Two days later Eddie returned from the mountains travel-worn and weary carrying detailed intelligence about the bandit camp.
Ethan immediately summoned the officers.
Once everyone had gathered Eddie used a stick to sketch a rough map on the ground and reported:
"Captain we tracked them down.
There are roughly twenty to thirty bandits holed up in an abandoned stone keep high in the mountains."
Eddie and his small scouting party had observed the fortress from cover for a full day.
Most of the bandits wore animal hides and rarely used woven cloth.
People were constantly moving in and out—some hauling wild boars freshly killed in the hills others gathering firewood.
It was obvious these were wildlings who had crossed south of the Wall.
Only they would hunt so openly and brazenly disregarding that all game in these mountains legally belonged to the lord.
Ethan asked:
"If we launch a direct assault on that keep can we take it?"
Eddie considered for a moment then shook his head.
"The fortress is dilapidated but very defensible.
The breaches have been patched the walls reinforced with wooden fighting platforms and archers are posted on them.
Even if we break in we'd take heavy casualties."
According to the sketch it would take a day and a half of hard marching from Wisteria Village to reach the keep.
Even with only twenty-four men in the Silver Hand sneaking close enough for a surprise attack would be difficult.
And even if they reached the walls how to storm the place remained a major problem.
Ethan briefly considered charging in alone and slaughtering his way through—but that would waste all the time and effort already invested in training the company.
So he asked the group:
"Does anyone know why there's a stone keep up on North Mountain in the first place?"
After a short silence Jon Snow—the only one present with noble education—explained:
"Before House Stark unified the North the great houses fought constantly.
The southern foothills of North Mountain sit right at the boundary between Stark and Umber lands.
Whoever controlled that valley built strongpoints to hold it against the other side.
A keep there makes perfect strategic sense."
Ethan nodded thoughtfully.
"That fortress is solid—a siege would be costly and unwise.
The best outcome would be to lure them into the open for a field battle."
But luring them out became the next problem.
Conrad suggested:
"Then we wait until their food runs low and they come down to raid.
We ambush them while the keep is lightly guarded."
Ethan shook his head.
"They just extorted a full month's rations from Nikolas.
Add whatever game they hunt in the mountains and they're probably still well-stocked.
Besides—we don't know whether they've already gone to other villages for more supplies.
Simply waiting here costs us time and money we don't have."
Finally Ethan thought for a long moment then laid out his plan:
"To permanently solve the bandit problem we need them to appear at a time and place of *our* choosing—then annihilate them in one stroke."
Lennar couldn't help laughing.
"Ethan do you think this is a children's game?
Do you really believe mountain bandits will obediently line up and present their necks for chopping just because you ask nicely?"
The others clearly shared Lennar's skepticism though—out of respect—they kept their doubts to themselves rather than voice them openly.
"Lennar" Ethan turned to his liaison officer and said seriously "if the tavern rumors you gathered are true then our plan has a very good chance of succeeding."
Over the past two days Lennar had wandered the village collecting gossip.
Though most of it was trivial household matters it had allowed Ethan to piece together a small but tangled web of relationships—and the key to victory lay hidden inside that web.
After ordering the men to continue training Ethan took Lennar aside and walked straight to the Solag family keep.
At the gate they found Nikolas carefully grooming a sturdy brown warhorse.
Seeing Ethan Nikolas greeted him warmly and explained that Commander Geigar was resting.
If Ethan needed to speak with the old man he could wait in the hall.
But Ethan shook his head.
"Mr. Nikolas—I came to speak with *you*."
Nikolas looked puzzled.
"With me? What about?"
"Let's find a quiet place to talk" Ethan suggested.
Nikolas hesitated only a moment then nodded and led them into a side hall of the keep.
This chamber was used for receiving honored guests.
Valuable game trophies hung on the walls a full suit of armor and several fine weapons stood displayed in one corner.
Compared with the main hall it felt less casual and more formal.
Once the three were seated Ethan went straight to the point:
"Mr. Nikolas—regarding the bandits—what is your true position?
Do you want them completely destroyed or are you content to let them be?"
"Of course I want them wiped out" Nikolas answered at once.
"We discussed this before Roland left for Winterfell to hire you.
I raised no objection."
Ethan changed direction:
"Yet from what I've observed these past few days you haven't put much real effort into the matter.
Some people even whisper that you have an unclear relationship with the bandit leader and are suspected of harming the village's interests."
At those words Nikolas's tone hardened instantly.
"I invited you here to kill bandits—not to sit in judgment over me!
Know your place and do the job you were hired for!"
Ethan remained calm and continued:
"Mr. Nikolas—your village's attitude toward these bandits is truly baffling.
You provide neither manpower nor material support—only two hunters as guides.
We handle everything else ourselves yet the total reward is just fifteen gold dragons.
Is this fair to us?
I could simply return the coins treat this as a wilderness training march and walk away.
But then word of your true situation will spread to Winterfell—and perhaps beyond—making it even harder for you to find help in the future."
A flash of killing intent passed through Nikolas's eyes.
But seeing Ethan's calm confident demeanor he hesitated then softened his tone:
"Captain Ethan—please state your purpose plainly."
Ethan laid out everything Eddie's scouts had discovered then emphasized:
"We must destroy every bandit threatening Wisteria Village in one single stroke.
Any who escape will remain a future danger.
The ideal moment to annihilate them completely is when they are all inside the keep—then we storm the fortress and take it directly.
But that plan carries high risk demands large numbers of men and guarantees heavy casualties.
I cannot bear to see my brothers die needlessly—and I doubt you can muster enough fighters to make it work.
Therefore a more reliable method is to lure them out of the keep into the open—then set a trap they cannot escape.
They become fish on our chopping block completely at our mercy."
Nikolas leaned forward curiously.
"So how do you intend to lure them out?"
"That requires your cooperation."
Ethan changed tack:
"But before we go any further I need to confirm one thing."
"What?"
"Are you truly willing to let little Crowe replace his father as garrison commander of Wisteria Village?" Ethan asked gravely.
Nikolas met Ethan's eyes with honest directness.
"Of course I am willing.
Crowe is my father-in-law's only son—it is only right that he inherit the position.
Besides Anya and I have been married fifteen years and have no children of our own.
Crowe calls me brother-in-law but he is no different from my own son in my heart."
"Good. I understand."
Seeing Nikolas spoke sincerely Ethan nodded and continued:
"The problem is that right now you lack sufficient prestige to unite the village's forces.
If you want Crowe to inherit Wisteria Village you must first become—at minimum—the acting garrison commander or regent—so you can govern the village effectively on the duke's behalf until Crowe comes of age.
Otherwise even if we solve the bandit problem this time other troubles will arise later.
If the duke ever calls up the garrison commanders for war your village could very well change hands."
Nikolas fell silent for a long moment then gave a bitter smile.
"It seems Captain Ethan understands our village's situation very clearly.
So—do you have a concrete proposal?"
Ethan said:
"We can use this bandit campaign to let you perform a great service—thereby greatly increasing your prestige.
Of course the plan carries some risks—but if we prepare carefully the odds of success are still very high.
Are you willing to take that risk?"
Nikolas did not hesitate long before nodding firmly.
So Ethan explained the full plan in detail then sent for Roland.
The three of them reviewed every element together making sure nothing was overlooked before returning to their preparations.
Early the next morning Nikolas set out for the wildling keep accompanied by scout Harry.
After more than a day's hard travel the two reached the stone fortress occupied by the raiders.
Just as Nikolas started forward an arrow hissed through the air and thudded into the mud at his feet.
"Hold it Southerner!" a sentry shouted from behind the wall.
Nikolas raised both hands to show he was unarmed and called:
"I've come to speak with your leader.
I bring important business."
He slowly turned in place to demonstrate he carried no weapons.
"I come in peace and sincerity."
The sentry sneered.
"Southern peace?
Smells like an old woman's fart."
After a tense wait the fortress gate creaked open.
Nikolas walked inside under the wary eyes of many wildlings.
Harry tried to follow but was stopped at the gate—only Nikolas was permitted to see the chieftain.
Nikolas told Harry quietly:
"Find somewhere warm to wait.
If I haven't come out by nightfall go back and tell everyone I'm dead."
The keep had been built against the mountainside shaped like a large square box.
At the rear rose a tall three-story main tower.
In the open plaza outside the tower many wildlings were busy—some butchering meat some skinning game others chopping wood to reinforce the walls.
They clearly intended to stay for the long term.
Escorted by a brown-haired wildling Nikolas entered the ground-floor hall of the main tower.
At the head of the table sat a tall dark-haired man carving a rib roast.
On either side of him sat a brown-haired man dressed in black and a younger man who strongly resembled the chieftain.
Seeing Nikolas the dark-haired leader asked:
"I know you.
The food you gave us helped us survive a hard stretch.
How did you find this place?"
Nikolas casually picked up a fallen stone used it as a stool and sat.
A faint sneer touched his lips.
"How well hidden do you think this keep really is?"
The chieftain was silent a moment then asked:
"Reka told me you came in good faith.
Very well—speak.
Where is this 'goodwill' you bring?
If you're truly sincere I might consider taking only one of your hands—as a lesson."
Nikolas answered coldly:
"If it's only empty threats you'll be disappointed—because you definitely don't want to miss the benefit I offer."
He paused then continued:
"The people of our village went straight to Winterfell for help without consulting me.
Right now more than forty elite Winterfell warriors have assembled located your stronghold and are waiting for the right moment to strike."
At the words "Winterfell" the man in black immediately asked tensely:
"Who leads them?"
"Jory Cassel—captain of the Stark household guard" Nikolas replied.
"Captain of the guard—" the black-clad man muttered uneasily.
The young man beside the chieftain sneered with contempt:
"You think you can scare us off with a few lies?
You expect us to beg for mercy?"
"Silence!"
The chieftain roared at the youth.
"You speak only when I allow it!"
He turned back to Nikolas.
"Continue."
Nikolas nodded.
"My father-in-law Garrison Commander Geigar Solag is now senile and unable to lead.
His old veterans refuse to obey me—this time the arrival of the duke's reinforcements is both an opportunity for me and for you."
Seeing every eye fixed on him he went on:
"My father-in-law originally promised me his position—that's why I married his short fat dull daughter.
But after he had a son late in life he cast me aside.
Jory Cassel came to the village to plan your destruction—but those stubborn old men sent me as scout.
I intend to use this chance to teach those old fossils a lesson—and I need your help.
In return I offer you a generous gift."
"What gift?" the chieftain demanded.
"Once our troops are ready we will march to encircle and destroy you.
I—as scout—will join them with my most trusted men and deliberately lead them on a long detour.
By the time they arrive they will find only an empty camp full of shit.
Meanwhile—while my village's warriors are away—you will launch a surprise night attack on Wisteria Village which will be almost undefended.
I will arrange for someone to open the gates for you.
You can loot the village take all the food supplies and anything else of value."
"And what do *you* gain from this?" the chieftain pressed.
"I want you to help me kill every child under ten years old in the village" Nikolas said calmly.
At those words the young wildling cursed:
"You're a cold-blooded monster!"
Nikolas replied coldly:
"In the cruel North only beasts survive."
Finally he added:
"What you do after the sack is your business.
But if I were you I would flee as far as possible.
Offending House Stark brings consequences you cannot imagine.
I don't want to be betrayed by you."
The chieftain snorted.
"Despicable cunning Southerner—how can I trust you've truly sent troops?"
Nikolas answered:
"Simple.
When we march we must first cross the stream at the foot of the mountain.
Post a lookout there.
Once they see our column pass they'll know I spoke the truth.
Moreover—to give you enough time to act—I'll deliberately slow the march that night."
The chieftain thought for a moment then waved impatiently.
"Enough.
Take your foul mouth and get out of my hall before I change my mind—go!"
Nikolas stood bowed and left.
After the visitor had gone the young wildling said worriedly:
"Father—this Southerner cannot be trusted.
How do we know Winterfell really sent troops?
What if he's simply trying to trick us into abandoning the keep?
Then we lose the fortress cannot take the village and become homeless wanderers again."
The chieftain pondered then turned to the man in black.
"What do you think Raven?"
"First—my name is Ashley not Raven."
Ashley analyzed:
"I think there's truth in what he says.
Nobles turn on each other—even brothers—over power and inheritance.
It happens in the South and it will happen here in the North.
Nikolas may be using us to eliminate his father-in-law's new son so he can reclaim the succession.
Since our location is already known we'll have to abandon this keep sooner or later anyway.
We may as well do one last big raid before we move on."
The chieftain considered and felt the opportunity was worth taking.
"We have to try.
The stream at the mountain's foot is the only practical route between the village and our camp.
If we prepare in advance the enemy column that comes to surround us won't be able to return in time to save their homes.
As for whether we can actually take the village—as long as we bring enough men we have nothing to fear from any tricks he might play."
He turned to the youth.
"Raman—go find Gould at once.
I know his band is camped nearby.
Tell him to send men to help us take that village.
All captives and loot will be split equally."
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