Chapter 13

The dungeon at Riverrun is dark and damp; Ollypher Frey doesn't know how long he's been locked up here. All the guards have been forbidden to speak to him, and now that scheme has been carried out, hasn't it? He wants to ask, but he knows no one will answer. Fortunately, he's being held in his own prison, still receiving the treatment due to a legitimate Frey, but aside from that

Translation: "The dungeon of Twin Rivers City was dark and damp; Ollyph Frey did not know how long he had been imprisoned here. All guards were forbidden to speak to him; now, had that scheme been carried out? He wanted to ask, but knew no one would answer him. Fortunately, he was imprisoned in his own family's jail, still receiving the treatment due to a legitimate Frey, and aside from that, he was the true prisoner of this jail."

Check: need to keep meaning, not add. Ensure we didn't add extra info. It's fine.

Although he is a Frey, his place in the line of succession is so remote that he is insignificant in this prosperous family. He is the eighteenth son of Old Walder Frey, with a heap of brothers, nephews, grand‑nephews, nieces, and grand‑nieces ahead of him.

Translation: "Although he was a Frey, his place in the line of succession was too remote; in this thriving family he was insignificant. He was the eighteenth son of Old Walder Frey, with a heap of brothers, nephews, grandnephews, nieces, and grandnieces ahead of him."

As a marginal member of the family, what he is most proud of is that he once had the honor of serving as a squire to Robb Stark, King in the North. The young wolf lord was a few years younger than him, but in his memory he possessed the bearing of a storybook hero. As a squire he accompanied this young lord through nearly every victory, sharing in the king's honor. Moreover, he is Roslin's full brother, so he could be the king's closest confidant and the king's sworn shield.

Translation: "As a marginal member of the family, what made him most proud was that he had once been fortunate enough to serve as an attendant to the King of the North, Robb Stark. The young wolf lord was a few years younger than him, yet in his impression he possessed greatly the air of a hero from stories. As an attendant he accompanied this young wolf lord through nearly every victory, sharing in the king's honor. Besides that, he was also Roslin's full brother; he could be the person closest to the king, he could be the king's iron guard."

Poor Roslin, if Robb had seen you he would surely regret not marrying you. That Westerling woman, Jeyne, whom he saw in person, is frail and pretentious, certainly no more attractive to men than his sister. Jeyne, Jeyne, why is it that every prince and king who goes astray is called Jeyne?

Translation: "Poor Roslin, if Robb saw you he would surely regret not marrying you. That Westerling woman, Jeyne, whom he had personally seen, was slender and pretentious, certainly no more attractive to men than his sister. Jeyne, Jeyne, why is it that all who lead the prince and king astray are called Jeyne?"

He was anxious and restless, yet everything outside had lost contact with him; he could only lie listlessly on a damp bed. Since he forced the old servant who changed his sheets to speak to him, he no longer had fresh sheets and blankets each day. No one told him, but he knew this was punishment for his insolence.

Translation: "He felt restless and uneasy, but everything outside had lost contact with him; he could only lie listlessly on the damp bed. Since he had forced the old servant who changed his linens to speak with him, he no longer had fresh sheets and blankets each day. No one told him, but he knew this was punishment for his disobedience."

But what crime have I committed? I am loyal to my king, loyal to my family's honor, I have striven to keep the family from falling into the devil's snare, and I have earnestly counseled my father, my brother, and the heirs of Riverrun. I do not deserve this punishment.

Translation: "But what crime have I committed? I am loyal to my own king, loyal to my family's honor, doing my utmost to prevent the family from falling into the devil's trap, striving to offer sincere counsel to my father, my brother, and the heirs of Twin Rivers City; I do not deserve this punishment."

Beside his bed lay *The Seven Kingdoms' Knights*; in this prison he had read it at least ten times, and each reading convinced him that he was doing the right thing, that as a knight he ought to make his choices just as those great knights of history did.

Translation: "Beside the bed lay *The Knights of the Seven Kingdoms*; in this prison he had read it at least ten times, yet each reading made him feel that what he was doing was correct, that as a knight he ought to make his choices just like those great knights of history."

King Robb once placed his sword upon my shoulder. Even if the king cast aside my sister, I remain a knight dubbed by the king, and there is no higher honor than that; I still remember my oath. Oh, no—even if I were not a knight, even if Robb had never dubbed me, I would still choose to do what is right.

Translation: "King Robb once placed his sword upon my shoulder. Even if the king cast aside my sister, I am still a knight dubbed by the king, there is no higher honor than being a king‑dubbed knight, and I still remember my oath. Oh, no, even if I were not a knight, even without Robb's accolade, I would still choose to do what is right."

Exposing the shameless, vile conspiracy is as important and just as protecting one's own king.

Translation: "Exposing the shameless, vile conspiracy is as important and just as protecting my own king."

Seeing the candle about to burn out its last wick, he relit it; the candlelight steadied, seeming eternal. He stared blankly at the flame, and within its light a dragon breathed fire, soldiers struggled in agony behind stone walls. He thought it an illusion, rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, and the flame vanished—only a blue‑eyed warrior brandishing a spear appeared against a backdrop of ice and snow, his icy breath nearly freezing him; he instantly recognized what it was, though he had never seen it before. He rubbed his eyes again, the firelight cleared, and corpses hung from the river, some still struggling…

Translation: "Seeing the candle about to burn out its last wick, he relit it; the candlelight returned to calm, seeming eternal and unchanging. He stared blankly at the flame; within the fire a dragon breathed out, soldiers struggled in agony amid the flames behind the stone wall. He thought it an illusion, wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, the flame vanished, and a blue‑eyed warrior brandishing a spear roared at him against a backdrop of ice and snow, the freezing breath nearly freezing him solid—he instantly knew what this was, though he had never seen it before. He rubbed his eyes again; in the firelight the ice and snow vanished, and corpses hung by the neck from the river, some still struggling…"

As he prepared to move closer for a clearer look, the candlelight flickered and everything vanished; then the iron door rattled, emitting a squeak like a reluctant child being called home. Immediately after came the solemn tread of boots—surely not a guard or a servant. He instantly realized this was someone who could speak with him.

Translation: "When he prepared to draw nearer to see more clearly, the candlelight flickered, everything vanished, and then the iron door swayed, emitting a creaking sound like the nasal whine of a child unwilling to go home. Right after came the solemn tread of boots—this could not be any guard or servant. He immediately realized this was someone who could speak with him."

"My uncle, how have you been lately? The old man has mentioned you several times and even asked if you were dead—oh, we actually understand he's just concerned about your health. Are you all right? I've heard that your nephew Edwyn has already arranged everything for you: books, candles, paper, ink, blankets, roasted venison, honey‑glazed stewed fish, lemons, oranges, apples, blackberries—everything you could want is provided." He recognized the voice as Walder Frey's. Walder Frey was tall and slender, dressed in the Freys' standard blue‑gray leather armor, looking like a complete clown. He is the third son of Sir Stevron Frey; his place in the line of succession is far ahead of his, setting aside women—if Edwyn, Black Walden, and Janna were to die, he would become the heir to Riverrun.

Translation: "\"My uncle, how have you been these days? The old master has mentioned you several times, even asking if you were dead—oh, actually we understand he's been concerned about your health. Well, are you all right? I've heard that your nephew Edwin has already arranged everything for you: books, candles, paper, ink, blankets, roasted venison, honey‑glazed fish stew, lemons, oranges, apples, blackberries—everything you wanted has been provided. \" He recognized the voice as Walder Frey's. Walder Frey was tall and slender, dressed in the Frey family's standard blue‑gray leather armor, looking like a complete clown. He was the third son of the eldest brother, Sir Stevron, and his place in the succession was far higher than Ollyph's; setting aside women, if Edwin, Black Walder, and Gaty were to die, he would become the heir of Twin Rivers City."

How could this be good? The sword I wanted was never provided, the books I asked for brought only a single volume, and I received none of the news I sought. "As you can see," he said, feeling his voice tremble, so he struggled to lower his tone: "What has happened in this time? King Robb?" This cruel man has come to this point so easily—what does it mean? He does not wish to contemplate it.

Translation: "\"How could it be all right? The sword I wanted was never provided, the books I wanted amounted to only one volume, and I received not a shred of news. \" \"As you see, \" he said. Feeling his voice tremble, he struggled to lower his tone: \"What has happened during this time? King Robb? \" The thought of this cruel man coming so easily to this point, what it signified, he did not want to contemplate."

"Well, I thought you knew. Your letter was never sent, so… the plan went off perfectly…"

Translation: "\"Well, I thought you knew. Your letter was never sent out, so… the plan went off perfectly…\""

"Damn the plan, you filth! You're absolutely mad!" He could barely contain his rage.

Translation: "\"What a damned plan, you scumbags! You're really crazy! \" He could barely contain his anger."

"Well, we're preparing to say out there that the false king turned into a blood‑lusting direwolf and went on a slaughter at the wedding…" The firelight flickered, almost dying. Shadows lurched across the wall, crawling this way and that.

Translation: "\"Well, we're planning to tell the world that the false king turned into a blood‑loving direwolf and went on a slaughter at the wedding…\" The firelight danced, almost guttering out. Shadows lurched and crawled across the wall."

"You expect to fool them and treat everyone like idiots?" He burst out laughing, wanting to weep for his king.

Translation: "\"You expect to fool everyone by taking them for idiots? \" He burst out laughing, wanting to weep for his king."

"Hmph, this is merely an excuse for our allies; as long as they remain allies, they'll have no choice but to believe it!"

Translation: "\"Hmph, this is merely an excuse for our allies; as long as they remain allies, they can only believe it! \"

"What about the Starks, Amber? About Tollett, Serve, Glover, Mormont, Mandley? Do you expect them to believe this too? They'll only see it as an insult!"

Translation: "\"What about the Starks, Amber? Tao Ha, Sevin, Glover, Mormont, Manderly? Do you expect them to believe this too? They'd only see it as an insult! \"

"They may not believe it, but they must! The Iron Throne has given the North's lordship to Bolton, and we still hold these families' lords or heirs, so they can only submit. Moreover, the traitors now holding the realm are few; once the Lannisters clear Dragonstone, the kingdom will muster its forces and, together with Bolton, utterly destroy the Starks—just a few winters and summers hence, who will remember them? Who will recall what happened here?"

Translation: "\"Whether they believe it or not, they have to! The Iron Throne has given the lordship of the North to Bolton, and we still hold these families' lords or heirs in our hands; they can only submit. Moreover, the traitors now gripping the kingdom are few; as long as the Lannisters sweep Dragonstone clean, the realm will muster its forces and, together with Bolton, utterly destroy the Starks—just a few summers and winters hence, who will still remember them? Who will recall what happened here? \""

"Ha ha ha, how could the North forget this? How could the Seven Kingdoms forget?" They now eat dung and praise its taste, but given the chance they will take revenge on the Freys; the Freys will live forever in fear, and will be hated by any who believe in the gods… and the North—we are only a narrow neck of land apart!

Translation: "\"Hahaha, how could the North forget such a thing? How could the Seven Kingdoms forget? \" They now eat excrement and praise its taste, but given the chance they will take revenge on the Freys; the Freys will forever live in fear, and will be hunted by anyone who believes in the gods… and the North—we are only a neck‑swamp apart!"

"So we must make sure the North stays firmly in Bolton's hands. Now that fat Walda has married Roose Bolton, all we need is for her to bear a trueborn heir, and the Freys can rest easy, no longer worrying about the North. You should know that the Freys are famed for their fertility; Walda will surely bear him many little Freys."

Translation: "\"So we must do everything to keep the North firmly in Bolton's hands. Now Fat Walda has married Roose Bolton; once she bears a legitimate heir, we Freys can rest easy here, no longer worrying about the North. You should know, the Frey famed for fertility—Walda will surely bear him many little skin‑peelers. \""

He doesn't care how many offspring Bolton might produce. Now that the Freys have committed this vile deed, the gods will show no mercy.

Translation: "He didn't care how many offspring Bolton could produce. Now that the Freys have committed this vile deed, the gods will show no mercy."

"King Robb?"

Translation: "\"King Robb? \""

"What king? He's just a pretender—do as you please. I can only tell you that Robb is dead; he was run through the chest by a Bolton blade at the wedding. The blood nearly drowned Bolton. 'Jaime Lannister sends his regards,' ha—if you'd seen Robb's eyes widen at those words… Well, this is the price of betraying and insulting the Freys—hey, Black Walden even had them sew a direwolf's head onto his neck…"

Translation: "\"What king? Just a pretender—be happy as you like. I can only tell you Robb is dead, stabbed through the chest by Bolton at the wedding. The blood nearly drowned Bolton. 'Jaime Lannister sends his respects,' ha, you didn't see how wide Robb's eyes opened. Humph, this is the price of betraying and insulting the Freys; hey, Black Walder even had someone sew a direwolf's head onto his neck…\""

"How dare you! How dare you!" Feeling he could no longer endure such shamelessness, he lunged at the prison door, thrusting his hands through the water‑soaked iron bars, nearly grabbing Walder's throat, and shouted loudly.

Translation: "\"How dare you! How dare you! \" Feeling he could no longer endure this shamelessness, he lunged at the jail door, his hands thrusting through the water‑soaked iron bars, nearly grabbing Walder's throat, and shouted loudly."

"Ah, damn it! Your king's head has already been sent to King's Landing; if you weren't also a Frey, we'd have hanged you and then cut off your head to spike on the city gate!" He clutched his neck, glaring with fury, then turned and walked away.

Translation: "\"Ah, damn it! Your king's head has already been sent to King's Landing; if you weren't also a Frey, we'd have hanged you and then cut off your head to stick on the city gate wall! \" He clutched his neck, glaring resentfully, then turned and walked away."

After an unknown span, he withdrew his hands from his stupor, but they ached, blood pouring forth as if on fire. That night he spiked a high fever, collapsing onto a damp bed; in his haze he awoke several times, each time seeing only darkness. When he finally awoke again after an unknown period, he found himself lying in a small cottage with a window; sunlight streamed in, dust motes dancing in the bright beams.

Translation: "No one knows how long passed before he withdrew his hands from his stupor, but his hands ached, blood pouring forth as if burning. That night he ran a high fever, collapsing onto the damp bed; in his haze he woke several times, each awakening met only darkness. When he finally awoke after an unknown interval, he found himself lying in a small room with a window; sunlight streamed in, and dust motes danced in the bright beams."

His whole body ached, he felt utterly weak, yet the fever had broken. He lifted his hand to rise, only to discover his chest and both hands were wrapped in bandages; even touching them sent a dull ache.

Translation: "His whole body ached, he felt utterly weak, yet the fever had broken. He lifted his hand to rise, only to discover that his chest and both hands were wrapped in bandages; touching them still caused a faint pain."

"Ollie! I thought you were going to die; the maester said you had only a fifty‑percent chance of waking." The girl's name was Walda Rivers, his brother's bastard daughter, whom his birth mother had kept beside him and raised as a daughter.

Translation: "\"Olly! I thought you were going to die; the maester also said you had only a fifty‑percent chance of waking. \" The girl's name was Walder River‑born, the bastard daughter left by his brother, whom his birth mother kept beside him and raised as a daughter."

"Still, the maester speaks true—any half‑fulfilled prediction makes him right." This made Walda giggle, "How long have I been asleep?"

Translation: "\"Still, the maester's words—any half that comes true makes him right. \" This made Walder giggle, \"How long have I been asleep? \""

"They've brought you up from the cellar—this is already the third day; I don't know how long you slept down there. When they lifted you out, they said your skin was steaming, hot enough to boil an egg! The maester said even leeches refuse to drink your blood because it's too hot."

Translation: "\"Since we lifted you from the dungeon, this is already the third day; I don't know how long you slept down there. When they hauled you out, they said your skin was steaming—you could boil an egg on it! The maester said leeches wouldn't drink your blood because it was too hot. \""

I really wish I could have an egg to eat right now; if not, a roasted leech would do.

Translation: "I really wish I could have an egg to eat now; if not, roasted leeches would do."

"Tell me, what has happened during this time?"

Translation: "\"Tell me, what has happened during this time? \""

"Ah, a lot has happened. The elders were first pleased, then furious. Men reacted variously, but the women were terrified—Roslin wept incessantly. Many died in the keep, many of them northerners. Ollie, I heard some servants say the Freys will be cursed, and that many bastards are glad they don't bear the Frey name…"

Translation: "\"Ah, a lot has happened. The elders were first pleased, then furious. Men reacted variously, but the women were all terrified; Roslin wept without cease. Many died in the keep, many of them northerners. Olly, I heard some servants say the Freys will be cursed, and moreover many bastards are glad they don't bear the Frey name…\""

Ollie was speechless. He knew Lord Walder's plan; as his adult son he had the right to take part in the family conspiracy, but he had not imagined that Lord Walder would choose the worst possible course. He despised his own arrogance, thinking he could rouse his relatives by shouting and denouncing them, but all he got was imprisonment, ultimately losing the reliable chance to warn Robb in confidence and also losing any hope of salvaging the family's honor. He should have stayed silent, slipped away at a fitting moment, sought out his king, and brought him the dreadful news.

Translation: "Ollyph Frey was speechless. He knew Walder's scheme; as his adult son he was qualified to take part in the family's secret council, but he had not imagined Walder would choose the worst possible course. He resented his own arrogance, thinking he could rouse his relatives by shouting and denouncing, yet all that came was imprisonment, ultimately losing the reliable chance to tip off Robb in confidence and also losing the possibility to salvage the family's honor. He ought to have stayed silent, slipped away at a fitting moment, sought his king, and brought him the dreadful news."

In the midst of silence, they brought in old Lord Frey. He was so ancient that above his neck he had no hair, his skin completely bare, wrinkled and dotted with age spots; yet in the sunlight he looked like a frail infant curled upon his great seat.

Translation: "While he remained silent, they brought in Old Frey. Old Frey was so old that above his neck there was no hair, all exposed; his wrinkled skin was flecked with age spots, yet in the sunlight he looked like a frail infant curled up in his grand seat."

"Hey, you've betrayed the family, lad." Old Frey said, as if speaking a joke in a joking tone. Ollie knew his father was waiting for him to speak, but he stubbornly remained silent, so Old Walder went on: "Your mother is a decent woman, you know—not only that, she bore me four sons and a daughter. When I married her I never imagined she'd be so fertile; who would have thought? Everyone in the Ross family is a sickly cougher, weak‑spirited. Hey, it must be the Frey blood at work—perhaps we have the blood of Quenton Hightower! In seven years she gave me five children; your uncles can't envy that."

Translation: "\"Hey, you've betrayed the family, lad. \" Old Frey said, as if speaking comically in a comical manner. Ollyph knew his father was waiting for him to speak, but he stubbornly stayed silent, so Old Walder had to continue: \"Your mother is a decent woman, you know; besides, she bore me four sons and a daughter. When I married her I never imagined she'd be so fertile—who would have thought? The Rosby lot are all sickly, coughing nonstop, lacking spirit. Hey, maybe it's the Frey blood at work; perhaps the Freys have the lineage of the Greenhand Ghiscari! In seven years she bore me five, your uncles can't envy that. \""

He had never liked this sort of father—scrawny and sharp‑tongued; as a boy he even thought his brother Stevron was his father. He had always tried to avoid the old man, but today he felt no fear.

Translation: "He had never taken to this sort of father—puny and sharp‑tongued; as a boy he even thought his brother Stevron was his father. He used to avoid this old man as much as possible, but today he felt no fear."

"You all had better get out of here—what are you doing, waiting for me to die? Get lost! When I call for you I'll naturally rattle the bell; right now I want to have a private word with this son, no eavesdropping—hey, scram, scram!" In the blink of an eye the room held only the two of them.

Translation: "\"You all had better get out of here; what are you doing in here, waiting for me to die? Scram! When I call for you I'll naturally shake the bell—now I want to have a private word with this son, no eavesdropping, hey, scram scram! \" In the blink of an eye the room held only the two of them."

"I know you young folks—hey, you always toss away real money for some pointless trinket. Utter stupidity. Robb Stark is foolish enough, just like his dead father: 'I chose to harm myself rather than sully that girl's honor.' Hey, if his grandfather Rickard saw what the Starks have become today, he'd leap out of his tomb. Hey, he's already been roasted—he probably couldn't jump even if he tried."

Translation: "\"I know you young folks, hey, always tossing away solid gold and silver for some pointless trifle. Utter stupidity. Robb Stark is stupid enough, just like his dead old man—'I chose to harm myself rather than tarnish that girl's honor,' hey, if his grandfather Rickard were to see today's Stark turned out like this, he'd have to leap out of his tomb. Hey, he's already been roasted; I doubt he could jump up now. \""

He still said nothing, knowing it was best to wait for the lord to continue; the lord was old and increasingly unable to keep secrets.

Translation: "He still said nothing, knowing it was best to wait for the marquis to continue; the marquis was old, yet increasingly unable to keep a secret."

"I know many dukes of Winterfell, you know—speaking of temperament, none is better than that young Robb, but they all have more guile than a wolf pup. Hey, his grandfather—yes, the one who was roasted—had prepared for years to go south; when I realized he wanted to reach southward, I suggested providing a Frey woman for his son, but the old wolf refused outright. I then offered a Frey bride for his second son, and he refused that as well. I know he would never marry his only precious daughter to my Stevron or to a fine grandson, so I proposed finding a girl for his youngest son, but he told me he wanted to send that boy to the Wall. Hey, the Wall—I thought the North lacked a suitable fief for his son, so I suggested granting him a plot at the river crossing, yet he still refused. Look, I've been turned down by wolves many times before."

Translation: "\"I know many dukes of Winterfell, hey, speaking of temperament, none is better than that little Robb, but they all have more guile than a wolf pup. Hey, his grandfather—yes, the one who was roasted—had prepared for years to go south; when I learned he wanted to reach out southward, I suggested readying a Frey woman for his son, but the old wolf refused outright; I proposed matching him with his second son, and he likewise refused. I knew he would never marry his only precious daughter to my Stevron or to a fine grandson, so I suggested finding a girl for his little son, yet he told me to send that son to the Wall. Hey, the Wall—I thought the North lacked a suitable fief for his son, so I proposed granting him a plot at the river crossing for the young wolf, but he still refused. Look, I've already been turned down by wolves many times. \""

He knew his father, this old lord had not finished speaking, so he patiently waited.

Translation: "He knew his father; this old marquis wasn't finished yet, so he waited patiently."

"Later I heard that he found a female fish for the heir, sent the maiden to Storm's End, and dispatched his second son to the eagle‑lord who had no sons. The old wolf thought the lion had withdrawn from the king's side, that King's Landing was his stage. Hey! The moves were covert, but King Eyris saw everything." Lord Walder mused on the past; he had no teeth left, yet his lips were nimble, constantly sucking on them, his speech oddly articulate despite the missing teeth.

Translation: "\"Later I heard he had found a female fish for his heir, sent his daughter to Storm's End, and dispatched his second son to the eagle‑less eyrie. The old wolf thought the lion had already withdrawn from the king's side, that King's Landing was his stage. Hey! The moves were covert, but King Iris saw it all. \" Walder mused on the past; though he had no teeth left, the corners of his mouth were lively, constantly sucking on his lips, his speech 'tooth‑clear'."

Could it be that today we are discussing history from hundreds of years ago?

Translation: "Could it be that today we are to discuss history from hundreds of years ago?"

"I know what you're thinking, kid—you suppose I have plenty of time to list, uh, how many sons? Anyway, I don't have much leisure to lecture you! But I'm getting to the point. The old wolf had everything planned, just waiting to become the King's Hand and, together with Prince Rhaegar, forge a golden age—except Rhaegar turned out as mad as his father. Heh heh. The wolf's plan: once something unexpected happens, the wolf falls into utter confusion; no matter his plans, preparations, or vows, they are all swept aside by a sudden surge of passion, which they boast is the 'wolf's blood.' Horst repeatedly urged his son‑in‑law to desist, then again urged the old wolf, but they kept leaping into the abyss one after another. Hey, I thought Eddard's son would be different, but he turned out even madder than those before. Well, madness is madness, but how could the Freys join them in leaping? The Freys have no claws!"

Translation: "\"I know what you're thinking, kid! You think I have plenty of time to… uh… for how many sons? Anyway, I don't have much leisure to lecture you! Hey, but I'm about to get to the point. The old wolf had everything planned, just waiting to become the king's hand and, together with Prince Rhaegar, forge a golden age—yet he didn't expect Rhaegar and his father to be equally mad, heh heh. The wolf's plan. Once an upset occurs, the wolf's wits go to pieces; no matter what plan, preparation, or promise, they're all outweighed by a moment's hot blood, and they boast this is the wolfsblood's fury. Horst repeatedly dissuaded his son‑in‑law, then again the old wolf, but they kept jumping into the abyss one after another. Hey, I thought Eddard's son would be different, but he turned out even crazier than those before. Oh well, crazy is crazy, but how could the Freys join them in that leap? The Freys have no claws! \""

"Well, that isn't necessary…" — that isn't necessary to slaughter guests beneath the eaves. Ollie could no longer restrain his impatience; he hurriedly demanded an answer, but the vile words would not come out.

Translation: "\"That wouldn't be necessary…\" \"That wouldn't be necessary to slaughter guests under the eaves. \" Ollyph could no longer contain his patience; he hurriedly demanded an answer, but the vile words would not come out."

"I told him that although the Crag is in the ironborn's hands, there's no need to return to fight them, yet he even thought I wanted to trap him in the riverlands. Hey, if he truly meant to return to the North, would he have to rely on that handsome simpleton Edmure to lead us against the Iron Throne? Hey, the outcome is already decided!"

Translation: "\"I told him, even though the Ironborn hold Crackclaw Bay, there's no need to return to fight them; yet he even thought I wanted to trap him in the Riverlands. Hey, if he truly meant to go back to the North, would we have to rely on that handsome simpleton Edmure to lead us against the Iron Throne? Hey, the outcome is already decided! \""

"Robb would never have lost; he won every battle!"

Translation: "\"Robb would never lose; he won every battle! \""

"But he did lose the war. The little wolf gave you a love potion! I was also preparing to open the river crossing for him, but at that moment I received a letter from Tywin." Lord Walder gave a strange smile.

Translation: "\"But he did lose the war. The little wolf slipped you a love potion! I too was preparing to open the river crossing for him, yet at that moment I received Tywin's letter. \" Old Walder gave a strange smile."

What message?

Translation: "\"What letter? \""

Hehe, he first told me about the marriage alliance between the Freys and the Lannisters, boasting how long their friendship has lasted, but he forgot that I bribed his foolish father to buy his sister, spending more gold than he himself had at the time. He has cursed Old Frey countless times behind his back. Heh, he also told me how brave Emmon and his sons were on the battlefield for the Lannisters and the Iron Throne. Heh, then he spoke of the victory on the Blackwater Rush, the alliance with the Reach, the seat prepared for the Prince of Dorne before the king, and how splendidly the Duke of Harrenhal fulfilled his duty in the Eyrie. Hehe, the little bird's trinket made the female fish unable to resist! He also promised to give Riverrun to Emmon, and even the witch's descendant from Crakehall pledged Castamere to the Castellan. Hehe, I knew he would bring it up; he said, if the witch dares to betray the Iron Throne, he'll sing them a song of the same name. Oh, Tywin Lannister. His toothless mouth kept sucking on his lips, like a baby nursing, savoring a flavor only he could appreciate. He thought these words would work, heh, everyone underestimates the Freys. What really made me decide was another thing. Hehe.

Translation: "\"Hehe, he first told me about the Frey‑Lannister marriage alliance, saying how long‑lasting the friendship between the two houses was; but he forgot that I bribed his foolish father to buy his sister, spending more gold than he himself possessed at the time. Behind his back he undoubtedly cursed Old Frey many times. Hey, he also told me how valiantly Emmon and his sons fought for the Lannisters and the Iron Throne on the battlefield. Hey, then he spoke of the victory won on the Blackwater River, the alliance with Highgarden, the seat prepared for the Prince of Dorne in the royal presence, and how splendidly the Duke of Harrenhal fulfilled his duties in the Eyrie. Hehe, the little bird's trinket makes the female fish unable to resist! He also pledged to give Riverrun to Emmon, and even the descendant of the witch of Craggy Rock pledged fealty to the Earl of Castamere. Hehe, I know he'll bring it up; he says, if the witch dares to betray the Iron Throne, he'll have them sing the same‑named song. Oh, Tywin Lannister. \" His toothless mouth kept sucking on his lips, like a nursing infant, and in the flavor only he could discern, he said, \"He thinks these words will work, hey, everyone underestimates the Freys. The true reason that steeled my resolve is another matter. Hehe. \""

"What?" If bribery and threats fail to sway Old Frey, he doesn't know what else could persuade him.

Translation: "\"What? \" If coaxing and threats couldn't sway Old Frey, he didn't know what else could move him."

Hey, what's what, my boy, I doubt I need to tell you all this; if you're really that stupid, I ought to throw you in the river instead of wasting my breath. Old Walder curled his lip, clearly displeased with his reaction: Bolton freed Jaime Lannister from Harrenhal and sent his men to escort him all the way. Hey, I had Blackwald check his guard captain—that Ironleg fellow—indeed he never showed up at Riverrun. The female fish did something stupid, and the gods didn't make it right, so obviously the gods aren't on your side, King Robb... Hey, the kingslayer has safely returned to King's Landing, the King in the North's rabble has fractured again, I can't imagine what the Iron Throne—or rather, Tywin that lion—is still waiting for. For the Freys, I naturally side with the victors; besides, there's the promised Riverrun, hey, it's been occupied by the trout for thousands of years.

Translation: "\"Hey, what‑what, my lad, I doubt it's worth saying all this to you; if you really are that stupid, hey, I ought to toss you into the river rather than waste breath on you. \" Old Walder pursed his lips, dissatisfied with his reaction: \"Bolton released Jaime Lannister from Harrenhal and sent his guard to escort him all the way. Hey, I specifically had Black Walder check his commander‑in‑chief, that fellow called Iron Leg, and indeed he never showed up in Twin Rivers City. The female fish committed folly, and the gods did not make good her loss; therefore, evidently the gods are not on your King Robb's side… Hey, the regicide has safely returned to King's Landing, the North's king's rabble has again fractured into pieces, I can no longer expect the Iron Throne—not, Tywin this lion—to wait for anything. For the Freys I will of course stand with the victors; moreover, there's the promised Riverrun, hey, which for thousands of years has been occupied by trout. \""

Oliphant hadn't expected to learn so much. Hearing these conspiracies and tales, he fumed for his king Robb, unable to calm his anger, yet he didn't know what to say.

Translation: "Ollyph Frey hadn't expected to comprehend all this. Hearing these conspiracies and tales, he felt indignant on behalf of his King Robb, yet at the moment he also didn't know what to say."

After a pause, he said awkwardly, "The North still belongs to the Starks. What good does Bolton's betrayal do?"

Translation: "After a silence, he muttered awkwardly, \"The North is still under Stark control. What more can Bolton's betrayal achieve? \""

We either take the northern lords' heirs by the balls or seize the lords themselves by the throat. Hehe, they'll have no choice but to submit. Besides, the riverlands' army has already started besieging Storm's End; once we capture Dragonstone, the kingdom's navy can blockade White Harbor, forcing Lord Eel to surrender—I warned him to eat less seafood and have more kids, but he wouldn't listen.

Translation: "\"We either seize the heirs' testicles of the northern lords or simply grip their throats. Heh heh, they can only bow and obey; moreover, the Riverlands army has already begun to besiege Storm's End, and once Dragonstone falls the royal navy can blockade White Harbor—Lord Manderly simply must surrender, though I warned him to eat less seafood and father more children, but he wouldn't listen. \""

The Starks have ruled the North for thousands of years; I don't believe they can be taken down. Can they be taken down?

Translation: "\"The Starks have ruled the North for thousands of years; I don't believe they can be taken. \" \"Can they be taken? \""

"Hey, you idiot, the northern borders have long been empty; otherwise how could sea monsters have taken Kalin Bay and Deep Forest Fort so easily? If even a tenth of the news sent from the Great Wall were true, the northern lords should be worrying about the north, not the south."

"Otherworldly demons?" the scene in the candlelight flickered instantly.

Hey, there actually is this rumor, though it's about the savages—a brand‑new king beyond the borders; they've failed many times before, but this time, when they come in, they'd better slaughter all the northern nobles, just like we did.

That way the North would forget the Freys' foolishness. He suddenly felt inexplicably tense, like a chill.

"Hey, if there really are Others, we should all the sooner let the Starks be overthrown—look, how many deaths could a wedding prevent? Hey, everyone should thank me, for how much strength I've saved the country, hehehe. Without the Seven Kingdoms united, how could we oppose the legendary darkness? The Stark brat wins a battle or two and dares to call himself king. Hey, King of the North! He's merely a usurper splitting the Seven Kingdoms. Old Walder lived over ninety years, yet he's always been a loyal servant of the state!"

The Seven Kingdoms haven't fought the Others for thousands of years—or perhaps never have. He flushed with anger at his father's shamelessness.

"The gods will curse us, and mankind will despise us." He said it fiercely while holding himself up, as if the person before him weren't his father but a little demon monkey.

"Hey, I've lived over ninety years and never seen a god. Look, the pious Beller has not a single son born alive—they all starved to death, while the godless Walder's descendants fill the hall, enjoying every meal," he said in a resentful voice for the latter part, "Well, although they have no teeth."

"Within the Seven Kingdoms, those who believe in the gods will despise the Freys. If the Iron Throne ever gains full control, it will sooner or later cast out the Freys. This is pure folly!" He no longer wanted to dwell on it; the shame of his surname would follow him all his life.

"Shut up, I didn't come here to be lectured by you!" Olliphant noticed Walder's sullen expression, completely different from his earlier smugness, and said, "Look at your buzzkill face—just like your mother, damn it. I thought you only inherited her skin."

"Should I be proud?" Thinking of the bleak future, of his shattered ideals, of his great king, and of his present helplessness, he suddenly covered his face and burst into tears—but as the tears fell, he felt too weak, unworthy of his king, and whispered, "I ought to die alongside King Robb."

"Ah, enough, enough. Kid, fool, stop acting for me!" Walder's sharp voice mocked his weakness without restraint, saying, "Come to think of it, you're a bit older than Robb, but far greener—he didn't cry when he died, hey, he was like a clown alive, but in death he resembled a king."

"My king still has two brothers." He shouldn't leave Robb; even if the Freys' army departs, he could still remain as a free rider beside the king, he thought. Thinking of that, his recent sobbing made his head feel even more dizzy.

"A cripple and a baby." Walder snorted contemptuously, "What worries me is that bastard Edd."

Qiongenxueno? He remembered Robb mentioning him.

"The one legitimized by Robert. That bastard cut off the heir of the Iron Islands' head and stuck it on the wall tower of Winterfell; now she has retaken Moat Cailin from the ironmen's hands, capturing Balon's only heir, and if Balon valued his children half as much as I do, he'd think of trading the Crag for it."

Valuing children? That's a complete lie. Hearing this, even with his head fuzzy, he understood. If the Starks retake the Crag, hold the Trident, the North would be as solid as Mount Tai, while the Bolton army backed by the Iron Throne couldn't cross the Neck to return north. Once the Starks seize the Dreadfort, pacify the restless lords, and gain a foothold in the North, they could at any moment cross the Neck to take revenge on the Freys, and the river crossings would never know peace—that is what Walder truly worries about.

"You regret it."

"Hey, who do you think you are? If you weren't also a Frey and I didn't want to kill my own parent, your head would be hanging on the river crossing." Walder would never admit fault.

"You've done worse things." "Then why have you come?"

"Hey hey, Walder just wants to know if you're willing to admit fault. If you do, I'll still consider you a family member—my descendants may be many, but my strongholds and farms are more numerous; if you don't, you'll be sent back to the dungeon of the keep to rot there."

"Admit fault? Never." I am a knight sworn by Robb, I have taken a sacred oath; for the family honor you have abandoned, I ought all the more to uphold Robb's position.

"Hey, I see you've spent too long with the wolf pups and have become so rigid." Hearing that answer, he wasn't angry but rather pleased with himself, saying, "Walder's descendants may be many, but they shouldn't all be lumped together. Your maternal half‑brother Ryam is a decent man, his hands clean of blood; your other maternal half‑brother, hey, is a maester serving the Hightower family, you should remember—he's innocent too; as for your last maternal half‑brother, he's already dead. Hey, when a man dies his debts are gone—how nice."

Ben Fulei. Ben Fulei is his other maternal half‑brother, with a pair of children only two or three years old.

"Since you've already made your choice, hey, I'll help you. Who made me your father? I wouldn't eat my own son. I will declare you a traitor of House Frey, and I will loudly proclaim that you betrayed your family for your loyal King Robb, leaked secrets to him, broke with your family for him, and suffered torture for him. Oh, I will represent the Iron Throne in judging you; I won't cut off your head—what father would behead his own son? I will exile you, send you to the old town, let you study there, let you forge chains there, but I won't allow you to take the maester's vows; I will also have you join the church, become a son of the warrior or something else, and in the church you will say you will atone and pray for your family's deeds, but you will never swear oaths to enter the clergy. Until everyone sees you as a decent, loyal, and holy Frey. Then you must learn from me and leave a heap of children. Hehehe, if one day, as you say, the Iron Throne really casts out the Freys, then they will also think of you, perhaps consider letting you inherit the Twins, hey, look forward to that day, hehehe." He grew happier as he spoke, the wrinkles on his face flushing red, but then he suddenly changed tone: "Damn Black Walder, this fool, he isn't even the lord, not even the heir, yet he dares to order—hey, to sew a wolf's head onto the King of the North. Utterly stupid, utterly stupid, just as stupid as Tywin's dog."

Yes, and it's stupidity upon stupidity.

"Hey, your maternal half‑sister Roslin was cast aside by the Starks and suffered humiliation—I'll spread that far and wide as well. And you, as Roslin's maternal half‑brother, if your suffering becomes known to all, even if the Starks meet you they'll feel remorse. You say, how should I arrange you?"