The sudden news cast a heavy shadow over what should have been a celebratory feast.
With everyone burdened by their own thoughts, no one had the mood to celebrate.
After drinking only a few cups of wine, the gathering quickly dispersed.
Jon Snow could not hide his grief. Carrying a jug of wine, he left alone for the godswood.
Worried that something might happen to him, Galon quietly ordered someone to follow and keep an eye on him.
Bran, too, was deep in thought. Before long, he was wheeled away by Jojen and Meera Reed.
Soon, only Galon, Sansa, and Maester Luwin remained in the hall.
Galon glanced at the untouched food before shifting his gaze to Sansa, breaking the silence.
"Besides the news about Lord Stark and Robb, have there been any other developments recently?"
He had intended to ask about the Iron Islands, but Sansa instead brought up the information Wyman Manderly had delivered.
"Ser Davos from Dragonstone previously brought news that Rickon is on Dragonstone... along with some information about Joffrey and the others..."
Her expression turned slightly unnatural, and she did not continue.
Galon had already learned these details through the heart tree.
Still, he feigned surprise. "How could Rickon be on Dragonstone? Then... is Arya there as well?"
Sansa shook her head.
"I don't know."
Maester Luwin added, "Arya is likely not there. Otherwise, Ser Davos would have mentioned it."
Galon fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
"It seems Dragonstone intends to use Rickon to force King Robb to bend the knee."
Luwin nodded.
"That is my conclusion as well. I have already sent word to King Robb. He should receive it soon."
A faint glimmer passed through Galon's eyes.
'The Iron Islands have not made a move yet. It is not time to reveal my plans.'
'I should wait and observe.'
With that thought, he shifted the topic and began recounting the details of the campaign.
As Sansa listened to how Galon had orchestrated victory at Bullhorn Mountain and systematically wiped out the Ironborn, her emotions rose and fell with the story.
The weight of her grief eased, if only slightly.
When he finished, she finally noticed the fatigue on his face. Without hesitation, she led him to the hot springs to bathe and rest.
Along the way, Galon spoke gently, offering quiet comfort to ease her sorrow.
When they reached the bathhouse entrance, they embraced without thinking.
This time, Galon made no improper move. He simply held her, offering silent reassurance.
Only when footsteps approached did they reluctantly part.
Galon entered alone, soaked in the hot spring, and then returned to his chamber to rest.
The night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, he rose as usual to train.
After breakfast, Wyman requested permission from Sansa to return to White Harbor.
As acting ruler, Sansa approved his request and had Maester Luwin arrange provisions for his journey.
Soon after, the various bannermen began departing one by one, taking their spoils and supplies back to their lands.
When even the men from Bear Island left, Winterfell grew noticeably quieter, with only Galon's thousand troops remaining.
Galon had been asked to stay by both Sansa and Maester Luwin.
With no word yet from the Iron Islands, they dared not relax their guard and wanted him to remain in Winterfell to monitor the situation.
Galon was more than willing.
He allowed his soldiers to rest while he turned his thoughts to other matters.
In this war, House Glover had lost over three hundred men.
Compared to the scale of their victory, it was not a large number. But Galon still felt the loss deeply.
These were soldiers he had trained with care. Every death was permanent, and for now, there was no way to replace them.
'I need to find a way to replenish my forces. If I rely only on Deepwood Motte, a few more campaigns will drain my army dry.'
He considered his options but found no immediate solution.
For now, he could only place his hopes on the South.
Around this time, Maester Luwin approached him to discuss Sansa's negotiations with Asha.
He suggested arranging a meeting between Galon and Asha to persuade her to write a letter of surrender.
But Galon felt that the timing was not right.
He intended to leave Asha alone for a few more days, to weaken her resolve and prepare to extract information about the Iron Islands.
Days passed in this manner.
Taking advantage of the rare peace, Galon spent time with Sansa around Winterfell, helping her cope with her grief.
As a result, Sansa grew increasingly dependent on him.
If not for certain circumstances, Galon might have already taken their relationship further.
Another day passed.
Galon judged that the time had come to meet Asha. He planned to visit her in the dungeon and gather information.
But before he could reach the cells, the bell tower suddenly rang out with urgent alarm bells.
Enemy approach.
"Have the Ironborn returned?"
Galon's expression changed immediately. He abandoned his plan and rushed toward the outer wall.
What he saw, however, left him momentarily stunned.
It was not the Ironborn. Instead, a group of about five hundred men stood outside the castle.
They were all large and heavily built, clad in thick, unprocessed furs.
They carried weapons made of obsidian and followed behind a tall man riding a unicorn.
The leader looked up at the walls of Winterfell and broke into a grin. In heavily accented Common Tongue, he shouted,
"In the name of the ancient First Men of Skagos!"
"I, Sparta, leader of the Skagosi, come to seek aid from House Stark—our ancient allies!"
Galon and the others on the wall exchanged confused looks.
Skagosi?
Galon searched his memory. Even in the original records, these island natives were barely mentioned, with little detail.
His gaze drifted to the unicorn beneath the leader.
A thoughtful look crossed his eyes.
"Galon, what should we do? Should we let them in?" Jon asked, clearly surprised.
Galon thought for a moment before replying, "Go inform Sansa and Maester Luwin. I will bring them to the hall shortly."
Jon nodded and left the wall.
Galon then called out to the Skagosi leader, "You may send a few representatives into the castle to meet House Stark. The rest must remain outside."
Sparta hesitated briefly but agreed without much thought.
He selected a few guards and led them forward, bringing the unicorn as a gift.
At the gate, Galon studied the Skagosi leader closely.
The man was dressed in animal hides like a wildling, with strange tribal markings burned into his exposed arms.
Noticing Galon's gaze, Sparta glared back defiantly.
But after only a moment, he seemed to sense the strength hidden within Galon and restrained his attitude slightly.
"Come. House Stark will receive you in the hall."
Galon spoke calmly, his eyes briefly lingering on the unicorn before turning away.
He led them inside.
Moments later, the great hall of Winterfell—after many years—once again welcomed visitors from Skagos.
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