“Someone must have the courage to say it,” Ser Hosteen said. “The war is lost. King Robb must be made to see that.” Roose Bolton studied him with pale eyes. “His Grace has defeated the Lannisters every time he has faced them in battle.” “He has lost the north,” insisted Hosteen Frey. “He has lost Winterfell! His brothers are dead …” For a moment Arya forgot to breathe. Dead? Bran and Rickon, dead? What does he mean? What does he mean about Winterfell, Joffrey could never take Winterfell, never, Robb would never let him. Then she remembered that Robb was not at Winterfell. He was away in the
“Someone must have the courage to say it,” Ser Hosteen said. “The war is lost. King Robb must be made to see that.” Roose Bolton studied him with pale eyes. “His Grace has defeated the Lannisters every time he has faced them in battle.” “He has lost the north,” insisted Hosteen Frey. “He has lost Winterfell! His brothers are dead …” For a moment Arya forgot to breathe. Dead? Bran and Rickon, dead? What does he mean? What does he mean about Winterfell, Joffrey could never take Winterfell, never, Robb would never let him. Then she remembered that Robb was not at Winterfell. He was away in the west, and Bran was crippled, and Rickon only four. It took all her strength to remain still and silent, the way Syrio Forel had taught her, to stand there like a stick of furniture. She felt tears gathering in her eyes, and willed them away. It’s not true, it can’t be true, it’s just some Lannister lie. “Had Stannis won, all might have been different,” Ronel Rivers said wistfully. He was one of Lord Walder’s bastards. “Stannis lost,” Ser Hosteen said bluntly. “Wishing it were otherwise will not make it so. King Robb must make his peace with the Lannisters. He must put off his crown and bend the knee, little as he may like it.” “And who will tell him so?” Roose Bolton smiled. “It is a fine thing to have so many valiant brothers in such troubled times. I shall think on all you’ve said.” His smile was dismissal. The Freys made their courtesies and shuffled out, leaving only Qyburn, Steelsh...
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Steelshanks Walton, and Arya. Lord Bolton beckoned her closer. “I am bled sufficiently. Nan, you may remove the leeches.” “At once, my lord.”
