Gendry's wedge formation pierced through the enemy ranks like a sharp spear tip, with Gendry himself slaying Bloodbeard. Knights from the Second Sons, the Long Spears, and the Golden Company joined in the slaughter, their iron armor and steel fists creating a storm of knights.
"Long live the Wolfpack!"
"Long live the Free Army!"
"Break the chains! Kill these Myrish slavemasters!"
The knights charged to the other side, and Gendry reformed his ranks for a second assault, charging from the front of the manor to the end once more. The battle was decided. "Steel Fist," "Longspear," and "Grey Wolf" led the Wolfpack and Free Army infantry in pursuit, reaping the full fruits of victory.
Gendry and the Golden Company's officers rode across the battlefield. With Bloodbeard's death, the Cat's Guild's collapse accelerated, and this once formidable mercenary company, second only to the Golden Company, crumbled.
After this battle, the Myrish were left trembling, and the Disputed Lands had even fewer adversaries. The Wolfpack and the Free Army would sweep through the Disputed Lands completely.
"A refugee army, yet well-trained!" Gendry's gaze swept over the Golden Company's many senior officers and the common soldiers. The Golden Company was wealthy and had a tight formation.
The mercenaries of the Golden Company flaunted their worldly wealth, exuding a nouveau riche vibe, much like other groups: they wore gem-encrusted swords and engraved armor, dressed in fine silks and heavy gold necklaces, and especially the gold armlets on each man's arm were worth a fortune, enough to ransom a lord. One armlet represented a year of service in the company.
"Congratulations on your great victory, Commander!" Harry Strickland, the Golden Company's commander, was praised. He couldn't refuse the officers' demands and had to go along with them.
"I must thank you all as well. If you had arrived any later, the Golden Company could have come directly to my wolf's den for the victory banquet!" Gendry said dryly, with Longspear, Grey Wolf, and others behind him. These warriors were all bloodied, carrying a ferocity from the battlefield.
Gendry understood the Golden Company's game: they waited to see how the battle unfolded, only committing to the fight once the Cat's Guild and the Myrish alliance were beyond redemption. It was a case of adding flowers to brocade, not providing help in a time of need.
"You jest!" Harry Strickland mustered the courage to say. He was a treasurer by trade, not a brave warrior. In front of Gendry, he felt like a dull blade next to a bright sword.
"Please understand, the Golden Company is a mercenary company with ten thousand warriors. We cannot casually involve ourselves in conflicts," apologized Gorold Eddon, the Valyrian treasurer.
"We merely wish to extend a token of goodwill and friendship to the Commander. The Golden Company does not intend to hinder the Commander's cause," said Lanso Mar, the Lysene intelligence officer.
"What about the Golden Company?"
"Warriors respect other warriors. The Golden Company admires a man like you, Commander. We support your claim to the throne and seek your assistance. Westeros is our true home."
"Are you sure, gentlemen? You're being overly optimistic! The king has Jon Arryn, Barristan the Bold, the Kingslayer at his side, and the support of the Vale, the North, the Riverlands, the Stormlands, the wealth of Highgarden and Casterly Rock backing him," Gendry laughed, emphasizing the Golden Company's difficulties.
Lysander Peck raised his fist. "Though we've been in exile for a hundred years, we still have friends in the Reach. Highgarden is not as strong as Mace Tyrell thinks. And we have friends in Dorne, too."
"We've waited long enough, what's a little longer? The queen grows prouder each year. How long will Lord Arryn live? And there's the equally ambitious Lord Renly. We'll have our chance, Commander!" the Golden Company's intelligence officer analyzed for Gendry. Though the Golden Company operated in the Disputed Lands, they also kept an eye on news from their homeland across the Narrow Sea.
"In my view, your plan to return home is like a bubble! A hundred years ago, 'Warrior' Daemon Blackfyre and 'Cold Iron' Eddard Rivers didn't win, so what makes you think you will now?" Gendry mercilessly pointed out their delusions.
"At that time, King Daeron had the support of Bloodraven, his son Baelor Breakspear, and Meca the Hammer, all united. The Iron Throne is in turmoil now; we're not without a chance," Franklin Flowers emphasized.
"Retaking Westeros will be grand and convoluted. We might have to wait another year, five years, or even ten. It's an uncertain number. But we're seeking a friendship with you. When the Golden Company decides to cross the sea, the Wolfpack can offer some help," Harry Strickland said. He breathed a sigh of relief; it wasn't about crossing the Narrow Sea right now, and there was still room for negotiation in the future.
"As long as the Golden Company doesn't hinder my taking over the Disputed Lands, I'm willing to offer some assistance," Gendry said ambiguously. Both sides were essentially making promises; as long as the Golden Company didn't interfere with the Wolfpack's offensive, it was fine to make mutual promises.
"That's more than satisfactory!" The new power of the Wolfpack had no ill will towards the Golden Company and would even help and support them. Even a signal of cooperation was a positive sign for the Golden Company.
After the Golden Company left, the Long Spears, led by their captain, surrendered to Gendry. Gendry easily accepted this eight-hundred-strong cavalry and integrated them into his ranks.
Next, Brown Ben Plumm came over with the remnants of the Second Sons. After Mero's death, the other members of the Second Sons had elected Brown Ben as their new captain.
"The Second Sons are willing to pledge their loyalty to you, Commander! I am Brown Ben Plumm, the newly elected captain of the Second Sons." Brown Ben placed his longsword at Gendry's feet and knelt in submission.
"You certainly have a unique look, Captain Ben," Gendry observed his appearance. Brown Ben was a peculiar half-breed, with a broad face, brown skin, a broken nose, thick grey hair, and almond-shaped black eyes inherited from his Dothraki mother, with some wrinkles at the corners.
"I have blood from Braavos, the Summer Islands, Ib, Qohor, Dothraki, and Dorne. I even have a drop of Targaryen blood," Brown Ben said proudly.
"Look at our Captain Ben here, how kind he looks!" Gendry said to Longspear.
Brown Ben kept smiling foolishly, appearing amiable.
"I know your story, Brown Ben. Our Captain Ben looks kind and gentle, and his smile seems even more benevolent. He's like everyone's favorite reliable uncle, always mild-mannered and full of wonderful stories and the wisdom of an elder. But it's all an act. His smile doesn't reach his eyes, which carefully hide his greedy nature. This man is both hungry and vigilant." Gendry's words were like a knife, making Brown Ben feel uneasy.
Brown Ben saw that "Longspear," "Grey Wolf," and the others besides Gendry were ready for action. Longspear gripped his spear tightly. The warriors' gazes were as hard as iron; they were not ordinary mercenaries but now as fierce as wolves and steel. It would only take a few attacks, and Brown Ben would meet his end.
"Commander, you can't do this. I've already surrendered to you!" Brown Ben's face turned pale. Defeated armies cannot speak of bravery, and cunning cannot replace the cruelty of war.
"However, you're not entirely useless. At least the Second Sons are good at running away! How many men do you have left?" Gendry asked.
"Over four hundred!" Brown Ben replied.
"As everyone knows, the Second Sons are never trustworthy, and the Myrish are now terrified, especially of the Wolfpack's attacks."
"What do you mean?" Brown Ben looked at Gendry.
"To be honest, I don't trust you, Brown Ben. The Second Sons are infamous and too cunning. I could wipe out your entire group, but I think keeping you might serve a better purpose. Go to Myr; you understand my intentions!"
"I understand, Commander!" Brown Ben nodded. Gendry had already decided their fate: return to Myr and continue as mercenaries for the Myrish, or rather, as the Wolfpack's "inside men"!
"You've made a wrong choice once; I don't want the Second Sons to make another mistake. Otherwise, when I take Myr, the Wolfpack will show no mercy!"
"Rest assured, Commander. There are old mercenaries and bold mercenaries, but no mercenaries who are both old and bold," Brown Ben mused. "This time, I won't make a mistake. I'll be with the winners."