CHAPTER 97
The next morning, at first light.
As dawn broke, Garon opened his eyes after withdrawing his consciousness from the weirwood network.
He first glanced at Asha, who had remained bound throughout the night and was still asleep, before rising and walking out of the cabin.
Just then, Jon had finished his watch and was climbing down from the watchtower.
"My lord!"
Jon's face was filled with worry, clearly still concerned about Winterfell's situation.
"Jon, you've come at the right time. I plan to send a cavalry scout team to inform Ser Rodrik of what happened here."
Garon knew exactly what Jon was worried about, so he continued, "Once that's done, we'll immediately return to Deepwood Motte and prepare to reinforce Winterfell."
Jon's spirits lifted instantly.
"I'll arrange it right away!"
Without even waiting for Garon's reply, he hurried toward his mounted hundred-man company.
Soon, a ten-man scouting team received its orders. Their horses crushed the snow beneath their hooves as they quickly vanished into the forest.
After watching the scouts disappear, Garon called over another soldier and sent him back to Deepwood Motte to report the situation.
Once everything was arranged, all that remained was the tedious wait.
Nothing unexpected happened during that time.
The soldiers rested while discussing yesterday's great victory and boasting that the Ironborn were nothing special after all.
But there was little joy on Garon's face.
He knew the true test awaited at Winterfell.
It was not until late afternoon that the sound of approaching hooves finally echoed through the forest.
The scouts had returned with the latest news from Ser Rodrik and his men.
The scout captain's face was exhausted, but he still forced himself to report.
"My lord, Ser Rodrik successfully completed the mission to destroy the ships and is currently pursuing the scattered Ironborn."
He then recounted everything Ser Rodrik had told him.
After departing the previous afternoon, Ser Rodrik had used his familiarity with the Wolfswood to guide four hundred men toward the Sea Dragon Point shore without pause.
Finally, early that morning, they discovered the Ironborn force left behind to guard the beach.
A fierce battle immediately erupted.
With superior numbers, Ser Rodrik led his men to rout the Ironborn. Some escaped along the hills toward the Stony Shore.
As for the hundred longships, every single one had been burned.
"Some escaped?"
After listening, Garon frowned slightly but said nothing further.
For Ser Rodrik to reach Sea Dragon Point within a day and a night and immediately launch a successful assault was already an impressive achievement.
The surviving Ironborn might eventually form small bands of outlaws, but they no longer posed any threat to the overall situation.
Demanding complete annihilation would simply be unreasonable.
The important thing was that the fleet had been destroyed, Asha's main force had been wiped out, and the threat from Sea Dragon Point had been completely eliminated.
"Understood. Go get some rest. We'll be returning to Deepwood Motte shortly."
Garon smiled and dismissed the scout.
After a brief moment of thought, he issued another order.
"Leave several scouts behind at the watchtower to relay information."
"Everyone else, assemble."
"We're going home."
The army quickly gathered and began escorting the prisoners and spoils of war back toward Deepwood Motte.
To prevent any chance of escape, Garon personally rode the same horse as the bound Asha.
Along the way, Asha could smell Garon's scent. Combined with memories of their conversation the previous night, irritation constantly surged within her.
With her hands and feet tied, every uneven stretch of road caused her to stumble back into Garon's arms.
This only made her angrier.
Eventually, she could do nothing except curse him endlessly in her heart.
"Damn Garon."
"If I ever get the chance to return alive, I'll make you pay for this."
Near sunset, the army finally arrived at Deepwood Motte.
The soldiers on garrison duty and the gathered smallfolk erupted into thunderous cheers when they saw the victorious army returning and the enemy commander captured alive.
"Gods bless House Glover!"
"Long live Lord Garon!"
All the anxiety and gloom of recent days vanished.
Garon's prestige throughout his lands reached an unprecedented height.
Smiling, Garon raised his hand in acknowledgment of the cheers.
Asha's eyes darkened, and her lips curled into a cold sneer.
Soon afterward, however, she was led away by Chief Steward Mormont and thrown into a cell.
After only a brief stay at North Keep, Garon immediately summoned all officers commanding one hundred men or more for a meeting.
"Winterfell is still in danger. We have no time to celebrate or delay."
His voice was stern as he looked around the room.
"Tomorrow morning I will lead all available cavalry ahead."
"Jon, you will ride with me."
Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Jon nodded solemnly.
"Yes, my lord."
At last, he would be able to help save his family.
Garon then turned toward Roone.
"Ser Rodrik should return from Sea Dragon Point tomorrow."
"When he arrives, you and Mihawk will lead three hundred archers and five hundred infantry. Depart the following day and reach Winterfell within three days."
Roone accepted the order immediately.
"Yes, my lord. I guarantee the army will arrive within three days."
Garon was about to instruct his uncle Robert to remain behind and guard Deepwood Motte when he noticed a trace of dissatisfaction in the older man's eyes.
After a brief pause, he immediately understood.
So Garon dismissed everyone to make preparations while keeping Robert behind.
After the others departed, he smiled and spoke.
"Uncle Robert, there are still scattered groups of Ironborn fleeing through the region. I don't feel comfortable leaving Deepwood Motte to anyone else."
"So I'll need you to stay behind and guard it."
Robert's expression immediately darkened.
If yesterday's plan had required him to guard Deepwood Motte, that had been understandable.
At the time, it was a necessary precaution.
But now the threat to Deepwood Motte had effectively disappeared. Even Asha Greyjoy had been captured alive.
The remaining scattered Ironborn no longer posed any meaningful danger.
Yet despite all that, Garon still had no intention of bringing him to the battlefield.
Robert said unhappily, "Garon, Deepwood Motte isn't in danger anymore."
"Leave Roone or Ser Rodrik behind instead."
"The Starks have shown House Glover kindness as great as a mountain."
"I want to help save Winterfell too."
Garon shook his head.
"Uncle Robert, besides defending Deepwood Motte, I have an even more important task for you."
Robert blinked in surprise.
"What task?"
Garon stepped closer and lowered his voice.
"Guard Asha."
Robert frowned.
"She's already been captured. How could she possibly escape?"
Garon explained patiently.
"Uncle, Asha is extremely important, especially because of the information she possesses."
"I want you to place Joel in the cell beside hers."
"And then..."
A ripple flashed through his eyes.
"Have Joel subtly tell her the complete truth about Theon's death."
Robert frowned deeply.
He did not understand Garon's purpose.
"Even if she learns Theon's death was connected to the Lannisters, what good does that do?"
Then, as if suddenly realizing something, he looked at Garon.
"Could it be that you're planning..."
Garon nodded.
"Exactly."
"Asha is Balon Greyjoy's only surviving child."
"If nothing unexpected happens, she will eventually inherit the Seastone Chair."
"If she discovers that her brother was manipulated by the Lannisters and then silenced because of it..."
"What do you think she'll do?"
Robert immediately understood the hidden meaning.
"Even if she turns against the Lannisters, that would only matter after she's released."
He hesitated before continuing.
"Are you actually planning to let her go?"
"She invaded Deepwood Motte."
Garon pointed in the direction of Winterfell.
"Unless we execute her now, Winterfell will inevitably learn that Asha has been captured."
"When that happens, Maester Luwin will certainly use her as a bargaining chip."
Robert suddenly understood.
Two of the Iron Islands' three invading armies had already achieved significant results, while Robb's situation in the south remained uncertain.
Given Maester Luwin's cautious nature, he would never want a prolonged war with the Iron Islands if another option existed.
Realizing this, Robert sighed heavily.
His face was filled with reluctance.
"I understand."
"I'll make the necessary arrangements."
Garon chuckled softly.
"Don't worry."
"We'll have plenty of opportunities later."
There were still many things he had not revealed to Robert.
It wasn't because he distrusted him.
The timing simply wasn't right.
"No matter why Euron appeared in the North, I'm determined to obtain the dragon horn in his possession."
"And Asha is an excellent bargaining chip."
"Moreover, if everything goes according to plan, I may even be able to use Asha to gain influence over the Iron Islands themselves."
A rough outline of future plans was already forming in Garon's mind.
All that remained was to confirm his assumptions by saving Winterfell.
As for Garon's words, Robert now trusted them completely.
After all, Garon had already proven himself time and time again through his actions.
"You're right."
"There will be opportunities later."
"No need to rush."
Robert nodded.
"Then get some rest."
"You leave tomorrow."
Garon smiled and nodded.
The two left the Hall of a Thousand Beasts together before parting ways.
Garon then returned alone to his chambers.
The night passed peacefully.
The following morning, the gates of Deepwood Motte opened once more.
Garon rode at the front.
Jon followed closely behind.
Five hundred cavalry thundered forward like a river of steel, racing toward Winterfell.
At the same time, Seagard fell into Euron Greyjoy's hands.
After reorganizing his forces, he began marching northward.
He was now less than a day's journey from Winterfell.