Around midday.
With the news of Bran's awakening spreading, Winterfell fell into a frenzy of celebration.
After a night of rest, Joffrey, who had been terrified by the giant bear the day before, had barely recovered some of his spirit.
He looked listless, with Sandor Clegane, the Hound, accompanying him at his side.
As they passed the kennels and heard people once again talking about Bran's awakening, Joffrey curled his lips in disdain.
"I heard Brandon Stark was pushed from the tower by Theon and broke his back?"
Joffrey deliberately raised his voice, casting a provocative glance at the surrounding servants.
Some of them showed anger, but when they saw it was Prince Joffrey, they could only turn away in resentment.
Sandor knew Joffrey's temperament well and replied, "Yes, Your Highness."
"But even if that child has awakened, he is nothing more than a cripple now. He will never walk, ride a horse, or wield a sword again."
Joffrey sneered. "If it were me, I would never cling to life as a cripple."
Sandor followed closely behind him and added, "Actually, last night when His Majesty was drunk, he said something similar."
"Oh?" Joffrey's interest was piqued. He stopped and turned to the Hound. "What did my father say?"
Sandor met his gaze and recalled, "When His Majesty returned to his chamber, he said that since Bran was crippled, it would be better to show him mercy and let him have a dignified end."
A strange look flashed across Joffrey's face. "Father really said that?"
Sandor nodded firmly. "Of course. I personally helped His Majesty back to his chamber and heard it with my own ears."
Joffrey's eyes darted about as the corners of his mouth lifted into an excited smile.
"If I do as Father said and show Bran mercy… Then Father will definitely be very happy when he finds out."
"And he won't bring up my embarrassment in the Wolfswood anymore!"
Thinking of this, Joffrey chuckled twice, drawing a puzzled look from Sandor.
"Your Highness?"
"It's nothing. Hound, take me to see the Baratheon knights."
Sandor Clegane was long used to Joffrey's sudden whims and commands. Without comment, he led Joffrey to where the Baratheon household knights were lodged in Winterfell.
Since there was no hunt that day, most of the Baratheon knights were gathered together, drinking and chatting, talking about what had happened the day before.
Seeing Prince Joffrey arrive, they were puzzled but still stood to salute him.
Meanwhile, Joffrey began selecting a suitable candidate to assassinate Bran.
Before long, he fixed his attention on a hedge knight. Using an excuse, Joffrey sent Sandor away and spoke privately with the knight.
Tempted by gold dragons, the hedge knight ultimately accepted Joffrey's employment, preparing to look for an opportunity that night to assassinate Bran.
After securing the assassin, Joffrey returned to his chambers in high spirits.
On the other side, Galon's plan was also being quietly put into motion.
At Ned's instruction, Ser Rodrik led a number of loyal Winterfell soldiers to discreetly deploy throughout Winterfell and the Winter Town.
They monitored anyone suspicious entering or leaving the Winter Town.
Within the main keep, Bran, who was gravely injured and still unconscious, had been moved to another room.
At this moment, inside Bran's bedchamber, there were only a few capable Winterfell soldiers.
Some hid in wardrobes, some beneath the bed, and one even lay directly in Bran's bed.
Because the success of the plan was at stake, Robert and Ned told no one except the handful of people involved.
Even Sansa and Arya were kept completely in the dark.
However, Cersei secretly informed Jaime of the plan. Jaime, who had been anxious, immediately felt reassured.
Once everything was prepared, Ned summoned Galon alone.
On the enclosed bridge connecting the main keep and the armory—Ned stood quietly by the window, looking down at the bustling training yard below.
"Lord Stark."
After dismissing the servant guiding him, Galon stepped forward lightly and greeted him.
Hearing Galon's voice, Ned did not turn at once, as if lost in thought.
After a moment, he finally turned to look at Galon. "Galon, how many days have you been in Winterfell?"
"Five days," Galon replied immediately.
"Five days…"
Ned pondered briefly before continuing, "Then it is time for you to return."
Galon's eyes flickered, but he said nothing, waiting for Ned to explain.
"Theon's death will soon reach the Iron Islands," Ned said.
"Time is tight. You must return to Deepwood Motte as soon as possible and prepare to resist an attack from the Iron Islands at any time."
Galon understood at once. "Yes. After this matter is settled, I will return to Deepwood Motte."
But Ned shook his head. "No. Tomorrow, you will take Jon and return to Deepwood Motte."
Galon was startled. "Then what about the plan?"
Ned replied calmly, "The plan does not require you to remain in Winterfell, and it may not even work."
"The Queen knows. Jaime will certainly know as well. How could they still send someone to assassinate Bran?"
Ned's suspicion of Jaime had never diminished.
In his view, the Kingslayer must have seduced Theon and attempted to plot against the North.
"The Kingslayer has no sense of honor."
"Galon, when you return to Deepwood Motte, the first thing you must do is station one hundred archers at Moat Cailin."
Galon was shocked. He lowered his voice and asked, "My lord, are you planning to keep Jaime in the North?"
It was no wonder Galon thought so.
Moat Cailin lay in the northern Neck and was the only passage into the North.
For countless years, the North had relied on Moat Cailin's natural defenses to block invasions from the south.
For Ned to order archers stationed there now was tantamount to preparing in advance for war with the Lannisters.
Galon worried that, in a moment of anger over Bran, Ned might be determined to kill Jaime in the North.
But Ned shook his head. He had not lost his reason to fury. "You are overthinking it. Moat Cailin guards north and south. I am merely taking precautions."
"Go. Say your farewells to Robb and Sansa. You will depart early tomorrow morning."
Ned waved his hand, signaling Galon to withdraw.
"Yes," Galon replied, leaving the bridge with mixed thoughts and turning to find Robb and the others to say goodbye.
As the farewells continued, night gradually fell.
Dinner in the great hall of Winterfell was silent and strange.
Everyone was preoccupied with their own thoughts. Sansa and Arya were reluctant to see Galon leave.
Robb worried about Bran while also feeling sorrow at Galon's departure.
As for Ned, his mind was elsewhere. After forcing himself to accompany the royal family through the meal, he excused himself and left.
Robert abandoned the Queen and his children and followed shortly after.
A mocking smile appeared on Cersei's lips.
She had already informed Jaime. Even if they waited until the White Walkers invaded, no one would come to assassinate Bran.
She gracefully finished the wine in her cup, then led Joffrey, Tommen, and Myrcella back to their chambers to rest.
Early the next morning, she intended to watch Ned and Robert make fools of themselves.
What she did not notice was that Joffrey was just as excited.
'Haha, after tonight, Bran will be dead.'
'Father will definitely praise me and say I'm just like him!'
At the thought of Robert praising him, Joffrey trembled with excitement.
As for the consequences of the assassination, or the possibility of failure, none of it entered his mind at all.
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