Chapter 289 274: Conspiracy at The Twins

The corridors of The Twins were cold and damp.

Sunlight filtered through the narrow arched windows in the high walls, casting a few weak beams that could not dispel the moisture seeping into the stone crevices.

It came from the Green Fork, carrying a musty chill.

Roose Bolton walked through the corridor, his footsteps steady, his face wearing its habitual pallor.

Several Bolton guards followed silently behind him.

At the entrance to the lord's hall.

The heavy oak door was carved with the twin towers sigil of House Frey.

Seeing them, the guards pulled the door open without a sound.

Inside the hall, it was even more spacious and colder than the corridor.

Torches crackled, casting flickering shadows.

Walder Frey sat on the high-backed chair at the far end.

It was a massive black oak chair with a towering back that almost completely engulfed his withered frame.

Sparse grey hair clung to his scalp, and his small eyes glinted with shrewd light from deep within their sockets.

"Lord Bolton," he said, his voice raspy and carrying the phlegmy tone peculiar to old men. He raised a hand. "Please, sit. It has been a hard journey."

Roose Bolton nodded slightly but did not sit down immediately.

His gaze swept across the hall; apart from Walder Frey and two statue-like guards, there was no one else.

This was a private meeting.

"Lord Frey, you summoned me. May I ask what the important matter is?" His voice was flat.

He calculated quickly in his mind.

Since retreating with the remnants of the Northern Army from the path of Aegon's forces in The Riverlands and turning towards the vicinity of The Twins, he had realized the situation was dire.

The river crossing had been blockaded by House Frey again, and the toll to cross the bridge was staggering.

Worse still, provisions were nearly exhausted, and he had barely managed to survive these past few days by tacitly allowing his men to pillage villages in The Riverlands.

Just as he was about to make up his mind to cross the river, even if it meant being fleeced, Walder Frey's invitation arrived.

Walder blinked, his withered lips curling into an arc. "I invited Lord Bolton here, naturally, for something good."

Only then did Roose slowly walk to a chair and sit down.

Receiving a signal, the guards from both sides silently retreated to guard the door.

Only Walder Frey and Roose Bolton remained in the hall.

"Something good?" Roose repeated.

"In the current situation, for Lord Bolton, it would not be an exaggeration to call it a desperate predicament, would it?" Walder said slowly.

"The King in the North has been utterly defeated in The Riverlands, his main force destroyed. Only you, Lord Bolton, have managed to retreat with the last decent force of the North."

"However, you have Aegon Targaryen's dragons and armies pressing in from the front, and as for trouble from behind... I hear the North is being turned upside down by pirates from the Iron Islands."

He paused, looking at Roose's pale face. "House Stark is finished."

"Currently, in the entire North, it seems you are the only one capable of carrying the burden. But this burden is not easy to carry."

A trace of bitterness welled up in Roose's heart, though his face remained calm.

What Walder said was exactly the reason he had been tossing and turning these past few nights.

The fall of Stark and the rise of Bolton was an opportunity the family had dreamed of for centuries.

But this opportunity was too hot to handle; with dragons in front and Ironborn behind, the meager forces in his hands were barely enough for self-preservation.

"Lord Frey, you might as well speak plainly."

Walder smiled, revealing a few yellowed teeth. "I do have some good news here that might help you solve your urgent problem."

Roose's eyes shifted slightly.

"There is a lord," Walder lowered his voice and leaned forward, "who is very interested in you and the warriors under your command. He is willing to extend a helping hand."

"Which lord?"

Walder did not answer but extended a withered finger, pointing far to the west.

"The Westerlands... Tywin Lannister?"

Walder nodded and took a roll of parchment sealed with thick wax from his sleeve, signaling an attendant to hand it to Roose.

Roose took it.

On the wax seal was the emblem of a roaring lion.

He broke it open and his gaze quickly swept over the handwriting on the paper.

The letter was not short, the wording decent and subtle, but the meaning between the lines made the blood flow slightly faster beneath Roose's pale skin.

Tywin, in the name of the Regent of the Seven Kingdoms, expressed appreciation for his assessment of the situation in The Riverlands and for preserving the last of the North's power, while expressing "regret" for the tragedy of House Stark.

He also looked forward to close cooperation with House Bolton regarding the future stability of the North.

The letter implied that Casterly Rock supported capable families in assuming "greater responsibilities" during special times.

Roose's gaze lingered on a few key words for a moment.

He understood the bloody meaning beneath these subtle words; if he were formally named warden of the north by Tywin in the name of the crown, House Bolton could indeed replace Stark more legitimately.

But could this really be achieved?

Roose sneered inwardly.

The Northmen took up arms to fight the Lannister, so how much authority could a title granted by an enemy have?

Moreover, the current predicament was not solved; the North was being ravaged by the Ironborn, and if he returned with his remnant troops, provisions and morale would both be problems.

However.

A trace of calculation flashed in the depths of Roose's eyes.

Since Tywin had extended an olive branch, he would not just give an empty title.

If he could borrow the power of the Westerlands to solve the Ironborn threat, he could stabilize the rear and establish his authority.

Only then would this title have real weight.

Of course, this required a price.

A pledge of loyalty.

His gaze swept over the letter again.

The implications beneath those polite words were clear... eliminate Robb Stark.

Exchange the extinction of the last of the Stark bloodline for the support of the Lannister.

His fingers unconsciously rubbed the edge of the letter.

The era of Stark had passed. It was time for the Bolton banner to fly over Winterfell.

The scales tipped completely.

He raised his eyes and looked at Walder Frey, who had been observing him all along.

"Lord Frey, you are well-informed, having sought a way out so early." His voice remained flat.

Walder gave a dry chuckle. "And so, what is Lord Bolton's decision?"

"May I borrow some paper and a pen here, Lord Frey?"

A sharp light flashed in Walder's eyes, and he waved his hand to signal.

Paper and pen were quickly brought to his side.

Roose picked up the pen, dipped it in ink, and wrote rapidly.

The letter was written to Tywin. He did not make any explicit promises, merely expressing gratitude for the appreciation and support, and indicating that House Bolton was willing to cooperate deeply at the "appropriate time."

He tactfully mentioned the internal troubles the North was facing, hinting that if there were strong external reinforcements to help resolve this, Bolton would be better able to fulfill the duty of warden of the north.

Finally, he looked forward to further communication.

After writing, he sealed it with wax, not using the Bolton family seal, and just signaled the attendant to take it away.

The letter itself was the statement. The true promise did not need to be written on paper.

Walder watched the attendant leave, his smile deepening. "Lord Bolton is indeed a sensible man."

He paused, lowering his voice. "Besides this, I have another good thing here. A marriage alliance."

Roose did not reply immediately.

"My House Frey doesn't have much, but we have plenty of daughters and granddaughters. I am willing to marry one of my granddaughters to Lord Bolton."

"From now on, Frey and Bolton will be kin by marriage. As a dowry, House Frey is willing to provide sufficient provisions for you and your Northern Army to help you through this difficulty and return to the North."

Roose barely hesitated.

Although House Frey had a poor reputation, they controlled the crossing, were wealthy, and occupied a key location.

With the support of provisions, the survival of his army would be immediately solved.

The marriage alliance could also send a signal to his Soldiers that there was a way to survive by following him.

"I am grateful for the Lord's kindness; it is an honor for House Bolton. We can discuss the specific details later."

"Good! Straightforward!" Walder clapped his hands. "By the way, what are Lord Bolton's plans next? Will you cross the river directly and return to the North?"

Roose shook his head. "Our King in the North, His Majesty Robb Stark, although he has suffered setbacks, has presumably escaped from The Riverlands and is resting nearby."

"As a Northern vassal, upon learning of His Majesty's news, how could I not go to welcome and escort His Majesty back to the North?"

Walder was stunned at first, then suddenly realized, and the look he gave Roose gained a few more traces of genuine appreciation.

Roose continued, "I think we might as well fly the Northern banners here at The Twins, spread the word, gather the remaining Northern troops and loyal subjects, and welcome the King's return."

"Lord Frey's castle is sturdy and safe, perfect as a temporary gathering place. Would Lord Frey be willing to facilitate this?"

To fly the banners to welcome the King in the North at The Twins—this was hardly a welcome; it was clearly laying a trap.

As long as Robb was not dead, and as long as he learned that Northern banners and "loyal" vassals were gathered here, he would very likely come.

And once he stepped into The Twins—

Walder calculated rapidly in his mind.

The meaning in Tywin's letter could not be clearer.

This move by Roose was the best way to deliver the pledge of loyalty.

Once it was done, Bolton would get the North, he himself would gain the trust and rewards of the Lannister, and he could also get rid of that Stark boy who had embarrassed him by breaking his marriage vow.

Killing several birds with one stone.

"Lord Bolton is thoughtful and loyal!" Walder's face piled up with smiles. "Welcoming the King in the North is a vassal's duty."

"The Twins is willing to provide every convenience for His Majesty and all the Northern lords. I will order the towers to be prepared and a banquet to be arranged, waiting only for His Majesty... to grace us with his presence."

The two looked at each other, both wearing cold, knowing smiles.

The torchlight danced in their eyes, reflecting no warmth.