CHAPTER 161
The sky was faintly bright. Outside the Sea Tower, three or five seagulls rode the morning breeze, gliding past the bedroom window. Their crisp cries echoed across the cliffs, slowly rousing Garon of the White Staff from the exhaustion of the previous night's fierce struggle. He stared blankly at the stone ceiling for a moment before feeling a warm weight resting against his chest. Looking down, his eyes fell upon a smooth, wheat-colored shoulder and the graceful curve pressed against him. The memories of the previous night immediately flooded back.
"Garon, oh Garon, your great undertaking is far from complete. How could you indulge yourself so easily..." Garon gently stroked Asha, who was still sleeping soundly in his embrace, and could not help blaming himself in silence. "Still, since things have already reached this point, I might as well enjoy this moment." His hand drifted lower as he absentmindedly played with a certain sensitive spot.
"Mm..." Asha frowned slightly from the lingering fatigue of the night before and let out a soft unconscious murmur, instinctively tightening her arms around Garon. Seeing that she merely shifted in her sleep without waking, Garon made no effort to disturb her. As his hand idly traced along Asha's body, his thoughts gradually returned to everything that had happened the previous day.
"I never expected Euron to truly possess magic..." A trace of lingering fear flashed across Garon's eyes. Without the protection bestowed upon him by the old gods, he would likely have suffered grievous injuries beneath Euron's supernatural attack. In his previous life, he had seen countless theories suggesting that Euron possessed magical abilities and was perhaps a powerful skinchanger. Yet after transmigrating into this world, the only genuine magic Garon had personally witnessed belonged to the Three-Eyed Raven and the old gods. Because of that, he had unconsciously underestimated Euron and nearly paid a terrible price for that mistake.
"The blessing of the old gods... and the identity of Garon of the White Staff. Fate truly enjoys strange coincidences." His crimson eyes grew thoughtful as his curiosity regarding the mysteries of the old gods and the Three-Eyed Raven deepened further. "Still, the secrets of the old gods and the Three-Eyed Raven can wait until Bran uncovers them. Those matters aren't urgent. What deserves my attention now is the situation before me."
Bran's figure briefly surfaced in his mind before he calmly sorted through his future plans. "With the identity of Garon of the White Staff, my control over the Iron Islands has become far more stable. Combined with Asha's intelligence and ability, that should be enough to keep the islands under control."
Originally, he had intended that if Asha refused to fully submit, he would simply take her with him when he departed, denying her any opportunity to consolidate her authority over the Iron Islands. He would imitate Cao Cao's strategy of holding the emperor to command the princes, using Asha herself to control the Ironborn while leading their forces south. Yet considering the recent invasion of the North by the Iron Islands, forcing both armies to fight side by side would inevitably create friction. One careless mistake could ignite deep hostility between the Northmen and the Ironborn, placing enormous pressure upon his own command.
Now, however, Asha willingly rested in his arms, while his newly established identity as Garon of the White Staff firmly tied the Iron Islands to him. He no longer feared that she might slip beyond his control. There was no need to drag her south for the coming wars. Leaving Asha to stabilize the Iron Islands while suddenly joining the conflict at the most critical moment would produce a far greater strategic effect.
"Still, I should bring several Ironborn captains with me to Riverrun and persuade Robb." Garon silently calculated the timeline. "By now, the Battle of the Blackwater should already have concluded. The alliance between the Lannisters and House Tyrell will soon possess overwhelming superiority. As for Dragonbinder, I must complete the blood-binding ritual as soon as possible... perhaps on Skagos..." Countless possibilities flowed through Garon's mind as he carefully deduced future developments, completely unaware that Asha had already begun to awaken.
Asha slowly opened her eyes, her cheek still resting against Garon's chest. She quietly listened to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat while feeling his hand absentmindedly gliding across her skin. Warmth quietly spread through her heart as the fragmented memories of the previous night gradually resurfaced. She raised her head slightly and found Garon completely absorbed in thought, oblivious to the fact that she was awake.
One of Asha's eyebrows rose playfully as desire flickered within her dark eyes. Her hands quietly became mischievous.
"Hiss..." Still immersed in his thoughts, Garon suddenly drew in a sharp breath from the unexpected sensation. Looking down, he finally realized Asha had awakened.
"Stop fooling around."
He lightly patted Asha's shapely backside, signaling for her to stop teasing him.
The following events were omitted.
Only after Asha was completely exhausted and softly begged for mercy did Garon, satisfied with his victory, finally bring everything to an end.
"Mm..." Asha's cheeks remained flushed as her body rested limply against Garon. She unconsciously traced circles across his chest with one finger. After her breathing gradually steadied, she lazily asked, "What were you thinking about when I woke up just now? You weren't plotting against the Iron Islands again, were you?"
Having regained complete clarity, Garon leaned comfortably against the headboard and casually replied, "I was simply thinking about what kind of reward would be appropriate for you."
The moment those words entered her ears, Asha's body tensed. She immediately raised her head and looked directly into Garon's eyes.
"I've already given both myself and the Iron Islands to you. Surely you won't reward me with something worthless?"
Garon smiled faintly as his hand gently stroked Asha's cheek.
"Of course not. I'm never stingy toward my own people, especially those who know how to listen."
Before Asha could react further, he calmly asked, "What do you think about the Westerlands?"
"The Westerlands? Casterly Rock?" Surprise instantly filled Asha's face as even her lingering exhaustion vanished. "Do you actually believe you can seize the Westerlands from Tywin Lannister?"
Supporting herself on one elbow, she stared directly into Garon's eyes, waiting for his answer.
Rather than replying directly, Garon calmly analyzed the political situation. "Right now the Seven Kingdoms remain divided. Dorne has yet to move openly. The Reach has already committed its strength elsewhere. The Northern alliance continues advancing while the struggle between the Baratheon brothers has almost certainly reached its conclusion. By now, the victor is likely marching upon King's Landing, or perhaps the battle has already been decided."
He calmly continued, "Imagine yourself as a lion surrounded by wolves, trout, and stags. What would you do?"
Asha frowned thoughtfully before replying, "Concentrate my strength against Renly first. After defeating him, I'd gather every remaining house and crush the North. If defeat became inevitable, I'd surrender before the city fell. Renly isn't cruel enough to massacre everyone. At worst, the Lannisters would lose their lands and be sent to the Wall."
Garon neither agreed nor disagreed. His fingers slowly brushed along Asha's cheek before he quietly asked, "Why are you so certain Renly would be the one facing the Lannisters, rather than Stannis?"
Asha shifted slightly, making herself more comfortable beneath his touch.
"Stannis?" She laughed. "Garon, that's impossible. Dragonstone can only provide him with a few thousand men. Renly commands the strength of the Reach. The difference is overwhelming."
At this point, news of Renly's death at the hands of Melisandre's shadow had yet to spread throughout Westeros, so Asha's judgment was perfectly reasonable. In truth, nearly everyone in the Seven Kingdoms would naturally assume Renly held the advantage.
Garon had no intention of revealing future events.
To further strengthen Asha's trust in his judgment, he calmly continued his analysis.
"No matter who ultimately claims victory, Robb's kingship will never be recognized by the victor. Whether Renly survives, whether Stannis prevails, or whether the Lannisters retain the throne, none of them will tolerate an independent King in the North."
He looked calmly into Asha's eyes.
"And that naturally includes you as Queen of the Iron Islands."
Garon's composed words made Asha grit her teeth before she suddenly leaned forward and bit him lightly.
"This situation only exists because of you."
"Because of me?" Garon laughed before gently pulling her away. "Don't be unreasonable. Even without me, Balon had already declared himself King of the Iron Islands."
Asha could not refute those words.
Even without Garon's interference, Balon had long dreamed of reclaiming his crown. His disastrous defeat years earlier had never extinguished that ambition. If anything, it had only intensified his desire.
Seeing Asha fall silent, Garon continued.
"The outcome at King's Landing determines who stands against us."
"If either the Lannisters or Renly triumphs, then politics will simply continue through ordinary war."
"But if Stannis somehow wins..."
Asha blinked.
"...then we must begin considering entirely different variables."
"Different variables?"
"Magic."
The word immediately made Asha recall Euron's terrifying display only yesterday.
"It can't be..." she murmured. "Euron found his powers after sailing through Valyria. Stannis has never left Dragonstone."
Garon merely smiled faintly.
"Perhaps. I'm only making deductions."
"Regardless of who wins, Robb will never surrender before exhausting every possibility."
He paused briefly.
"And that is precisely where our opportunity lies."
The moment Asha heard the word opportunity, her eyes brightened.
"If you truly intend to claim the Iron Throne, the Iron Islands alone will never be enough. The North belongs to House Stark. While Robb lives, no Northern lord will ever follow you."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You aren't planning to use Dragonbinder to tame dragons, are you?"
Garon remained silent for a long moment before answering.
"No."
"We know almost nothing about dragons or Skagos. Dragons may become our final trump card, but they can never become our only strategy."
He gently rested a hand upon Asha's back.
"As you said yourself, despite all my victories, the Northern lords remain loyal to House Stark."
"Unless..."
Asha immediately completed the sentence herself.
"Unless Robb dies, and your betrothed inherits Winterfell."
She suddenly sat upright in disbelief.
"Are you planning to kill him?"
A strange excitement quietly rose inside her. If Garon truly intended such a thing, then she would possess a secret capable of determining his entire future.
Naturally, Garon had already anticipated such a reaction.
"No."
He answered calmly.
"House Glover has served House Stark for generations. I would never personally betray them in such a manner."
Disappointment flashed through Asha's eyes before suspicion quickly replaced it.
"Then what exactly do you mean?"
She hesitated briefly before deliberately asking, "If you can't do it yourself... why not let me handle it for you?"
Garon slowly shifted upright against the headboard, calmly meeting Asha's gaze. The silent warning within those crimson eyes caused her heartbeat to skip. She instinctively looked away.
He understood exactly what she was trying to accomplish.
"If Asha could involve me in Robb's death, she would forever possess leverage over me."
Such a possibility would never be allowed.
Many thoughts flashed through Garon's mind before he gently pulled Asha back into his embrace.
"I already have plans concerning Robb."
"But those plans absolutely do not involve killing him."
"Asha."
He spoke softly.
"Don't suggest things that only weaken our alliance."
Asha quietly rested against his chest again.
"Mm."
Garon continued.
"Regardless of who ultimately claims King's Landing, the North must be defeated, but never destroyed."
Asha frowned.
"Defeated... but not destroyed?"
"War is simply the continuation of politics."
"Once King's Landing produces a victor, a new political balance will emerge."
"If only one claimant survives, Olenna Tyrell will never gamble everything upon a single house."
"If the stag triumphs, the rose remains beside the stag."
"If the lion triumphs, the rose will abandon the stag just as quickly as they once abandoned House Targaryen."
"And once House Tyrell commits itself completely, neither the North nor the Riverlands can possibly defeat such an alliance."
He silently added another thought he could never speak aloud.
"In reality, the Tyrells have already chosen the lions. Stannis is doomed."
Since he could not reveal future knowledge directly, he could only reason backward like a master strategist.
"The North simply lacks sufficient manpower. The Riverlands remain divided. Edmure Tully lacks both authority and military talent to unite every river lord."
"Once King's Landing marches north with fresh strength, many Riverlords will inevitably surrender to preserve their own lands."
"The Northern alliance is destined to lose."
Understanding slowly dawned within Asha's eyes.
"So at the decisive moment..."
"...you and I reinforce the Northern army, shatter the royal host, and preserve the North without allowing it to collapse completely."
Garon smiled.
"Exactly."
He lightly tapped Asha's nose.
"Since you are my ally, I have no intention of throwing Ironborn lives away."
"I will commit your fleet only when its arrival can determine the entire war."
"As your reward, once victory is secured, I will grant the Iron Islands a portion of the Westerlands."
Asha's eyes sparkled.
"Really?"
"I've already told you."
Garon smiled.
"I never mistreat my own people."
Meeting her astonished gaze, he continued.
"We're still isolated upon these islands, and our information from King's Landing and the Riverlands is already outdated."
"You must immediately dispatch ravens and ships to gather intelligence."
"After I depart, remain here in Pyke, consolidate your rule, and prepare the Iron Fleet."
"When my message arrives..."
"...that will be your signal."
Asha's expression gradually became serious.
"If I remain here, what about you?"
"Shouldn't I send several captains with you? It will strengthen our alliance before the Northern lords."
The suggestion matched Garon's own intentions perfectly.
"Choose only those you trust completely."
Asha answered without hesitation.
"My uncle Rodrik."
"I trust him more than anyone else."
"I'll persuade him to bring five hundred men and accompany you."
Garon nodded thoughtfully.
"Rodrik Harlaw is cautious and intelligent."
"He'll do."
The decision was settled immediately.
"Enough."
Garon glanced toward the brightening window.
"It's almost time."
"We should head to the Great Keep."
Unexpectedly, Asha smiled seductively before rolling back on top of him.
"The captains drank themselves senseless."
"They won't wake for another hour or two."
"We still have plenty of time."
Her smile grew even more alluring.
"I haven't finished keeping my promise."
Garon's breathing deepened.
"So impatient?"
Before Asha could answer, he suddenly rolled over, effortlessly pinning her beneath him.
"I'm not accustomed to letting a woman stay on top."
Their playful struggle quickly resumed.
Far away in Winterfell, at almost the very same moment, Sansa Stark suddenly awoke from her sleep with a start.
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