Catelyn, Ser Wendel, Ser Perwyn, Robin, Lucas, Hallis, and the rest of Catelyn's party are discovered by Frey outriders. Martyn Rivers commands the outriders with Robb away in the west, and Ser Edmure holds Riverrun. The scouts take her to Martyn, who tells her about Robb's victories and Tywin's march. Rymund the Rhymer, a singer newly come to Riverrun, has made a song in honor of Robb. Robb is now raiding throughout the Westerlands. Lord Rickard and Galbart are raiding along the coast, while Lady Maege has captured thousands of cattle and the Greatjon has seized the gold mines at Castamere, Nunn's Deep, and Pendric Hills. Ser Perwyn asks how Robb got passed the Golden Tooth, and Martyn reveals that Grey Wind found a small path that bypassed the fortress. That night, Brienne comes to Catelyn and asks leave to depart. She means to find and kill Stannis. Catelyn manages to convince her that she would just be throwing her life away, and Brienne decides to serve Catelyn. Catelyn accepts her oath. The party begins the ride back to Riverrun. They cross a ford guarded by Mallister men and later come across a Blackwood camp, where Lucas takes his leave. She sees another camp full of Pipers, Darrys, and Paeges and realizes that Edmure has called the banners again and means to do battle with Tywin. As they approach Riverrun, they see some Lannisters hanging from the walls.
Edmure rides out to greet Catelyn with Ser Desmond, Ser Robin, and Utherydes. He says that Ser Cortnay has sent birds promising allegiance to any king that will lift Stannis's siege. Ser Cortnay says he fears for Edric Storm. Apparently, Stannis has offered to let the garrison go free unharmed if they deliver Edric into his custody. Catelyn asks about the hanged men, and Edmure explains they came with Ser Cleos and tried to free Jaime.1 One of them killed two guards with his bare hands while another picked the lock of Jaime's cell. Another one was a mummer, and impersonated Ser Edmure to get three guards, Enger, Delp, and Long Lew, to open the gates. The plot failed because Edmure was actually whoring outside the castle. When Long Lew saw him returning, he raised the alarm. Jaime got a hold of a sword, killed Poul Pemford and Ser Desmond's squire, Myles, and seriously wounded Delp before being subdued. Jaime is now in one of the black cells and chained to a wall. Those who aided him were hung. Ser Cleos, though he claimed no knowledge of the plan, was locked in Jaime's old tower cell.
When they enter the castle, the grounds are overrun with smallfolk. Edmure took them in because they were afraid, but Catelyn thinks that it just makes for more mouths to feed if there is a siege. She thinks that Edmure has a soft heart, but an even softer head. Utherydes tells her that Robb commanded she be sent on to the Twins when she arrived, but she says she is staying. She asks Edmure of his battle plans, and he says they will talk in the godswood. He tells her that he will have eight thousand foot and three thousand horse when all his might is gathered. He plans to guard the fords to prevent Tywin crossing. At the same time, he will have Roose and his ten thousand, augmented by Ser Helman's garrison that Edmure recalled from the Twins, retake Harrenhal, leaving Tywin trapped between two armies, three when Robb returns. Catelyn is not comfortable that Edmure recalled the garrison at the Twins, which was there to insure Lord Walder's loyalty, but Edmure says that he has already proved it many times over and that Stevron died for Robb, Ser Ryman Frey and Black Walder Frey are fighting in Robb's army in the west, Robb is going to marry one of Walder's brood, and Lord Roose has already done so.2 He is confident the plan will work, but Catelyn thinks it would be wiser to just let him through.3 She goes to see Lord Hoster, who is confused. He thinks she is Lysa before her wedding. He tells her that marrying Jon is for the best and that she should never mention that "wretched stripling" again. Catelyn wonders who Hoster could be referring to, and thinks it must be a hedge knight or a singer or some other low-born individual.4 Maester Vyman comes and gives Hoster some medicine to make him sleep. He says the end will come soon. When she arrives at her quarters, Utherydes is waiting with two silent sisters. He takes her to see Eddard's bones, which Ser Cleos brought back with him. She orders them taken north to Winterfell. Hallis will lead the escort.
