The sound of hooves echoed steadily.
Galon and his party pressed forward through the snow under the biting cold.
In recent days, the North had grown increasingly frigid. Light snow fell every few days.
Fortunately, the Kingsroad, once muddy, had frozen solid, allowing Galon's forces to move much faster.
A day later, Galon led his cavalry, along with the Reed siblings, and met up with the main Northern infantry force led by Hother Umber on an open snowy plain.
Umber's army stretched across the land like a long black serpent, moving slowly but steadily through the snow.
Yet the mood was not one of victory.
Instead, there was fatigue. Restlessness.
Galon immediately sensed something was off.
After briefly explaining matters to the Reed siblings, he brought Jon with him and met Hother Umber and the other Northern bannermen beneath a wind-sheltered hill.
After several days apart, Hother Umber looked utterly exhausted.
He was already advanced in age, and after enduring both fierce battles and forced marches, his body was clearly reaching its limits.
If House Umber had anyone else available, he would not have been forced to lead in person.
Still, upon hearing that Galon had retaken Moat Cailin, he forced himself to straighten, surprise flashing across his face.
"Lord Galon, you've come at the right time!"
Hother shook the snow from his hair, his voice deep like distant thunder.
"After you left, we received word from House Dustin."
"Some of the scattered Ironborn have gathered near the barrows of the First Men. Others have fled toward the Stony Shore."
"But we cannot confirm their exact numbers, nor have we seen the banners of Euron Greyjoy."
Galon nodded. This was expected. A cunning creature like Euron would never expose himself easily.
He asked, "Any news from Torrhen's Square?"
Umber shook his head, his brow tightening further.
"None."
"To this day, we have received no ravens or messengers from Torrhen's Square. It's as if the place has been swallowed whole."
Galon's expression shifted.
By his calculations, Lambert Tallhart should have reached Torrhen's Square by now.
There should have been some kind of report.
'Could Euron have laid an ambush there? Was Lambert captured again?'
Galon's thoughts turned grim.
If Euron wanted to return safely to the Stony Shore, Torrhen's Square was unavoidable.
Before Galon could think further, Hother spoke again, bringing another urgent piece of news.
"Lord Galon, Lady Hornwood has sent word."
"Some of the scattered Ironborn did not flee to the coast. Instead, they have moved into the Hornwood lands near the Horned Hills."
"They are burning villages and raiding the countryside."
At this point, Captain Darren spoke up.
"My lord, Lady Hornwood requests that I return at once with troops to defend our lands. I ask for permission to lead my men back."
Galon glanced at him, then asked thoughtfully, "The main Ironborn force has been crushed. Only small groups remain."
"First the barrows, now the Horned Hills. Where are all these scattered forces coming from?"
Darren gave a bitter smile, about to answer, when Ramsay Snow stepped forward.
"Lord Glover, perhaps I can explain."
Galon's gaze immediately locked onto him.
"Oh? Go on."
Though House Bolton had lost nearly three quarters of its forces, Ramsay showed little grief.
Instead, he wore a faint, almost amused smile.
"The Horned Hills are wild terrain. Many outlaws and mountain clans dwell there."
"When winter comes and food runs scarce, they raid nearby villages."
He didn't need to say more.
Galon already understood.
"You mean the scattered Ironborn have joined forces with these bandits, and Lady Hornwood sees them as one group?"
Ramsay shrugged.
"Women tend to panic over the slightest disturbance."
Darren's eyes flashed with anger. "Bastard, watch your tongue. You are not a Bolton yet."
He emphasized the name deliberately, mocking Ramsay's illegitimacy.
Ramsay's expression darkened instantly. But just as quickly, his smile returned, as if he had thought of something.
Ignoring Darren, he turned back to Galon.
"My lord, the Horned Hills are in chaos. These bandits could even threaten the Dreadfort."
"My house has suffered heavy losses. If we continue with the main army, we will not be of much use.
Instead, allow me to take my remaining men and join forces with Captain Darren. We will clear out the Horned Hills.
That would serve the North well, would it not?"
He spread his hands as if presenting a reasonable proposal.
The suggestion surprised everyone present. Even Darren, who had just argued with him, eyed him suspiciously.
He wondered if Ramsay intended to use this as an excuse to return to the Dreadfort.
But Galon's sharp gaze pierced straight through Ramsay's intentions.
'He wants to withdraw.'
'No... more than that. Is he aiming for Hornwood itself?'
Memories surfaced in Galon's mind.
He recalled how Ramsay, in another course of events, had forced Lady Hornwood into marriage and starved her to death to seize her lands.
'He's not helping Hornwood out of kindness. He wants control of it.'
Galon considered his options.
'Should I stop him?'
His mind raced.
But soon, he realized this could be turned into an opportunity.
'If he does move against Hornwood, it gives me justification to intervene. I can elevate Lawrence as heir and weaken House Bolton at the same time.'
'And if Ramsay goes too far... I can execute him openly.'
A faint smile appeared on Galon's lips.
Ramsay, watching closely, felt a chill run down his spine. 'What is he thinking... has he seen through me?'
Before he could dwell on it, Galon spoke.
"Captain Darren's concerns are valid. Lord Ramsay's proposal also shows initiative."
He paused, then continued.
"Clearing the Horned Hills requires strength. Hornwood alone may not be enough."
"Since Lord Ramsay is willing to assist, then..."
He pretended to consider before making his decision.
"Together, Hornwood and Bolton can field around six hundred men. That is more than sufficient to clear the Horned Hills."
"At the very least, it will be enough to secure the region."
He looked between the two men.
"Captain Darren. Lord Ramsay."
"I order you to combine your forces and march immediately to the Horned Hills."
"You will eliminate the Ironborn and bandits, restore order, and protect the people."
He deliberately emphasized "combine your forces," ensuring that Ramsay would not hold sole command.
Darren would serve as a counterbalance.
The two men exchanged a glance before nodding, each harboring their own thoughts.
Galon then turned to Hother Umber with a smile.
"Lord Umber, you have done enough. The remaining tasks are minor. You need not take the field yourself any longer."
He added, "On my way, I encountered members of House Reed. They are traveling to Winterfell to meet House Stark."
"Why not escort them with three hundred men?"
Hother nodded. He truly felt the strain in his body.
"Very well. And you?"
Galon's gaze turned westward, toward the rolling lands dotted with ancient barrows.
"I will lead the remaining thousand men. We will sweep through the barrowlands toward Torrhen's Square."
"We cannot allow the remaining Ironborn to regroup."
No one objected.
Galon waved his hand, dismissing them to carry out their orders.
Soon, the Northern host split into three separate forces, each marching toward its own destination.
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