Compared to the Ironborn captain who had sworn to die without saying a word, the two men who tried to flee were clearly afraid of death.
Galon had not even begun a formal interrogation.
After only a few threatening words, they spilled everything about their landing without holding anything back.
"My lord, we are sailors under Captain Asha, sent by her orders to patrol the Bay of Ice," one of them said hurriedly.
"We were already preparing to return when Captain Dain suggested going ashore to rest for a while. That's why we landed."
After hearing them out, Galon looked coldly at the two men curled up on the beach. "Patrol?"
"The Bay of Ice is Northern territory. Who gave you the right to patrol here?"
The Ironborn whose leg had been pierced by an arrow replied weakly, "My lord, we only follow Captain Asha's orders. I really don't know anything else."
The other man, shot through the shoulder, clutched his wound while his eyes shifted uneasily.
It was obvious that he knew more about Asha's intentions.
Galon's gaze sharpened as he noticed the reaction.
"And you?" he asked, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword. "If you also know nothing, then there's no reason for me to keep you alive."
Jon and the others immediately cooperated, leveling their blades at the two men.
The wounded Ironborn shuddered, as if the pain in his shoulder had vanished. He waved his hands frantically.
"I'll talk. I'll talk."
Afraid that Galon would truly strike, he quickly revealed what he knew.
"I heard Captain Asha say that the North and the king killed her brother, so she wanted to give the North a warning.
We only killed two Mormont men on Bear Island before the Mormonts discovered us.
That's why we returned to Sea Dragon Point, planning to rest for a night before going back to the Iron Islands."
As Galon listened, he thought to himself, So Theon's death has already reached the Iron Islands.
But that old bastard Balon was surprisingly calm, without even a thought of avenging Theon.
Instead, it was Asha Greyjoy.
An image surfaced in Galon's mind, shaped by memories from his previous life, though he had never actually seen Asha Greyjoy in person.
In the canon, Asha was described as far more striking than her portrayal elsewhere.
Is she trying to avenge Theon?
Siblings bonded by blood.
Galon shook his head, clearing his thoughts, and continued questioning. "How many of you came to the Bay of Ice in total?"
"Two longships, but fewer than three hundred men."
"And the rest?"
"We split up on Bear Island. I don't know where the others are now."
When Galon heard that fewer than three hundred Ironborn had come to the Bay of Ice, the heavy stone in his chest finally eased.
He was not yet ready for a full-scale war with the Iron Islands.
If they had attacked in force, he might not have been able to withstand the pressure.
Still, to ensure the men were not deceiving him, he asked further questions, cross-checking their statements one by one.
Only after confirming their words did Galon give Jon a subtle look.
Jon immediately understood and executed the two men on the spot.
With a dull sound, both blades pierced their hearts, and they collapsed lifeless onto the sand.
Jon wiped the blood from his sword and asked calmly, "What do we do next?"
"Do we hunt down the remaining Ironborn, or return to Deepwood Motte to warn Robb?"
Galon gazed out at the sea, thinking for a moment before answering. "It's already dark. We'll return to the pine forest and regroup with the others first."
As he led Jon and Mihawk back toward the woods, he continued responding.
"At dawn tomorrow, send a few men back to Deepwood Motte to deliver the news.
The rest will stay with me and continue patrolling Sea Dragon Point, in case more Ironborn land."
Jon nodded, showing his understanding.
Moving quickly, Galon led the group back along the path they had taken earlier.
"We'll camp here tonight," he ordered.
Then he added to Mihawk and Jon, "To be safe, double the number of night sentries."
"The two of you will come with me to set their positions."
Both men agreed.
Galon had the soldiers rest near the horses. He then walked the boundary between the pine forest and the hillside with Jon and Mihawk, arranging the sentry points.
After returning, Mihawk began assigning men to their posts.
Meanwhile, the soldiers who had stayed behind to guard the horses were listening eagerly to the others recount the slaughter of the Ironborn, their faces full of envy.
One of them gathered his courage and asked, "Lord Galon, when will we go to war with the Ironborn?"
"We can hardly wait."
Laughter and agreement followed from the others.
Galon shook his head and said in a low voice, "What's the hurry? Master your skills first. There will be plenty of chances to earn merit later."
"That's enough talk. Eat your supper and rest early."
After the soldiers dispersed, Galon walked to a nearby pine tree, unclasped his cloak, and sat down against the trunk.
"My lord, have something to eat," Jon said, bringing dried rations and water from the saddle.
Galon accepted them, chewing on the rock-hard dried meat while thinking about the Ironborn's next move.
'If I want to conquer the Iron Islands, I'll need ships,' he thought. 'But aside from White Harbor, where does the North even have a fleet?'
His thoughts drifted on until the forest grew completely quiet.
Sleep eventually claimed him. He wrapped his cloak tighter and rested against the tree.
The night passed without incident.
At dawn, cold dew dripping from the branches woke Galon. He stretched, rolled his stiff neck, and stood up.
The others were still sleeping, scattered among the trees.
He moved quietly, not waking them, and walked to the edge of the forest to look out at the sea.
"Lord Galon," a sentry on the late watch whispered upon recognizing him.
Galon smiled and answered softly.
The sentry did not dare disturb him further and slipped back into the trees to continue his watch.
Nearly an hour later, daylight fully broke.
The soldiers gradually began to wake.
Galon returned to the forest and started giving orders for the day.
"You five will ride back to Deepwood Motte to report."
"Tell the maester and Uncle Robett that Ironborn traces were found at Sea Dragon Point. Have them notify Winterfell."
"The rest of you will continue patrolling Sea Dragon Point with me."
The five men acknowledged the orders, prepared their horses, and rode off after bidding farewell.
Once they departed, Galon led the remaining men along the coastline, surveying the area and confirming locations for watch posts.
This patrol lasted several days.
By the time Galon brought the men back to Deepwood Motte, five days had passed.
Without taking time to rest, he immediately summoned the key figures of Deepwood Motte to discuss the deployment of watch posts around Sea Dragon Point.
Once that was done, he threw himself back into training the troops and selecting captains for the hundred-man units.
Before he realized it, more than a month had slipped by. At the same time, the king's procession finally arrived in King's Landing.
Meanwhile, Catelyn reached the Mud Gate by ship.
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