CHAPTER 157
Asha's tacit approval was like an invisible shackle being removed from Garon's wrists.
He no longer held anything back.
Whether they were servants or surrendered Ironborn, anyone who had been close to Euron or showed even the slightest hesitation during interrogation simply disappeared.
For two straight days, screams echoed almost constantly throughout Pyke.
Thanks to the Skagosi's brutal methods, the captured servants quickly revealed every secret they knew about Euron.
Including the Dragonbinder horn.
The moment Garon learned that the dragon horn was hidden under Maester Wendamyr's watch, he immediately headed for the Great Keep to find Asha.
Inside the council chamber, Asha sat upon the Seastone Chair while Maester Wendamyr stood respectfully below.
Garon walked forward and stopped before them.
"Lady Asha, according to our agreement with the North, I hope you will hand over Euron's magical artifact to me."
He looked at Asha with a trace of disappointment.
Earlier, when Garon realized Asha knew where the dragon horn was hidden, he deliberately chose not to expose her.
Instead, he hoped that by gradually winning control over both her body and mind, she would voluntarily reveal its whereabouts.
Yet even after taking Pyke, Asha had still never mentioned Dragonbinder.
That alone proved Garon had not completely conquered her heart.
There was still hesitation buried deep within her.
However, Garon's words startled Asha, and annoyance immediately appeared on her face.
"Damn it..."
"How could I forget about that?"
Turning toward Maester Wendamyr, she asked, "Maester, where is the dragon horn now?"
Wendamyr answered without hesitation.
"It is inside the Sea Tower."
"Euron hid it in a secret compartment beneath the attic chamber where Lord Balon once stayed."
A gleam flashed through Garon's crimson eyes.
"Then please take me there."
Asha stood up.
"I'll go with you."
Although somewhat surprised, Garon nodded.
The two left the council chamber side by side, crossing the stone walkways connecting the towers of Pyke.
Throughout the journey, Asha remained unusually quiet.
She seemed to be lost in thought.
Garon, however, was entirely focused on Dragonbinder and failed to notice the change in her mood.
About twenty minutes later, they crossed one of Pyke's swaying rope bridges and arrived at the Sea Tower.
"This way."
Asha pointed toward a steep wooden staircase before leading him upward into the chamber where Balon Greyjoy had once lived.
She knew every corner of her father's room by heart.
Walking directly to the wardrobe standing against the eastern wall, she ignored its doors entirely.
Instead, she pressed firmly against its right side.
Grinding sounds echoed through the chamber.
The wardrobe slowly slid aside, revealing a hidden compartment nearly as tall as a man.
The moment it opened...
Garon's gaze immediately locked onto the horn resting inside.
He stepped forward almost unconsciously.
Reaching out slowly, he gently touched the twisted horn covered in black and crimson bands.
His eyes filled with fascination.
"So..."
"This is Dragonbinder."
Even Garon couldn't suppress the excitement in his voice.
Standing behind him, Asha's expression briefly revealed hesitation before gradually becoming firm.
"Yes."
"This is the dragon horn Euron brought back from the ruins of Valyria."
"I still don't know how he survived such a journey."
"But one thing is certain."
"This horn possesses terrifying magic."
She stared at Garon's back before quietly warning him.
"I don't know whether it can truly bind dragons."
"But I do know something else."
"Blowing it demands the price of a life."
"Garon..."
"You must never sound it yourself."
"Oh?"
The excitement in Garon's eyes gradually faded.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"And why do you say that?"
Asha sighed before recounting how Balon had once ordered a servant to sound Dragonbinder.
"According to that kinslayer..."
"Euron claimed the horn would only obey its true master."
"Anyone else who blew it would die."
Garon gently traced the ancient Valyrian glyphs carved across the horn's surface.
A strange smile gradually appeared.
"So..."
"She still hasn't completely abandoned the idea of cooperating with me."
"If she openly reveals the horn's deadly price, perhaps I can guide this cooperation in another direction."
His thoughts moved rapidly before his attention returned to the glowing Valyrian runes.
"I understand."
His reply remained calm.
Seeing his indifferent reaction, Asha mistakenly believed he doubted her warning.
She quickly tried to persuade him again.
"Garon."
"You absolutely must not blow it."
"You really will die."
"If you don't believe me..."
"You can have someone else test it first."
Hearing the urgency in her voice, Garon smiled before turning around.
"Of course I believe you."
"Don't worry."
"I would never sound the horn without complete certainty."
Only then did Asha quietly relax.
Garon turned back toward Dragonbinder once more.
As his fingers slowly passed across the glowing runes, memories from another life surfaced in his mind.
"In the original story..."
"Moqorro, the Red Priest of R'hllor, explained the meaning of these Valyrian runes."
"'I am Dragonbinder... No mortal man shall sound me and live. Blood for fire. Fire for blood.'"
"That means only the horn's true master can survive blowing it."
Memories of countless discussions from his previous life rapidly resurfaced.
"If those theories are correct..."
"Dragonbinder requires a blood-binding ritual."
"But before a new master can claim it..."
"The previous master must die."
"Euron..."
Garon softly whispered the name so quietly that only he could hear it.
Then he turned toward Asha.
"Lady Asha."
"The horn will remain here for now."
"We'll retrieve it before we leave."
Asha blinked in surprise.
She had fully expected Garon to take Dragonbinder immediately.
"...You're not worried I'll hide it again?"
She deliberately tested him.
"What if, after all the captains arrive, I decide not to hand it over?"
Garon answered without hesitation.
"You won't."
"Why?"
"Because you're a clever woman, Asha."
He slowly stepped closer until he stood directly before her.
Looking calmly into her eyes, he spoke softly.
"You understand better than anyone."
"Dragonbinder is nothing more than a bargaining chip."
"Apart from that..."
"It has no value to you."
Feeling Garon's masculine presence so close, Asha forced herself to remain composed.
"If it's a bargaining chip..."
"Then naturally it has value."
"What if I deliberately raise its price?"
Garon merely smiled.
"Then tell me."
"How much higher do you intend to raise it?"
Asha looked straight into his crimson eyes.
"I want your loyalty."
Once again, she tried to win him over.
"I've thought about this ever since our voyage."
"Garon."
"Without enough strength supporting it, ambition is nothing but a castle built in the sky."
"It will collapse with the slightest wind."
"But my Iron Islands..."
"They can become your strongest pillar."
"Leave the North."
"Hunt dragons beside me."
"Then conquer all of Westeros."
"When that day comes..."
"I'll share the Iron Throne with you."
Her voice was completely sincere.
Garon couldn't help chuckling.
"Not bad."
"Your persuasion has improved since the last time."
"Persuasion?"
Asha's heart immediately sank.
"You think I'm deceiving you?"
"No."
"Not at all."
Noticing her lowered gaze, Garon gently lifted her chin with one finger, just as he had done back in the Winterfell dungeon.
"I believe every word you just said."
"But Asha..."
"Why do you always underestimate me?"
"You keep saying I lack the strength to pursue my ambitions."
"But do you even know where my true strength lies?"
"As an ally..."
"Allow me to give you one piece of advice."
"Never allow appearances to blind your judgment."
A fierce light flashed through Asha's eyes.
"Appearances?"
"Then tell me."
"What strength are you hiding?"
Garon smiled meaningfully.
"You'll find out very soon."
He glanced toward the window.
"Judging by the time..."
"The captains from Lordsport and Iron Holt should already be approaching Pyke."
"We should go welcome our guests."
"Especially the Goodbrothers of Great Wyk."
"They were among the first to support Euron after he seized the Seastone Chair."
Without explaining further, Garon stepped back and restored the hidden compartment.
Seeing him withdraw, Asha unconsciously felt a trace of disappointment.
Afraid he might notice, she immediately disguised it with anger.
"The Goodbrothers betrayed my father."
"I'll have them hanged as an example."
Garon clapped his hands lightly.
"My pleasure."
With that, the two left the Sea Tower together.
After returning to the Great Keep, Asha indeed received word that Tristifer Botley had arrived alongside one of the captains who had previously sworn allegiance to Euron.
Following Asha's furious order, Garon immediately had the man executed.
His corpse was hung from the outer sea wall of Pyke for every arriving captain to witness.
Over the next several days, more captains from every corner of the Iron Islands gradually reached Pyke.
Each of them fell silent after seeing the swaying corpse hanging above the sea.
Finally, when the last captains from Blacktyde and Orkmont arrived at Pyke, the public trial of Euron Crow's Eye officially began.
{🥳 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 80+ 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 }