Several Starks were visibly hesitant for a moment that Egg was going to break up their plans, but Catelyn reassured her family and followed the Night's Watch without hesitation, walking through a door into the next room.

It was the arsenal guard's lounge, with several single beds, on which the unconscious Supreme Ruler of the North lay and was tended by a combination of a healer and a soldier. Caitlin nervously ran to the side of the bed and bent down to caress her son's face, making sure that his skin was still warm and soft, and that his heartbeat was steady and strong, and then she breathed a sigh of relief, and then touched a few minor wounds on his face and the bandages on his body in distress, and then straightened up.

"When will he wake up?"

"Maybe before dark, maybe a week later, I don't dare to make up my mind. The woman asked the healer, but Egg scrambled to answer, "But there are many important matters concerning the safety and survival of the Stark family, the North, and the land, and I can't wait for him to wake up, and I hope to be ready for a matter with my wife." ”

Having been mentally prepared for the loss of a son, who would have thought that Robb would survive in the end, the joy of the loss filled her chest and abdomen, Caitlyn turned to look at Egg again, not only did her face become angry, but her cold and hard gaze was obviously much softer, she did not reply, but quietly waited for the following.

"Due to the cost of fighting the Wraiths, and the haste with which preparations are made, the Land-Giving Army is somewhat short of food, grass, and weaponry, and I hope that Winterfell will open up the Reserve Warehouse to alleviate this problem for us. ”

Although he said "hope", Iger used a declarative tone rather than an inquiry, and the first one was just a ritual greeting because of his status as a "friend...... Not in a discussion with the Starks.

And Caitlin apparently knew about it.

"I hope you'll have enough left to survive this winter. ”

Iger nodded, and ended the foreshadowing and got to business.

"Maester Ruwen sent the Crow to the city of Severn last night, and the army of the North assembled here will arrive as soon as they get the news, and it is only a day's journey from Winter...... Whether it is 3,000, 5,000 or 10,000, whether it is a field battle or a city defense, the land-giving army can easily defeat the attackers. He tried to keep his tone as flat as he could without being arrogant, "However, what I promise the Queen is to reclaim the Iron Throne for her, not to occupy or rule the lands of the Stark family, and I have no intention of fighting your people and army to increase bloodshed and casualties." ”

The proclamation of victory was arrogant, but with the "take Winterfell in one night" record to increase the persuasiveness, judging by his strange methods of breaking down the gates of Winterfell last night and bombarding the main fortress today, Catelyn had no doubt that even if the entire army of the North rushed out of the city at once, it would be an egg to a stone.

She nodded: "I can personally go out of the city to negotiate when they arrive, and order the princes not to act rashly." ”

This is exactly what Iger wants, he was a little worried that the Stark family would not cooperate, if that, in order not to be perceived by his subordinates as soft-hearted and destroy the ruthless character he had built up in the land grant, he would have to use some bad means and measures to coerce and intimidate...... Thus going further and further on the road to becoming a wicked person. But now, after Mrs. Stark behaved more than he had imagined, he suddenly felt that the woman in front of him might actually be a better negotiation partner, and Robb was unconscious and unable to serve, but he had made himself a blessing in disguise.

The young wolf lord is young and vigorous, and may have a temper tantrum due to anger and unwillingness, but the latter, as a mature and experienced woman, should be able to calm down and be negotiable.

Relieved, Iger continued to enjoy his victorious powers: "In addition, I would like you to warn the princes that 'Luce Bolton has changed his banner', lest the forces of the Fortress of Terror take advantage of their unpreparedness and weaken the forces loyal to the Stark family in the north when they arrive outside the city. ”

Caitlin still nodded without hesitation: "No problem, I will convey it word for word." ”

Iger was not an indigenous inhabitant of this world, and his cultural background and identity as a time-traveler meant that he could not understand the Stark's feelings at this moment: Winterfell had fallen to the Landgrants, and the last Starkbran who was not in the castle had joined the Night's Watch. By any standard, the current situation is really "the whole family is pinched by him", and for any feudal aristocrat throughout the ages, this is a bad situation second only to the complete destruction and extinction of the family.

Egger wouldn't hurt Arya and her family in any way, but the latter didn't know that, and in this situation, backbone was something that didn't come out at all.

Mrs. Stark didn't understand that cooperation was the only way out because she was clear-headed, but as a mother, she temporarily adhered to this principle: no matter what conditions the other party proposed, she would agree to it in full, and not make any bargaining - not to mention just some normal requirements that every winner would inevitably make, even if she fell in love with her half-old on the other side, she would obediently untie her clothes without saying a word, and just beg men to let go of their daughters, and not to be so wild as to think about playing double fly, triple fly, or even four fly.

......

The negotiation went so smoothly that Iger couldn't keep up with the pace, pausing for two seconds before moving on to the next agenda. In order to avoid Caitlyn just nodding her head and actually not thinking at all, this time she used the form of a question.

"Thank you for being reasonable, but I don't know what arrangements you have for the follow-up, madam?"

Follow-up arrangement?

Caitlyn would rather have Iger give a direct order to make a request, but the whole family didn't dare to perfunctory in front of them, so she could only use her brain and give what she thought was the most suitable answer: "The commander-in-chief once asked Robb to be neutral in the north, and my son was young and ignorant and refused your kindness, and I apologize to the adults on his behalf." The Starks will bear the full consequences of this foolish decision, pay for the landgrant's military expenses on their journey south, compensate you for the cost of bereavement and treatment for all your casualties, and will not hold a grudge against the loss of any person or property in Winterfell. What do you think?"

"I feel your sincerity, ma'am. "That's the truth," but that's not the right answer—do you think that the Earl of Bolton swore allegiance to Queen Daenerys because he was as grateful to the Night's Watch for her riding a dragon to the aid of the Seven? Bolton seized the opportunity to put his foot on the queen's thigh, but he lied to Lindong that he had raised troops to fight to protect Stark, thinking that he wanted to completely overthrow and destroy your family, become the overlord of the north, and restore the glory of his ancestor 'Red King'!

The cheekiness of your lordship to beautify the betrayal of his friends and the attack on the castle where he had accepted him as a guest in the past is "to protect the lord of the castle", and the walls of Winterfell can really be ashamed...... It took a lot of effort for Caitlin to resist the urge to say the latter. She didn't believe Egger's assertion that Burton had turned back...... But who would have thought that the other party would repeatedly take it out and emphasize, and it was as if it was true, which made her shake a little.

However, thinking in her heart is one thing, and she still followed the other party's words and said, "So, what advice does the commander-in-chief have?"

"I will be able to reclaim the Iron Throne for the Queen. Iger said in an unquestioning tone, "Tarlus Bolton has succeeded in the Dragon's career, and he will properly replace Robb as the new Guardian of the North." However, the Stark family has ruled the north for a long time, and the popularity of the people is so strong that even if they are willing to live under the skinning family, the latter will be jealous of you, and they will always want to eradicate you completely to prevent future troubles...... As a ruling family, you are in a position where you have no way out, either you are stable, or you die without a place to be buried!"

Is this a threat? Caitlin didn't know how to answer for a while, so she could only play dumb: "Politics is not something that a woman like me should consider, my lord should make it clear how the Stark family should protect itself in this wave!"

"Quite simply, let's pretend that this battle never happened last night, and when the Queen departs south, the Starks will also open the city to swear allegiance to her, and the vassals will unreservedly support Your Majesty's battle for the unification of the Seven Kingdoms. On the day of victory, with the innate advantage of a high starting point, no matter how hard Bolton fights, he is making meritorious contributions as a vassal of the Stark family, and there is no reason to replace the feudal king!"

Okay, okay, it makes sense for you to say anything if you win, but I can't promise it.

The words of agreement almost blurted out, but in the end Caitlin kept an eye on her - nodding her head like a doll and agreeing that it seemed that there was no sincerity at all, even if it was just to do a little bit of drama, it should be delayed a little longer.

"This ...... The stakes are high, and I'm afraid I won't be able to be the master. I'll have to wait for Robb to wake up and consult with him before we can make a decision. ”

"That's nature. The patrols and messengers have already been sent north, even if it is urgent, at least the queen and her unsullied ones will not arrive today, the first half of the communication has been so smooth, and Iger does not want to press too hard: "If Robb can wake up before the queen goes south, you better convince him...... If not, please remember that the future and fate of the Stark family are in your hands. ”

——