Although the Sun God An'she's healing spell had failed on Bran, Robb, Maester Luwin, and Jon Snow had all witnessed Ethan doing everything he could—so they did not refuse his request.
In the northwest corner of Winterfell stood a grove of ancient trees occupying roughly one-third of the castle grounds—where House Stark prayed to the Old Gods.
Accompanied by a guard Ethan left the Great Keep passed through two thick curtain walls and entered this secluded grove.
At its very center rose a tall weirwood its white trunk carved with a solemn face that seemed to smile without smiling.
Though nowhere near as massive as the heart tree Ethan had encountered in the Haunted Forest it was still imposing and majestic.
Ethan couldn't help wondering—could this heart tree like Winterfell itself have stood for thousands of years?
Under the wary eyes of the guards he walked to the weirwood circled its thick trunk and on one side found a healthy patch of bark.
He pried off a small piece with his fingernail chewed it—and grimaced at the guards' disgusted expressions.
Yes—as expected the bark held a faint trace of magic.
He then caught a drop of the bluish-green sap oozing from the fresh wound.
The familiar sharp bitter taste struck the back of his skull while a cool refreshing sensation spread through his body greatly restoring his mana.
So Ethan lingered occasionally licking the flowing sap until his mana bar was completely full before finally leaving the godswood.
As he departed the guard who had escorted him couldn't help asking:
"What were you doing just now?"
Ethan did not want others to know that the Sun God's power required heart tree sap to function so he offered an explanation:
"Using divine magic in the North requires communicating with the Old Gods and gaining their permission."
The guard nodded thoughtfully.
"You should indeed pay respects—but I've never seen the Old Gods perform miracles before and communicating by eating tree bark is certainly a first for me."
The next morning Ethan arrived at the Wolf's Kiss Tavern and met the long-absent proprietor Howard.
After entering he pulled out a high stool at the bar and sat.
"Long time no see Brother Howard."
Howard gave him a genuine smile.
"Over two months—the usual?"
"Same as always."
Howard slid over a tankard of rye ale.
"Hiring again today?"
Ethan shook his head.
"No. A while back I had Eddie recruit some young men from the Wolfswood. That's enough for now—I can't afford to feed more.
I'm here to ask if you have any suitable contracts for a company of about twenty."
"Let me check."
Howard pulled a ledger from under the counter and flipped pages.
"A few. Hmm—there's a village in the Barrowton area refusing to pay taxes. The garrison commander wants to hire a team to collect by force.
He's offering thirty gold dragons—the rest goes to your company."
"Can we kill?"
"Of course—just a bunch of troublemakers."
Ethan scoffed inwardly.
"I'm not taking it. Anything else?"
Howard turned another page.
"A band of bandits has appeared recently on Bolton lands.
They raid caravans moving between neighboring houses kill and rob but leave the goods behind. Merchants have suffered heavy losses yet the local lords show little concern.
So the traders pooled money and posted a twenty-five-gold-dragon bounty on the band."
The Bolton name stirred unpleasant memories.
Could this be another scheme by that Bolton bastard?
Ethan gave a wry smile.
"I'm afraid that after wiping out these bandits I'd be the next target. Anything else?"
Howard sensed Ethan knew something but didn't press.
He flipped a few more pages.
"Well—the rest are small jobs. Here's one to clear mountain bandits. Interested?"
"Tell me."
"At the foot of the Northern Mountains on the border between Karstark and Umber lands lies a village called Wisteria Village.
Recently it's been harassed by a band of bandits who appear to be wildlings.
If you can eliminate them they're willing to pay eleven gold dragons."
Hearing the amount Ethan was puzzled.
"Eleven gold dragons? Why such a round number?"
Howard chuckled.
"What else? They're poor."
"Is the client still in Winterfell?"
"Of course—he's been here a few days. But the pay is too low—no one's taken the job.
If you're interested I'll have him come over and talk."
Ethan considered—even small pay was still pay—and agreed.
"Okay—thank you."
Howard walked to the tavern door called over a snot-nosed boy:
"Little Hoan—go to Blackstone Alley find an old man named Mardan Yates.
Tell him we've found the mercenary company he's looking for—have him come here."
Blackstone Alley lay north of Winterfell town; it would take some time for the client to arrive.
So Ethan chatted with Howard while sipping rye ale.
"Howard—in the last few months has anyone come specifically asking for me by name when looking for mercenaries?"
"Specifically asking for you?" Howard looked puzzled. "What kind of foolish idea is that?"
Ethan felt a little embarrassed.
"Didn't I capture an ice spider before? And I also fought the prince's guard—the Hound Sandor Clegane—to a standstill right here in Winterfell.
Shouldn't I be famous by now?"
"Famous? Heh."
Howard laughed.
"That was over two months ago—do you really think anyone still remembers?
Hiring a skilled carpenter might get you a slightly crooked house and uncomfortable stools—but hiring incompetent mercenaries can cost you your life.
People who can afford top companies won't risk their money and lives on a few old stories.
That's why people like us still have a living.
Once you've truly built the Silver Hand into a name as respected as the Golden Company or the Second Sons—then clients will come knocking."
"It's the Silver Hand" Ethan corrected weakly.
After finishing their drinks in the somber atmosphere a lean but energetic man in his forties walked into the tavern.
"Howard—the man you sent for has arrived?"
"Yes—he's right here.
Ethan this is Roland an old soldier from Wisteria Village and also the representative of Garrison Commander Geigar Solag.
You two can talk."
Ethan raised his tankard to the lean old man in greeting.
"Hello Mr. Roland."
Roland frowned.
"Howard—are you joking?
Even if you have no one else you can't just grab some random boy off the street and think he can handle this.
He doesn't even have a beard!"
Hearing his ability questioned Ethan instinctively tightened his grip on the tankard wanting to crush it—but seeing Howard's sharp warning stare he forced himself to set it back down.
Howard said impatiently:
"All right Roland—do you really think you can get the duke's guard to help with that tiny sum?
Besides—though Captain Ethan is young he fought Jaime Lannister the Kingslayer to a standstill right in front of King Robert."
Then he turned to Ethan.
"Kid—brag about your achievements."
Ethan brushed imaginary dust from his clothes and said calmly:
"There's really nothing worth bragging about—
About half a year ago I arrived in the North landed in House Hornwood territory and helped Redfort garrison commander Robert… Denis Colbert kill over sixty invading pirates at Onebridge.
Later I escorted the Colbert family caravan repelled a band of more than a dozen bandits and left eight corpses behind.
After reaching Winterfell I led five men to slay a giant ice spider in the Wolfswood later selling the carcass to the king for dozens of gold dragons.
A month ago in the Haunted Forest beyond the Wall I fought alongside Benjen Stark—Lord Eddard Stark's brother and the Night's Watch First Ranger—and together we killed more than a dozen wildlings.
These are all my documented accomplishments."
"Benjen Stark—I know him."
After hearing Ethan's record the old man fell silent in thought.
"I've seen him before.
If you're really that capable you might be able to help.
How many men do you have now?"
"I have twenty-three—all experienced veterans."
Roland calculated and said regretfully:
"Twenty-three is a bit few.
Those bandits are probably forty or fifty strong.
Our village can send some men too—but if it comes to real fighting your soldiers will have to be in the front line."
"Then how should the reward be calculated?"
"My budget is eleven gold dragons. Howard should have told you—"
"Of course—but—"
Under the witness of Wolf's Kiss proprietor Howard after some hard bargaining the leader of the Silver Hand and the plenipotentiary representative of Wisteria Village reached the following agreement on this bandit-extermination contract:
First—the total reward for this mission is fifteen gold dragons.
Five will be paid upon departure; the remainder will be paid after the bandits are eliminated.
Second—because the original reward has been increased Wisteria Village will no longer provide food or lodging; the Silver Hand must arrange these themselves.
Third—Wisteria Village will provide two hunters familiar with the local terrain to assist the Silver Hand in scouting enemy positions—but their wages and supplies will be borne by Ethan.
Fourth—once battle is joined the Silver Hand's soldiers will form the main fighting line while the Wisteria Village militia acts as reserve and joins at the appropriate moment.
Fifth—while quartered in the village the Silver Hand must abide by the duke's laws: no subordinates may steal rob villagers' property or especially harass village women.
Sixth—after defeating the bandits all spoils belong to the Silver Hand.
However the two sides still disagreed on departure time.
As the client Roland demanded Ethan set out as soon as possible—ideally immediately.
But how could Ethan dare?
His troops were full of green recruits who had never even undergone proper drill; if sent into battle as-is their weakness would be glaring.
He could only delay citing lack of supplies and requested five days.
Thus under Howard's witness after signing the sacred contract Ethan returned to the temporary camp by the river.
Upon arrival he saw Kevin and Jon sparring with practice swords while Eddie Conrad and several veterans watched from the sidelines—so he joined them to observe.
Only after Kevin knocked the sword from Jon's hand did Ethan speak asking:
"Conrad—is everyone here?"
Conrad—who had already spotted Ethan—nodded.
"Yes everyone's present—but as you ordered yesterday there's no morning training scheduled.
Some are still resting in their tents."
"Good."
Ethan nodded.
"Tell everyone to assemble. I have something to say."
Receiving the order Conrad picked up a stick and began banging on tent flaps.
"Up and assemble!
The captain has something to say! Get up you lazy bastards!"
While waiting for the men to gather Ethan took five gold dragons from his pouch and handed them to Eddie.
"Eddie—you and Jon go to the market buy a used wagon to haul our gear back to quarters.
Then purchase enough food to last at least a month."
He then instructed his student:
"Jon—write down the prices and quantities of everything you buy and give the list to me when you return."
After seeing the two off the recruits dressed hurriedly and assembled—but their disorganized ranks made Ethan frown.
Seeing Conrad give him a ready signal Ethan knew everyone was present and addressed the company:
"I have good news for you all.
Just now I accepted a major contract—to eliminate a band of bandits in the Northern Mountains.
We depart in five days.
This is our company's first official job since formation—and your chance to prove yourselves!
We will complete this mission with zero casualties!
But I know it will be difficult.
Though you've all faced life-and-death situations back home this is your first time fighting as an organized unit on the battlefield.
Therefore starting today I will personally lead you in intensive training.
Over the next five days I will teach you the 'Swan Formation' tactic created by a great general from my homeland named Gillette Cheney—so you can defeat enemies as a unified force!
But first—we need to organize into teams.
Right now—including Conrad and Kevin—everyone line up in two rows by height!"
The so-called Swan Formation was in truth the Mandarin Duck Formation invented by Qi Jiguang the famous Ming general who crushed Japanese pirates.
The classic Mandarin Duck Formation consisted of eleven to twelve men arranged symmetrically—hence the name.
A standard squad included:
- one long shield bearer
- one rattan shield bearer
- two wolf-armor bearers
- four long-spear bearers
- two rake (trident) bearers
- one "cook" (executioner specializing in finishing downed enemies)
The squad leader was sometimes the long shield bearer sometimes a standard-bearer who stood at the front to signal movements.
When supplies allowed long-spearmen could be replaced with fire-lance bearers to increase ranged firepower.
Qi Jiguang developed and perfected the Mandarin Duck Formation during the campaign against wokou pirates in eastern Zhejiang making it ideal for clearing small bandit groups in rugged mountainous terrain.
Moreover its clear division of labor greatly reduced the demand for individual skill—making it perfectly suited to the Silver Hand's current situation.
Ethan therefore planned to adapt and localize it for his warriors.
Excluding himself Eddie and Jon—who had gone to buy supplies—twenty men remained in camp.
Upon command they shuffled into two uneven lines according to their own rough understanding of height.
Ethan had to pull them out one by one and rearrange them properly.
After adjustments he gave another order:
"Remember the brothers standing beside you in line right now.
From this moment forward—you are each other's teammates."
"Now Conrad—I appoint you captain of First Squad.
You have the time it takes to sing 'Happy Little Lamb' to choose your two vice-captains.
Vice-captains must be skilled with axe and shield."
Then to Kevin:
"Kevin—I appoint you vice-captain of Second Squad.
Now organize your comrades to choose your squad captain.
The captain must be proficient with large shield."
The recruits split into two groups and began whispering heatedly.
Before Ethan could even finish his inner thoughts after two weeks of camping together the men—who already knew each other well—quickly selected Vitaly as vice-captain of First Squad and Fibert as captain of Second Squad.
Seeing both squads now had leaders Ethan continued:
"Good—you now have captains and vice-captains.
Besides them each squad needs four spearmen two rake bearers and two archers.
Arrange yourselves according to your strengths."
After the squads settled their internal roles Ethan rearranged the lines again:
captains and vice-captains in the front row
two weaker spearmen in the second row
two stronger spearmen in the third row
archers in the fourth row
rake bearers in the fifth row.
Once everyone was in position Ethan instructed:
"From now on remember the teammates around you.
Except when you need to relieve yourself you will eat sleep and train together.
Remember one thing: on the battlefield besides your weapons your teammates are the ones who will keep you alive!
Now—listen to my command!
Attention!"
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