As for Lady Catelyn's purpose, it was naturally to go to Riverrun to visit her father—Duke Hoster.
Although this was a bit of a detour, for a daughter who hadn't seen her father for a long time, such a visit was extremely important no matter what.
Apart from these, Loras Tyrell, the Knight of Flowers who stayed in King's Landing, seemed to have nothing to do during his recuperation.
But this shrewd and tough noble obviously had his own sources of clues. Especially after grasping some necessary intelligence, he also began to seek greater power for House Tyrell.
Therefore, as a letter was sent back to Highgarden by his squire, the entire Reach also began to plot for power within King's Landing.
...
At the same time, after a voyage of nearly half a month, three ships from White Harbor finally docked at the Blackwater Bay pier.
And the one receiving them was the Secretary to the Hand who returned in time—Baron Jon Stark.
To show the importance attached to this mission, the Manderly family sent their second son to escort personally, and brought 2.5 million Silver Stags and two hundred soldiers along.
Although Duke Stark didn't elaborate in the letter, the needs expressed between the lines were keenly captured by Count Manderly.
Therefore, the Manderly family attached great importance to this, especially since the letter mentioned hoping that the Manderly family could send an excellent junior to King's Landing to accompany Arya. The meaning expressed therein made the entire White Harbor boil.
Although the Manderly family was one of the wealthiest in the entire North and occupied the Northern outlet to the South and the continent of Essos.
But in terms of status and influence, Count Manderly was far less prominent than old-school nobles like the Karstarks or the Boltons of the Dreadfort.
Among the reasons, besides the lack of support from Winterfell, it stemmed more from their reduced intermarriage with the Warden of the North's family.
And with such an opportunity in front of them, as long as they were not idiots, they would not easily give it up.
So with this yearning mentality, the second son of White Harbor—Wendel Manderly—had already adjusted his mentality the moment he saw Jon.
After all, when they last docked, they had already heard many rumors, including the matter of Jon being appointed by the King as Jon Stark. Even the sailors far away on the Fingers were buzzing about it in the pier taverns.
There were even rumors that the highborn bastard of House Stark was extremely likely to gain a high position again.
Regarding such a rumor, Wendel Manderly, as a traditional noble, did not intend to believe it.
But unfortunately, once people desire something, their mentality becomes sensitive and suspicious, and Wendel was no exception.
As the second son of House Manderly, although Wendel Manderly was tall, he couldn't hide his somewhat fat figure.
Compared to the young Jon and Arya, he was already an adult. But even so, apart from the identity of the second son of the Manderly family, Wendel didn't have much to show for himself.
If nothing unexpected happened, he would most likely be forced to leave the family to seek another way out in a few years to avoid suspicion of seeking the inheritance of White Harbor.
After all, the current Manderly family, apart from the eldest son Wylis and him, had no male heirs.
In terms of succession order, Wendel was very likely to wait for an opportunity eventually, but that was only an ideal state.
So for this not-so-outstanding second son, the old Count Manderly had racked his brains.
Fortunately, Duke Ned's letter allowed the Manderly family to see a possibility, even if this possibility was not great, and might even be their misunderstanding.
But as long as there was a glimmer of possibility, White Harbor would not give up such an opportunity.
Taking a step back, in the old Count Manderly's view, even if this was just a misunderstanding and they ultimately couldn't welcome Arya marrying down...
But as long as they could seize this opportunity, Wendel Manderly, who was responsible for leading the team, also had a high probability of staying in King's Landing.
As for what kind of situation would follow, only the Seven Gods could grasp.
Combining these, Wendel was repeatedly admonished by the old Count before departure to serve the Hand of the King diligently, so as to build his own springboard.
In addition, combined with Jon's outstanding performance in the tourney, the Usurper's attention to him, plus the series of highlight performances such as King's Squire, Secretary to the Hand, and being legitimized and granted the title of Baron, all intensified the White Harbor second son's speculation about Jon.
This also forced Wendel Manderly, who had no inheritance rights, to put away his original contempt and start to take the young man in front of him seriously.
After that, the two held a simple welcome ceremony and handover procedure at the port.
After confirming that all matters were correct, Jon, full of mischief, brought his "killer weapon," having Arya accompany Wendel Manderly to tour King's Landing.
As for himself, he began to arrange these arms and funds.
Silver Stags naturally posed no problem, but the soldiers armed to the teeth could not be sent to the Tower of the Hand residence together.
Such a large number of soldiers, let alone setting foot in the Red Keep, even if they wanted to enter King's Landing, they would have to get the Hand to sign an approval order and then be let through by the Gold Cloaks.
But Jon had his own way for this, and even had an audience with the Hand before these people arrived.
When the new baron proposed in a consultative tone to take Arya to visit his territory and promised to send her back safely in a few days, Duke Ned also generously expressed his agreement.
Of course, to ensure safety on the road, Jon further proposed to temporarily requisition the yet-to-arrive White Harbor ships and guards, and have them escort Arya to Tampa by sea on their return journey.
Hearing this proposal, the incredibly busy Duke Ned naturally didn't have time to doubt. He immediately signed the transfer order and handed it to Jory Cassel to cooperate in execution.
For such a generous decision, Jon naturally wouldn't let pass the opportunity.
With such a transfer order, the new baron naturally prepared to expand the execution of the Hand's will, and incidentally sneak in some private goods.
Afterward, the two Northerners, who didn't get along well and rarely talked, had to make a simple handover.
Before this, Jory Cassel might still look on coldly at Jon.
But now, when he saw this highborn bastard of Lord Ned, he had to bow and salute.
"Lord Jon, please give your instructions..."
"Call me Jon, just like in Winterfell."
However, before he could finish, the new baron tactfully interrupted his politeness, obviously taking care of the captain of the guard's face.
After that, the transmigrator pulled the captain of the guard aside on his own accord and revealed his layout completely.
Not only that, the new baron stood from the perspective of considering for his cheap father, hoping Jory Cassel could understand him.
Immediately after, Jon ignored the captain of the guard who fell into entanglement and pulled him all the way towards the pier.
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