CHAPTER 114
Four days passed before Euron finally arrived at Moat Cailin.
In order to reach it as quickly as possible, he had forced his men to march day and night with little rest.
As it turned out, he had made the correct decision.
At this moment, northern reinforcements were still arriving at Winterfell.
Meanwhile, he had already begun persuading his brother to launch an assault on the Stark stronghold.
Moat Cailin, Gatehouse Tower.
A cold, salty wind swept across the swamps surrounding Moat Cailin, while the black longships of the Iron Fleet crowded the waterways below.
Victarion Greyjoy stood overlooking his fleet, silent as a reef forged from iron.
The reason for his mood was simple.
The man standing before him, Euron Greyjoy, had returned not with victory, but with failure.
After a long silence, Victarion finally sneered.
"So you failed to take Winterfell and came crawling back like a dog kicked in the belly."
Victarion had never hidden his hatred for Euron.
Now he mocked him mercilessly.
Euron, however, seemed completely unconcerned.
A mad grin spread across his face as his dark eye gleamed with a strange light.
"My dear brother, war always brings both victories and defeats."
"I merely tested the wolf pups' teeth and left them a memorable gift."
He casually dismissed his failure before suddenly dropping a far more shocking piece of information.
"Besides, I bring even more interesting news."
"Our beloved niece Asha was apparently so eager to see Deepwood Motte that she moved in permanently."
"What?!"
Victarion surged to his feet so violently that the table rattled.
"Asha was captured?"
"How do you know this? Is the information reliable?"
Euron lazily leaned back in his chair.
"Very reliable."
"If Garon Glover had not defeated Asha and arrived in time to save Winterfell, my own attack would not have failed so quickly."
"Some of her surviving followers eventually found their way here. They're outside if you'd like to question them yourself."
Victarion's face immediately darkened.
Asha was Balon Greyjoy's only living child and recognized heir.
The matter could not be taken lightly.
After a long silence, Victarion spoke.
"This information must be sent to Balon immediately."
"Let him decide."
Victarion knew his elder brother well.
Balon would never abandon Asha.
Therefore, Victarion's instinct was to proceed cautiously and wait for orders from Pyke.
"Report it to Balon?"
Euron laughed as though he had heard the world's greatest joke.
"By the time our beloved brother receives the message and sends a reply from Pyke, Asha's children may already be calling Glover their father."
"And do you truly think the Northmen will patiently wait for negotiations?"
He rose from his seat and slowly approached Victarion.
His voice dripped with temptation.
"Right now is our greatest opportunity."
"Winterfell has just survived a major siege."
"They won, but only barely. Their losses must be severe, and their morale cannot be intact."
"As for Glover, he fought Asha first and then fought me. His strength cannot be limitless."
"Most importantly, reinforcements from across the North are gathering, but they lack a single leader. They distrust one another."
Euron spread his arms wide.
A strange gleam danced in his eye.
"And we possess the strongest force in the North."
"You command the Iron Fleet."
"I command the Silence and my veterans."
"Together, we have more than three thousand seasoned warriors."
"While the Northmen argue over who should lead, we march straight up the Kingsroad and crush Winterfell beneath our feet."
"Once the castle falls, rescuing Asha becomes effortless."
He stared directly at Victarion.
"My dear brother, this is the Iron Way."
"We take what we desire with axe and fire."
"We do not sit in damp castles waiting for ravens."
Victarion found himself tempted.
Unlike Balon, he trusted strength more than words.
The prospect of conquering Winterfell and earning glory beyond measure stirred his blood.
He hesitated repeatedly.
Yet in the end, Euron's ambition and madness succeeded.
"Good!"
Victarion slammed his fist onto the table.
"Then we shall do as you suggest."
"Gather every warrior from the fleet capable of fighting on land."
"We march immediately."
"The Northmen will learn that the kraken's wrath has only begun."
With Victarion's approval, the Ironborn rapidly mobilized.
Like a giant sea beast rising from the depths, they prepared to descend upon Winterfell.
At the same time, far to the north, an equally important gathering was taking place within Winterfell's Great Hall.
Nearly every northern lord or representative who had arrived was present.
Among them were men from House Umber, House Flint, House Locke, House Mormont, House Cerwyn, and numerous lesser houses.
Ramsay Snow of House Bolton sat among them, a cryptic smile lingering on his face.
When Maester Luwin judged the moment appropriate, he subtly nodded toward Sansa.
Sansa Stark inhaled deeply before rising beneath the gaze of the assembled nobles.
Dressed in a dark gown, she appeared solemn and composed despite her inner nervousness.
"My lords."
"Thank you for answering Winterfell's call and coming to defend House Stark and the North."
She first expressed her gratitude before her tone became more serious.
"The North now faces a grave crisis."
"Though the Ironborn have temporarily been repelled, they still occupy northern lands."
"More battles lie ahead."
"If we wish to survive, we must stand united."
Her gaze swept across the hall before finally resting upon Garon.
"Therefore, in the name of House Stark and as acting ruler of Winterfell during my brother's absence, I formally announce the following."
"According to the authority granted before his departure, Robb Stark entrusted Lord Garon Glover with the organization and defense of the North."
"Today, I formally confirm that authority."
"Lord Garon Glover shall command all remaining northern forces as supreme commander until Robb Stark returns."
"Every northern bannerman and every sworn sword shall obey his commands."
"Any refusal shall be regarded as a violation of their ancient oath to House Stark."
The moment her words ended, whispers immediately spread throughout the hall.
Most had expected such a declaration.
Even so, hearing it formally announced still caused a stir.
As expected, the representative of House Dustin from Barrowton was the first to object.
His tone carried unmistakable sarcasm.
"Lady Sansa, Lord Garon is undoubtedly brave and capable."
"However, command of the entire North is a serious responsibility."
"Should we not wait until more lords arrive and choose a candidate together?"
"After all, House Glover is hardly the most powerful house in the North..."
Garon immediately recalled everything he knew about House Dustin.
Lady Barbrey Dustin still resented Eddard Stark for failing to return her husband's bones after Robert's Rebellion.
Because of that resentment, House Dustin had spent years outwardly obeying Winterfell while secretly resisting it.
Even during Robb's call to arms, Lady Barbrey had only contributed token forces.
Furthermore, Ramsay's half-brother Domeric Bolton had once served in Barrowton.
Relations between House Bolton and House Dustin had always been unusually close.
Garon particularly noticed the glance exchanged between the Dustin representative and Ramsay before the objection was raised.
A cold sneer appeared in his heart.
Another name quietly joined his future list of expendable pawns.
Before the representative could finish speaking, Sansa interrupted him.
Her voice rose slightly.
"Choose a candidate?"
"Choose for what?"
"This authority comes directly from Robb Stark."
"It is House Stark's command."
"Does House Dustin intend to question its oath?"
Her sharp gaze locked onto him before she continued.
"As for Lord Garon's qualifications, surely everyone present is aware of them."
"He annihilated Asha Greyjoy's seventeen hundred Ironborn at Deepwood Motte."
"He rode to Winterfell's rescue at its darkest hour and shattered Euron Greyjoy's siege."
"He reclaimed Castle Cerwyn from the Ironborn."
"Are such achievements not enough?"
"Is there anyone present with greater accomplishments against the Ironborn than Lord Garon?"
Her questions left the hall silent.
At that moment, Garon slowly rose from his seat.
Ignoring the doubters, he walked directly to the center of the hall.
Then he slowly drew his sword.
The sound of steel echoed throughout the chamber.
"In the past, Greatjon Umber questioned Robb Stark because of his youth."
"On that day, I drew my sword and swore an oath."
"It happened right here."
Garon slammed his sword onto the long table.
The impact caused the entire table to tremble.
Coincidentally, the sword's point ended up directed toward Ramsay Snow.
Startled, Ramsay subtly shifted backward.
Yet Garon never even looked at him.
"I declared that anyone who defied Stark authority would be treated like a broken table."
With a slight push, the blade carved a deep mark into the wood.
Everyone in the hall held their breath.
"House Glover has followed House Stark since the Age of Heroes."
"Through countless generations, that loyalty has never changed."
"Stark's will is the North's will."
"The North's will is my will."
"I accept this duty not for power."
"I accept it only to defend the North until Robb Stark returns."
His gaze swept across the assembled nobles.
The pressure in his voice was undeniable.
"I have spoken."
"Who agrees?"
"Who opposes?"
The Great Hall became deathly silent.
Then Cley Cerwyn suddenly rose.
"House Cerwyn obeys House Stark."
"We are willing to follow Lord Garon's command."
Immediately afterward, the representative of House Mormont stood.
"Bear Island stands with House Stark and Lord Garon."
Representatives from House Flint, House Locke, and several others followed.
One after another, the northern nobles rose to declare their support.
Even the representative from House Dustin eventually bowed his head under the weight of the room.
Seeing the tide turning against him, Ramsay had little choice.
He slowly stood as well.
An insincere smile spread across his face as he applauded.
"What a stirring declaration."
"House Bolton, naturally, remains loyal to House Stark."
Yet beneath that smile, jealousy and resentment burned hotter than ever.
Garon ignored him completely.
In his eyes, Ramsay's thousand men had already become useful tools for future battles.
And useful tools were worth tolerating for now.
"To Stark."
Garon sheathed his sword, seized a nearby goblet, and raised it high.
Instantly, every noble followed suit.
"To Stark!"
The hall erupted with voices.
The solemn atmosphere transformed into celebration.
Through Sansa's declaration and Garon's own authority, his position as supreme commander of the North had finally been secured.
For the first time, the military power of the North rested firmly in his hands.
Meanwhile, far to the south, Euron and Victarion were already marching toward Winterfell.
{🥳 Loving the story so far? Craving more chapters? 🥰
If you're enjoying the journey, don't forget to vote with your Power Stones! Every Power Stone helps the novel reach more readers and motivates me to keep the updates coming. 💙
Support me on Patreon and unlock 60+ advance chapters right now, plus 3 fresh chapters every two days to keep you hooked! 🎉
✨ Subscribe or grab lifetime access with a one-time purchase... your choice, no pressure!
👉 /mythborne }