By the time Galon learned that the ironborn had landed at Cape Kraken, it was already the afternoon of the following day.
Before he could even respond, Maester Beckman arrived in haste, carrying Winterfell's plea for aid.
Galon held the letter, his heart torn back and forth as if ripped apart by ice and fire.
The ironborn's spearhead was right at his doorstep, yet Winterfell's call for help was just as urgent.
There was no time left for hesitation.
"Men," Galon ordered sharply, "summon all officers commanding a hundred men or more. Have them gather in the Hall of a Thousand Beasts immediately. Move fast."
The command fell like a boulder into still water, adding a killing chill to an already tense fortress.
Very soon, the Hall of a Thousand Beasts filled with the dozen or so centurions Galon had personally promoted.
Robett was there, as was Maester Beckman and Steward Mormont.
Galon stood before the high seat and swept his gaze across the assembled men.
"Everyone, scouts from Cape Kraken report that an unknown number of ironborn have come ashore. At their fastest pace, they could reach Deepwood Motte within a day."
He paused, then delivered the remaining devastating news.
"Victarion Greyjoy has led the Iron Fleet to take Moat Cailin. Our link with the army in the south has been severed.
Meanwhile, Euron Greyjoy has taken Torren's Square and is now attacking Cerwyn Castle. Winterfell has sent an urgent message asking us to rush to their aid."
Galon looked around at the officers, many of whom were struck silent by shock.
"Tell me," he asked calmly, "what should we do now?"
The hall fell into a heavy silence before erupting into fierce argument.
Jon stepped forward abruptly, his voice hoarse with urgency.
"Lord Galon, we must ride to Winterfell at once. Sansa is still there. We cannot let anything happen to her.
If Winterfell falls, the entire North falls with it. Give me some men. I will march immediately."
His eyes burned with worry for his family and a desperate sense of urgency.
Ron Glover, however, took the opposite stance.
His face was grim, his voice steady and resolute.
"Jon, I understand how you feel. But acting on impulse will not solve anything.
Deepwood Motte is our foundation."
The ironborn army is right in front of us, and we still do not know their numbers. If we divide our forces now, Deepwood Motte will fall in an instant."
"Then not only will we fail to save Winterfell, but our own home will be reduced to ashes."
He glanced at Jon, who was about to argue again, then turned to Galon.
"Lord Galon, we must concentrate all our strength to defeat the enemy before us and secure our base. Only then can we plan what comes next."
Many of the veteran soldiers from Deepwood Motte nodded in agreement.
Jon growled, "And what if Winterfell is taken while we fight the ironborn here? Do not forget that your betrothed is in Winterfell."
Ron did not yield.
"And if we divide our forces recklessly and Deepwood Motte falls, Winterfell will be attacked from two sides. The outcome would be even worse."
Both men stood their ground, emotions running high. Their supporters joined in, and the hall filled with tense confrontation.
The arguments for relief and for defense reached a deadlock.
"Enough."
Galon's voice was not loud, but it carried the absolute authority of Deepwood Motte's lord and supreme commander.
All sound died away at once.
His sharp gaze moved from Jon's pleading face to Ron's unyielding one.
Galon fell silent for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly against the table as his mind raced, weighing every possible consequence.
"Jon," he said first, his tone gentler but firm, "Winterfell must be saved. Not only because of Sansa, but because the Starks have shown us great kindness.
I swear to you, we will not stand by and do nothing."
He steadied Jon, then turned to Ron.
"Your concerns are valid. Deepwood Motte is our foundation and cannot be lost. Dividing our forces would indeed be courting death."
Jon's heart, which had just begun to settle, tightened again as he opened his mouth to speak, but Galon raised a hand to stop him.
A hunter's cold, sharp light flashed in Galon's eyes as he reached his decision.
"But we cannot wait for the ironborn to stroll up to our gates."
"We will strike first, and we will strike fast. Before they understand our true strength, we will destroy them in one decisive blow."
He pointed to the map spread across the table, his finger tracing the Wolfswood as he explained.
"The ironborn believe most of our troops marched south with Robb. They think we are panicked, cowering inside the castle."
A grim smile touched Galon's lips. "That is our opportunity. We will show weakness, lure them into the Wolfswood, and annihilate them."
He turned to Ron and issued his orders.
"Ron, I am giving you five hundred infantry. Go to Cape Kraken and engage the ironborn.
You are to fight stubbornly but appear overmatched. Retreat while fighting, step by step, and draw their main force here."
Galon tapped a spot on the map.
"Sentry Hill?"
Ron recognized the location at once. Two kilometers into the Wolfswood from Cape Kraken lay a slope covered in sentry trees.
The terrain rose sharply from west to east, with a height difference of nearly fifty meters.
"Yes. It is ideal for an ambush," Galon said. "Mihawk and I will lead all the archers and lie in wait there.
With proper coordination, we can shatter an enemy several times our size."
"Meanwhile," Galon continued, turning to Jon, "Jon, I will have you lead all the cavalry. Move along the left edge of the Wolfswood, bypass Asha's main force, and conceal yourselves here."
He pointed to a position southwest of Sentry Hill and spoke carefully.
"Once Ron draws the ironborn into Sentry Hill, I will have the horn sounded.
That will be your signal to launch a killing charge from this direction and cut off their retreat."
Listening to the plan, Jon's racing heart gradually calmed.
"Yes, Lord Galon."
Galon nodded, then looked to his captain of guards.
"Ser Roger, I am giving you four hundred men. Your task is the most dangerous and the most critical. You must depart at once.
Circle around from Hoofstrand, avoid Asha's army, and strike directly at the beach at Cape Kraken."
His finger stabbed down on the shoreline.
"Find their longships and burn them all. Leave not a single one."
Roger's expression was grim. "Yes. I guarantee success."
Galon then turned to Robett.
"Uncle Robett, I will need you to lead the remaining men to hold Deepwood Motte."
Robett answered without hesitation, "Do not worry. Deepwood Motte will stand."
Galon nodded and looked around at everyone, his voice turning cold and deadly.
"Remember this.
I do not want merely to repel them. I want to annihilate this enemy force. And I want the ironborn leader taken alive."
"Do you understand?"
The officers were shaken by the boldness and precision of the plan, then filled with fierce resolve.
"Yes!"
"For House Glover!"
"For House Stark!"
Galon Glover drew his sword and pointed it toward the doors.
"Move out at once."
"Let the ironborn learn that the Wolfswood is not a place they should ever have come to."
With Galon's command, the war machine of Deepwood Motte roared into motion.
The army assembled.
War was moments away.
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