GOT: Rooted Ambition Chapter 156 156: Bloodshed in the Pine Forest

This night on Pyke Island was destined to be sleepless.

Both Galon and Euron were racing against ti, each carrying out their own plans.

By the ti Galon, guided by Asha, reached the ambush site, dawn was approaching.

The darkness before dawn was at its thickest.

The pine forest groaned under the sea wind, as if mourning the slaughter that was about to begin.

"Asha," Galon said, calling her over, his tone serious. "Send reliable n ahead with so Ironborn scouts toward the road from Pyke."

"If they spot Euron's army, they must pretend to panic and lure them here."

"This will decide victory or defeat. Be careful."

Dressed in armor, Asha nodded and imdiately issued orders to one of her kinsn.

Soon, a group of about a hundred Ironborn slipped silently into the darkness, heading toward Pyke.

"Ron," Galon continued, "send a few of our own n to hide at the far end of the forest. Watch for any movent."

"If you see Euron's forces or anything unusual, report back imdiately. And do not let the Ironborn notice you."

Ron nodded steadily and moved to carry out the order.

"Now... we wait."

Galon positioned himself behind a massive pine tree.

His gaze was sharp, piercing through layers of needles as he fixed on the narrow road winding through the forest.

Cold dew soaked into his leather armor, but he did not move. His body was like a drawn bowstring.

Behind him and across the forest, Glovers' archers lay hidden, arrows nocked, aid at the road.

Deeper in the woods, Sparta and his Skagosi warriors crouched like wolves ready to strike. Their eyes burned with anticipation, hands gripping their weapons tightly.

Ti passed slowly. The sky began to pale, and the wind that had howled all night gradually faded.

A thin mist settled over the forest as dawn approached.

Galon scanned his surroundings and felt a flicker of satisfaction. The fog would make it even harder for Euron to detect the ambush.

Two more hours passed.

Then, the scouts Galon had sent out rushed back.

"My lord, the enemy has taken the bait!"

"They're about an hour away!"

A ripple of excitent spread through the ranks.

Galon raised his hand sharply, signaling silence.

The Glovers' soldiers, seasoned by multiple battles, imdiately lowered themselves and stayed still.

Soon, faint noises drifted through the forest.

Shouts and movent grew louder, like waves rolling in before a storm.

Euron rode at the head of his forces, clad in dark Valyrian steel scale armor, mounted on a black horse. His troops stretched loosely along the forest road.

"Hah. Those traitors run well," Germund spat, glaring ahead, eager to butcher the fleeing Ironborn.

Euron ignored him. His gaze swept the fog-covered forest.

Sothing felt wrong.

A strange sense of familiarity crept into his mind.

'What are they planning? Where are Asha and Harlaw? Are they trying to make a stand at Lordsport?"

Euron was no fool. His instincts told him sothing was off.

anwhile, his vanguard pushed deeper into the narrow path, cutting down fleeing Ironborn.

Laughter and bloodlust echoed through the trees.

"Galon!"

Hidden behind a pine tree, Asha could not hold back any longer. "Attack now! If we wait, my n will all die!"

Galon shook his head.

"Not yet. Wait."

Asha clenched her jaw but said nothing more. Triggering the ambush too early would ruin everything.

At the forest's edge, Euron reined in his horse.

He stared into the mist-shrouded trees.

The forest seed alive, shadows shifting like hidden enemies. Even his horse grew restless, stamping nervously.

'Sothing's wrong...'

Then it struck him.

'The North!'

'Damn it... the North is here too!'

He suddenly straightened.

"Fall back—"

Before he could finish, Galon rose from concealnt.

"Loose arrows!"

A storm of arrows erupted from both sides.

Flaming arrows followed, streaking through the air like a swarm of fire.

Thud. Thud.

Arrows struck flesh. Screams replaced laughter.

Flas caught on resin-rich pine bark, spreading rapidly.

"Ambush!"

"Enemy attack!"

Panic spread like wildfire.

The Ironborn stumbled blindly through the trees, unable to see how many enemies they faced.

Fire closed in around them, shrinking their space.

So caught fire themselves, their bodies igniting in seconds.

"Blow the horn! Clear the archers!" Euron roared, leaping from his horse and drawing his blade.

A horn sounded.

The Ironborn rallied toward him.

"For the North!"

"For Glover!"

Galon charged forward, sword raised, leading his n from the flanks.

At the sa ti, behind Euron's vanguard—

A savage roar erupted.

"Skagosi, charge!"

Sparta burst from the forest like a beast, warhamr swinging.

One strike sent a man flying.

The Skagosi followed, roaring like predators, tearing into the enemy.

The battlefield descended into chaos.

On the flanks, Galon and Ron led disciplined Glovers to split the Ironborn into smaller groups and destroy them piece by piece.

Mihawk's archers continued their relentless barrage.

The Ironborn, disorganized and blinded, fell one by one.

'It's not Asha... it's the North!'

'It's him!'

'Galon Glover...'

Euron finally realized the truth.

His composure shattered.

"Again... you..."

His hand trembled as it brushed his eyepatch. For a mont, he considered removing it.

Then he muttered to himself.

"Not yet... he's not worth that price..."

He lowered his hand and pointed his blade toward Galon.

"Kill him!"

"Whoever kills him becos commander of the Iron Fleet! Half the plunder is yours!"

The reward ignited greed.

Even Germund charged forward.

Galon's eyes flashed coldly.

"Asha. With ."

He cut down an enemy and advanced straight toward the center.

Within minutes, he broke through the defenders and reached Germund.

One swing.

Germund's head fell.

Galon stepped over the corpse and raised his sword toward Euron.

"Glover is here!"

"Euron, dare you fight?"

His guards echoed the cry.

The shout spread across the battlefield and morale surged among Galon's forces.

The Ironborn faltered. They could no longer hear their king's voice.

Fear took hold.

Euron tried to shout, but arrows forced him back.

One arrow grazed his face.

He rolled aside and quickly donned his helm. Flas spread around him. Screams filled the air.

He realized the truth.

...He had lost again.

"Retreat!"

"Out of the forest!"

He turned and fled.

His retreat broke the last of his army. The Ironborn scattered.

Galon watched from higher ground, then gave his orders. "Tell Ron and Mihawk to finish the battlefield. Once done, follow."

"The rest of you—co with ."

"...We hunt Euron."

He glanced at Asha. "Asha, you're coming too."

She did not respond.

Galon turned, montarily alard—only to find her staring at him, eyes filled with admiration.

"Asha?"

She snapped out of it.

"I... I'm coming."

Galon gave a faint smile.

Then he led his n forward.

The ambush in the pine forest was not over yet. Only one step remained to complete it.

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