Game of Thrones: Oath of Iron and Fire-Chapter 31: A New Beginning for the Wolf Pack

The sea wind howled, the waves churned, and the large ship cleaved through the waves.

The heavy drumbeats of the oarsmen, the flapping of the sails, and the rhythmic creaking of the wooden oars—before dawn broke, the smuggling ship swiftly fled the Myr harbor.

"Winter is coming, the lone wolf dies, the pack survives!"

"Winter is coming, the lone wolf dies, the pack survives!"

In the swaying cabin of the Myrish merchant ship "Meadow Wine," under the gray and white banner of the Wolf Pack, all the soldiers of the Wolf Pack swore allegiance to Gendry, obeying the command of the new captain and commander.

Handsome was the first to kneel, placing his longsword at Gendry's feet. Then came the arrow maker, Steel Fist, Lance, and everyone else, all kneeling.

To follow orders, to endure the storm together—this was the sentiment ingrained in the Northerners. The Stark family was like this, with the blood of the direwolf, strong and fearless, wild and untamed. In terms of courage and strength, Gendry had won them over.

Gendry put on the black direwolf ring of the Wolf Pack, looking at the aged Maester Qyburn, the arrow maker Dick, the now crippled Handsome, the weary Steel Fist, and Lance. This was a battered little unit, yet it was his only hope, the starting point of all his endeavors.

"Rise, brothers!" Gendry called for the Wolf Pack to stand.

"My arm is useless now, and I can't participate in combat missions. I volunteer to be the new commander's strategist," Handsome said.

Gendry thought for a moment. Handsome was upright and open-hearted. After taking off the captain's ring, he wholeheartedly supported him.

"I believe there's no need to change the past appointments. Handsome will continue as the treasurer and my strategist. The knights will still be led by Steel Fist, the infantry by Lance, the arrow maker will remain the instructor, and Maester Qyburn will be the healer." In these chaotic times, stability was paramount.

"Agreed!"

"Agreed!"

"Next, we need to clench our fists together!" Gendry raised his fist. "Only then will we have the strength to deal with Governor Joy."

"Let Governor Joy and those Myrish pirates regret our meeting again. We are the Wolf Pack; the Wolf Pack never forgets!"

"Our original Wolf's Den probably won't do," Handsome said. "It's too close to Myr, and without the magistrate's protection, it's not safe."

"We need the gunpowder grass manor!" Gendry said. The gunpowder grass manor originally belonged to Magister Karasso and might now be up for auction. The Wolf Pack could take it over.

"That's a good idea! The gunpowder grass manor is farther from Myr and closer to the coastline. The stewards and slaves there are naturally our friends!"

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"We need manpower, the more the better! We used to be cautious about the Myrish, but now we might as well completely liberate the manor's slaves and stand against Myr!" Gendry suggested.

Since the Wolf Pack couldn't stand in Myr anymore, it was better to set fire to the Disputed Lands, create chaos, and free the slaves from the manors.

Slavery was the shackle across the eastern continent. Gendry couldn't afford to anger too many slave owners at the moment, but he was confident he could stir up trouble in the Disputed Lands.

"Do it! Smash those damn slave traders!"

"Let's do it!"

"The old gods and the new gods both despise slavery!" The mercenaries of the Wolf Pack shouted in agreement.

Both the old and new gods detested slavery, and the people of Westeros naturally abhorred it. Moreover, they were now almost at odds with the Myrish, so it was better to thoroughly disrupt the situation.

"Governor Joy has several gunpowder grass manors; they are his money bags!" Gendry said. Taking supplies from the enemy, Governor Joy was their foe, and destroying his manors and winning over his slaves would be done without a second thought.

Everyone discussed fervently, and in the end, they agreed on a strategy, endorsing Gendry's idea.

"Snap!" A moment later, the Lysene old pirate also walked into the cabin, and Gendry put on his mask.

"Young hero! Young hero!" Sallador clapped his hands. "The winds on the high seas are strong; I didn't expect to see such a young and valiant figure emerge!"

"I salute you, the young commander-in-chief of the Wolf Pack, the head wolf!" Sallador said. "Bloodthirsty Sam was on the battlefield at eleven, Tywin was a Hand of the King at twenty, and Robert launched the War of the Usurper at twenty! The courage of the young often rewrites history!"

"Thank you for your generosity! You flatter me!" Gendry looked at the pirate king of Lys, a man who might be dancing on a few eggs. Stannis, the fat magistrate of Pentos, had connections with them all, and cooperation required caution.

"My old friend, I don't think you came in here just to watch our folly! Homeless people!" Handsome said to the pirate king.

"Not to watch the folly, but to discuss cooperation with you!" Sallador laughed loudly. "I've always wanted a mercenary company, fearless, loyal, and brave. I like you, descendants of the ice and snow. The Golden Company is too expensive, and those Unsullied are rigid and costly! I've been waiting for my Northern friends for a long time!"

"How do we cooperate?" Gendry asked the old pirate.

"Very simple! I have ships, secret passages, sailors, and many friends and information across the known world. The Wolf Pack has warriors and skilled hands! We can cooperate!" Sallador smiled.

"Aren't we just becoming pirates then?" Lance couldn't help but ask.

Gendry didn't stop Sallador from speaking and let him continue.

"For three centuries, my family has been in the pirate business. One of the Ninepenny Kings, Samaro Saan, was my ancestor. Unfortunately, the Ninepenny King failed and never managed to secure a piece of land for our family. Pirates and mercenaries have always been good friends. We help each other!" Sallador said. "You are not my subordinates but partners!"

"I understand what you mean, Captain Sallador!" Gendry looked at the cunning Lysene old pirate. "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 wise choice. The commander of the Wolf Pack is a smart man. You head south; the gunpowder grass manor is a good place to start, not far from the eastern coastline. Besides Crown Town in the south, it's within the sphere of influence of Lys. I'll provide fleet protection for you. When the Myrish come, you can retreat to the small islands of the Stepstones or escape to Crown Town!"

"In return, you can offer a little help to loyal old Sallador!" The Lysene old pirate said.

"Let's do it, but we'll only target Myrish enemies!" Gendry said. The Wolf Pack needed a fleet and naval power, and for now, they had to cooperate with the old pirate.

"Deal, but Commander, you're thinking too much. Once you incite a slave uprising, the Myrish will surely become your mortal enemies."

"Here's to a pleasant cooperation! May it help my poor old friend Greybeard avenge himself sooner!" Sallador had his attendant bring in a large jug of warmed wine, and he couldn't wait to clink glasses with Gendry.

"Cheers!" The glasses made a crisp clinking sound.

"By the way, what if we are besieged by the Free Cities together? Will Captain Sallador come to our rescue?"

"That's beyond my reach. The help I offer is all behind the scenes. I hope the commander understands. There are bold pirates and foolish pirates, but neither lasts long," Sallador shrugged. "If you are unfortunately wiped out, then it's as if you never came aboard my ship. We had no agreement!"

"You are a cunning pirate indeed!" Gendry looked at the old pirate and couldn't help but laugh. The help Sallador offered came at a cost, and it was certain that he wouldn't risk too much to support them.

"Then let's make a big score!" Sallador became excited.

"There is a ship belonging to a Myrish magistrate, to be precise, the head of the Navigator's Guild, the ambitious Magister Lecha. He was the biggest black hand behind Magister Karasso's downfall. Now his merchant ship is docked in Volantis. The ship comes from Qarth, carrying spices, jade, and Unsullied, and it will return to Myr."