"Hiring?" Howard blinked then leaned forward across the bar. "What—you already landed a job?"
He clapped Ethan on the shoulder with a meaty palm. "Not bad kid. What's the setup?"
Ethan answered vaguely: "A friend put me onto it. I need to head into the countryside. Got any spare hands? I'm looking to recruit three men."
Howard nodded pulled out his small notebook and flipped it open. "Tell me what you need. I'll see who fits."
Ethan thought for a moment. "First—a scout who knows the Wolfswood terrain well. Preferably a hunter by trade good with a bow and decent up close—so we don't get lost if we have to run."
Howard scratched a quick note. "Anything else?"
"Two more—swordsmen with shields. Fighting strength isn't the most important thing. I just need them cautious observant and not reckless."
Ethan paused then added firmly: "And none of them from Rabbitpaw Village or anywhere nearby."
Hearing that Howard snapped the notebook shut. "Wait—your job is in Rabbitpaw? Let me warn you upfront: Rabbitpaw is direct Stark land. If you stir up serious trouble there and get caught or killed no one's coming to pull you out."
Ethan waved a hand dismissively. "It's not that dramatic. I'm just helping someone collect a gambling debt—not raiding the village."
Howard gave a slow nod. "Debt collection is usually Peak's thugs' territory. Needing mercenaries means the mark's slippery. Wouldn't happen to be Ander Bacchus from Rabbitpaw would it?"
Ethan's brows rose. "How do you know so much?"
Howard didn't answer directly just kept reasoning aloud: "Let me guess… someone set a trap to fleece the garrison commander. Peak's cowards wouldn't dare—so it has to be someone from the city."
He jerked his chin toward Winterfell proper. "The Stark kids have always been well-behaved. The two older ones don't gamble the two younger ones are still playing in the mud. So your employer wouldn't be Theon Greyjoy would it?"
Ethan set his cup down speechless for a second. "…It's wasted talent you're not a bounty hunter."
Howard barked a hearty laugh. When he finished he leaned in again voice lower:
"Theon Greyjoy may be Lord Eddard's ward but he's still just a hostage. High position no real power. Don't think you can hide behind his name if things go sideways with Ander.
If I were you I wouldn't lose sleep over it. Take what you can get—if you can't get it walk away. Don't get yourself tangled up."
Ethan caught the genuine note of concern in Howard's tone. "Thanks brother. I understand."
Howard saw he'd been heard so he continued: "Then go home and rest. I'll round up a few suitable men and send them your way. You're living at that old blacksmith's place south of town—the one where the family died right?"
"That's the one. I'll wait for your word—but we leave tomorrow morning so don't take too long."
"Got it."
After the agreement Ethan left the tavern politely and returned to the courtyard.
Time was short and there was still a lot to prepare. Ethan left Brother John to receive any candidates who showed up while he took Kevin to the market to buy supplies.
Hard bread waterskins wine dried meat horse beans—everything essential for several days in the field.
Winterhold was more trading post than residential town; most goods were concentrated in the central market. They gathered what they needed in a single trip.
When Ethan and Kevin dragged their haul of odds and ends back to the courtyard they found Brother John sitting on two stools chatting with three unfamiliar men.
Seeing Ethan Brother John stood. "Ah—Ethan. The men you wanted to hire have arrived."
As he spoke the three strangers rose removed their caps and gave respectful nods.
"Kevin—go prepare something to eat for our guests."
After sending Kevin to the kitchen Ethan shook hands and greeted each man in turn. "I'm Ethan Cole. Were you sent by Howard?"
The three exchanged quick glances. The tallest—a lean mature-looking man with a neat mustache though half his scalp was bald—spoke first:
"Yes sir. Name's Eddie. Used to be an archer for House Flint later a hunter in their woods. Last year my brother died left three kids behind…
What I earned hunting wasn't enough to feed five mouths so I turned sellsword."
Next the broad man with thick curly hair and a full beard spoke up: "Conrad. Former levy man for House Karstark. Fought in the Greyjoy Rebellion when I was young later hunted pirates and wildlings alongside Lord Karstark.
This time I mainly brought my wife's little brother along—wanted him to see something of the world and maybe save up enough coin for a bride price."
The dark-haired youth behind Conrad gave a shy grin and brandished his short axe. "Juan. I'm good with an axe."
After the introductions Ethan laid out the terms: "Howard explained the job right? We're helping a certain lord collect a gambling debt. We might recover the full amount we might get only part. Either way your pay will be based on what we actually bring back.
Counting my apprentice Kevin there are five of us. The total reward will be split six ways—I take an extra share as leader the rest divided equally among the five of you. Fair?"
Eddie and Conrad exchanged a look then both nodded. "Fair enough."
"Welcome then. Sit—have something to eat."
Sitting around making small talk is always awkward at first—but with fresh turnip-and-mushroom soup (Ethan was determined to use up the last of their stockpiled turnips before leaving) the mood soon loosened.
From the casual conversation Ethan learned that Eddie Conrad and Juan were exactly the kind of men Howard had described: locals who couldn't—or wouldn't—leave their home region.
Eddie had two children of his own plus three from his late brother.
Conrad had only one child but couldn't bear to leave his wife behind for long stretches.
Juan was simply poor.
The job wasn't especially dangerous or difficult. The reward was uncertain but with luck they could earn a solid sum—enough to ease household burdens for months.
Even that modest unstable income still beat what most of them made serving local lords—another quiet illustration of how hard daily life really was.
After agreeing to meet at the Hunter's Gate the next morning Eddie and Conrad said their goodbyes and left.
At first light the following day Ethan and Kevin reached the Hunter's Gate on the western side of Winterfell's walls to wait for the others.
Soon Eddie and Conrad arrived. Eddie rode a chestnut gelding Conrad a sturdy black packhorse Juan a mule.
The five-man debt-collection party exchanged greetings dismounted found a large shade tree and ate a quick breakfast of hard bread and water while waiting for their employer and guide.
Less than an hour later as the sun rose above Winterfell's walls Theon Greyjoy and a slightly plump young man with pale blond hair rode slowly out through the Hunter's Gate.
Once in the open Theon scanned the area spotted Ethan sitting in the shade playing cards with Conrad and the others and waved him over.
Ethan—back turned to the gate—didn't notice until Conrad tossed down a joker swept the small pile of copper coins in front of Ethan and muttered: "Captain—looks like that man's calling you."
Ethan glanced over stood quickly grumbled that Conrad should have told him sooner and trotted to his employer's horse.
"Good morning Lord Theon."
"Good morning Ethan Cole." Theon dismounted shook hands then tilted his head toward the young man who had also dismounted. "Let me introduce Haiward—one of my closest friends and one of Lord Eddard's household guards."
Then to Haiward: "This is the man in charge of your trip—Ethan Cole from across the Narrow Sea. Call him Captain."
The young man nodded his smile tight and somewhat forced. Ethan felt a flicker of confusion but asked no questions yet simply returned the nod.
After a few minutes of polite small talk Theon reminded Ethan again:
"Haiward is only here as witness to the wager and guide for the journey. He won't take part in any… action. So don't worry about him."
He clapped Haiward on the shoulder. "Haiward—I'm counting on you."
With that Theon flashed a wide grin mounted up and rode back through the Hunter's Gate into the city.
After Theon disappeared Haiward and Ethan stood looking at each other not quite sure what to say.
Only when Ethan had absently scuffed a small hollow in the dirt with his boot did he remember they had a schedule.
"How about we set off now while it's still cool?"
"Yes—yes of course."
Not long after leaving Winterfell Haiward had already fallen into easy conversation with the rest of the debt collectors.
Upon learning he was one of Lord Stark's personal guards the men showed proper respect. Ethan however was curious:
"You're one of Lord Eddard's household guards—why are you running errands for Theon Greyjoy?"
Haiward gave a wry pout. "I owe that little monster fifteen silver stags and I don't have the coin to pay him back—so he nags me every day.
He said if I'd run this errand for him he'd cancel the debt. So I asked Captain Jory for a few days leave."
Ethan was quietly impressed.
*Getting the job done without spending a single coin. Theon Greyjoy really isn't someone to underestimate.*
After three days of steady travel the party reached Rabbitpaw Village.
Villagers guided them to the house of garrison commander Ander Bacchus.
They found their target already in full armor preparing to ride out.
"Uncle Ander—where are you headed?"
Ander—one foot already in the stirrup—turned at the voice. Surprise crossed his face when he saw Haiward.
"Haiward? What brings you here? Come in—come in and sit."
He noticed Ethan and the others behind Haiward and asked: "Your friends?"
Haiward gave a strained smile. "Sort of Uncle. Can we talk inside?"
Ander frowned completely puzzled but his manners held. He invited the whole group into the hall to rest.
Once everyone was seated Haiward explained the purpose of their visit.
Ander's temper exploded instantly. "What? That little Greyjoy bastard cheated me and now he dares send men to collect?"
Haiward said nothing—his posture studiously neutral.
Ethan had no choice but to step forward. "Lord Ander—there's an old saying in my homeland: 'A debt of honor is a debt of blood.'
I don't know the full details but since you acknowledged the debt in Winterfell you shouldn't have reneged afterward. That's a matter of integrity."
Sensing the rebuke Ander grew even angrier his language turning foul.
"That little ironborn shit treated me like some dumb farmer—brought out this weird game called 'Lannister's Golden Shit' didn't explain a damn thing then declared himself winner every round and claimed I owed him ten gold dragons in a single night! You expect me to accept that? Only an idiot would!"
Ethan corrected mildly: "Eleven gold dragons."
"Eleven my arse! One was forced interest! You pack of bastards—thugs hiding behind power ignorant outsiders—dare come to my house? I'll see you all in the hells!"
Ander's rage peaked. He seized the heavy brass wine jug in front of him and hurled it straight at Ethan's head.
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
As the jug flew toward him he slapped it away with the back of his hand.
The instant his palm met the metal the jug's round belly crumpled inward reversed direction from the force of the blow and smashed into one of the hall's thick single-log support pillars with a resounding *bang*.
The impossible display stunned the room into dead silence—and cooled Ander's fury in an instant.
Ethan gently rubbed his slightly stinging hand and spoke in a calm stern tone:
"Lord Ander—I respect your age so I'll overlook the insult just now.
But you *will* repay the gambling debt.
My brothers and I haven't eaten meat in quite a while…"
Ander stared for a long moment then said: "I've got meat here. As a friend take as much as you want.
But I won't give you a single copper. I refuse to acknowledge any debt that little Greyjoy monster tried to force on me."
Ethan was about to snap back when Ander continued:
"How much did Theon Greyjoy promise you?"
"Two gold dragons—if we recover the full amount from you."
Ander studied him. "From your tone you're not one of the city gangs—I've never heard your name.
So you must be one of old Howard's mercenaries am I right?"
Ethan nodded. "You guessed correctly."
"I can give you ten gold dragons—but not for any gambling debt.
I have a job. If you help me with it you'll get ten gold dragons in full."
Since it was business Ethan softened his tone. "I'm listening."
Ander called a maid into the hall. She wiped the spilled wine from the dented brass jug before he continued:
"Some time ago I returned from Winterfell and learned one of my trusted men had gone missing while I was away.
He disappeared while searching for his child in the forest.
Later the child was found locked in his own cellar—but the father never came back.
So I sent several more men into the woods to search.
They never returned either.
They were all good lads—but they vanished because of my mistake.
When you arrived just now didn't you see me preparing to ride out?
I was about to lead a party into the forest myself.
If they're dead—at least bring their bodies home.
I was worried who to take with me.
But now that you're here—this must be the will of the old gods.
So I'm asking—are you willing to come with me?"..
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