At the end of the long summer, darkness fell quickly.
Before the battle ended, every face had been clear beneath the gray sky.
Yet by the time Galon finished inspecting the battlefield, everything lay swallowed in shadow.
Even after growing used to life in the North, he could not help cursing under his breath.
'This damned weather.'
He did not dare imagine how they would endure the long winter to come.
White breath steamed from his mouth as he raised his voice. "Light the torches. Clear the field quickly."
Soon Sentry Hill glowed with firelight.
"My lord, the field is secured," Ron reported, his face streaked with blood, eyes bright with excitement.
"All ironborn checked. The wounded finished. We lost just over a hundred men and wiped out nearly two thousand ironborn.
House Glover will be famous after this."
Galon showed little excitement.
"How are the wounded?"
Ron's grin faded slightly. "Five of the gravely wounded did not survive. Forty three have light injuries. Nothing serious."
"Bury the fallen here," Galon said. "Record every name. When we return, ensure their families are rewarded and supplied."
Ron nodded and left.
Jon hurried over next. "My lord, we broke their prisoners."
Galon looked up.
"According to them, Asha brought one hundred longships and two thousand men. Three hundred remain at the beach guarding the ships. The rest are here."
Relief eased Galon's chest.
'Once Roger deals with the men on the shore, Deepwood Motte will be secure.'
He fixed Jon with a sharp look.
"And their larger plan?"
Jon answered quickly.
"They split into three forces. Victarion took Moat Cailin to sever us from Robb.
Euron landed along the Stony Shore, captured Torrhen's Square and is pressing Cerywn Castle, then intended to join Asha to encircle Winterfell."
He swallowed. "The Iron Islands mean to seize the entire North. We must ride to Winterfell at once."
Galon frowned.
Only now did he fully register one detail.
Euron had returned too early.
According to what Galon remembered, Euron should not have come back until after Balon's death to claim the Seastone Chair.
Yet here he was, invading the North alongside Asha.
The story had changed.
Galon had expected change. From the moment he arrived in this world, he had influenced events.
What concerned him was not Euron's presence, but the reason for it.
'Did Theon's death drive Balon to gamble everything and recall Euron?' he wondered.
His gaze drifted toward his prize.
Asha Greyjoy.
'If she speaks honestly, I will know the truth of the Iron Islands.' But persuading her would not be easy.
He had killed her closest companions. She likely wished to tear him apart.
'Perhaps I can begin with Theon's death.'
A plan slowly formed in his mind.
Jon, seeing Galon silent, shifted anxiously.
He did not fear that Galon would refuse to help Winterfell. He feared they would arrive too late.
At last Galon looked at him and placed a steady hand on his shoulder.
"If they plan to encircle Winterfell, it means it has not yet fallen," Galon said calmly. "We return to Deepwood tomorrow. Then you and I ride east together."
He held Jon's gaze.
"I will not let Sansa come to harm."
Jon finally steadied himself.
Ron returned. "The dead are buried. The wounded treated. What now?"
Galon glanced at the darkening sky.
"We march to the nearest watchtower. There are huts and tents left from its construction. We shelter there tonight."
"Tomorrow, once we hear from Roger, we return to Deepwood and prepare to ride for Winterfell."
No one objected.
Soon the army left Sentry Hill.
After they departed, wolves came.
Drawn by blood, they descended in packs and feasted upon the ironborn dead. Other scavengers followed.
Sentry Hill became a banquet ground through the night.
An hour later, Galon's force reached the watchtower.
The wooden huts built for farmers still stood. He ordered camp established.
"Ron, see the men fed and resting."
"Jon, with me. We set additional watch posts."
Three hours passed before everything was arranged.
Night lay thick and black. Inside a hut near the tower, five soldiers guarded Asha, bound tightly.
The door opened.
Galon entered with a cup of snow boiled water.
"My lord," the guards rose.
"I will take watch," Galon said lightly. "Eat and rest."
They had no doubt in his strength and left.
When they were gone, Galon set the cup before Asha and removed the cloth from her mouth. He lifted the cup toward her lips.
"Drink."
She stared at him in silence.
He set the cup down and sat cross legged across from her. "Lady Asha, tell me. Why did the Iron Islands attack the North?"
She answered only with a mocking look.
Galon met her eyes.
"Because of Theon?" He sighed softly. "He died at Winterfell. Anyone would seek vengeance."
"But you chose the wrong target."
Asha's voice, hoarse but sharp, cut through the air. "What do you mean? Was he not falsely accused and executed by your people?"
Galon tilted his head.
"Falsely accused? Lord Stark was just. Would he falsely condemn his own ward?"
He paused deliberately.
"Poor Theon was misled. But you would not believe me. When I send you to Winterfell, you will learn the truth."
The less he explained, the more doubt flickered in her eyes.
'Another truth?' she thought.
'No. He lies.' She studied him again, but he had leaned back, eyes closed as if sleeping.
She called out. No response.
She struggled against her bonds.
Without opening his eyes, Galon spoke calmly.
"Do not waste your strength. I will not kill you. But if you force me, I will knock you unconscious."
Silence returned.
Only the crackle of torchlight.
Asha watched his face in the dim light.
'Galon Glover,' she thought bitterly. 'How did I lose to a man younger than me? How can I ever claim the Seastone Chair like this?'
'If Father knew...'
Her thoughts churned.
Gradually, the desire to die faded.
Exhaustion claimed her.
After the torches burned low, Galon, who appeared asleep, stirred.
His awareness shifted. He was no longer in his body. He had slipped into the heart tree.
'I wonder how Winterfell fares.'
His consciousness moved through the weirwood network toward Winterfell's godswood.
When he reached the heart tree there, he sensed no siege. No flames. No assault.
Only night patrols moving cautiously along the walls.
'Euron must still be waiting for Asha,' Galon realized. 'There is still time.'
He remained in Winterfell through the night.
Sansa did not come to pray.
Near dawn, he withdrew his mind and returned to his body, ready for what would come next.
__________
Upto 20 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/Xorath