The White Knife ran fast and rocky. After a short stretch on barges the column had to switch to wagons and horses.
Harrenhal's soldiers had grown used to smooth highways. The mont they hit the King's Road they felt like they were wading through mud.
The n started grumbling.
"This used to feel like the best road in the world. Now it's a joke compared to Lord Roman's highways."
"Quit bitching. This road was built ages ago."
"Still, why hasn't the Iron Throne fixed it in all these years? We're the ones who had to upgrade the King's Road in our own lands."
"Shut up and push! The wheel's stuck in the mud again!"
They pushed through the miserable northern roads and finally reached Winterfell.
The North wasn't truly terrible. Harrenhal's n had simply grown spoiled on proper highways.
Roman kept the column moving while he scouted ahead, practicing how he would protect supply lines in warti.
Scouts spread wide. Light cavalry patrolled the flanks. Infantry ford a tight screen around the wagons. Heavy cavalry stayed back as the final hamr.
The North was wide and empty. Few travelers, plenty of beasts. Wherever Roman rode, the wildlife vanished.
Many of the Riverlands soldiers had never seen the North before. Everything felt new and strange.
It was still the long sumr. Even here the land stayed green. They only needed a few extra layers of clothing.
Winterfell
Roman had barely left White Harbor when both Manderly's raven and Fili's talking raven arrived at Winterfell.
"Eddard Stark, Roman Whent is on his way with supplies for the Wall and gifts for Winterfell. He's already off the White Knife and marching overland."
Fili's raven shoved the other bird aside and stole its food while the Stark household stared in shock.
A few servants started whispering prayers to the old gods. Eddard found his voice first.
"What are you?"
"Hm? I'm a raven. Lady Fili's raven. She works for Lord Roman, so I carry his ssages."
Eddard tried to ask more, but the bird finished eating and flew off.
The hall stayed silent for a long mont. Then everyone started talking at once.
They suddenly realized the boy they had dismissed a year ago had grown into sothing far more dangerous.
Catelyn stood beside her husband, worry etched across her face.
"Ned, how do we handle Roman Whent?"
"Handle him? He's bringing help. Whatever secrets he carries, we'll treat him as an honored guest."
Eddard shared her unease about the talking raven, but he refused to greet an ally with suspicion.
"Father already warned us. House Whent has been trading with the eastern Riverlands lords. They're not staying quiet anymore."
Eddard sighed and looked at his wife's anxious face.
"We'll be ready. Let Roman Whent inside."
Roman didn't care about the Starks' private worries. He had no intention of starting trouble. The longer the peace lasted, the stronger he grew. Ti was on his side.
Besides, the Night King was watching. Roman had no interest in playing the ga of thrones.
After hours of slogging through mud, the Harrenhal column finally reached Winterfell's gates.
Eddard and his family waited outside to welco them.
The mont Roman's army appeared, Eddard understood why Hoster Tully had told him to be careful.
Every soldier wore matching armor. Infantry marched in tight formation on both sides of the supply wagons. Light cavalry screened the flanks while heavy cavalry held the center in perfect charge order.
It was a textbook cavalry assault formation—light horse to harass and break enemy lines, heavy horse to deliver the killing blow once the foe wavered.
Northerners prided themselves on toughness and often looked down on southerners. But when they saw Harrenhal's ironclad cataphracts and disciplined infantry, that old arrogance cracked.
Roman spotted the Starks waiting. He dismounted, left most of his guard behind, and walked forward with only Fili at his side.
"Lord Stark. I'm Roman Whent. Lady Shella sent to bring aid for the Wall and supplies for Winterfell."
Eddard returned the courtesy with genuine respect.
"Thank Lady Shella for her continued support of the Night's Watch. The North rembers. House Stark rembers."
Roman introduced Fili. The entire Stark household stared.
They had expected so ancient witch who could make ravens speak. Instead they saw a beautiful, shy young woman with golden hair and bright blue eyes.
Eddard introduced his family in turn.
Robb. Sansa. Arya. Bran. Rickon. Jon Snow stood sowhere in the crowd.
Roman noted how quickly Westerosi children grew up. These kids were barely into their teens yet carried themselves like adults.
Robb t his gaze with open challenge.
Roman and the future Young Wolf were roughly the sa age, but Roman's broad, powerful fra and growing reputation made people compare him to Eddard and Robert's generation instead.
He greeted each Stark child.
Robb's defiance. Sansa's shy blush. Arya's bright curiosity. Bran's distant stare. Rickon's complete indifference.
"The yard is cold and you've traveled far," Eddard said. "Co inside. We can talk properly."
The Harrenhal troops entered Winterfell, the heart of the North.
The castle was large enough to shelter the entire North during the long winter, its walls ward by hot springs. Housing the column was no problem.
But Roman's soldiers didn't rest. The mont they reached their barracks they began cleaning, scouting, and setting patrols. Only after the area was secure did they allow themselves to eat.
They ate lightly, drank in moderation, and kept their weapons close. They looked ready for war.
Roman had ordered it. "Lord Stark is an honorable man. You won't be hard here. Use this chance to practice how you'd defend a friendly castle in warti."
Every soldier treated the feast like a training exercise.
Robb found the behavior insulting. The mont Roman finished the bread and salt, the young Stark spoke up.
"Lord Roman, House Stark has shown you every courtesy. Why treat us like enemies? Have you no respect for guest right?"
"Robb!" Eddard snapped. The accusation was serious. It could damage both houses if it spread.
Roman didn't look angry. He bowed slightly to Eddard, then t the older man's eyes.
"Forgive the offense, Lord Stark. Your reputation for honor reaches every corner of the Seven Kingdoms. I know House Stark is just and fair."
"My precautions aren't aid at you. History has shown that guest right can be broken. The guilty may be punished, but the dead stay dead. I simply refuse to lose good n to old betrayals."
His gaze flicked to Eddard. Roman knew the man valued honor above life itself. The fastest way to win his trust was to speak the language of oaths and duty.
Roman raised his cup of northern firewine and let his voice carry.
"Still, the offense is real. I won't deny it."
"By the new gods and the old, I, Roman Whent, swear this oath: the next ti House Stark faces hardship, I will co to your aid with everything I have!"
As he spoke, white fla erupted from the cup in his hand.
Under the stunned eyes of the entire hall, Roman drank the burning wine in one long swallow.
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