Rebuilding and consolidating faith is a long process, and Ethan was in no hurry.
The journey from Wisteria Village back to Winterfell took Ethan and his company thirteen days outbound—but nearly a full month on the return.
During that long month the free folk gradually grew accustomed to life in the Silver Hand.
Ethan was usually an easy-going captain, but once training began he turned extremely strict.
This was hard for the free folk—who were used to a far more relaxed way of living—to accept.
Yet they had little choice: anyone who resisted faced collective punishment.
The Second Squad even caused a serious incident: one night a free-folk warrior was set upon and beaten by his own squad-mates while he slept.
Fortunately several free folk were among those who carried out the beating, which kept the situation from escalating into open clan-versus-clan violence.
In the end Second Squad captain Fibert and Jon Snow were sentenced to stand at attention for a full day, while every other man in the squad lost meat rations for five days.
The victim received a burst of Holy Light from Ethan; his injuries healed completely.
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From that day forward serious fights among the free folk vanished completely.
Not because they suddenly realized training made them stronger in battle, but because the squad captains discovered an important fact: Captain Ethan never used physical punishment on his own men.
At worst he ordered extra standing drills or squats.
For brawlers the penalty was simply loss of a meal.
This meant that as long as a captain was willing to pay the price (a missed meal) and did not kill the offender he could beat a subordinate severely and Ethan would simply heal the man with Light—leaving no lasting damage.
The cost of letting captains physically discipline their men turned out to be far lower than the cost of tolerating fighting among free folk.
Naturally no one dared cause trouble again.
Once everyone focused seriously on training overall progress improved dramatically.
By the time Ethan led his company back to the temporary camp south of Winterfell even outsiders could no longer easily tell which men were free folk and which came from the mountain clans.
Before departing Winterfell for Wisteria Village Ethan had already secured permission from young Lord Robb to build a proper camp beside the river.
He therefore entrusted construction of the new camp to Conrad and Juan while he and Lennar returned to the blacksmith's courtyard—partly to see how John had been managing alone and partly to scout the town for any new developments.
When Ethan pushed open the courtyard gate he found John silently planing a length of timber.
"Brother John—how have you been?"
John looked up saw Ethan and Lennar and exclaimed with delight:
"Ah—thank the Seven you're finally back!"
"My dear brother—"
Lennar wrapped John in a tight hug.
"I've missed you so much—and that bed you made for me.
Is anyone in the main house?
I want to go lie down right now."
Because the company had grown so quickly the tents prepared earlier were no longer enough.
Even after buying a few more in Wisteria Village several men still had to share—meaning Lennar had barely slept properly for weeks.
John gave a wry smile.
"Go ahead.
I promise no one will disturb your rest."
"What—no one's been coming to pray lately?"
John sighed.
"I've been getting more and more idle."
"Seven or eight days ago Marvin—a shoemaker and one of my regular worshippers—accidentally severed an artery in his inner thigh while carving wood.
His family carried him here.
I bandaged the wound and prayed over him all night—but in the end Marvin still bled to death—"
John shook his head voice bitter.
"His ten-year-old daughter asked me why none of the Seven would save her father—a devout man who came here often to pray.
I didn't know what to say.
How could I explain that I'm only a monk who serves blacksmiths—not skilled at healing?
After Marvin died he was buried in the public cemetery outside town.
His family didn't invite me to officiate the funeral.
Since then no one has come to the sept to worship anymore."
The three men fell silent.
After a moment John asked:
"Ethan—if you had been here could you have prayed to your Sun God and healed his wound with divine grace?"
Ethan nodded then shook his head.
"John there's an old saying in my homeland: 'Everyone has their own fate.'"
John spoke gravely:
"I've stayed in Winterfell for several months and seen many different things.
When I first came my purpose was to guide the lost sheep back to the Seven.
But after living here so long I think the sheep in Winterfell don't seem to need my guidance.
I'm staying now first to look after the house for you and second to say goodbye in person.
I'm going back south."
John was a deeply devout monk and a kind-hearted man.
After spending so much time together Ethan had come to regard him as a true brother.
Seeing his dejected expression Ethan felt a pang of reluctance and did not want him to leave so easily.
So he asked:
"Do you have enough coin for the journey?
I remember you didn't seem to have much."
"When the ice spider was still here quite a few people came to offer to the Seven.
I still have a few silver stags left.
I've also taken on some furniture repair work these past days.
Once I finish those orders I can set out.
If I run short on the road I can do odd jobs like before and get by."
Hearing this Ethan waved his hand.
"A poor traveler must be frugal on the road.
The journey south from here is very long—how can a few silver stags possibly be enough?
I know you won't accept money for nothing—so how about this: do me one favor and I'll cover your entire travel expenses afterward."
John considered for a moment.
After all they were friends and friends helped each other—so he asked:
"What favor?"
"Young Lord Robb gave me permission to build a camp beside the river where I used to forge armor.
I've already asked Conrad and Juan to handle construction.
But Juan is only half-trained as a carpenter and Conrad has zero experience building anything.
Northern winters are brutal—I'm worried their camp won't be fit to live in.
Could you stay and supervise the work for me?
It's only a few simple barracks—it shouldn't take long."
John nodded.
"All right.
I'll make sure your barracks are built strong enough to serve as a fortress."
"No—no fortress!" Ethan laughed.
"Just something warm dry and livable is fine.
I don't want to wake up one morning and find Lord Robb and his bannermen surrounding my camp."
Are you joking?
Building a fortress right outside someone else's city?
That would make life far too interesting.
After reaching agreement with John Ethan continued:
"Then you can take your tools and start tomorrow morning.
Lennar and I have other business."
Lennar pointed to himself.
"Huh? I have business too?"
"Of course." Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"Come with me to the Wolf's Kiss Tavern tomorrow.
I'll introduce you to the owner Howard.
From now on you'll handle all contact with him."
Lennar thought for a second.
"The tavern—I know taverns well.
Leave it to me."
The next morning Ethan took Lennar to the Wolf's Kiss Tavern and pushed open the door.
"Good morning Brother Howard."
Howard looked up saw Ethan and smiled.
"Hm? Did you finish the job in Wisteria Village?"
"Yes—we wiped out a wildling raiding party.
It didn't take long.
Here's your share—count it."
Ethan placed one golden dragon and fifteen silver moons on the bar one by one.
Howard opened the drawer beneath the counter swept the coins inside without counting and shut it again.
"Wildling raiders—they're tough opponents.
A while back a few wildlings slipped right up to the Hunter's Gate near Winterfell and nearly hurt young Lord Bran.
For some reason the wildlings have been especially active these past two years."
Ethan nodded feeling a touch of guilt.
"You tell me.
And then?
Did Robb kill those wildlings?"
"I heard one survived—as a servant."
"Oh—that's good."
Ethan changed the subject.
"By the way let me introduce you.
This is my liaison officer—the bard Lennar.
He'll handle all contact here from now on."
"Liaison officer?" Howard's eyes twinkled.
"You even have that kind of position?
Looks like you're building something serious."
"Well after this job I recruited about twenty more men.
Now the company has over forty fighters.
So Brother Howard—how about introducing me to some big business?"
"Big business ha—" Howard's expression suddenly turned serious.
"A big one is almost here."
Ethan's heart skipped—whether from dread or excitement he wasn't sure.
"What's happening?"
Howard tapped the bar in annoyance.
"What—sitting there without drinking?
How can we talk business?"
"Oh right—I'll have rye.
What about you?" Ethan asked Lennar.
"Me?
If you've got any fresh cider just pour a cup."
Howard took the coin served the drinks watched them both take a sip then lowered his voice:
"My friend in Winterfell tells me Lady Catelyn kidnapped the Lannister dwarf in the Riverlands.
In retaliation the Kingslayer killed several of Lord Eddard's guards and broke one of the duke's legs.
The young lord is preparing to summon his bannermen and seek justice."
Hearing the news Ethan's heart sank.
The personal quarrels of great nobles could easily ignite wars between entire kingdoms—even on Earth history was full of such examples.
"To what scale is the young lord planning to mobilize?"
Howard looked puzzled at the unfamiliar word.
"'Mobilize'?
What does that mean?"
"It means—who is being summoned?
Only the noble lords and their household guards or every man who has ever borne arms in the North or every able-bodied male between fifteen and sixty?"
"Fifteen to sixty—gods what kind of hell did you grow up in?"
Yes—there are still places where people launch drones into the sky just for fun.
After a sigh Howard shook his head.
"It's not that extreme.
From what I hear they've only summoned the various lords to a meeting.
The scale of troop levies hasn't been decided yet.
But if the situation escalates it could become real war at any moment.
So if you want to jump on this opportunity you'd better wait.
Aren't most of your men new recruits?
I don't have any combat contracts big enough for forty men right now.
You might as well use this time to reorganize train them properly and improve their gear.
If you've got coin you could even recruit more.
After all the great lords pay by the head."
"Thank you."
Ethan placed an extra silver stag on the bar and slid it to Howard.
"The information you've given me is very important.
I need to go back and discuss the details with my brothers."
"Of course."
Howard never stood on ceremony with Ethan.
After sweeping the coin into the drawer he turned to Lennar.
"Kid—your name is Lennar right?
You can—"
Howard and Lennar began discussing a part-time singing arrangement at the tavern but Ethan paid no attention.
His mind was already turning over the news.
The prophesied war in the south was finally about to begin.
He and Benjen Stark had already confirmed the threat from the far north.
Now Howard had brought word of the brewing conflict in the south.
Ethan faced a choice: head south and take part in the infighting among the human kingdoms or remain in the North to prepare for a possible invasion by the White Walkers.
The decision weighed heavily on him.
Yet he did not need to answer immediately.
As long as Lord Robb had not yet issued an official call for mercenaries Ethan still had time to prepare.
In short—he should first buy equipment and supplies.
Being ready early was always wise.
Ethan drained the last of his rye in several gulps stood and prepared to leave.
Seeing him rise Howard added:
"The mercenaries and freeriders who hang around here have been holding a few gatherings lately.
If you're interested I'll have Lennar call you when the next one happens."
"Okay—thanks brother."
After leaving the Wolf's Kiss Tavern Ethan and Lennar headed to the market district found a blacksmith shop and spent several gold dragons on iron ingots and scrap metal.
They arranged to have it hauled back to the blacksmith courtyard for storage.
Upon returning to camp Ethan had Kevin and several soldiers drag the metal to the riverside site.
After informing the officers of everything he had learned from Howard Conrad was the first to exclaim:
"I knew it!
What's the point of mercenaries building barracks?
They'll only use them a few times a year—it's a waste of time and money."
Hearing this John—who was sitting nearby—looked embarrassed.
He had come specifically to help Ethan build barracks.
If a southern war really broke out those few wooden buildings might stand empty for a very long time.
"The barracks aren't important" Lennar said worriedly.
"I'm a Westerlander—and of everyone here I believe I know Tywin Lannister best.
Lady Catelyn kidnapped Tyrion and Tywin will not let it pass—not even if King Robert himself intervenes.
As for Tyrion Lannister—Ethan and I got along very well with him on the journey to the Wall.
The idea that he had anything to do with Bran's fall seems far-fetched to me.
If the truth were ever properly investigated Lady Catelyn would most likely release him unharmed.
But Tywin will never see it that way."
As he spoke Lennar suddenly shivered.
Despite wearing the thick bearskin coat he had bought in Wisteria Village a deep chill still crept up from inside covering his whole body.
"Lady Catelyn is a Tully—the highest and most powerful house in the entire Riverlands.
Given Lord Tywin's vengeful nature this debt will fall on every man woman and child in the Riverlands.
Believe me or not—Lord Tywin is not going to 'summon his bannermen' like that little wolf in Winterfell.
He has already mustered an army and is preparing to strike the Riverlands."
Brother John broke into a cold sweat.
After years traveling the world he knew all too well how armies of this era treated civilians in enemy territory.
Yet he still forced a dry laugh unwilling to give up hope:
"Lennar—it can't be that bad can it?
Isn't Tywin's daughter the queen?
Surely the queen can mediate between the king and her father right?
After all it would look terrible for the king if his own vassals disobeyed him and started fighting wouldn't it?
Right?"
At that moment Jon Snow spoke up:
"Queen Cersei doesn't seem to care much about the king's reputation.
Though she probably doesn't care about Lord Tyrion's life either anything that makes the king unhappy will make the queen happy.
My father—"
Ethan frowned and shot Jon a warning glance.
Jon immediately corrected himself:
"A while ago when I accompanied my father to the banquet where the duke welcomed the king I saw the king and queen sitting in the high seats from a distance.
They barely spoke a word to each other.
After the meal they turned and left without even asking the king's leave.
If the queen tried to mediate the fighting between the Westerlands and the Riverlands might only grow worse."
Ethan nodded.
"Then it seems this war is unavoidable."
"Why avoid it Captain?" Conrad replied.
"We're mercenaries aren't we?
We fight and we get paid.
Now a major war is coming.
If we don't take part we'll be wasting the name—Silver Hand."
"Aren't you afraid of dying?"
Ethan scanned them one by one.
Vitaly Fibert Cain and Keeley answered together:
"No—we're only afraid of being poor."
Eddie:
"Captain I request permission to purchase six warhorses."
John:
"Ethan I want to return to the Riverlands.
My family and friends are there."
Lennar:
"This is the beginning of a legend—and I must witness it with my own eyes."
Kevin:
"Wherever you go Teacher I will follow."
Finally Ethan clenched his fist.
"All right—then we head south!"
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