Chapter 4: Questions and Answers

Robb stared at the towers of Riverrun, fury and fear both coursing through him as he desperately tried to come up with answers for how Riverrun could have been taken so quickly. Richard voiced these concerns first,

"How on Earth? This is the most fortified hold in the Riverlands, what happened?"

Robb turned to Richard, "I left thousands of men to garrison Riverrun when I left with my guard for the Twins, I refuse to believe they relinquished this castle this easily without holding out for at least some time. There has to be a answer and we need to find it if we are to have any chance of finding the remnants of my forces"

Richard looked down and Robb could feel him forcing down the confusion and pain of seeing the seat of his liege lord tarnished. He looked back up at Robb with feverish determination in his eyes and spoke, "Let's go find answers then, my lord"

Robb nodded, "The quickest way to get information would be to capture a soldier and interrogate them, the higher up in command the better. We have to do this discreetly however, I don't want to accidentally reveal I'm still alive.

Richard approved, "Finding a prisoner would be best, if we want to avoid detection, we shouldn't attempt an infiltration of the castle, instead we need to circle the perimeter and see if we can catch any stray Frey unaware outside."

Robb's gaze shifted from Richard to the distant walls of Riverrun, a yearning for the past evident in his eyes. "Alright, let's proceed. Greywind, stay here and keep watch on the road," Robb commanded, his voice laced with determination.

Robb and Richard moved stealthily through the dense thicket that surrounded Riverrun. They remained vigilant, their senses heightened, acutely aware that the slightest noise could trigger an alarm from the battlements.

As they maneuvered around the castle's perimeter, they exchanged whispers, their words barely audible amidst the rustling leaves. "Be cautious, Richard. We must assume there are patrols everywhere, searching for Northern remnants. Stay vigilant, for our lives depend on it," Robb cautioned, his voice low yet urgent. Richard nodded, his grip tightening on the hilt of his sword. "Aye."

After careful scouting, Robb decided to set a trap. They settled into thick foliage near a junction that connected the paths surrounding Riverrun to one of its gates. Patiently, they waited, the minutes stretching into arduous hours.

The moon cast a pale blue glow upon Riverrun's formidable walls, as if conspiring with the stardusted night sky. Robb and Richard remained steadfast, their eyes scanning the area for any sign of movement or a chance to gather vital information.

They knew the success of their mission hinged on securing the answers they sought. Suddenly, the castle gates swung open, and two Frey guards emerged, armed with spears and shields. Their sergeant barked orders about their patrol assignment as they crossed the bridge, unknowingly heading toward the very spot where Robb and Richard lay in ambush.

The soldiers seemed completely oblivious, jesting and laughing without a care, unaware of the lurking danger that awaited them. Robb's concern grew as their behavior suggested the absence of Northern or Riverland forces nearby who could pose a threat. Whispering urgently, Robb instructed Richard, "Take the one on the right, and I'll handle the one on the left. Kill your man swiftly. We only need one." Richard hesitated, troubled by the idea of cold-blooded killing, even when faced with an enemy soldier.

Nevertheless, he nodded in agreement. Robb readied himself to strike when he heard Richard's urgent whisper, halting him in his tracks. "Wait!" Richard cautioned. Robb turned, questioning, "What is the matter?" "We should capture both men for interrogation," Richard proposed. "Richard, this is not the time for mercy. We cannot risk leaving any survivors who might report back to their superiors and use the information against us. Moreover, if they recognize me as the King in the North, our enemies will know I'm still alive," Robb argued.

"I understand the risks, but capturing both has its merits. If we only capture one soldier, we cannot be certain if he speaks the truth or lies to save himself. By having two captives, we can verify their information and confirm its authenticity," Richard explained, his voice resonating with logic.

Robb pondered Richard's words, realizing the wisdom in his argument. Finally, he nodded and spoke, "Very well, I agree. Render your man unconscious, and I shall do the same. We will relocate them to a secure and secluded location to get the truth." Richard nodded in agreement, and they positioned themselves along the path, waiting for the guards to pass, oblivious to their impending fate. Robb swiftly lunged forward, locking one soldier in a headlock, suffocating him.

The other guard turned, attempting to draw his sword and raise the alarm, but Richard swiftly intervened, seizing him as well and promptly knocking him out. Robb, his heart pounding, turned to Richard, a mixture of determination and concern etched on his face. "Well done, Richard. Let's get off the road and put some distance between ourselves and Riverrun. We'll meet up with Grey Wind and find a secluded spot in the woods to carry out our business," he said, his voice steady yet tinged with gravity.

Richard's expression mirrored the weight of their task, his gaze fixed on the unconscious guards lying before them. "Very well, my lord. We must proceed cautiously, for the truth we seek may lie within their words," he replied, his voice low and filled with resolve. They swiftly moved away from the path, guiding their captives into the cover of the surrounding forest.

Robb's mind raced, contemplating the best course of action. He knew that extracting the truth from these men would require both finesse and patience but as soon as the Frey's realized one of their patrols had gone missing, they would send out search parties meaning they had to work as quickly as possible.

As they reached a secluded clearing, Robb gestured for Richard to secure the prisoners. "Tie their hands and feet, but be careful not to wake them. We need them subdued and vulnerable," he instructed, his voice a mere whisper. Richard nodded, his movements deliberate and practiced. He expertly bound the guards, ensuring they remained unconscious while preventing any sudden outbursts.

Once the task was complete, Richard looked up at Robb, a solemn determination in his eyes. "Now what, my lord?" Richard asked, his voice a mere murmur. Robb paced back and forth, his mind processing the situation. "We must wake them, but tread carefully. We need answers, and we cannot afford for them to play games or deceive us," he replied, his tone firm yet tinged with caution.

Richard nodded, understanding the gravity of their task. He moved closer to one of the guards, gently tapping his face to rouse him from his unconscious state. The guard stirred, groggily opening his eyes to find himself bound and at the mercy of his captors. As consciousness fully returned, the guard's eyes darted between Robb and Richard, a mix of fear and confusion clouding his expression.

Richard leaned in, his voice calm but commanding. "You will answer our questions truthfully. Failure to do so will result in consequences far worse than your current predicament," he warned, his tone unwavering. The guard's gaze flickered from Richard to Robb, his mind racing to comprehend the situation.

After a moment of tense silence, he mustered the courage to speak. "What do you want from us? Who are you?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of fear and defiance. Robb stepped forward, his eyes locked with the guard's. "We seek information, knowledge that may hold the key to our cause. You will tell us everything you know about the movements and plans of the forces within Riverrun as well as the fate of the Northern force led by the Blackfish that had been garrisoning the castle before," he stated firmly, his voice carrying the weight of his purpose.

The guard hesitated, uncertainty warring within him. Sensing his reluctance, Richard leaned in closer, his tone softer yet laced with a subtle menace. "Remember, we have two of you. If your comrade lies or withholds information, the consequences will be dire for both of you. The truth is your only chance at mercy," he added, his words lingering in the air

The guard glowered at Robb defiantly, "Oh yeah, or else you'll do what exactly, Wolf."

Robb opened his mouth to return the words with another threat but before he did, he heard panting and watched as Grey Wind cantered into the clearing, towering over the slumped over Frey captives.

Robb turned back to the Freys, "You have your answer, tell us everything with complete honesty or I won't have to feed my direwolf a breakfast."

One of the Frey soldiers gulped in fear, his chin bobbing nervously before turning to the wolf and back to Robb, "You're the Stark King, that's impossible, you died at the Twins, I watched you plunge into the Trident myself."

Robb turned to him and spoke in a grave tone, "I died at the Twins, aye, but my spirit lives on and I will not move on until every last Frey lays dead at my feet, my sword wet with their blood."

The Freys now looked on terrified, their minds imbued with the idea they were speaking to an ethereal form of Robb Stark, immortal and out for revenge.

One of them managed to burst out, "Please spare us, we didn't even kill anyone."

Robb responded, "That's ridiculous, you mean to tell me you and your comrades just asked nicely to be let into Riverrun."

"No, but when we marched on Riverrun, we prepared for a siege but the castle was completely abandoned, even the servants were gone."

Robb studied the man's face, looking for any sign of deception but he seemed to be telling the truth from what Robb could see.

"Did your comrades find any clues or hints as to where the Blackfish and the rest of the garrison might have gone"

"Nothing, the castle treasury and granary was completely stripped of everything and the armoury was completely empty. The Blackfish clearly expected us to take the castle."

Robb looked at Richard with an expression of complete confusion which Robert returned with an equally confused shrug. Robb walked up to Richard and spoke, "I ordered my uncle to remain at Riverrun, why would he abandon the castle completely and give up the safety of its walls for the danger of the countryside, it makes no sense."

Richard furrowed his brow, deep in thought. "There must be more to this," he mused aloud. "The Blackfish is a seasoned commander, and he wouldn't abandon Riverrun without good reason. We need to find out what transpired and where he might have gone."

Robb nodded in agreement, his concern evident on his face. "Agreed, Richard. We cannot afford to overlook any possibilities. We need to uncover the truth behind the Blackfish's actions and locate him if we are to have any chance of reclaiming Riverrun and fulfilling our cause."

Turning back to the guards, Robb's voice took on a more determined tone. "You will help us find the answers we seek. If you cooperate and provide valuable information, there may still be a chance for leniency," he stated, his voice carrying a glimmer of hope for the guards. The guards exchanged nervous glances, realizing the gravity of their situation.

The fear of Robb's supposed ethereal form still lingered in their minds, fueling their compliance. One of them hesitantly spoke up, his voice trembling slightly, "We... We heard whispers among the men. Some believed that the Blackfish received urgent news or a secret message that led him to abandon the castle. There were rumors of a hidden rendezvous or a meeting with an ally."

Robb's eyes narrowed as he absorbed the information. "Did you hear anything about the possible location of this meeting or who the Blackfish might have been in contact with?" he asked, his voice steady but urgent.

The guard shook his head, his expression a mix of fear and uncertainty. "I'm sorry, my lord, but that's all we heard. The rumors were never substantiated, and the details were vague. We were left to speculate, but nothing concrete was known."

Robb turned back to Richard once more, "What allies could the Blackfish have left in all of this, all of the major castles in the Riverlands are likely under siege right now if they reached Riverrun this quickly and my army was destroyed entirely at the Twins save for the garrison that my uncle currently commands."

Richard shrugged again, "Its a mystery, my Lord"

Then, an answer came to Robb and hope surged into his eyes, "Perhaps my army wasn't completely destroyed at the Twins, what if my retainers survived and led the army out to safety"

Richard spoke up, "That would explain the Blackfish's sudden haste to abandon Riverrun, however, I wouldn't begin to hope for such luck, the Frey's caught your army completely unaware, and its unlikely that your army survived."

Robb countered, "The odds don't matter, if there is even a chance that they survived, this is my only opportunity to make things right and continue this war."

Robb then turned back to his Frey captives, "Were either of you at the Twins when you massacred my forces"

The Freys froze in fear, scared to tell the truth because of what Robb might do to them.

Robb noticed this and sighed, saying, "I don't blame you for following orders, now speak!"

The Frey on the right piped up, "I was there but I just guarded the walls while I watched, I swear."

Robb looked at him, "Did you see any of my men escape during the battle."

"Milord, it was evening and there was smoke in the air, I couldn't possibly have noticed-"

Robb seized the guard by the collar, thrusting him towards the snarling jaws of Grey Wind who seemed to share his restless, impatient anger. The guard yelped in fear and began to sob, terrified by the massive direwolf right in front of him.

"I suggest you use that head of yours and think long and hard about what you saw that night or it wont be on your shoulders for much longer"

The guard managed to gasp out between sobs, "Saw a large column--Northern banners--Heading for North--Heard rumors--At Twins--Mormont and Umber--Leading Northern survivors"

Robb threw the sniveling guard to the ground, and walked back to his companion. Robb saw a look of disgust in Richards expression and felt a twinge of regret at how roughly he had handled the situation with the Frey guard. It had worked however as Robb had all the information he needed to figure out his next move.

Robb began, "I believe my uncle is headed North towards the remnants of my forces to try and link up with them and support them. You heard the prisoner, some of my liege lords could still very well be alive."

Richard simply replied, "Lead the way, your Grace, I'll follow"

He then beckoned towards the captives, still huddling in fear, "What shall we do with them"

Robb worked to harden his resolve and his expression darkened, "The only option available, we have to kill them, Richard, I can't run the risk of having them report back that I'm alive and where I'm heading. I'm sorry but this is war and more men will die before it ends."

Richard turned to him and nodded, "Very well, your Grace, I'll finish the job."

Robb shook his head, "My father taught me that whoever passes the sentence shall swing the sword. This is my duty."

Richard countered, "I decided the fate of these men when I brought you back from death back in my home, besides killing captives is no job for a king."

Robb turned to Richard to argue but realized that he was resolute in his decision and would not be swayed, also Robb had a bad history with executions.

"Alright then"

"Take Grey Wind and go, your Grace, I'll join you when the task is finished. A king should not surround himself with death, it's bad for the soul."

Robb nodded and left, whistling to Grey Wind to follow and turning north towards his uncle and the remainder of his army.

Once Robb had left the clearing, Richard turned to the captives, walking towards them in the most solemn gait he could muster.

He drew down the cloak over his shoulders, masking his face and grimaced, hoping to spook the captives.

He began in the deepest tone he could muster, snarling, "My Lord Stark has marked you for death, yes, yes. You will lay your head and rest, only to never wake again, your throats cut open in sleep."

The Frey captives began wailing in fear, tears streaming down their cheeks, terrified once more.

"Please no, no, I have children, please"

"I didn't no nothing, I swear, please"

Richard grinned, the ploy clearly taken effect.

"Unless"

"Unless what?"

"Please tell us"

The captives begged for a way out.

"You must spread the word of the injustice that occurred at the Red Wedding, calling out the dishonor and cowardice at each turn and never, ever speak of what happened here tonight."

Richard then cut the captives free, releasing them from their bonds. They stood up, confused as what to do next. Richard let out the loudest roar he could muster, chasing the Frey captives back in the direction of Riverrun.

They ran screaming in fear, not checking to see that Richard had stopped the chase and was walking with haste back in the direction of Robb.

Richard had seen enough death for one lifetime and he wasn't about to add more to it, even for a king he respected like Robb. Besides, Richard had discovered during his life that a well timed scare and the threat of death kept mouths shut nearly as well as killing did. As he began to see Robb and his behemoth of a pet, he swore he could still hear the cries of the Freys to his back.