"Men, saddle up! We ride with Lord Eddard!" Jory's command rang out.
Horses were readied, Stark sons mounted, and Harwin approached the stables.
Harris was already there. Hill slept through the alarm until a jug of water woke him.
"Get up, lazybones! We ride!" Harris barked.
"Oh, heavens… fine, fine!" Hill grumbled, scrambling to gather his gear.
Harwin prepared his leather armor, sword, warhammer, and bow. With mail underneath for protection, he checked his horse, feeding it egg and salt from his saddlebag — careful for the long ride and the wilds ahead.
The group set out. Hooves pounded across the courtyard as Eddard led them north, Ice carried by Weyon Poole.
After a day's ride, they found the fugitive atop a bare hill, surrounded by spearmen. Will sat on the ground, eyes wide with fear, barely noticing the spears at his throat.
Eddard's sword descended, and Will was executed swiftly, leaving the party heavy with grim thoughts. Bran and Harwin shared a quiet moment of reflection, the death of one of the Night's Watch weighing on them.
---
At a stone bridge, Harwin helped Bran dismount.
Under it lay the body of a female direwolf, puppies whining and hungry.
"What monster is this?" Theon asked.
"A direwolf. Ferocious," Eddard said, kneeling.
"They shouldn't be south of the Wall," Robb said gravely.
Jon handed a puppy to Bran. "Do you want one?"
Bran nodded. Harwin watched closely, understanding the significance — five pups for five Stark children, a sign from the Old Gods.
"You can raise them. If they die, bury them yourself," Eddard commanded after a pause.
Harwin's calm guidance ensured the pups were safe.
Even Jon found another hidden cub, a pure white one, thanks to Harwin's keen eye.
"Thanks, Harwin," Jon said, smiling.
"Don't mention it," Harwin replied, grinning. "Next time, Winterfell treats me to something tasty."
"Agreed! A good drink awaits," Jon laughed.
The group mounted and rode back, Harwin leading Bran and watching carefully over the Stark children, a steady presence amidst the chaos of the North.