By the ti Asha returned with Tristifer, Galon was already in the Botley castle's hall, gathered with his trusted officers around a map, discussing their next move.
"Galon, we've done as you instructed," Tristifer said, his voice energized.
"The surrendered Ironborn have been stabilized. We also let more than a dozen n escape on purpose.
I also learned that there are around two thousand n currently in Pyke. Most of them are there for the Iron Fleet selection."
He paused, then asked eagerly, "What do we do next?"
Unlike Tristifer's excitent, Asha looked tired.
Although she trusted Galon's plan on so instinctive level, she had no certainty about its outco.
Taking Lordsport ant there was no turning back.
If Galon failed to defeat Euron in the coming battle, he might still find a way to survive.
She would not.
Galon lifted his head and imdiately noticed the tension in her expression. With a brief glance, he understood what she was thinking.
"You're just in ti," he said calmly, gesturing them over. "We're discussing how to ambush Euron."
"You're familiar with the terrain around Lordsport. If Euron marches out, where would you choose to set an ambush?"
Asha exchanged a look with Tristifer, then stepped forward without hesitation and pointed to a pine forest marked on the map, drawing a circle around it.
"Here." She tapped the spot and explained, "The pine trees are dense. Visibility is limited. It's perfect for an ambush."
"If archers are positioned on both sides..."
She trailed off for a mont, her thoughts flashing back to her experience in the Wolfswood, and shook her head with a complicated expression.
"With your archers' strength, you could throw them into chaos instantly."
Then she looked at Galon and asked the question that had been weighing on her mind.
"But... will Euron really co out?
You used my na and my uncle Rodrik's to make us seem weak. But will he take the bait?"
"Of course," Galon replied without hesitation. "He will co."
"Why?" she pressed.
Galon glanced around. Even his trusted officers looked puzzled.
In truth, he knew Euron well—better than anyone here. But that was not sothing he could say.
He smiled faintly instead.
"I fought him once at Winterfell. I saw his cunning and cruelty firsthand. I studied him carefully after that. That's how we won at Hornvale."
He paused briefly, then continued with quiet confidence.
"Euron is arrogant, self-assured, and reckless. You cannot judge him by ordinary logic
You all think that, given the uncertainty, he should remain in Pyke and gather his forces to crush us.
But you've all missed one thing..."
Galon's gaze swept across the room.
"As a kinslayer who seized power through fear and violence, he cannot afford to show weakness.
If he retreats, the captains who follow him out of fear will turn on him.
How can he keep his seat otherwise?"
Asha's eyes lit up.
"You're right. We Ironborn only follow strength. If he shows weakness, they'll abandon him."
Galon nodded approvingly.
"Exactly. That's why he needs a clean, decisive victory to silence all doubt."
Asha caught the note of approval in his voice, and the unease in her heart faded.
Her trust in him deepened.
"Then what's our plan?" she asked.
Galon had already discussed it with his officers.
"We don't have much ti," he said, pointing at the pine forest. "The fleeing survivors will take ti to reach Pyke. We move first and set the ambush."
He paused, then began issuing orders.
"Tristifer, as the heir of House Botley, you stay here and secure our retreat.
Asha, take a group of reliable Ironborn and co with us to the forest.
Sparta, you and your Skagosi will block Euron's vanguard.
Ron, Mihawk—you each take half the archers. Position yourselves on both flanks. Once the vanguard passes, strike the main force imdiately."
After making sure everyone understood, Galon's gaze sharpened.
"Rember. Speed and brutality will decide this battle.
We break his vanguard first. Then we shatter his formation with arrows. Once his lines collapse, we destroy him completely.
Understood?"
"Yes, Lord Galon!"
He raised his hand.
"Move out."
The officers quickly dispersed to gather the troops.
Soon after, under the cover of night, Galon led his army toward the pine forest without a word.
At the sa ti, in the hall of Pyke, firelight blazed brightly, illuminating the chamber like daylight.
Euron Greyjoy sat upon the Seastone Chair, wrapped in a robe, listening to Germund Botley's frantic report.
"My king!"
Germund trembled as he spoke.
"There are too many of them. Like spawning fish flooding the shore. It must be Ten Towers' main force!
My nephew Tristifer, who surrendered to the North, said it himself—Asha has returned with Harlaw n!"
"Ten Towers?" Euron's voice was calm, almost unsettling. "Did you see Harlaw banners?"
Germund shook his head nervously.
"It was too dark. There were too many people. I couldn't see clearly.
But who else would support Asha? Rodrik is her uncle!
And when you took the Seastone Chair, he even suggested writing to the North to ransom her!"
Euron's eye glead dangerously.
"The North plays a clever ga," he murmured. "They want us to fight each other while they sit back and watch."
Galon's figure appeared briefly in his thoughts.
'So... this is your doing again?'
He chuckled softly.
'But you miscalculated. I may not defeat you—but I can certainly crush my dear niece.'
He leaned forward.
"Guards."
"Gather every man in Pyke. I will lead them personally... I will offer my niece to the Drowned God."
Germund hesitated.
"My king... Asha has many n. At least two thousand. As many as we have.
Should we send word to the other captains? Perhaps Iron Holt can send reinforcents..."
Euron cut him off, rising from his seat with a look of contempt.
"Germund, fear has made you foolish. If Harlaw had that many n, Rodrik would already be here.
My guess? They have no more than a thousand. We can crush them easily."
He turned to his followers, laughter twisting across his face.
"A rabble dares to challenge under cover of darkness? I'll crush them myself.
I'll pluck out Asha's eyes and wear them as buttons. I'll drink from Harlaw's skull.
Prepare to march. Now. I want the waters of Lordsport to run red with traitors' blood."
His madness stirred sothing in the Ironborn.
So roared eagerly, hungry for battle and plunder.
Euron smiled, satisfied.
In his mind, he had already won.
What he did not know was that Galon had already prepared a deadly trap. And he was marching straight into it.
__________
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