Chapter 522

A few of the Starks showed a flicker of doubt at Aegor’s decision to separate them, but Catelyn quickly calmed her family with a few soothing words and followed the Night’s Watch commander without hesitation. Passing through a doorway, she entered a small adjacent room.

This was originally the resting quarters for the armory guards, furnished with a few single beds. On one of them lay the unconscious Robb Stark, the North’s young lord, being tended to by a healer and a soldier. Catelyn rushed to his side, bending over to gently caress her son’s face. She confirmed his skin was still warm, his heartbeat steady and strong, and finally let out a deep sigh of relief. She traced her fingers over the faint wounds on his face and the bandages covering his body before straightening up.

“When will he wake?” she asked, her voice tinged with both worry and hope.

“Perhaps by nightfall, or maybe a week from now—I can’t say for certain,” Aegor answered before the healer could, his tone steady and composed. “But there are matters of grave importance—matters that affect House Stark, the North, the Gift, and even the realm’s survival—that cannot wait for him to wake. I hope to discuss them with you immediately, Lady Stark, so that we may prepare for what lies ahead.”

Catelyn, who had steeled herself for the worst and prepared to lose her son, now found herself filled with the unexpected joy of having him back. The relief softened her once cold and steely gaze as she turned to Aegor. Though she did not respond verbally, her silence signaled her willingness to listen.

“Our campaign against the White Walkers drained significant resources,” Aegor began, “and the hurried preparations have left the Gift’s army short on supplies and equipment. I hope Winterfell can open its stores to help alleviate this issue.”

Though he phrased it as a “hope,” Aegor’s tone was far from requesting—this was a statement of intent, thinly veiled in politeness due to their “friendship.” And Catelyn, wise to the ways of negotiation, understood this perfectly.

“I only hope there’s enough left after you’re gone for us to survive this winter,” she replied evenly.

Aegor nodded, accepting her words as a formality before moving on to his true purpose. “Maester Luwin sent ravens to Seagard last night. Northern troops stationed there will likely march here as soon as they receive the message. The distance is but a day’s ride from Winterfell. Whether they number three thousand, five thousand, or ten thousand—whether they come to fight in open battle or lay siege—the Gift’s forces can defeat them with ease.” He spoke plainly, without arrogance, though his confidence was palpable. “But I swore an oath to Queen Daenerys to reclaim the Iron Throne for her, not to conquer or rule the lands of House Stark. I have no desire to shed more blood or fight your people.”

His bold declaration, though verging on arrogant, was backed by the undeniable weight of his accomplishments. The capture of Winterfell overnight and his uncanny methods of breaching its defenses left no room for doubt. Catelyn understood: even if the entire Northern host arrived outside the castle walls, they would be lambs to the slaughter.

“I will go out to meet them myself when they arrive,” she offered, “and command them to stand down.”

This was precisely the response Aegor had hoped for. He had worried the Starks might refuse to cooperate, forcing him to resort to harsher measures to maintain his reputation as a resolute leader among the Gift’s forces. But now, seeing Catelyn’s pragmatism, he realized she might be an even better negotiator than her son. Robb’s absence, though unfortunate, had turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Robb, with his youthful pride and temper, might have been too stubborn to see reason. Catelyn, on the other hand, was a mature and experienced woman who understood the stakes and could remain calm in the face of adversity.

Relieved, Aegor pressed on. “Additionally, I need you to warn the Northern lords of Roose Bolton’s treachery. He has pledged fealty to Queen Daenerys. If his forces reach Winterfell and catch them unprepared, it will further weaken the North’s strength and its loyalty to House Stark.”

Without hesitation, Catelyn nodded again. “I’ll relay the message word for word.”

Aegor, as a transmigrator from another world, couldn’t fully grasp the weight of what the Starks were experiencing. Winterfell had fallen into the hands of the Gift’s army. Bran, the only Stark outside the castle, had joined the Night’s Watch. By any measure, the family’s current situation was just shy of complete annihilation—a nightmare for any feudal house.

Though Aegor had no intention of harming Arya or the rest of the Starks, they had no way of knowing that. In such a desperate position, pride was a luxury they couldn’t afford.

Catelyn’s cooperation wasn’t merely a product of her clear-headedness—it stemmed from her maternal instinct to protect her family at all costs. She had resolved to agree to any of Aegor’s demands, no matter how humiliating, if it meant ensuring her children’s safety. Even if he had asked her to sacrifice herself, she wouldn’t have hesitated. The thought of her daughters enduring unspeakable horrors, however, was too much to bear.

The negotiations proceeded more smoothly than Aegor had anticipated, leaving him momentarily caught off guard. After a brief pause, he shifted to the next topic, this time framing it as a question to ensure Catelyn was truly engaged.

“Thank you for your understanding, my lady. But what are your thoughts on the next steps? What plans do you have for the future?”

The future? Catelyn had no time to consider such things. She would have preferred Aegor to simply issue his orders. Yet, with her family’s lives in his hands, she couldn’t afford to be dismissive. After a moment of thought, she gave what she felt was the most appropriate response.

“You once asked my son to keep the North neutral, and he, in his youthful ignorance, refused your generous offer. I apologize on his behalf. House Stark will bear the full consequences of this foolish decision. We will cover the costs of your campaign south, compensate your forces for their injuries, and hold no grudge for any damage done to Winterfell or its people. Would this suffice?”

“I appreciate your sincerity, my lady,” Aegor replied honestly. “But that is not the right answer. Do you believe Roose Bolton pledged loyalty to Queen Daenerys out of gratitude for her aid in the North? Do you think he sees her as the true ruler of the Seven Kingdoms? Don’t be naive.”

His words were laced with contempt. “Roose Bolton seized this opportunity to align himself with her strength, hoping to destroy your family and reclaim his ancestors’ glory as the Red Kings of the North. If you think you can appease me with money and continue ruling the North undisturbed, you’re gravely mistaken.”

Aegor’s vehemence stung, but Catelyn swallowed her pride. “What, then, would you have us do, Commander?”

“It’s simple. We act as though none of this ever happened. When Queen Daenerys arrives, House Stark will open Winterfell’s gates and pledge its loyalty. Rally your bannermen and support her war for the Iron Throne with no reservations. When victory is achieved, the Starks will retain their position as the North’s lords. Roose Bolton, no matter how much he strives, will remain your vassal.”

Fine. You win. Whatever you say, I’ll agree.

Though Catelyn was tempted to agree immediately, she held back, realizing it would seem insincere to concede too quickly. Stalling for appearance's sake, she replied, “This is a grave matter, one I cannot decide alone. I must wait for Robb to wake and discuss it with him.”

“Of course,” Aegor said, nodding. The patrols and scouts he’d sent north wouldn’t return for at least a day, and Daenerys wouldn’t arrive anytime soon. With the first part of the negotiation going so smoothly, there was no need to push too hard. “If Robb wakes before the Queen arrives, I trust you’ll convince him. If not… remember, Lady Stark, the fate of your house rests in your hands.”