Chapter 8: An unexpected trip

297 AC

Robb

He was training in the yard at Karhold with Eddard, Torrhen and Osric. It was a cloudy morning and the shadows the clouds threw over the dark grey stones of Karhold gave him a calming, but also foreboding feeling.

As he looked back to the fight, he saw the watchful eyes of Cregan Karstark stare at Torrhen and Osric's sparring match. He stood there, judging every move, whilst every so often making a small comment on either their footwork, posture or technique with the sword.

He had to admit to himself that Cregan was an excellent master-at-arms, although he didn't much like the man. Even his nephew Osric wasn't taken by his uncle, nonetheless they all obeyed him in the yard. He was after all one of Lord Rickard's most trusted men. He was also a great swordsmen, who acquired a considerable reputation for himself in Robert's Rebellion. All the more reason to learn from the man, he thought to himself.

As he saw Edd disarm his older cousin, he knew it would soon be his turn to fight Torr. He picked up his training sword and turned it around in his hand a few times until the grip was good. He grinned at his friend as they made their way to the middle of the grounds, but before they could start they were interrupted by new arrivals.

Lord Rickard approached them, accompanied by Harrion and the captain of the guards Harmond Turrel. The latter was a giant of a man, with a big moustache in the same brown color as the long hair flowing across his shoulders. Robb estimated he was past thirty years of age, maybe a little closer to forty. He was also a veteran of the rebellion, a thing clearly visible from the small scar splitting his right eyebrow in two.

The man stood stoically next to Harrion, as Lord Rickard moved forward. "Boys, training is over for today. There has been some commotion along the Bolton border. Multiple smallfolk families have been reported to be seen crossing the Last River with several bodies washing up on either shore. Harrion here will lead a party to investigate what is going on and you will accompany him."

He looked in surprise to Lord Rickard and then to his friends. He saw Edd and Torr look wide-eyed between their father's and brother's faces to see if this was serious or not. Having apparently decided that it was, a broad grin started to display on Ed's face, a smile that was only dwarfed by the one Torr gave him back. Both were probably eager for adventure. All the while, Osric only nodded dutifully at his lord and he awkwardly did the same.

Content with that, while eying his younger sons suspiciously, Lord Rickard continued. "I don't expect any trouble, but you never know with the Boltons. As such Harmond and fifty good men will accompany you all, while the local Masterly House will also be ready to assist if needed. For security reasons you will all be allowed to carry live steel, but misuse it and it will be years before you ever see it again." The grin on Torr and Edd's faces just became a little larger, he noticed.

The Lord of Karhold turned first to his eldest son. "This is Harrion's first command as my heir in such a task," before turning back to them "so I expect you all to be on your best behavior to assist him in this task. Show the people here that House Karstark and Stark are united and ready to help them in any way possible." The last words were said with a finality in his voice that no one would ever dare to question.

"It is at least a five days ride to the border so there is no time to waste, I expect you to pack your things and be ready to ride out within the hour." Lord Rickard said before adding. "Oh and if any of you forget to say your goodbyes to Alys, or in Osric's case his mother, I will have you clean out the stables for a month after you return." The lord added sternly, looking intensely at his two younger sons.

They all nodded and went on their way to pack, but before he could leave the yard Lord Rickard stopped him. "Robb, a word?" He nodded dutifully and went to his foster father.

"Robb you will be the youngest one on this trip, maybe even too young if I'm not going personally. However, Cregan has told me you are capable with your sword and you have a good head on your shoulders, so I'm letting you go anyway." At those words he felt a pride swell up from within himself, as the stern lord almost never complimented anyone.

As he stuffed his chest out a little Lord Rickard continued, with a knowing look in his eyes. "More importantly you are by far the most valuable person going. I don't expect the Boltons to do anything at all, but you would be the only target valuable enough to the North to try anything for at all. As such I have instructed three of my best guards to protect you at all times, no matter what happens. Harmond here will also keep a personal eye on you, if he is not busy with helping Harrion."

All of it had been in an unusual tone. Robb looked up surprised as he recognized it as concern. He saw the giant captain of the guard give a reassuring nod at him, while his foster father looked at him pensively. After a short silence, he responded the two older man hesitatingly. "I thank you both for the effort. I will try to keep out of trouble and listen to Harrion and the captain at all times."

Lord Rickard clapped him on the shoulder. "Good lad, I'm happy you take things seriously. It will do you good as future lord of all these lands to see its people and territory for yourself. Another benefit is that if the Boltons do try something, you will see them for what they're worth now and will be cautious of them in your reign." The Lord of Karhold looked down on him seriously, as he repeated a lesson to him that he had heard a lot the past few years. Never. Trust. The. Boltons.

"At the same time, you must take care. Your father could have my head, if something were to happen to you on my watch. Besides that, you have grown very dear to my family and I these last three to four years. We would hate to see something happen to you. My sons consider you as a younger brother, my daughter has nothing but praise for you and I am very proud of you, my boy. You will make a great Lord of Winterfell one day and it will be my, or my son's, pleasure to follow you one day."

He didn't know what he'd just heard. Lord Rickard Karstark was usually very stern and never this open, as such he didn't know how to respond although he was filled with more pride than ever before. Luckily it was the man himself that also broke the ice. "Hells, even my grumpy uncle Arnolf says you have some potential, that alone is a miracle in itself as he likes no one except Cregan." He started laughing loudly and Harmond joined him. Not being able to hold himself whilst thinking of Arnolf Karstark, he chuckled as well.

"Now go get ready Robb. Oh, the threat of not saying goodbye to Alys? That also counts for you of course, so I would run if I were you! You are the last one to get ready." Lord Rickard grinned at him and he realized looking around that everyone had long left the training yard. He nodded respectfully and ran off to his room to get his stuff together.

He would need his sword, the edged one with the wolf pummel he got from the Karstark family for his last nameday. Besides that, he would need cloths, riding boots, a cloak and paper and quill to write to his father. He hoped there would be a rookery in some of the the masterly house's keeps. Otherwise his father would be incredibly mad at him.

He gathered everything he needed, including the new gloves he had received from Sansa. He put the sword on his belt and packed his stuff nicely, in a way they would fit in his two saddle bags, and went on his way to find Alys. He found her at the entrance of the Godswood, just as Ed and Torr were leaving. Torr laughed at him. "Hurry, you're going to be late Redstark! At this rate we'll leave without you."

He wanted to retort but, before he got the chance, he heard Alys her high voice. "Torr, you forgot both your cloak and gloves and need to go all the way back to the keep for it. So, I think Robb will be fine." He grinned at his friend who cringed at his sister's message and ran to the keep while Ed laughed loudly, as he strolled across the castle to the stables.

He walked up to the girl and smiled at her, "Good afternoon, Alys". She smiled back at shyly. "Good day Robb, are you leaving too?"

"Yes, I am." He said, suddenly feeling sad about the fact he would be gone for the next fortnight. It looked like she felt the same way and, as he didn't want to disappoint her, he said. "I know we won't be able to talk for the next few days as we normally do, but if you'd like I can walk with you for a little while now?"

Surprised, she looked at him. "Won't you get in trouble if you're late?"

"I think I have a little time left, shall we?" He said reassuringly.

"Gladly", and she gave him the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.

They went on their way and by habit they walked towards the old weirwood tree, its serious face looking down on them from above.

Not knowing when he could pray the next time, he got down on one knee and did a very small prayer. He asked for success in their mission and safety for his companions, his family and Alys and Lord Rickard here in Karhold. Alys joined in next to him and said her own prayers, a small voice inside his head hoped she would also pray for his safe return.

As they got up and walked back, they talked about his upcoming trip and what Alys would be doing in the meantime. After another few minutes, they were almost back at the gates. Alys stopped him and looked at him with a slight blush on her cheeks. "I wanted to give you something before you left."

He looked at her questioningly, not knowing what it was. As nothing happened after that, he asked after a few seconds. "Thank you Alys, you shouldn't have, but what is it?"

She suddenly closed the gap between them and brushed her lips very slightly against his, before taking a big step back. He looked at her completely flustered. He felt his cheeks becoming hot and he imagined that he looked like a complete idiot.

Her eyes were shining and her pretty hair fell across her right eye as she looked at the ground timidly. "I'm, I'm sorry Robb … It was stupid I just wanted to show you I care."

Taking in what she meant, an akward grin spread across his young blushing face. "I, euhm, care about you too Alys, I was just surprised that is all. I, euhm, need to go see your brothers now. I think I'm late already." He said, trying to get out of this awkward situation. His emotions were all over the place and he didn't really know what to do know, as he had never been kissed before.

After saying another awkward goodbye, he almost ran out of the Godswood. Seeing everybody already mounted waiting on him in the courtyard, he started to run for real. Luckily for him, he saw that Eddard had already saddled his horse. He ran up to it, put all his stuff away safely and jumped on its back.

All the while he heard the older men chuckle, while Lord Rickard and Harrion looked sternly in his direction. "Where are you still coming from? You're late!" Lord Rickard demanded to know sternly, from his position beside Harrion's horse.

"I wanted to say a prayer in the Godswood before I left, my lord. I'm sorry I'm late." He answered, knowing full well that the old lord had a great affinity for the Old Gods. He also seemed to make it a big point of his education. It probably had to do something with his mother believing in the Seven and him not following her path. Besides, he had actually prayed, it was not like it was a complete lie.

Lord Rickard seemed to accept that. He might have gotten away with it, if not for Torrhen. As his foster brother started to laugh uncontrollably, so much so he almost fell from his horse. Edd next to him started laughing too, although a bit more controlled than his younger brother.

"What do you think is so damn funny, boy? Don't you dare laugh at a man's devotion to the Gods!" Lord Rickard shouted sternly, looking not at all pleased with the actions of his youngest son.

"No father, I would never dare to laugh at man's devotion to the Gods. A man's devotion to Alys, who was with him in the Godswood all this time, I find hilarious however." Torr managed to get out, while tears of laughter streaked down his cheeks.

At this comment, the whole party started looking at him. He felt his cheeks burn hot again, as he thought about Alys lips brushing against his own. He wasn't the only one to notice this however, as all men in the yard joined Torr and Edd in their laughter. Even Harry had a knowing smile on his face and winked at him.

Lord Rickard looked at him with a serious and calculating expression on his face. "Is this true Robb, were you with Alys in the Godswood?" He asked him, not unkindly.

"Well, euhm, yes, euhm, my lord. You told me to say goodbye to Alys so we, euhm, walked around in the Godswood and euhm prayed and talked together before I came here." He managed to stammer out.

At this the laughter became even greater and even Edd had to wipe a little tear from his eye. Lord Rickard looked at him silently for a long while, before nodding and getting back to business. "Everybody straight in the saddle, you'll be leaving now. Fill in after Harrion and Harmond."

The men quickly calmed down, although Torr kept glancing at him with a knowing smile on his face. Harrion called out and they all left through the gate in two columns of riders.

(four days later)

It was late in the afternoon and after heavy riding they were within fifteen miles of the border now. Some twenty men, coming from a Karstark vassal, had joined them this morning with local guides to lead them to the area where the people had been sighed.

He had spent most of the time these past days talking with Edd, Torr and Osric. Besides that, he'd also had a few conversations with Harrion, Harmond and some of the guards.

Harrion kept him up to speed on all new developments and they had an agreement that he was to be seen riding next to him or his brothers at the front, if they came upon any villages or holdfasts. The Karstarks wanted to show off their unity with House Stark, as well as the prestige of fostering their heir to their local subjects. He didn't mind that much as he spent most of his times with the brothers anyway and liked to meet some more of the North's people.

At the present Edd and Osric were having a hushed conversation about the tavern wench that shared the former's bed yesterday evening. Apparently Harrion had found out and he had been none too pleased about it.

Seeing Edd's smile however, he doubted he regretted his actions much. He decided to leave them to their conversation and started looking around at the almost endless fields and hills around him. After a few minutes he saw something out of the corner of his eye and after looking more closely he saw something that looked like people to the west.

Contemplating what to do for a few seconds while trying to look what was going on, he made a decision and broke ranks to ride up to the front of the column. A lot of the guardsmen looked strangely at him, but no one said anything.

Reaching the front of the column he saw Harrion in deep conversation with Harmond riding to his right and the son of a local noblemen on his left. He steered his horse next to Harmond's and called out to Harrion. "Harrion, there are people to the west on the bottom of that hill. They aren't on a road I don't think, and they are marching away from the border as you warned us to look for."

Harrion snapped his neck to the side and looked at him. "People? Where?" In response, he pointed to the hill where he had seen the people moments ago. "Somewhere over there, it looked to be at least more than five."

Harrion looked at the hill for a few seconds and finally said. "I don't see anyone, are you absolutely sure that you saw them?"

He nodded heavily. "Yes Harry, I am sure!"

The Karstark heir stroked his beard before asking saying to himself. "More than five, hmmn that can't be a farmer and it is not likely to be merchants out here either." He nodded finally. "Thank you Robb, we'll take a look at what's going on."

Harrion turned in the saddle and shouted at the top of his lungs. "Men, people have been sighted to the west of here! We are going off the road to take a look. Follow in behind and be ready. I want that group encircled before we are within a hundred paces of them. We take no risks!"

After that he turned to him. "Robb, I want you to stay close to me and Harmond. The protective detail father assigned to me will follow you everywhere and you are to stay out of things as much as possible, am I understood?"

He nodded at Harrion and fell in behind him and Harmond with two guards immediately flanking him. Scouts were sent to the south and west and the main group picked up pace fast.

After a short ride west, they saw a group of around fifteen people walking with a cart in the middle. As their group was spotted, he saw knives and axes coming out and he heard scared voices urging people to the cart.

They encircled the group at a distance and came to a halt. Harrion rode a few paces forward and shouted to the group. "I am Harrion Karstark, the heir to Karhold, what are you doing on my family's lands? State your business."

Following this, he heard voices from the group. He couldn't hear what they were saying but managed to pick up "Karstark" and "no Bolton".

After a few seconds, a man, deep in his fifties with white streaking his brown beard and hair, stepped forward. He shouted back. "M'lord, we are here seeking refuge. If you allow us to tell you our tale, you will understand, I hope. We mean no harm!" The man sounded both scared and relieved at the same time and after his words made quite a big showing of putting his axe on the ground. This was followed by the people behind him.

At this Harrion raised his arm and most of the group trotted forward to the wagon. There Harrion and Harmond descended from their horses, followed by at least a dozen of the guards.

Looking more closely at the group he counted sixteen people. Five women, six children and only five men, of whom two were elderly.

The healthiest looking of the two elder men had been the one who had spoken before and he bowed his head to Harrion. "I am Rodrik, m'lord. These people behind me are my brother, two sons and daughter and their families. We originally were a farming family along the Weeping Water, but we have been on the run for weeks now. Trying to get away from there.

Harrion looked the group over and finally deciding they were no threat. He spoke seriously, but not unkindly. "Well met Rodrik, as I said, I am Harrion Karstark, the heir to Karhold and I am in command here. I was sent here with my brothers and cousin and a force by my father, Lord Rickard. We are here to investigate groups of people crossing the Bolton border into our lands. I am also accompanied by Robb Stark, the heir to Winterfell. Whatever you are afraid of, you are now safe. My men will give your family food and something to drink, as some of them seem hungry. In turn I only ask that you tell us your tale in detail."

At this a great murmur arose from the group of people, all he could manage to understand however was "safe" and quite surprisingly "Stark".

Harrion turned to Harmond "Harmond, we set up camp here for the night. I want sentries to be put in place and guard shifts made up for the night. Make sure these people get food, drink and some cover for the night. Some half a dozen guards can stay with me as I talk to this man."

The giant man only nodded as he left, immediately shouting orders to the men.

Before he managed to follow the captain of the guards however, the man called Rodrik asked Harrion with a strange hoarse voice. "M'lord did you say a Stark was with you?"

Surprised Harrion turned around. "Yes, Robb Stark, the heir to Winterfell is my father's ward. My father tasked him to accompany us here on this mission. "Robb, come here! This man wants to see you."

He made his way from behind the line of men-at-arms and presented himself to the man. He felt quite unsure about himself, but knew it was his duty to do so. "I am Robb Stark, the heir to Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North."

Hearing this, the man called Rodrik fell to his knees tears flowing from his face. "My lord, the Gods are just! Now we can finally get justice for our Bethany and Arsa, and for Beren. Oh, thank the Gods you found us." The man stammered out.

Completely surprised and not knowing what was going on he and Harrion looked towards each other. Finally, Harrion nudged him to say something. "Please Rodrik, stand up. What is it I can do for you?"

The man looked at him, got up and told him their whole story. He started by telling that his granddaughters Arsa and Sybelle had disappeared among similar rumors of disappearances in the surrounding villages. He described how Sybelle made it back to them naked, beaten and violated two weeks later with a horrifying tale of how her sister and other girls had been either eaten by savage dogs or flayed alive. He then continued to tell the story of how he had gathered his family and left their farmstead behind. A thing hundreds of common people in the area did these last weeks, according to Rodrik.

When asked where all these people were, as only a few dozen had been signaled crossing the border, Rodrik looked at them sadly. "Most were hunted down, I guess. We too were attacked four days ago … my nephew Beren and my daughter-in-law Bethany gave their lives to defend our family." The man said as he finally broke down. "We had to leave their bodies for the crows m'lord, couldn't give 'em a proper burial for fear of our own lives."

After composing himself again, the man continued. "Some o' those people might still be on Bolton lands trying to escape. Others might've crossed the border without you knowing yet, as we did two days ago. All I know, is that from the area at the mouth of the Wendwater hundreds o' people left. We even crossed a few of these groups on our own trip, but we haven't seen any for a week now."

All he could do was stare at the man. He felt horrified and disgusted at the tale the men had told and he could taste the bile in his mouth. With some effort he managed to swallow it down and could only think of one thing. 'What monsters could do such a thing'?

Harrion was first to ask the question though. His friend seemed similarly affected by Rodrik's words, but he got control over himself more quickly.

Looking from Harrion to himself and back, the man answered. "That's why we need a Stark m'lord. The monsters, who did this to us, are Lord Bolton's bastard and his friends. I've heard that none, but a Stark, can force Lord Bolton to act and give us the justice we were denied all this time."

He looked at the man in shock and didn't know what to say. He was only a boy, not even fourteen years old, how could he help against those monsters? Then he looked around at all those people. He saw how some were wounded and almost all looked exhausted, shocked and hungry. He needed to do something!

"Good man, I feel very sorry about what you had to endure. Your troubles are over now! We will find you food and shelter and a place to call home for the coming time. I will arrange with Lord Karstark that you can get some place to live, so you will never have to go to those lands again, if you do not wish it. Besides that, I will write to my father personally to tell you what has transpired here. He will bring the men responsible to justice, I swear it to you on the Old Gods." He said impulsively and emotionally.

"Thank you m'lord, a thousand times we thank you." The man cried out.

Harrion added. "It may be however that it takes a while before Lord Eddard can get this thing sorted. In the meantime, you will be given an escort towards the nearest holdfast, so you are safe. At the same time the rest of my men and I will patrol the border, to secure none of these ruffians get here. Hopefully we can help some more of your people along the way. Now go eat and take a rest Rodrik, my men will take care of guard duties and none of your family shall be harmed."

"Thank you m'lords, you both are a gift from the Gods. Thank you!" The man stammered before he went back to his family, to tell those who couldn't listen of all that had transpired.

"Robb, a word, now." Harrion said, without looking at him, when the man was out of earshot. He walked up to where Harrion went to, two guards loyally following behind.

The five-year older boy looked at him. "That was really irresponsible what you did there, Robb." He said, but there was no bite in his voice.

"What?" He managed to get out, totally surprised about the reaction, as all he could think about was the horrible fate the farmer's family had endured.

"You made promises you may not be able to keep. That can be a dangerous thing to do for a lord. People won't respect you if they do not think your word is worth something. You are not the Lord of the North, your father is. He gave you no authority to deal with these kinds of situations, let alone promise justice on a member of House Bolton. What do you think is going to happen Robb? You think he is just going to send a raven and Roose Bolton is going to become a kinslayer for it?"

"But … but we need to help these people Harry! These people deserve justice and my father will think the same I'm sure! We cannot let these monsters roam free in the North and do that to these people!" He answered exasperated.

"I know Robb, I know. I am equally disgusted at what the Bolton bastard did to those people. I also hope your father sees it the same way, but even if he does, it is not that easy. The Bolton's are the strongest House in the North, except for House Stark and maybe House Manderly. If Roose Bolton isn't willing to hand over his bastard, let alone deal justice on him, then this could mean trouble and it won't be easy. Do you understand?"

Thinking over Harry's words, he started to realize what this could mean. Would father give over Jon without a fight? He slowly nodded to Harry and answered sadly "I think I understand."

Looking him over his foster brother put his hand on his shoulder. "Good, ruling is never easy Robb, remember that. Especially in situations such as these! For now, we will do all we can for these people and try to save as many more as we can. We will patrol the border a lot more, to ensure none of their atrocities will be committed on Karstark lands at least. If we catch any of these criminals their heads will be put on spikes, I'll make sure of that. Does that sound reasonable to you?"

Feeling slightly less powerless, he answered fiercely. "Yes Harry, thank you!"

"Good, now I will write letters to my father to explain the situation and I expect you to do the same to yours, the letters will leave on the morrow. I will also ask my father and the surrounding holdfasts here for extra men to strengthen the border, as well as have men to spare to accompany all the people I hope to find safely. Now go and help set up camp, I have a lot to do and think over."

"I will, Harry." He said, as he left to find Edd and Torr. If anyone could cheer him up from the horrid picture that was stuck in head, it was them.

Thank you for reading this!

Fannic

Reviews:

- Ak95: You're right that's a mistake, although they got their lands from an Andal king so I envision them having converted to their ways at the start of their history. Thanks for the correction!

- Warlover1015: a trip to Yi-Ti would take years and would be very dangerous. Ned would never allow Jon to do such a thing and I also don't want any (economical) deus ex machina things to happen in this story. But I thank you for the suggestion!

- Angeluszuko-z: This is still an isolated incident and many things can (and will) change by then. So wait and see for the impact of this.

- Osterreichter97: Oh Ned will be pissed about it for sure, however there isn't a lot he can do about it as he hasn't seen Robert in years and isn't willing to leave his family to go to King's Landing for now. The New Gift is an interesting suggestion and I'll look into it. Thank you!

- Ksveela: Ned is a mix of Arryn and Stark in canon. Especially his precious honor is very Arryn-like. Here he changes a little, there is no way he would change everything especially with his marriage to Cat. However the impact the fosterings might have on their children in regards of culture might be big, as such the Starks could over time have more of the First Men in them again. This will take years however, as it did with Ned staying a decade in the Vale and still only favoring a few parts of the Andal education Jon Arryn gave him. Wait and see what and how much happens!

- Lester: Edmure here is younger and hasn't had the humbling experience of leading as a lord, as Hoster isn't sick yet. So he is ever a lot more proud, impulsive and dreamy than in canon. At this point he has been at Winterfell for a while with Cat sometimes telling him he how awful she feels with 'the bastard situation'. I do believe that in canon if Jon would have accompanied Robb there would have been a clash coming, here the clash is worse because Edmure is a lot more immature still.

Edmure (rightfully in this world) sees Jon as a huge disgrace upon the Tully honor and his sister Catelyn. Stories like the Blackfyre's are also a major cultural trauma about bastards in the South and as such Edmure fears for his family's influence in the North and the future of his nephews. Also it is said in canon that Jon was from time to time confronted by Catelyn about being a bastard in canon, Theon did as well.

It is true Edmure cared about the small folk, but Jon isn't one. Also Edmure only did in idiotic ways. He tried to protect the smallfolk which led to the hosts of House Piper and Vance being slaughtered by the Lannisters and so the Riverlands were unprepared for their invasion. Although it came from a good place, every move Edmure made in that regard was plain stupid when dealing with someone as ruthless as Tywin Lannister.

I don't think there is much xenophobic bias, you have to think how large the Seven Kingdoms are (around 3.000.000 square miles from estimation I can send you links) and how culturally diverse. Look at all major empires in history and a lot of the groups always looked down on one or the other or felt they were better. It's a common human feature and won't be any different in asoiaf and GRRM put dozens if not hundreds of hints to it in canon as well.

- Lord Wolfe: The Starks are both Warden and Lord paramount, a Warden is an honorary military position and a Lord Paramount is a ruler over a region.

- Pavook: They could be considered yes. They also think it great to teach the Starks their ways, second daughter or not. It also is very beneficial to have eyes and ears in Winterfell to see what's going on and only that would make it valuable.

I discussed Edmure above here. You have to realize he is a lot more immature now with Hoster still carrying everything while he does his thing. The scene was deescalated before major problems were created and Hoster and Eddard will settle most of it as is their as the fathers. More on that later.

- Alfil95: see above, but thanks for your insight! I again want to stretch the major difference to Edmure's character is him not ever having had any responsibility and he wrongly thought the vassals wouldn't care about a bastard (as the Riverlanders vassals wouldn't)

- Guests 1 & 4: wow!

- Guest 2: Jon is being treated better here than in canon with his fosterage and an actual future in front of him.

- Guest 3: as discussed above! Still thank you for your insights.