The sea wind howled, the waves surged, and the large ship cleaved through the water.
To the heavy beat of the oar master's drums, the flapping of sails, and the rhythmic creak of wooden oars, the smuggling ship quickly fled Myr's harbor before dawn.
"winter is coming, the lone wolf dies, the Wolf Pack lives!"
"winter is coming, the lone wolf dies, the Wolf Pack lives!"
In the cabin of the swaying Myrish merchant ship, the "Mead Hall," beneath the grey-white banner of the Wolf Pack, all the Wolf Pack Company taxi soldiers swore allegiance to Gendry, obeying the command of their new head wolf, their new Commander-in-Chief.
The Handsome Man was the first to kneel, placing his longsword at Gendry's feet. Then came the Arrow Maker, Steel Fist, Longspear, and then everyone else, all kneeling.
Obeying orders and enduring the wind and snow together was an emotion ingrained in the Northmen. House Stark was precisely like this, with the blood of the direwolf, powerful, fearless, unrestrained, and wild. In terms of courage and strength, Gendry had conquered them.
Gendry put on the Wolf Pack's black direwolf ring, looking at the aged Maester Qyburn, Dick the Fletch, the now crippled The Handsome Man, the weary Steel Fist, and Longspear. This was a broken little force, yet it was all his hope, the starting point of all his endeavors.
"Rise, brothers!" Gendry called for the Wolf Pack to stand.
"I've lost an arm; I can't participate in combat missions now. I volunteer to be the new Commander-in-Chief's attendant," The Handsome Man said.
Gendry thought for a moment. The Handsome Man was forthright and honorable; after taking off the head wolf ring, he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to assisting Gendry.
"I believe the previous appointments do not need to be changed now. The Handsome Man will continue as treasurer and my attendant; the Knights will continue to be led by Steel Fist; the infantry by Longspear; the Arrow Maker will remain the Instructor; and Maester Qyburn will be the doctor." In this chaotic era, stability was paramount.
"Agreed!"
"Agreed!"
"Next, we will unite our fists!" Gendry raised his fist. "Only then will we have the strength to deal with Governor Joey!"
"Let Governor Joey and those pirate merchants of Myr regret our next encounter. We are the Wolf Pack, and the Wolf Pack never forgets!"
"The original Wolf's Den is probably no longer viable!" The Handsome Man said. "It's too close to Myr and, without the Governor's protection, it's not safe."
"We want Firegrass Manor!" Gendry said. Firegrass Manor originally belonged to Governor Kasu and might have been auctioned off by now; the Wolf Pack Company could occupy it.
"That's a good idea! Firegrass Manor is further from Myr and closer to the coastline. The stewards and slaves are naturally our friends!"
"We need manpower, the more the better! Previously, we were wary of the Myrmen, but now, why not completely liberate the manor slaves and openly oppose Myr!" Gendry suggested.
Since the Wolf Pack Company could not establish itself in Myr, it would be better to ignite the Disputed Lands, stir up chaos, and release the slaves from the manors.
Slavery was a shackles across the Eastern Continent. Gendry couldn't provoke too many slavers for now, but he was confident he could try to throw the Disputed Lands into disarray.
"Let's do it! Let's crush those bastard slavers!"
"Let's go!"
"old gods and new gods alike despise slavery!" The Wolf Pack Company Mercenaries shouted, unanimously agreeing.
The old gods and new gods both hated slavery, so Westerosi naturally detested it. Moreover, they were almost at loggerheads with the Myrmen, so it was better to completely disrupt the situation.
"Governor Joey also has several Firegrass Manors; they are his money bags!" Gendry said. Taking provisions from the enemy, Governor Joey was their foe. Destroying Governor Joey's manors and winning over Governor Joey's slaves was something he wouldn't hesitate to do.
Everyone discussed with great enthusiasm, finally settling on a strategy and agreeing with Gendry.
"Clap!" A moment later, the Old Pirate from Lys also entered the cabin, and Gendry put on his mask.
"Young hero! Young hero!" Salladhor clapped his hands. "The wind is strong on the high seas, and I didn't expect to see another young talent emerge!"
"My respects to you, the young Commander-in-Chief of the Wolf Pack Company, the head wolf!" Salladhor said. "Bloody Ben was on the battlefield at eleven, Tywin became Hand at twenty, Robert started the War of the Usurper at twenty! The courage of youth often rewrites history!"
"Thank you for your generosity! You think too highly of me!" Gendry looked at the Pirate King of Lys. This man might be dancing on a few eggs. Stannis, the Fat Governor of Pentos – he had connections with them all. Cooperation required caution.
"My old friend, I doubt you came in here just to laugh at us! Homeless man!" The Handsome Man said, looking at the Pirate King.
"I didn't come to laugh, but to discuss cooperation with you!" Salladhor laughed loudly. "I've always wanted a Mercenary company, fearless, loyal, and brave. I really like you descendants of the ice and snow. The Golden Company is too expensive, and those Unsullied are expensive and too rigid! I've been waiting for my Northern friends for a long time!"
"How do we cooperate?" Gendry asked the Old Pirate.
"It's simple! I have ships, secret routes, and sailors, and many friends and intelligence in the known world. The Wolf Pack Company has warriors, good fighters! We can absolutely cooperate!" Salladhor smiled.
"Wouldn't that make us pirates?" Longspear couldn't help but ask.
Gendry didn't stop Salladhor's statement, letting him continue.
"For three centuries, our family has been involved in piracy. One of the Ninepenny Kings, Samarro Saan, was my ancestor. Unfortunately, the Ninepenny Kings failed, and we never managed to secure a piece of land for our family. Pirates and Mercenaries are naturally good friends. We help each other!" Salladhor said. "You are not my subordinates, but partners!"
"I understand what you mean, Captain Salladhor!" Gendry looked at the cunning Old Pirate of Lys. "We now need a foothold in the Disputed Lands or the Stepstones. Your fleet can protect our coastline, and we might be able to provide some help for your endeavors!"
"A smart choice, the Commander-in-Chief of the Wolf Pack Company is a clever man. As you head south, Firegrass Manor is a good place to establish yourselves, not far from the eastern coastline. The southernmost area, apart from Crown Town, is the sphere of influence of Lys's manors. I will provide you with fleet protection. When the Myrmen arrive, you can retreat to the small islands of the Stepstones or flee to Crown Town!"
"In return, you can provide a little help to the loyal Old Salladhor!" The Old Pirate of Lys said.
"Then let's do it, but we will only target Myr enemies!" Gendry said. The Wolf Pack Company needed a fleet and naval supremacy, and for now, could only cooperate with the Old Pirate.
"Deal, but Commander-in-Chief, you're thinking too much. Once you incite a slave uprising, the Myrmen will all be your mortal enemies."
"Here's to a pleasant cooperation! And to avenging my poor old friend Greybeard soon!" Salladhor had his Attendants bring a large pot of warmed wine, and he eagerly clinked glasses with Gendry.
"Cheers!" The glasses made a clear clinking sound.
"One more thing, what if we are besieged by the Three Daughters together? Will Captain Salladhor come to our rescue!"
"Then I can do nothing. The help I provide is all covert. I hope the Commander-in-Chief understands that there are bold pirates and foolish pirates, but they don't live long." Salladhor shrugged. "If you are unfortunately wiped out, then pretend you never came on my ship; we have no agreement!"
"You truly are a cunning pirate!" Gendry looked at the Old Pirate and couldn't help but laugh.
The help Salladhor provided also came at a cost, and he certainly wouldn't go to great lengths to support them.
"Then let's pull off a big one!" Salladhor became excited. "There's a ship belonging to a Myrish Magister, to be precise, the head of the Navigator's Guild, the ambitious Governor Rechar. He was the biggest mastermind behind Governor Kasu's downfall. Now his merchant ship is docked in Volantis. The ship, coming from Qarth, carries spices, jade, and Unsullied, and will return to Myr."