"My lord, my lady, someone from House Bolton requests an audience."
A guard outside the hall announced the arrival.
The people inside exchanged glances.
Maester Luwin nodded to the guard. "Let him enter."
Sansa quietly drew a deep breath and adjusted her posture, trying to appear calm and dignified.
Moments later, Ramsay walked into the hall wearing his trademark smile, a smile that made everyone uncomfortable.
He exaggerated a bow toward Sansa, yet his eyes crawled across her like something slimy, openly examining her.
"Lady Sansa..."
His voice stretched the words strangely.
"Seeing you safe and unharmed is truly a relief."
"Winterfell has suffered greatly, yet you remain as radiant as ever. Truly worthy of being called the beauty of Riverrun."
His compliment sounded more like an insult to everyone present.
Jon stared at Ramsay coldly, feeling immediate disgust. Even Maester Luwin's polite smile faded somewhat.
Sansa felt a chill run through her body. She suppressed her discomfort and maintained proper courtesy.
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Ramsay."
"House Stark will not forget the support of House Bolton."
Her tone was distant and cold.
But Ramsay seemed not to notice. He cheerfully greeted Maester Luwin as well.
As for Bran sitting in his chair, Ramsay did not even spare him a glance.
Finally, Ramsay turned to Galon.
"I just heard that Lord Galon dealt the Ironborn another blow at Cerwyn Castle. House Glover truly produces mighty warriors."
Though he spoke the words, there was little real admiration in his voice.
Galon simply nodded calmly and did not respond.
Sansa did not wish to continue speaking with him either. "You must be tired after your journey, Lord Ramsay. I will have someone prepare lodging for you."
Her meaning was clear.
Ramsay could leave.
But Ramsay pretended not to understand.
"My soldiers are camped outside the walls. Serving House Stark is only natural for House Bolton."
His eyes slid across Sansa again.
"Perhaps for your safety, Lady Sansa, some more reliable soldiers should be allowed inside the castle to assist with the defense."
The implication made Sansa frown.
She instinctively looked toward Galon.
Galon's eyes immediately sharpened.
He gave a slight shake of his head, signaling her not to accept the suggestion.
"Thank you for your concern, Lord Ramsay."
Sansa straightened her back, her voice becoming firmer.
"The defense of Winterfell is currently under Lord Galon's command, and everything is well arranged."
"We appreciate the loyalty of House Bolton. Your men will be more comfortable resting outside the walls."
"If there is nothing else, please return and rest."
It was a direct refusal.
Almost a dismissal.
Ramsay's smile froze for a brief moment. Deep in his eyes flashed anger and jealousy.
But he quickly recovered and bowed slightly. "In that case, I will await Lady Stark's summons at any time."
Before leaving, he cast Galon a meaningful glance.
Then he turned and walked out.
Even after he left, the atmosphere in the hall remained heavy.
"A poisonous snake," Bran said softly.
His green dreams had already shown him many unclear but troubling visions.
Sansa exhaled slowly.
Ramsay's gaze had made her feel deeply uneasy. It felt as though he were trying to skin her alive with his eyes.
"It seems we must move faster," Maester Luwin said.
He turned to Galon.
"Lord Galon, I suggest you immediately send someone to escort Asha Greyjoy from Deepwood Motte to Winterfell in secret."
"I will write to Balon Greyjoy, explaining the circumstances of Theon's death. Perhaps we can use Asha to force the Iron Islands to withdraw."
Galon thought silently for a moment.
'This could be an opportunity,' he thought.
'My uncle has likely already followed my instructions and had Joel approach Asha, slowly telling her the story of Theon's death.'
'Next, I must push her into cooperating with me... and eventually bring her under my control.'
A sharp light flashed in Galon's eyes.
He nodded.
"Very well. We will follow the maester's suggestion."
He turned to Jon.
"Have Shanks send a squad of cavalry back to Deepwood Motte. Tell Captain Roger to bring thirty loyal guards and escort Asha Greyjoy to Winterfell."
"Yes. I will go at once," Jon replied before leaving to give the order.
Soon afterward, a group of riders rode out through the Hunter's Gate and disappeared into the Wolfswood.
Standing on the walls and pretending to observe the surroundings, Ramsay noticed the departing riders.
He tried to gather information but learned nothing.
'Could Glover be bringing more troops to Winterfell?' Ramsay wondered uneasily.
As long as Galon remained in Winterfell, Ramsay realized he had no way to seize the castle.
'I need to find a way to lure him out,' he thought darkly.
Only then would he have a chance.
His eyes turned cold as countless schemes formed in his mind.
When snow began to fall lightly from the sky, he finally returned to his room with Reek to quietly plan their next move.
Meanwhile, far away in the dark dungeon of Deepwood Motte, the atmosphere was as cold and deep as the ocean floor.
Asha leaned against the stone wall, her fingers rubbing the rust on the iron chains while silently counting time.
It was almost time for food again.
Because of Asha's identity, Robert did not dare treat her poorly. Though she had lost her freedom, the food given to her was far from meager.
Several guards placed fragrant bread, fried fish, and a bottle of ale in front of her.
Then they roughly tossed pieces of black bread into the next cell.
"Hey, Joel, eat well and have a good dream. Maybe you'll dream about enjoying fine food in Winterfell again."
One guard glanced toward Asha deliberately and shouted loudly.
"Maybe you'll even dream about a lion drawing his sword and killing a squid."
The guards laughed loudly as they left with their torches.
Darkness returned to the dungeon.
Asha ignored the food and stared into the darkness, her fingers clenched tightly.
Ever since she had been imprisoned, the guards had repeatedly mocked the man in the next cell.
They often mentioned Joel witnessing Theon's death in Winterfell.
At first, Asha ignored it.
Her mind had been focused on escape and on warning her father about the danger posed by Galon.
But as time passed, she slowly realized something painful.
Escape was almost impossible.
'Am I supposed to wait for my father to rescue me?'
'I am the daughter of the Kraken. How could I ever claim the Seastone Chair if I rely on that?'
Pain filled her heart.
She worried about her own fate and the future of the Iron Islands.
Closing her eyes, she leaned against the wall and thought about the past. The guards' laughter and Theon's name echoed in her ears again.
'Theon...'
At that moment, coughing came from the next cell.
Asha opened her eyes and stared into the darkness.
"Joel?"
A tired voice responded.
"What is it?"
"Tell me... why did Theon die?" Asha's voice was low and strained.
In the next cell, Joel felt his heart leap.
'The time has finally come to complete my mission,' he thought. But he did not answer immediately.
After a long silence, he spoke softly according to Galon's instructions.
"I don't know."
Asha froze. "You saw it with your own eyes, and yet you say you don't know?"
"I heard Theon screaming," Joel said hoarsely. "Then I saw Ser Jaime draw his sword and kill him."
"After that, the Lord Stark confronted Jaime. Then the queen interrupted everything."
"As for why... I don't know. And I didn't dare ask."
Asha bit her lip.
Pain twisted in her chest.
Joel paused before continuing slowly.
"Perhaps you should ask that Glover. He was there that day. He personally drew his sword to stop Jaime."
"...He must know the truth."
Asha's breathing stopped for a moment. Her fingers tightened around the iron bars.
Silence returned to the dungeon.
But her heart could no longer be calm. She wanted to see that man immediately. She wanted to ask what truly happened.
She wanted to hear from his own mouth what secret Theon had tried to reveal before he died.
Asha slowly lifted her head.
Her eyes cut through the darkness like blades.
If the Lannisters had truly killed her brother... If the Northerners had stood by and watched...
Then she would make them pay.
Yet Asha's uncles knew nothing of what she had experienced.
Meanwhile, after joining forces with Victarion, Euron was doing everything he could to persuade him to attack Winterfell together.
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