Chapter 4: The Letter
"Is this true?" Lord Galbart Glover asked, his voice holding a measure of hope to it. A sentiment shared by many of the Lords gathered in the command tent stationed in the centre of the camp.
"Aye, could be." Greatjon muttered arms crossed over his chest.
Robb listened to his Lords mutterings, but he never looked up from the letter clutched in his hands. His gaze flickering back and forth over the parchment as he reads its contents over and over again. He didn't know what to make of it, was it true? Was the letters content true or another falsity meant to give him hope?
{To Lady Catelyn Stark,
I bring you good news, Lord Eddard Stark, your husband is safe. My men managed to spirit him out of the Black Cells along with your daughters, Sansa and Arya Stark. They are currently on a ship heading to my holdings where they shall join you soon.}
It was not signed.
That was what concerned Robb the most. If it was true, it was obvious why they didn't sign, it would give the Lannisters and those allied with them an enemy to turn their attention to. But at the same time, by not signing it, there was no authenticity to the letter.
All Robb and the Lords of the North could do was take the letter at face value and trust that the contents were true.
But while Robb was willing to do so, others in his council were not. "I think it's a load of bollocks." Ser Brynden Blackfish spoke gruffly from the corner of the room.
He, along with his mother had arrived earlier today having met Robb's main host at Moat Cailin where they were currently camped. They had arrived along with the Manderly host consisting of fifteen hundred men led by Lord Wyman's son, Ser Wylis Manderly. The arrival of the Manderly host had swelled the ranks of the Northern army to over nineteen thousand strong.
"Ah what do ye know about it, Blackfish?" Greatjon shot back, a glare on his face directed towards the Riverlander. "Yer not from the North, shouldn't even be here."
"Greatjon," Robb spoke up, the slowly rising clamouring of his Lords going quiet. "Ser Brynden Blackfish is family, or have you forgotten of what family my mothers hails from."
"Nay, I haven't forgotten." Greatjon responded gruffly, nonplused at being chastised so blatantly in front of others.
"Ser Blackfish and any Riverlander that chooses to fight beside us is an ally and comrade, I will not have dissension between us. Only when we stand united against the Lannisters will we win, we can't afford to be divided." Robb spoke firmly, making sure to look at each of his Lords individually to make sure they understood he was serious. "Great-uncle, please speak."
Ser Brynden studied him closely for a few moments silently, before giving a stiff nod in turn. For some reason, Robb felt that he had earned the mans respect in that moment.
"As I was saying, I think it's a lot of bollocks. It's not signed, and there's no mention of where he is, what condition Lord Eddard and his daughters are in. It's more than likely that the Lannisters have gone and fucked up, letting Eddard and his daughters die and are trying to cover it up by saying they escaped."
That was Robb's biggest worry.
Like he had known and like the Blackfish had pointed out, it's not signed and therefore there's no authenticity behind the letter. As much as he hated the thought of it, Brynden words could be correct.
"So, what do we do now then?" Lady Maege Mormont demanded.
Her words sparked off another argument amongst his Lords.
"If I may." Robb looked from where he stood at the head of the table, seeing Lord Gregor Forrester stood close by. "I believe it would be best to continue this campaign as if we never received this letter."
"As if my father and sisters are still held by the Lannisters?" Robb questioned and Gregor nodded his head.
"It's not ideal, but if we free the Riverlands and beat back the Lannisters, it will provide us greater security to find your father and sisters if the letter is true." Gregor suggested and Robb despite not liking it, could see the sense in what the Lord of Ironrath said. "If we don't march south, it's highly likely that we will tear each other apart from the inside and we'll never be able to free your father and sisters or avenge their deaths if the letter is truly a lie. Marching south and fighting the Lannisters will at least keep us united with a common enemy to fight."
"Aye, what you say has some sense about it." Robb nodded his head before gathering the attention of the arguing Northern lords. "My Lords, we'll march south and continue to engage the Lannisters and free the Riverlands. If my father and sisters are truly free of the Lannisters then rest assured, they will come find us standing strong and the lion retreating with its tail between its legs." His pronouncement was met by a resounding cheer as the Lords slowly trickled out of the room preparing their men to continue marching south in the morning.
"You're good at this." Theon noted from beside him and Robb slowly nodded his head. He still trusted Theon, still saw him as one of his greatest friend, but there was no denying he was wary. The visions he saw clearly showed a kraken attacking and drowning a wolf, he just hoped that the kraken was not Theon.
"It's difficult." Robb admitted eventually, and he was not lying. At parts he felt lost, unsure of what to do, but at times, leading felt natural, like he had done it before. Either way he would not deny that he seemed to be doing well, the Lords listened to him if not respected him.
He just needed to remain strong and firm, the Northmen respected strength. If you weren't strong, they'd never follow you.
"We march for the Frey's tomorrow then?" Robb nodded his head silently, watching Theon look over the map of Westeros. "No doubt those greedy bastards will attempt to ask for a toll. They didn't even fight against the Lannisters." Theon spat angrily.
"My Lords said as much, the Frey's reputation proceeds them." Robb noted, studying the marked location of the Twins, the seat of the Frey's, but then he paused. "Theon, do you remember what the sigil of House Frey is?"
"House Frey? Why?"
"It doesn't matter why! Just tell me, do you know?" Robb shot back impatiently, trying to rack his brain back to the time when his mother and Maester Luwin taught him about the houses of the Riverlands.
"Em, two towers, I think?" Theon responded unsurely, looking at Robb in confusion as he got a piece of parchment and starting writing down a note on it. "Robb, are you alright?"
"Not now, Theon!" Striding forwards, Robb burst out of the tent and made quick work of heading towards the Stark encampment in which men of his household were set up. " I need a rider, a fast one!" He called out, a number of his men looking at him in confusion before a younger man stepped forward.
"I'm a fast rider, m'lord."
"Good man, I need you to make haste for Greywater Watch, deliver this message to Lord Reed and only Lord Reed, am I understood?"
"Yes, m'lord." The man took the letter, rushing to his horse and Robb quickly turned back on his heel heading back to his command tent. If what he saw in his visions was true, then the Frey's and the Bolton's would betray him. He couldn't do anything to either of them yet, but he wasn't going to leave him and his men to the tender, non-existent mercies of the Frey's and Bolton's.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Carrots123
Carrots123 So Robb has figured out that the two towers represents House. Frey and he has learned of Ned, Sansa and Arya being freed but is unsure if he can trust the letters contents. The war continues and Robb and the North are out for blood.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone