73 Chapter 72 - A Determined Departure

125 AC

The First day of the Third moon

Ulf Pov

Two weeks of ceaseless celebration had enveloped the North, a splendid spectacle of revelry and merriment. The contrast between northern feasts and their southern counterparts was a wondrous sight to behold. The very essence of these festivities bore the stamp of a rugged, unyielding land, as the Northerners displayed their deep-seated traditions and valor through their customs. The generous flow of ale, as copious as the mighty rivers that traversed their terrain, painted the atmosphere with a certain euphoria. 

Amidst the echoing laughter and songs that resonated through the grand hall, the younger heirs were not to be outdone. They showcased their talents in the training yard.

The sound of clashing steel, the shouts of combat, and the disciplined mastery of weapons filled the air as they sparred in pursuit of excellence.

Yet, the most extraordinary spectacle of the festivities was the epic clash between Hugh known for his unyielding strength, and Roddy the Ruin, a seasoned combatant with a reputation that struck fear into the hearts of many.

It had been a spectacle of unparalleled intensity. The battle had raged on, each combatant striving to outdo the other. The mighty blows exchanged by these warriors had shaken the very foundations of the training yard. With a resolute spirit and unbreakable determination, they had danced in a whirlwind of steel, parrying and striking, neither yielding an inch. Spectators had watched in awe as the sweat-drenched combatants had fought, their breaths visible in the cold northern air.

The crowd's cheers and roars had become an integral part of the duel, a living force that had fueled the warriors' fervor. The North's finest warriors had gathered, their eyes locked on the spectacle before them, their pride swelling with each resonating clash of swords.

It had been an unforgiving contest. Roddy's experience and tactical brilliance had clashed with Hugh's raw power and indomitable spirit. The two adversaries, had shown no mercy. Blow after blow had been delivered, and the sound of clashing steel had filled the yard. The biting cold had seemed forgotten in the heat of battle.

As the duel had continued, it had become apparent that both warriors had been evenly matched, their strengths and weaknesses cancelling each other out. The ground beneath them had borne the scars of their battle, the earth marred by the imprint of countless boots and the mark of fallen warriors.

Sweat and blood had mixed on their furrowed brows as the combatants, now more resembling war-worn comrades than adversaries, had exchanged a glance. The unspoken respect that had grown between them had been palpable, for they both had understood the weight of this duel. It hadn't been merely a contest of skill but a testament to the Northern spirit, an unyielding resolve to prevail at any cost.

Their final clash had resounded through the yard, a crescendo of steel and might. In that fleeting moment, it had become clear that Roderick had triumphed, though not without great effort. Hugh, though defeated, had borne no shame, for his spirit had remained unbroken. He had acknowledged the experience and wisdom that had carried Roderick to victory, the hard-earned wisdom of a lifetime spent on the battlefield.

The crowd had erupted into a deafening cheer, applauding the valor and courage displayed by both combatants.

And then it had been there when Hugh had earned the nickname "Hugh the Hammer".

I found myself on my way to check up on Hugh, accompanied by my mischievous friend Mushroom. As we strolled down the corridor, Mushroom turned to me with a sly grin.

"I bet a single gold dragon that he will be with a woman," he declared, winking.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "He won't, Mushroom. He fought Lord Roderick yesterday. He won't have the energy for anything else."

Mushroom, ever the optimist, just grinned wider. "Well, get ready to be proven wrong, my friend."

We approached Hugh's room, and I rapped on the door, but there was no response. Mushroom, never one to stand on ceremony, boldly pushed the door open. The sight that greeted us left both of us speechless, and then we burst into laughter.

There lay Hugh, snuggled up with a woman who looked equally surprised. A sheepish grin spread across Mushroom's face.

"I will kill the fool," I muttered, but Mushroom, ever the opportunist, chimed in, "But pay me first!" He laughed uproariously, making no effort to stifle his mirth.

Our ruckus woke up Hugh and the bewildered woman next to him. As the grogginess lifted from Hugh's eyes, he glanced at Mushroom, who was still chuckling like a madman.

"It seems our dear Hugh was hammering the bear," Mushroom declared with a glint in his eye, as we both realized that the woman in the bed was none other than one of Lord Mormont's daughters.

As the lady hastily dressed and made her exit, not before Hugh mischievously smacked her behind and lounged back with an impish grin.

"My dear friends," he began with a triumphant air, "I would like to inform you that I have successfully accomplished my mission of wooing a Northern maiden. Two kingdoms down and five more to conquer!" He guffawed heartily, clearly proud of his exploits.

I clenched my fists, ready to give him a piece of my mind. "You idiot, just look at the bruises on your body from yesterday's spar with Lord Roderick! What on earth were you thinking, engaging in such extracurricular activities, and with a lord's daughter, no less?"

Hugh, with an unrepentant shrug and a sheepish grin, retorted, "Well, she did come to me."

My patience wearing thin, I growled, "I am going to strangle you," and leaped onto the bed, attempting to throttle him. But our tussle was abruptly interrupted as Sara came and asked me to come with her to Cregans solar as he wished to speak with me.

"When I return, Hugh, we will have a talk," I declared with a stern expression.

Hugh, never one to take things seriously, retorted, "Ah, the great White Knight will enlighten me on how my deeds are sinful in front of the Seven Who Are One." He mocked the faith of the Seven with a mischievous glint in his eye, and I couldn't help but shake my head at his blatant irreverence.

"What on earth was Ser Alfred thinking when he knighted that Idiot," I mused aloud, my frustration evident. To my surprise, Sara burst into laughter at my exasperation, her infectious giggles filling the room.

As we made our way towards Cregan's Solar, Sara walked alongside me, and I couldn't help but notice how her hand brushed against mine. The way she looked at me left little doubt that I was the object of her teen crush. It seemed her admiration was not an isolated case. Indeed, all the young ladies of the North had approached me, whispering sweet nothings about my looks and gallantry. They even gave me a nickname, "The Wolf Slayer."

I couldn't help but feel a growing sense of exasperation. "Where's Adam?" I inquired.

Sara seemed momentarily torn away from her daydreams, her eyes filled with devotion as she gazed at me. "He's in the training yard with Ser Harlon," she replied, her voice filled with warmth.

The constant admiration and the teenage infatuation that seemed to surround me had me feeling like a hunted stag in a forest full of eager hunters. I sighed inwardly, secretly wishing for a moment of peace amidst the ceaseless attention.

After recovering sufficiently from the recent events, I turned my attention to preparations for my journey to the Wall. As we reached the solar, Sara bid me farewell, and I continued inside, ready to discuss important matters with Cregan.

Cregan welcomed me warmly, and I noticed that Lord Glover and Lord Mormont were also present. I took a seat as a detailed map of the North was spread out before us.

"I wish to strengthen the western coast of the North," Cregan began, his gaze fixed on the map. "While the Manderlys control the east with their ships, we lack a proper port and an adequate number of vessels to safeguard our lands on that side."

Cregan's finger pointed to a location on the map, and he continued, "Thanks to Ulf, I've come to realize the importance of Sea Dragon Point. It boasts a wealth of lumber suitable for shipbuilding, and I'm determined to make the North strong, starting with our western coast."

Cregan emphasized the need for securing the western coast and turned to the lords in the room. "With the help of your men," he said, motioning towards the assembled lords, "we can fortify our western coast and ensure the North's strength."

Both Lord Glover and Lord Mormont nodded in agreement, recognizing the wisdom in Cregan's plan.

After the lords had departed, it was just Cregan and me left in the room. I approached him with a sense of purpose.

"Cregan, I wish to go to the Wall," I declared, and he raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.

"You wish to join the Night's Watch?" he inquired.

"No," I retorted with a sly grin, "I wish to piss from the wall and see if it turns into ice before it reaches below."

 We shared a hearty laugh at the jest.

Cregan's amusement faded as he regarded me seriously. "But are you sure you have fully recovered?"

I nodded confidently. "Yes, I am sure, though my body feels stiff, and the maester has advised me not to spar for a few weeks."

Cregan leaned back in his chair and contemplated my request. "I plan to visit the Wall after the lords have departed," he admitted. "Though I will miss your mischievous dwarf."

"Do not worry, Cregan. I have no intention of taking the others with me."

His brow furrowed in confusion. "Why not?"

"Hugh won't be able to ride a horse for a week, and I believe Adam won't be able to handle the cold. The less said about Mushroom and Harlon, the better," I explained, hoping to dissuade him. The truth was, I had my reservations about their reactions to the situation north of the Wall.

Cregan didn't seem entirely convinced, likely sensing there was more to my reluctance. "Very well," he conceded. "Although Sara would be disappointed to see you go." He couldn't help but tease.

I rolled my eyes and retorted, "Wipe that grin off your face. I'm not interested in bedding a twelve-year-old."

 Cregan burst into laughter at my response.

"I am coming with you," Sara declared stubbornly, her determination evident as I had informed everyone of my intention to visit the Wall.

"If she's going, then so am I, especially since I'm your squire," Addam chimed in, his loyalty unwavering.

I couldn't help but shake my head at their stubbornness. It seemed everyone was intent on joining me on this journey.

"Ulf, you can't go alone; who will protect you otherwise?" Hugh interjected, a hint of concern in his voice.

"Not you, for obvious reasons," I replied, gesturing to the visible bruises on his body, a result of his recent spar with Lord Roderick.

Hugh thought for a moment and then suggested, "You can take Harlon and Mushroom with you."

Mushroom, ever the jester, chimed in, "I quite like it here," clearly not enthusiastic about the prospect of traveling to the Wall.

But when I turned to Harlon, his face bore a seriousness that gave me pause. He seemed to be contemplating something deeply.

"I will come with you, Ulf," Harlon stated with unwavering determination.

I knew that there was no convincing him otherwise, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the loyalty and support of those around me. The decision was made, and it seemed I would have some companions on my journey to the Wall, whether I liked it or not.