behind in pace. He paused for two seconds, then brought up the next item. To prevent Catelyn from simply nodding without thinking, this time he asked a question.
"Thank you for your understanding. But may I ask, Lady Stark, what are your plans for what comes next?"
Plans for what comes next? Who had time to think about that?
Catelyn would have preferred that Aegor simply continue giving instructions. But with her entire family in his hands, she dared not respond carelessly. After a brief moment of thought, she gave the answer she believed most appropriate. "The Lord Commander once proposed to Robb that the North remain neutral. My son, being young and ignorant, refused your generous offer. On his behalf, I apologize. House Stark will bear the consequences of that decision. We will pay for the Gift Army's march south and provide compensation for the wounded and dead. We will not hold any losses or damage in Winterfell against you. What do you think?"
"I can feel your sincerity, Lady Stark." He meant it. "But that is not the right answer. Do you truly believe Roose Bolton bent the knee to Queen Daenerys out of gratitude for her riding north with her dragons and because he truly believes she is the rightful monarch of the Seven Kingdoms? What a joke." Aegor let out a cold snort. "Bolton was once a regional overlord, only subdued by House Stark after several conflicts. Roose Bolton has seized this opportunity to attach himself to the Queen. Yet he falsely claimed to Winterfell that he raised an army to protect you. What he really wants is to destroy your family, seize control of the North, and restore the glory of his ancestor, the Red King. And you, Lady Stark, in such a moment, still have no sense of crisis. You're thinking you can spend some coin to avert disaster, toss a few compensations, and then carry on as Lord of the North, as if nothing happened?"
To spin the betrayal of a friend and the assault of a castle where one had once been a guest into "protecting the castle's master"… your shamelessness could make even the walls of Winterfell blush. Catelyn barely managed to swallow those words. She didn't believe Aegor's claim about Bolton defecting. But the more he repeated and emphasized it, saying it as if it were absolute truth, the more she began to waver.
What she thought was one thing. Outwardly, she followed his lead. "Then, Lord Commander, what do you propose?"
"I will reclaim the Iron Throne for the Queen." Aegor's tone left no room for doubt. "One day, if Roose Bolton earns merit by following her, he will surely replace Robb and become the new Warden of the North. But House Stark has ruled the North for generations. You are deeply rooted and widely respected. Even if you agree to serve under House Bolton, they will always fear you, always seek to eliminate you as a future threat. As a ruling family, your position offers no retreat. Either you maintain your rule, or you will perish without a trace."
Was that a threat? Catelyn did not know how to respond and chose to feign ignorance. "Politics is beyond a woman like me. Please speak plainly, my Lord. Tell me how House Stark should survive this."
"It's simple. We act as if last night's battle never happened. When the Queen arrives and marches south again, House Stark opens its gates and swears allegiance to her. You instruct your vassals to fully support Her Grace's war to unify the Seven Kingdoms. When victory comes, with House Stark already standing high and early among her loyal bannermen, no matter how hard Bolton fights, it will all be done under your name. There will be no reason for a vassal to replace his liege."
Fine, fine, you win. Everything you say makes sense. Can't I just agree?
The word "agree" nearly escaped her lips. But in the end, Catelyn held back. Nodding too easily, like some wooden puppet, would seem suspicious. Even just to maintain appearances, she needed to stall a bit longer.
"This... is a matter of great importance. I fear I cannot make the decision alone. I must wait for Robb to wake so we may discuss it together."
"Of course." The patrols and messengers had already been sent to the North. Even if it was urgent, Daenerys and her Unsullied would not arrive today. The first round of negotiations had gone so smoothly that Aegor didn't want to push too hard. "If Robb wakes before the Queen marches south, it would be best if you persuade him. If not... then remember, Lady Stark, the future and fate of your house are in your hands."
(To be continued.)