The old man leaning against the bulkhead heard Asha's words and lifted his bowed head slightly. A flicker of fighting spirit began to burn in his clouded eyes, veiled by a faint haze of blood.
Just then, an Ironborn darted in from Asha's side, swinging an axe at the dying Ser Oliver against the bulkhead.
This Ironborn was another of the men Halag had planted around Asha. His sudden attack was clearly meant to end the fight quickly and save time, while also claiming the credit for killing Oliver on Halag's behalf, further raising his standing among the Ironborn.
Asha did not even have time to shout for him to stop, but Oliver found strength from somewhere. He reacted swiftly, twisting aside the moment he saw his opponent move, yet the axe still grazed his shoulder and left a deep gash in his armor.
Cole reacted quickly as well. He stepped forward to shield Oliver, holding his longsword across his chest, its point pressed against the chest of the Ironborn who had tried to ambush Oliver.
"He is my prisoner now," Asha told the Ironborn coldly. "You lot, go and see if any men from the Reach are hiding in the lower hold."
The Ironborn was initially taken aback by Oliver's dodge and Cole's counterattack. But after seeing Asha's grim expression and glancing at the longsword against his chest, he said nothing more and could only turn away in frustration.
Even after he had left, Asha continued to stare coldly at their retreating backs. She had never imagined that the ranks around her had already been so thoroughly infiltrated.
Had this man not exposed himself in his eagerness to claim credit today, she would not have noticed anything amiss.
A chill crept into Asha's heart. It seemed her ambitious distant