Once the cooperation is confirmed, the next step is to discuss more specific and crucial details of the operation.
Maester Luwin glanced at Galon first and then presented the problem.
"Lord Galon, your demonic soldiers now number a total of one thousand."
"With these people, there is absolutely no chance of them succeeding in crossing the sea to attack the Iron Islands."
"And the people who came to the rescue of Winterfell have just left. Even if we summon them back in the name of the Starks, they probably wouldn't risk everything for the Iron Islands."
Lu Wen, the scholar, frowned; he remained pessimistic about the cooperation between the two parties.
The implication was that they wanted to persuade Galon to abandon the idea of cooperation.
"Gallon's influence over the Starks is now enormous; not only Sansa, but even Bran is supporting him."
"If we don't restrain him, he'll only drag Stark into a crazy gambling game..."
Although Maester Luwin was unaware of Galon's thoughts and never doubted Galon's loyalty to the Starks, he had a vague feeling that Galon must have his own motives.
Therefore, in order to find out the purpose, Maester Luwin spoke again.
"Furthermore, Winterfell, as the core of the North, must not be left undefended."
"Sufficient troops must be left to garrison the area until King Robb returns."
"Lord Galon, shouldn't we wait until King Robb returns before considering further cooperation?"
Sansa nodded, her voice filled with worry. "Yes, Galon. With such a small force, what if you... encounter... danger?"
She didn't care whether the cooperation was successful or not; she was only worried that Galon would be trapped in the Iron Islands and face a life-or-death crisis.
Asha, standing to the side, looked anxious, fearing that Galon would refuse to cooperate. She was about to speak when Galon interrupted her.
"Miss Sansa, Maester Luwin"
Galon reassured the two, "I understand your concerns."
"However, our cooperation this time isn't about confronting the Iron Islands head-on, but about killing Raveneye as quickly as possible and stopping his insane ambitions. Therefore, the most important thing is how to infiltrate Pyke City and kill Euron in one fell swoop!"
He paused, then turned his gaze to Lu Wenxue.
"I plan to have Jon lead three hundred men to stay behind and defend Winterfell, while he recruits and trains some more soldiers in the vicinity."
"In this way, Winterfell will be safe and sound!"
Upon hearing this, Maester Luwin relaxed, but Sansa's brows furrowed slightly.
"Seven hundred men... You're taking seven hundred men to the Iron Islands? Isn't that like throwing an egg against a rock?"
Even Asha couldn't help but show disappointment in her eyes.
No one knew the true situation of the Iron Islands better than her.
Although she claims to have many supporters, most of them will only support her when she has the upper hand; no one will support an Ironborn destined to fail.
Even his own uncle, Rodrik Harlow, wouldn't joke about the future of Ten Towers.
Asha had been hoping that Garon would inform Robb to lead the Northern army into Pyke and kill Euron, so that she could naturally ascend to the Seastone throne.
But now, upon hearing that there were only seven hundred people, she was filled with despair.
Galon's eyes flashed, easily guessing what the three were thinking. He then turned his gaze to the outside of the hall and explained.
"Therefore, our guests—the Skaggs—must be included in the plan!"
Upon hearing this, Maester Luwin shuddered, as if he had understood Galon's plan.
A look of surprise and relief flashed in Asha's eyes. She finally understood why Galon knew there were dragons on Skags Island. It turned out that the Skags had already come to Winterfell.
"Lord Galon, are you planning to send them to attack the Iron Islands?"
Seeing Galon nod, he stroked his beard and cautiously began to speak.
"Although the Skaggs and Starks have sworn an oath of allegiance for thousands of years, they have not had much contact, so it is difficult for us to command them. Moreover, they are here to seek help and are not subject to our command. Galon was already confident of this."
"What the scholar says is absolutely right, but that is precisely why we must invite them to join us on this expedition," he said, looking around at the crowd. His voice was steady and persuasive.
"The Skaggs are savage and fierce; these five hundred men remaining in Winterfell pose a threat to the Starks' safety."
"But if we drive them away, we will be breaking the ancient oath between House Stark and Skaggs Island, and damaging the honor of the Starks."
At this point, Galon nodded in agreement.
"But I'm afraid they won't go!"
Upon hearing this, Galon immediately burst into laughter.
"Not going?"
"They need our help to hunt dragons, and Euron's target is also dragons; he also possesses the magic to control them."
"Helping us get rid of Euron is simply their duty; it's the price they have to pay to show their sincerity!"
At this point, a sharp glint flashed in Galon's eyes, and he had even deeper considerations in mind.
"Deepwood Keep is sparsely populated, and even with all our strength, we can only muster three thousand soldiers. The other lords in the North revere the Starks, so even if I take control of the North in the future, I'm afraid many will outwardly comply but inwardly defy us." "Skaggs Island is different. They are savage and fierce, but they rarely interact with the North. If they hadn't been forced into this situation by the dragons, they would probably still be operating outside the Starks' territory."
"The words Sparta just said when requesting reinforcements indicate that there are at least tens of thousands of combat-ready soldiers on the island."
"If I can use the dragons to bring them under my control, I will be able to roam freely throughout Westeros!"
Galon thought of the dragon, then glanced at Asha who was listening in, and pondered.
"Asha is just trying to use me and the North to reclaim her Seastone throne."
"And I will take advantage of her isolation and helplessness to gradually possess her body and soul, until I finally have complete control over her."
"Only in this way can I use Asha to command the Iron Islands!"
Unlike the North, the Galonians have always been outsiders in the Iron Islands.
Therefore, he needs an Ironborn King who obeys his commands.
And looking at the Iron Islands, who could be more suitable than Asha?
Asha is neither as mad as Balon and Euron, nor as lacking in tact as Theon. Eager to lead the Iron Islands down a different path, she is the most suitable candidate for Galon.
Just now, he deliberately ignored Asha's concealment of the Dragon Horn, waiting for Asha to completely submit to him and then tell him about the Dragon Horn herself.
This is both a test and a confirmation.
At that moment, Sansa and Maester Luwin exchanged a glance.
Galon's reasoning was impeccable and deeply moved her.
Sansa nodded slowly. "You're right, the Skaggs should do their part. Master Luwin, please assist Galon in negotiating with that Spartan leader!"
Just as Scholar Ruwen agreed, Asha, wanting to demonstrate her own worth, interjected.
Even so, your numbers alone are not enough.
"I need to send a message to my uncle, Captain Rodrik Harlow of Ten Towers."
"Only through coordinated efforts from within and without can we win!"
Instantly, everyone's eyes were focused on her.
"I know you have also captured other Ironborn, and I have several close associates imprisoned elsewhere in Winterfell."
Asha continued, "Release one or two reliable ones among them, let them return to Ten Towers City in a small boat, and tell me about my uncle's cooperation."
When Asha mentioned her uncle, Rodrik Harlow, her tone was somewhat hesitant, clearly lacking confidence that she could convince him with just a few words.
However, she forced herself to remain calm and precisely traced lines with her fingers in the sea around Park City.
It not only detailed several hidden shipping routes and the weaknesses of the main defensive fortifications, but also introduced which families in the Iron Islands could cooperate with.
Asha's intelligence helped Galon refine his plans.
After she finished explaining the secret passages of Pike City, Garon slammed his hand on the map and made his final decision.
"Okay, the plan is settled then!"
"Sansa, please order Miss Asha to find one or two of her trusted confidants, release them, and have them depart for Ten Towers immediately."
"Later, I will negotiate with the Spartan leaders and persuade them to join."
"Finally, I led the army to Rock Coast to await news from our inside spies. Once confirmed, we would immediately march straight for Pike City!"
His words were resolute and filled with unquestionable confidence.
Sansa looked at Galon, who stood before the map, tall and straight, with sharp eyes, as if he had everything under control.
Although the slight displeasure in her heart remained, it was more of a complex emotion driven by this decisiveness and courage.
She finally nodded: "We will proceed according to Lord Galon's plan. Master Luwen, please cooperate fully."
Scholar Luwen also accepted the order.
Asha gazed at the charismatic Galon, a complex and indescribable light flashing in her eyes as well.
The thought of both herself and Uncle Victalion being defeated by him left her wondering whether leading Galon to the Iron Islands was the right or wrong thing to do.
In the end, she could only think to herself, "If only Galon were made of iron!"