Horse hooves clatter.
Galon and his group braved the bitter cold and traveled through the snow.
Lately, it's been getting colder and colder in the North, with light snow falling almost every few days.
Fortunately, the previously muddy Kings Road was frozen solid, which actually increased Galon and his crew's speed considerably.
A day later, Garon led his cavalry and Reed and his siblings to meet up with the main Northern infantry force led by Hother Amber on a wide-open snowfield.
Umber's army moved slowly and steadily across the snow like a long black serpent.
But the atmosphere was not one of jubilation after victory; instead, it carried a hint of weariness and restlessness.
Galon keenly sensed something amiss with the army.
After explaining a few words to the Reed siblings who were traveling with him, he led Jon to meet with the other vassals from the North, led by Hother Amber, at the foot of a sheltered hill.
Several days later, Hother Amber looked exhausted.
He was already quite old, and after experiencing continuous fierce battles and forced marches, his body was truly exhausted.
But if House Umber hadn't been so short-handed, he wouldn't have had to step in himself.
However, upon hearing that Galon had already subdued Moat Cailin, he was pleasantly surprised and forced himself to cheer up.
"Lord Galon, you've come at the perfect time!"
Hother Amber shook her snow-dampened hair, her voice deep and rumbling like thunder.
"After you left, we received a message from the Dustin family."
"Some of the Ironborn we scattered have taken up residence at the First Men's Wasteland, while others have fled to Stony Shore."
"But they could not determine the exact number, nor did they find any flag belonging to Euron Crows Eye Greyjoy himself. "
Galon nodded. This was expected; a cunning sea monster like Crows Eye would never easily reveal its whereabouts.
He asked Hother Amber, "Any news about Torrhens Square?"
Umber shook her head, her brows furrowing even more deeply.
"No!"
"To this day, we have not received any ravens or messengers from Torrhens Square; it is as if the place has been swallowed up by the White Walkers."
Galon's certificate.
Judging by the time, even if Lambert Toha was slow, he should have arrived at Torrhens Square long ago.
It shouldn't be that there hasn't been a single piece of news by now.
"Could it be that Crows Eye has laid an ambush at Torrhens Square?"
" Lambert has been captured again?"
Galon couldn't help but think the worst.
If Crows Eye wants to return safely to Stony Shore, Torrhens Square is an unavoidable route.
But before Galon could figure it out, Hother Amber brought up another urgent piece of information.
"My lord, the Countess of Hornwood has sent a letter saying that some of the scattered Ironborn did not flee to the sea, but instead wandered into Sheephead Mountain near the Hornwood family's territory."
"They are burning, killing, looting, and ravaging the villages..."
At this moment, Captain Darren couldn't help but say, "My lord, the Countess has sent a letter, hoping that I will lead the soldiers back to Howood Castle as soon as possible to defend our homeland."
"I hope you will allow me to lead my troops back!"
Galon glanced at Captain Darren and asked in confusion, " The main Ironborn force was defeated by us, and only a small number of Ironborn fled. But first there was the First Men graveyard, and then Sheephead Mountain. Where did the Ironborn get so many defeated soldiers?"
Captain Darren gave a wry smile and was about to speak when Ramsay Snow stepped forward.
" Lord Glover, perhaps I can give you an explanation."
Galon immediately turned his gaze to him. "Oh? What explanation?"
Although House Bolton had lost nearly three-quarters of its troops, Little Flayer's face showed little sadness; instead, it wore a gloating smile.
" The Sheephead Mountain range has a complex environment, and many savages and bandits inhabit it."
"Whenever the weather turns cold, they rob nearby farmers because they lack food..."
Little Flayer didn't even need to finish speaking before Galon guessed what would happen next.
"You mean, the scattered Ironborn who fled mingled with this group of savage bandits, and Countess Hornwood only considered them as part of the same group, which is why she sent someone to send word for help?"
Little Flayer shrugged. "Women, they're always like that, making a fuss over the slightest thing."
Captain Darren's eyes flashed with anger. "Bastard, I advise you to watch your words. You're not Bolton yet!"
He emphasized the word " Bolton," mocking Little Flayer's status as an illegitimate child, which instantly made Little Flayer's face turn ugly.
But soon, as if he had thought of something, a strange smile reappeared on Little Flayer's face.
He ignored Captain Darren and turned his gaze to Galon.
"My lord, bandits are rampant in Sheephead Mountain, and they might even spread to The Dreadfort. Our House Bolton forces are now less than a tenth of their original strength; following the main army to First Men's Wasteland would be futile."
"How about this, let me take my men and join forces with Captain Darren's Hornwood soldiers, and we'll clear Sheephead Mountain clean."
"Isn't this considered ridding the North of a menace?"
Little Flayer shrugged, indicating to Galon that he was considering the bigger picture.
His words surprised everyone around him.
Captain Darren, who had just clashed with him, stared at him suspiciously, wondering if he was planning to use him as a cover to run back to The Dreadfort.
But Galon's sharp gaze swept over Little Flayer, instantly discerning Little Flayer's inner thoughts.
"Is he planning to leave?"
"No, not only that, could it be that he also has designs on Howood Castle?"
Galon recalled the plot of the original story, remembering how Little Flayer forced Countess Hornwood to marry him in order to seize Howood Castle, and eventually starved her to death.
" Little Flayer wouldn't be so kind as to help Howardo Castle; he probably already has his eyes on Howardo Castle."
"Could he be imitating the original plot, controlling Countess Hornwood, and plotting to seize Hornwood Castle?"
Should we stop him?
Galon's mind raced as he weighed the pros and cons.
But he soon realized that this was also an opportunity for him.
"If Little Flayer really does control Countess Hornwood just like in the original story, then it gives me a reason to intervene."
"Through this, I can not only officially make Laurence the Earl of Hornwood, but also strike a blow against Bolton."
"If that mad dog Ramsay goes too far, I can even kill him with a legitimate reason!"
A smile appeared on Galon's lips, but it startled Little Flayer, who had been observing him.
"What is he thinking now? Did he guess what I was thinking?"
Just as Little Flayer was filled with suspicion, Galon's next words made him realize his mistake.
"Captain Darren's concerns are understandable, and Lord Ramsay's suggestion is also very courageous."
Galon smiled and first affirmed both sides, then changed the subject and offered a solution.
"Clearing out the savages and bandits requires strength, and Howood Castle has suffered considerable losses. Captain Darren's family alone may not be enough. Since Lord Ramsay is willing to help, how about this..."
He pretended to ponder for a moment before making his decision and saying.
" Howood Castle and House Bolton together number about six hundred people; these people are more than enough to clear out Sheephead Mountain."
"At worst, defending the city shouldn't be a problem."
After observing the expressions of the two men, Galon gave the order.
"Captain Darren, Lord Ramsay "
"I order you to join forces and immediately turn toward Sheephead Mountain. You must eliminate the Ironborn and bandits there as quickly as possible, restore order, and protect the people."
He specifically emphasized "uniting forces," indicating that command was not solely held by Ramsay, but that Captain Darren, as a representative of the Hornwood family, also had the authority.
This can, to some extent, restrain Ramsay.
Captain Darren and Little Flayer exchanged a glance, and finally, each with their own thoughts, agreed.
Then, Galon looked at Hother Amber and smiled.
" Lord Amber is getting on in years, and what remains are just minor tasks of clearing out enemy forces; there's no need for you to personally intervene."
He paused, then continued, "During the recapture of Moat Cailin, I ran into members of the Reed family. They were on their way to Winterfell to meet Stark."
"Why don't you lead three hundred men to escort them to Winterfell?"
Hother Amber felt she couldn't handle it any longer, so she nodded in agreement.
"Well, what about you, sir?"
Galon turned his gaze to the undulating wasteland to the west, dotted with ancient tombs, and replied.
"I led the remaining thousand men to clear the path from the First Men's graveyard toward Torrhens Square."
"We must not allow the remaining Ironborn to become new bandit threats!"
No one else had any objections.
Galon waved his hand, signaling them to carry out the order.
Soon, the Northern allied forces split into three and headed toward their respective destinations.