Chapter 94: Secret Discussion in the Study (Part 1)
That evening, in the great hall of Winterfell's main keep, Saelen, Robb, Jon, Bran, Theon, and Maester Luwin sat at the high table enjoying dinner. Warmth radiated from the nearby hearth, driving away the northern chill. From time to time, someone cracked a joke, drawing laughter from the group.
Earlier that day, by the time their discussions ended, night had already begun to fall. Saelen had originally intended to depart immediately and travel through the night to return to Castle Edd. But Robb insisted he stay, offering a proper feast and suggesting he leave in the morning instead.
After some thought, Saelen agreed. It also gave him the chance to speak further with Robb about the situation in King's Landing—perhaps even persuade him to take precautions earlier.
Finishing the last of his bread and draining his bowl of stew, Saelen glanced around before turning to Robb with a curious expression.
"Where is Lady Catelyn?"
"Is she unwell? I haven't seen her at dinner."
"And Ser Rodrik isn't here either."
Of course, Saelen already knew the answer—both had already set out for King's Landing. But he asked anyway, laying the groundwork for what was to come.
Robb exchanged a glance with Maester Luwin. After a subtle nod from the maester, Robb turned back to Saelen.
"Saelen, Jon… this matter is complicated. It's not something to discuss here. Let's finish dinner first, then we'll talk in the study."
Saelen had no objections. The group quickly finished their meal.
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Soon after, Saelen, Robb, Jon, Theon, and Maester Luwin gathered in a study—likely the very place where Lord Eddard had once worked. Guards were stationed outside, and the door was shut tightly.
They took their seats around the room.
Robb spoke first, his expression grave.
"My apologies, Saelen, Jon. This matter is of great importance. Not a word of it can leak—if it does, my father and sisters may be in danger."
Jon's face grew serious. Though confusion lingered in his eyes, he restrained his curiosity.
Saelen remained calm, simply prompting, "What happened?"
Robb took a breath, then said quietly:
"Bran… was pushed from the tower."
The words hit like a thunderclap.
Everyone had believed Bran had fallen by accident—even Robb himself. It was only after the assassination attempt that they realized something was terribly wrong.
"Bran was pushed?" Jon exclaimed in shock.
"How is that possible? Who would do such a thing—and to a child?"
His voice trembled with anger and disbelief. Bran was his brother—someone he cared for deeply.
"It's true," Robb said. "After word spread that Bran was still alive, someone tried to kill him."
"One night, an assassin set fire to the library to draw me and the guards away. Then he slipped into Bran's chamber with a dagger."
"Fortunately, my mother was there. She fought him desperately. In the end, Summer arrived and tore him apart."
Robb added, "Saelen—Summer is Bran's direwolf. You saw him earlier."
Jon shook his head in disbelief.
"Gods… Bran is just a child, still unconscious—and yet someone still wanted him dead?"
Saelen stroked his chin thoughtfully, guiding the reasoning forward.
"Then Bran must have seen something he shouldn't have."
"Even if he lies unconscious, as long as he lives, the culprit can't rest easy. Only by ensuring his death can they feel safe."
Robb and Luwin exchanged astonished looks.
With just a few clues, Saelen had already grasped the core of the matter.
"Saelen, you're absolutely right," Robb said with admiration. "Father was right about you—you see more clearly than most."
Jon, however, pressed further, his tone dark.
"Do we know who's behind it?"
"The assassin was an outsider," Robb replied. "He carried a dragonbone dagger and had ninety silver stags on him. We believe he was just a hired killer—the true mastermind is someone else."
"Who?" Jon asked, his hands clenched.
"…The Lannisters," Robb said.
"Mother told us."
Jon frowned deeply. "The Lannisters? Lady Catelyn? How does she know?"
Robb answered firmly, "The night the king arrived, Mother received a secret letter from Aunt Lysa. In it, she claimed that Jon Arryn was murdered by the Lannisters."
"What?" Jon was stunned. "Then Father is in danger too!"
The revelation shook him. The weight of it all was almost too much to process.
Saelen, however, wasn't surprised.
So it had begun.
The wheel of history was still turning as it always had. He had worried that his presence might change events—but it seemed some things were far harder to alter.
Which meant one thing—he had to intervene more carefully.
And tonight was the perfect opportunity.
"Robb," Saelen said, "that dagger… the blade was Valyrian steel, and the hilt made of dragonbone, correct?"
Robb stared at him, startled. "How do you know? Have you seen it before?"
Saelen nodded.
"It originally belonged to Littlefinger. He lost it in a tourney, and I later saw it in King Robert's possession. It's hard to forget something made of Valyrian steel and dragonbone."
Robb, Luwin, and even Theon all stiffened.
"King Robert? Could it be—"
"No," Saelen cut in immediately. "From what I know of Robert, he would never harm a child—let alone Lord Eddard's son."
"More likely, someone stole the dagger."
He paused, letting the thought sink in.
"Think about it—such a distinctive weapon. Who would be foolish enough to use it for an assassination unless they wanted it traced back?"
The tension in the room eased slightly, replaced by deep contemplation.
"Could it be the queen… or Jaime Lannister?" Jon suggested. "Steal the dagger, use it for the assassination, and drive a wedge between Father and the king?"
Saelen gave him a surprised look—he hadn't expected Jon to think that far.
But he shook his head.
"With the bond between Lord Eddard and King Robert, do you really think he'd believe that?"
"And Cersei and Jaime aren't fools. If this were exposed, they'd be the first suspects. They have both the access and the wealth to do it."
Jon fell silent.
Robb turned back to Saelen.
"Then what do you think?"
Saelen answered calmly:
"The dagger belonged to King Robert—but he's not the killer. That much is certain."
Everyone nodded.
"The real question is—who took it?"
Maester Luwin frowned, thinking aloud.
"Items belonging to the king are usually kept under strict supervision. Ordinary people wouldn't have access…"
"Yes. The dagger must have been taken by someone close to the king," Saelen continued. "But who exactly—we don't know."
Of course, he knew the truth. It had been Joffrey who stole the dagger and hired the assassin. But that was not something he could reveal outright.
"So… does that mean Bran's fall has nothing to do with the Lannisters?" Robb asked uncertainly.
"Not necessarily."
"What do you mean?"
"Bran's fall is very likely connected to the queen and the Kingslayer," Saelen said evenly. "But they were not the ones who hired the assassin."
Robb frowned. "So you're saying… the fall and the assassination were carried out by two different parties?"
"Yes," Saelen confirmed.
"Gods…" Robb muttered, rubbing his temples. "What did Bran see that made two separate groups want him dead?"
Jon's expression darkened.
"Saelen, you said King's Landing is full of Lannister influence. If the queen and Jaime were involved in both Jon Arryn's death and Bran's fall… then Father and Arya are in grave danger."
"They are," Saelen replied seriously. "And that's exactly what I need to talk about next. This concerns all of our lives."
His tone turned heavy, and everyone instinctively grew quiet.
Then, unexpectedly, Saelen asked:
"Robb… have you ever met your aunt, Lysa Arryn?"
The sudden shift caught everyone off guard.
Robb blinked, momentarily stunned. Seeing that Saelen was completely serious, he shook his head.
"No. I've only heard Mother speak of her—stories from their childhood."
Saelen nodded slightly.
"I've met Lysa Arryn a few times," he said. "She's younger than your mother… yet she looks older."
Robb's brows furrowed.
"She's changed. Completely."
"And this isn't just my opinion—the entire Red Keep knows it."
Saelen paused, choosing his words carefully.
"How should I put it… her behavior can be erratic. Unstable, even. She cares only for her son. As for anyone else—whether they live or die—it means nothing to her."
He met Robb's gaze directly.
"Robb, you cannot fully trust Lysa Arryn."
A ripple of unease passed through the room.
"Saelen… what are you trying to say?" Robb asked, a trace of anxiety creeping into his voice. If even close kin couldn't be trusted… then who could?
Ignoring the tension, Saelen continued calmly:
"Lysa claims that Jon Arryn was murdered by the Lannisters. I don't entirely believe that."
"There are too many inconsistencies… too many holes in that story."