Outside the training grounds of Winterfell, Ser Rodrik Cassel, the master-at-arms of Winterfell, stroked his white beard.
"Lord Eddard, the recruitment in Winterfell is complete. We have gathered a total of three thousand soldiers, mostly from Winter Town, with a small number from nearby villages."
Eddard flipped through the list of soldiers Maester Luwin handed him. Jack, John, Harry, Will – ordinary, common names. They were farmers, craftsmen, pig herders, or waiters. Now, they were gathered together, ready to fight for Winterfell.
Eddard said, "I heard there are quite a few from the Hill Tribes in here?"
Ser Rodrik Cassel nodded. "Indeed, Lord Eddard. Eight hundred are Hill Tribe warriors. When Winter Town expanded, it attracted many Hill Tribe people to settle here. The Hill Tribes are known for their fierce nature. Many of the Hill Tribe soldiers we recruited have actual combat experience. Some have killed wildlings, some have killed Ironborn Pirates, and some even participated in suppressing the Greyjoy Rebellion."
This time, in the purge of the Ironborn Pirates, the Hill Clan warriors would be of little use in naval battles, and they were not good at cavalry combat either. However, once the Northern army arrived at Skagos by ship, the Hill Clan warriors, skilled in mountain warfare, would be a sharp sword for the North on that mountainous island.
Maester Luwin touched his chain. "I heard that among the soldiers, some have just moved to Winter Town from the east coast?"
Ser Rodrik Cassel replied, "Yes, many are from the lands of House Umber and House Karstark, who just moved to Winter Town. The Ironborn Pirates were the reason they left their homes and moved to Winter Town."
"They fled the Ironborn Pirates and came to Winter Town, thinking they'd be safe at the doorstep of House Stark in Winterfell, but I'm sending them to war," Eddard said, his voice laced with resignation.
Ser Rodrik Cassel said, "A man should protect his home. My Lord Eddard, among the soldiers I've recruited, there are two very outstanding individuals. I believe they have the potential to make a name for themselves on the battlefield."
Eddard was curious. "Where did you find such people? Are they wandering knights, sellswords from the South?"
Ser Rodrik Cassel chuckled. "Right here in Winterfell! They're from the Hunters under Farlan."
Lately, every day, Farlan, the master of the beasts in Winterfell, would lead a large group of Hunters, accompanied by a dozen hunting dogs, through the Hunters' Gate to hunt in the Wolfswood. By evening, they would return with game like pheasants, rabbits, and roe deer.
Because many of the Hunters were poachers pardoned by Eddard, the people of Winterfell and Winter Town secretly called them the "Poachers Brigade."
The two Hunters recommended by Ser Rodrik Cassel were indeed poachers.
"This is Ferran. His archery skills are even better than Theon's." Ferran had red hair, sharp blue eyes, a quiver on his back, and held a longbow.
"How could poachers possibly be better shots than me?" Theon demanded, reaching for a bow. After taking careful aim, he released his arrow, hitting the bullseye. A smug grin spread across his face.
Ser Rodrik Cassel said, "Ferran, show Lord Eddard what you can do."
Eddard had expected Ferran to aim at the target. Instead, Ferran mounted a horse, galloped forward, and shot an arrow. It struck the bullseye.
Eddard, Robb, Jon Snow, Dominic Bolton, and Theon Greyjoy were all stunned. Theon stammered, "How is that possible?"
Ser Rodrik Cassel explained, "Ferran is a Streamlander. He herded horses for Lord Ryswell since he was a child, so his riding skills are excellent. As you've seen, his archery is also superb. Furthermore, because he often had to evade the lord's hunting dogs and soldiers in the forest, Ferran is a skilled stealth operative and can be used as a scout."
Eddard looked at Ferran with admiration. "You herded horses for a lord when you were young, so why did you become a poacher?"
Ferran said apologetically, "My Lord Eddard, when I was young, I stole a white horse from Lord Ryswell to get money to treat my sister's illness, but she still died. I didn't dare go back home, so I hid in the Wolfswood and lived by poaching. When I was captured by the guards of Winterfell and imprisoned, I thought I was finished. It was Lord Eddard who showed me mercy."
Eddard said, "Ferran, you were once a horse thief and a poacher. I gave you the identity of a Hunter. Now, I will give you another identity: a guard of Winterfell."
Ser Rodrik Cassel's second recommendation was a burly man named Dawson. He had black hair, a thick black beard, arms as thick as stone pillars, and a neck like a bull's.
"Dawson's battle axe weighs thirty pounds. His riding skills aren't great, as he rarely rides, but his foot combat is extremely strong. Even Jory Cassel can't beat him."
Jory Cassel was the captain of the guard at Winterfell. The fact that Dawson could defeat him in foot combat proved his strength.
Eddard sized up Dawson. His appearance reminded Eddard of Robert. Robert would have liked this wild warrior.
Ferran and Dawson knelt before Eddard, swearing their fealty.
The army was gathering, and the departure was imminent. The children were very excited. Robb said, "Father, take me with you!"
Eddard said, "You're too young. You must stay in Winterfell."
Robb was disappointed. "I heard that some squires in the South go to the battlefield at the age of ten."
Eddard said, "A little wolf can't go to the battlefield, Robb. When you grow up, I will definitely let you charge into battle. Now, your task is to stay in Winterfell. While I'm gone, you must help your mother and protect your brothers and sisters."
Dominic Bolton and Theon Greyjoy, both eager, were to accompany Eddard to the battlefield.
Dominic said, "My lord Eddard, I can't wait to prove myself on the battlefield. Last year, in the Vale, while serving as a squire to Lord Redfort, I fought alongside the Vale Knights against the High Clans in the wilderness. I wounded a Black Ear Clan cavalryman, but a Vale Knight beside me stabbed him to death, and I missed my first chance to kill an enemy."
"Do you crave killing and blood?" Dominic was a kind and versatile man, but he was, after all, the heir to the Dreadfort.
"What I crave is the glory of battle." Dominic touched the longsword in his hand. "The Dreadfort's lands have also suffered from the Ironborn Pirates' raids. I will use my longsword to avenge the people of the Dreadfort."
Theon was not to be outdone. "My lord Eddard, I request that you send me to White Harbor! Give me command of the fleet there. I am the heir to the Iron Islands, a natural Ironborn, a master of naval warfare."
Eddard said, "Theon, the fleet from White Harbor has already set sail. You should stay by my side, and when we reach the coast, you will have your chance to shine."
Theon was indeed an Ironborn, but he was hardly a master of naval warfare. He had been sent to Winterfell at the age of ten and hadn't seen the sea since.
Jon Snow approached Eddard. "My lord Eddard, can I come with you?"
Eddard said, "Jon, didn't you hear what I just said to Robb? You and Robb are too young to go to war, you're staying home."
Jon Snow looked troubled. "I'm not trying to be difficult, but if I stay at the castle, Lady Catelyn... she won't be happy."
Eddard almost forgot about that. As a bastard, Jon Snow had to constantly endure Catelyn Tully's hostility. As long as Catelyn was in Winterfell, Winterfell could never be Jon Snow's home.
This put Eddard in a difficult position. "Jon, why don't you go stay at the manor outside Winterfell for a while?"
Jon Snow said, "Lord Eddard, I just want to go with you. Bastards grow up fast. I can adapt to military life. I don't even need to go to the battlefield. Just let me wear your armor and clean your sword."
Eddard was helpless and had to agree. It was incredibly difficult for Jon, but this was a difficult time.
.....
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