WiSH - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Winter is Coming

Will had never ridden a horse before, but the body's owner, Will, was an accomplished horseman. When he took the reins from a free rider, Will attempted to mount the horse, and to his astonishment, his movements were fluid and precise, showcasing his exceptional riding skills.

Since everything was unfolding under Will's identity, he decided to refer to himself as Will from now on. He would retain his surname as a reminder of his true self.

Eddard led the procession on horseback, maintaining a leisurely pace. Beside him was the young boy Bran, followed by the three spirited teenagers, and then the captain of the guard, Jory Cassel, the master of horse, Hullen, the steward, Desmond, and others. Next came the dozen or so free riders, who either paid no attention to Will as they passed or regarded him with indifference and disdain. Will guided his horse to the side to let them pass.

He was unarmed, and these free riders were armed with lances and clad in shining armor. They weren't concerned about him attempting to flee on horseback.

When a horse carrying double riders passed by, Will bowed to the two riders who had looked down on him, expressing his gratitude. The horse bore two riders because one of them had lent his horse to Will.

After all the riders had gone by, Will did not hasten to catch up. Everyone's pace was slow, and the horses' hooves clicked as they headed south.

With a sharp sound, Will tore a strip of cloth from his black cloak. One end was held between his teeth, and the other was wrapped around his right hand. The bitter cold had caused a severe abrasion on his right hand, and if he didn't keep it warm, the surrounding skin would turn purple, and his hand would be damaged by frostbite and abrasions, significantly impacting his swordsmanship in the future.

Having learned traditional Chinese medicine from his father since childhood, memorized medicinal formulas, recognized herbs, and then studied Western medicine in university, Will knew he had to protect his right hand quickly. If the temperature dropped further and his hand didn't receive timely disinfection and treatment, infection and frostbite could completely destroy the nervous system in his hand.

The sound of tearing cloth was loud and distinctive. The free riders behind him turned to look and saw Will tear a piece of cloth from his cloak. He skillfully held one end with his teeth and adeptly began to bandage his severely frostbitten and injured right hand with one hand. The riders were impressed; they couldn't do such a smooth self-bandaging job. But they quickly understood that for someone who had spent years at the Wall, being proficient in bandaging and first aid wasn't surprising.

Will swiftly bandaged his right hand and took the reins with his left, tucking his right hand into his chest.

Keeping his right hand warm would ensure blood flow to the hand and prevent cell tissue death from freezing around the wound. When he placed his hand into his chest, it felt like he was pressing it against a block of ice, making his entire body shiver from the cold.

It was uncomfortable, but Will's expression remained stoic, his nerves like steel wires.

His soul and body's endurance were now the combined strength of both Will, far surpassing others. They both had merged perfectly into the current Will.

As the group advanced, Will's gaze swept over the dozen free riders, over Jory and the others, and settled on the back of a red-haired teenager. This red-haired teenager had glanced at Will as he passed by, his gaze cold and resolute. The teenager's skin was very fair, and his eyes were a bright blue, matching Bran's hair, eyes, and skin. Will knew this exceptional teenager must be Robb Stark.

The direwolf emblem on his black sable cloak confirmed Will's guess.

According to his memories before transmigration, Robb, Bran, Rickon, Sansa, and Arya all resembled their mother, with the Tully family's characteristic auburn hair and typical blue eyes.

The teenager next to Robb Stark appeared slightly slender, but his eyes were sharper, almost black in their grayness. His skin was darker, and his hair was black and lustrous. He was dressed as elegantly as Robb, but there was no direwolf emblem on his tunic. His face resembled Eddard's, and Eddard Stark's eyes were also gray. Will understood that this teenager must be Jon Snow.

As for the other teenager, who was slim and had a look of faint derision, he was undoubtedly Eddard Stark's ward, Theon Greyjoy. If Will remembered correctly, he should be nineteen this year, five years older than Jon Snow and Robb Stark, but he was slightly shorter than both of them. When Theon Greyjoy rode past Will, he snorted softly through his nose, and the right corner of his mouth lifted slightly. Will saw the hint of superior and cruel mockery hanging from his lips.

Will could sense that Theon Greyjoy harbored a desire to kill him with his own hands but also possessed a superior arrogance that made him reluctant to dirty his hands.

Theon was a dangerous individual, yet Will felt no fear. With Will's current abilities, he could effortlessly drive a sword into Theon's throat with his left hand.

Four years of training at the Wall, whether on duty or in combat drills, and facing unpredictable perils during patrols, these harsh days were not in vain. In terms of his previous life's experience, the fusion of both of them was akin to the most hardened warrior forged in the harshest environment for four years. Before that, Will had already been a seasoned thief, surviving in the Seven Kingdoms, adept in swordsmanship and theft.

Will knew Theon was a classic two-faced character, arrogant yet timid, bloodthirsty yet cowardly, proud yet insecure, seeking honor yet betraying trust. But deep down, there was a hidden kindness that Theon himself was unaware of.

Will kept a slight distance behind the group as they advanced, while he reviewed the trajectory of events in this world's memory. If the world's trajectory didn't deviate much, they would soon discover the dead giant ice wolf, the second sign of the impending winter.

For the first time in centuries, a giant ice wolf would appear south of the Wall, and it would be dead. This was the second signal that winter was coming.

Up ahead, Jon Snow eyed a distant grove and said to Robb and Theon, "Hey, dare you to race? Let's see who can reach the grove first."

Jon Snow, due to his bastard status, was often mocked and looked down upon, so he trained the hardest in swordsmanship and horsemanship. He had already surpassed Robb in swordsmanship and was confident that his riding skills were among the best in the castle. Only in front of his father would Jon Snow dare to act as he pleased. If Lady Catelyn were present, he wouldn't dare to utter such provocative words.

"Let's race!" Robb immediately agreed.

"Alright, let's see who gets to the grove first." Theon squeezed his legs, and his pony was the first to dash out.

The children all knew that their father, though as cold as rock on the surface, was as soft as cotton inside.

So, whenever their mother was absent, they dared to be a little mischievous.

The three horses immediately galloped away.

A rare, faint smile graced Eddard Stark's icy face. He never displayed his love for his children, but they were all extremely intelligent and understood the tenderness of his heart well.

Eddard reined in his horse and said, "Desmond, go back to the city and tell Maester Luwin to meet us at the godswood. Jory, tell that Night's Watchman, Will, to follow us. We'll take the back road behind the village and enter the castle through the rear gate, heading straight to the godswood. Hullen, you lead the group and follow the young lords."

"Yes, my lord."

Desmond spurred his horse and galloped toward Winterfell.

Jory turned his horse around and shouted to Will, who was at the back of the group, "Stinky Will, follow us. We're taking a different route."