After Jon decided to challenge Fire-Cache Peak, the elders and tribal representatives decided to stay at the Painted Dog settlement.
After all, traveling back and forth would waste too much time.
Hughwolf took on the responsibility of explaining the history of Fire-Cache Peak and the old climbing route to Jon.
He mentioned that the higher they went, the fewer people should accompany them.
Because the "God of Fire-Cache Peak" disliked noise.
"Elder Hughwolf, before the mountain collapsed, how many people successfully reached the summit?"
"Five or six, maybe. But basically, only one person would succeed every five or six years. Those who reached the top would receive the Fire Witch's recognition."
"The Fire Witch's recognition? How did the Fire Witch get up there? And what is her recognition?"
"Apologies, I don't know that. It was all too long ago." Hughwolf answered Jon with a response that sounded rehearsed thousands of times.
It sounded perfectly reasonable.
After all, tribes like this lacked reliable written records.
Knowing who your grandfather was would already be an achievement.
Things from one or two hundred years ago? Who would remember?
Jon said he would prepare and set off the next day.
The moment Hughwolf left, Old York sidled up excitedly.
His somewhat cloudy, light-colored eyes shone with intense light. He was so close that Jon could feel his breath.
"What is it, Old York?"
"Nettles!"
"What?!"
"Nettles! Sheepstealer! Their first Fire Witch was Nettles! On that mountain... maybe the last dragon, Sheepstealer, lives on that mountain!"
At this moment, Old York, the fanatical "dragon fanboy," proved his worth.
He explained that more than ten years after Aegon III Targaryen took the Iron Throne, knights of the Vale discovered a dragon in a cave.
Riding the dragon was a white-haired woman in tattered clothes.
That dragon was surely Sheepstealer, and the woman was Nettles.
During the Dance of the Dragons, the Targaryen royal family split into the "Blacks" and the "Greens."
The Blacks were led by Rhaenyra Targaryen, daughter and heir of Viserys I.
After losing several dragons and dragonriders, Rhaenyra sought to bolster her dragon power by recruiting dragonriders from bastards with Targaryen blood.
Nettles was one such bastard—or rather, a dragonseed.
She originally guarded Harrenhal with Rhaenyra's husband, Daemon, but due to certain reasons, Daemon sent Nettles away.
She was never seen again.
In short, the "bastard dragonrider" Nettles was the Painted Dogs' "Fire Witch Mk. I."
"So according to you, Hughwolf is helping us so eagerly because of... a dragon egg!?"
Undoubtedly, Sheepstealer was dead by now.
A dragon's lifespan was only around two hundred years.
The only reason Hughwolf would help Jon so enthusiastically was likely a dragon egg left behind by Nettles.
Otherwise, if it were just dragon bones, they wouldn't seem valuable enough.
At least not enough for him to do all this.
Although not all Targaryens were unburnt, many were heat-resistant.
Connecting this with Hughwolf's trait of not fearing heat, Jon became more certain of the man's goal.
Since Nettles had lived with the Painted Dogs for so long, it wouldn't be strange for her to leave behind some Targaryen bloodline.
"So, Hughwolf saw my skills and believes I can find a way up the mountain, which is why he's sparing no effort to help me."
"Yes! That must be it!"
"Alright. When we set off, let's bring more men to ensure we control the situation."
"Leave it to me!"
Soon, the time for departure arrived.
The elders and representatives from other tribes came to see them off.
Cheek, no longer bent on making things difficult for Jon, uncharacteristically told him to be safe.
Counting Jon and Old York, their party totaled ten people: five Winterfell soldiers and three veterans.
Hughwolf, who had volunteered as a guide, brought over a dozen family soldiers.
His son, Hugh, was among them.
But for some reason, these family soldiers looked a bit bulky.
Seeing Jon bring so many people, Hugh quickly tried to dissuade him:
"Lord Jon, didn't we say before? The God of Fire-Cache Peak likes quiet. Bringing so many people..."
"Then surely you don't need over a dozen men just to be guides?"
"They are carrying our luggage. They'll turn back halfway." Hughwolf patched up his son's excuse. "The higher we go, the narrower the path. Too many people will make it difficult to pass and might damage what little path remains."
Jon laughed inwardly at the clumsy excuse.
"Then let these old fellows stay. They grew up in the mountains and have reverence for the mountain gods."
Hughwolf was still dissatisfied, but seeing that Jon was bringing old men, he reluctantly agreed.
Jon, meanwhile, was confident he could defeat Hughwolf even with fewer numbers.
Soon after, the group left the settlement and set foot on the path to Fire-Cache Peak.
On the way, Hughwolf chatted idly with Jon about random topics, seemingly trying to lower his guard.
Jon didn't mind. Making small talk and feigning closeness was second nature to him.
But before they had gone far, a figure darted out from the woods ahead.
Everyone went on alert, drawing bows and swords.
But upon seeing who it was, they relaxed.
"Hey! Jon! Uh... Elder Hughwolf."
"Sora? Why are you here?"
"Fire-Cache Peak is dangerous. I want to go with you."
Hearing this, Old York scratched his head beside them.
These tribal girls were direct.
A Westerosi noble lady would never say such a thing.
Saying "I will pray for you before the gods" was already considered bold.
He felt more and more that his granddaughter lacked competitiveness.
Jon naturally got a headache too.
He didn't want to incur any romantic debts.
But seeing night approaching, he couldn't leave her alone in the wilderness.
So he discussed with Hughwolf and agreed to let her stay.
But just as they set up camp to rest, another figure barged into their camp.
It was the "Jealous King," Hakon.
Unable to find Sora in the village, he figured out where she went with just his toes.
So he chased after them while no one was watching.
The sudden additions caught Hughwolf off guard.
Too many eyes meant his upcoming plans would be difficult to execute.
Jon also realized that whatever Hughwolf was plotting, having "witnesses" around would tie his hands somewhat and increase his reservations.
The next day, the group set off again.
Along the way, Sora followed Jon like a tail, asking endless questions.
As for Hakon, he looked ready to drill holes in Jon with his glare.
Fortunately, two days later, they arrived at Fire-Cache Peak.
Looking up, the perilous mountain that supposedly once housed a dragon looked like a pillar supporting the sky.
Vegetation grew up to the waist of the mountain, but beyond that, it was bare rock.
"This is Fire-Cache Peak. Let me lead the way," Hughwolf's son, Hugh, offered.