Deepwood Motte.
At the hilltop inner keep.
2:10 in the afternoon.
The sky was heavy and overcast, dark clouds piling thick upon one another. From time to time, dull thunder rolled in the distance.
A torrential downpour was gathering strength in the air, as though it might pour down at any moment.
Galon stood on the wooden platform extending from the second floor, his gaze sweeping over the castle yard below and toward the distant Wolfswood.
A sudden gust of wind howled through the trees and nearly tore the letter from his hand.
He instinctively tightened his grip, the paper rustling softly between his fingers.
"It's going to rain…"
Galon murmured to himself, his expression filled with anticipation, excitement, and a trace of fear.
He glanced again at the letter in his hand. There were only a few lines written on it.
'At an inn by a tributary of the Trident, Lady Catelyn accused Tyrion of conspiring with others to harm her son and has taken him away.'
Galon clenched the letter once more, thinking silently.
'If Catelyn seized Tyrion at the inn, then the conflict in King's Landing should erupt soon.'
'I wonder whether Ned will heed my advice.'
'If he manages to take control of the Gold Cloaks, he might actually be able to wrestle with the Lannisters in King's Landing.'
Galon turned his gaze southward, as if he could already see the clash between Stark and Lannister unfolding in the capital.
'But Ned will probably still lose…'
Deep down, Galon did not have much confidence in Ned, even if he managed to control the City Watch.
As a lord, Ned clung rigidly to noble honor and never did anything that violated it.
In a political struggle where it was kill or be killed, such scruples were nothing short of childish.
He had already discovered that Cersei's three children were not Robert's.
Yet because he refused to harm women and children, he was even willing to give Cersei a chance to flee far away.
And it was precisely that chance which Cersei seized, striking him with a fatal blow.
A man like that, in a city full of schemers like King's Landing, would only step straight into traps laid by others.
'I warned him, but how much he actually took to heart is still unknown.'
'If he must die, then I only hope he struggles with all his strength before the end and at least deals the Lannisters a heavy blow.'
Galon's eyes were cold, his killing intent undisguised.
At this point, there was no room left for pity.
He could only walk the path he had planned to its end.
Either he would become another sacrifice in the game of power like Ned, or he would charge forward relentlessly and take the Iron Throne for himself.
'Littlefinger was right about one thing. Chaos is a ladder.'
'If the situation does not descend into chaos, how can someone like me seize power in a world where birth decides fate?'
His sharp eyes burned with ambition.
'The conflict in King's Landing will erupt soon, and Catelyn abducting Tyrion means the war between lion and wolf has already begun.'
'And that is where my opportunity lies.'
'I should start preparing as well. It will not be long before Robb issues the call to arms.'
Galon clenched the letter tightly, considering how he might persuade Robb to keep him behind.
As he was lost in thought, footsteps sounded behind him.
Galon turned around to see Jon Snow approaching.
Jon's forehead was slick with sweat.
He had just finished training with his unit. Hearing from Lawrence that Galon wanted to see him, he had hurried over.
"Lord Galon, you called for me?"
Galon's gaze settled on Jon.
He had summoned Jon to see whether Jon had truly integrated into Deepwood Motte.
"Something's happened, Jon."
Frowning deliberately, Galon handed him the letter. "Lady Catelyn has taken Tyrion."
Jon's whole body jolted. He took the letter and read it carefully.
"Tyrion… a conspirator?"
He looked up in disbelief. "How is that possible?"
Jon raised his head sharply and looked at Galon, hesitating. "A… dwarf… how could he harm Bran?"
Galon shook his head and said gravely, "Whether he was truly involved is no longer important. Lady Catelyn taking Tyrion means the North is going to war with Casterly Rock."
Jon was stunned. "War with the Lannisters?"
He had considered war with the Iron Islands, but never imagined it would be with the Lannisters.
"Yes," Galon said, his eyes flickering. "Tywin Lannister values his honor above all else. Catelyn publicly seizing Tyrion is nothing less than humiliating House Lannister."
"For Tywin, only war can wash away that humiliation."
"Jon, we are in serious trouble."
Jon quickly caught on. "You're worried about the Iron Islands?"
Galon nodded heavily.
"Once we are at war with the Lannisters, the Iron Islands will almost certainly take advantage of the chaos."
"When that happens, the North alone will struggle to withstand a joint assault from the Westerlands and the Iron Islands."
Jon froze.
But his mind was quick, and he soon recalled Maester Luwin's explanations of the great houses' relationships.
He smiled and said, "Galon, you don't need to worry too much. Even if the Lannisters and the Ironborn join forces, the North has allies."
"Lady Catelyn comes from the Riverlands. Her sister controls the Vale. And there is also the king.
With the North joining forces with the stag, the fish, and the falcon, how could we lose?"
Galon stared at Jon's confident smile and poured cold water over it without hesitation.
"You're wrong, Jon."
"The Lannisters are the queen's family. Which side do you think the king will choose?
And even worse, Lord Ned is still in King's Landing.
If the Lannisters fly into a rage and seize Lord Ned…"
Before Galon could finish, Jon's expression changed drastically as anger flared. "They wouldn't dare!"
"Lord Stark is the Hand of the King. He is the king's chief minister. How could the Lannisters dare lay hands on him?"
But Galon's words struck like a blade to his heart.
"Do you think this is a child's game?"
"Jon, this is war. A war of life and death."
"With Lord Stark status, how could the Lannisters not try to keep him under their control?
Once they control Lord Stark, the North will be forced to hold back, and the outcome of the war will be obvious."
Jon's lips moved, but he had to admit that Galon was right.
If it were him, he would not hesitate to seize the enemy's leader either.
Anxious, Jon said, "Then what are we waiting for? We should notify Robb at once and have him rescue Lord Stark."
Galon ignored Jon's agitation and snapped, "Don't panic. If I've received this news, Winterfell will have learned of it even earlier."
But Jon could not calm himself, worry written all over his face. "Then what should we do now?"
"Wait," Galon said without hesitation.
"Wait?"
"Yes. We can only wait. Wait for Winterfell to make its decision. Wait for the situation to become clear."
Seeing Jon's reluctance, Galon spoke with deeper meaning. "I called you here not only to tell you this, but also to ask about your plans going forward."
Jon was confused. "My plans? Of course I'll fight alongside you."
Galon shook his head and spoke more plainly.
"Jon, you've been at Deepwood Motte for nearly three months. You should understand our situation here.
If war truly breaks out as I expect, Deepwood Motte will certainly answer Winterfell's call and fight for House Stark."
"But Jon…"
He looked at Jon Snow solemnly. "I am not only a vassal of House Stark. I am also the lord of Deepwood Motte.
No matter what, I must think of this castle's long-term safety.
So before the war begins, I will choose some men to remain behind and hold Deepwood Motte."
"And you are one of them."
Jon's eyes widened in disbelief. "You want me to stay behind?"
"That's right," Galon explained. "Among the Steel Fist, your performance has been the best. I intend to entrust the safety of my family to you."
Jon had no desire to stay behind. What he wanted was the battlefield, to rescue his father.
He argued urgently, "Ron is good too. He's even a Glover. Why don't you have him stay?"
Galon shook his head slightly and did not explain.
Seeing Galon like this, Jon grew suspicious. "Galon, is it because I'm Lord Stark's bastard, so you're deliberately keeping me in the rear?"
This time, Galon admitted it frankly.
"Yes, that is part of my consideration. But more importantly, it's because you are worthy of my trust."
Jon laughed bitterly in anger.
Galon ignored it and gave him a choice in a low, steady voice. "Jon, if you still wish to be my squire, then obey my orders."
"If you still want to go south and fight, I can release you from your duties right now and let you return to Winterfell."
"Now, give me your answer."
Jon struggled, countless thoughts churning in his mind.
Several times he opened his mouth, wanting to declare that he would return to Winterfell.
But when he thought of the recent days of fulfillment, he could not bring himself to say it.
And if he returned to Winterfell now, what would Robb and Maester Luwin think?
In the end, after fierce inner struggle, he lowered his head in defeat.
"I obey your orders."
The corner of Galon's mouth lifted slightly as he smiled without revealing it.
He patted Jon on the shoulder, said nothing more, and walked straight toward the Hall of a Thousand Beasts.
At the very moment Galon stepped inside—
Thunder roared, and the rain came pouring down.
At the same time, the situation in King's Landing finally exploded like a lit powder keg.
__________
Upto 20 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/Xorath