The Young Wolf's Journey: Chapter 8 poll (September 2022) (Patreon)

With contact made with Howland Reed and the crannogmen guiding a force through the swamps so they can strike Moat Cailin from the weakened north side, Robb’s plan is ready to proceed. But with Balon Greyjoy dead, what state will the Ironborn defense of this crucial choke point be in?

Victarion is gone, and Moat Cailin is thinly defended

With his brother dead, Victarion has sailed back to the Iron Islandsto attempt to stake his claim on the Seastone Chair. He left only a token force behind at Moat Cailin, and that will make it all the easier for Robb and his army to reclaim the stronghold and see it garrisoned in defense of the north once more. (He might even have time to relax with Dacey afterwards.)

Victarion remains

Word of his brother’s death has obviously reached Victarion by now, but he is well aware of Robb’s massive army approaching, and he keeps his forces in plaice to defend against the expected attack from the south. Even with the aid of the crannogmen, Moat Cailin won’t fall without a struggle so long as the Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet still stands.

The Ironborn mount a fierce defense

Balon is dead, and Robb’s massive army approaches. Victarion knows that holding Moat Cailin is key—and that even should he return to the Iron Islands, ships will eventually follow them wherever they go. The Ironborn made an enemy of the north, and at Moat Cailin, they will make their stand. Victarion not only prepares to defend, but summons his niece Asha and her men from Deepwood Motte to aid him in the fight. This will be a bitter fight over a choke point that protected the north for thousands of years.

((Not a lot of choices this month, but Moat Cailin has already been locked in as the focal point of this chapter, and it feels like there are only so many ways that can go. I figured focusing on the nature of the battle in this poll made the most sense under the circumstances.))