While Shanks was fleeing for his life back toward the northern entrance of Horn Hill, the ironborn chasing him had already returned to Euron's side.
[AN: Horn Hill is short for Bullhorm Mountain.]
"Lord Euron, one got away."
"That fellow ran faster than a rabbit, we just couldn't catch him!"
The leader of the five explained, "We were afraid there might be danger if we pushed further, so we came back."
Euron's mood soured instantly.
He gripped his sword, his gaze fixed gloomily on the five men, a flicker of murderous intent surfacing on his face.
Noticing his expression, the five men couldn't help but tremble. Clearly, they had underestimated Euron's brutality.
"Lord Euron, I..."
The leader started to explain further, but a flash of cold light cut him off as Euron slit his throat in one motion.
Thud.
The body hit the ground.
The remaining four shuddered instinctively, wanting to run, but Euron's cold, indifferent voice reached their ears.
"If there is a next time, you all die! Now, get out of my sight!"
As if granted a reprieve, the four scrambled to lead their horses away.
Euron's mood remained foul as he spitefully kicked the corpse at his feet.
"Tch, one escaped. A pack of useless fools, unable to catch a single man."
Displeasure dripped from his tone. His one normal eye glinted with an icy sheen under the torchlight.
"We cannot continue forward. Since Glover's cavalry reached this far, it means he has already arrived here!
With the scout's report, he will surely heighten his guard. Heh, as expected of my destined rival, he moves so quickly!"
His low laughter echoed in the night wind, though his gaze turned northward with a hint of regret.
The core of a night raid lay in secrecy and suddenness.
Now that their tracks were fully exposed, that escaped scout would surely bring the alarm back to the nest like a frightened rabbit.
Euron knew well that the Northern army would now be on high alert, waiting for them. To force a night raid now would be walking into a trap.
'A pity, it would have been a fine show.'
He flicked his hand, his face returning to that playful, unsettling smile.
'But no matter. Let the prey suffer in fear for one more night; perhaps the flavor will be even fresher.'
He hesitated no longer and gave the order.
"Clean this up. We go back."
Before leaving, Euron cast one last look toward the northern entrance of Horn Hill. An inexplicable surge of heat and desire rose within him.
'Wait a little longer, just a little longer!'
'Sooner or later, I will strip everything from you. I want you to watch with your own eyes as you face utter defeat and lose everything! Bearslayer!'
Euron forced his emotions down and led his party back to the main camp at the southern entrance of Horn Hill.
On the return trip, without the need to hide their tracks, the group moved quickly. In just two or three hours, they reached Victarion's main camp.
The southern entrance, near East Horn Hill, had been turned into a chaotic sprawl of tents.
Captured Northern farmers moved numbly through the camp, building fortifications or preparing food.
Some of the more attractive women carried wine jars into the massive tent at the center of the camp, from which erupted frequent bursts of boisterous shouting and the clinking of cups.
Euron frowned.
He strode past the prisoners and flipped open the tent flap, cutting through the din inside.
As he entered, his icy right eye swept across the room. The sounds of drinking and merriment vanished instantly.
Euron looked up at Victarion in the high seat and said heavily, "The plan has changed, Victarion!"
The sudden reappearance of Euron, who was supposed to be scouting and raiding, caught the ironborn captains off guard.
Victarion set down his wine bowl and asked gruffly, "What happened? Why are you back so soon?"
But as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized the implication and followed up.
"The wolf pups have arrived?"
Euron nodded, walked to the wooden table in the center of the tent, and took a swig from a wine bottle.
"Hah—"
He exhaled a breath of cold air and said lowly, "Ran into a few hounds with sharp noses. Though I strangled most of them, one escaped to report."
"Their men are likely at the northern entrance now, huddled together and waiting for us."
The tent fell silent.
Victarion stood up immediately, walked to Euron's side, and spread out the map on the table, studying the position of the northern entrance.
He calculated the distance between the enemy and his own forces.
A moment later, he slammed his hand on the table.
"Good! My axe has been thirsting!
Tomorrow the army strikes the northern entrance. I'll crush those wolf pups in one go! We'll plunder their castles and take their women!"
The captains under Victarion erupted in excited cheers.
"Plunder the castles! Take the women!"
Euron watched the agitated ironborn with a look of contempt.
He waited for the noise to die down before pointing a finger at the map. "Is that your entire battle plan?"
Before Victarion could react, Euron gave a cold laugh.
"Our opponent—Glover—is no ordinary man!"
He paused, glancing around the room to warn them one by one.
"Asha's army was crushed by him, yet his own forces suffered barely any loss.
Then he reinforced Winterfell with incredible speed, causing my own operation to fall short!
If you underestimate him, you will pay a heavy price!"
Euron's words were like a bucket of ice water over their heads, plunging the tent back into silence. All eyes turned toward the towering Victarion.
Victarion stared at his brother and said coldly, "Euron, are you saying I can't even beat this so-called Bearslayer?"
Euron's eye shifted as he shook his head slightly.
"I am merely reminding you that Glover is not a fool who relies only on bloodlust and charging. To deal with him, you must be doubly cautious!"
Victarion calmed himself, knowing Euron was the most cunning of the four brothers.
He asked, "Then what do you suggest we do?"
Euron already had a plan ready.
His fingernail traced along West Horn Hill, his low voice sounding like a blizzard blowing through the tent.
"Tomorrow, you will lead the main force along with my crew. March openly along the Kingsroad toward the northern entrance to draw all the Northern attention to yourself."
Then, his finger moved craftily toward the flank of West Horn Hill.
"Meanwhile, I will take a portion of the men on Northern horses and sneak up from the southern slopes here."
"While your two armies are locked in a fierce battle on the front and everyone is staring at the Kingsroad, I will come from the flank... like a cold dagger plunged into their heart!"
He looked at Victarion, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of madness and confidence.
"Frontal assault to distract, flank attack to decide the day. What do you say, Victarion?"
Victarion thought for a moment.
Though he felt Euron's plan was a bit risky, it certainly sounded more effective than a simple charge.
"Fine, we do it your way! I'll grind them down from the front, and you'll provide the funeral from the side!"
As Victarion made the decision, the atmosphere in the tent turned heated once more.
Meanwhile, at the northern entrance of Horn Hill, Galon had also received the intelligence from Shanks.
__________
Upto 20 chapters ahead on patreon :-
patreon.com/Xorath