"They're retreating!"

"No, not all of them. Some of those bastards are left behind."

"Why? Do they want to invade our lands now? What do they even want from us? Fish, dogs, or reindeer?"

As Jorah led the group of women and children back, a different tribe of men observed from a distance. These men belong to another tribe, the Walrus tribe. Yes, while the other tribe that attacked Jorah had walrus sledge, they were the Antlers tribe. The difference between the tribe could be noticed in their helmets.

Men of the Antler tribe will have large or small Antlers fixed on their helmets while the Walrus will have Walrus bones.

Among them, a man with a keen gaze watched Jorah and his commanders, noting their superior attire compared to the rest of the group. His eyes then followed the women and children, and he tightened his grip on his bone spear.

"Hmm... Gather all the men and women. Tell them to pack everything they need. We must move," the man declared. He was a tall, bearded young man with brown hair, wielding a massive bone spear.

"Great Walrus?"

"I won't repeat myself. Inform my wife that she is in charge until I return. And if any of you dare to run away, I will cut off your head, shove it into your wife's cunt, and then fuck both the cunt and the traitor's mouth. Understood?"

"Yes, Great Walrus. But where are you going?"

"To seek help and offer protection! All of you leave, except Kelly and Netta!"

"Yes, Great Walrus!"

The men swiftly prepared their sledges, driven by massive dogs that resembled direwolves.

"Great..." Kelly tried to speak, but the Great Walrus interrupted him.

"You must follow me. Today, we test the Old Gods." With those words, he hurried behind Jorah's army.

Jorah was riding in a large sledge alone. He kept thinking about these wild dogs. They are easily bred, play a pivotal role in these lands, and will act better than any horse if one must go outside the walls.

Plus, train them properly and they can be fiercer and more loyal than a wolf or bear.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Another thing he noticed was the walrus skins and reindeer bones that women were wearing. Bear Islands have only two resources. Bears and Trees.

No other large animal lives in those forests and their fisherman can only fish around the Island waters and dare not go further. Jorah had spent a sizeable coin to bring a few wild hogs this far north for breeding and so far, there is good progress.

However, wild hogs cannot compete with reindeer, not in terms of meat or price. Hence, securing The Frozen Shores quickly would bolster the island's security and provide additional resources.

"My lord! My lord! We have a couple of wildlings approaching from behind. They haven't attacked us, and it seems they want to talk!" A lookout rider who trailed behind their army suddenly rushed ahead to inform Jorah.

"Hmm... Interesting. Let's go!" Jorah believed it was another tribe, possibly coming to negotiate or make some kind of deal. Whether concerning the women or the remaining occupied lands, he saw no other reason for them to meet.

Jorah, accompanied by a group of soldiers, walked back to meet the Great Walrus and his companions. The Great Walrus left his group behind and emerged alone to face Jorah and his men; his face devoid of fear. Jorah stepped forward, and both leaders stood at a distance suitable for conversation but not confrontation.

"Are you the leader of this army?" the Great Walrus asked in his rough, deep voice.

"Aye, that would be me," Jorah replied.

"Can you deliver my message to your high lords or whoever resides in the castle?"

"That depends on the message."

"My tribe consists of 300 capable fighters. We have sledges that can outpace your most formidable warriors, and they are wild enough to frighten any man who sets foot on the frozen shores."

"A threat? Are you asking me to bring a threat to my lord?"

"No, it's an offer. If he agrees to speak with me, all of this can be his."

Jorah was surprised once again. Just when he thought he understood the wildlings and the people of the forever winter, they managed to surprise him. For better or worse, they were always full of surprises. Jorah observed the man's face for a while before speaking. He was assessing him, just as the man was doing the same.

"Speak. I am Lord Jorah, the lord of Bear Islands. And remember, this will be our first and last chance to talk."

The man didn't flinch or show surprise at Jorah's revelations. He had his suspicions. This man was either the son of the old lord or someone of high rank. Perhaps a lord himself, a cousin, or even a younger brother. They were all the same to him.

"Hmm... My people have lived in this land for generations. But it's the first time I've seen people from the islands attempting to raid us. I assume this won't be the end of your raids?" the man inquired.

"No, it's only the beginning. I won't stop until I have the entire land under my command," Jorah replied, his eyes gleaming with determination.

"I am the Great Walrus, chief of the Walrus Tribe. I offer my people, my land, and my wealth in exchange for allowing us to join your lands. I swear, with the Old Gods as witnesses, that I, the Great Walrus, will be your most loyal sword and shield.

I will follow your every command if you provide my people with a safe sanctuary, food to fill their bellies, and land to farm. I will cut down any man or woman who seeks to harm your lands."

Jorah was again taken aback. Even the soldiers behind Jorah could ever the voice of this tall man and they were also confused at the sudden surrender of this tribal leader. However, the surprises didn't end there.

"You are willing to kneel to me?"