CHAPTER 93
It was already the afternoon of the next day when Garon Glover learned that the Ironborn had landed at Sea Dragon Point.
Before he could fully react, Maester Beckman rushed in carrying a plea for aid from Winterfell.
Garon held the letter in his hand, his heart torn between two urgent crises.
The Ironborn advance was imminent, and Winterfell's call for help was equally pressing.
He had no time to hesitate.
"Someone! Gather all officers above centurion rank and have them report to the Hall of a Thousand Beasts immediately for a council. Quickly!"
His command was like a boulder thrown into still water, adding an even colder tension to the already strained castle.
Soon afterward, the Hall of a Thousand Beasts was filled with the dozen centurions he had personally promoted.
Robert, Maester Beckman, and Chief Steward Mormont were among them.
Garon stood at the head of the table, scanning everyone's expressions before speaking in a deep voice.
"Gentlemen, intelligence from the Sea Dragon Point watch posts reports that an unknown number of Ironborn have landed and may reach Deepwood Motte in as little as one day."
"And..."
He paused briefly before revealing the other two devastating pieces of news.
"Victarion Greyjoy has led the Iron Fleet to seize Moat Cailin, cutting off communication with the southern army."
"Meanwhile, Euron Greyjoy has captured Torrhen's Square and is now attacking the Rills. Winterfell has sent an urgent message requesting our immediate assistance."
Garon looked across the stunned crowd and asked.
"Tell me, what should we do now?"
The hall fell into a heavy silence before erupting into fierce debate.
Jon Snow abruptly stepped forward, his voice hoarse with urgency.
"Lord Garon, we must immediately go to Winterfell's aid! Sansa is still in Winterfell. We cannot allow anything to happen to her."
"More importantly, if Winterfell falls, the entire North will be thrown into chaos!"
"Give me men, and I will lead them there at once!"
His eyes burned with concern for his family and an urgency bordering on desperation.
But Roone Glover's opinion was completely different.
His face remained solemn, and his voice steady.
"Jon, I understand your feelings. But acting rashly will solve nothing. Deepwood Motte is our foundation."
"The Ironborn army is already upon us, and we still don't know their exact strength."
"If we divide our forces now, Deepwood Motte could fall in an instant."
"At that point, not only will we fail to save Winterfell, but our own home will be reduced to ashes."
He glanced toward Jon before continuing.
"Lord Garon, we must first concentrate our strength and defeat the enemy threatening us. Only after securing our foundation can we consider anything else."
Many of the veteran soldiers of Deepwood Motte nodded in agreement.
Jon growled angrily.
"What if Winterfell falls while we're fighting the Ironborn? Don't forget that Lord Garon's betrothed is still in Winterfell!"
Roone immediately replied.
"But if we recklessly divide our forces and Deepwood Motte falls, then Winterfell will face attacks from multiple directions. The outcome will be even worse!"
The two continued arguing, neither willing to yield.
Their supporters quickly joined in, and the hall became filled with tense confrontation as the factions advocating rescue and defense reached a complete stalemate.
"Silence!"
Garon's voice was not loud, yet it carried the absolute authority of Deepwood Motte's lord and commander.
The hall instantly fell quiet.
His sharp gaze slowly swept over Jon's anxious face and Roone's resolute expression.
For a moment, Garon remained silent.
His fingers tapped lightly against the table as his mind rapidly weighed every possibility.
"Jon."
He looked first at the bastard of Winterfell.
His tone was gentle but firm.
"Winterfell must be saved. Not only because of Sansa, but because House Stark has shown us immense trust and kindness."
"I promise you that we will never stand aside and do nothing."
After reassuring Jon, Garon turned to Roone.
"Your concerns are equally valid. Deepwood Motte is our foundation and cannot be lost. Dividing our forces recklessly would be disastrous."
Jon's heart, which had only just settled, immediately tightened again.
He opened his mouth to speak, but Garon silenced him with a raised hand.
A hunter's glint appeared in Garon's eyes as he reached his decision.
"But we cannot wait for the Ironborn to comfortably surround our castle."
"We must seize the initiative."
"We must strike before they fully understand our strength."
He pointed toward the map spread across the table.
His finger stopped on the Wolfswood.
"The Ironborn believe most of the North's fighting men marched south with Robb."
"They will assume we are hiding inside our walls in panic."
A cold smile appeared on Garon's lips.
"And that assumption is exactly our opportunity."
"We will feign weakness, lure them deep into the Wolfswood, and destroy them in a single battle."
He looked at Roone and issued his first order.
"Roone, I am giving you five hundred infantry."
"Go to Sea Dragon Point and engage the Ironborn."
"But you must appear to be fighting bravely while being gradually overwhelmed. Retreat step by step and draw the Ironborn toward this location."
Garon tapped a point on the map.
"Sentinel Hill?"
Roone immediately recognized the place.
About two kilometers inland from Sea Dragon Point stood a hill covered with sentinel trees. The terrain rose in the east and fell in the west, with an elevation difference of roughly fifty meters.
"Yes."
Garon nodded.
"That terrain is ideal for an ambush."
"Mihawk and I will lead all available archers and hide there."
"If everything goes according to plan, we can defeat an enemy several times our number."
Then Garon turned toward Jon.
"At the same time, Jon, I am assigning all cavalry to you."
"You will ride along the western edge of the Wolfswood, bypass Asha Greyjoy's main force, and wait here."
He pointed toward a location southwest of Sentinel Hill.
"Once Roone leads the Ironborn into the trap, I will signal you with a horn."
"You must launch a full charge from this position and cut off their retreat."
Jon listened carefully as the plan unfolded.
His anxiety gradually eased.
"Yes, Lord Garon!"
Garon nodded and turned toward his captain of the guard.
"Uncle Roger, I am assigning four hundred men to you."
"Your mission is the most dangerous, but also the most important."
"You must leave immediately."
"You will circle around Horseshoe Beach, avoid Asha's forces, and proceed directly to the shore at Sea Dragon Point."
His finger struck the coastline on the map.
"Find their longships."
"Burn every last one of them."
"Leave none behind."
Roger's expression became solemn.
"Yes, my lord. I guarantee the mission will be completed."
Garon then turned toward Robert.
"Uncle Robert, please lead the remaining men in defending Deepwood Motte."
Robert nodded gravely.
"Do not worry. Deepwood Motte will remain secure."
Satisfied, Garon looked around the hall.
His voice became as cold and deadly as the coming of the Others.
"Remember, I do not intend merely to repel them."
"I intend to destroy this entire enemy force."
"And if possible, capture their commander alive."
"Understood?"
The officers were momentarily stunned by both the boldness and precision of the plan.
Then their fighting spirit erupted.
"Yes!"
"For Glover!"
"For Stark!"
Garon drew his sword and pointed it toward the doorway.
"Move immediately!"
"Let the Ironborn learn that the Wolfswood is not a place where they can hunt freely!"
With Garon's command, the war machine of Deepwood Motte roared into motion.
Within moments, soldiers began assembling throughout the castle.
War was imminent.