For the moment, Galon knew nothing of Asha's thoughts.
After finalizing the plan, he parted ways with Sansa and the others without delay, riding out of Winterfell to find the Skagosi who had settled in Winter Town.
With their arrival, the town—quiet only days ago—had once again grown lively.
Their leader, Sparta, had just met with House Stark and still could not read Winterfell's attitude. Worried for Skagos, he drowned his concerns in drink at a tavern.
Without his restraint, the Skagosi—primitive and fierce—drank and reveled freely throughout the town.
That was, until Galon arrived with a contingent of Glover soldiers.
Within moments, Sparta received word and hurried out of the tavern to greet him.
"Lord... Galon?"
Living long in isolation, Sparta was clearly unfamiliar with Northern etiquette. His greeting was clumsy and rushed.
Galon smiled and stopped him with a raised hand, studying the man while considering how best to bring these Skagosi under his command.
"Chief Sparta."
Galon got straight to the point, his calm gaze sweeping across the warriors of the harsh island.
"Since Winterfell has received your request for aid, House Stark has no intention of abandoning the ancient pact."
At his words, Sparta felt the weight of command in Galon's presence—a pressure born of countless battles.
But he paid it little mind. Hope flared in his eyes.
He stepped forward, voice booming.
"Lord Galon!"
"Then send your army at once! Come with us to Skagos and kill that beast! Every moment we delay, more of my people die!"
But Galon shook his head, his expression turning grave.
"Chief Sparta, have you seen the state of Winterfell?"
He gestured toward the castle behind him. Though still standing strong, it bore the marks of recent war.
"We have just endured a brutal conflict with the Iron Islands. Countless Northern warriors have fallen.
Our king, Robb Stark, leads the main host in the south, fighting the Lannisters.
The North... cannot spare even a single soldier for a distant and uncertain hunt across the sea."
He paused, meeting Sparta's fading hope with a heavy sigh.
"You said the dragon has plagued your island for over a hundred years. Why did you not come sooner?
If you had come half a year ago—even two months ago—I could have guaranteed House Stark would help you slay it."
"But now…"
His words fell like cold iron.
The hope in Sparta's eyes died instantly.
After a moment, he spoke, voice strained.
"A hundred years ago, the dragon settled on our island. We tried to drive it away and failed, so we...made offerings to coexist.
Later, it fell into slumber. We thought it had died of old age... But recently, it woke again. And its hunger grows.
We tried to hunt it, but its flames... they burned many of our people alive."
His words stirred the Skagosi behind him. Murmurs grew into agitation.
Sensing rejection, anger began to rise among them. These people had not crossed the sea to be lectured.
Just as tension was about to explode, Galon's tone shifted.
He lowered his voice, laced with a strange, persuasive force. "It seems the threat to your homeland is not just the dragon... but man as well."
Sparta froze.
"The new king of the Iron Islands, Euron Greyjoy," Galon said, locking eyes with him. "The same enemy who attacked the North."
"He launched that invasion to open a path to Skagos... His goal is the dragon."
"And..."
Galon paused deliberately, drawing every eye.
"He possesses an ancient and vile method. Through sacrifice... he can control it."
The words struck like a boulder into still water.
Sacrifice?
What kind of sacrifice?
Would it be... them?
Sparta's breathing grew heavy. His despair turned into fury.
"Where is he? How does he plan to control the dragon?"
Galon smiled faintly.
"In his stronghold—the Iron Islands. He is already preparing another invasion of the North."
"As for sacrifices... Northern warriors alone would not suffice. You would be included as well."
"Enough!" Sparta roared, cutting him off. "That wretch dares?! I will grind his bones and feed them to the unicorns!"
Behind him, the Skagosi erupted.
"Chief, let's go back and kill him!"
"Yes! Use Ironborn blood as sacrifice!"
"Kill them all!"
Galon stood silently, letting their fury build.
Only when it began to settle did he speak again.
"Chief Sparta, if you intend to leave, decide quickly. I will arrange supplies for your journey."
"Do not misunderstand—I am not driving you away. It is simply that in two days, I will lead my army to attack the Iron Islands... to stop Euron."
Sparta blinked, caught off guard. "You're attacking the Iron Islands too? Then why not take us with you?"
Galon smiled faintly.
"This is a Northern war. It has nothing to do with Skagos.
Besides, the Iron Islands are dangerous. If you rush in, your losses will be severe."
Sparta's eyes burned with anger.
"Galon... are you saying we fear death?"
Galon shook his head calmly.
"No, not at all."
"It's just that Northern soldiers fight under command. And you... can you follow mine?"
The question hung heavy.
Sparta hesitated.
He looked at Galon and the disciplined but relatively small force behind him.
"Lord Galon... we Skagosi respect strength. But with only these hundred men..."
He didn't finish, but his meaning was clear.
They did not believe in this army's strength. They had only come because they had no other choice.
Galon had expected this.
A confident smile appeared on his face as he met Sparta's gaze.
"Because I can lead you to victory. Because I understand war—not just hunting."
"And as for proof..."
In one swift motion, he drew his greatsword. Its blade gleamed coldly beneath the gray sky.
"Chief Sparta, you said your people respect strength."
"Then let us test it. If you win, I and my soldiers will follow your command. But if I win..."
Sparta's eyes lit with excitement. He cut him off immediately.
"By the name of Skagos!"
"If I lose, I and all my people will obey your command without question in the coming war!"
The Skagosi burst into laughter and wild shouts, convinced their chief would crush this challenge easily.
The Glover soldiers, however, remained silent.
Only their eyes betrayed absolute confidence in Galon.
In an instant, all of Winter Town was thrown into uproar.
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